The President's Daily Brief
June 9th, 2025 Episode: Leaked Russian Memo: China Is "The Enemy" & National Guard in Los Angeles
Host: Mike Baker
Release Date: June 9, 2025
1. Leaked Russian Intelligence Memo Labels China as "The Enemy"
Timestamp: [00:42]
In this episode, Mike Baker dives into a significant leak from Moscow: a secret Russian intelligence memorandum that starkly labels China as "the enemy." This revelation contrasts sharply with the publicly professed "friendship without limits" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Baker highlights the underlying tensions with a touch of humor:
"First there's the breakup between Elon Musk and President Trump. And now, well, it looks like Putin and Xi Jinping are fighting in front of the kids. Long distance relationships always are tough though."
[02:15]
Key Points:
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Memo Details: The FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) authored the memo, revealing distrust towards China. It outlines "Entente 4," a counterintelligence operation initiated just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, aimed at combating Chinese espionage.
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Espionage Activities: According to the memo, China has intensified efforts to steal Russian military technology, recruit scientists, and exploit Russia’s focus on Ukraine to gather intelligence. Specific targets include former Soviet projects like the Ekranoplan hovercraft warship.
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Strategic Concerns: The FSB accuses Chinese academics of preparing territorial claims by promoting research linking China’s ancient history to regions currently under Russian control, fueled by historical grievances over 19th-century treaties.
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Implications for Russia-China Relations: Despite public alliances, the memo suggests a fragile partnership marred by mutual distrust. Baker questions:
"Well, if you can't trust your no limits friend, who can you trust?"
[05:45]
Potential Impact:
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U.S. Leverage: Some American officials see an opportunity to exploit Russia’s unease with China to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. However, others remain skeptical, noting Putin’s willingness to accept the inherent risks for continued Chinese support.
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Economic Dependence: Russia’s reliance on China has grown since the Ukraine war, with China now purchasing over a third of Russian exports. This economic imbalance provides China with significant leverage over Russia.
Conclusion: The leaked memo underscores the complexity and volatility of the Russia-China alliance, suggesting that beneath the surface cooperation lies significant strategic competition. Baker remarks:
"A deep split within the Russian government. While Putin and Xi continue to toast their alliance, Russian counterintelligence doesn't trust Beijing and is working quietly to contain its influence."
[10:30]
2. Russia's Devastating Retaliation in Kharkiv
Timestamp: [11:50]
Mike Baker reports on Russia's latest military actions in Ukraine, marking what officials describe as the most powerful attack to date against the city of Kharkiv.
Key Points:
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Scale of the Attack: On Saturday, Russia unleashed a barrage of over 40 explosions within hours, deploying missiles, glide bombs, and drones targeting residential areas. This followed a catastrophic Ukrainian drone strike the previous week that crippled a significant portion of Russia's air force.
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Civilian Impact: The assaults resulted in three civilian deaths and dozens injured during the initial wave, with a subsequent strike claiming two more lives and injuring at least 40. Baker shares vivid imagery from the attacks:
"Video footage of the attacks showed charred apartment buildings and a children's playground littered with shrapnel."
[13:20]
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Ukrainian Response: President Zelensky condemned the strikes as "pure terrorism," emphasizing their senselessness and targeting of civilians. He urged the U.S. to provide specific support for Ukraine's defense, noting delays in U.S. air defense system deliveries.
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Russian Claims vs. Reality: While Russia's Ministry of Defense claims the strikes targeted Ukrainian military infrastructure with precision, local officials in Kharkiv report significant damage to civilian sites, including schools and administrative buildings.
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Potential Escalation: U.S. intelligence warns that this retaliation could be just the beginning. A senior U.S. official described the forthcoming Russian counterattacks as:
"Asymmetrical. Not a tit for tat drone response, but a wider assault on symbolic targets like government buildings should be expected."
[16:05]
Conclusion: The intensification of hostilities in Kharkiv signals a potential escalation in the Ukraine conflict, with significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Baker highlights the precarious situation:
"With Putin signaling a willingness to keep ratcheting up the pressure and Kharkiv reeling from its deadliest day of the war, Ukrainian officials say they are bracing for continued escalation from Moscow in the days to come."
[16:50]
3. Federal Intervention in Los Angeles Amid Anti-ICE Riots
Timestamp: [17:37]
The brief shifts focus to internal unrest within the United States, specifically violent riots in Los Angeles triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
Key Points:
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Origin of the Riots: Clashes erupted near a Homeland Security office in Paramount, LA, following ICE operations that resulted in the arrest of at least 118 immigrants, including individuals linked to criminal networks.
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Escalation to Federal Action: In response to escalating violence, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum activating the National Guard under Title 10 authority, enabling direct federal control over the deployed troops. Baker notes Trump's stance on social media:
"Riots and looters will be solved the way it should be solved."
[19:10]
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Local and Federal Response: California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump's intervention as inflammatory, arguing it would only heighten tensions. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Benjamin H. "Ben" Hegseth warned of potential deployment of active-duty Marines if violence persists.
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Law Enforcement Measures: FBI Director Cash Patel emphasized the seriousness of assaulting law enforcement officers, stating:
"If you assault a law enforcement officer, you're going to jail. Period."
[20:45]
- Current Situation: National Guard troops from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have been deployed to key locations in downtown LA and Compton. Despite these measures, left-wing organizations are mobilizing for further protests aiming to dismantle ICE operations and federal presence.
Conclusion: The deployment of the National Guard underscores the severity of civil unrest in Los Angeles, highlighting deep-seated tensions over immigration enforcement and governmental authority. Baker encapsulates the atmosphere:
"The riots may not be over. Socialist and left-wing organizations called for mass mobilizations last night."
[21:30]
4. Israel's Determined Stand Against Gaza Flotilla Led by Greta Thunberg
Timestamp: [22:50]
In the final segment, Mike Baker addresses the escalating maritime confrontation involving Israel and a flotilla headed for Gaza, notably featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Key Points:
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Flotilla’s Mission: The flotilla, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aims to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Its flagship, the Madlina, has reportedly lost contact after entering Egyptian waters, possibly diverting to aid Sudanese refugees.
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Israeli Response: Defense Minister Israel Katz has authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to intercept the flotilla by any means necessary:
"To Greta the anti-Semite and her friends, I say clearly you better turn back because you will not reach Gaza."
[24:20]
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Tactical Approach: Israeli forces plan to first order the Madlina to turn back. If refused, they will seize control of the vessel and deport the activists the same night.
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Historical Context: This is not the flotilla’s first attempt. Since 2008, the FFC has conducted similar missions, garnering significant media attention but achieving no substantive success. Baker remarks on the repetitive nature of these protests:
"The FFC has been staging seabound publicity stunts since about 2008 with similar results. Lots of headlines, zero success."
[26:10]
- International Dynamics: Despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to allow limited humanitarian aid into Gaza under a prolonged blockade. The UK has not blocked the Madlina from approaching Israeli waters, leaving the handling of the flotilla entirely to Israel’s discretion.
Conclusion: The impending interception of the flotilla underscores Israel’s firm stance on maintaining its blockade of Gaza amidst ongoing conflict. Baker muses on the performative nature of such missions:
"That, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Monday 9th June."
[28:05]
Final Thoughts
Mike Baker concludes the episode by reiterating the significance of staying informed amidst rapidly evolving global and domestic challenges. He encourages listeners to stay connected through various platforms:
"Stay informed, stay safe, stay cool."
[30:00]
Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, product promotions, and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions presented in the episode. For the latest updates and detailed analyses, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.