By The First: Janatan Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins Mike Baker on The PDB Situation Report to examine the growing armed insurgency challenging Iran’s ruling regime. Sayeh breaks down the militant groups operating inside Iran, the attacks targeting Iranian security forces, and the challenges Tehran faces as it attempts to contain armed resistance while confronting mounting pressure abroad. He explains why these insurgent movements could pose a serious threat to the regime’s internal security—and whether Iran’s leaders can prevent the violence from spreading.
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Why France Can’t Get Its Riots Under Control
Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation joins Mike Baker on The PDB Situation Report to examine the unrest sweeping France and the organizations behind the demonstrations. Hankinson explores the groups mobilizing protesters, the tensions driving the unrest, and the challenges facing French authorities as they attempt to restore order. With additional demonstrations planned, the discussion turns to whether France can contain the violence—or whether the country is heading toward another round of confrontation.
China Can’t Conquer Taiwan—and Xi’s Generals Know It
Steve Yates of the Heritage Foundation joins Mike Baker on The PDB Situation Report to examine whether China can actually conquer Taiwan. Yates argues Beijing lacks the military capability to take and hold the island—and suggests Xi Jinping’s sweeping military purges reflect his generals’ unwillingness to promise victory. He explains how China tests Western resolve through escalating pressure, why threatening Taiwan is different from occupying it, and how Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong has undermined its promises of peaceful unification.
11,283 Terrorism-Related Border Encounters – What’s Really Going On?
: Art Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies joins Mike Baker on The PDB Situation Report to examine a dramatic surge in terrorism-related encounters at the southern border. With more than 11,000 encounters recorded at southwest border ports of entry, Arthur explains why the numbers have skyrocketed—and why they don’t necessarily mean thousands of known terrorists are attempting to enter the country. He breaks down how tighter border security is forcing smugglers and cartel members toward official checkpoints, how new terrorist designations are changing enforcement, and how criminal networks previously exploited gaps in Border Patrol coverage.
Is America About to Pull Back From the Middle East?
As the war with Iran continues, Washington is already confronting a major question: what should America’s military footprint in the Middle East look like when the fighting ends? Steve Yates tells Mike Baker that changes in warfare, stronger regional partners and the growing use of long-range strikes and economic pressure could allow the United States to reduce its presence without abandoning the region. He explains why America is unlikely to close its bases or withdraw entirely, but could rely more heavily on allies, mobile forces and a smaller permanent footprint. Mike Baker speaks with Steve Yates, former deputy national security advisor to the vice president, about what the Iran war has revealed, how America’s military posture has changed since 9/11, and why a pullback from the Middle East would not necessarily mean a retreat.
Could Soaring Oil Prices Break China’s Economy?
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.