Up First from NPR Hegseth Boat Strikes, Witkoff To Moscow, National Guard Shooting Suspect
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Dec 2, 2025 
Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR White House correspondent, dives into the controversy surrounding U.S. boat strikes on Venezuelan vessels and the conflicting narratives from the White House. Charles Maines, based in Moscow, provides insightful commentary on U.S.-Russia talks led by Steve Witkoff, highlighting Putin's demands and the revised Ukraine peace plan. Meanwhile, Brian Mann uncovers the background of the National Guard shooting suspect, focusing on his mental health struggles rather than radical influences, sparking a thoughtful discussion on mental health crises.
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Questions Around Lethal Boat Strikes
- Reporting indicates Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered lethal strikes on a boat in the Caribbean that left survivors.
- Congressional leaders and military experts say the second strike could raise legal and war-crime questions.
Moscow Talks Signal Russian Red Lines
- Steve Witkoff repeatedly meets with Vladimir Putin and now brings Jared Kushner into talks aimed at a Ukraine peace plan.
- Putin's public messaging and demands suggest he seeks victory and territorial concessions rather than compromise.
Ukraine Wants Concrete Security Guarantees
- Ukraine wants robust, long-term security guarantees before discussing territorial concessions.
- European leaders and Zelensky insist protections are essential to prevent future Russian aggression.