By The FirstMike Baker sits down with retired CIA operations officer and former Caracas Station Chief Rick de la Torre following his recent trip to Venezuela’s capital. Drawing on decades of experience in the country, de la Torre shares his firsthand impressions of Caracas five months after the fall of Nicolás Maduro, what has changed on the ground, and what the country’s future may hold.
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U.S. Admiral Explains Why Russia Can’t Win In Ukraine
Mike Baker speaks with retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery about the current state of the war in Ukraine and why Russia may no longer have a realistic path to victory. They discuss how rapid advances in Ukrainian drone warfare have transformed the battlefield, undermining many of Russia’s traditional advantages and forcing both sides to rethink how modern wars are fought.
Ukraine Just Embarrassed Putin In St. Petersburg
Mike Baker is joined by George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War to discuss Russia’s latest massive strike on Kyiv and Ukraine’s response—a large-scale drone attack targeting St. Petersburg. They explain why the attack was particularly embarrassing for Vladimir Putin, disrupting Russia’s premier economic summit and bringing the realities of the war to the doorstep of the country’s political and business elite. They also examine the significance of the high-profile international guests in attendance, including American commentator Candace Owens, and what the incident reveals about Ukraine’s evolving strategy.
What Would A U.S. Invasion Of Cuba Look Like?
Could the United States actually invade Cuba? In this clip, Mike Baker speaks with retired Marine Corps intelligence officer Hal Kempfer about the growing pressure campaign against Havana, the state of Cuba’s military, and what a modern U.S. invasion of the island might look like. They discuss the strategic challenges, potential objectives, and whether such a scenario is realistic in today’s geopolitical environment.
How Xi Jinping Insulted Donald Trump During The Beijing Summit
Mike Baker speaks with author Gordon Chang about the high-stakes summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, including the tense diplomatic optics, China’s growing alignment with Russia, and why some observers believe Xi deliberately tried to undermine and embarrass Trump on the world stage.
Thumbnail: Mike and Gordon Chang. Background: Donald Trump and Xi Jinping during the Beijing summit handshake or standing side-by-side — but with Xi looking smug or stern while Trump appears annoyed. Chinese and American flag in the background.
How Ukrainian Drone Warfare Turned The Tide Against Russia
Mike Baker speaks with Christina Harward of the Institute for the Study of War about the growing impact of Ukraine’s drone warfare campaign, including how mid-range strikes on Russian supply lines, fuel depots, and air defense systems are slowing Moscow’s offensive and helping Ukraine regain momentum in parts of the battlefield.
Thumbnail: Mike and Christina Harward. Background: Background: Ukrainian FPV drones flying over a battlefield with exploding Russian armored vehicles or burning supply depots. Faint battlefield map overlays and drone targeting graphics behind them. Small image of Vladimir Putin in the background looking tense or concerned.
Is Xi Jinping Losing Control Of China?
Mike Baker sits down with Steve Lance of NTD News to discuss President Trump’s high-stakes summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, and the growing questions surrounding internal tensions inside China’s leadership. Reports suggest all may not be as stable behind the scenes as it appears, despite Xi’s image of absolute control. Mike and Steve break down what the meetings could mean for U.S.-China relations, the balance of power inside the Chinese Communist Party, and why some analysts believe there may be “trouble in paradise” inside Beijing.