PDB Afternoon Bulletin | December 11th, 2024: Iranian Drones Over New Jersey? & Israeli Forces Advance Into Syria

Summary

The President's Daily Brief: Afternoon Bulletin | December 11th, 2024

Hosted by Mike Baker

---

Introduction

In the December 11th, 2024 edition of The President's Daily Brief afternoon bulletin, former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker delves into two critical national security issues: the surge of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey and unprecedented Israeli ground troop movements into Syria. This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode.

---

1. Mysterious Drone Sightings Over New Jersey

Timing: 00:00 - 05:52

Overview: New Jersey has been experiencing a significant uptick in drone activity, raising alarms among local officials and residents. Since mid-November, the Garden State has reported clusters of drone sightings, with occurrences spreading to neighboring Pennsylvania and New York. Governor Phil Murphy highlighted that last Sunday alone saw 49 drone sightings, though some may be duplicates.

Key Details:

• Sophistication of Drones: Governor Murphy described the drones as "sophisticated," noting that "the minute you get your eyes on them, they go dark" (02:15). This behavior suggests capabilities beyond typical hobbyist or commercial models.

• Government Response: In response to the increasing drone activity, Governor Murphy convened a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other federal officials to address the issue. The FBI has also initiated its own investigation, with a spokesperson from the Newark FBI office stating, "We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks" (03:45).

• FAA Restrictions: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed temporary flight restrictions over sensitive locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal military Base and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. Despite these measures, authorities have assured the public that there is no immediate safety threat.

• Public and Political Reaction: A coalition of 20 New Jersey mayors has demanded a full investigation and improved communication with residents. State Senator John Bramnick has called for a limited state of emergency and a ban on drone usage until further information is available.

• Allegations of Foreign Origin: Congressman Jeff Van Drew made headlines by asserting that the drones are likely of Iranian origin, claiming they are launched from a mothership off the east coast of the United States. During a Fox News appearance, Van Drew stated, "Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones. It's off the east coast of the United States of America. They've launched drones" (04:30). However, the Pentagon has denied these claims, stating there is no evidence of an Iranian mothership in operation.

Implications: The sophisticated nature of the drones and the potential foreign origin of these devices heighten concerns about national security and surveillance. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the need for robust countermeasures against unauthorized aerial activities.

---

2. Israeli Ground Troop Deployment into Syria

Timing: 05:52 - 12:30

Overview: In a historic move, Israel has deployed ground troops into Syria beyond the established demilitarized buffer zone along their border—a first in 50 years. This action follows the fall of the Assad regime and marks a significant shift in regional dynamics.

Key Details:

• Ground Troop Movement: Mike Baker reported that Israeli forces have advanced into Syrian territory, targeting strategic locations such as Mount Hermon. He noted, "according to two Israeli sources who spoke with the New York Times, the Israeli military has since moved deeper into Syrian territory, their first known ground entry into the country since the Yom Kippur War in 1973" (07:20).

• Justification and Reaction: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the objective is to "create a security zone free of heavy strategic weapons and terrorist infrastructures" (08:10). Israel argues that the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria is void due to the collapse of the Assad regime, thereby legitimizing their military actions.

• Extent of Deployment: Reports indicate that Israeli forces have reached Becassem, a village approximately 15 miles from Damascus. However, Israel has firmly denied any intentions to advance towards the Syrian capital, emphasizing that they "are not interfering with the internal events in Syria" (09:00).

• Air Campaign Success: Complementing the ground operations, Israel's air campaign has been notably effective. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported conducting around 480 strikes over the past 48 hours, dismantling approximately 80% of the former Assad regime's strategic military capabilities. Targets included chemical weapons stockpiles, the Syrian navy, and air force assets.

  Mike Baker highlighted, "The IDF estimates that roughly 70 to 80% of the former Assad regime's strategic military capabilities have now been eliminated in this campaign" (10:30).

Implications: Israel's proactive military strategy in Syria aims to preempt potential extremist threats and prevent the resurgence of hostile forces. The significant reduction of Syria's military infrastructure may alter the balance of power in the region, but it also raises concerns about escalating military involvement and the long-term stability of Syria.

---

Conclusion

Mike Baker's President's Daily Brief afternoon bulletin provides a thorough analysis of the escalating drone activities over New Jersey and Israel's decisive military actions in Syria. The episode underscores the intricate interplay between domestic security challenges and international military engagements, highlighting the pressing need for vigilant and informed responses to emerging threats.

For those seeking to stay informed on America's most pressing challenges, The President's Daily Brief offers timely and insightful updates to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

---

For more detailed discussions and future updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into The President's Daily Brief by The First TV.

Transcript

[Mike Baker]

Kick start your day with the delicious taste of Blackout Coffee. It's family owned premium coffee, fresh roasted and shipped out within 48 hours of roasting. Think about that. The beans are in the roaster and then before you know it, well, they're in your mug. Go to blackout coffee.com promo code PDB for 20% off your first time purchase. It's Wednesday, the 11th of December. Welcome to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. Let's get briefed. New Jersey's skies are buzzing with mystery. Frustration grows as drones flood the Garden State, leaving local officials scrambling for answers. Then, for the first time in 50 years, Israel has deployed ground troops into Syria beyond a demilitarized buffer zone in an attempt to protect their border region from extremist threats. We'll discuss the implications as well as the latest updates on Israel's air campaign in Syria. But first, our afternoon spotlight. Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, including near sensitive military sites, have left residents and officials scrambling for answers. Since mid November, clusters of drones have been reported across the state, with sightings now extending into Pennsylvania and New York. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed that on this past Sunday alone, 49 drone sightings were reported, though he noted that some of those sightings may be duplicates. Murphy described the drones as, quote, sophisticated, adding, quote, the minute you get your eyes on them, they go dark, end quote. Social media is awash, they literally awash. With videos of the mysterious, possibly fixed wing aircraft intensifying public concern. Murphy convened a briefing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Well, he'll get to the bottom of it, won't he? And other federal officials last week to address the issue. And the FBI has launched its own investigation of the phenomena. A spokesperson for the Newark FBI office confirmed, quote, we have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks. Now officials are urging residents to report sightings while they work to uncover the drone's origins. In response, the FAA has imposed temporary flight restrictions over key locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal military Base, which has reported 11 sightings just since 13 November, and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. Though authorities appear to be taking the incident seriously, they've also assured the public there is no immediate safety threat. Now, what sets these drones apart is their size and sophistication exceeding the capabilities of typical hobbyist or commercial models. While recreational and commercial drone use is legal under FAA regulations in New Jersey, these sightings suggest a different level of technology and purpose, leaving officials and residents Questioning their intent, local leaders are demanding action. Of course they are. A coalition of 20 New Jersey mayors has called for a full investigation and better communication with residents. State Senator John Bramnick has gone further, urging a limited state of emergency and a ban on drone use until more information becomes available. Meanwhile, President Biden, remember him, has been briefed on the drone activity with the White House confirming close coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI in tracking the aerial phenomenon. The New Jersey State Police and the state Office of Homeland Security are scheduled to hold a closed door briefing on Wednesday to share updates on the federal investigation. Now, there's one more interesting development on this. A New Jersey congressman claimed Wednesday that the mystery drones over the Garden State are from Iran and they're being launched by a mothership parked off the east coast of the United States. Congressman Jeff Van Drew said the drones very possibly could be from Iran. Oh, they very possibly could be from Iran. During an appearance on Fox News Wednesday morning, Van Drew told Fox News, quote, I'm going to tell you the real deal. Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones. It's off the east coast of the United States of America. They've launched drones, end quote. Now, Van Drew, the congressman, citing confidential and, quote, high sources, well, they may well have been high. Also ruled out the possibility that these drones are the work of hobbyists or even US Government operations. According to the congressman, this could indicate a deliberate and sophisticated operation aimed at surveilling or testing U.S. defenses. Well, okay, just a quick point on that. If the congressman's sources are, quote, confidential, then you would assume he would have already provided this information to federal authorities so they would have it and have been working on it instead of an interview on Fox News. And if Congressman Jeff Van Drew picked up this confidential information as a result of his position and access on Capitol Hill, well, then you would assume he wouldn't be authorized to reveal it on Fox News. The congressman's comments are almost as odd as the drones themselves. And by the way, the Pentagon has released a statement saying that there is no Iranian mothership parked off the east coast launching drones. Coming up, for the first time in 50 years, Israel has deployed ground troops into Syria beyond a demilitarized buffer zone along their border. We'll discuss the implications as well as the latest updates on Israel's air campaign in Syria, which has now destroyed reportedly nearly 80% of the former Assad regime's military capabilities. I'll be right back.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

You woke up with a sore throat and a low grade fever. You know you are getting sick. So here's your choices. You can get sicker and miss work. Try to see a doctor this week or sit hours in a crowded waiting room at Urgent Care.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

I have a smarter option for you. Open your medical emergency kit, match your symptoms to doctor recommended prescription in your booklet and take the right meds now and get well faster.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

This is not a first aid kit. It's like having an urgent care in your home. It includes doctor prescribed medications to treat over 39 medical issues like respiratory infections, strep throat, pneumonia, UTIs and more.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

No waiting to see the doctor and no standing in line at the pharmacy. It's right here.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Every home should have at least one medical emergency kit and here's how to order.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

Order online fast and save $45. Your kit with prescriptions to treat common and life saving illnesses is rushed to your door. Visit TWC Health the First Promo Code the first that's TWC Health the First.

[Mike Baker]

Promo Code the first welcome back to the Afternoon Bulletin. I want to provide an update on Israel's strategic operations inside Syria following the fall of the Assad regime as reports confirm that Israeli ground troops have advanced beyond the demilitarized zone on the Israel Syria border for the first time in 50 years. It's five zero as we discussed earlier on the PDB, Israel sent troops into a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights over the weekend after armed men attacked UN peacekeeping forces. The move sparked immediate international controversy, with the UN accusing Israel of violating a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria that established the demilitarized zone following the Yom Kippur War. Of course, Israel could argue that the agreement is no longer in effect since the Syrian government of Assad, with which they made the agreement, is, well, no longer in effect. And that's exactly what happened. Israeli officials countered that due to the collapse of the Assad regime, they considered the agreement void until order is restored in Syria and discussions are held with its new rulers. Still, they stress that their presence is solely focused on safeguarding Israeli security and ensuring extremist elements inside Syria and don't use the chaotic moment to attack across the border. According to two Israeli sources who spoke with the New York Times, the Israeli military has since moved deeper into Syrian territory, their first known ground entry into the country since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Now, just how deep is unclear, as little details have been released about the nature of their operations. But sources said Israel had taken control of the mountain summit of Mount Hermon on the Syrian side of the border, along with several other areas deemed essential for stabilizing that border region. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said they intend to create a security zone free of heavy strategic weapons and terrorist infrastructures. Now, as of Tuesday, reports indicate Israeli forces had advanced as far as Becassem, a village in southwestern Syria lying just 15 miles from the capital of Damascus, though Israel has not confirmed the activity. But Israel did staunchly deny claims on Tuesday that their forces intended to advance on Damascus, with a military spokesman insisting that Israel, quote, is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The limited ground operations come on top of Israel's historic air campaign across Syria, which began on Sunday in the immediate wake of President Assad's downfall. While Israel has celebrated the collapse of what had essentially become an Iranian proxy state, there are widespread concerns about the extremist ties of the rebel coalition. And Israel is using every tool in their arsenal to ensure Assad's military stockpiles don't fall into the rebel hands. The IDF provided an update Tuesday evening, revealing that over the previous 48 hours their forces had carried out roughly 480 strikes on strategic military targets throughout the country, destroying most of the Assad regime's strategic weapons stockpiles, including stores of chemical weapons like mustard and VX gas, and decimating the Syrian navy and air Force. The IDF estimates that roughly 70 to 80% of the former Assad regime's strategic military capabilities have now been eliminated in this campaign. And that, my friends, is the PDB Afternoon bulletin for Wednesday 11th December. Now if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdbhefirsttv.com and word on the street is that to listen to the show ad free, you can easily become a premium member of the President's Daily brief by visiting pdbpremium.com I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.