Sources & Methods Iran in crisis. Trump weighing military action. Here’s what we know
22 snips
Jan 15, 2026 
Greg Myre, a seasoned national security correspondent for NPR with extensive experience in the Middle East, and Quil Lawrence, who covers U.S. military issues, dive deep into the ongoing turmoil in Iran. They discuss the significant implications of President Trump's military options, including potential airstrikes and cyber operations. The conversation shifts to the dangerous ties between Iranian and Venezuelan oil markets, and the uncertain future of U.S. military posture in the region. They also explore the implications of Trump’s Southcom nominee and the challenges of regime change in Iran.
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Information Blackouts Distort The Picture
- Internet shutdowns make it extremely hard to verify casualty and protest numbers in Iran.
- Fragmented videos and sporadic calls create an incomplete, unreliable picture of events.
Limits Of Military Action Against Protests
- Military strikes are plausible but their effectiveness against street protests is doubtful.
- Strikes risk refocusing protesters' grievances onto foreign intervention and could be counterproductive.
Non-Kinetic Options Are Temporary Tools
- Non-kinetic options like cyber operations or Starlink can provide short windows of effect.
- These measures are temporary, limited in reach, and easily countered or undone by the regime.