The President's Daily Brief
Episode: December 3rd, 2025
Released: January 3, 2025
Host: Mike Baker

1. ISIS-Inspired Terror Attack in New Orleans

Timestamp: 00:12 - 07:17

Mike Baker opens the episode with a harrowing update on the recent ISIS-inspired terrorist attack that shook New Orleans on New Year's Day. The attacker, Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army veteran, executed a coordinated assault that resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuries to over 35 others.

Attack Details:

• Modus Operandi: Jabbar utilized a rented pickup truck adorned with an ISIS flag, driving through the packed Bourbon Street area.
• Aftermath: Following the vehicular attack, he engaged in a shootout with police, injuring two officers before being neutralized by authorities.
• Additional Threats: Authorities discovered two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in coolers along Bourbon Street, which were successfully defused.

Background on Shamsud Din Jabbar:

• Military Service: Served eight years in the U.S. Army (2007-2015), with deployments to Afghanistan.
• Post-Military Life: Transitioned to civilian roles in real estate and data engineering but struggled with multiple divorces and financial instability.
• Radicalization: The FBI confirmed his radicalization, although the exact timeline remains unclear. Prior to the attack, Jabbar posted five social media videos pledging allegiance to ISIS, indicating a shift towards extremist beliefs.

Personal Struggles:

• Family Relationships: Jabbar's family reported no prior signs of extremist tendencies. However, recent personal turmoil included multiple divorces and significant debt accumulation.
• Behavioral Changes: Described as acting erratically, including drastic changes in appearance and isolation from his teenage daughters.

Investigative Insights:

• Sole Responsibility: Initially suspected to have accomplices, the FBI now asserts with confidence that Jabbar acted alone.
• Official Statement: Christopher Rea, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, emphasized the premeditated nature of the attack:

  “This was an act of terrorism. It was premeditated and an evil act.” [Timestamp: ~06:00]

Community Impact: Neighbors described Jabbar as a "simple man who mostly kept to himself," highlighting the unexpected nature of his actions and the challenges in identifying such threats based solely on personal demeanor.

2. Russia's Last Major Gas Pipeline to Europe Shut Down

Timestamp: 07:42 - 14:32

Transitioning from domestic terrorism to international energy dynamics, Mike Baker reports on a significant geopolitical shift: the official shutdown of Russia's last major gas pipeline to Europe as of New Year's Day. This marks the end of Moscow's long-standing energy influence over the continent.

Key Points:

• Pipeline Background: A Soviet-era infrastructure asset that facilitated the transit of Siberian gas to Europe, enduring numerous geopolitical upheavals, including Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• Termination of Agreement: Ukraine's refusal to renew the five-year transit agreement with Gazprom by December 31 led to the pipeline's closure.

Impact on Europe:

• Energy Diversification: The European Union has successfully reduced its dependency on Russian gas from 40% in 2021 to below 15% by the end of 2023.
• New Supply Sources: Increased imports from the United States, Qatar, and Norway, bolstered by the EU's expanded liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.
• Official Statement: A European Commission spokesperson reassured the bloc's energy stability:

  “The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to provide gas of non-Russian origin.” [Timestamp: ~09:00]

Domestic Repercussions for Ukraine:

• Economic Loss: The termination of transit fees results in a projected loss of $1 billion annually for Ukraine.
• Mitigation Measures: Kyiv has responded by quadrupling domestic gas transmission tariffs, potentially costing Ukrainian industries an additional $38 million per year.

Russian Consequences:

• Financial Strain: Analysts estimate a reduction of $6.5 billion in Russia's annual gas revenues.
• Geopolitical Loss: The shutdown diminishes Russia's leverage over Europe's energy security, eroding a critical tool used to influence European policies and economies.

Dissent Within the EU:

• Opposition from Member States: Hungary and Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Leader Robert Fitzo respectively, remain heavily reliant on Russian energy and have vocally opposed Ukraine's decision.
• Threats of Retaliation: Fitzo warned of “radical consequences for the EU,” aligning his stance with previous threats to obstruct Ukraine’s energy supplies amidst its struggle with Russian missile attacks.

Ukrainian Leadership Perspective:

• Presidential Reaction: Ukrainian President Zelensky hailed the pipeline shutdown as a major victory, underscoring the importance of Western alliances in securing Europe's energy future.

3. Israel's Covert Raid on Iran's Underground Missile Factory in Syria

Timestamp: 07:42 - 14:32

In a bold move to curb Iran's military advancements, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently conducted a clandestine operation in Syria, targeting a sophisticated underground missile factory funded by the Iranian regime.

Operation Overview:

• Location: Masyaf area near Syria's Mediterranean coast.
• Objective: Dismantle an underground facility integral to Iran's efforts to supply Hezbollah and other proxies with precision-guided munitions.
• Personnel Involved: Over 120 elite Israeli special forces operatives, supported by air and naval units.

Facility Specifications:

• Infrastructure: Embedded within a mountainous region, the factory featured advanced assembly lines capable of producing hundreds of missiles and long-range rockets annually.
• Iranian Oversight: Operations were under the purview of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with direct component supplies from Tehran.

Execution and Aftermath:

• Seizures: Critical machinery and documents were confiscated and transported to Israel for detailed analysis.
• Casualties: While official casualty numbers remain unconfirmed by Israeli authorities, reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate 27 fatalities resulting from the assault.
• Military Footage: Released footage showcases Israeli forces methodically dismantling the facility amidst intense gunfire, emphasizing the operation's complexity and the IDF's tactical proficiency.

Strategic Implications:

• Military Chief Herzi Halevi's Statement:

  “For years, Iran formed a ring of rocket and missile fire around Israel's borders, and we have struck both the ring and its head.” [Timestamp: ~12:30]

• Prime Minister Netanyahu's Endorsement: Highlighted the mission as a decisive blow to Iran's regional military capabilities, asserting Israel's unwavering commitment to national security:

  “A testament to the IDF's determination and audacity to act anywhere to protect ourselves.” [Timestamp: ~13:00]

• Foreign Ministry Assurance:

  “We will not allow another October 7th on any front.” - Foreign Minister Gideon Saar [Timestamp: ~13:15]

Broader Context: This operation aligns with Israel's ongoing strategy to preemptively neutralize threats posed by Iran's expanding missile arsenal, ensuring regional stability and safeguarding national security interests.

4. Back of the Brief: 9/11 Plotters May Avoid Death Penalty

Timestamp: 15:24 - 27:00

In the concluding segment, Mike Baker delves into a controversial legal development affecting the masterminds behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A U.S. military appeals court has upheld plea agreements that could prevent three key perpetrators from receiving the death penalty.

Case Details:

• Individuals Involved:
  • Khalid Sheikh Mohammed: Accused as the principal planner of the 9/11 attacks.
  • Waleed Bin Attash and Mustafa Al Hamah Halawi: Identified as significant accomplices in orchestrating the attacks.
• Plea Agreements: The trio agreed to plead guilty in exchange for prosecutors removing the death penalty as a sentencing option, potentially resulting in life imprisonment instead.

Legal Proceedings:

• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's Intervention: Attempted to rescind the plea deals amidst public outcry, citing procedural improprieties.
• Court Ruling: The military appeals court determined that Austin's actions were too delayed and that the plea agreements were valid, allowing them to proceed.
• Current Status: The Pentagon is exploring further options, including requesting a pause on the proceedings until January 27th.

Impact on Victims' Families:

• Opposition to Plea Deals: Victims' families have vehemently opposed the agreements, viewing them as a denial of justice.
• Emotional Toll: Jim McCaffrey, a retired FDNY lieutenant and relative of a 9/11 victim, expressed profound frustration:

  “This plea deal is atrocious, it's salt added to the wound. If anybody deserves a death penalty, these terrorists do. They should have been executed years ago.” [Timestamp: ~18:00]

Historical Context: All three individuals have been detained at Guantanamo Bay since 2003, awaiting trial and resolution of their cases for over two decades.

Future Implications: The court's decision represents a significant setback for many seeking closure and justice for the atrocities committed on 9/11, highlighting ongoing tensions between legal processes and public sentiment in matters of national security and terrorism.

Conclusion

Mike Baker's comprehensive briefing encapsulates critical events shaping national and international landscapes, from domestic terrorism and energy politics to covert military operations and high-stakes legal battles. By meticulously detailing each issue and incorporating direct quotes with precise attributions, the episode provides a thorough understanding of the multifaceted challenges facing the United States and its allies.

For further inquiries or comments, listeners are encouraged to reach out via email at me@pdbthefirsttv.com or engage with additional content on The First TV’s YouTube channel and various podcast platforms.

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