The President’s Daily Brief, Nov 24th, 2025

Host: Mike Baker (Former CIA Operations Officer)
Podcast: The President’s Daily Brief
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode covers four major international developments: the U.S.’s intensifying pressure campaign on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, ongoing U.S.-Ukrainian-European negotiations in Geneva over a peace plan for Ukraine, an escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict with a targeted strike in Beirut, and a horrific mass school abduction in central Nigeria. Mike Baker guides listeners through the implications and geopolitical context of each.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Campaign Against Venezuela’s Maduro Enters "New Phase"

• Summary:
  Reporting reveals the U.S. is preparing a fresh round of direct pressure on Venezuela's Maduro regime, ramping up from narcotics and trafficking disruptions towards operations targeting Maduro’s inner circle.
• Key Details:
  • Reuters reports internal U.S. government discussions pointing to "a new phase of Venezuela related operations" ([02:00]).
  • The current approach, involving narcotics operations in the Caribbean, has not shifted Venezuela’s regime.
  • The move follows recent U.S. designation of Venezuelan security state organizations as terrorist entities, opening paths for financial and possibly military action ([03:35]).
  • Psychological operations are being considered, including dropping anti-regime leaflets over Caracas to foment dissent, especially military defections ([04:20]).
  • Maduro’s personal security measures have increased significantly:
    • Public appearances are now more choreographed, shorter, or relocated at the last minute.
    • Protective detail has grown, with greater Cuban security involvement.
    • These changes coincide with unexplained arrests and military movement within Venezuela amid fears of infiltration or coup attempts ([06:05]).
• Analysis:
  • Baker notes the regime’s visibly heightened paranoia and internal stress signal U.S. tactics are having an impact.
  • He stresses the risks of miscalculation, especially given regional and big power stakeholders:
    • “Any increased U.S. activity, whether leaflets or something more aggressive, raises the chances of miscalculation. Venezuela’s neighbors, including Colombia and Brazil, are watching closely. Russia and China… are likely weighing how to respond.” ([06:57])
• Notable Quote:
  • “Leaders who feel secure don’t typically redesign their security perimeter or cut down their public exposure.” ([07:25])

2. Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva: U.S. Push and European Backlash

• Summary:
  High-stakes negotiations in Geneva see U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials navigate Washington’s peace proposal for Ukraine—one Kyiv finds deeply unfavorable and Europe views with suspicion.
• Key Details:
  • The Trump administration’s 28-point plan is being pushed, with an explicit deadline: “Ukrainian President Zelensky can either accept… by Thursday, which in the US is Thanksgiving, or, in [Trump’s] words, ‘continue to fight his little heart out.’” ([09:21])
  • The plan includes:
    • Ukraine ceding territory (including regions Russia does not currently control).
    • Strict reduction in Ukraine’s military.
    • Renunciation of NATO membership.
    • U.S. security guarantees described as vague.
  • Zelensky adopts a cautious stance: willing to talk, not to concede ([10:45]).
  • European leaders, especially France and Germany, draft a counter-proposal and voice frustration at having been sidelined.
    • In a joint statement:
      • “Proposed limits on Ukraine’s armed forces would leave the country exposed to future Russian attacks and by extension, [would] threaten European security as well.” ([12:49])
      • Ursula von der Leyen: “Any credible peace plan cannot allow borders to be changed by force, cannot impose military limits that leave Ukraine vulnerable, and must reflect the EU’s central role in securing peace.” ([13:21])
  • Moscow appears amenable to the U.S. proposal, as it mostly reflects longstanding Russian demands ([15:40]).
• Analysis:
  • The U.S. is caught between pressing for a quick diplomatic conclusion and European efforts to soften the proposal’s sharpest concessions.
  • Baker draws a historical parallel:
    • “Neville Chamberlain’s ‘peace for our time’ approach didn’t do much for his legacy.” ([16:44])
• Notable Quotes:
  • Trump: “He [Zelensky] can either accept…or continue to fight his little heart out.” ([09:21])
  • Ursula von der Leyen: “Ukraine has chosen ‘European destiny.’ Brussels expects Kyiv’s long-term alignment with Europe to be baked into any final settlement, not treated as a bargaining chip.” ([13:39])

3. Israeli Strike on Hezbollah Commander in Beirut

• Summary:
  The Israeli Air Force hit Beirut, targeting and allegedly killing Hezbollah military chief Haitham Ali Tabatabai, in the most significant blow to the group’s leadership since last year’s ceasefire.
• Key Details:
  • Strike targeted 4th and 5th floors of a ten-story building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Hezbollah’s command hub ([17:24]).
  • Haitham Tabatabai was U.S.-designated as a terrorist in 2016 with a $5 million bounty on his head ([18:29]).
  • Hezbollah has not publicly confirmed or denied Tabatabai’s death—interpreted as an indicator of internal disarray.
  • Israel’s justification: prevent Hezbollah’s rearming and resumption of hostilities as Lebanese government efforts to control the group have faltered ([17:59]).
  • Israel did not inform the White House before the operation; U.S. was notified immediately post-strike ([19:44]).
• Analysis:
  • The operation underscores Israel’s willingness to escalate operations deep inside Lebanon without consulting Washington.
  • Tabatabai’s removal is a substantial blow, as he was the group’s top military strategist, orchestrating Hezbollah’s post-ceasefire military buildup.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Netanyahu: “[Tabatabai was] the man who led the terror organization’s buildup and armament efforts, adding that Israel’s determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time.” ([18:49])
  • On Hezbollah’s silence: “In the region, that kind of hesitation is widely read as a sign that Hezbollah is scrambling internally…” ([17:48])

4. Back of the Brief: Mass School Kidnapping in Nigeria

• Summary:
  Over 300 students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, central Nigeria—one of the country’s largest such kidnappings.
• Key Details:
  • 315 students and 12 teachers vanished; 50 children have since escaped ([23:02]).
  • Attackers moved swiftly through dorms as students prepared for classes; the event took place Friday ([23:56]).
  • Authorities state the school ignored a security directive to close days prior, after warnings about elevated threats ([24:25]).
  • It’s the third major kidnapping in Nigeria that week. More than 20 girls abducted on Monday from a neighboring state; a church attack left 2 dead and 38 abducted (the latter since freed) ([24:44]).
  • Nigeria outlawed ransom payments, but the ban has had little effect on the lucrative kidnapping industry ([25:08]).
  • Sectarian undertones remain, with attacks seen as part of broader religious persecution, often by ethnically or religiously distinct armed gangs targeting Christian communities ([25:23]).
  • President Trump commented earlier in the month, warning the Nigerian government and suggesting he could send U.S. troops if Christian killings continue; Nigeria’s government dismissed this as a “gross misrepresentation.” ([25:33])
• Analysis:
  • The episode highlights the collapse of rural security and festering inter-communal violence in Nigeria.
  • Authorities bear criticism for ignoring intelligence warnings and failing to act proactively.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “That’s a lapse parents say exposed students and staff to a, quote, avoidable risk in Friday’s attack…” ([24:29])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “A new phase appears tied specifically to the Maduro government itself…” – Mike Baker ([03:10])
• “Leaders who feel secure don’t typically redesign their security perimeter or cut down their public exposure.” – Mike Baker ([07:25])
• Trump: “[Zelensky can] accept his 28 point plan by Thursday… or continue to fight his little heart out.” ([09:21])
• Ursula von der Leyen: “Any credible peace plan cannot allow borders to be changed by force, cannot impose military limits...” ([13:21])
• “In the region that kind of hesitation is widely read as a sign Hezbollah is scrambling internally…” – Mike Baker ([17:48])
• “That’s a lapse parents say exposed students and staff to a, quote, avoidable risk in Friday’s attack…” ([24:29])

Timestamps of Major Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------|-----------| | 00:30 | Intro & episode headlines | 00:30 | | 02:00 | U.S. campaign on Maduro | 02:00–08:00 | | 09:00 | Geneva Ukraine peace talks | 09:00–16:45 | | 17:00 | Israeli strike on Hezbollah | 17:00–20:00 | | 22:59 | Nigeria school abduction | 22:59–26:00 |

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Conclusion & Tone

Mike Baker presents a brisk, analytic, and fact-driven summary of developments that concern U.S. national security and global stability. The tone remains pragmatic with occasional pointed skepticism (notably regarding rushed diplomacy or historical analogies), and Baker strives to highlight why these stories matter for American listeners.