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
October 14th, 2026: Iran's Oil Exports Have Collapsed to Zero & Saudi Arabia Strikes Yemen
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- First up—Iran's oil exports have reportedly fallen to zero under the American blockade, while Tehran escalates its attacks against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The surge in violence raises fears that economic desperation could trigger another round of fighting.- Later in the show—Saudi Arabia launches fresh airstrikes against oil fac
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 13th, 2026: Xi Jinping's Plan to Make China a Superpower Is Backfiring & Russia's European Sabotage
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:First up—Xi Jinping's drive to turn China into the world's dominant superpower is creating serious problems for its economy. A new investigation reveals how Beijing's debt-fueled industrial expansion is threatening the economic foundations of China's global ambitions.Later in the show—Britain's top spy warns that Iran and Russia are escalating their co
October 13th, 2026: Ukraine Cripples Russian Oil Refineries & Britain Targets IRGC Operatives
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- Ukraine's drone campaign against Russia's oil industry is inflicting serious economic damage. A new Washington Post investigation reveals how Ukrainian forces are systematically disabling critical refinery equipment, even as President Trump pressures Kyiv to halt the attacks.- Britain formally links Iran's Revolutionary Guards to a suspected plot ta
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 12th, 2026: Iran's Leadership Crisis Is Getting Worse & Trump's Ukraine Ceasefire Falls Apart
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:Iran's top security officials and diplomats are sending contradictory messages about negotiations with Washington, raising fresh questions about who's actually running the country. With Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei still out of public view, uncertainty is growing over whether anyone in Tehran has the authority to negotiate and enforce an agreement t
October 12th, 2026: Deadly Houthi Attack Could Bring America Into the Yemen War & Trump Calls for Zelenskyy's Replacement
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- Houthi rebels launch a deadly attack on Saudi Arabia as President Trump considers direct American military intervention in Yemen. The attack comes as Saudi-backed forces battle to reclaim territory along a critical Red Sea shipping route.- A new Wall Street Journal investigation reveals how hackers are hijacking everyday security cameras to spy on m
Special Bulletin: The October 7 Attacks Set Off Three Years of War. What's Next?
October 7, 2023, changed Israel forever. Three years later, the consequences of Hamas' devastating attack continue to reverberate across the Middle East. Mike Slater joins former CIA officer Mike Baker to examine the events of that day, the wars and political upheaval that followed, and how Israel's strategic position has changed. What lessons have been learned, and where does Israel go from here?
The PDB Situation Report | October 10th, 2026: How Hamas' October 7th Attack Changed the Middle East Forever
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:Three years after the October 7th Hamas attacks, the Middle East has undergone a dramatic transformation. Alex Selsky of the Middle East Forum joins Mike Baker to examine how years of war and the widening conflict with Iran have reshaped Israel’s strategic position and what comes next for the region.Federal officers are reporting a massive surge in te
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 9th, 2026: Trump Rules Out Iran Strikes Before Midterms & China's Maritime Militia Raises Blockade Fears
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First—President Trump says the U.S. won't launch new strikes against Iran before the November midterms, even as the Pentagon prepares for another major round of combat. But with Washington tightening its economic stranglehold and continued Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping, questions are mounting over just how long this uneasy standoff can last.La
October 9th, 2026: Syria Sending Troops To Fight The Houthis? & Iranian Plot Targets U.S. Bases
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Saudi Arabia may be preparing to dramatically expand its war against the Houthis, as Syria considers sending as many as 20,000 troops to Yemen to support a much larger ground offensive.• New reporting reveals an alleged Iranian plot to use drones against U.S. military bases in Germany and potentially kill American troops, while a separate drone stri
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 8th, 2026: CENTCOM Finalizing Plans for Renewed Iran Fighting & Mall of America Terror Plot Foiled
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The U.S. military buildup around Iran is entering a new phase, with CENTCOM reportedly ordered to complete preparations for another major round of fighting.• Federal authorities say they disrupted an ISIS-inspired plot targeting the Mall of America, arresting an 18-year-old after an undercover gun sale.To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium
October 8th, 2026: Iran’s Oil Lifeline Weakens & Turkey Backs Saudi Arabia
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The U.S. blockade is putting growing pressure on Iran’s oil exports to China, with Chinese refiners increasingly turning to other suppliers for crude.• Turkey is beginning to provide military support to Saudi Arabia under its new defense pact as the war against Yemen’s Houthis intensifies.• Two commercial vessels have been struck by drones off Bulga
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 7th, 2026: The U.S. Just Laid Out Its Terms for Ending the Iran War
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The Trump administration is laying out what Iran would have to do to end the war, even as Washington remains uncertain over who inside Tehran actually has the authority to make a deal.• France is facing its worst school unrest in decades, with widespread student demonstrations, violence and arrests as new reporting raises questions about how much of
October 7th, 2026: Iran’s Alleged Bomber Plot & China Expands in Southeast Asia
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• U.S. officials say America’s abrupt withdrawal of B-1 bombers from Britain was prompted by intelligence about an alleged Iranian plot to attack the aircraft and kill American personnel.• Satellite imagery shows Chinese attack aircraft and military vehicles arriving at a new joint facility in Laos, raising questions about Beijing’s expanding military
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 6th, 2026: Pakistan and Turkey Join The Fight Against The Houthis & Ukraine Hits Moscow
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The conflict in Yemen is becoming a broader regional fight, as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey officially put their new defense pact into action amid the war with the Houthis.• Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks yet on the Moscow region, while Kyiv claims its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure has disabled more than half
October 6th, 2026: Iran Is Losing Control of Its Biggest Bargaining Chip & U.S. Moves B-1 Bombers
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Iran’s biggest bargaining chip may be starting to lose its value, as Gulf oil exports recover to prewar levels while pressure grows on the Houthis around Bab el-Mandeb.• T
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 5th, 2026: The Yemen Offensive Just Became Much Bigger & Russia’s Mysterious Lab Death
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• What looked like a fight over Bab el-Mandeb has expanded into a much larger Saudi-backed campaign aimed at retaking Sanaa and breaking Houthi control of Yemen.• The White House is monitoring a mysterious death tied to a Russian anti-plague laboratory, as questions grow over what happened inside the facility and why authorities have taken unusual prec
October 5th, 2026: The Yemen War Is Exploding Back Open & Putin’s New Strike Doctrine
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• A major new offensive is getting underway against the Houthis in Yemen, raising fresh questions about whether American forces could eventually be drawn directly into the fight.• President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian intelligence obtained documents showing Vladimir Putin has ordered a new doctrine expanding Russian attacks against civilian targ
The PDB Situation Report | October 3rd, 2026: Neil deGrasse Tyson: Are We Ready for What AI Becomes Next?
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:• Artificial intelligence is advancing at a remarkable pace, raising major questions about where the technology is headed and whether society is prepared for what comes next. Neil deGrasse Tyson joins Mike Baker to discuss the future of AI.• The final U.S. troops have now left Iraq, closing another chapter in America’s long military presence there. Bill
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 2nd, 2026: Thousands More U.S. Troops Are Heading Toward Iran & Ukraine’s New Ballistic Missile
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• The United States is sending thousands more troops and potentially a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as President Trump keeps the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms on the table.• Ukraine reaches a major milestone in its war effort, deploying its domestically produced FP-7 ballistic missile in combat for the first tim
October 2nd, 2026: Iran’s Economy Is Getting Worse & Kasparov Warned of Assassination Plot
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Iran’s economic troubles deepen as tankers remain stranded overseas, the rial hits a new record low, and U.S. pressure continues to tighten around Tehran’s oil trade.• China-linked hackers are impersonating American officials and AI experts in an effort to target researchers and policy specialists working on artificial intelligence.• Britain says it
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 1st, 2026: Iran Is Preparing for a Much Wider War & Hezbollah’s Secret Syria Meeting
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• New reporting says Iran is preparing plans for a harder and potentially broader retaliation if the United States resumes major strikes, even as negotiations continue through Qatar.• Hezbollah has reportedly held secret talks with Syria’s new government, a remarkable shift after years spent fighting to keep Bashar al-Assad in power and one that raise
October 1st, 2026: U.S. Responds To Iran’s Latest Peace Proposal & U.S. Troops Leave Iraq
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The diplomatic channel with Iran remains open, with Qatar carrying messages between Washington and Tehran even as the U.S. imposes another round of sanctions.• U.S. forces are leaving Iraq after more than two decades, raising concerns that Iran-backed militias or ISIS could exploit the resulting security vacuum.• Pakistan says it will defend Saudi A
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 30th, 2026: Russia Issues a New Nuclear Warning to NATO & Terror in the Cockpit
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• Russia issues a new nuclear warning to NATO, saying any attempt to cut off or attack the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad could trigger a response involving nuclear weapons as ten
September 30th, 2026: Iran’s Hormuz Strategy Is Starting to Break & Russia’s Drone Problem Grows
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Iran’s ability to restrict oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is weakening as regional exports rebound, potentially eroding one of Tehran’s most important sources of leverage.• The Kremlin is pressuring Russian companies to pay for their own drone defenses as Ukrainian strikes increasingly threaten industrial sites deep inside Russia.• U.S. mi
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 29th, 2026: Russia Carries Out an Attack on NATO Soil & Iran’s Cryptocurrency Network
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• First, European officials are confronting a new alleged Russian attack on NATO soil, adding urgency to efforts to develop a common response to sabotage and other hybrid threats.• Later, a new Senate investigation says Iran has relied heavily on cryptocurrency to move money around U.S. sanctions, exposing a growing digital workaround within Tehran’s s
September 29th, 2026: Washington and Tehran Negotiating Behind the Scenes & Ukraine Gains Ground in Donetsk
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• The latest U.S.-Iran peace effort may still be alive despite President Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s proposal, as mediators work to bridge disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.• Ukraine says its forces continue to retake territory in northern Donetsk as they try to disrupt Russia’s latest off
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 28th, 2026: Eight U.S. Marines Injured in Iranian Missile Attack & RAF Fairford Investigation Widens
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• New reporting reveals that eight U.S. Marines were injured when an Iranian anti-ship missile struck a U.S.-contracted vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, raising new questions about the attack and the threat Iran still poses to American forces in the region.• The RAF Fairford terror investigation widens, with police now examining whether the suspects may
September 28th, 2026: Trump Rejects Iran’s Deal & Explosives Arrests Near U.S. Air Base
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:- President Trump rejects Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease the fighting, as U.S. officials say renewed American strikes could follow after the November midterms.- British counterterrorism police investigate a major incident near RAF Fairford after five men are arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses outside the air b
The PDB Situation Report | September 26th, 2026: Iran’s Economy Is Starting to Fall Apart
In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:• Washington tightens the economic pressure on Tehran with new sanctions aimed at grounding Iranian aircraft and cutting off key financial lifelines. Miad Maleki of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to break down the latest measures.• As sanctions squeeze Iran’s economy, we examine how severe the damage has become and whether mounting ec
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 25th, 2026: France Deploys Ground Troops To Saudi Arabia & China’s Nuclear Program Draws Scrutiny
In this episode of the PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• France is sending troops and defensive systems to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks intensify, while Riyadh turns to Turkey and Pakistan for additional military support under their new defense arrangement.• The Trump administration is quietly pressing China over suspected secret nuclear tests as Beijing rapidly expands its nuclear arsenal and resis
September 25th, 2026: China’s Secret Lifeline to Iran’s War Effort Exposed & Trump-Xi Summit
In this episode of The PDB Description:• New reporting reveals the scale of China’s support for Iran’s war effort, including drone and missile components, satellite imagery, and financial assistance helping Tehran sustain its military operations.• President Xi Jinping is in Washington for talks with President Trump, with Taiwan, trade, and the future of U.S.-China relations on the agenda as Beijin
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 24th, 2026: China’s Secret Lifeline to Iran’s War Effort Exposed & Trump-Xi Summit
In this episode of The PDB Description:• New reporting reveals the scale of China’s support for Iran’s war effort, including drone and missile components, satellite imagery, and financial assistance helping Tehran sustain its military operations.• President Xi Jinping is in Washington for talks with President Trump, with Taiwan, trade, and the future of U.S.-China relations on the agenda as Beijin
September 24th, 2026: Iran Returns to the Negotiating Table as Sanctions Bite & Zelensky Seeks a Winter Arsenal
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Iran’s president says Tehran will not bend to Washington, even as U.S. and Iranian officials resume talks for the first time since June and new American sanctions put growing pressure on Iran’s aviation sector and economy. • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asks President Trump for a winter weapons package as Washington presses for a limi
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 23rd, 2026: Iran Directed the Houthi Offensive & Hackers Claim FBI Breach
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• New reporting says Iranian Revolutionary Guard advisers helped direct the Houthi offensive that swept down Yemen’s Red Sea coast in less than 48 hours, raising new questions about Tehran’s role in the rapidly expanding fight.• A notorious hacking group claims it breached the FBI and stole sensitive information on current and former bureau employees,
September 23rd, 2026: Britain Joins Saudi Arabia’s Fight With the Houthis & Russia’s $7 Billion Financial Network
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Britain steps in to support Saudi Arabia as the Houthi fight intensifies, sending an RAF tanker to assist Saudi aircraft while Riyadh works to restore a critical oil pipeline damaged in a drone attack.• A Kremlin-backed financial network allegedly moved nearly $7 billion through major international banks using forged documents and front companies, e
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 22nd, 2026: Tehran Offers To Reopen Hormuz & North Korea’s New Weapon
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:• Iran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as commercial traffic through the vital waterway nearly collapses, while China may see an opportunity to use the crisis as leverage over Taiwan.• North Korea says its latest missile test involved a new hypersonic weapon, as Kim Jong Un showcases another system intended to challenge U.S. and allied missile de
September 22nd, 2026: Trump Calls Off Major Attack Against The Houthis & Chinese Ships Near Alaska
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• President Trump reportedly came within minutes of ordering U.S. strikes against Yemen’s Houthis before calling the operation off as the group continues its offensive toward the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait.• The U.S. Coast Guard is closely monitoring Chinese research vessels operating near Alaska, amid concerns their Arctic missions coul
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | September 21st, 2026: Xi Jinping Purges China’s Military & Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• China’s military purge reaches the highest levels of command as Xi Jinping removes two of the country’s most powerful generals, raising new questions about corruption, loyalty, and the readiness of the People’s Liberation Army.• Pakistan launches new airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming dozens of militants were killed as the Taliban government wa
September 21st, 2026: Houthi Missiles Target Riyadh & Ukraine’s Biggest Moscow Drone Attack
In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:• Houthi missiles and drones target Riyadh as Turkey signals it could help Saudi Arabia under a new defense pact, raising the risk that the conflict could expand into a broader regional war.• Ukraine launches its largest drone attack yet on Moscow, bringing the war to the Russian capital as voters participate in the country’s parliamentary election.•
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’
