The President's Daily Brief: August 14th, 2025

Hosted by Mike Baker

1. Hamas Terrorists Caught Posing as Aid Workers

In today's spotlight, former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker delves into a significant revelation from Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have unveiled clear evidence demonstrating Hamas's tactic of using civilians and humanitarian organizations as shields for their militant operations.

On Tuesday, the IDF released video footage capturing at least ten armed terrorists disguised as members of the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a reputable humanitarian organization. "[The terrorists] deliberately attached the WCK emblem and wore yellow vests in an attempt to disguise their activities and avoid being targeted, cynically exploiting the status and trust given to aid organizations," Baker reports (04:30).

The footage shows these militants congregating around a WCK-branded vehicle, which subsequently leaves down a dirt road with several armed individuals hanging from its sides. The IDF, upon confirming with WCK that these individuals were not affiliated with the organization, executed a targeted strike, resulting in the deaths of five terrorists.

Baker emphasizes the strategic implications of this tactic, stating, "The fact that the militants were using aid vests and humanitarian logos as a form of protection suggests that Hamas knows that Israel does not intentionally target humanitarian volunteers" (05:15). This maneuver not only endangers genuine aid workers but also fuels Hamas's narrative, garnering international sympathy and deflecting scrutiny from their military actions.

Furthermore, Baker highlights a disturbing trend where despite increased humanitarian aid flows into Gaza, Hamas is systematically diverting resources, exacerbating the local population's plight. "Data from the United Nations Office for Project Services shows that roughly nine out of every ten aid convoys from the UN into the enclave are looted by civilian mobs or hijacked by Hamas terrorists" (07:45).

2. President Trump's Diplomatic Efforts Ahead of Putin Summit

Transitioning to geopolitical maneuvers, Baker discusses President Trump's recent diplomatic engagements aimed at shaping the forthcoming face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Wednesday, Trump held a virtual summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top European leaders in Kyiv, focusing on a potential roadmap for a ceasefire. Baker notes, "Trump downplayed expectations, calling the first encounter a 'feel out,' but told French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz that a ceasefire remains his immediate target" (10:20).

Despite the alignment of objectives among Ukraine and European allies, the reality on the ground remains stark. Putin has consistently rejected any unconditional halt to the hostilities, maintaining his stance against backing down territorially. Baker points out the challenges ahead: "With Zelensky present, the president also warned of 'very severe consequences' if Putin refuses to end the war, without specifying whether that meant new sanctions or tariffs" (14:50).

The dynamics of this diplomatic ballet are further complicated by differing priorities among key players such as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Baker remarks, "An advisor added that the Kremlin's ceasefire foot-dragging is exhausting and that, 'this is where the art of the deal becomes possible'" (12:35).

As the world anticipates Friday's high-stakes meeting, uncertainties loom over whether Trump can secure even the outline of a ceasefire, especially given Putin's seemingly unwavering position.

3. UN Blacklists Hamas for Sexual Violence; Warns Israel Could Be Next

In a significant development on the humanitarian front, the United Nations has decided to add Hamas to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence executed during the October 7 attacks. Baker narrates, "The UN's annual report now tracks organizations and countries that have committed sexual violence as a weapon of war, and it states that Hamas engaged in a deliberate pattern of abuse during the October 7 massacres" (18:10).

This marks a pivotal shift from the previous year's stance, where the UN refrained from naming Hamas due to insufficient direct evidence. The turning point came with the release of the Project Dinah report by Bar Ilan University researchers, which provided substantial evidence of systematic sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. Baker underscores the gravity of this inclusion: "This report was sent directly to the office of the UN Secretary General and helped corroborate findings of an independent commission of inquiry regarding the UN's decision to acknowledge the horrific sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists" (20:45).

However, the UN's decision is not without controversy. The draft report simultaneously warns Israel of potential blacklisting due to allegations of sexual violence by its security forces against Palestinians in various detention facilities. Baker comments, "Guterres outlined steps the Israeli government must take to avoid being blacklisted in next year's report... Israel's UN ambassador rejected the allegations as unfounded, absurd, and based on biased publications" (22:30).

This dual reprimand highlights the UN's precarious position in addressing war crimes without appearing to create moral equivalencies, a challenge that Baker believes exemplifies the organization's complex role in conflict resolution.

4. Whistleblower Allegations Against Senator Adam Schiff

Concluding the brief, Mike Baker addresses explosive allegations brought forward by a whistleblower against Senator Adam Schiff. According to Baker, the whistleblower, a veteran Democratic Committee staffer, accuses Schiff of authorizing the leak of classified information to damage former President Donald Trump. "[The whistleblower] alleges that Schiff approved leaks of classified material to damage Donald Trump and expected to be tapped as CIA director if Hillary Clinton had won" (25:15).

The staffer describes a narrative where, post the 2016 election, Democratic leaders, disillusioned by Trump's victory, covertly planned to undermine his administration through intelligence leaks. Baker expresses skepticism towards the claims: "Whether these latest claims trigger legal action or, well, because it's Washington, D.C. nothing happens" (27:00).

This scandal adds another layer to ongoing investigations into intelligence abuses, drawing parallels to past controversies involving figures like former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. Baker notes the potential implications for national security and political integrity but remains cautious about the immediate fallout, suggesting, "They do mark yet another chapter in a saga that shows no signs of ending anytime soon" (29:20).

Conclusion

Mike Baker's comprehensive overview in this episode of The President's Daily Brief provides listeners with in-depth insights into pressing global issues, from the tactical maneuvers of Hamas in Gaza to the intricate diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the unfolding political scandals in the United States. Through detailed analysis and notable quotations, Baker ensures that even those who haven't listened to the episode are well-informed on these critical topics.

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Timestamps:

• 04:30 – Hamas using aid workers' disguise
• 05:15 – Strategic implications of Hamas's tactics
• 07:45 – Diversion of humanitarian aid by Hamas
• 10:20 – President Trump's virtual summit objectives
• 12:35 – Advisors on the effectiveness of the diplomatic process
• 14:50 – Potential consequences if Putin refuses to cease hostilities
• 18:10 – UN's decision to blacklist Hamas
• 20:45 – Influence of the Project Dinah report
• 22:30 – UN warning to Israel regarding sexual violence allegations
• 25:15 – Whistleblower allegations against Adam Schiff
• 27:00 – Implications of the Schiff scandal
• 29:20 – Ongoing saga of intelligence abuse investigations