← The President's Daily Brief
The President's Daily Brief
November 3rd, 2025: Maduro Begs Moscow & Beijing For Help, Plus Trump’s Nigeria Ultimatum
00:23:18
Loading summary
Transcript11 lines
- [00:00]
A
Looking to diversify and protect your hard earned assets. Well, schedule a free consultation with the Birch Gold Group. They're the precious metals specialists. Just text PDB to the number 989898 and you'll receive a free no obligation information kit. And you'll learn how to convert an existing IRA or a 401k into a gold IRA. Again, text PDB to the number 989898. Foreign 3rd November. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. And welcome to a brand new month and a big congratulations to Ole Miss Hotty Toddy. Yeah, another big win over South Carolina. And I believe that puts their chances of getting into the college playoffs at at least 85%. So well done. All right, let's get briefed. First up, as pressure builds on Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's looking east for salvation. A new report shows the embattled strongman pleading with Moscow and Beijing for help, even asking for missiles and radar systems to shore up his defenses. I'll have the details later in the show. President Trump puts Nigeria on notice. He's ordered the Pentagon to, quote, prepare for possible action after reports that the government there has been targeting Christians. Plus, Ukraine's campaign against Russian energy infrastructure continues. Kyiv says it hit a key fuel pipeline near Moscow and launched a drone strike on a major oil port along the Black Sea. And in today's back of the brief, a possible thaw between Washington and Beijing after the Xi Trump summit. The US And China have agreed to open a direct military hotline to prevent future clashes. Yeah, that seems like a sound idea. But first, today's PDB Spotlight. New reporting from the Washington Post suggests Nicolas Maduro is getting nervous. Well, to be fair, he does have half the US Military perched off his coast. As the US Ramps up pressure in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan strongman is reaching out to his old friends, Russia, China, even Iran, pleading for help to shore up his military. According to internal U.S. government documents obtained by the Post, Maduro has quietly requested a new round of military support from Moscow. The wish list includes defensive radar systems, replacement aircraft engines, and possibly even missiles. He's also turned to Beijing, asking Chinese defense firms to fast track new radar detection technology. And from Iran, he's asked for passive detection equipment, GPS scramblers, and long range drones capable of striking targets a thousand kilometers away. And that's roughly the distance from Caracas to Miami. If my math is correct, the documents suggest these requests were delivered through multiple channels, including a personal letter. Oh, that's nice to Vladimir Putin, likely hand carried to Moscow by one of Maduro's senior toadies. Now, to be clear, it's not the first time that Maduro has called Moscow for a lifeline. As we noted last week during the 2019 protests that swept through Venezuela, private security contractors flew in to protect Maduro and his inner circle when his grip on power was faltering. And just last week, it was reported that a military cargo plane connected to the Wagner Group from Russia landed in Caracas, potentially carrying assistance. But there's another reason that Maduro is looking abroad for help. Venezuela's military is in rough shape. That's putting it diplomatically. Years of corruption, sanctions and economic collapse have left the armed forces hollowed out. Reports from Western intelligence and independent analysts describe a force plagued by broken equipment, low morale and dwindling readiness. Many aircraft are grounded for lack of spare parts. Radar systems have fallen into disrepair, and fuel shortages have limited training and patrols. Even the Financial Times recently noted that the Venezuelan army is in a poor state of readiness to fight an external enemy. In other words, the regime's deterrent power exists mostly on paper, if it exists at all. And that makes Maduro's scramble for foreign support less about posturing and more about survival from his perspective. So this new outreach fits a familiar pattern. Every time pressure melts, it seems Maduro does run back to Moscow. But the timing matters here. Russia's capacity to actually deliver meaningful support is a lot weaker than it was back in 2019. The war in Ukraine, of course, has stretched Moscow's resources thin and its global influence has narrowed. Even so, the Kremlin is making the most of the situation politically. On Saturday, Russia's Foreign ministry accused the U.S. of using, quote, excessive military force in the Caribbean, calling American counternarcotics operations, oh, a violation of international law. Apparently, Russia's Foreign Ministry is either too gormless or so lacking in self awareness. Or it could be both that they don't realize that Moscow has absolutely no high ground left to stand on. Putin and his minions lost what little right they had remaining to call out violations of international law once they launch their invasion of Ukraine. So as the kids say nowadays, maybe the Kremlin should just sit this one out. But the statement does highlight a strategic point. Moscow sees value in turning any US show of force into propaganda, especially in Latin America. It's a region where it's been trying to rebuild influence since the Cold War. Venezuela, for its part, is trying to turn this into a global issue by appealing to Russia and China and Iran simultaneously. Maduro isn't just asking for gear. He. He's trying to cast his confrontation with the US as part of the broader great power struggle, a kind of hemispheric front in what he frames as the new anti imperialist movement. I mean, actually, he'd be more accurate if he framed this as a confrontation between a narco trafficking illegitimate state and the U.S. beijing has been careful not to get too entangled in Venezuela's military affairs, preferring to handle its influence through loans and infrastructure projects. Iran might provide some modest technical assistance, perhaps drones or jammers, but Tehran has its own troubles right now and a limited global reach. So that leaves Russia. And while Moscow might relish poking Washington in its own backyard, it's unlikely to pour real resources into a proxy when it's struggling to keep its own war machine running. Still, the optics alone could be useful to all sides. For Maduro, even the appearance of Russian backing strengthens his image at home, proof that he's not isolated, that Venezuela still has powerful friends. For Moscow, that's another chance to show the world that it can project influence in America's hemisphere. The broader implication is Venezuela's desperation could end up inviting more instability into the region. If Russia or Iran decide to provide even small quantities of advanced radar or drone technology, it could complicate U.S. operations in the Caribbean and set off a new round of escalation. All right, coming up next, President Trump puts Nigeria on notice, ordering the Pentagon to prepare for possible action over reports of Christian persecution. Because what the world needs now is another confrontation. And Ukraine hits Russia's energy network with strikes near Moscow and along the Black Sea. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to talk about everyone's favorite subject to that of course, would be taxes. Now, we've all seen those scary ads about owing money to the irs. Trying to frighten you into calling Tax Relief Advocates is different. If you owe the IRS, whether it's $5,000 or $50,000 or $500,000, TRA tax relief advocates has solutions to help resolve your tax problems. You can get help anytime by visiting tra.com and TRA could reduce or even eliminate what you owe. Their team is passionate about helping individuals and businesses fix IRS issues. And they have thousands of five star reviews on Google plus, an A plus rating. With a Better Business Bureau, you no longer need to be afraid of the irs. Generous programs are available to give you a fresh start and your tax troubles today by visiting tra.com that's tra.com tax relief advocates real solutions for real people. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to talk about your security, specifically your online security. And I want to tell you about a great company out there that's working hard to keep you protected. Of course, I'm talking about Express VPN. Now, going online without ExpressVPN is like driving without car insurance. You might be careful, but it only takes one reckless driver or hacker in this case to cause real damage. Every time you connect to an unencrypted network, whether you're at a cafe, a hotel, an airport, your data, of course, is not secure. Hackers can steal passwords, bank logins, and credit card info using just cheap hardware and readily available software tools. Look, your personal data is valuable, and hackers can make $1,000 or more per victim selling personal details on the dark web. ExpressVPN protects you by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the Internet. It's easy to use. Just open the app and tap one button. It couldn't be simpler. And it works across all your devices. That's important, so you're always protected. I know I can count on ExpressVPN to create a safe and secure online experience. So take a few minutes and check them out. Your privacy and security are worth it. Secure your online data today by visiting expressvpn.com baker that's B A K E R. That's expressvpn.com baker to find out how you can get up to four extra months of service. Again, expressvpn.com baker welcome back to the BDB. President Trump drew a red line for Nigeria over the weekend. Act now to stop the massacres of Christians or the US Will move against the terrorists responsible. In a truth social post, he ordered the Department of War to, quote, prepare for possible action. So you ask yourself what's happening on the ground. In a country of more than 200 million, split between the largely Muslim north and mostly Christian south, the fight against Islamist terrorists has dragged on for more than a decade. Terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have killed tens of thousands. Now, while most of the violence remains concentrated in the northeast, attacks on Christian villages surged in recent months, reigniting calls for action from Washington. Trump's warning on social media came one day after he reinstated Nigeria's designation as a, quote, country of particular concern for violations of religious freedom. That's a label he imposed during his first term. And then the Biden administration removed that label. Now Nigeria once again Joins the same list as China and Cuba and North Korea, regimes long accused, of course, of suppressing religious minorities. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, quote, if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the US Will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns a blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists, end quote. His post went on to warn the Nigerian government to take fast action to protect Christians. And congratulations to the White House for resurrecting the old 1940s, saying guns a blazing. Maybe fedora hats and spats will soon follow. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly backed the president's remarks, writing on X quote, yes sir. Regarding possible military action, Hegseth went on to post, quote, the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must end immediately. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities, end quote. Trump cast the warning as a defensive faith under fire, a direct challenge to a government he accuses of tolerating Islamist violence. But in the capital, Abuja, Nigeria's government pushed back, insisting that Washington's characterization does not reflect our national reality. Nigeria's president said religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity, while the Foreign Ministry said Nigeria, quote, remains committed to tackling violent extremism and respects faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, end quote. But later, a spokesman for the Nigerian president struck a more conciliatory tone, telling Reuters on Sunday that Nigeria, quote, would welcome US Assistance in fighting Islamist insurgents as long as it recognizes our territorial integrity. According to stats from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, the War monitor recorded over 1900 attacks on civilians in Nigeria this year. And while the Trump administration says that outside analysts debate the specificity of the numbers, what matters is that Christians are dying and Nigeria's government and past US Administrations failed to stop it. As for any potential US strike campaign, I'd like to point out that it would face serious challenges. Islamist terrorist cells operate across vast, sparsely governed areas, often moving between Nigeria and its neighbors, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Given those challenges, US Operations would need to depend heavily on cooperation from the Nigerian military. That's a challenge that administration officials say Trump is prepared to confront if that's what it takes to protect Christian lives. I didn't have a return of the crusades on my 2025 bingo card, but there it is, alright. Shifting gears, Ukraine's intelligence service says it struck again deep inside Russia, this time taking out a major fuel pipeline in the Moscow region. Part of Kyiv's steady campaign to choke the Kremlin's war machine. According to Ukraine's main Intelligence Directorate, known as Hur, or hur, the late Friday drone strike zeroed in on the Kotzevoye pipeline. That's a 250 mile artery that links refineries in Moscow and two other refineries to the south and east of Russia's largest city. The pipeline keeps tanks and trucks and jets fueled in the fight against Ukraine. The blast hit just outside Moscow, and Herb says all three main lines went up in flames. They called the operation a serious blow to Russia's supply chain, one meant to remind Moscow that even its core infrastructure is no longer beyond Kyiv's reach. For background, the Kosovo network isn't some minor target. It's capable of moving millions of tons of fuel each year, roughly 3 million tons of diesel, another 3 million of jet fuel, and 1 1/2 million tons of gasoline. It's a major piece of their infrastructure. The Hur, or HUR chief made his point clear, saying Ukraine's strikes have, quote, had more impact than sanctions. In his view, precision drones are now doing what Western economic pressure alone couldn't, forcing Russia's war machine to burn through resources faster than it can replace them. And the strikes didn't stop there. Over the weekend, Ukraine launched another round of drone attacks, this time over the Black Sea, striking the Russian port of Tuapse that's home to Kremlin owned Rosnev and one of the oil giant's biggest terminals and refineries. Videos posted to Telegram showed flames rising from the harbor and a tanker burning at the dock. Ukraine's General Staff said it targeted the refinery directly, while the SBU domestic security agency confirmed that five drones slammed into the port, damaging loading equipment, nearby buildings and two foreign flagged ships. The Tuapse plant processes around 240,000 barrels of oil a day for export to China and Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey. Those shipments help fund, of course, Russia's war chest. And it's not the first time that the site has been hit. Ukrainian drones have struck Tuapse several times this year, turning what once was a key export hub into a recurring vulnerability for the Kremlin. Russian energy officials say the fires were eventually put out and no casualties were reported. But Reuters reports operations were likely disrupted. Back in Moscow, the Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down more than 280 Ukrainian drones across several regions. Still, debris ran down in places like Toopsay, shattering windows and damaging a local railway station. The scale of the barrage even forced Russia's Aviation authority to shut down airports across the country's south and west. That's a reminder that Russian air defenses are increasingly under strain. Kyiv says these deep strikes are part of a broader campaign, one aimed at crippling the infrastructure that fuels the Kremlin's war, while answering for Moscow's relentless missile barrages on Ukraine's own power grid. As we've tracked here on the pdb, those Russian strikes have plunged entire cities into darkness and left millions of Ukrainians facing another brutal winter without stable heat or electricity. Okay, up next in today's Back of the Brief, the US And China have agreed to a direct military hotline, hoping to cool tensions and avoid any close calls. I'll have the details when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now that Halloween is done and the costumes and candy have been put away and devoured, it's time to turn your eyes towards Thanksgiving. That's right, it's just around the corner. Look, Thanksgiving is one of those few times of the year when we can all slow down just a bit, gather as families and remind ourselves of of what we're thankful for. And remember, please, no talk about politics or taxes or religion around the table. It's about gratitude. Not just for the past, but for the future. And the excellent team of tritails Premium beef. They understand that you have to check this company out. There are fifth generation ranching family in Texas raising cattle the right way and shipping it straight to your door. And just in time for the holidays, their thankful box was built for this season. Delicious beef to feed your family and create the kinds of comforting meals that build a legacy. And you know what, let's be honest. No one's going to be upset if there's a little less turkey on the table and a little more beef. Am I right? Find it now@tribe.com PDB Again, that's tribe.com PDB.
- [18:50]
B
Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling, even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell.
- [19:05]
A
Oatmeal.
- [19:06]
B
So long you strange soggy.
- [19:08]
A
Break up with bland breakfast and taste.
- [19:10]
C
AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with K tree eggs, smoked bacon.
- [19:14]
A
And melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much good stuff.
- [19:20]
D
Attention podcast people. I'm Harry Cole and I'm invited you to something properly different, something urgent, something real, something called Harry Cole Saves the West. If you're tired of limp commentary and afraid to offend punditry, then this is the show for you. We're taking sledgehammers to sacred cows and battling the maligned forces tearing apart the US and uk. From open borders to cultural collapse to economic chaos to the threats to national security, the values and freedoms of the west are under siege like never before. This is the show where American grit meets British backbone. We all defend faith, family, freedom and the future of the west with bold, unapologetic truth telling. So if you're ready to push back, ready to stand tall, ready to laugh at the madness, then hit subscribe Harry Cole Saves the West right now available wherever you get your podcasts. The fight back starts here. And yes, bring the popcorn.
- [20:15]
A
In Today's Back of the Brief Fresh off President Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the US And China agreed to reopen military communication lines. That's a step aimed at strengthening deterrence through dialogue. After the two presidents summit on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in South Korea last week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth didn't waste any time. Hours later, while in Malaysia for meetings with his ASEAN counterparts, he told reporters that he and China's defense minister agreed to reopen, quote, military to military channels, the kind meant to diffuse tensions before it sparks. As some of you will recall, the freeze began when Beijing cut off military contact after then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Remember her after her 2022 visit to Taiwan, leaving Washington blind amid near misses at sea and in the air since. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Hegseth urged ASEAN counterparts to push back on China's coercion, warning that Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, quote, fly in the face of its own promises to resolve disputes peacefully. The secretary of war told ASEAN defense ministers the US seeks peace. We do not seek conflict, but we must ensure that China is not seeking to dominate you or anybody else. Making clear that reopening lines with China doesn't mean easing pressure on its aggressive regional behavior. As we previously discussed, the South China Sea remains one of the world's most volatile flashpoints, with Beijing's navy repeatedly clashing with regional neighbors, threatening Taiwan's sovereignty and calling the Philippines a quote, troublemaker for participation and drills with the us, Australia and New Zealand. Hegseth then pressed ASEAN to complete its long delayed code of conduct with China, a framework meant to prevent confrontations at sea and hold all sides to the same rules of navigation. He also proposed a shared maritime Domain Awareness Network so Southeast Asian states can respond to provocations in real time. And he welcomed the US ASEAN Maritime Exercise in December, calling it key to ensuring that any member facing, quote, aggression or provocation can is not alone. For Trump's team, reopening communications is about balance, talking to Beijing while tightening bonds with allies. It's a reminder that in the Indo Pacific, stability still depends on US Presence and strength. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief for Monday 3rd November. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at the First TV and hopefully you had a chance to catch the latest episode of our much loved extended weekend show. That of course would be the PDB Situation Report. You can watch it and past episodes on our YouTube channel. Check that out and hopefully subscribe on YouTube at President's Daily Brief. And of course it's on all the podcast platforms. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.
- [23:31]
C
It's okay not to be perfect with finances. Experian is your big financial friend and here to help. Did you know you can get matched with credit cards on the app? Some cards are labeled no Ding Decline, which means if you're not approved, they won't hurt your credit scores. Download the Experian app for free today. Applying for no Ding Decline cards won't hurt your credit scores if you aren't initially approved. Initial approval will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit scores.
- [23:58]
B
Experian.