The President's Daily Brief
Hosted by Daniel Wright, Michael Baker & Ryan McNeil · 95 decoded episodes · newest Oct 7, 2026
Each morning, the President of the United States receives a highly classified briefing on the most important issues facing the country -- The President's Daily Brief. Now you can hear your very own PDB, in the form of a podcast, every morning at 6am Eastern, and every afternoon at 4pm Eastern. You'll get 20 minutes of the most important topics of the day and why you should care, arming you with what you need to know to help solve America's most pressing challenges. Former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker hosts new episodes daily.
Episodes 95
- Sep 30, 2026 · 13 minRussia Raises Nuclear Stakes Around KaliningradThe episode connects a new Russian warning over Kaliningrad with escalating Baltic tensions, then reports an alarming attempted cockpit takeover.
- Sep 30, 2026 · 20 minIran’s Hormuz leverage weakens as Russia struggles with drone defenseThe episode connects shifting oil-traffic pressure, Russia’s exposed industrial sites, election-security preparations, and renewed Korean Peninsula tensions.
- Sep 29, 2026 · 20 minBaker previews Iran talks and Ukraine’s Donetsk gainsThe episode frames behind-the-scenes diplomacy with Iran alongside battlefield developments in Ukraine, linking negotiation and military pressure.
- Sep 29, 2026 · 14 minRussia’s alleged NATO attack tests Europe’s hybrid-threat responseThe episode connects a reported attack on NATO territory with a broader European security challenge and examines how Iran uses cryptocurrency to evade sanctions.
- Sep 28, 2026 · 20 minTrump Rejects Hormuz Proposal as Global Security Risks SpreadThe episode connects stalled Iran diplomacy with threats near a U.S.-linked air base, escalating Russia-Ukraine attacks, and Nepal’s flood disaster.
- Sep 28, 2026 · 12 minIranian strike injures Marines as RAF Fairford probe widensThe episode connects a direct threat to U.S. forces in the Strait of Hormuz with unresolved questions about a suspected terror plot in Britain.
- Sep 26, 2026 · 1h 2mSanctions squeeze Iran as opposition tests the regime’s resilienceThe episode examines whether economic isolation can weaken Tehran when repression, sanctions evasion, and limited opposition coordination complicate the path to political change.
- Sep 25, 2026 · 22 minChina’s Iran support raises stakes for Trump-Xi summitThe episode connects Iran’s wartime supply lines, Strait of Hormuz negotiations, and the broader U.S.–China relationship ahead of a consequential summit.
- Sep 25, 2026 · 16 minFrance Reinforces Saudi Arabia As Houthi Conflict WidensFrance’s military deployment signals a broader international response as Saudi Arabia seeks partners and Washington scrutinizes China’s expanding nuclear capabilities.
- Sep 24, 2026 · 21 minIran Tests U.S. Pressure as Ukraine Seeks Winter WeaponsThe episode connects Iran’s sanctions-driven return to negotiations with urgent efforts to manage the Russia-Ukraine war and rising regional tensions.
- Sep 24, 2026 · 16 minChina’s support strengthens Iran’s war effort before Trump-Xi talksThe episode frames Beijing’s assistance to Tehran as a test of whether Washington can address security, trade, and Taiwan within one relationship.
- Sep 23, 2026 · 24 minBritain backs Saudi Arabia as Houthi conflict widensThe episode connects a regional military escalation to vulnerable energy infrastructure, Russian financial influence, election interference, and cartel drone capabilities.