Sources & Methods (NPR): “Two wars escalate abroad with political violence at home”

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Mary Louise Kelly
Guests: NPR correspondents Odette Youssef and Greg Myre; Senator Alyssa Slotkin

Episode Overview

On the anniversary of September 11th, this episode examines national security flashpoints at home and abroad. Host Mary Louise Kelly is joined by NPR correspondents to discuss sudden escalations in the Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, as well as a surge in political violence within the US, notably the high-profile shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Later, Senator Alyssa Slotkin (D-MI)—a former CIA officer—reflects on the evolution and politicization of America’s national security institutions since 9/11, and what keeps her hopeful amid growing polarization.

Roundtable Discussion

1. Escalations in Two Major Wars

(03:19–05:25)

• Middle East:
  • Israel conducted an airstrike in Doha, Qatar—targeting Hamas leaders during peace talks.
    • "Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed this airstrike in Qatar as Hamas leaders gathered to discuss a peace plan backed by the Trump White House." —Greg Myre (04:33)
  • The attack is notable for taking place in a long-standing US ally and key mediator.
• Ukraine/Europe:
  • Russia escalated attacks, sending drones into NATO-ally Poland’s airspace.
  • NATO responded by scrambling fighter jets; seen as a test of alliance resolve.
    • "Russia's Vladimir Putin has stepped up attacks on Ukraine... Now he sent at least nine drones into Poland, seemingly as a way to see how the US and NATO might respond." —Greg Myre (04:02)

Key insight: Both aggressions occurred "despite President Trump's stated intent to end the wars," with foreign leaders seemingly unconcerned about US repercussions.

2. Political Violence at Home: The Shooting of Charlie Kirk

(01:54–03:19)

• Kirk was shot during a campus appearance in Utah; suspects remain unidentified.
• The incident highlights "the growing threat to national security" from political violence and rampant, reactionary speculation online.
  • "I’m just very concerned that the longer we go, some of this really incendiary rhetoric... is just going to keep on churning." —Odette Youssef (02:31)

3. 9/11’s Legacy: How American Security Has Changed

(05:35–11:21)

• Early Intelligence Warnings:
  • Greg Myre recounts covering the 1995 capture of Ramzi Yousef (1993 WTC bomber) in Pakistan, unraveling links to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and failing early warnings of al Qaeda tactics.
    • "Here in 1995, we knew the potential target, the World Trade Center... using multiple airliners as weapons." —Greg Myre (07:16)
• Intelligence Adaptation:
  • Post-9/11, the CIA transformed into a paramilitary force, spearheading early actions in Afghanistan.
    • "It was transformed from an agency that gathered and analyzed intelligence... became a very different agency." —Greg Myre (08:44)
  • Creation of Department of Homeland Security and expansion of federal focus on foreign terrorism.
    • "The apparatus that was constructed right after 9/11 to protect the homeland was enormous. But the attention at the time really was on these foreign terrorist organizations." —Odette Youssef (10:00)
• Missed Domestic Extremism:
  • The focus on foreign terror meant domestic threats—from Oklahoma City to today’s white supremacist violence—were under-prioritized.
    • "The most lethal and persistent threat on the homeland, according to former FBI Director Christopher Wray, has been violent white supremacists." —Odette Youssef (10:47)

4. Current Turmoil in US Intelligence

(12:37–14:28)

• Upheaval as the Trump administration slashes staff, replaces agency heads, and allegedly censors intelligence not aligning with political narratives.
  • "We've already seen very clear instances of top national security officials being dismissed because assessments about Iran or Venezuela are at odds with what President Trump has been saying publicly." —Greg Myre (13:24)
• Redefinition of "terrorism" questioned—e.g., the administration classifying Venezuelan drug cartels as terrorist actors.
  • "Drug cartels have not traditionally fallen under the ambit of national security work... there’s concern... when the terrorism landscape is more complex than it’s ever been." —Odette Youssef (14:28)

5. OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Picks of the Week

(15:05–17:47)

• Tom Hanks’ “Wokeness” Controversy:
  • Trump pressured West Point to rescind a civilian service award for Hanks over his perceived politics.
    • "Trump got wind of this, complained publicly and loudly, saying Tom Hanks is way too woke... and the West Point Alumni Association announced that they were... canceling the ceremony." —Greg Myre (16:17)
• Violent Extremism and Fashion:
  • Shein’s accidental modeling of a T-shirt by Luigi Mangione (charged in a CEO’s murder) underscores the intersection of criminal notoriety, viral culture, and AI.
• NATO Article 4 Invoked:
  • Poland invoked Article 4 following Russian drones, highlighting rarely-known protocols for emergency alliance consultations.

Interview with Senator Alyssa Slotkin (D-MI)

1. Living Through 9/11 and a Career in Security

(20:46–21:34)

• Slotkin was a young New Yorker on 9/11; the event turned her toward CIA service.
  • "The smell of that, the burning buildings... it completely changed my life. I mean, top to bottom." —Senator Slotkin (20:55)

2. Intelligence Community Upheaval & Political Pressure

(23:18–24:34)

• Slotkin criticizes politicization and staff purges in US intelligence agencies.
  • "I can't tell you how dangerous I think it is to politicize intelligence... I believe that to be dangerous for the security of the United States." —Senator Slotkin (23:18)
• She argues for reform, but not by “slashing and burning”—calls for strategic rethinking, not a simple return to pre-Trump status quo.
  • "Let’s actually take this as a moment... to do a little rethinking of how we are organized as an intelligence community and a Defense Department." —Senator Slotkin (24:34)

3. Greatest National Security Threats: Domestic Divisions

(25:01–25:56)

• Slotkin identifies internal polarization and economic decline as the most profound threats, connecting the rise of political extremism to the stresses facing the American middle class.
  • "The existential threat to the country is not coming from abroad. It’s the shrinking middle class at home and what that does to our stability here." —Senator Slotkin (25:05)
  • "When you can't provide for your kids what was provided to you... you feel shame, you feel anger, you feel cornered... and that is almost always someone who doesn't look like you or talk like you or pray like you." —Senator Slotkin (25:35)

4. Opportunities for Reform and Hope for National Healing

(26:09–28:27)

• She advocates for modernization, especially in the Defense Department, and rapid adoption of technology to meet 21st-century threats.
  • "Our way of taking 12 years to go from idea for a new weapons system to actually fielding it doesn't work for the modern age." —Senator Slotkin (26:09)
• Reflects longingly on the unity seen post-9/11, urging a return to political normalcy rooted in the majority “80% in the middle,” away from extremes.
  • "We were all on the same team. And I'm so glad that I got to be there in that moment to see that. And I'm so concerned with how far we feel from that moment." —Senator Slotkin (27:16)
  • "My practical, reasonable constituents get exhausted looking at the extremes and just want something normal." —Senator Slotkin (28:08)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Odette Youssef (on post-attack finger-pointing):
  “I’m just very concerned that… incendiary rhetoric… is just going to keep on churning.” (02:31)

• Greg Myre (on foreign aggression):
  "Leaders… are going directly against the wishes of President Trump, seemingly because they think they can and there won't be any repercussions." (04:02)

• Mary Louise Kelly (on intelligence failures):
  “…all that was known in the late 90s... In the end, U.S. intelligence was not able to connect the dots. The 9/11 attacks happened." (08:03)

• Senator Slotkin (on politicizing intelligence):
  “It’s very hard to see some of these moves as anything other than attempting to shape the intelligence community to the will of Donald Trump. I believe that to be dangerous for the security of the United States.” (23:18)

• Senator Slotkin (on America’s existential threat):
  “The existential threat to the country is not coming from abroad. It’s the shrinking middle class at home and what that does to our stability here.” (25:05)

• Senator Slotkin (on hope):
  “My practical, reasonable constituents get exhausted looking at the extremes and just want something normal.” (28:08)

Episode Structure & Navigation

• 00:19: Reflection on 9/11’s unity (Slotkin, pre-taped for context)
• 01:27: Roundtable opens—intros & Kirk shooting in Utah
• 03:19: Israel and Gaza escalation / Ukraine and Poland
• 05:35: 9/11’s intelligence lessons & legacy
• 12:37: Turbulence in US intelligence community
• 15:05: OSINT segment—pop culture, odd intersections, NATO Article 4
• 20:46: Senator Slotkin interview—living through 9/11, DC intelligence changes, greatest threats, and hope for the future

Takeaway

This episode paints a stark image of contemporary national security: simultaneous escalation of international conflicts, an alarming rise in domestic political violence, and US security agencies under intense political strain. Yet, through Senator Slotkin’s lens, there remains potential for national renewal—grounded not only in institutional reform, but in rekindling the pragmatic, communal spirit that followed 9/11.