By The FirstMike Baker speaks with Richard Goldberg of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about why the Iranian regime is so critical to China’s ambitions in the Middle East. They break down how a collapse in Tehran would disrupt Beijing’s energy security, regional influence, and long-term strategic positioning—and why China has a strong incentive to see the current regime survive.
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The Shocking Fact That Exposes How Weak Putin’s Army Really Is
Mike Baker speaks with Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about a startling historical comparison that puts Russia’s war in Ukraine into sharp perspective. Jones notes that at the same point in time during World War Two, the Soviet Union had already reached Berlin—highlighting just how limited Russia’s battlefield gains have been today, and how much weaker Vladimir Putin’s modern military appears by comparison.
Can The Venezuela Model Work In Cuba?
Mike Baker is joined by Daniel Di Martino of the Manhattan Institute to examine new reporting that the White House may apply the “Venezuela model” to Cuba. The discussion looks at how pressure campaigns helped destabilize the Nicolás Maduro regime, whether similar tactics could reshape the political order in Havana, and why Cuba’s unique power structure could complicate Washington’s strategy.
Political Upheaval In Beijing Threatens Xi’s Grip On Power
Mike Baker is joined by author Gordon Chang to break down growing political turmoil inside China, as Xi Jinping intensifies his crackdown on internal rivals. From purges within the Communist Party to signs of unrest inside China’s military leadership, the conversation examines whether the current upheaval poses a real threat to Xi’s grip on power—and what it could mean for Beijing’s stability going forward.
Venezuelan Analyst Explains Why Delcy Rodríguez May Have Negotiated Maduro’s Capture
Mike Baker speaks with NTD TV correspondent and Venezuela analyst Luis Martinez about the dramatic political transition underway in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro. With President Trump meeting opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House—but backing interim president Delcy Rodríguez as the de-facto leader—Martinez breaks down why Maduro’s former vice-president may have negotiated the coup, what it means for U.S.–Venezuela relations, and how the struggle between rival political factions could shape the country’s future.
Air Force Fighter Pilot Explains What a First Strike Against Iran Would Look Like
Mike Baker speaks with retired United States Air Force fighter pilot Ryan Bodenheimer, also known as Max Afterburner, about what a potential first strike against Iran could actually look like. From target packages and air superiority to escalation risks and regional fallout, Bodenheimer walks through the real-world military considerations behind a U.S. strike.
Check out Ryan’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxAfterburnerusa
Iranian-American Analyst Explains Why Iran’s Protests Are Different This Time
Mike Baker sits down with Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to discuss why the latest wave of unrest in Iran represents something fundamentally different. As protests spread across the country, Taleblu explains how economic anger has turned into open political defiance—and why this moment poses a far more serious challenge to the regime than previous demonstrations.