PDB Situation Report

Inside Japan’s Biggest Military Shift Since World War Two & Iran’s Student Uprising

Inside Japan’s Biggest Military Shift Since World War Two & Iran’s Student Uprising

Length 54:36

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
• Japan’s largest military buildup since World War Two is now underway. New reporting reveals a sweeping expansion of missile sites, radar systems, and a major United States–Japan F-35 base across strategic islands near Taiwan. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery joins us to break down what’s happening and why it matters.
• Iran’s students are stepping into a dangerous spotlight as unrest builds across the country. Iranian-American scholar and human rights advocate Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad joins us with insight into what this moment means for Iran’s future—and the risks these young protesters are facing.
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Reporter Who Broke the Minnesota Fraud Scandal Explains the Billion-Dollar Scheme

Reporter Who Broke the Minnesota Fraud Scandal Explains the Billion-Dollar Scheme

Length 8:05

Explains the Billion-Dollar Scheme
Ryan Thorpe, the investigative reporter at the Manhattan Institute who broke the Minnesota fraud scandal, joins Mike Baker to explain how billions of taxpayer dollars were siphoned off through welfare programs — and how some of those stolen funds ultimately funneled into the hands of Somali terrorists. Thorpe details what investigators uncovered, how the scheme operated, and why the scandal is still growing.

EXPOSED: China’s Secret Plan to Start World War Three

EXPOSED: China’s Secret Plan to Start World War Three

Length 8:50

Joshua Philipp, Senior Investigative Reporter for The Epoch Times, joins Mike Baker to break down a stunning allegation: that China attempted to trigger World War Three by leveraging South American nations — including Venezuela — as proxy actors. How far did Beijing’s influence operations go, and how close did the world come to a catastrophic escalation?

What Maduro Asked For Before Leaving Power & The Welfare Scandal Rocking Minnesota

What Maduro Asked For Before Leaving Power & The Welfare Scandal Rocking Minnesota

Length 54:18

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:

Maduro’s possible terms for stepping aside are coming into focus. We’ll walk through what he reportedly wants in exchange for leaving power — from personal protections to international exile options — and hear analysis from Joshua Philipp, Senior Investigative Reporter for The Epoch Times.

Minnesota’s massive welfare-fraud investigation continues to widen. New reporting reveals overseas financial networks under scrutiny, and growing concerns that some stolen taxpayer funds may be making their way into the hands of terrorists. We’ll talk with Ryan Thorpe from City Journal, one of the investigative reporters who helped break this story.

To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.

Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President’s Daily Brief.

YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief

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Who Are The Muslim Brotherhood?

Who Are The Muslim Brotherhood?

Length 8:09

Mike is joined by Mariam Wahba of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to examine the origins, ideology, and global reach of the Muslim Brotherhood. Wahba explains how the group operates, where its influence is strongest, and what could happen if President Trump moves forward with designating the organization as a foreign terrorist entity.

Putin Speaks Out On Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan & Taiwan’s $40B Defense Plan

Putin Speaks Out On Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan & Taiwan’s $40B Defense Plan

Length 56:39

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief:

Moscow declares it won’t make major concessions in any Ukraine peace agreement, setting a firm tone ahead of renewed diplomatic efforts.

Taiwan unveils a $40 billion defense package and a new island-wide air-defense system as the United States urges the island to harden its posture against China.

Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau say they have seized power, marking the latest coup in a region already shaken by political upheaval.

And in today’s Back of the Brief—a major legal win for President Trump as Georgia drops its 2020 election interference case.

To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.

Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President’s Daily Brief.

YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief

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Why China Is Threatening Japan

Why China Is Threatening Japan

Length 8:30

Mike speaks with author Gordon Chang about the sharp turn in relations between China and Japan after a recent statement from Tokyo triggered an aggressive response from Beijing. They explore what China found so provocative, why Chinese officials escalated their rhetoric so quickly, and how this dispute fits into a larger pattern of China pressuring its neighbors. Chang breaks down Beijing’s strategic motives, Tokyo’s growing security posture, and why this moment could mark a more confrontational phase in the China-Japan relationship.

The Economic Trap Keeping Putin in the War

The Economic Trap Keeping Putin in the War

Length 7:39

Mike sits down with author and sanctions expert Edward Fishman to break down the mounting economic pressure on the Kremlin. They discuss how Western restrictions on Russian oil exports are cutting deep into Moscow’s revenue, why the sanctions regime is proving more durable than many expected, and how the strain on Russia’s finances is creating a political trap that makes it far harder for Vladimir Putin to wind down the war in Ukraine—even if he wanted to. Fishman lays out what the numbers show, how the Kremlin is attempting to adapt, and why the economic squeeze could shape Putin’s next moves on the battlefield.

Putin’s Economic Crisis Gets Worse & China Trades Blows With Japan

Putin’s Economic Crisis Gets Worse & China Trades Blows With Japan

Length 59:01

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:

Russia’s war economy is starting to crack. Deep Ukrainian strikes and tough new U.S. sanctions have pushed Moscow’s oil revenues to their lowest point in two years. We’ll explain what’s driving the pressure and why it matters. Eddie Fishman of the Center for a New American Security joins us for more.

In Japan, a single off-the-cuff remark from new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has triggered the most serious diplomatic clash with China in years. We’ll break down what she said and how Tokyo and Beijing are reacting. Author Gordon Chang stops by to give his insight.

To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.

Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President’s Daily Brief.

YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief

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GUESTS:

Edward Fishman: Author of CHOKEPOINTS: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726149/chokepoints-by-edward-fishman/

Gordon Chang: Follow Gordon on X – https://x.com/GordonGChang

Iranian Exile Explains Why a Water Shortage Could Bring Down the Mullahs

Iranian Exile Explains Why a Water Shortage Could Bring Down the Mullahs

Length 11:09

Iran is running out of water—and the crisis may do what protests and sanctions couldn’t: threaten the survival of the regime. As reservoirs hit historic lows and rationing spreads across major cities, public anger is rising. Iranian exile and National Council of Resistance of Iran spokesman Shahin Gobadi explains why the country is approaching “water bankruptcy,” how decades of mismanagement created the disaster, and why the mullahs are more vulnerable to this crisis than they want the world to believe.

US Navy Admiral Reveals Beijing’s Most Likely Plan to Break Taiwan

US Navy Admiral Reveals Beijing’s Most Likely Plan to Break Taiwan

Length 8:44

Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery breaks down the threat most Americans haven’t heard about: China’s strategy to cripple Taiwan without ever launching an invasion. From cyberattacks on energy infrastructure to cutting off liquefied natural gas shipments, Beijing has the ability to push Taiwan into blackout and chaos in a matter of weeks. Admiral Montgomery walks us through the latest war-game results, why Washington may be unprepared, and the steps the U.S. and its allies must take now to stop this scenario before it begins.