Caribbean Strikes: Survivors Killed, War Crime Questions Emerge
Related Episodes
Caribbean Strike: War Crime Allegations Rock Defense Secretary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces war crime allegations as White House narratives on Caribbean strikes crumble, while Ukraine peace talks intensify and veteran fraud surfaces.
View Episode Notes →
Foreign Influence, Xenophobia, and Eroded Oversight Undermine Democracy
Foreign influence operations exploit social media to sow discord, while divisive rhetoric normalizes xenophobia and erodes democratic oversight, creating policy instability and radicalization.
View Episode Notes →
US Oil Blockade Escalates Pressure on Venezuela's Economy
US oil blockade escalates pressure on Venezuela, targeting 90% of revenue. This economic warfare aims for regime change, but societal uprising is unlikely amid exhaustion and repression.
View Episode Notes →
Executive Discretion Fills Congress's Voids
Article 2's vagueness empowers presidents, shaping policy through interpretation and executive action, as seen with DACA, while congressional inaction and judicial doctrines challenge this balance.
View Episode Notes →
Hegseth's Alleged War Crimes Spark Bipartisan Probe
Alleged war crimes, bipartisan investigations, and a pattern of authoritarian tactics reveal a dangerous Trump administration overreach that sparks citizen resistance and echoes historical struggles.
View Episode Notes →
Partisan Divisions Undermine Law, Ethics, and Democratic Stability
Political divisions override legal and ethical norms, justifying alleged war crimes and pardoning serious offenses, creating a dangerous precedent for democratic stability.
View Episode Notes →Resources
Resources & Recommendations
Podcasts
- Sources and Methods (NPR) - National security podcast hosted by Mary Louise Kelly, mentioned as a source of news.
- Throughline (NPR) - Podcast mentioned for an upcoming episode about "the mother of Thanksgiving."
- Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! (NPR) - Podcast mentioned for a segment featuring Pedro Pascal.
- It's Been a Minute (NPR) - Podcast recommended for its discussion on the anxieties of modern parenting.
Articles & Papers
- "The so-called double tap attack was first reported by the Washington Post" (The Washington Post) - Article detailing the alleged second strike on drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
People Mentioned
- Caroline Levitt (White House Press Secretary) - Mentioned for stating that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the second strike.
- Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary) - Mentioned for authorizing a second strike and posting on X about the legality of the Caribbean campaign.
- Frank Bradley (Navy Admiral) - Mentioned as the admiral authorized by Hegseth to conduct the second strike.
- Donald Trump (President) - Referenced for his comments on the second strike.
- Markwayne Mullin (Republican Senator, Armed Services Committee) - Defended Hegseth's actions on CNN.
- Don Bacon (Republican Congressman, Nebraska) - Told ABC News that the US should "get to the truth" regarding the strikes.
- Mark Kelly (Democrat Senator, Arizona, Senate Armed Services Committee) - Stated that the committee would investigate military officials regarding the strikes.
- Tim Kaine (Democrat Senator, Virginia, Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees) - Discussed his concerns about the legality of the strikes and his efforts to reintroduce the War Powers Resolution.
- Adam Schiff - Mentioned as the lead sponsor of a resolution concerning boat strikes in international waters.
- George Washington (Former President) - Referenced in the context of the framers' intent regarding presidential war powers.
Organizations & Institutions
- NPR - The podcast's own organization, mentioned as a source of news and for its various podcasts.
- CNN - News organization where Senators Mullin and Kelly made statements.
- ABC News - News organization where Congressman Bacon made statements.
- Office of Legal Counsel - Referenced for a classified opinion regarding the legal rationale for the strikes.
- Department of Defense (DOD) - Its "Law of War Manual" was cited regarding violations of the law of war.
- Southcom - Its commander's early retirement was mentioned in relation to the escalating situation in the Caribbean.
Websites & Online Resources
- plus.npr.org - Website for signing up for NPR Plus, a recurring donation program.
- X - Social media platform where Secretary Hegseth posted about the Caribbean campaign.
- donate.npr.org - Website for making donations to NPR.