Up First (NPR) – Episode Summary

Date: December 31, 2025
Episode: U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela, Iran Protests, Flu Cases Surge
Hosts: Michelle Martin, Amy Martinez
Correspondents: Franco Ordoñez, Jackie Northam, Gabriela Emanuel

Overview

This episode delivers a brisk rundown of the morning’s top stories:

• An escalatory U.S. strike inside Venezuela targeting drug trafficking operations
• Growing protests in Iran amid severe economic crisis
• Alarming surge in flu cases across the United States driven by a new strain

The hosts provide clear, concise analysis together with expert correspondents, highlighting evolving global risks and domestic health concerns on the eve of 2026.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela

[03:29–07:15]

Background & Details

• The U.S. launched its first known land strike inside Venezuela, targeting a dock area where boats allegedly used for drug trafficking were loading.
• Previous U.S. operations focused on intercepting boats at sea, not striking targets on Venezuelan soil.
• President Trump confirmed the operation, stating it was meant to send a message to President Nicolás Maduro.

Significance & Risks

• The on-land strike marks a significant escalation and a shift from prior maritime operations.

• Increased risk of civilian casualties:

  “It’s an escalation, but also creates more risks of killing innocent Venezuelans who have nothing to do with any of that stuff.”
  — Franco Ordoñez, [04:37]

• Notably, the operation occurred with minimal congressional oversight:

  “Typically when presidents have done this in the past, the so-called Gang of Eight would be briefed either before or very soon after... It's just another example... of how Trump has sought to build his own power while diminishing Congress's power.”
  — Franco Ordoñez, [05:12]

• Congress has unsuccessfully attempted to increase oversight via war powers resolutions, reflecting growing unease about unchecked executive military actions.

Messaging & Political Calculations

• Trump administration aims for maximum public impact:

  “They want Nicolas Maduro to sleep poorly at night.”
  — Franco Ordoñez (quoting Ambassador John Feeley), [06:29]

Looking Forward

• Potential for further escalation; congressional response will be closely watched when lawmakers return.

2. Iran Protests Over Economic Crisis

[07:24–11:14]

Origins & Triggers

• Widespread protests sparked by dire economic conditions:

  • Skyrocketing inflation (over 40%)
  • Iranian rial plunging to record lows
  • International sanctions strangling investment and oil exports

  “The local currency, the rial, has plummeted. Inflation is running over 40%. The government recently published a draft of the budget which predicted that the real incomes of the salaried middle class will fall by about half.”
  — Jackie Northam, [07:54]

• New budget portending even steeper decline in living standards prompted student and business participation in strikes and demonstrations.

Government Response

• Crackdown by security forces:
  • Use of tear gas
  • Shutting down public institutions across 20+ provinces (ostensibly for "cold weather," not protests)
• President Masoud Pizeschkian calls for listening to “legitimate demands” but head of central bank resigns and attempts currency support measures.

Regional Instability & External Pressures

• Fear of renewed conflict with Israel; delayed investment post the costly “12 day war” with Israel.
• President Trump states U.S. would back Israel should Iran move toward nuclear/ballistic escalation.

Prospects for Regime Change?

• As of now, protests have not reached 2022 levels (after Mahsa Amini's death). That uprising lasted a month and resulted in at least 500 killed and 20,000 arrests.

  “...We are a long way from that. But there’s been anger and frustration for months... and there are serious concerns that this could spiral into something much larger.”
  — Jackie Northam, [10:05]

Iranian Leadership’s Stance

• Vows to retaliate harshly to any Western aggression, but neither U.S. nor Iran appear poised for negotiations.

3. Surge in U.S. Flu Cases

[11:22–14:46]

Current Situation

• CDC reports 7.5 million estimated U.S. flu cases so far, with numbers up dramatically (up from 4 million the prior week).

• Over 3,000 flu-related deaths already this season.

  “A lot of the country is showing up the highest level of flu activity, particularly the Eastern seaboard, the Midwest, the South.”
  — Gabriela Emanuel, [11:42]

Why Is This Season Worse?

• The culprit: a new “subclade K” strain, spreading rapidly due to lower population immunity.

  “Because it changed, there’s less immunity to it, and that’s allowing the virus to spread very quickly and extensively.”
  — Florian Kramer, Mount Sinai, [12:41]

• This year’s flu vaccine is a “bit of a mismatch” because the new strain emerged after formulation.

• Early data show the vaccine still helps keep people out of the hospital.

Public Health Response & Challenges

• CDC data quality remains strong, even amid agency turmoil.

• Experts lament lack of a strong national push for flu vaccination:

  “I think a lack of a real push for influenza vaccines through agencies like the CDC could be contributing to some of the reduced vaccination rates that we’re seeing.”
  — Andrew Pecos, Johns Hopkins, [13:45]

• National adult vaccination rates just over 40%, trending downward.

Protecting Yourself

• Standard precautions (hand washing, masking) remain effective.
• Antivirals work well if taken in the first two days; rapid at-home flu tests recommended to expedite treatment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Executive Power:

  “It’s just another example... of how Trump has sought to build his own power while diminishing Congress’s power.”
  — Franco Ordoñez, [05:12]

• On Messaging to Venezuela:

  “They want Nicolas Maduro to sleep poorly at night.”
  — Franco Ordoñez (via Ambassador John Feeley), [06:29]

• On Iran’s Economic Crisis:

  “Inflation is running over 40%. The government recently published a draft of the budget which predicted that the real incomes of the salaried middle class will fall by about half.”
  — Jackie Northam, [07:54]

• On the New Flu Strain:

  “...There’s less immunity to it, and that’s allowing the virus to spread very quickly and extensively.”
  — Florian Kramer, [12:41]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:29 – U.S. strike in Venezuela: background and analysis
• 04:56 – Lack of congressional oversight and potential escalation
• 07:24 – Iran protests: scope and government response
• 09:59 – Potential for regime threat and U.S. stance
• 11:22 – CDC flu update: case counts and regional hotspots
• 12:26 – The new subclade K flu strain and vaccine effectiveness
• 13:45 – Critique of public flu vaccination campaign and strategies for protection

Summary

This episode of Up First guides listeners through pivotal global and domestic news with trademark NPR balance and calm. The U.S. strike inside Venezuela and ongoing tensions with Iran highlight broader questions around American presidential power and foreign intervention. Meanwhile, the surge in flu cases underscores the importance of public health vigilance and timely vaccination.

Through expert guests and clear reporting, the hosts equip listeners with facts and context needed to understand rapidly developing stories—and the risks to come as 2026 begins.