The President's Daily Brief: November 26th, 2024

Hosted by Mike Baker | Released on November 26, 2024

Introduction

In the November 26th, 2024 episode of The President's Daily Brief, former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker delves into critical global security issues impacting the United States. This episode covers NATO's preparation for potential wartime scenarios, North Korea's involvement in missile production for Russia, cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-made equipment in U.S. ports, and the alarming exploitation of the CBP1 app by Mexican cartels. Additionally, Baker touches upon economic concerns stemming from the U.S. debt and the emergence of the BRICS nations' new currency.

1. NATO's Urgent Call to Prepare for Wartime Scenarios

NATO faces increasing global instability, with top military officials urging Western businesses to fortify their supply chains against potential threats from adversarial nations like Russia and China.

Key Insights:

• Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO's Military Committee, emphasized the necessity for NATO allies to insource production and distribution to mitigate vulnerabilities. He stated, "If we can make sure that all crucial services and goods can be delivered no matter what, then that's a key part of our deterrence." [05:10]
• Bauer highlighted the West's overreliance on China for critical resources, noting that "60% of all rare earth materials are produced in China and more than 90% of rare earth minerals are processed or refined there." [07:45]
• The Admiral warned, "We are naive if we think the Communist Party will never use that power," underlining the strategic consequences of commercial decisions on national security. [09:30]

Context: This warning arrives amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. President Biden's authorization of American-made long-range missiles and the UK's deployment of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Ukraine have intensified the conflict. In response, Putin has revised Russia's nuclear doctrine and demonstrated new ballistic missile capabilities, further heightening global tensions.

2. North Korea's Expanding Role in Russian Missile Production

North Korea is deepening its military collaboration with Russia, significantly ramping up the production of short-range missiles intended for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Key Insights:

• Satellite Imagery Analysis by Planet Labs revealed new constructions at a North Korean weapons manufacturing complex, indicating increased production of KN23 solid fuel ballistic missiles. [15:20]
• Ukrainian military officials reported that Russia has fired "at least 60 North Korean KN23 missiles at Ukraine this year," which constitutes nearly one-third of Russia's total ballistic missile launches in 2024. [17:05]
• These missiles incorporate "US and European designed circuitry and their guidance systems," suggesting a covert supply chain likely facilitated by Chinese intermediaries. [19:50]
• Ukrainian investigators from the Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise stated, "Everything that works to guide the missile to make it fly is all foreign components. There's nothing North Korean in it." [21:30]

Context: The collaboration between North Korea and Russia underscores the severity of the conflict in Ukraine, with North Korean troops preparing to join Russia's counteroffensive in the Kursk region. Approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are poised for deployment, reinforcing the militaristic alliance formalized by their mutual defense pact signed in June.

3. Cybersecurity Threats from Chinese-Made Cranes in U.S. Ports

Chinese-manufactured cranes dominating U.S. container operations have emerged as significant cybersecurity threats, prompting urgent directives from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Key Insights:

• The U.S. Coast Guard issued a maritime security directive on November 13th, highlighting that "Chinese made ship to shore cranes... could be exploited through remote access capabilities." [25:40]
• A congressional investigation in March uncovered numerous suspicious device installations on cranes by China-based ZPMC, including unauthorized cellular modems connected to operational components. [27:15]
• In response, the Biden administration imposed a "25% tariff on Chinese made cranes ordered after May of this year," aiming to curb potential espionage, though this move has been criticized for increasing operational costs without providing alternatives. [29:00]
• Coast Guard and CISA Collaboration: Revised guidelines now require stricter monitoring and cybersecurity protocols, urging port operators to secure their infrastructure against foreign interference. [30:50]

Challenges: Despite these measures, a Department of Homeland Security report revealed that only 36% of private port operators have engaged with Coast Guard-provided cybersecurity services, indicating a significant gap in the implementation of necessary security protocols. [32:10]

4. Mexican Cartels Exploit CBP1 App to Target Migrants

The CBP1 app, designed to streamline asylum appointments at U.S. border crossings, has been hijacked by Mexican cartels to track and kidnap migrants, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the system.

Key Insights:

• Exploitation Mechanism: Migrants using the CBP1 app for appointment scheduling inadvertently make their information accessible to corrupt officials and ticket agents, who then coordinate with cartel operatives to locate and abduct them. [35:00]
• Camps near the U.S.-Mexico border, such as those in Tamaulipas, have become hotspots for cartel violence, with cartels acting as de facto authorities controlling access to border crossings. [36:45]
• Advocacy groups criticize the Biden administration's reliance on technology without implementing adequate security measures, urging reforms to protect vulnerable individuals seeking asylum. [38:20]

Impact: The exploitation of the CBP1 app underscores the dangerous intersection of technology and criminal activity, highlighting the need for robust security measures to safeguard migrants and uphold border integrity.

5. Economic Concerns: U.S. Debt and the Rise of BRICS Currency

Mike Baker also addresses pressing economic issues, notably the burgeoning U.S. national debt and the BRICS nations' introduction of a new global currency.

Key Insights:

• The U.S. continues to accrue debt at a staggering rate of "$100,000 in new debt every second," raising concerns about economic stability and future policy directions. [40:10]
• In response, the BRICS nations have unveiled the "unit," a new currency pegged 40% to gold and 60% to BRICS currencies, signaling a potential shift towards a global monetary reset. [42:00]
• Baker poses critical questions on whether this initiative could undermine the dominance of the U.S. dollar and what measures might be necessary to address this emerging economic landscape. [43:50]

Recommendations: To navigate this economic uncertainty, Baker suggests consulting with experts from the Patriot Gold Group, who offer services to diversify retirement portfolios into physical gold and silver as a hedge against market volatility. [45:30]

Conclusion

The November 26th episode of The President's Daily Brief provides a comprehensive overview of significant geopolitical and economic challenges facing the United States. From NATO's strategic supply chain concerns and North Korea's military collaboration with Russia to cybersecurity threats in U.S. ports and the exploitation of migration management systems by criminal organizations, the episode underscores the multifaceted nature of national security today. Additionally, the economic discourse surrounding U.S. debt and the BRICS currency highlights the interconnectedness of global financial systems and the potential shifts in economic power dynamics.

Staying informed on these issues is crucial for understanding the complexities of international relations and domestic security. Mike Baker wraps up with actionable insights and resources, encouraging listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these pressing challenges.

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