The President's Daily Brief

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   After months of friction, President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping find common ground. The two leaders strike new deals on fentanyl enforcement, farm trade, and rare-earth exports—prompting Trump to announce cuts to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods following their meeting in South Korea.   Later in the show—President Trump reignites America’s nuclear wea...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: New evidence points to deepening financial strain inside Russia. Regional governments are slashing enlistment bonuses for new soldiers, suggesting Moscow’s war chest is feeling the pressure. Russia’s oil exports take another hit as India—one of Moscow’s biggest buyers—backs away from new deals amid confusion over fresh U.S. sanctions. Hurricane Melis...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Vladimir Putin claims Russia has successfully tested the Poseidon—an autonomous, nuclear-powered “super torpedo” designed to trigger radioactive tsunamis and render entire coastlines uninhabitable. We’ll break down what the weapon is, what’s real, and what might be psychological warfare.   Later in the show—the ceasefire in Gaza is back on. Israel’s m...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   A new report exposes an extraordinary U.S. plot to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—by allegedly trying to convince his personal pilot to reroute his plane mid-flight into U.S. custody.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders fresh strikes on Gaza after losing patience with Hamas’ efforts to recover the remains of Israeli host...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   A new United Nations investigation has found that Russian drone operators are deliberately targeting civilians in southern Ukraine. Investigators call it a coordinated campaign of terror — and a clear war crime.   Later in the show — Hurricane Melissa slams into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, threatening to become one of the worst natural disasters...

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump issues a stark warning to Vladimir Putin after Russia boasts about testing its new so-called “invincible” nuclear missile. Israel accuses UN peacekeepers of shooting down one of its drones over southern Lebanon, as tensions along the border continue to rise. Plus, President Trump wraps up his trip to the Far East, finalizing trade dea...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   A major split inside America’s intelligence community. The CIA reportedly saw an opening for peace with Vladimir Putin — but the State Department’s analysts called that a fantasy, warning that Moscow has no real intention of ending the war in Ukraine.   Later in the show — the latest from Gaza, where Israeli patience is growing thin as Hamas continu...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: The world’s most powerful warship is heading south. The Pentagon has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean as part of a growing U.S. campaign targeting narco-smuggling routes in South America. President Trump kicks off his Asia tour with early progress. Washington and Beijing say they’ve reached “basic consensus” on trade, easing tensions...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: China’s military is in turmoil. Xi Jinping’s latest purge has reportedly removed key generals from power, signaling deep fractures within the People’s Liberation Army. We’ll speak with Steve Yates to unpack what’s driving the chaos. Later in the show—the U.S. expands its maritime crackdown, striking two more vessels in the Pacific Ocean allegedly lin...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   A dramatic display of power off South America’s coast. Two U.S. B-1 bombers streaked past Venezuela’s shoreline in a bold show of force aimed at President Nicolás Maduro. We’ll break down what message Washington is sending—and how it fits into a broader military buildup in the region.   Later in the show—Spanish NATO jets scramble after Russian air...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: A potentially major blow to Moscow. China’s biggest oil companies have quietly halted purchases of Russian crude after the U.S. sanctioned two of the Kremlin’s largest energy giants. It’s a move that could hit Putin right where it hurts most. Later in the show—tensions between Washington and Jerusalem. Prime Minister Netanyahu is putting West Bank an...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Russia’s been caught building a secret undersea spy network in the Arctic — powered by Western technology. We’ll explain how the system works, what it means for NATO, and why this undersea network could shift the balance of power in the next great intelligence contest. Later, European security services foil another Russian terror plot. Authorities in...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   A major power struggle is unfolding inside China’s military. Xi Jinping has just ousted his second-in-command and several top generals in what analysts call his most sweeping purge yet. We’ll break down what’s behind the shake-up.   Vladimir Putin personally oversees a massive nuclear exercise, launching ballistic and cruise missiles capable of str...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Ukraine just launched one of its biggest cross-border strikes of the war, hammering a Russian explosives plant deep inside enemy territory. The weapons of choice? British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles—capable of flying hundreds of miles and striking with surgical precision. Later in the show—Kim Jong Un wants the world’s attention again. North Ko...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   America and Australia are teaming up to disarm China’s most powerful weapon—its near-monopoly on rare earth minerals. We’ll break down the $8 billion deal that could reshape global supply chains and weaken Beijing’s economic leverage.   Later in the show—Europe and Ukraine are reportedly drafting a 12-point peace plan to end the war, but Moscow doe...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First up—America’s secret war at sea. New reporting says it’s the CIA—not the Pentagon—calling the shots in the Caribbean drug-boat campaign. We’ll break down how Langley became the hidden hand behind America’s strikes.   Later in the show—Europe signals support for President Trump’s renewed ceasefire push in Ukraine, insisting that current battle l...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Moscow’s fuel crisis is exploding. As Ukraine hammers Russia’s oil infrastructure, gas shortages are now spreading across the country—affecting more than 80 percent of Russian regions. Later in the show—President Trump pulls the plug on U.S. aid to Colombia, accusing its president of fueling the drug trade. Plus—Tehran withdraws from the 2015 nuclear...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   An embarrassing moment for Venezuela’s navy as one of its warships partially sinks during training drills off the northern coast—just as President Nicolás Maduro orders civilians to prepare for war. We’ll break down what this says about the regime’s military decay and growing desperation.   Later in the show—the Houthis are back, and this time they’...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   Israel has launched new airstrikes in Gaza, accusing Hamas of a “bold violation” of the Trump-brokered ceasefire. We’ll break down what triggered the strikes—and what it means for the fragile truce.   President Trump remains non-committal on sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, even as the White House announces another summit with Russian Presiden...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Ukraine’s drone war is hitting Russia where it hurts most—its wallet. Precision strikes on refineries have crippled Moscow’s fuel production and triggered a budget crisis. Correspondent for the Kyiv Post Jason Jay Smart joins us with his insight. China’s military is stepping up operations around Taiwan, and officials on the island are warning it coul...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  First—Former National Security Adviser John Bolton was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on 18 counts over his alleged mishandling of classified materials. I’ll have the details. Later in the show—in a surprise move, the Pentagon announced that the four-star admiral leading U.S. military forces in Latin America will step down from his post be...

A special look at episode 1 of Mike Baker's PDB special subscriber only series: On September 26th, 1983, the world came closer to nuclear war than most people ever realized. Inside a secret Soviet bunker, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov faced a terrifying choice: trust the computers that screamed U.S. missiles were on the way—or trust his gut. Protocol said one phone call could unleash thousan...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: Three U.S. B-52 bombers were spotted flying just off Venezuela’s coast. Washington calls it a routine patrol, but the timing—and the bombers’ cheeky call signs—suggest a not-so-subtle message to Nicolás Maduro. Israel warns the Trump administration that the Gaza ceasefire deal could stall unless Hamas returns the bodies of Israeli hostages. Ahead of...

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First up—the Trump administration is raising the stakes in Venezuela, giving the greenlight for the CIA to carry out covert action inside the country. We’ll break down what’s behind the authorization and how it changes America’s campaign against Nicolás Maduro. Later in the show—Europe’s preparing for a new kind of war. A leaked defense roadmap offers...

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:   Another humiliation for Vladimir Putin. His much-hyped “Russia–Arab World Summit” was supposed to highlight Moscow’s influence—but almost no Arab leaders showed up. We’ll look at what this says about Russia’s weakening hand in the Middle East.   Pakistan and the Taliban government in Afghanistan agree to a brief ceasefire after deadly border clashe...