The President's Daily Brief
Each morning, the President of the United States receives a highly classified briefing on the most important issues facing the country -- The President's Daily Brief. Now you can hear your very own PDB, in the form of a podcast, every morning at 6am Eastern, and every afternoon at 4pm Eastern. You'll get 20 minutes of the most important topics of the day and why you should care, arming you with what you need to know to help solve America's most pressing challenges. Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker hosts new episodes daily.
Episodes
The PDB Situation Report | September 19th, 2026: Iran’s Targeting of U.S. Forces May Be Getting More Dangerous & Putin’s Wartime Election
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:• New reports suggest Russian and Chinese companies may be helping Iran improve its ability to target American forces across the Middle East. Open Source Intelligence Analyst Ryan McBeth joins us to break down what the reporting shows and what it could mean for U.S. troops in the region.• Russia heads into parliamentary elections this weekend as the war
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 18th, 2026: Trump Nears "Big Decision" on Major Strikes Against Iran & Pakistan Rocked by Deadly Terror Attack
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First—President Trump says he must soon decide whether to pursue diplomacy with Iran or potentially “annihilate” the regime. The warning comes as Tehran stages a massive show of defiance, and new attacks underscore the continuing danger in the Strait of Hormuz.Later in the show—a deadly suicide bombing hits Pakistan, raising fears of renewed figh
September 18th, 2026: China Is Being Pulled Into Saudi Arabia’s Houthi War & Russia’s Parliamentary Election
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- Saudi Arabia is turning to China for help as its confrontation with the Iran-backed Houthis intensifies, with Riyadh also facing pressure on its missile-defense stockpiles. Beijing has privately urged Tehran to use its influence to rein in the Houthis following a Saudi appeal. - Russia’s wartime parliamentary election gets underway with parties
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 17th, 2026: Iran’s Plan to Beat the U.S. Blockade Is Failing & Russia’s Satellite Help to Tehran
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• Iran’s effort to bypass the U.S. blockade is running into major problems, with thousands of trucks stranded at border crossings and the cost of moving goods into the country soaring.• A CNN investigation finds Russian satellites may have helped Iran improve its targeting before one of the most damaging strikes on American military assets during the I
September 17th, 2026: U.S. Destroys Iranian Boats & China Supercharges Cyber Spying
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The U.S. military opens fire on two Iranian boats after officials say they attempted to seize an American unmanned vessel, marking another direct confrontation between U.S. and Iranian forces.• A new report reveals how Chinese hackers-for-hire are using artificial intelligence to accelerate cyberespionage operations and help Beijing process stolen i
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 16th, 2026: Inside America’s Secret Meeting With the Houthis & Attacks on U.S.-Bound Tankers
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• New details emerge about a secret U.S. meeting with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, held as fighting between the militants and Saudi Arabia sharply escalates.• U.S. officials investigate cyberattacks targeting oil and LNG tankers bound for American ports, including whether Iran may be behind the attacks.To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium me
September 16th, 2026: Ukraine Launches a New Ground Offensive Against Russia & NATO Faces New Baltic Tensions
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Ukraine goes back on offense in northern Donetsk, launching a new push in one of the most heavily contested parts of the war.• The United States is urging Syria to consider sending forces into Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah, but Damascus fears the move could drag it into the wider regional war.• NATO fighter jets shoot down a drone over Lithuania
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 15th, 2026: U.S. Reveals Orbital Weapons & Military Stockpiles Run Low
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The United States makes a historic admission that it has weapons in orbit, with the Pentagon publicly revealing the capability as it seeks to send a message to China and Russia.• The Pentagon’s inspector general warns that Operation Epic Fury has depleted key U.S. munitions stocks, raising questions about how quickly the military can rebuild its ars
September 15th, 2026: Iran’s Government Is Splintering Over the War & China Fears the AI Revolution
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• New reporting reveals a deep power struggle inside Iran, where hard-line security figures allegedly sabotaged a peace agreement with Washington by attacking commercial ships without the knowledge of President Masoud Pezeshkian or other senior leaders.• China’s top intelligence official warns that artificial intelligence could pose a direct threat to
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 14th, 2026: Houthis Target Saudi Air Base & Russia’s Drone Evolution
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The Houthis are escalating again in the Red Sea, claiming a massive missile-and-drone attack on a major Saudi air base.• Russia is rapidly improving cheap drones into increasingly capable weapons, raising concerns that Ukraine and its Western backers are struggling to adapt fast enough.To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The Pr
September 14th, 2026: China Helped Iran Carry Out Strike That Killed 3 U.S. Troops & Russian Drone Strikes Near Poland
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• U.S. officials say Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities before launching the July missile strike that killed three American troops at a U.S. base in Jordan, raising new questions about the outside support behind Tehran’s improving targeting.• Iran-backed Houthi forces seize a strategic island near the entrance to the
The PDB Situation Report | September 12th, 2026: The Iran Conflict Just Entered a More Dangerous Phase & Pentagon Considers Postwar Pullback
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:• The Iran conflict enters a new phase of escalation, and Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to explain what the latest developments mean and where the fight could go next.• On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we examine reports that the Pentagon is considering a smaller U.S. military footprint in the Middle
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 11th, 2026: Strikes Are Spreading Across Iran & Anthropic Warns of AI Bioweapon Risks
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Labor unrest is spreading across Iran as truckers, taxi drivers and ride-share workers strike amid worsening fuel shortages and soaring costs.• Anthropic warns that advanced AI is already being misused for cyberattacks, weapons development and potentially dangerous biological research.To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The Pre
September 11th, 2026: Iran’s Hidden China Trade Network Just Got Exposed & Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Arctic Gas Hub
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Reuters reveals how Iran has used a billion-dollar barter-like system with China to turn sanctioned oil revenues into Chinese goods, including military equipment, while avoiding normal international banking channels.• British, Norwegian and American forces disrupted a secret Russian submarine operation reportedly aimed at threatening NATO’s undersea
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 10th, 2026: Iran’s Missiles Hit U.S. Fighter Jets
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• New reporting shows Iran’s ballistic missile attack on a U.S.-used base in Jordan damaged American combat aircraft, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness and cost of defending against Tehran’s missile barrages.• Houthi forces are gaining ground along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, bringing the fighting closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and increas
September 10th, 2026: Iran Hardens Pickaxe Mountain & Netanyahu Faces October 7 Warning Report
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Iran is accelerating construction at its deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex near Natanz, while the United States is reportedly examining how it could strike one of Tehran’s most difficult underground targets.• A new report claims the UAE warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days before October 7 that Hamas was preparing a maj
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 9th, 2026: U.S. Takes Out Eight Iranian Tankers & China Accused of AI Copying
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The maritime confrontation between Washington and Tehran intensifies, with eight Iranian tankers destroyed or disabled since Saturday as civilian shipping is increasingly caught in the crossfire.• U.S. intelligence agencies accuse several major Chinese AI companies of systematically copying American models, raising new concerns about Beijing’s effort
September 9th, 2026: Another War Is Erupting in the Middle East & Pentagon Rethinks Middle East Posture
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Yemen’s civil war is surging back into the headlines as Iran-backed Houthis strike four Saudi cities and Saudi-backed forces launch a major offensive aimed at retaking Sanaa.• U.S. military and intelligence officials are discussing whether America could maintain a smaller permanent footprint in the Middle East once the war with Iran ends.• Mahan Air
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 8th, 2026: Iran’s Biggest Source of Cash Is About To Run Out & Russia’s Renewed Kyiv Strikes
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The U.S. blockade is putting growing pressure on Iran’s economy as new shipping data suggests Tehran’s oil exports are being trapped and its remaining offshore stockpile is rapidly shrinking.• Russia resumes its assault on Kyiv immediately after U.S. peace negotiators leave the Ukrainian capital, killing three people and damaging buildings acros
September 8th, 2026: Navy SEALs’ Secret Hormuz Mission & Israel-Hezbollah Escalation
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• New reporting reveals that U.S. Navy SEALs spent months conducting a covert mission to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz as American and Iranian forces traded strikes above the waterway.• Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill 12 people as renewed fighting raises concerns about whether the ceasefire with Hezbollah can hold.• Haiti’s ar
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 7th, 2026: Ukraine’s Drone War Costs Russia Billions & Kim Unveils Nuclear Destroyer
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• New figures reveal the mounting economic toll of Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign, with strikes costing Russia billions and disrupting fuel supplies, air travel, and other key sectors.• Kim Jong Un unveils a new destroyer that he says will become part of North Korea’s nuclear response system as Pyongyang continues expanding its naval forces.To lis
September 7th, 2026: Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at U.S. Warships & & Trump Envoys Meet Putin
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The war with Iran escalates as Tehran fires ballistic missiles at two U.S. warships, prompting Washington to strike three Iranian oil tankers.• President Trump’s envoys head to Kyiv for another push to end the war in Ukraine following a three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin.• Yemen’s Houthis move to capture territory near a strategic Red Sea strait
PDB Special Bulletin | Baker & Slater: Is Iran Trying to Trap Trump in a Forever War?
Mike Baker joins Mike Slater for a wide-ranging conversation about why President Trump entered the conflict with Iran, what both sides are trying to achieve and whether negotiations can prevent America from becoming trapped in a prolonged war.
The PDB Situation Report | September 5th, 2026: Tanker Attacks Deepen the Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz & Could Washington Strike an AI Deal With Beijing?
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:• Attacks on oil tankers and dwindling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are pushing crude prices toward $100 a barrel. Daniel Turner, Executive Director of Power The Future, joins us to discuss what comes next for global energy markets.• The United States and China are racing to build increasingly powerful artificial intelligence, raising new questio
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 4th, 2026: Putin’s Popularity Plunges to Wartime Low & Israel Seizes Key Hezbollah Stronghold
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First—Vladimir Putin is facing signs of growing public frustration at home as his approval ratings take a significant hit amid intensifying attacks from Kyiv. Could growing pressure finally change his calculations in Ukraine, or make him even more determined to find a victory he can sell back home?Later in the show—Israel says it has cleared Hezb
September 4th, 2026: Iran’s Economic Lifeline Is Starting to Break & Rival Ukrainian Agents Open Fire
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• America’s economic campaign against Iran is beginning to bite, driving the country’s oil shipments down 85 percent and leaving Tehran with only months of gasoline.• A gunfight between Ukraine’s rival intelligence services wounds three officers and exposes a dangerous power struggle inside Kyiv.• Pakistan says its security forces killed 15 militants
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 3rd, 2026: Iran’s Economy Strains as U.S. Extends Mideast Deployments
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The Pentagon extends American deployments around Iran into next year as the economic campaign produces growing strain inside Iranian households.• President Trump’s nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia creates a pathway that could eventually allow uranium enrichment inside the kingdom to reach nearly 20 percent.To listen to the show ad-free, become a p
September 3rd, 2026: U.S. Launches “Tanker for Tanker” Strikes Against Iran
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- The Trump administration launches its first strikes under a new “tanker for tanker” policy, placing Iran’s oil fleet directly at risk.- German authorities investigate two suspected sabotage attacks against the country’s electricity grid within 24 hours, raising concerns about a coordinated assault on critical infrastructure.-Ukraine warns internatio
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 2nd, 2026: Russia Helps Iran Target U.S. Warships & China Builds Space Pursuit Satellites
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:Leaked documents reveal how Moscow is repaying Tehran for the drones Russia uses against Ukraine—by helping Iran master technology designed to put the U.S. Navy at greater risk.China is developing satellites capable of pursuing, capturing, and refueling other spacecraft as Washington prepares for the possibility of combat hundreds of miles above Earth.
September 2nd, 2026: U.S. and Iran Exchange a New Round of Strikes & Russia Accused on German Soil
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The United States and Iran exchange another round of strikes, as Tehran launches missiles and drones and President Trump warns that something much larger could follow.• Germany formally accuses Russia of targeting a Ukrainian cargo plane with explosive-laden drones on German soil, prompting retaliation from Berlin.• Mexican cartels are increasingly
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 1st, 2026: Putin Fears for His Future & China’s Cargo Ship Spies
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:New reporting suggests Vladimir Putin fears that ending the war without victory could threaten both his grip on power and his personal safety, as signs grow that Moscow may be preparing to escalate.A new report says Chinese commercial ships may be doubling as intelligence-collection platforms, gathering military communications near the United States.To
September 1st, 2026: U.S. Military Leaders Sound Alarm Over Iran & China Courts America’s Rivals
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- Top U.S. military leaders are warning against extended Iran deployments, arguing that the strain is beginning to spread across the force.- Russia and Iran join China and India at a major summit focused on challenging U.S. influence and strengthening ties among Washington’s rivals.- Israel secures a record $3.5 billion defense deal to help Greece bui
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 31st, 2026: U.S. Launches New Strikes On Iran & Russia’s Jet-Powered Drone Offensive
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:A month-long pause in U.S.–Iran fighting collapses as American forces strike inside Iran, Tehran fires missiles at U.S. positions and President Trump threatens another punishing response.Russia launches nearly 1,500 drones against Ukraine in four days, including hundreds of faster Iranian-designed weapons that are straining Kyiv’s air defenses as Mosc
August 31st, 2026: Iran’s Trade Is Collapsing and Gas Lines Are Growing & Trump’s G20 Pressure Campaign
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- U.S. economic pressure is beginning to hit Iran at home, as foreign trade contracts, oil exports dry up, and gasoline lines grow across Tehran—raising the stakes for a regime already facing deep economic strain.- The Trump administration takes its economic campaign against Iran to the G20, pressing major economies to choose between doing business wi
The PDB Situation Report | August 29th, 2026: Iran’s Plan to Push the U.S. Navy Out of Hormuz & China Upgrades Russia’s Shaheds
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
Iran says a proposed agreement with Oman would divide control of the Strait of Hormuz and prevent American warships from passing through the critical waterway. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery joins us to assess the implications.
Chinese technology is transforming Russia’s Iranian-designed Shahed drones into weapons increasingly resembling lo
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 28th, 2026: Iran Is Losing Control of the Strait of Hormuz & Laser Warfare Comes to the U.S.-Mexico Border
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
First—President Trump says the battle for the Strait of Hormuz is essentially over, declaring, "that sucker is open." But while there's growing evidence Iran is losing its grip on the critical waterway, the reality on the ground is a little more complicated.
Later in the show—the U.S. military takes another step into the future, using a high-
August 28th, 2026: Is Iran’s Supreme Leader Dead? & Moscow Targets Britain
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:
Iran insists Mojtaba Khamenei remains in power, but nearly six months without a verified appearance is fueling questions about whether the supreme leader is alive—or involved in governing the country.
Russia threatens to strike British military targets inside and outside Ukraine in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of long-range British missiles.
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 27th, 2026: Putin’s Considering Using Nuclear Weapons & Russia’s Deadly Car Blast
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
Kremlin insiders say Vladimir Putin is preparing to escalate the war in Ukraine, while growing concern inside Moscow turns to the possibility that the conflict could eventually cross the tactical nuclear threshold.
A deadly car explosion kills a Russian military officer far from the front lines, adding to a disturbing pattern of attacks against
August 27th, 2026: Iran’s New Hormuz Plan Targets American Warships & Russia’s Chinese-Powered Shaheds
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:
Iran says a proposed agreement with Oman would divide control and revenue from the Strait of Hormuz while barring American warships from the strategic waterway.
Chinese technology is helping Russia transform Iranian-designed Shahed drones into faster weapons increasingly similar to low-cost cruise missiles.
Washington disrupts an al
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 26th, 2026: Iranian State TV Discusses How Barron Trump Could Be Killed & Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Deal
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
Iranian state television broadcasts a video discussing how Barron Trump could be killed, claiming the president’s son is under surveillance and that a $10 million bounty has been offered for his murder.
President Trump sends a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, potentially unlocking billions in reactor deals while raising co
August 26th, 2026: Trump Calls Iran’s Bluff in the Strait of Hormuz & Armenia’s Break With Moscow
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
The United States completes a months-long operation to clear the principal shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, undermining Iran’s attempt to use the mines as leverage against Washington.
Armenia moves toward abandoning Russia’s answer to NATO and applying for European Union membership, threatening another major setback for Moscow’
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 25th, 2026: Russia Just Crossed a Terrifying AI Threshold & Washington Reopens Embassies
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
Russia crosses a dangerous new threshold in Ukraine, deploying a fully autonomous, AI-guided drone that selected its final target without human approval in an attack that killed three civilians.
Despite continuing hostilities between the United States and Iran, Washington prepares to return diplomats to Middle Eastern embassies evacuated during
August 25th, 2026: Iran’s Economic Lifelines Are Being Cut Off & North Korea’s Next Deployment
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
• Washington launches a sweeping economic campaign against Iran, warning foreign governments and companies to choose between doing business with Tehran and retaining access to the American financial system. Iran responds by threatening to detain dozens of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Ukraine expands its attacks on Russia’s consumer economy,
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 24th, 2026: New Evidence Putin Is Preparing for Mass Mobilization & U.S. Cancels Major South Korean Exercise
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
• New evidence suggests Vladimir Putin is quietly preparing Russia for another mass mobilization, with the Kremlin reportedly testing whether its military can receive, equip and deploy a massive wave of new soldiers.
• The Iran war forces the United States to cancel a major amphibious exercise with South Korea, raising concerns about the strain on
August 24th, 2026 - Iran’s Regime Is Starting to Crack From Within & Piracy Rises In the Gulf of Aden
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
A public split erupts inside Iran’s government as senior politicians call for an end to the war while security hardliners threaten to escalate the conflict.
Somali pirates seize a suspected Iranian shadow-fleet tanker in the region’s second hijacking in four days, marking the largest surge in piracy there in more than a decade.
Ru
PDB Situation Report | August 22nd, 2026: Trump’s Iran Crackdown Could Trigger a Collision With China
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
President Trump’s plan to crush Iran’s economy may put Washington on a collision course with China, Tehran’s largest remaining oil customer. Joshua Philipp joins us to discuss whether Beijing will cooperate with the economic campaign—or keep the Iranian regime alive.
Russia pounds Kyiv with 168 drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least 16 p
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 21st, 2026: The Taliban Is Losing Control of Afghanistan & Hackers Target U.S. Infrastructure
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
The Taliban marks five years back in power, but a growing armed resistance, renewed fighting with Pakistan and the persistent threat from ISIS are raising questions about how securely it controls Afghanistan.
Federal agencies warn of an active cyber threat targeting the industrial computers that operate America’s water systems, power infrastruc
August 21st, 2026: Iran’s Regime Is Preparing to Crush Another Uprising & Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Barrage
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Iran’s leaders fear another popular uprising, and the return of Hossein Taeb—the notorious “Suppression Sheikh”—reveals how Tehran intends to expand surveillance and prevent another revolt.
Russia pounds Kyiv with drones and cruise missiles, killing at least 16 people as Ukraine’s shortage of air-defense interceptors becomes increasingly l
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 20th, 2026: Trump’s New Plan to Crush Iran’s Economy & North Korea’s Missile Barrage
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
President Trump opens a new front against Iran, declaring “Economic D-Day” and threatening severe consequences for any country, bank or business that helps keep Tehran’s economy alive.
North Korea answers President Trump’s diplomatic overtures with a barrage of ten ballistic missiles, days after Washington scaled back military exercises with So
August 20th, 2026: Putin Is Secretly Rebuilding Iran’s War Machine & China’s South China Sea Fortress
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Russia is reportedly sending Iran drone components, ammunition and explosives through a protected Caspian Sea supply route, helping Tehran rebuild what American and Israeli airstrikes destroyed.
China completes the first phase of a nearly four-mile-long artificial island that analysts believe could eventually become its largest military ba
August 19th, 2026: Putin Is Secretly Rebuilding Iran’s War Machine & China’s South China Sea Fortress
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Russia is reportedly sending Iran drone components, ammunition and explosives through a protected Caspian Sea supply route, helping Tehran rebuild what American and Israeli airstrikes destroyed.
China completes the first phase of a nearly four-mile-long artificial island that analysts believe could eventually become its largest military ba
August 19th, 2026: Russia’s Top Economist Says Putin Is Losing & Iran Fires on the UAE
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
• First—Russia fires a prominent state economist after he warns Moscow
cannot win its war of attrition against Ukraine and could face a sudden
social crisis as the costs continue mounting.
• Later—Iran fires ballistic missiles toward the United Arab Emirates just
hours after its diplomatic window with Washington expires.
• Plus—the Pentagon award
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 18th, 2026: Israel Launches Airstrikes In Syria as Turkey Moves In & The Pentagon Investigates Universities
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
Israel bombs a Syrian airbase near the Turkish border, raising fears that its campaign to prevent Syria’s military revival could ignite a dangerous confrontation with Turkey.
The Pentagon orders 30 American universities to investigate whether their foreign partnerships exposed sensitive research—or risk losing future federal funding.
To liste
August 18th, 2026: Iran’s Leaders Are Terrified of Another Uprising & Moscow’s Secret Drone Network
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Iran declares that it is moving to a “fully offensive” posture and threatens a military operation to break President Trump’s naval blockade. Behind Tehran’s aggressive rhetoric, however, the regime is reportedly confronting a deepening economic crisis and growing fears of another nationwide uprising.
Russia builds a network of secret drone
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 17th, 2026: New Intelligence Reveals Iran’s Secret War Plan & Trump Scales Back Korea Drills
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
• New intelligence reveals the alarming scope of Iran’s plan to widen the war across the Middle East—including coordinated proxy attacks, threats against Gulf energy facilities, sabotage operations, and possible incursions into neighboring countries.
• President Trump scales back major US-South Korean military exercises, giving Kim Jong Un a concess
August 17th, 2026: Trump’s Secret Talks With the Men Who Control Iran & Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Starlink
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
The Trump administration reportedly bypassed Iran’s official negotiators and opened a secret backchannel directly to the Revolutionary Guard. We reveal who carried Washington’s messages—and what the operation exposed about who truly controls Tehran.
Ukraine strikes the Russian rocket center connected to Moscow’s developing alternative to S
The PDB Situation Report | August 15th, 2026: Trump’s New Plan to Force Iran to Surrender & Foreign Troops Headed for Lebanon?
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
First up—President Trump is turning back to economic pressure on Iran, betting that a sustained naval blockade and financial squeeze can force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Former deputy national security advisor Victoria Coates joins us with analysis.
Later in the show—an international military presence could soon be deployed to south
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 14th, 2026: NATO Shoots Down Mystery Drone Over Latvia & Trump Threat Intel Questioned
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
A NATO fighter shoots down an unidentified drone over Latvia as Ukraine launches one of its largest attacks inside Russia, raising new concerns that the drone war is spilling across alliance borders.
New reporting reveals U.S. intelligence could not verify the alleged Iranian missile plot that prompted President Trump’s dramatic catering-tru
August 14th, 2026: Trump’s Plan to Economically Strangle Iran & Taiwan Rehearses for Invasion
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
• First up—Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says the United States can maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, signaling that Washington may be preparing for a prolonged economic war of endurance with Tehran.
• Later in the show—Taiwan holds massive invasion drills as tensions with China rise, testing everything from civilian air-raid resp
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 13th, 2026: The Alliance That Could Turn the Iran War Into World War III & U.S. Considers Joint Strikes In Colombia
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan build a NATO-style military alliance that could create a dangerous pathway for a regional war to become a global conflict.
The Trump administration considers joint strikes against armed groups inside Colombia, potentially opening a new front in America’s expanding war against the cartels.
To listen to th
August 13th, 2026: The U.S. Army Got Crushed by Ukraine’s Drone Warriors & Putin’s Maritime Threat
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
The U.S. Army goes head-to-head with Ukraine’s battle-hardened drone warriors in a major war game—and suffers a crushing defeat that exposes a dangerous weakness in America’s preparations for modern combat.
Vladimir Putin threatens to seize European vessels if Western governments continue targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, raising the risk o
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 12th, 2026: Ukraine Destroys the Defenses Around Putin’s Palace & China’s AI Cyberattack
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Ukraine reportedly destroys the air defenses protecting Vladimir Putin’s lavish Black Sea palace before launching a massive attack on Russia’s last major naval stronghold in the region.
China-linked hackers reportedly deploy autonomous AI agents against Taiwanese government systems in a first-of-its-kind cyberattack that may signal a dange
August 12th, 2026: Trump’s High-Stakes Gamble to Make Iran Surrender & Assad Sentenced to Death
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
President Trump changes course on Iran, stepping back from additional military strikes and betting that sanctions, a naval blockade and Tehran’s worsening economic crisis can finally force the regime to give in.
Four people are killed after Houthi militants reportedly strike a ship carrying food supplies through the Red Sea near the strate
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 11th, 2026: Inside Trump’s Secret Escape From an Iranian Assassination Threat & Chinese Spies Target U.S. Forces
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
New reporting reveals how President Trump was hidden inside an airport catering truck and transferred to a secret military aircraft as Air Force One served as a decoy amid a credible Iranian assassination threat.
Two former Chinese soldiers are arrested in South Korea, accused of intercepting communications involving U.S. and South Korean figh
August 11th, 2026: Putin Mulls False Flag Attack on NATO & Inside North Korea's AI Hacking Campaign
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:
First—NATO's eastern members are quietly preparing for what they fear could be Russia's next move. Intelligence shared with Reuters suggests the Kremlin may be considering a false flag attack designed not simply to damage critical infrastructure, but to sow confusion and division inside the NATO alliance.
Later in the show—Ukraine finally
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 10th, 2026: Iran Replaces Top Regime Leader in Sudden Shakeup & Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Plan
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
A major leadership shakeup in Tehran elevates Mohsen Rezaei, a veteran Revolutionary Guard commander, as Iran approaches critical decisions over the Strait of Hormuz and the future of the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects President Trump’s latest Gaza peace plan, insisting Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is f
August 10th, 2026: Iran’s Ridiculous New Demands for Reopening Hormuz & Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Iran unveils a sweeping list of demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz—conditions so maximalist that the Trump administration is almost certain to reject them.
Iran-backed Houthi militants attack a major Saudi refinery just days after Riyadh signs a new defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan.
The Pentagon orders defense contracto
The PDB Situation Report | August 8th, 2026: The Iran War Exposed a Dangerous U.S. Weakness & America’s New Nuclear Strategy
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
The war with Iran has reportedly burned through some of America’s most important long-range missiles, raising questions about whether the Pentagon has enough left for another major conflict. Bill Roggio from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to break down the state of America’s missile stockpiles and what it could mean for U.S. mili
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 8th, 2026: U.S. Intel Warns Putin Could Attack NATO & The Mystery Behind Moscow's Deadly Bombing
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
First—Washington is quietly rethinking one of its core assumptions about the war in Ukraine. U.S. intelligence now reportedly believes Vladimir Putin may be willing to challenge NATO directly through a limited military or hybrid attack designed to probe Western resolve. If they're right, it could mark one of the most dangerous shifts in the war si
August 7th, 2026: Trump Explodes At Hegseth Over Iran War Missile Shortage
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
President Trump reportedly confronted Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at Camp David over concerns that the war with Iran has severely depleted America's missile stockpiles. Now, the president is publicly denying those reports as the White House pushes back against claims of a growing munitions shortage.
Congress is considering a proposal tha
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 6th, 2026: Pentagon Rewrites Nuclear Playbook & Putin's Command Shake-Up
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
The Pentagon is reportedly rewriting America's nuclear war strategy, placing greater emphasis on tactical nuclear weapons as it prepares for a potential conflict with Russia or China.
Vladimir Putin announces a sweeping shake-up of Russia's military leadership, overhauling battlefield commanders, logistics and drone operations as the Kremlin se
August 6th, 2026: Is America About to Hand Iran Control of Hormuz? & Iran’s Wartime Purge
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
First—the United States and Iran may be nearing an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the reported terms would give Tehran control over ships entering the Persian Gulf.
Later—Iran accelerates its execution of protesters, using the war to portray domestic opposition as treason and eliminate those who challenged the regime.
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 5th, 2026: North Korea Sending a New Missile Unit to Russia & FBI Teams Up With Russia & China
In this episode of The PDB Description:
First up—North Korea may be preparing to send Russia an entire missile unit, complete with personnel, launchers and as many as 120 ballistic missiles for attacks against Ukraine.
Later in the show—FBI Director Kash Patel is opening unprecedented channels of cooperation with China and Russia to fight fentanyl trafficking, cybercrime and child exploit
August 5th, 2026: America's Missile Shortage & Cuba Spy Buildup
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
America may be running low on some of its most important long-range precision weapons after five months of war with Iran. We examine the new reporting, what it says about the Pentagon's munitions stockpiles, and why military planners are increasingly concerned about U.S. readiness for future conflicts.
The Trump administration is quietly e
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 4th, 2026: Iran Just Revealed Its Demands for Ending the War & China Faces New Tech Restrictions
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
First—new details emerge about Iran’s demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and potentially ending the war, including control over vessels entering the vital waterway and oversight of those leaving.
Later—the Trump administration moves to keep Chinese-made technology out of the massive data centers powering America’s artificial-intelligen
August 4th, 2026: The Pentagon Just Admitted It Needs a New Plan for Iran & Russia's Recruitment Crisis
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:
Mixed signals from Washington and Tehran leave the future of the Iran war uncertain. We'll explain why the confusion over peace talks may actually point to a much bigger problem: the Pentagon is running out of good military options.
As Russia runs short on volunteers for its war in Ukraine, the Kremlin is resorting to increasingly coercive
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | August 3rd, 2026: Iran's Leaders Are Turning On Each Other & Israel's Growing Defense Problem
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
First up — As the war continues, a political battle is unfolding inside Iran itself. We'll explain why the country's leadership is increasingly divided over what comes next—and what those internal fractures could mean for the future of the conflict.
Later in the show — America's military is beginning to feel the strain of the Iran war. We'll ex
August 3rd, 2026: How Iran Secretly Planned the Next Phase of the War & Trump Hits Pause In Iran Strikes
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:
New reporting reveals that while publicly observing a cease-fire, Iran was secretly preparing for a much wider regional war through its proxy network. We’ll examine Tehran’s alleged plans to strike U.S. bases, Gulf energy infrastructure, and key global shipping routes if the conflict escalated.
President Trump announces he has called off a
The PDB Situation Report | August 1st, 2026: Annie Jacobsen’s Terrifying Warning About Biological War
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen joins Mike to discuss her new book, Biological War: A Scenario, and the terrifying possibility that the next weapon of mass destruction could be a deadly engineered pathogen.
Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, examines the latest developments in the war between th
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | July 31st, 2026: Report - Saudi Arabia Eyes Ground Invasion Against Houthis & Is Hamas Ready to Disarm?
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:
First—Saudi Arabia may be preparing to re-enter a war it has spent years trying to leave behind. Riyadh is reportedly considering a much broader military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis, potentially marking one of the kingdom's most significant strategic shifts since the 2022 truce. If those plans move forward, they could open another maj
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