PDB Situation Report

The Pentagon’s Terrifying Plan for “Limited” Nuclear War

By The First

Sat, Aug 8, 2026

Length 8:20

The Pentagon is reportedly developing a new nuclear strategy that could expand America’s options for using smaller, tactical weapons in a conflict with China or Russia. But could a “limited” nuclear strike ever remain limited—or would crossing that threshold unleash an uncontrollable escalation?

Mike Baker speaks with Steve Yates, former deputy national security advisor to the vice president and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, about the dangerous effort to make nuclear war appear more manageable—and why opening this Pandora’s box could put the survival of the world at risk.

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The Iran War Exposed a Dangerous U.S. Weakness

By The First

Sat, Aug 8, 2026

Length 1:3:12

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. military readiness.
• The Pentagon is reportedly rethinking America’s nuclear strategy as China rapidly expands its arsenal and challenges U.S. power across the Pacific. Steve Yates of the Heritage Foundation joins us to discuss how Beijing’s nuclear buildup is changing the strategic balance.
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Why Iran Would Actually Use a Nuclear Weapon

By The First

Sat, Aug 1, 2026

Length 10:11

: Mike Baker sits down with Clifford May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to examine why traditional nuclear deterrence may not work against Iran’s revolutionary regime. May explains why Tehran’s leaders could be willing to risk the destruction of their own country, how a nuclear weapon could be used to blackmail the United States, and why Iran believes America will eventually back down.
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Annie Jacobsen: The Engineered Plague Designed to Defeat Every Cure

By The First

Sat, Aug 1, 2026

Length 8:06

: What would happen if a single laboratory accident unleashed an engineered plague capable of defeating antibiotics?
Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen joins Mike Baker to explain the terrifying scenario explored in her new book, Biological War: A Scenario. She reveals how the pathogen could spread to every continent within hours, kill its victims in just two days, and trigger mass panic and anarchy as Americans fight for access to secret government medical stockpiles.
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Buy Annie Jacobsen’s new book: BIOLOGICAL WAR: A Scenario: https://www.amazon.com/Biological-War-Scenario-Annie-Jacobsen/dp/B0FY5WRTVC/

Annie Jacobsen’s Terrifying Warning About Biological War

By The First

Sat, Aug 1, 2026

Length 1:14:09

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 the United States and Iran—and where the conflict may be headed next.
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Did China Really Warn Russia Against Using Nuclear Weapons?

By The First

Sat, Jul 18, 2026

Length 8:02

Reports suggest China has privately warned Russia against using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine—but how credible are those claims? Mike Baker speaks with author Gordon Chang about Beijing’s relationship with Moscow, whether China would actually try to restrain Vladimir Putin, and what the latest reporting could mean for the future of the war.

Air Force Fighter Pilot Explains America’s New Iran Air Campaign

By The First

Sat, Jul 18, 2026

Length 8:05

Air Force Fighter Pilot Explains America’s New Iran Air Campaign
Description: The war with Iran has entered a dangerous new phase, with U.S. aircraft striking the islands and coastal defenses Tehran relies on to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Mike Baker sits down with former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Ryan Bodenheimer to break down the campaign, explain what these strikes are designed

America Is Crushing Iran’s Coastal Defenses

By The First

Sat, Jul 18, 2026

Length 1:5:26

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
• Former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot Ryan Bodenheimer joins us to analyze America’s renewed air campaign against Iran, as U.S. aircraft strike the islands and coastal defenses Tehran relies on to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Later, as Russia’s military position continues to worsen, renewed concerns are emerging that Vladimir Putin could consider the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Author and geopolitical analyst Gordon Chang joins us to discuss the risks, the signals coming out of Moscow, and what the West should be watching.
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The Iran Ceasefire Is Dead—Here’s What Happens Next

By The First

Sat, Jul 11, 2026

Length 1:0:55

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
• The ceasefire between the United States and Iran has officially collapsed, with both sides once again exchanging military strikes across the Middle East. Former White House National Security Council official Richard Goldberg joins the show to break down what triggered the renewed fighting, what comes next, and whether the region is now headed toward a broader conflict.
• Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure appears to be delivering real results, as fuel shortages spread across parts of Russia and occupied Crimea. Open Source Intelligence Analyst Ryan McBeth joins us to explain how Kyiv’s strategy is straining Moscow’s war effort and what it could mean for the conflict going forward.
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Ukraine Is Choking Off Russia’s War Machine

By The First

Sat, Jul 11, 2026

Length 8:05

: Mike Baker speaks with Open Source Intelligence Analyst Ryan McBeth about the latest developments in Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy and maritime infrastructure.
They break down Kyiv’s increasingly effective strikes on Russian oil refineries, its expanding attacks on the Kremlin’s shadow fleet, and Ukraine’s efforts to isolate occupied Crimea by disrupting the fuel supplies and transportation networks supporting Moscow’s war effort.
Ryan McBeth on YouTube:
youtube.com/@RyanMcBethProgramming
Ryan McBeth on Substack:
ryanmcbeth.substack.com

Is The Chinese Communist Party Behind U.S. Anti-Data Center Campaigns?

By The First

Sat, Jun 20, 2026

Length 9:00

Mike Baker sits down with Senior Investigative Journalist Joshua Philipp of The Epoch Times to examine the growing backlash against AI data centers across the United States. They discuss allegations that Chinese Communist Party-linked groups may be helping fuel opposition to critical AI infrastructure projects, and why the outcome of this debate could have major implications for America’s technological and economic future.

Israel-Hezbollah Violence Just Shook The Iran Agreement

By The First

Sat, Jun 20, 2026

Length 1:9:30

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:
• Just days after the United States and Iran signed a framework agreement, the first round of follow-on negotiations has been called off following a deadly exchange of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. We speak with Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about what the latest violence means for the future of the deal and whether the agreement can survive renewed regional tensions.
• Later in the show—the battle over AI data centers is becoming a major flashpoint across America, raising questions about energy, infrastructure, and national competitiveness. Investigative journalist Joshua Philipp joins us to discuss whether China may be helping fuel opposition to these projects and what’s at stake in the race for AI dominance.
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