Israel's Incursion Into Lebanon, NATO and Strait Of Hormuz, Cuba's Blackout and Trump - Up First from NPR Recap

Podcast: Up First from NPR

Published: 2026-03-17

Duration: 13 min

Guests: Hadil Al-Shalchi, Terry Schultz, Ada Peralta

What Happened

Israel is expanding its ground operations into southern Lebanon, targeting the Hezbollah militant group, which is backed by Iran. The conflict has led to a million people being displaced, with significant evacuations in the south following Israeli airstrikes. Buildings, including homes and schools, have been reduced to rubble, leaving the region hauntingly quiet.

Lebanese President Joseph Varon has been advocating for direct talks with Israel, while international concerns grow over a potential Israeli ground invasion. Countries like Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have issued a statement warning against further escalation, citing devastating humanitarian consequences.

The United States is working to build an international coalition to impose sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps and Hezbollah. A State Department cable urges U.S. diplomats to lobby host governments for these designations and emphasizes the goal of neutralizing Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

In Brussels, NATO countries are discussing their role in the Middle East amid President Trump's complaints about the lack of support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. European allies are hesitant to get involved, particularly as Trump did not consult them before initiating strikes against Iran.

Terry Schultz reports from Brussels that European countries view the war with Iran as not their own, focusing instead on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. European foreign ministers are considering expanding a naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz, but there is little support for this action.

In Cuba, President Trump's comments about potentially taking over the island coincide with a total blackout affecting nearly 11 million residents. The blackout is exacerbated by a U.S. oil blockade that has been in effect for three months, further straining Cuba's deteriorating power grid.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel attributes the energy crisis to U.S. actions and is engaging in negotiations with Washington. Cuba is making concessions, such as releasing prisoners and allowing foreign investments, to appease the U.S. amidst growing public unrest due to the blackouts.

Key Insights

• Israel's military operations in southern Lebanon have led to the displacement of a million people, with new evacuation orders issued for those in the south.
• The United States is seeking to build an international coalition to impose sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps and Hezbollah, aiming to neutralize Iran's military capabilities.
• European countries are hesitant to support U.S. military actions in Iran, focusing instead on the conflict in Ukraine and their own regional security priorities.
• Cuba is experiencing severe power outages due to a U.S. oil blockade, leading to public protests and prompting negotiations with the United States for potential concessions.