Consider This from NPR

Greg Meirian, NPR national security correspondent, offers historical and technical perspective on naval escorts and Iran’s threats. Franco Ordoñez, White House correspondent, reports on U.S. diplomatic outreach and allies’ reactions. They discuss Trump’s call for allied warships, why many countries balked, and whether the Strait of Hormuz can be secured amid modern drone and small-boat risks.

Nick Mafi, Iranian-American writer and essayist, reflects on diaspora identity and the emotional toll of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. He recalls initial hope after reports about Iran’s leader, then describes how that hope shifted into fear as the conflict dragged on. He discusses family history, Noruz amid war, and the urgency of sharing Iranian-American stories.

Odette Youssef, NPR’s domestic extremism correspondent who tracks radicalization and terrorism trends. She discusses heightened city security and lone-actor risks. She breaks down recent violent incidents and rising threats to Jewish communities. She explains how decentralized online recruitment and reduced moderation amplify extremist propaganda.

Ryan Lucas, an NPR reporter who traced America’s history with targeted killings. He walks through the 1970s assassination taboo and Ford’s ban. He outlines how military strikes and post‑9/11 drone policy blurred lines. He examines the Soleimani hit and the recent killing of Khamenei, and the moral and strategic questions they raise.

Andrea Hsu, NPR labor correspondent covering workforce and apprenticeship issues, guides the conversation. She explains apprenticeships as earn-while-you-learn programs. She outlines the administration’s one-million-apprentice goal and the $180 million incentive plan. She discusses real-world factory pilots and the challenges of scaling programs amid limited funding and policy hurdles.

Charles Baines, an NPR reporter based in Moscow who files on-the-ground accounts, describes life in Red Square and provincial towns. He discusses public displays and official messaging, Putin’s WWII framing, and how polls, censorship and local pressures shape apparent support. Scenes of cultural repression and everyday war fatigue also surface in his reporting.

Camila Domenoski, an NPR energy reporter who explains oil transit and attacks, and Rafael Nam, NPR senior business editor who analyzes market moves. They discuss how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz stalled tanker traffic. They examine which attacks shift oil markets and whether alternate supplies or reserves can fill the gap. They cover implications for pump and diesel prices and broader inflation risks.

Kim Ghattas, journalist and author who reports from the Middle East, offers on-the-ground perspective from Lebanon. She describes mass evacuations from Beirut suburbs. She discusses fears of a wider Israeli ground campaign and Hezbollah’s rocket strikes. She outlines Lebanon’s clampdown efforts and the regional ripple effects among Gulf states.

Ava Berger, an NPR investigative intern who co-reported on Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Interlochen Center for the Arts. She describes finding Interlochen in the Epstein files. She explains how donations, a campus cabin, and arranged visits gave access to campus. She recounts verifying documents with archives and interviews, and the challenges of talking with a former camper and alumni reactions.

Domenico Montanaro, NPR senior political editor who breaks down polling and public opinion. Michelle Kellerman, NPR diplomatic correspondent who explains international reactions and diplomacy. They discuss how the war has spread across the Middle East. They explore global diplomatic efforts, Russia’s reported role, and how American public opinion and Trump’s standing are shifting.