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Breaking Down Trump's 2025 Foreign Policy Strategy; Foreign Policy Issues to Watch in 2026; Picture Perfect Passport Photos; Ohio Students Go Viral for Positivity, Gratitude Videos. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired December 25, 2025 - 06:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[06:30:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: From Russia's war in Ukraine to a critical ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, 2025 has been an incredibly important year for foreign policy. With me now to discuss, CNN political and global affairs commentator, Sabrina Singh, and CNN military analyst and retired Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton. Thank you both for being here.

I do want to start with this kind of overarching question, and that is, how has America's place changed in the world? When you consider some of the conflicts and the involvement in those conflicts that America has had. I will start with you, Sabrina.

SABRINA SINGH, CNN POLITICAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: I think you've seen an incredible shift in this administration from American foreign policy and from what basically American foreign policy was post-Cold War. You're seeing this administration really emphasize the America First agenda, which in the administration's mind means more isolationist look at the world.

And so, you're seeing Donald Trump and this administration really pull away from those traditional alliances for those traditional alliances in Europe and in other places around the world. And you're seeing them focus more on the Western Hemisphere. I mean, just the repositioning of nearly 15,000 troops off the coast of Venezuela is something so different and so unprecedented that we've seen. And you're also seeing that change the dynamics of focus when it comes to the Indo-Pacific.

So, I think the questions remain are, you know, will this administration allow China to fill that power vacuum as the U.S. sort of retreats from the world stage? And that's a real big shift in U.S. foreign policy.

SIDNER: Colonel Leighton, how do you see it from your perspective?

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yes, Sara, I think one of the key things is, as Sabrina was mentioning, there is a real change in how we're implementing U.S. foreign policy. And I basically agree that this retrenchment into America First is keeping us, you know, not only focused on the Western Hemisphere, but then there are some exceptions to that. And I think it depends on how things unfold, what we'll see, you know, in the next 12 months or so. But the key thing is this, these retrenchments can have significant impacts not only on our ability to conduct foreign policy, but also our ability to conduct military operations. The less allies you have, the harder it is to conduct military operations. And with the new national security strategy that the administration has promulgated, it really creates a very different dynamic than what we've seen before. Basically, we're, in essence, chastising allies and rewarding what used to be our adversaries.

SIDNER: Colonel Leighton, what are you seeing and what might keep you up at night when it comes to foreign policy issues for 2026?

LEIGHTON: Yes, 2026 is going to be a very interesting year because I think the alliance issue is really going to be critical. So, my top 2026 area of worry is going to be what happens with the alliances that we've had for 80 years now, alliances like NATO. Are we going to see something that really takes Ukraine and creates a Russian satellite state instead of a state that is aligned with the West? And are we going to see a retrenchment from Europe that not only is promulgated in strategy but is also evidenced by movement of troops away from Europe and less involvement in European affairs? And what would the impact of that be? So, that would be one of the big things that I'm concerned about.

Another thing that I'm concerned about, of course, is what happens in the artificial intelligence race between China and the United States, with NVIDIA chips being allowed to go into China now. Some of those chips have national security implications, and that could give China the upper hand in artificial intelligence. And that is going to be a very big issue that we're going to have to deal with.

SIDNER: Sabrina, what's your take on sort of looking forward to 2026 and what you feel like it sort of gives your stomach a bit of a grumble?

SINGH: Well, I completely agree with everything that Cedric Leighton said. I think looking at 2026, the biggest area of concern, of course, is China. China is the only country that can really undermine and upend the international rules-based order just by their economic and military might.

So, what is this administration going to do to keep a check on China? And what does this mean also economically, with tariffs, A.I. technology being shared? That is something that I think keeps a lot of us up at night, so certainly China. And then also with the Western Hemisphere and this idea of America first, I think retreating from the world stage and abandoning our allies is actually not America first.

[06:35:00]

And so, what is the mission and end goal in the Western Hemisphere when it comes to these boat strikes that we're seeing off the coast of Venezuela? The impacts of having a carrier strike group in the Caribbean for that long, extensions of other carriers around the world, that all has an impact on our military and our forces. So, how long does this mission go on and when is Congress going to get more involved and possibly pull the administration's focus back to the areas of the Indo-Pacific, where I think a lot of lawmakers are concerned that we're losing our eye off the ball there?

SIDNER: Look, we have seen quite a bit of controversy surrounding the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. How do you think that rolls into 2026? There was a time when people were wondering whether or not he'd stay or go, looking at what's happening with the double tap strike that happened in Venezuela. But it appears that Republicans want to move on from that. How do you see his leadership going forward in 2026, Colonel Leighton?

LEIGHTON: Well, I think he's got some challenges to deal with. Secretary Hegseth is in a very unique position just by the fact of being Secretary of Defense. But he is really focused on some Western Hemisphere issues. But like I mentioned earlier, there's some exceptions to this. For example, it seems like Poland is going to be rewarded for the types of things that it is doing to protect itself, to create a national defense strategy for itself that is actually pretty dynamic and pretty interesting. And it could very much impact on what the Russians decide to do next, should they decide to move forward from Ukraine. So, that is something that I think is going to challenge Pete Hegseth when he's looking at things for 2026.

The other thing I think is also the standards that he is setting either explicitly or implicitly within the Department of Defense. You know, it's one thing to focus on things like haircuts and physical training, but it's quite another thing to really look at grand strategy and policy issues. And I think he's going to be challenged in that area because he's not used to dealing with those things. And it's going to really require a great deal of focus on his part to steer the ship that is known as the Department of Defense into, you know, an area where it can be most effective and properly employ U.S. military forces when required.

SIDNER: There is a steep learning curve. Sabrina Singh, Colonel Cedric Leighton, I thank you both, appreciate you.

SINGH: Thank you.

LEIGHTON: You bet, Sara.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead, the photography store going viral for its picture-perfect passport photos.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:40:00]

SIDNER: It's impossible to bid adieu to 2025 without a look back at what the world of entertainment gave us this year. New couples, new albums, new films, fresh representation and long overdue accountability and all of it setting the stage for a mind-blowing new year.

Here with me Now, to break it all down, entertainment journalist, Shagun Oduolowu. It is so good to see you in person. How lucky am I?

SEGUN ODUOLOWU, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I know, I'm here in the flesh. Look at you.

SIDNER: I love it so much. All right. We're going to go backwards. We're going to start with number three when it comes to entertainment.

ODUOLOWU: Sure.

SIDNER: Sean Diddy Combs. We began the year talking about him, and we ended the year, and everybody's talking about him.

ODUOLOWU: Yes, it was the year of Diddy, and not in a good way, not in a way I'm sure he wanted. We first started with the trial, and then early in the summertime, you had the verdict. He was found guilty. Everyone is reacting. But after the guilty verdict, what's the sentence going to be? And everyone's debating back and forth. Well, he should get time served. He's not going to get a lot of time.

SIDNER: Because he didn't get popped on the two biggest charges against him --

ODUOLOWU: Exactly.

SIDNER: -- only the prostitution charges. So, everyone was talking about how he was able to beat some of the charges, but also that video, that horrible video of him and Cassie in the hotel. I mean, people have been talking about this for ages now.

ODUOLOWU: Yes, it tainted all of the -- well, we thought it was going to taint the jury pool. It tainted the court of public opinion, because as you said, he wasn't found guilty, even though he looked like a monster, he was found guilty for the prostitution. Then the verdict, then the actual sentencing, and we're like, oh my goodness. 50 months, he's going to go to a federal penitentiary. We thought it was over, and then 50 Cent comes up with, hey, I got a documentary I'd love for you all to see about how bad this guy really is. And now, the documentary has just been playing all through the winter months. So, yes, Diddy was the story for 2025.

SIDNER: A big one, the biggest one, almost.

ODUOLOWU: Yes.

SIDNER: All right. Because then we have number two, which is a young woman named Taylor Swift and a football star named Travis Kelce.

ODUOLOWU: Well, look, you've got the two biggest entities in American entertainment. You've got football, and then you've got Taylor Swift. Look, Taylor is a worldwide phenomenon, the biggest thing not named Bad Bunny, as we are finding out.

SIDNER: Or Beyonce, but I knew.

ODUOLOWU: Or Beyonce, and there's, look --

SIDNER: To be fair, there's a fight.

ODUOLOWU: I'm in the Beehive, Queen Bee, we can talk all day long, but they get engaged, and it breaks the internet, and no one is -- you don't know what to think. You're like, are they getting married soon? Is Taylor pregnant? Is that going to affect her music? You know, will Travis retire? But that relationship that everyone looked askance at and was like, hey, what's going on here? And is it OK to like football? They're together. We're happy for those two crazy kids.

SIDNER: We are.

ODUOLOWU: It's good when good people just get together. So, we'll expect a wedding in 2026.

SIDNER: Oh, you're looking forward. You're like, OK, let's get this done.

ODUOLOWU: Yes.

SIDNER: An engagement did happen.

ODUOLOWU: Yes, 2026, I expect a wedding.

SIDNER: OK. This is not going to be one of those long courtships where it goes on for six years? That's not how you see it?

[06:45:00]

ODUOLOWU: That's not good for Travis because Tay-Tay is known for writing songs about bad breakups. So, Travis, you don't want that. Lock it up, Travis. Lock it up. OK. Get that ring on the finger.

SIDNER: You do not want a negative song about you because it will come.

ODUOLOWU: Oh, yes. She will give that.

SIDNER: All right. Let me talk to you about number one, Kendrick Lamar. Go.

ODUOLOWU: Kendrick Lamar, Super Bowl. We're back to football. But look, if the coffin nail was put into the, into Drake's career, it was at the largest sporting event that we have in America, the Super Bowl. Kendrick's halftime show was amazing. He hit political issues. There was little Easter eggs of why he was doing this, why he was saying that. You've got Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Samuel L. Jackson.

SIDNER: Uncle Sam.

ODUOLOWU: It was fantastic. It was great. But it was also something to talk about because some people didn't like it. What is this? This is not -- you know, this isn't the Beatles. This isn't John -- like this isn't -- this is what I'm used to, but Kendrick was fantastic. And listen, when you have a whole arena saying A minor, that's A major.

SIDNER: But not for one specific person. ODUOLOWU: Right.

SIDNER: That's rough.

ODUOLOWU: No, yes.

SIDNER: I do want to mention something else that happened during the Super Bowl where you had Serena Williams show up. I mean, everyone was like, what? It's in L.A. It's like her hood. Like --

ODUOLOWU: Yes. But, you know, Drake had been saying a little subversive stuff about Serena and her husband. And so, when you get Serena front and center dancing and being like, OK, I got you take this. Yes. Take this. It was great.

SIDNER: Looking forward, what do you think is going to be a big juggernaut of an entertainment story in 2026?

ODUOLOWU: Well, I think there are a couple. One is the, of course, the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding. A.I. has dominated the talk for 2025, especially in entertainment, the A.I. actress, what's that going to do to all of these performers? Maybe that's why all these stars are doing commercials, trying to get as much money as they can since no one's going to the movies. I think the movie industry is going to look really, really hard at, do we need to go back to the superheroes, the big tent pole, summer movies that we didn't really have this year in 2025? I think you're going to get a lot of that.

But also, and this is really interesting, the A.I. in music, what's acceptable, whose voices, whose voice it is, who's performing. Is that OK? It feels like a lot of history repeating, right? Remember Milli Vanilli, a lot of lip syncing.

SIDNER: Yes.

ODUOLOWU: Right. We had issues with that. Now, the computer's the one doing the singing. I think that's something that we're going to have to take a look at. And then look, it's like a game. It's like a TV show. It's like an episode of succession, the mergers of the big screen --

SIDNER: I knew you were going to say it.

ODUOLOWU: -- was going to happen.

SIDNER: Of course.

ODUOLOWU: Because it -- look, it affects --

SIDNER: That affects all of us.

ODUOLOWU: It affects some of us standing right here.

SIDNER: Right here, right next to each other.

ODUOLOWU: So, what is the biggest, baddest bully Netflix going to be able to just control the block or is Skydance and Paramount going to, you know, kind of block that? What's going to happen to Warner Bros. Discovery is a big thing to look at in 2026. How will it affect news? How will it affect streaming? And then how will it affect the prices of those streaming services to the average consumer?

SIDNER: It's a big one. And you know which one I'll be paying most attention to. But anywho --

ODUOLOWU: For sure, A.I.

SIDNER: -- Segun, it is always wonderful to see you. I'm so glad to see you in person.

ODUOLOWU: You are a vision in pink, Sara. Thank you for having me.

BOLDUAN: A small film store in New York has developed a cult following in part because the owner takes incredible passport photos. CNN's Mina Duerson visits the store to see what the hype is all about.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great. Let's do one more.

MEENA DUERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, I'm in Chinatown to find Eliz Digital, which is this hidden gem New York City film store where the owner apparently takes the city's best passport photos. People have said that it's like getting the best headshot in New York City. Photographers all over the city swear by her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Join me on my walk to my favorite lady in Chinatown.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The best place ever to get film developed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Liz Digital.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come get my passport photo with me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She takes the best photos. I really recommend it.

DUERSON (voice-over): Sam Shekian has been taking a passport picture here every month since 2022.

SAM SHEKIAN, TEACHER: 2023. I'm a woman of routine. I'm going to keep going. January, February, March. And then it just became a thing that I was like, I can't stop now. How can I stop? Hello.

DUERSON: Hey, Sam. Oh, you're looking great. I love the color.

SHEKIAN: Thank you. Your hair looks so nice.

DUERSON: Thank you.

SHEKIAN: I got to do my regular check.

DUERSON: Because you've gone every single month -- SHEKIAN: Never.

DUERSON: -- for three years?

SHEKIAN: Four now.

DUERSON: Four years.

SHEKIAN: Four.

DUERSON: Oh, my God.

SHEKIAN: It's crazy.

DUERSON (voice-over): It's just the kind of place.

SHEKIAN: Oh, I love that one.

DUERSON: Different.

DUERSON (voice-over): And the store's owner, Chunika Kesh, is the kind of person that inspires devotion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This one?

DUERSON: Done.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

DUERSON (voice-over): Particularly among photographers like Laura Fuchs.

LAURA FUCHS, PHOTOGRAPHER: Yes, there she is.

DUERSON (voice-over): She's made a whole Instagram series out of her trips to the store, which she captions, Chunika and me.

FUCHS: When I first started coming to develop film, I had randomly two shots left on the roll and I thought, OK, like, let's do this. I'll shoot you and you can shoot me. And it became kind of a tradition. So, we do it every single time that I come.

DUERSON: What's the response like? Like, what do people say?

FUCHS: People love it. They love it and they love her. And I've had people, you know, where's that film shot that you get them developed? And they go and find her?

DUERSON (voice-over): After all the buzz, I was dying to experience the magic myself.

[06:50:00]

CHUNIKA KESH, OWNER, ELIZ DIGITAL: OK. Sit up straight a little bit. Relax a bit. And turn your face a teeny bit. And slightly lean forward. All right. DUERSON: OK. I got my passport picture and I think it is quite literally the best picture anyone has ever taken of me. Are you kidding me? I do not actually need a new passport. So, I'm going to have to hang on to this one.

What's your secret? Like, the lighting is so good.

KESH: No secret. It's not really me. Yes, usually it's a person who's posing more relaxing.

SHEKIAN: They always come out good. She's just capturing who I am. If you're saying this one, I really I do trust you with my life. So, I'm like, maybe this one is my favorite. I know. But I do. I like this one, too.

KESH: Yes.

SHEKIAN: Love it. And I like that you picked it out.

DUERSON: What kind of role does this place play in your life?

FUCHS: Huge. So, I see you tomorrow?

DUERSON: We'll get breakfast.

KESH: OK.

FUCHS: She has become not just my friend. She's my family. You're the best.

KESH: See you.

SHEKIAN: Thank you. Bye. I'll see you in one month.

KESH: OK,

SHEKIAN: Bye. I always said I'll do it for as long as I live in New York.

DUERSON: Oh, wow.

SHEKIAN: So, I'm going to say --

DUERSON: So --

SHEKIAN: I'm going to live here forever. I'm coming here forever.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: What happened when a school administrator put a camera and mic up at school and prompted students to tell us something good that happened today? The answer to that simple prompt sparked a viral video, especially when one student revealed his relationship status.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Someone told me that my hair looked really pretty today.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was a new girl at school today, and I think I made a new friend. So --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I finally got a girlfriend.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's my birthday and people have been really nice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Me and my sister are actually kind of getting along now. And like, we're not arguing as much as we used to.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The thing that happened to me today was Miss Gates, she complimented my artwork.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've been having a great relationship with my mom. Like if we're in an argument, we talk about it instead of just shutting each other out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: And joining us now. The man who set up this positivity pod communications coordinator for Monroe Local Schools, Adam Marcum. Thank you so much for being here. Why did you why did you do this? What prompted this?

ADAM MARCUM, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, MONROE LOCAL SCHOOLS: You know, I've been looking for more ways to empower student voice this school year, and I saw a video on Instagram from UNC Chapel Hill that kind of inspired me. It was sort of similar in nature. And I said, you know what's stopping us from bringing an open mic into the school building and letting our kids share what's really on their minds?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: It's shot beautifully, first of all. If we can have our people talk to your people, that would be fantastic because the lighting and everything else, the frame is great.

SIDNER: Oh, John.

BERMAN: But, you know, I used to be a kid and I know some kids here. These kids all seem awesome. And they were all bought in, right? I mean, were they -- was everyone as enthusiastic about it as the ones we've seen?

MARCUM: You know, they really were. It started off slow and I was a little anxious at first. I sat there for a while before anybody approached. But I think as they started to see their friends and others walk up to the microphone and be more comfortable with it. You know, before long, I had a line of students.

And so, I have little happy or hornet points to give out, which is our incentive for students. And I ended up not even needing those. So, many kids were willing to do it.

BOLDUAN: I would love to count on how many six sevens and skibidi and all the fun things that you got on that mic as well. But did -- having these moments where the kids are -- you can see the joy of their face when they talk about their gratitude. Did it extend? Did like the vibes go through -- continue through the school day? Did you see an impact?

MARCUM: It did. It did. Absolutely. And to your point, you know, there were a couple of those silly comments here and there. But by and large, the kids had really profound things to share and they were really honest and vulnerable. We've just been so impressed and proud of them for that. And it's been cool to see that energy they'll carry not just around our school building as people celebrated, but around the country. We've seen schools in Australia, England, all throughout the U.S. that are sort of following trend. And we love that they're empowering their students in that way.

SIDNER: What sort of struck me was how one kind thing that's a really simple thing that happened that day really made the students feel so great. And each of them seems like their spirits were lifted. I'm curious why you think this ended up going viral in the first place? Because I think it's, what, 1.5 million views so far?

BOLDUAN: Oh, I think it was seven --

SIDNER: Or is it 7 million?

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: 126 million.

BOLDUAN: One bajillion views.

BERMAN: Yes.

MARCUM: Yes. I think our channels, it's like 9 million-ish, but I know that it's been shared far and wide beyond that. So, I don't know what it was. I think, you know, it's sort of a rollercoaster of emotion as you watch. And to be honest, you know, I structured it that way. But, you know, you've got some happy moments, and you've got some more heartfelt moments, and some really vulnerable things, things that, you know, I even checked with the kids afterwards. I'm like, are you OK with us sharing this in a wider audience, on a wider scale? And I think going along on that journey is what's so emotional and what really resonates with so many people in different ways.

[06:55:00]

BERMAN: Are we allowed to ask about the current relationship status?

BOLDUAN: Oh, yes.

SIDNER: The little boy, they got a girlfriend.

BERMAN: Do we know?

MARCUM: You know, I haven't checked in with him, but I will have to do that following up. Yes, he's a character.

BOLDUAN: And is it down to boys? You know, like, that's the last question you should be asking.

BERMAN: You know, and you may never find out. I mean, that's the other thing is that they may never tell you. So, yes.

SIDNER: Adam Marcum, that was amazing. Great. Thank you so much for bringing us a little joy this morning.

BOLDUAN: Ahead, incredible video of a baby being rescued from a flipped over car. You see it there. We talked to the hero cops who jumped into action to save that child.

[07:00:00]