National Security

The U.S. command and control structure remains unaffected by the news that President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus. But it underscores America's troubled response to the pandemic.

With talks begun between Afghanistan's government and the Taliban, U.S. special envoy for Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad tells NPR the U.S. has "tested" the Taliban and "they are meeting those tests."

President Trump reportedly is facing huge debts. Democrats want to know who his lenders are, and his national security decisions are facing renewed scrutiny. Trump claims the reports are false.

Author Fred Kaplan reveals how U.S. presidents, their advisers and generals have thought about, planned for — and sometimes narrowly avoided — nuclear war. Originally broadcast Jan. 27, 2020.