December 5th, 2024: Assad’s Regime Toppled & Global Reactions Begin

Summary

The President's Daily Brief: December 5th, 2024 Episode: "Assad’s Regime Toppled & Global Reactions Begin" Release Date: December 9, 2024 Host: Mike Baker

---

1. The Fall of Assad’s Regime

Timestamp: [00:19]

In a seismic shift in the Middle East, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has been ousted by rebel forces after over five decades of authoritarian rule. Mike Baker provides a comprehensive overview of the events leading to Assad’s downfall:

• Historic Overthrow: Assad's regime, which began with his father Hafez Al Assad half a century ago, was dismantled rapidly over the weekend. He fled Syria shortly before rebels seized Damascus, marking the end of one of the world’s longest-running family dictatorships.

• Public Declaration of Victory: On Sunday morning, rebel forces officially declared victory. A Syrian state television bulletin, read by a prominent news anchor, announced, “to those who bet on us and to those who didn’t, to those who thought one day that we were broken. We announced to you from the Syrian news channel the victory of the great Syrian revolution after 13 years of patience and sacrifice” ([05:10]).

• Rebel Leadership Statements: Abu Muhammad Al Jelani, leader of the main rebel group HTS, addressed the nation from a Damascus mosque, stating, “This victory is a new chapter in the history of the region. Syria will no longer be a playground for Iranian ambitions, spreading sectarianism and stirring corruption” ([07:45]).

• Assad’s Asylum in Moscow: Initially unaccounted for, Assad has been confirmed to reside in Moscow, where he has been granted asylum. Russian state news cited “humanitarian reasons” for this decision, highlighting a diplomatic embarrassment for Syria’s primary allies, Iran and Russia ([09:00]).

• Regime Collapse Factors: The collapse was precipitated by a coordinated rebel offensive capturing key cities and Assad’s international backers, Russia and Iran, reducing their support due to commitments in Ukraine and the weakening of Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah ([03:30]).

2. International Responses to Assad’s Downfall

Timestamp: [10:54]

Mike Baker delves into the global reactions to the fall of Assad’s regime, capturing a spectrum of responses from hope to apprehension:

• Middle Eastern Reactions:

  • Saudi Arabia: Expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the need to preserve Syria’s unity. “We call for concerted efforts to preserve the unity of Syria and the cohesion of its people,” stated a Saudi official ([11:15]).
  • Turkey: Foreign Minister lauded the event as a beacon of hope, highlighting plans to facilitate the return of over 3 million Syrian refugees. “Today there is hope for the Syrian people,” he remarked ([12:40]).
  • Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu described Assad’s fall as an “historic day” but cautioned about potential dangers. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces secured the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, signaling proactive regional maneuvering ([13:20]).

• European Reactions:

  • European Union: The foreign policy chief hailed the end of Assad’s dictatorship as a long-awaited development, focusing on regional stability and security ([14:05]).
  • Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored the necessity for law and order in Syria, describing the news as “good” ([14:25]).
  • France and the UK: French officials echoed sentiments of relief, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring aid distribution to the vulnerable ([14:50]).

• United States:

  • Daniel Shapiro: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East emphasized that “no one should shed any tears over the end of the Assad regime” and confirmed ongoing U.S. military presence in eastern Syria to counter ISIS ([15:10]).
  • President Elect Donald Trump: On Truth Social, Trump stated, “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia. Russia,” criticizing Russia’s shifting focus to Ukraine and questioning their role in Syria ([16:00]).

3. Ukraine’s Military Casualties and U.S. Aid Package

Timestamp: [16:55]

Mike Baker transitions to the Ukraine conflict, highlighting significant disclosures and U.S. support:

• Ukrainian Casualty Figures:

  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Announced that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 wounded since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. “Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land,” Zelenskyy emphasized ([17:30]).
  • Contrasting Claims: Zelenskyy’s figures challenge President Elect Trump’s earlier assertion of 400,000 Ukrainian losses, aiming for transparency after years of withheld data ([18:00]).

• U.S. Aid Package:

  • $1 Billion Security Aid: The U.S. unveiled a new aid package focused on purchasing fresh military equipment, including munitions and drones, marking nearly half of the Pentagon’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin referred to the U.S. and its allies as the “arsenal of Ukrainian democracy” ([17:50]).

• Diplomatic Efforts:

  • Trump’s Ceasefire Proposal: Following meetings in Paris, Trump urged Putin for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations. While Russia expressed willingness for talks, citing Zelenskyy’s 2022 decree against negotiations with Putin in power, Zelenskyy demanded guarantees to prevent renewed conflict ([19:10]).

4. Manhunt for United Healthcare CEO’s Killer

Timestamp: [20:44]

In the "Back of the Brief," Mike Baker reports on the intensifying search for the gunman responsible for the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson:

• Investigation Progress:

  • Recovered Evidence: Authorities found a backpack in Central Park containing a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money. Divers were also deployed to locate a 9mm pistol used in the shooting, though results remain pending ([21:00]).

• Surveillance Footage:

  • Masked Suspect: New images show the suspect in a cab with his face obscured by a mask. A fleeting glimpse where the mask was lowered has yet to yield identification through facial recognition ([21:45]).

• Suspect’s Movements:

  • Travel Path: The suspect arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal via a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on November 24 and stayed in a Manhattan hostel using a fake ID ([22:10]).
  • Flight Post-Shooting: After the shooting, the suspect fled to Central Park, then took a cab to the George Washington Bridge bus station, boarding a bus to New Jersey and other destinations ([22:30]).

• Law Enforcement Efforts:

  • Collaborative Hunt: NYPD, FBI agents, and local police in Atlanta are combing through surveillance footage, public tips, and interviewing former roommates to track the suspect’s identity and whereabouts ([23:00]).

• Current Status: The suspect remains at large, with investigators focusing on piecing together clues to apprehend the individual behind the targeted attack on Brian Thompson ([23:30]).

---

Conclusion

In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief, Mike Baker provided a thorough analysis of the dramatic fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime in Syria, the varied international reactions to this geopolitical shift, the grim realities of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the assassination of a major healthcare executive. With detailed insights and authoritative quotes, Baker ensures listeners are well-informed about these critical global developments.

For further information or to share comments, listeners are encouraged to reach out via email at [e-mail].

---

Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Stay Cool.

Transcript

[Mike Baker]

This episode is brought to you by US Cellular. Don't sacrifice a great experience for a great deal. Now with US Cellular Prepaid, you'll get a new Samsung Galaxy A15.5G free without the hidden fees you get with other prepaid providers. So you can use U.S. cellular's nationwide.

[Daniel Shapiro]

5G coverage without sacrificing anything.

[Mike Baker]

Terms apply. Visit us cellular.com for details. Here's a recipe for starting your day off right. Step one, get yourself an empty coffee mug. Step two, fill it with Blackout Coffee. That's it. Morning sorted. Blackout Coffee is a terrific family owned American business and they're all about producing premium coffee, fresh roasted and shipped out within 48 hours of roasting. Go to blackout coffee.com promo code BDB for 20% off your first time purchase. It's Monday the 9th of December. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage and coming to you this week from where are we? Oh, the Middle East. Let's get briefed. A historic day in the Middle east as the region comes to terms with the fall of one of the world's longest running family dictatorships. Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has been toppled by rebel forces. He fled the country shortly before the rebels took over Damascus. Later in the show, governments around the world react to the fall of the Assad regime with a mix of, well, let's call it hope and apprehension. We'll break down the response so far. Plus, Ukrainian President Zelensky reveals the military death toll for Ukraine's forces in the Russian invasion as the US Prepares another billion dollar aid package. And in today's back of the Brief, we'll bring you the latest updates on the hunt for the man who killed United Healthcare's CEO in New York City this past week. But first, today's PDP Spotlight. Five decades of Assad family rule came to a crashing halt over the weekend as rebel forces ousted Bashar Al Assad's regime and forced the despot to flee. His decades long grip on power is over, bringing an end to the authoritarian dynasty his father began half a century ago and that was responsible for the death and torture over the decades of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. The collapse unfolded rapidly. On Saturday evening, reports emerged that rebel forces had entered the suburbs of Damascus with claims that President Assad was even reaching out to them in hopes of negotiating an end to the conflict. Yeah, good luck with that. By Sunday morning, it was all over. Rebel forces had seized control and publicly declared victory. The news was first Broadcast on Syrian state television yesterday morning with the nation's most prominent news anchor reading a news bulletin provided by the rebel leaders. It read in part, quote, to those who bet on us and to those who didn't, to those who thought one day that we were broken. We announced to you from the Syrian news channel the victory of the great Syrian revolution after 13 years of patience and sacrifice. Now the leader of the main rebel group, Abu Muhammad Al Jelani, has also made his first statements since arriving in Damascus in a speech delivered inside a mosque in the capital. He called the victory a new chapter in the history of the region. He added that Syria would no longer be a playground for Iranian ambitions, spreading sectarianism and stirring corruption. Syria's Foreign ministry has also released a statement which read, quote, a new page in Syrian history is being written consecrating a national oath and covenant that will bring all Syrians together, end quote. The people who wrote that statement will likely find themselves out of a job very soon. And depending on how things go over the next days and weeks, well, that could be the best scenario that they could hope for. The collapse of Assad's regime was years in the making. After clinging to power through a brutal civil war that began in 2011, in large part due to the backing of Iran and Russia, Assad faced growing dissent at home. Rebel groups, fragmented for much of the conflict, recently coordinated a sweeping offensive, capturing key cities such as Aleppo and Homa before storming Damascus. Crucially, Assad's international allies, particularly Russia, seemed to pull back their support in recent months, leaving his regime increasingly isolated, as opposed to 2015, when Russia and Iran provided significant military resources, personnel, and support in the last major beatdown of the rebels. This time around, both Russia and Iran, well, they're in much different situations. Russia, of course, has been focused on its Ukraine invasion and could ill afford to shift military assets to Syria. Iran now finds its primary proxy, Hezbollah, severely degraded and in no position to provide fighters and resources to Syria as they have in the past. In the hours since the fall of Damascus, videos have emerged of Syrians across the country toppling statues of regime figures, including those of Hafez Al Assad. That's the previous president and father of Bashar al Assad. Meanwhile, Bashar Al Assad's whereabouts were initially unclear, with early speculation that his plane had crashed within Syria. However, Russian state news agencies later revealed that the ousted dictator is currently in Moscow. There's a surprise with his family where he's been granted asylum now. Granting asylum to a brutal dictator responsible for so much death and suffering over the years is entirely on brand for Putin's regime. Reportedly, Moscow explained that they granted Assad asylum for, quote, humanitarian reasons. Well, that joke writes itself. As we've been reporting on the pdb, this marks a major embarrassment for Syria's two primary sponsors, Iran and Russia, both of which appear to have reluctantly accepted the fate and fall of their client. In a statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to respecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Well, that would be a first, insisting that the Syrian people alone must determine their country's future, free from what it described as, quote, destructive interference or external imposition. And, quote, clearly whoever wrote this in the Iranian Foreign Ministry is a frustrated comedy writer. The statement also emphasized that the Islamic Republic would, quote, spare no effort in supporting efforts to establish security and stability in Syria. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has been notably quiet, issuing a brief statement claiming that Assad had left office and departed Syria after issuing orders for a peaceful transfer of power, no doubt setting the stage for its own withdrawal from the country. Reportedly, the Russians have been in discussions with the rebels over the protection of their military bases and embassy. The rebels and population of Damascus took to the streets over the weekend and quickly ransacked Assad's residences, along with the Iranian embassy. Reportedly, the rebels have called on the people to leave government buildings and institutions alone. So what's next for Syria? Well, only one thing is certain here. The country will be operating under a new flag. Across Syria and at embassies abroad. The green, white, and black stripes of the rebels have already begun replacing the red, white, and black of the Assad regime. Now, as we know from recent history, in places such as Iraq and Libya, replacing a despotic dictator can create its own problems. The main rebel group, hts, has its origins years ago with isis. The rebel leader Al Jilani started with isis, later moving to Syria to start up Al Qaeda's branch there. Since roughly 2017, he and his group have reportedly denounced Al Qaeda and have been essentially running their own government in the northern Syrian province of Idlib. Al Jilani claims that they are now a nationalist movement, but whether that's simply a facade or legitimate, well, we'll know that in relatively short order. There are numerous other rebel factions with their own interests, all looking to stake out their own territory that have been cobbled together during this offensive to take over. Whether hts, the main group, is able to stitch the various groups into a cohesive, stable organization capable of providing leadership, well, that's anyone's guess at the moment. And then of course, there's the clown car stuffed with foreign players. Iran, Russia, Turkey and the US all have interests. All have been providing support to the mixed bag of players over the years, and all are equally unsure what to expect next. And not to be an alarmist, but, well, there is the question of Assad's chemical weapons program and inventory. And not to mention, where there's chaos, there tends to be extremists looking to fill the void and take advantage. Iraq is a case study in how not to handle the aftermath of the toppling of a despot. In that case, the immediate aftermath, much like the first days in Damascus, were filled with hope and euphoria, which gave way within months, unfortunately, sadly, to chaos and sectarian violence. Now a major contributor was the dissolution of the Iraqi army, police and government institutions by the US and allies, somehow believing that the removal of existing structure that had operated under Saddam Hussein would be replaced by something better. Instead, well, they created a void that was filled by years of despair, with Syria keeping existing institutions intact while working on reforms to ensure a society that protects and respects all the groups and minorities and persons that make up the Syrian tapestry. Well, that will be critical to future success. Look at me sounding all hopeful. Coming up next, reactions from around the world to the fall of Assad's regime, plus Ukraine's military death toll and the latest US Billion dollar aid package. I'll have those stories when we come back.

[Daniel Shapiro]

At a public urinal, it just feels like you're standing there too long. What used to seem like a high pressure hose filling a bucket, now it's more like a trickle. You notice a weaker flow, an urge to urinate more often. Sleep is interrupted by multiple trips to the bathroom and it has steadily gotten worse. You didn't think about going to a doctor? They may call it enlarged prostate or bph. I mean, no one talks about this. We're supposed to suck it up, right? That's what we do. But we know we need to do something or life is going to be different. But what can you do about enlarged prostate? The good news? There is a minimally invasive procedure covered by most insurance called the urolift system. Men 45 and older go to helpbphnow.com to find a Urolift System trained doctor near you. Most common side effects are temporary and can include discomfort when urinating, urgency, inability to control the urge, pelvic pain and some blood in the urine. Rare side effects, including bleeding and infection, may lead to a serum serious outcome and may require intervention. The urolift system may be an alternative to medications or invasive surgery. Go to helpbphnow.com to learn more and find a UroLift system trained doctor near you.

[Mike Baker]

Welcome back to the PDB. I want to turn now to the international response to the fall of the Assad regime, which can be described as a mix of hope and relief and apprehension. We'll start in the Middle east where Saudi Arabia expressed, quote, satisfaction with the positive steps in Syria. The kingdom called for, quote, concerted efforts to preserve the unity of Syria and the cohesion of its people. Over in Turkey, which had a large hand in supporting the rebels, the foreign minister said, quote, today there is hope for the Syrian people. He went on to speak about the importance of stability, unity and sovereignty in Syria, as well as the well being of the Syrian people, noting that that would allow millions of Syrians to return home. And no doubt the return of Syrian refugees will be one of Turkey's top priorities in the coming days, considering that it hosts more than 3 million of them. Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu called it, quote, an historic day for the Middle east, describing Assad's collapse as both an opportunity and a source of potential danger. On the ground, practical moves were already underway. Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to take control of the buffer zone between Israel and Syria. That's a territory long demilitarized under a 1974 agreement. The IDF confirmed the deployment on Sunday, highlighting Israel's proactive stance as the regional landscape shifts. In Europe, cities like Paris, London, Stockholm and Athens witnessed celebrations by Syrian expatriates, many of whom fled the brutal civil war over the past decade. Governments across the continent cautiously welcomed Assad's fall. The European Union's foreign policy chief declared, quote, the end of Assad's dictatorship is a long awaited development. Our focus now is ensuring regional stability and security, end quote. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the news as, quote, good, emphasizing the urgent need for law and order in Syria. France's Foreign Ministry echoed similar sentiments, saying the Syrian people have suffered too much. And in Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable. In Washington, D.C. daniel Shapiro, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle east, said, quote, no one should shed any tears over the end of the Assad regime. He said the United States would maintain a presence in eastern Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and said they will take all necessary measures to defend its forces in the area. Meanwhile, President Elect Trump commented on the matter on Sunday. In an early morning post to Truth Social, Trump wrote in part, quote, assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia. Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. Now, I'm not sure why he had to say Russia three different times, but there you go. Trump added, there was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, end quote. And speaking of Ukraine, President Zelensky revealed on Sunday that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed while 370,000 have been wounded since the start of Russia's full scale invasion in 2022. The announcement marks Kyiv's first public disclosure of casualty figures in the nearly three year conflict. Zelenskyy shared the figures in a telegram post countering a claim from President elect Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social that Ukraine had, quote, ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers since the war's inception. Now, this shift toward transparency, if Zelenskyy's numbers are accurate, follows nearly three years of withholding such data. Citing concerns about providing intelligence to Moscow back in February, Zelenskyy reported 31,000 troops killed without addressing the number of injuries. The Ukrainian president clarified that the 370,000 wounded included minor and repeated injuries, noting that about 50% of injured soldiers have returned to active duty, and also added the release of nearly 3,800 soldiers from Russian captivity. Now, these numbers stand in stark contrast to Ukrainian claims of Russian losses, which zelensky states exceeds 750,000, including 198,000 dead and over 550,000 wounded. He added that since September, Russia has been losing five to six troops for every Ukrainian soldier killed, despite making gains in Ukraine's east. Now, Zelenskyy's disclosure comes as the US announced a new $1 billion security aid package for Ukraine, representing nearly half of the remaining funds in the Pentagon's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. It's important to note that unlike previous aid packages sourced from US Military stocks, this funding will purchase new equipment, including munitions, drones and tools for weapons repair. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the aid at the Reagan National Defense Forum over the weekend, calling the US and its allies the, quote, arsenal of Ukrainian democracy. Meanwhile, President Elect Trump on Sunday doubled down on his push for an immediate ceasefire, urging Russian President Putin to end the bloodshed and start negotiations. Trump's comments followed a weekend meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and Zelensky, which Trump described as, quote, constructive. While Trump has previously advocated for a ceasefire, Sunday's proposal appeared more urgent and Both Kyiv and Moscow responded swiftly. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's openness to talks, but pointed to a 2022 decree from Zelensky ruling out negotiations if Putin remains in power. Zelenskyy, for his part, acknowledged Trump's proposal in a telegram post, but reiterated the need for effective guarantees to prevent Russia from reigniting the conflict, stating, quote, ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, end quote. All right, coming up next in the back of the brief, the latest on the manhunt for the gunman who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here.

[N/A]

Now, you've heard me talk about the importance of lifelong learning before, right? You should never be too old or too busy to learn something new. And of course, time is our most precious commodity. And I know that it can be difficult, right, to find the time to study, to learn and improve your knowledge. That's why I'm excited that Hillsdale College is offering more than 40 free online courses in some of the most important and enduring subjects. You can learn about the works of C.S. lewis, the stories in the Book of Genesis, the meaning of the US Constitution, the rise and fall of the Roman Republic, or the history of the ancient Christian Church with Hillsdale College's online courses. And they're all available for free, correct? I did say free. Now, I personally recommend you sign up for a course called Marxism, Socialism and Communism. This brand new online course is unlike anything that Hillsdale has produced before. Over the course of six documentary style episodes, you'll hear from Hillsdale professors of history, politics and economics as they look at Karl Marx's life and writings, the misery and brutality in the Soviet Union, the atrocities of Communist China, and the proliferation of cultural Marxism in America. You'll explore how many of the ideas in current American politics today are rooted in Marxism. It's critical that we take these ideas and historical figures seriously so that we can see the injustice and the evil inherent in them and so that we're better equipped to defeat them. Start your free course, Marxism, Socialism and Communism Today. Now go right now to Hillsdale Edu pdb to enroll. There's no cost and it's easy to get started. That's Hillsdale Edu PDB to register.

Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, if you've ever worried about the safety and security of your home and family, well, frankly, there's no better time to act than now. Because right now Simplisafe is extending its massive Black Friday deal for my listeners that's right. Get 50% off a new SimpliSafe security system. Correct? I said 50% off. Look, SimpliSafe is the home security that I trust. It brings priceless peace of mind knowing that my home is protected 24. 7. So get 50% off today just by visiting simplisafe.com baker this is your last chance to protect your home at SimpliSafe's lowest prices of the year. Now Simplisafe is a new way to protect your home that stops intruders before they break into your home. The truth is, look, old school systems only take action once someone is already inside your place. And that's. Well, that's too late. Simplisafe's Active Guard Outdoor Protection changes the game by preventing crime before it even happens. If someone's lurking around or acting suspiciously, the Simplisafe agents see them in real time. They talk to them directly, set off your spotlights, and even call the police. All before they've had a chance to break in. Plus, there are no long term contracts, no cancellation fees and it's around $1 a day for all this protection and peace of mind. And I love the simplicity and the ease of installation and use. Simplisafe is extending its massive Black Friday deal for my listeners of the PDB this week only you can get 50% off. Think about that. 50% off any new system with a select professional monitoring plan. This is your last chance to claim their best offer of the year. So head to simplisafe.com baker that's B A K E R. That's simplisafe.com baker there's no safe like Simplisafe.

[Mike Baker]

In today's Back of the Brief, the NYPD and federal authorities are intensifying their search for the suspect in the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. While police have made progress, the shooter remains at large, leaving law enforcement racing to piece together a trail spanning multiple states. According to ABC News sources, investigators made a key discovery on Friday recovering a backpack in Central park believed to belong to the suspect. Inside were just two items, a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and, oddly, Monopoly money. Authorities also deployed divers to a nearby pond in search of the distinctive 9 millimeter pistol used in the shooting, though as of now, it's unclear if anything was recovered. On Saturday, the NYPD released new surveillance images showing the suspect in a cab, but his face is obscured by a medical mask. While investigators believe they've obtained DNA from the crime scene, results from the NYC Chief Medical examiner could take several days now, the suspect's movements are gradually coming into focus. Investigators track the suspect's movements to the Port Authority Bus terminal where he arrived on 24 November via a Greyhound bus from Atlanta. It remains unclear if the suspect boarded there or in a city along the route to New York. Surveillance footage suggests he spent 10 days in New York City before the shooting, staying at a Manhattan hostel under a fake ID and paying in cash to avoid detection. During this stint, security cameras captured a brief moment where the suspect lowered his mask, offering investigators a look at his face. However, the NYPD has yet to identify him using facial recognition technology. After the shooting, the suspect fled into Central park and then took a cab to the George Washington Bridge bus station. From there, he boarded a bus that offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington. NYPD officers have since traveled to Atlanta to follow leads with the assistance of local police and FBI agents, while hundreds of detectives in New York continue to pour over surveillance footage, vet public tips and interview the suspect's former hostile roommates. While the nationwide manhunt continues, law enforcement has yet to identify the suspect by name. The NYPD remains focused on piecing together clues from the evidence collected, aiming to close in on the individual behind the targeted attack of Thompson, CEO of the country's largest healthcare insurer. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief for Monday 9th December. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me@pdb the first tv.com and I hope that you had a chance to tune into our extended weekend show this weekend. That's the PDB Situation Report. Our guests included Brian Carter with the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute and Eric O'Neill, former FBI counterterrorism operative. Now we covered a lot of ground situation in Syria, Iranian cyber attacks and more. You can catch the Situation Report every Friday night at 10pm on the First TV as well as on our YouTube channel. Check that out. It's at President's Daily Brief and of course wherever you get your podcast stuff, including Spotify and Apple. I'm Mike Baker. I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

[Daniel Shapiro]

It can get lonely climbing Mount McKinley. So to entertain myself I go to ChumbaCassino.com at Chumba Casino. I can play hundreds of online casino style games for free like online slots, Bingo, Slingo and more. Plus I get a daily login bonus.

[Mike Baker]

It's just too bad that up here.

[Daniel Shapiro]

I don't have anyone to share my exception Excitement with Woohoo.

[Mike Baker]

Live the Chumba life anytime, anywhere. Play for free now at chumbacasino. Com BTW Group no purchase necessary Void web prohibited by law. See terms and conditions 18 +.