Iran Loses Regional Ally, U.S. Colleges Prepare For Trump, Drone Sightings

Summary

Up First from NPR – December 13, 2024

In today’s episode of NPR’s Up First, hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A. Martinez delve into three pivotal stories shaping the early days of 2025: Iran's significant geopolitical setback with the loss of its ally Syria, American colleges' proactive measures in response to the incoming Trump administration's policies affecting international students, and a mysterious wave of drone sightings across New Jersey and neighboring states. This detailed summary captures the essence of each discussion, enriched with notable quotes and insights from experts.

---

1. Iran Loses Syria: A Major Regional Shift

Timestamp: 00:02 – 05:46

The episode opens with A. Martinez highlighting the collapse of Syria’s government, a move that delivers a significant blow to Iran’s regional influence. She states, “Syria offered a connection to Iran's proxies in nearby Lebanon. Now, the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster” (02:24).

Steve Inskeep elaborates on the strategic relationship between Iran and Syria, emphasizing that Iran had heavily invested in propping up Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad with both money and troops during the civil war. This support was crucial for Iran’s broader ambitions in the Middle East, particularly in maintaining a corridor to Lebanon for funneling weapons to Hezbollah.

NPR International Affairs Correspondent Jackie Northam provides deeper insights into the repercussions of Syria’s fall on Iran’s long-term goals. She explains, “They want to see the destruction or the collapse of Israel as a Jewish state. Iran also wants to counter any power or influence that the US has in the Middle East” (03:30). Northam highlights that with Syria no longer a reliable ally, Iran faces significant challenges in sustaining its network of proxies across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

The discussion underscores the strategic importance of Syria for Iran and how its loss could hinder Iran’s ability to project power and influence. Northam also touches on internal pressures within Iran, noting economic hardships and potential unrest, which might be exacerbated by the geopolitical setbacks.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Loss: Syria provided Iran with a vital land bridge to Lebanon, facilitating arms transfers to Hezbollah.
• Regional Impact: The fall of Syria disrupts Iran’s network of proxies, weakening its stance against Israel and the US.
• Internal Pressures: Economic issues and potential unrest within Iran may compound the challenges posed by losing Syria as an ally.

---

2. U.S. Colleges Brace for Trump Administration’s Policies Affecting International Students

Timestamp: 05:58 – 09:39

As the United States anticipates President-elect Trump's second term, several American universities are issuing advisories to their international students. A. Martinez reports that institutions like USC, Penn, Cornell, UMass Amherst, MIT, and Wesleyan are urging international students to return to the U.S. before January 20th, “to avoid any trouble at the border” (06:03).

Kirk Carapeza, a higher education correspondent for GBH in Boston, explains the motivations behind these advisories. “Many administrators are revisiting Trump's track record,” he notes, referencing the drop in international student enrollment by 12 percentage points during Trump's first term, driven by policies such as the travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and heightened visa scrutiny (07:05).

The potential for stricter immigration and visa policies under Trump has created anxiety among both administrators and international students. While there are currently no concrete proposals from Trump’s campaign regarding international students, the colleges are taking precautionary steps to ensure their students are not adversely affected by unforeseen policy changes.

Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, is quoted saying, “The potential decline of international students is a tragedy because these students create a global atmosphere that's critical to American campuses” (08:16). He emphasizes the importance of international students in fostering a diverse and intellectually vibrant academic environment.

Professor Gerardo Blanco from Boston College adds, “There’s a real disconnect on campus between students and administrators” (09:06). While administrators are taking measures to safeguard students, many international students remain genuinely fearful about their future in the U.S.

Key Takeaways:

• Preventive Advisories: Universities are proactively advising international students to return by Inauguration Day to mitigate potential immigration policy changes.
• Economic and Cultural Impact: A decline in international students would not only reduce cultural diversity but also adversely affect the financial health of educational institutions.
• Student Anxiety: Despite assurances, there is palpable fear among international student communities regarding their status and safety in the upcoming administration.

---

3. Mysterious Drone Sightings Over New Jersey and Beyond

Timestamp: 09:43 – 13:37

The episode transitions to a peculiar phenomenon unfolding in the skies over New Jersey and spreading to neighboring states. Federal authorities have confirmed an ongoing investigation into numerous drone sightings, though they currently assess these drones as “not a security threat” (10:19).

Julie Hayward, a reporter for WNYC, provides updates on the situation. She reveals that the FBI and other federal agencies are employing specialized radar technology to monitor and identify these unidentified aerial objects. Despite these efforts, skepticism and concern remain among local lawmakers and residents, as expressed by some state senators and mayors who find the federal response insufficient (11:05).

Residents from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey have reported seeing various drone-like objects, sparking rampant speculation on social media platforms. Theories range from extraterrestrial visitors to foreign spies, with some residents even invoking the infamous 1938 “War of the Worlds” broadcast as a cultural reference point (12:25).

The increase in sightings outside New Jersey and heightened media attention, including a Congressional hearing, have amplified public interest and concern. Hayward notes, “This has been going on for weeks... But now, it's spreading outside of New Jersey” (12:43), highlighting the viral nature of these reports and the ensuing public discourse.

Key Takeaways:

• Ongoing Investigation: Federal authorities are actively investigating drone sightings but currently do not view them as immediate threats.
• Public Concern and Speculation: The unidentified nature of these drones has led to various theories, including alien involvement and foreign espionage.
• Media and Political Attention: Increased media coverage and political discussions have heightened public awareness and anxiety regarding the drone phenomenon.

---

Conclusion

Today's episode of Up First provided a comprehensive overview of significant global and domestic issues. From Iran’s diminishing influence in the Middle East due to Syria’s collapse, to the challenges American educational institutions face in safeguarding their international student populations amid potential Trump-era policy shifts, and the curious case of drone sightings stirring public intrigue and concern. Each segment was enriched with expert opinions and firsthand accounts, offering listeners a thorough understanding of these multifaceted stories.

---

Notable Quotes:

• A. Martinez (02:24): “Syria offered a connection to Iran's proxies in nearby Lebanon. Now, the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster.”

• Jackie Northam (03:30): “They want to see the destruction or the collapse of Israel as a Jewish state. Iran also wants to counter any power or influence that the US has in the Middle East.”

• Ted Mitchell (08:16): “The potential decline of international students is a tragedy because these students create a global atmosphere that's critical to American campuses.”

• Julie Hayward (10:19): “The federal government's actually sending specialized radar technology to local police departments in New Jersey to help sort out what's going on with these drones.”

---

For those looking to stay informed, Up First is available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET and weekends with expanded coverage, ensuring you start your day with the most important news.

Transcript

[A. Martinez]

The fall of Syria's ruler is a blow against Iran.

[Steve Inskeep]

Iranian money and troops propped up the old Syrian leaders. So how much does his government's collapse set back an adversary of Israel and the United States?

[A. Martinez]

I'm A. Martinez. That's Steve Inskeep. And this is up first from NPR News. Some American colleges have a warning for their international students. They're suggesting students who leave for the holidays should try to return before Inauguration Day to avoid any trouble at the border, however real is that concerned.

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, who's flying drones over New Jersey? Could it be a Springsteen van? Someone who's afraid of the drivers? And is it a coincidence that the radio broadcast of War of the Worlds was set there? We won't just drone on about the state where I used to live, but stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Merrill Whatever your financial goals are, you want a straightforward path there. But the real world doesn't usually work that way. Merrill understands that. That's why with a dedicated Merrill advisor, you get a personalized plan and a clear path forward. Go to ML.combullish to learn more. Merrill, a Bank of America company. What would you like the power to do Investing involves risk Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc. Registered Broker Dealer Registered Investment Advisor Member SIPC Support for NPR and the following message come from Fisher Investments SVP Judy Abrams shares how their fiduciary duty comes to life while helping clients plan for retirement.

[Jackie Northam]

As a fiduciary, we must make decisions in our clients best interest, so we work with them in consultation to be on a glide path. So when they want the option to retire, that portfolio is still going to keep working for them at this stage of life.

[NPR Sponsor]

Learn [e-mail] Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com upfirst the fall.

[Steve Inskeep]

Of Syria's longtime president prompted celebrations by many of its people. It's safe to say the same event led to dismay in the capital of Iran.

[A. Martinez]

Yeah, that's because the longtime enemy of Israel in the US Relied on Syria as one of its allies in a bid for power across the Middle East. Iranian troops and money propped up the ruler, Bashar al Assad, during years of civil war. Now, if you look at a map, you can actually see why? Syria offered a connection to Iran's proxies in nearby Lebanon. Now the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam covers Iran. Hey there, Jackie.

[Jackie Northam]

Good morning. Thanks, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

How did the Iranians use the old Syrian government?

[Jackie Northam]

Well, the most important way that it used it is Syria allowed Iran to set up a critical land bridge to Lebanon, so a corridor to Lebanon so it could funnel weapons to Hezbollah. For many years, you know, this was crucial to get fighters, weapons going both ways actually. But now that the anti government rebels control Syria, that strategic route to Lebanon is really most likely off limits to Iran. And that's a huge blow for regime's long term goals in the region.

[Steve Inskeep]

What were or are the regime's long term goals exactly?

[Jackie Northam]

Well, there are two key ones. They want to see the destruction or the collapse of Israel as a Jewish state. Iran also wants to counter any power or influence that the US has in the Middle East. You know, at the same time projecting the regime's own power in the region using its military and proxies, you know, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and certainly the Houthis in Yemen.

[Steve Inskeep]

Oh, which underlines how disastrous the few months have been for Iran because Hezbollah has been decimated by Israel's military. This is just a moment when you would think Iran would wanting to be resupplying Hezbollah. I guess that's not going to happen.

[Jackie Northam]

Oh, absolutely. Yeah. You know, and this is just really going to make it much, much harder to get, you know, missiles and drones and the like to Hezbollah in Lebanon if this corridor is out of reach now. But you know, Steve, this isn't the only setback that Iran has faced recently. I spoke with Afshan Ostavar and he's a specialist on Iran and its proxies at the Naval Postgraduate School. And you said losing Syria as an ally really marks a profound turnaround for Iran. You know, if you consider just a year ago it was one of the most powerful states in the Middle East. Here he is.

[A. Martinez]

It controlled politics on the ground in Iraq, in much of Syria, in much of Lebanon. It was losing ground in Gaza, but only just. And its allies in Yemen controlled much of Yemen. But in the last two months, three months, all of that has been reversed.

[Jackie Northam]

So Steve, you know, not only has Israel degraded Hezbollah, as you mentioned, but Hama in Gaza, it assassinated senior Iranian officials and pounded Iran's air defenses. And now it's lost a powerful ally in Syria.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so might Iran change its strategy of seeking domination through the region that's highly unlikely.

[Jackie Northam]

And you know, and Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned earlier this week not to underestimate the regime. One of the concerns is if Tehran feels cornered, it may try to use its nuclear program as leverage. But you know, the other thing that's worth noting in the wake of the shakeup ensue Syria is that Iran's hardline regime may also be worried about a threat of upheaval from its own population. You know, the economy is terrible, any kind of dissent is crushed, and Tehran's watching what's happening in Syria. I wonder if the same thing could happen in Iran.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Jackie Northam, thanks for the insights.

[Jackie Northam]

Thanks very much, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Some American colleges are preparing for President Elect Trump's second term, and here's one.

[A. Martinez]

Of the ways they're doing that. Several universities, including usc, Penn and Cornell, are giving advice to international students. If they're going home for the holidays. The university suggests returning before Inauguration Day, January 20th to avoid any trouble at the border.

[Steve Inskeep]

Kirk Carapeza is covering this. He follows higher education for member station GBH in Boston. Kirk, good morning.

[Kirk Carapeza]

Hey, good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

What exactly are colleges saying?

[Kirk Carapeza]

Well, most colleges aren't saying much, but there are some, the ones you mentioned, and a handful of schools here in New England, UMass, Amherst, MIT and Wesleyan, have all reached out to international students, urging them to return to the US before January 20th. Harvard also contacted its international students this week. The college suggested those traveling overseas for the holidays, quote, budget time ahead of Martin Luther King Day, which coincidentally is also Inauguration Day.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. So I guess we can imagine why they would make this suggestion. But let's, let's try to get the facts out. What is driving this?

[Kirk Carapeza]

Well, I think, I think many administrators are revisiting Trump's track record. You know, in his first term, new foreign student enrollment dropped by 12 percentage points. You'll remember there was the travel ban targeting several majority Muslim countries, heightened visa scrutiny, and then in 2020, the mandate for all international students to attend classes in person, even during the pandemic. Now, this time around, Trump is promising even stricter policies. At a rally in New Jersey this summer, he warned foreign students involved in campus protests, if you come here from.

[Steve Inskeep]

Another country and try to bring jihadism or anti Americanism or antisemitism to our campuses, we will immediately deport you.

[Kirk Carapeza]

You'll be out of that school.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so he said that, but there's an if at the beginning of that. Is it entirely clear what specifically the new president will do. Regarding international students?

[Kirk Carapeza]

No, there are no concrete proposals at this point from Trump or his transition team. But, you know, these colleges are trying to make sure their students don't get stuck out of the country when the new semester begins.

[Steve Inskeep]

What do you hear when you reach out to administration, administrators as well as students?

[Kirk Carapeza]

They're really anxious. You know, behind closed doors, they tell me they're worried. Ted Mitchell is president of the American Council on Education, and he calls the potential decline of international students a tragedy because he says these students create a global atmosphere that's critical to American campuses. It's kind of a brain sweep in which American institutions help bring the best and the brightest from other countries to our shores. And I think that the rhetoric of the campaign suggested that immigrants were the opposite of that. Steve, some faculty members I talked to, they tell me their students are genuinely afraid. Here's Professor Gerardo Blanco. Blanco runs Boston College's center for International Higher Education, and he says there's a real disconnect on campus between students and administrators.

[Jackie Northam]

Having talked with colleagues, they feel like there is no evidence of a change in policy, and this is not a time to panic.

[Kirk Carapeza]

But Blanco says many students are already very concerned, and these colleges are taking precautions to protect them and ease their anxiety.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah, although, fair point, policy hasn't changed yet. We don't really know what's going to happen. Kirk, thanks so much.

[Kirk Carapeza]

Thank you, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Kirk Carapeza covers higher education for GBH in Boston.

[A. Martinez]

What in the world is going on in the skies over New Jersey?

[Steve Inskeep]

New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen once described North Jersey sky with the line, the sun's just a red ball rising over them refinery towers. But now we need to add a few drones to the lyrics and to that picture because people have been reporting flying objects. Federal authorities say the drones are not a security threat, which still leaves the question of what they are.

[A. Martinez]

For more on what we do know about the aircraft, we're joined by WNYC reporter Julie Hayward, who has been covering this story. So is the federal government planning to investigate these alleged drone sightings?

[Julia Hayward]

Yes. So the FBI and other federal agencies have confirmed that there's an active, ongoing investigation into what exactly is going on with these drones that people are seeing in the sky. It is happening. The latest information we have is that the federal government's actually sending specialized radar technology to local police departments in New Jersey to help with them sort of monitoring what's going on with these drones. So things are happening. The issue is that some local lawmakers and people who live in The Northeast don't necessarily think things are happening as quickly as they should be.

[A. Martinez]

Okay. But at least they're on the case. Have they said anything about whether they're a threat at all?

[Julia Hayward]

So we've heard now repeatedly, both from federal officials as well as some state officials. For example, the New Jersey governor has said this as well, that the drones seemingly pose no public safety risk and that folks should remain calm. However, you'll often hear a little bit of a divide between local lawmakers. There are some state senators, some reps, some mayors even, who have gone on the record and expressed a lot more concern over how safe people actually are.

[A. Martinez]

Yeah, especially if we don't know really anything, anything about what we're seeing. So you reported that New Jersey residents have been spotting these objects for weeks now, but we've also seen some accounts from folks in Pennsylvania saying that they've seen them now, too. I mean, what are locals saying about what they're actually seeing? The skies? I mean, what is. What does it look like?

[Julia Hayward]

Yeah. So right now, the count is Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut, as well as New Jersey. So they're starting to pop up in other places other than New Jersey. At this point. Folks just seem to be posting what they're seeing online. This is getting a lot of traction on social media. There are now Facebook groups. There are folks commenting, coming up with theories for what's going on with these Drones is getting a lot of attention online.

[A. Martinez]

Aliens. Any talk of aliens?

[Julia Hayward]

Definitely aliens. There are some people concerned that this is a national security threat. Spies from foreign nations. You name it, someone has said it.

[A. Martinez]

I mean, if. Okay, so if it's been going on since last month, why are most Americans just hearing about this now?

[Julia Hayward]

That's a great question. So this has been going on for weeks. I'm talking, like, since mid November. People in New Jersey originally were the ones to say that they were spotting drones in the air, and nobody was really sure why. Part of why it's gaining so much traction now is that it's spreading outside of New Jersey. We're now having sightings in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, elsewhere. And then on top of that, it's all the attention it's getting on social media as well. And then you also add to that the fact that you now have lawmakers who are talking about it. There was a hearing in Congress about it earlier this month. So people are now paying more attention, which is then sparking more interest and is, you know, fanning the flames more, so to speak.

[A. Martinez]

If the FBI just sends Mulder and Sculley out to investigate. They'll get to the bottom of this. Julia Hayward is a reporter for wnyc. Julia, thanks a lot.

[Julia Hayward]

Thanks for having me.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's a first for this Friday, December 13th. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[A. Martinez]

Hit him, Martinez. Don't forget, up first airs on the weekend, too. Ayesha Roscoe and Scott Simon have all the news. It'll be right here in this feed or wherever you go. Get those podcasts.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Dee Dee Skanke, Stephen Drummond, Ali Schweitzer, H.J. mai and Mohammed El Bardisi. It was produced by Ziad Bach, Nia Dumas and Ben Abrams. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Our executive producer is Kelly Dickens. Join us Monday.

[NPR Sponsor]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org this message comes from NPR sponsor Merrill Whatever your financial goals are, you want a straightforward path there. But the real world doesn't usually work that way. Merrill understands that. That's why with a dedicated Merill advisor, you get a personalized plan and a clear path forward. Go to ML.combullish to learn more. Merrill, a Bank of America company. What would you like the power to do Investing Involves risk Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc. Registered Broker Dealer Registered investment advisor member SIPC Support for NPR and the following message come from Rosetta Stone. The perfect app to achieve your language learning goals, no matter how busy your schedule gets. It's designed to maximize study time with immersive 10 minute lessons and audio practice for your commute. Plus, tailor your learning plan for specific objectives like travel. Get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership for 50% off and unlimited access to 25 language courses. Learn more at RosettaStone.com NPR.