cover of episode Ukraine Missiles, G20 Summit, Trump's Plans on Fentanyl

Ukraine Missiles, G20 Summit, Trump's Plans on Fentanyl

2024/11/18
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Key Insights

Why did President Biden approve Ukraine's use of long-range missiles into Russia?

Biden's decision was influenced by Russia's use of North Korean troops to reclaim territory in the Kursk region, signaling a need for Ukraine to defend captured territory more effectively.

How might the incoming Trump administration impact U.S. policy on Ukraine?

Trump has indicated a preference for negotiations to end the war, which could pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions and potentially halt additional U.S. military assistance.

What is President Biden's stance on climate change at the G20 summit?

Biden is promoting the U.S. commitment to clean energy and climate action, emphasizing that no one can reverse the progress made in this area.

How are world leaders preparing for Trump's return to the presidency?

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advises strengthening global governance and institutions to tackle challenges like climate change and inequality, anticipating potential shifts in U.S. policy.

What are Trump's plans to combat the fentanyl crisis?

Trump's approach focuses on cracking down on traffickers, including considering the death penalty for dealers and potential military action against Mexican drug cartels.

Why do experts oppose Trump's proposed military action against Mexican drug cartels?

Experts argue that such actions would likely fail to reduce fentanyl smuggling, could destabilize Mexico, and damage diplomatic relations without effectively addressing the crisis.

What is the current trend in fentanyl-related deaths in the U.S.?

Fentanyl-related deaths have dropped sharply over the last year, potentially saving around 16,000 lives, according to the CDC.

What are the concerns about Trump's approach to the fentanyl crisis?

Experts fear that Trump's focus on punitive measures could undermine public health initiatives and defund programs like the Affordable Care Act, which have shown effectiveness in reducing drug deaths.

Chapters

President Biden allows Ukraine to fire long-range U.S. missiles into Russia, raising concerns about escalation and the incoming Trump administration's approach to Ukraine.
  • Ukraine will now use U.S. missiles to hold captured territory in western Russia.
  • The U.S. is providing a limited number of missiles due to stockpile constraints.
  • The incoming Trump administration may change missile policy and reduce military assistance to Ukraine.

Shownotes Transcript

Ukraine gets U.S. approval to fire long-range missiles into Russia, raising the stakes in a war that's entering a harsh winter. President Biden pushes his climate agenda at the G20 summit in Brazil, seeking to solidify U.S. leadership as allies prepare for President-elect Trump's return. And, Trump's plan to combat the fentanyl crisis sparks debate over whether tougher crackdowns on traffickers will help or harm efforts to save lives.Your feedback helps us make Up First better. Tell us what you like and what you don't like by taking our survey at npr.org/upfirstsurvey*Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter).*Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Andrea DeLeon, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Milton Guevara.We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)