By The First: 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
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As oil prices rise and tensions with Iran threaten global supply, Daniel Turner argues that China faces a major strategic weakness: energy dependence. Turner tells Mike Baker that China imports almost all of its oil, relies heavily on coal to power its factories, and is far more economically vulnerable than many people realize. He explains why higher oil prices could put real pressure on Beijing, while also benefiting adversaries like Vladimir Putin. Mike Baker speaks with Daniel Turner, executive director of Power the Future, about China’s dependence on foreign energy, the myth of its economic strength, and why a prolonged oil shock could become a serious geopolitical problem for Beijing.
U.S. Navy Admiral: Iran May Attack Before the Midterms
Iran may be running out of patience with the U.S. blockade. Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery warns that Tehran could launch an attack against America’s Arab partners in late September or early October—potentially restarting full-scale military operations and disrupting President Trump’s strategy ahead of the midterm elections.
Mike Baker speaks with Admiral Montgomery, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about Iran’s possible next move, America’s struggle to defend Gulf infrastructure from drone attacks and the long-term strain the blockade could place on U.S. military readiness.
Mike on the left, Admiral Montgomery on the right, with an Iranian attack drone flying toward burning oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. A red October calendar appears behind the drone.
China Is Fueling Proxy Wars on Three Continents
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Trump’s Iran Sanctions Could Break China’s Economy
President Trump’s new sanctions campaign against Iran could have consequences far beyond Tehran. China buys roughly 80 percent of Iran’s oil—and cutting Beijing off from that supply could put enormous new pressure on an already struggling Chinese economy while sending global energy prices sharply higher.
Mike Baker speaks with Joshua Philipp, senior investigative reporter at The Epoch Times and host of The Josh Philipp Show, about China’s dependence on sanctioned Iranian oil, Beijing’s mounting economic vulnerabilities and why Trump’s pressure campaign could force Xi Jinping into a difficult choice.
Iran’s Regime Could Collapse Without Warning
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