NPR News: 12-08-2024 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 9, 2024, 8 PM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on critical global and national issues in its December 9, 2024 episode. Hosted by NPR, this five-minute segment encompassed significant developments in Syria, U.S. economic policies, Asian markets, South Korean politics, and cultural honors in the United States. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode.

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1. Syria: Transition and Stability Efforts

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Jawad Rizala and Michelle Kellerman

The episode opened with an in-depth report on the evolving situation in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Jeanine Herbst highlighted President Biden's administration's vigilance in monitoring the militant group ISIS to prevent exploitation of the current power vacuum. The United States has intensified its military efforts, executing dozens of strikes targeting over 75 ISIS strongholds in Syria.

Deposition of Assad:

• With Assad and his family fleeing to Moscow, there is a significant shift in Syria's political landscape.

Return of Syrian Refugees:

• Over a million Syrians displaced by the 13-year civil war are now beginning to return home, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's recovery.

On-the-Ground Perspective:

• Reporter Jawad Rizala provided a vivid description from a Lebanese border crossing:

  "The road to Syria once we reach close now to the border crossing is full with traffic, cars with Syrian revolutionary flags, people cheering people on the sides of the road, cheering them on as well. Everyone is excited." ([00:51])

United Nations' Role:

• Michelle Kellerman reported on the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Gare Pedersen's perspective:

  "It's a watershed moment," Pedersen remarked, emphasizing the UN's call for dialogues to establish an inclusive government.

• Pedersen expressed "cautious hope for a new chapter to begin" ([01:26]), highlighting the potential for a transitional government now that Assad is no longer in power. Despite challenges, including the designation of the leading rebel group as a terrorist organization by the UN, Pedersen noted the willingness of various armed groups and activists to protect state institutions and prioritize dialogue.

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2. U.S. Economic Policies: Trump's Tariff Proposals

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Luke Garrett
Guest: President Elect Donald Trump

The discussion shifted to U.S. economic policies, particularly focusing on President-elect Donald Trump's advocacy for increasing tariffs on major trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China. Jeanine Herbst introduced the segment by noting that many of Trump's previous tariffs remain active and that economists predict these measures will lead to higher prices for American consumers.

Trump's Defense of Tariffs:

• In an interview with NBC News, Trump maintained his stance on tariff hikes but acknowledged potential price increases:

  "I can't guess. I can't guarantee tomorrow." ([02:24])

• He dismissed estimates from the Tax Foundation, which calculated that tariffs imposed during his first term cost Americans approximately $80 billion, asserting that these costs were borne by consumers:

  "They cost the consumer, quote, nothing," Trump stated and emphasized using tariffs for strategic foreign policy objectives ([02:35]).

Economic Analysis:

• Luke Garrett pointed out that tariffs could address broader issues related to international conflicts, albeit without providing specific historical examples:

  "They also solve another problem. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs. I have stopped wars with tariffs." ([02:47])

• Trump did not elaborate on instances where tariffs have directly influenced the cessation of wars ([02:57]).

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3. Financial Markets and South Korean Political Developments

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Elizabeth Blair

The episode briefly touched upon the fluctuating Asian markets, noting a slight uptick in Japan's Nikkei and a marginal decline in the Asia Dow. Concurrently, U.S. futures remained relatively stable.

South Korean Politics:

• Significant political news emerged from South Korea, where former Defense Minister Kim Jong Un was detained by prosecutors. The detention followed his recommendation of a brief martial law imposition to President Yoon Sung Yeol.

  • Kim Jong Un voluntarily appeared at a prosecutor's office, coinciding with President Yoon's avoidance of an opposition-led impeachment attempt.

  • The impeachment bid was thwarted as ruling party members boycotted the floor vote, preventing the necessary two-thirds majority to suspend Yoon's presidential powers ([03:03]).

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4. Kennedy Center Honors Gala

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Elizabeth Blair

The episode concluded with a spotlight on the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors Gala scheduled for December 22nd in Washington, D.C. NPR's Elizabeth Blair detailed the event, highlighting celebrated figures in the arts.

Notable Honorees:

• Francis Ford Coppola: Described by Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein as a "masterful storyteller," Coppola is recognized for iconic films like American Graffiti and Apocalypse Now ([04:06]).

  "I love the smell of napalm in the Morning." ([04:19]) – A memorable quote from Apocalypse Now cited during the tribute.

• Arturo Sandoval and Bonnie Raitt: Both are acknowledged for their musical achievements, including multiple Grammy awards and impactful contributions to American culture ([04:19]).

Broadcast Details:

• The gala will be aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount, offering audiences nationwide the opportunity to witness the celebration of these distinguished artists ([04:21]).

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Market and Political Updates

Jeanine Herbst wrapped up the segment by updating that U.S. futures were trading slightly negative, with Nasdaq futures down approximately 11 points ([04:48]).

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This episode of NPR News Now effectively encapsulated pivotal international developments, economic policy debates, market movements, and cultural celebrations, providing listeners with a well-rounded overview of the day's most pressing issues.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, President Biden says the U.S. is monitoring the militant group ISIS to make sure it doesn't take advant the situation today. U.S. forces conducted dozens of strikes on more than 75 ISIS targets in Syria. Deposed President Bashar Al Assad and his family fled to Moscow. Meanwhile, more than a million Syrians who fled the 13 year old civil war are now heading home. And pirates Jawed Rizala has more from a border crossing in Lebanon.

[Jawad Rizala]

The road to Syria once we reach close now to the border crossing is full with traffic, cars with Syrian revolutionary flags, people cheering people on the sides of the road, cheering them on as well. Everyone is excited.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Jawad Rosaleb reporting. And meanwhile, the United nations special envoy for Syria calls it a watershed moment, but the UN Is calling now for talks on building an inclusive government. As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, UN envoy.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Gare Pedersen says a dark chapter left deep scars in Syria, but he's now looking forward with quote, cautious hope for a new chapter to begin. Pederson has been trying for years to negotiate a transitional government in Syria and now may have a real chance at that with Assad out of the way. The lead rebel group, though, is a UN Designated terrorist organization. Patterson says he's heard from armed groups and Syrian activists alike that they're willing to protect state institutions against retribution and harm. He says it's time for everyone to prioritize dialogue. Michelle Kelleman, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President elect Donald Trump is standing by his calls for a tariff hike on America's top trading partners, Canada, Mexico and China. Economists say this will increase prices for American consumers. NPR's Luke Garrett reports many of Trump's tariffs from his first presidency remain in effect.

[Donald Trump]

During an interview with NBC News, President Elect Trump defended his tariff proposals but stopped short of promising that all consumers won't see a jump in prices.

[Luke Garrett]

I can't guess. I can't guarantee tomorrow.

[Donald Trump]

The nonpartisan Tax foundation estimates that tariffs from Trump's first term cost Americans $80 billion. The President elect said they cost the consumer, quote, nothing and promised to also use tariffs for foreign policy reasons.

[Luke Garrett]

They also solve another problem. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs. I have stopped wars with tariffs.

[Donald Trump]

Trump did not provide an example of when he stopped war with tariffs. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Asian markets are trading in mixed territory at this hour. The Nikkei in Japan up a fraction. The Asia Dow is down about 3/10 of a percent. US futures contracts are trading flat. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. South Korean prosecutors detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week's brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Sung Yeol. Ex Defense Minister Kim Jong Un voluntarily appeared at a prosecutor's office and was detained. His detention comes a day after Yoon avoided an opposition led bid to impeach him, with most ruling partymakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent rather a two thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala takes place in Washington, D.C. in about a half hour. The Grateful Dead in the Apollo Theater in New York City are among this. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has more on some of the others being celebrated tonight.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein calls filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola a masterful storyteller. The five time Oscar winners canon includes the American Graffiti and Apocalypse Now.

[Luke Garrett]

I love the smell of napalm in the Morning.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Chosen for pushing creative boundaries and influencing American culture. This year's class of honorees also includes multiple Grammy winning musicians Arturo Sandoval and Bonnie Raitt in the Luck of the Draw Baby. The Kennedy Center Honors will broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount on December 22nd. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading slightly negative. Nasdaq futures are down about 11 points. I'm Janine Hurst, NPR News, in Washington.

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