PBS News Hour - Full Show December 31, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Jan 1, 2026
Miles O'Brien, a seasoned science journalist, shares urgent insights from the Antarctic, revealing alarming changes at the Thwaites Glacier. Angela Stent, a former U.S. intelligence officer, discusses the fallout of a CIA assessment on Putin's alleged assassination plot and its implications for peace negotiations in Ukraine. Simon Ostrovsky provides on-the-ground analysis of the U.S.-backed TRIP corridor in the volatile South Caucasus, exploring potential trade unlocks amidst geopolitical tensions.
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Putin's 'Assassination' Claim Seen As Peace Sabotage
- CIA analysis concluded Ukrainian drones were not targeting Vladimir Putin's residence, and that Russia likely used the claim to derail peace talks.
- Angela Stent says U.S. acceptance of the CIA view may shift Trump negotiators' approach to Russia as the main obstacle to peace.
Journalistic 'Super Bowl' At Thwaites Glacier
- Miles O'Brien described boarding an icebreaker en route to Thwaites Glacier to gather real-time ocean and grounding-line data.
- He emphasized the mission's narrow window and its potential to reveal whether Thwaites could trigger accelerating sea-level rise.
A Transport Corridor That Reshapes Regional Power
- The TRIP corridor aims to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan and open a trade route to Central Asia, reducing reliance on Russia and Iran.
- Simon Ostrovsky notes U.S. economic projects tied to the corridor could reshape regional influence away from Moscow.