E. Martinez

Yeah, that's because the longtime enemy of Israel in the U.S. 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.

Yeah, that's because the longtime enemy of Israel in the U.S. 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.

Yeah, that's because the longtime enemy of Israel in the U.S. 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.

I'm E. 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. How real is that concern?

I'm E. 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. How real is that concern?

I'm E. 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. How real is that concern?

Now the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster.

Now the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster.

Now the government's collapse amounts to Iran's latest disaster.

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

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

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

And here's one 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 20, to avoid any trouble at the border.

And here's one 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 20, to avoid any trouble at the border.

And here's one 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 20, to avoid any trouble at the border.

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?

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?

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?

Yeah, especially if we don't know really 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 in the skies? I mean, what does it look like?

Yeah, especially if we don't know really 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 in the skies? I mean, what does it look like?

Yeah, especially if we don't know really 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 in the skies? I mean, what does it look like?

Aliens? Any talk of aliens?

Aliens? Any talk of aliens?

Aliens? Any talk of aliens?

If it's been going on since last month, why are most Americans just hearing about this now?

If it's been going on since last month, why are most Americans just hearing about this now?

If it's been going on since last month, why are most Americans just hearing about this now?

If the FBI just sends Mulder and Scully out to investigate, they'll get to the bottom of this. Julia Hayward is a reporter for WNYC. Julia, thanks a lot. Thanks for having me.

If the FBI just sends Mulder and Scully out to investigate, they'll get to the bottom of this. Julia Hayward is a reporter for WNYC. Julia, thanks a lot. Thanks for having me.

If the FBI just sends Mulder and Scully out to investigate, they'll get to the bottom of this. Julia Hayward is a reporter for WNYC. Julia, thanks a lot. Thanks for having me.

And I'm A. 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.

And I'm A. 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.

And I'm A. 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.