March 24th, 2025: China Considers Sending Troops To Ukraine & Israel Launches Strikes In Lebanon

Summary

The President's Daily Brief: March 24th, 2025

Hosted by Mike Baker and The First TV

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1. Introduction

In today's episode of The President's Daily Brief, hosts Mike Baker and his co-host delve into three critical international developments: China's potential deployment of troops to Ukraine, a significant escalation in the Middle East involving Israel and Lebanon, and a noteworthy advancement in the Trump administration's immigration policy concerning Venezuela.

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2. China Considers Deploying Troops to Ukraine

Overview

Mike Baker opens the episode by discussing a startling report from the German newspaper Die Welt indicating that China is contemplating sending troops to Ukraine as part of a future peacekeeping force (02:10). This move marks a significant shift in China's military engagement on the global stage.

Implications and Consequences

The deployment of Chinese troops would not involve combat but rather support a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. According to Baker, this initiative could have far-reaching consequences beyond Ukraine's borders (03:03). He notes:

"China might be the only major power that Russia wouldn't immediately reject, giving Beijing a very rare position of diplomatic leverage that no Western nation could claim."
— Mike Baker 04:43

This strategy positions China as a potential neutral mediator, contrasting with NATO's intransigence in the region.

Diplomatic Reactions

However, the co-host casts doubt on China's role as an impartial party, highlighting China's support for Russia:

"They've parroted Russian talking points, ramped up trade, and sent dual-use goods that help Moscow on the battlefield. So the idea of China as a neutral party is humorous at best."
— Co-Host 05:02

The inclusion of Chinese troops in Europe would be unprecedented, potentially signaling a Cold War reversal and expanding China's military footprint globally (05:15).

Watchpoints:

• First-Time Deployment: This would be the first instance of Chinese military presence in Europe, a major geopolitical milestone.
• Strategic Leverage: Enhances China's role as an "honest broker" in international conflicts, despite its ongoing support for Russia.

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3. Escalation in the Middle East: Israel and Lebanon

Overview of Strikes

The podcast transitions to a significant escalation in the Middle East, where Israel launched two waves of airstrikes on southern Lebanon in retaliation for a rocket barrage purportedly originating from Lebanese territory (10:00). These strikes resulted in at least seven fatalities and targeted various Hezbollah positions, including weapons depots and command hubs (10:14).

Hezbollah's Role and Reactions

Uncharacteristically, Hezbollah denied launching the rockets, leading to accusations from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that Israel fabricated a pretext to resume military operations (10:28). A Lebanese military source expressed grave concerns:

"The country is being pulled toward a new war."
— Lebanese Prime Minister 11:28

Israeli Operations in Gaza

Simultaneously, Israel intensified its operations in Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure and expanding a strategic buffer zone (15:00). This includes the assassination of Hamas political leader Salah al Bardawil and increased ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas's leadership structure (14:27).

Calls for Hamas to Relinquish Power

Amid mounting pressure, Palestinian authorities from the Fatah faction have publicly called on Hamas to relinquish control over Gaza to prevent the "end of the Palestinians' existence" (16:27).

"Continued fighting under Hamas rule would lead to the end of Palestinians' existence."
— Fatah Spokesman 16:27

Watchpoints:

• Regional Stability: Increased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah heighten the risk of a broader regional conflict.
• Hamas Pressure: Internal Palestinian divisions could reshape the political landscape in Gaza and beyond.

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4. U.S. Immigration Agenda: Venezuela Resumes Deportation Flights

Overview

In the final segment, the podcast highlights a significant victory for the Trump administration's immigration policies. Venezuela has agreed to resume deportation flights from the United States, reversing a recent suspension (19:56).

Political Context and Trump's Administration

This agreement marks a pivotal shift after the Trump administration exerted increased pressure on Venezuela to comply with U.S. immigration enforcement priorities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had warned of escalating sanctions if Venezuela did not cooperate (21:49).

Reactions from Venezuela

Despite Venezuelan authorities' defiant stance, labeling the deportations as an affront to national dignity, the deal proceeds:

"Migrants kidnapped in El Salvador."
— Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly 20:35

This indicates ongoing tensions and human rights concerns related to U.S. deportation practices.

Legal and Logistical Considerations

The arrangement circumvents recent legal challenges in the U.S. Supreme Court related to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 by establishing a bilateral agreement with Venezuela, offering a more sustainable legal pathway for deportations (22:02).

Watchpoints:

• Human Rights Concerns: Continued deportations, especially involving gang-affiliated individuals, raise ethical and legal questions.
• Policy Sustainability: The new agreement provides a framework less susceptible to judicial review, ensuring the longevity of deportation efforts.

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5. Conclusion

Today's episode of The President's Daily Brief underscores significant shifts in global geopolitics, from China's emerging role in European conflicts to escalating Middle Eastern tensions and pivotal changes in U.S. immigration policy. These developments carry profound implications for international relations, regional stability, and domestic policies within the United States.

Stay informed and engaged with the latest updates by tuning into future episodes of The President's Daily Brief.

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Timestamp Reference

• 02:10
• 03:03
• 04:43
• 05:02
• 05:15
• 10:00
• 10:14
• 10:28
• 11:28
• 14:27
• 16:27
• 19:56
• 20:35
• 21:49
• 22:02

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Note: This summary excludes all advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the informative discourse presented by the hosts.

Transcript

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[Mike Baker]

It's Monday the 24th of March.

[Co-Host]

Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears.

[Mike Baker]

On the world stage. Coming to you yet again from a, well, an airport lounge somewhere. I'm not sure where it is at this point. I can't keep track.

[Co-Host]

Alright, let's get briefed.

[Mike Baker]

We'll start off with a major report out of Germany.

[Co-Host]

China is reportedly considering sending troops to.

[Mike Baker]

Ukraine as part of a future peacekeeping force. That's right, Chinese troops in Ukraine. I'll explain why that's such a big deal and why the consequences could reach.

[Co-Host]

Far beyond Ukraine's borders.

[Mike Baker]

Later in the show, a major escalation in the Middle east as Israel launches airstrikes into Lebanon following a rocket barrage coming from Lebanese territory. Plus, as the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF, continue their renewed efforts in Gaza, Hamas faces calls from Palestinians to relinquish their power in order to avoid the.

[Co-Host]

End of the Palestinians existence. And in today's Back of the brief, it looks like a win for the.

[Mike Baker]

Trump administration's immigration agenda.

[Co-Host]

Venezuela says it will once again accept deportation flights from the US Reversing a recent suspension.

[Mike Baker]

But first, today's PDB spotlight. We'll start things off today with a surprising development that's putting it mildly related.

[Co-Host]

To Putin's war in Ukraine.

[Mike Baker]

According to a new report from the German newspaper Die Welt, China is considering.

[Co-Host]

Sending troops to Ukraine.

[Mike Baker]

Now, China's pla, the People's Liberation army, wouldn't deploy to Ukraine to fight, but to function as part of a future peacekeeping force. Makes you wonder how the North Korean.

[Co-Host]

Troops that are fighting next to Russian.

[Mike Baker]

Soldiers would feel about that. According to the report, China is angling to join what British Prime Minister Keir.

[Co-Host]

Starmer is calling a coalition of the willing.

[Mike Baker]

That's the group of countries prepared to.

[Co-Host]

Send troops to Ukraine to enforce a.

[Mike Baker]

Ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow if and when that day comes.

[Co-Host]

An unnamed European Union diplomatic source told.

[Mike Baker]

De Welt that the situation is, quote, delicate. Well, that's probably again putting it mildly.

[Co-Host]

But that China's inclusion in a peacekeeping.

[Mike Baker]

Mission could help get Russia to agree to such a force. The thinking here is fairly simple.

[Co-Host]

Moscow would never accept NATO troops in Ukraine.

[Mike Baker]

They've said as much repeatedly, not even under a UN peacekeeping mandate. But Chinese troops, well, that's different given.

[Co-Host]

That China's Xi Jinping has basically propped.

[Mike Baker]

Up the Russian economy for the past three years and enabled Putin to keep his war machine chugging away.

[Co-Host]

Now, if China has actually floated this idea as a possibility, it is highly.

[Mike Baker]

Likely that Chinese and Russian high level.

[Co-Host]

Officials have discussed the idea. And if they've discussed the idea and.

[Mike Baker]

Consider it an actual possibility, well, it would be because Putin and Xi view.

[Co-Host]

It as advantageous to their own interests.

[Mike Baker]

Up to this point, the biggest roadblock.

[Co-Host]

To any international peacekeeping force has always.

[Mike Baker]

Been Russia's total distrust of NATO.

[Co-Host]

Well, not to mention Putin's lack of interest in stopping his war on Ukraine.

[Mike Baker]

There is that.

[Co-Host]

But were he inclined to agree to.

[Mike Baker]

Some legitimate type of ceasefire, there's zero.

[Co-Host]

Chance that Moscow would allow NATO boots on the ground in Ukraine.

[Mike Baker]

But China, despite some complicated history, is.

[Co-Host]

Viewed by the Kremlin as a strategic partner and as mentioned, an economic lifeline. If a peacekeeping force were needed to monitor or enforce a ceasefire, China might be the only major power that Russia wouldn't immediately reject. And that gives Beijing a very rare.

[Mike Baker]

Position, a kind of diplomatic leverage that.

[Co-Host]

No Western nation could claim.

[Mike Baker]

It could even let China present itself as a so called, quote, honest broker.

[Co-Host]

Capable of holding both sides to account.

[Mike Baker]

And yes, I somehow managed to say that with a straight face. Now, to be clear, as mentioned, China.

[Co-Host]

Has supported Russia throughout this war.

[Mike Baker]

They've parroted Russian talking points, ramped up.

[Co-Host]

Trade and sent dual use goods that help Moscow on the battlefield. So the idea of China as a neutral party is humorous at best.

[Mike Baker]

Something else worth mentioning, which makes this.

[Co-Host]

Potential scenario remarkable and concerning. If China does send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, it would mark the first time.

[Mike Baker]

Ever that the Chinese military establishes any kind of presence in Europe. The People's Liberation army has participated in peacekeeping missions in Africa and Asia, but.

[Co-Host]

Never in a conflict zone in the West. That would be, in geopolitical terms, a huge milestone. It would signal a major evolution in how China sees its military role around the world, moving beyond regional power projection in the South China Sea or Indian.

[Mike Baker]

Ocean and stepping onto the global stage.

[Co-Host]

In a much more assertive way.

[Mike Baker]

It would also allow China to test and refine its overseas operations.

[Co-Host]

Everything from logistics and chain of command to how it gathers intel and coordinates with foreign forces.

[Mike Baker]

And for Europe the arrival of Chinese troops, even in a peacekeeping capacity, would raise all sorts of new questions.

[Co-Host]

New diplomatic frameworks, new coordination protocols, new.

[Mike Baker]

Military rules of engagement.

[Co-Host]

The list, frankly, goes on.

[Mike Baker]

It could even set a precedent.

[Co-Host]

Once Chinese troops are on the ground.

[Mike Baker]

In one European conflict zone, it becomes theoretically a lot easier to imagine them.

[Co-Host]

Showing up in others, maybe in the Middle east or Central Asia.

[Mike Baker]

Symbolically, it's a Cold War reversal.

[Co-Host]

China, the once isolated communist giant, stepping in to fill a role that NATO.

[Mike Baker]

Either can't or won't fill.

[Co-Host]

To be fair, we're still a long way from any kind of ceasefire or peacekeeping agreement or the deployment of a peacekeeping force. But discussions are underway.

[Mike Baker]

President Zelenskyy and other European leaders are.

[Co-Host]

Expected to meet in Paris this coming.

[Mike Baker]

Thursday to talk through a possible peace.

[Co-Host]

Plan and long term security guarantees.

[Mike Baker]

If China really is serious about joining a mission in Ukraine, that subject may well be on the table during the Paris discussions.

[Co-Host]

Alright.

[Mike Baker]

Coming up next, a major escalation in.

[Co-Host]

The Middle east as Israel strikes Lebanon and ramps up operations in Gaza while.

[Mike Baker]

Hamas faces mounting pressure from Palestinians and.

[Co-Host]

Fatah leadership to step aside.

[Mike Baker]

I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Tariff wars, recession fears, stubborn inflation.

[Co-Host]

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[Mike Baker]

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[Mike Baker]

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[Mike Baker]

Welcome back to the PDB In a.

[Co-Host]

Significant return to fighting, Israel launched two waves of airstrikes on southern Lebanon Saturday, killing at least 7 in retaliation for a rocket barrage from the territory. The strikes mark the most serious flare.

[Mike Baker]

Up with Hezbollah since last year's US.

[Co-Host]

Brokerage ceasefire began to fray.

[Mike Baker]

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, the strikes targeted dozens of Hezbollah positions, including.

[Co-Host]

Weapons depots, command hubs, launch pads and.

[Mike Baker]

Infrastructure nodes, most notably in the coastal city of Tyre, one of southern Lebanon's major urban centers. But Hezbollah did denied launching the rockets. That prompted the IDF response, accusing Israel.

[Co-Host]

Of fabricating a pretext to resume military operations.

[Mike Baker]

While the terror group typically avoids comment.

[Co-Host]

On such incidents, its uncharacteristic denial this.

[Mike Baker]

Time signals growing unease amid mounting pressure.

[Co-Host]

Both at home and abroad.

[Mike Baker]

The first wave of Israeli strikes took place in the early morning, followed by a second barrage later that night, reportedly.

[Co-Host]

Greenlit by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli.

[Mike Baker]

Defense Minister Israel Katz.

[Co-Host]

In a joint statement, the two insisted.

[Mike Baker]

The action was necessary to safeguard border communities from the Iran backed terror group.

[Co-Host]

Meanwhile, Lebanon's military said it dismantled three.

[Mike Baker]

Rudimentary Hezbollah rocket launchers and opened an.

[Co-Host]

Investigation into the origins of the attack.

[Mike Baker]

Lebanese officials wasted no time, as you might imagine, in condemning the Israeli strikes. The country's prime minister warned that the country was being pulled toward, quote, a new war, while President Joseph Aoun decried.

[Co-Host]

What he called, quote, attempts to drag Lebanon into a cycle of violence. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

[Mike Baker]

Echoed those concerns, urging all sides to.

[Co-Host]

Recommit to what remains of the fragile ceasefire. That truce, crafted by American and French.

[Mike Baker]

Negotiators back in November, had until the.

[Co-Host]

Weekend managed to dial down a conflict that had been, of course, simmering and brewing for over a year.

[Mike Baker]

Under its terms Hezbollah agreed to pull.

[Co-Host]

Fighters and weapons back from the border.

[Mike Baker]

While the Lebanese armed forces were to.

[Co-Host]

Boost deployments in the area.

[Mike Baker]

In exchange, Israel was to begin withdrawing.

[Co-Host]

From newly occupied outposts by January.

[Mike Baker]

But Israel extended that deadline, pushing the.

[Co-Host]

Withdrawal date to 18 February. It still maintains controls over five positions.

[Mike Baker]

In Southern Lebanon, citing the Lebanese army's.

[Co-Host]

Failure to adequately secure the area.

[Mike Baker]

In the meantime, Israeli airstrikes have continued with Jerusalem insisting that they are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its arsenal now. Hezbollah's campaign began in the wake of.

[Co-Host]

Hamas 7 October terror attacks on Israel.

[Mike Baker]

The terror group framed its attacks as an act of solidarity with Hamas and.

[Co-Host]

The people of Gaza.

[Mike Baker]

Since then, the border clashes have spiraled.

[Co-Host]

Into the deadliest regional spillover of the.

[Mike Baker]

Gaza war to date. Dozens of Hezbollah commanders, much like Hamas.

[Co-Host]

Have been killed, large numbers of fighters.

[Mike Baker]

Lost, and a significant portion of its.

[Co-Host]

Weapons stockpile wiped out.

[Mike Baker]

For its part, Lebanon's military has struggled.

[Co-Host]

To reassert control in the south, where Hezbollah remains deeply entrenched.

[Mike Baker]

And frankly, that's been the history of Lebanon's military. President Aoun has repeatedly insisted that only.

[Co-Host]

The state should bear arms.

[Mike Baker]

That's a not so subtle jab at Hezbollah.

[Co-Host]

Forcing that remains a politically fraught, if.

[Mike Baker]

Not logistically impossible task, at least until Israel's campaign to degrade Hezbollah. The Iranian backed proxy was actually more of a fighting force than the Lebanese military. Okay staying in the region, Israel confirmed.

[Co-Host]

It killed Hamas political leader Salah al Bardawil in a Saturday night airstrike in southern Gaza, marking the third high ranking Hamas official to be assassinated in the span of a week. Bardawil, a longtime figure in Hamas's political.

[Mike Baker]

Bureau and head of its Planning and.

[Co-Host]

Development Ministry, was killed alongside his wife in a drone strike that targeted a tent shelter in Khan Yunis. Israeli officials accused Barawil of playing a central role in the terror group's strategic.

[Mike Baker]

Wing, claiming that his elimination would deal.

[Co-Host]

A significant blow to Hamas's ability to.

[Mike Baker]

Govern and its operational capacity. Reports from the Hamas run Gaza Health.

[Co-Host]

Ministry say at least 19 people, including.

[Mike Baker]

Butterweel, were killed in strikes overnight, though.

[Co-Host]

Those numbers could not be independently verified and did not distinguish between civilians and terrorists.

[Mike Baker]

The strike comes on the heels of Israel's assassinations of two other top Hamas figures last week, its internal security chief and the terror group's de facto government head, Issam Daalis.

[Co-Host]

Together, the killings form part of an.

[Mike Baker]

Intensifying Israeli campaign to dismantle Hamas's leadership structure. As we have been discussing on the PDB ground operations have also ramped up across the strip. In the north, Israeli forces resumed combat in Beit Hanun, an area previously cleared.

[Co-Host]

But now re entered as the IDF.

[Mike Baker]

Says it's targeting remaining Hamas infrastructure and.

[Co-Host]

Expanding a strategic buffer zone along the border. Fighter jets carried out strikes ahead of.

[Mike Baker]

A ground advanced, which military officials described.

[Co-Host]

As a renewed phase of combat.

[Mike Baker]

In southern Gaza, Israeli forces encircled Tel Sultan, a neighborhood in Rafah long regarded.

[Co-Host]

As a Hamas stronghold. The IDF said troops are now conducting.

[Mike Baker]

Raids on tunnel networks and command centers.

[Co-Host]

That are believed to have housed hostages.

[Mike Baker]

Residents in Tell Sultan were issued a.

[Co-Host]

Quote, urgent evacuation order with an IDF.

[Mike Baker]

Arabic language spokesman warning the area had become an active combat zone.

[Co-Host]

Maps of the evacuation corridor circulated online, urging civilians to flee westward toward the coast on foot. Meanwhile, in a rare break from internal silence, the Palestinian authorities ruling Fatah faction.

[Mike Baker]

Called on Hamas to relinquish its hold on Gaza. In a statement sent to afp, a.

[Co-Host]

Fatah spokesman, one that continued fighting under Hamas rule would, quote, lead to the end of Palestinians existence.

[Mike Baker]

On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

[Co-Host]

Said he ordered the IDF to seize more territory unless Hamas agrees to release the remaining hostages.

[Mike Baker]

Katz stated, quote, as long as Hamas continues its refusal, it will lose more and more land that will be added to Israel, end quote. Though Israel has largely refrained from annexing areas that it's captured, Katz suggested the.

[Co-Host]

IDF might maintain a long term presence in captured areas to safeguard troops and nearby communities.

[Mike Baker]

As we noted last week on the pdb, Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized a full resumption of hostilities after Hamas rejected a.

[Co-Host]

Proposal to extend phase one of the ceasefire. The message from negotiations, if they occur.

[Mike Baker]

At all, will now proceed under fire.

[Co-Host]

All right, coming up in the back.

[Mike Baker]

Of the brief, a win for the Trump administration as Venezuela reverses its suspension of deportation flights from the U.S. we'll.

[Co-Host]

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[Mike Baker]

In today's Back of the Brief, Venezuela.

[Co-Host]

Has agreed to resume accepting deportation flights.

[Mike Baker]

For its migrants after halting cooperation earlier.

[Co-Host]

This month, marking a major win for the Trump administration's deportation policy. The pivot came Saturday when Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro's regiment reached an agreement with Washington to resume deportation flights for Venezuelan nationals who crossed into the US Illegally. The first flight touched on Sunday, effectively.

[Mike Baker]

Ending a suspension triggered after the administration.

[Co-Host]

Reversed a Biden era easing of sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports.

[Mike Baker]

Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's national assembly.

[Co-Host]

And Maduro's lead negotiator with Washington, confirmed.

[Mike Baker]

The policy shift, stating, migrating is not a crime. But his remarks were laced with defiance. Rodriguez vowed to rescue, quote, our brothers.

[Co-Host]

Kidnapped in El Salvador.

[Mike Baker]

That's a nod to Venezuelan deportees held.

[Co-Host]

In that country's prison from US Deportation.

[Mike Baker]

Flights earlier this month, despite their affiliations with gangs like Trenda, Aragua, the TDA and MS.13. Maduro himself echoed the message, calling the.

[Co-Host]

Migrants kidnapped, framing the deportations not as.

[Mike Baker]

A law enforcement effort, but as an.

[Co-Host]

Affront to national dignity. That framing, however, hasn't slowed the Trump administration's momentum. Speaking of an affront to national dignity.

[Mike Baker]

How about Maduro's well documented theft of.

[Co-Host]

His country's last presidential election? Or his violent crackdowns on any dissent? Or maybe his arrests of political opponents and opposition activists? Maduro basically is giving a masterclass in affronting national dignity. Regardless. Since the collapse of the initial agreement, Washington has now redoubled pressure on Latin.

[Mike Baker]

American governments to align with U.S. immigration enforcement priorities.

[Co-Host]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Caracas would face severe and escalating sanctions.

[Mike Baker]

If it refused to take its citizens back.

[Co-Host]

That threat now appears to have paid off.

[Mike Baker]

As we've been tracking on the PDB.

[Co-Host]

Roughly 350 Venezuelans have been deported in recent weeks, including around 180 who had been held at Guantanamo Bay. The breakthrough with Caracas arrives amid legal headwinds for the administration. The White House has relied heavily on the Alien enemies Act of 1798.

[Mike Baker]

That's a dusty wartime statute that grants.

[Co-Host]

The president sweeping authority to expel nationals from hostile states. That provision had been used to justify deporting Venezuelans to third party nations like El Salvador. But a federal judge in Washington earlier.

[Mike Baker]

This month issued a temporary injunction, ruling that the administration's application of the law exceeds its statutory scope. The new deal with Venezuela offers a.

[Co-Host]

Cleaner legal pathway, one less vulnerable to US Court challenges.

[Mike Baker]

And that, my friends, is the President's.

[Co-Host]

Daily brief for Monday 24th March. Of course, to listen to the show ad free, simply become a premium member.

[Mike Baker]

Of the President's Daily brief by visiting pdbpremium.com Very simple. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

[Mike Slater]

Hey, I'm Mike Slater. I have a podcast called Politics by Faith. We have a very simple mission. We take the news of the day and we filter it through a biblical worldview. So here's the big story of the day. What does the Bible say about it and how can we apply it? It's amazing. There's nothing new under the sun. The Bible has something to say about everything that's going on today. So basically, we thumped the Bible over on Politics by Faith. I think we ought to keep MAGA going. And I think the way to take it beyond just a political victory into a true rebuilding and awakening and revival in America is to make sure that this is all grounded in biblical principles and that's what we do on the podcast Politics by Faith. And you can subscribe to Politics by Faith wherever you're listening to the show right now.