By The FirstMike Baker sits down with Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of United States Army Europe, to assess the latest Russian troop buildup near Ukraine’s border. With over 50,000 troops reportedly massed in the northeast, Hodges breaks down whether Russia has the capability to launch a new offensive—and why he believes Russia is losing ground on the battlefield.
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How NGOs Profit From Gaza’s Misery
Mike Baker speaks with author Seth Frantzman to expose how a network of international NGOs—many of which criticize Israeli and U.S. aid efforts—are quietly profiting from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Frantzman details the financial incentives, political agendas, and media narratives that keep these organizations thriving while ordinary Palestinians suffer.
Has Xi Jinping Lost Power In China?
Is China’s leader still calling the shots? Mike Baker sits down with Gordon Chang, author of Plan Red: China’s Project to Destroy America, to break down the swirling rumors that Xi Jinping has lost control of the Chinese military—and possibly more. They explore what Xi’s unusual absences and recent internal shakeups could mean for the future of the Chinese Communist Party.
Thumb: Mike and Gordon. Xi Jinping looking gloomy with the Chinese flag.
What China’s Silence During The Iran-Israel War Says
Mike Baker is joined by Stephen Yates of the Heritage Foundation to unpack China’s silence during the recent Iran-Israel war—including the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Why didn’t Beijing speak up? Was it strategic restraint—or something more revealing? Yates breaks down what China’s muted response says about its ambitions in the Middle East, its relationship with Iran, and its rivalry with the United States.
Thumb: Mike and Steve—Xi Jinping. Ayatollah. Iranian and Chinese Flag. A B2 bomber.
Ex Mossad Chief Explains How Israel Could Take Down The Iranian Regime
Mike Baker sits down with Oded Ailam, former Deputy Head of Global Operations for Israel’s Mossad, for a rare insider perspective on the Iranian regime. With over two decades of experience in Israeli intelligence, Ailam explains how Israel could bring down the Islamic Republic—from covert operations to political destabilization—and how long such a campaign might take. A look into real-world spycraft and strategy.
IDF General: We Cannot Impose Regime Change On Iran
Retired IDF Major General Yaakov Amidror joins Mike Baker to break down Israel’s military objectives in its ongoing conflict with Iran. Amidror explains why toppling the regime in Tehran isn’t Israel’s goal—and why pushing for regime change could backfire.
How A Public Sector Union Fueled The Anti-ICE Unrest
Host Mike Baker is joined by Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, to unpack the surprising role that public sector unions—particularly the SEIU—played in fueling the recent wave of anti-ICE unrest. They also discuss the broader network of activist groups involved, and what it reveals about the growing alliance between organized labor and radical immigration activists.