The NPR Politics Podcast (Jan 15, 2026)

Episode Title: Big Problems in a Big World
Hosts/Guests:

• Miles Parks (Voting)
• Frank Ordonez (White House)
• Greg Myrey (National Security)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on how the U.S. is confronting multiple global crises under the current administration in early 2026. The team discusses President Trump's recent threats towards Iran following widespread protests, the administration's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland amidst Danish resistance, and ongoing engagement with Venezuela after Maduro's fall. The episode contextualizes these maneuvers in terms of President Trump's evolving foreign policy, the risks involved, and the broader implications for U.S. alliances like NATO.

Key Discussion Points

1. Iran: Protests, Crackdown, and U.S. Response

• Background:
  • After weeks of mass protests in Iran, the Iranian government has violently cracked down on demonstrators, with reports ("large numbers of bodies in body bags") leaking out despite Internet and phone blackouts.

    "It's been a very brutal crackdown... Iranians have managed to get some videos out... We know it's been huge protests." — Greg Myrey [01:15]

  • Grievances are primarily economic (hyperinflation, currency collapse), but calls for regime change are growing and protests are nationwide.
• U.S. Reaction:
  • President Trump has signaled possible military action, saying the U.S. is "locked and loaded" if Iran continues its violence.

    "He said that the U.S. was, quote, locked and loaded if Iran kills protesters." — Frank Ordonez [03:41]

  • The administration also told U.S. citizens to leave Iran and encouraged ongoing demonstrations despite the crackdown.
• Motivations & Policy Shift:
  • Trump’s public concern is less rooted in human rights than in strategic positioning against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

    "Trump has never been one who is fighting for human rights... I see this as more part of his efforts or bigger picture efforts on the nuclear deal." — Frank Ordonez [05:22]

  • Trump's second term marks a shift toward more frequent military action—striking multiple countries, including Iran's nuclear facilities.

    "In this second term, he's bombed seven countries, four of them in the Middle East, including Iran, back in June..." — Greg Myrey [06:12]

  • His method: limited, targeted airstrikes (without ground troops) rather than long-term engagement.

    "One thing I would note is that Trump, while using the military, he's very much gone for these kind of one and done kind of strikes, something that can last 24 hours or less..." — Greg Myrey [07:03]

2. Geopolitical Risks and Escalation

• Regional Risks:
  • Despite the weakened state of Iranian proxies, there remains substantial risk of regional escalation, including missile attacks on U.S. bases.
  • The unpredictability and limited communication due to the blackout worsen the situation.
• U.S. Political Calculus:
  • Trump's military confidence has increased after successful actions, notably following the U.S.-backed ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

    "I'd say even before that... these things so far have gone pretty well. From Trump's perspective, the US has not lost forces..." — Greg Myrey [09:14]

3. Greenland: Renewed U.S. Push for Control

• Background:

  • Trump’s ambition to acquire Greenland has intensified, framing it as a national security issue linked to Russian and Chinese presence in the Arctic.

    "Greenland is a national security issue... if the US does not take control of Greenland, then China and Russia will take over the island." — Frank Ordonez [11:12]

  • Daisy comparisons are drawn to recent U.S. foreign policy successes (“Look at what happened in Venezuela... Denmark needs to negotiate... the US must have control of Greenland.”) [10:08]

• Danish & International Reaction:

  • Initially dismissed, the repeated American demands are now met with concern and efforts to diplomatically resolve differences.

    "At first... a lot of people... scoffed at it. But they've taken it seriously, made preparations, tried to negotiate..." — Greg Myrey [12:16]

  • Denmark underlines its NATO ties, mentioning the longstanding U.S. military presence via base agreements.
  • Frustration persists over the U.S.'s apparent unwillingness to accept the status quo of military access without outright sovereignty.

    "They're baffled at seemingly why Trump can't take yes for an answer and why he seems so determined to own Greenland outright." — Greg Myrey [13:32]

• NATO Implications:

  • Trump's aggressive stance is putting strain on NATO, risking internal division especially as the U.S. threatens action concerning a territory already covered under NATO’s Article 5.

    "To guard against Russia, Trump is threatening real fissures or real fracture of NATO... If Trump were to get his way... he might cause all these fractures within NATO." — Greg Myrey [14:41]

  • Analysts suggest Trump may be gambling on Europe's reluctance to fracture NATO, hoping pressure will net U.S. gains.

    "The equation that Trump may be making is that the Europeans are not going to allow the breakup of NATO over Greenland." — Frank Ordonez [16:09]

4. Venezuela: U.S. Involvement Post-Maduro

• Current Situation:
  • President Trump hosts Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader and Nobel laureate.
  • Though her party was widely believed to win the 2024 election, the U.S. president doubts her ability to unite the country, instead building ties with Delsey Rodriguez, the acting president and high-ranking member of the previous regime.

    "Trump has really actually been kind of cool to Machado... just does not have the support or respect within the country..." — Frank Ordonez [17:07]

  • The result is a U.S. policy that is more transactional than ideologically driven.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iranian Protests:

  "Iranians have managed to get some videos out. Some of these have shown large numbers of bodies in body bags."
  — Greg Myrey [01:15]

• On Trump’s Policy Evolution:

  "In his second term, he's bombed seven countries, four of them in the Middle East, including Iran..."
  — Greg Myrey [06:12]

• On Greenland and NATO:

  "If Trump were to get his way and somehow get Greenland, he might cause all these fractures within NATO... That would be Putin's dream."
  — Greg Myrey [14:41]

• On Strategic Calculus:

  "The equation that Trump may be making is that the Europeans are not going to allow the breakup of NATO over Greenland, and if he can push hard enough, he may get it."
  — Frank Ordonez [16:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protests Overview – [01:15]
• Nature of Iranian Protests – [02:21]
• U.S. Response to Iran – [03:41]
• Trump’s Motivations in Iran – [05:22]
• Broader Military Policy Shift – [06:12]
• Risk of Escalating Conflict – [07:03]
• Effect of Maduro’s Capture on Trump’s Ambition – [09:07]
• Transition to Greenland Topic – [10:40]
• Trump’s Security Framing of Greenland – [11:12]
• Danish and NATO Perspectives – [12:16]
• NATO Fracture Risks – [14:41]
• Trump’s Calculus on Europe & NATO – [16:09]
• Venezuela Update – [17:07]

Conclusion

This episode provides a nuanced look at how U.S. global strategy under Trump’s second term is generating ripple effects–from emboldened military interventions to bargaining hard over strategic territories. The team highlights the risks of escalation, internal and allied pushback, and the transactional approach favored in recent foreign policy. Listeners come away with deeper insight into the logic and consequences behind recent headlines, including the uncertain futures of Iran’s protest movement, NATO unity, and Venezuelan democracy.