The President's Daily Brief October 23rd, 2025: Xi Purges Generals in a Growing Power Struggle & Putin Flexes Nuclear Force
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Oct 23, 2025 A fierce power struggle is brewing in China as Xi Jinping ousts top military leaders, raising questions about loyalty and readiness. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin flexes Russia's nuclear muscle with a massive exercise involving missile launches, signaling an intense geopolitical climate. On the naval front, U.S. forces intensify strikes against cartel vessels in the Pacific, reflecting an expanding anti-drug campaign. In a chilling move, Venezuela's Maduro launches a surveillance app for citizens, highlighting a disturbing trend of tech-enabled authoritarianism.
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Xi's Military Purge Signals Power Consolidation
- Xi Jinping has launched a sweeping purge of top PLA commanders, removing the CMC vice-chair and other senior officers under the pretext of "serious violations."
- The moves reflect a factional struggle, concerns about readiness, and Xi's drive for absolute loyalty.
Factional Fight Risks PLA Readiness
- The purge follows a feud between an old guard tied to Zhang Youxia and newer commanders linked to He Weidong's 31st Group Army.
- Removing experienced officers ahead of the Fourth Plenum increases instability and may hurt operational readiness near Taiwan.
Equipment Failures Fuel Political Purges
- Prior dismissals, including the rocket force leadership, suggest problems beyond graft: missing missiles, fake parts, and inoperable weapons were reported.
- These quality and corruption issues deepen Xi's rationale for large-scale leadership shakeups.
