The President's Daily Brief

Mike Baker shares a lighthearted Thanksgiving message, exploring the amusing origins of the turkey-pardon tradition linked to Abraham Lincoln. He humorously discusses past presidents' mixed feelings about the ritual and recounts notable turkey-pardon mishaps. The logistics of staging the ceremony are revealed, along with insights into the unpredictable nature of animals on stage. Finally, Baker encourages heartfelt gratitude for family and blessings, wrapping up with holiday wishes and a nod to the return of regular updates.

In a revealing discussion, tensions rose during President Trump’s closed-door meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the stalled normalization with Israel. The conflict revolves around demands for a roadmap to Palestinian statehood. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s scrapping of the Constellation-class frigate program raises concerns about staying competitive with China’s naval expansion. This change highlights the challenges of over-budget defense projects, leaving a strategic gap in America's fleet.

President Trump is open to direct talks with Nicolás Maduro, despite U.S. sanctions labeling him a terrorist. A rare call from Xi Jinping leads to discussions on Taiwan and Ukraine, highlighting China's role in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia is poised to reject a U.S. cease-fire proposal, indicating the Ukraine conflict may extend further. Tensions escalate as a Russian drone breaches NATO airspace, prompting a swift military response from Romania and Germany.

New satellite images reveal China's military practicing beach landings with civilian ferries, signaling a serious escalation in preparations for a Taiwan invasion. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are in rare face-to-face talks with Russia in Abu Dhabi, aiming to establish a peace framework for Ukraine. The episode explores the implications of China's strategies for U.S. policy and alliances, alongside the challenges in diplomatic negotiations over territorial concessions.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Washington and Kyiv appear to have hammered out a new 19-point peace plan in Geneva. We’ll explain what’s in the draft—and why several major issues remain unresolved. Another confrontation in U.K. waters, as the Royal Navy shadows and intercepts a Russian corvette and tanker moving through the Channel. Plus—President Trump announces plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, citing concerns over the group’s radicalism and reach. And in today’s Back of the Brief—a major win for James Comey, as a federal judge throws out the DOJ’s indictment against the former FBI Director. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Nobl Travel: Protect your gear and travel smarter—NOBL’s zipper-free carry-on is up to 58% off at https://NOBLTravel.com TriTails Premium Beef: Feed your family and your legacy. Grab your Black Friday gift before it’s gone! Visit https://trybeef.com/pdb Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Japan is ramping up its security by deploying missiles on Yonaguni, reigniting tensions with China, which is furious over this provocative move. The implications of this military strategy could alter regional dynamics dramatically. Meanwhile, divers off Wales discovered a mysterious metal cylinder believed to be a Russian tracking device, raising concerns about national security. This find highlights ongoing Russian activity in UK waters, prompting further investigation into these underwater threats.

A new phase in U.S. strategy towards Venezuela aims to directly pressure Maduro, incorporating tactics like sanctions and psychological operations through leaflet drops. Meanwhile, tensions in Ukraine escalate as Trump pushes for a peace proposal before Thanksgiving, raising alarm among European leaders about key concessions. In the Middle East, an Israeli airstrike targets a Hezbollah commander, prompting scrutiny of the regional ramifications. Additionally, Nigeria grapples with kidnappings amid ongoing government challenges and rising religious tensions.

Edward Fishman, an expert in economic warfare, discusses the crumbling of Russia's war economy, highlighting how deep Ukrainian strikes and new sanctions are hitting oil revenues hard. He reveals the impacts of sanctions on major companies like Rosneft and Lukoil, and how economic decline could threaten Putin's rule. Gordon Chang analyzes a diplomatic clash between Japan and China sparked by a comment from Prime Minister Takaichi, detailing China's aggressive response and Japan's evolving security strategy amidst rising tensions in the region.

The discussion kicks off with revelations from a secret war game predicting chaos if Nicolás Maduro falls, highlighting the risks of a power vacuum. U.S. pressure on Venezuela could lead to unintended consequences, potentially allowing nations like Russia, China, and Iran to exploit the situation. Shifting to Ukraine, tensions rise as Trump sets a Thanksgiving deadline for a 28-point peace plan. The proposition includes significant territorial concessions, drawing alarm from European allies worried about its implications for security.

A foiled series of Hamas terror plots in Europe reveals a more extensive and imminent threat than previously thought. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes intensify, casting doubt on the Gaza ceasefire's durability. Iran faces increased scrutiny over its nuclear program, with calls for transparency on enriched uranium. In Haiti, U.S. Marines engage in gunfire with gangs amid escalating security challenges, highlighting the country’s governance crisis and the struggle for international intervention.