How the U.S. focus on Iran is fueling a more aggressive Putin

NPR | By Charles Maynes,

Scott Simon

Published September 5, 2026 at 7:43 AM EDT

Trump's top envoys head to Moscow and Kyiv as Putin steps up round the clock bombing of Ukraine. With the U.S. distracted by Iran, is Putin becoming increasingly emboldened?

NPR News

Charles Maynes

See stories by Charles Maynes

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Scott Simon

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