John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range, via Associated Press

🎧 Biden’s concern has been a possible Russian escalation, NPR’s Greg Myre tells Up First. But now his priority is signaling that his administration wants to do what it can before leaving office in January. There are real limits to this new policy. Russia is already pulling back warplanes and other key systems from missile range. President-elect Trump has said he wants negotiations to end the war and has expressed opposition to more U.S. military assistance. Ukrainians are concerned they’ll face pressure to make concessions, which could include territory, to Russia.

🎧 Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the host of the summit, remains unfazed by Trump's return to office. He is advocating for progressive proposals, including a tax on the world's wealthiest individuals, according to NPR’s Carrie Kahn. Domestically, his leftist party faced significant losses in the recent nationwide elections. He is also dealing with far-right leaders in South America, like former President Jair Bolsonaro and Argentina’s ultra-libertarian Javier Milei, who are feeling emboldened by Trump's return to power. 

➡️ Biden made a stop in the Amazon to pledge new U.S. funds for rainforest protection. He is the first sitting U.S. president to visit the location. 

🎧 Tom Homan, the man Trump named to serve as border czar, has promised military action against Mexican drug cartels. Drug policy and addiction experts who want a tougher response to fentanyl tell NPR’s Brian Mann that they’re worried Trump’s team will go too far. Experts say U.S. military strikes would do little to slow the drug smuggling or save lives but could shatter diplomatic relations and destabilize Mexico.