On the Iranian Border, More Military on the Way, Warm Western Winter

The podcast delivers updates on the Iran war, now in its fourth week, and a looming water crisis in the American West. NPR’s Emily Feng reports from the Turkish border, relaying accounts from Iranians fleeing the conflict, who express being torn between fear of the current regime and the anguish of civilian casualties from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Greg Myre, NPR's national security correspondent, assesses the military situation, noting U.S. dominance in the skies and the potential for ground troop involvement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently blocked, causing a global oil supply crisis. Kirk Sigler, NPR’s Western correspondent, examines the dire consequences of a dry winter in the American West, which may lead to water shortages and a smoky summer due to low snowpack and river basins.