The President's Daily Brief – Afternoon Bulletin | November 12th, 2025

Host: Mike Baker
Episode Focus:

• Reports of a potential U.S. military base near Gaza
• Major corruption scandal in Kyiv implicating top Ukrainian officials

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mike Baker unpacks two major international stories:

1. Reports of U.S. plans to construct a large military base near Gaza and the complex diplomatic signals surrounding it.
2. A major corruption scandal in Ukraine's energy sector, which has reached into President Zelensky’s circle and threatens to undermine Western support during wartime.

Segment 1: Is the U.S. Planning a MASSIVE Base Next to Gaza?

[Start – 08:10]

Key Points

• Israeli Media Reports:

  • Israeli outlet Shomrim and news site ynet reported that the U.S. intends to finance and build a $500 million base in southern Israel, only a few miles from the Gaza border, intended to host thousands of international troops (01:00).
  • Purpose: To enforce Gaza’s fragile ceasefire and act as a forward hub for a peacekeeping force, preventing groups like Hamas from regaining control (02:30).

• U.S. Official Response:

  • U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) strongly denies the reports, calling them “inaccurate” and stating, “No U.S. troops will be deployed into Gaza” (03:05).
  • Baker highlights, “CENTCOM’s language focuses narrowly on what the U.S. military itself will do. It doesn't rule out the possibility of the U.S. funding or helping construct facilities that could be used by other nations or by an international stabilization force.” (03:40)

• Diplomatic and Political Nuances:

  • There’s growing talk of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, potentially backed by the U.S. but staffed by Arab or European nations (05:20).
  • Precedent: The U.S. already operates the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, about 20 miles from Gaza, for humanitarian logistics with around 200 personnel (06:00).
  • The proposal could expand that presence or create a new facility “without technically contradicting CENTCOM’s statement” (06:30).
  • Challenges include:
    • Optics of a new U.S. military base in the Middle East (potentially “politically explosive”) (07:00).
    • Israeli concerns over sovereignty with large international forces operating within its borders (07:20).
    • Allies’ reluctance: Most U.S. allies have shown little interest in sending troops, and Arab states demand a political framework including a pathway to Palestinian statehood before committing (07:40).

• Status and Uncertainties:

  • Baker points out, “So for now, the base remains an unconfirmed idea caught between competing narratives” (08:00).
  • It could be “a proposal, floated quietly in back channel talks as part of the post-war planning process, then surfacing prematurely in the Israeli press” (08:10).
  • The situation underscores the complexity of the current ceasefire and post-war planning for Gaza.

Notable Quotes

• “CENTCOM’s language focuses narrowly on what the U.S. military itself will do. It doesn’t rule out the possibility of the U.S. funding or helping construct facilities that could be used by other nations…” – Mike Baker [03:40]
• “For Israel, the presence of a large international force operating from within its territory raises questions about sovereignty and control along one of its most sensitive borders.” – Mike Baker [07:20]
• “Arab states have also expressed reluctance, saying they won’t send peacekeepers unless there’s a clear political framework that includes a pathway to Palestinian statehood.” – Mike Baker [07:40]

Segment 2: Kyiv Rocked by Major Corruption Scandal

[10:18 – End]

Key Points

• The Scandal Explodes:

  • Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities (NABU) uncovered a $100 million kickback scheme within the state nuclear company, siphoning funds intended to fortify the power grid against Russian attacks (10:30).
  • The scandal included fake construction projects and inflated contracts, with money allegedly diverted by top officials and contractors (11:00).
  • Baker: “It wasn’t just about stolen money. It’s about stolen defenses. Siphoned from a system that can't afford another weak link.” (11:25)
  • The power grid is repeatedly targeted by Russian missile and drone attacks, causing outages (12:05).

• High-Profile Arrests and Accusations:

  • Five detained, seven more named as suspects, including a former deputy prime minister and a former energy minister’s advisor (11:40).
  • Central figure: Timur Mindich, a businessman and former co-owner of Zelensky’s production company, was reportedly tipped off and fled before the raid (12:10).
  • The FBI has reportedly launched an investigation into Mindich’s overseas assets (12:30).
  • Prosecutors allege Mindich texted Zelensky minutes before the president spoke with former Energy Minister Herman Galushenko (now justice minister), possibly attempting to sway the official (12:40).
  • Galushenko was suspended after a raid, stating in a Facebook post that the suspension was “a civilized and correct scenario” and pledging to defend himself “in the legal arena” (13:00).

• Implications for Zelensky:

  • “So far, prosecutors have not accused Zelensky of any wrongdoing, but the optics are dangerous. Mindich wasn’t just an oligarch. He was an old friend and former business partner,” Baker notes (13:45).
  • Zelensky recently attempted more direct control over anti-corruption agencies, sparking protests and European criticism—now, those agencies are running the investigation (14:00).

• Zelensky Responds:

  • In his nightly video message: “Everyone who has built corrupt schemes must face a clear procedural response. There must be convictions.” – President Zelensky (14:30)

• Broader Impact:

  • The scandal comes as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is under siege and as Zelensky seeks billions in new Western aid, potentially jeopardizing international support due to renewed perceptions of government corruption (15:00).
  • Baker hints that the episode could “reopen old wounds” with Donald Trump and his allies, who have previously accused Zelensky of tolerating corruption (15:30).

Segment Timestamps

• U.S. Base Near Gaza: 00:40 – 08:10
• Corruption in Ukraine: 10:18 – End

Memorable Moments

• On the ambiguity of U.S. intentions near Gaza:
  “So while CENTCOM’s denial shuts down talk of American boots in Gaza, it doesn't necessarily close the door on American-built bases near Gaza.” – Mike Baker [06:50]

• On the magnitude of the Ukraine scandal:
  “It wasn’t just about stolen money. It’s about stolen defenses. Siphoned from a system that can’t afford another weak link.” – Mike Baker [11:25]

Tone and Style

The episode carries Baker’s analytical, matter-of-fact tone—calm but urgent, focusing on the “why you should care” aspect to connect global events to American interests.

Summary

This PDB Afternoon Bulletin investigates widely circulated but conflicting reports of a prospective U.S.-backed international base near Gaza, explaining the diplomatic nuance and possible political ramifications. Baker then turns to breaking news from Ukraine, describing a sprawling corruption scandal that threatens complicity at the highest levels as the country pleads for more Western aid amid Russian attacks. Both segments highlight the web of geopolitics, public messaging, and real-world consequences that define today’s international crises, emphasizing the need for nuanced analysis and vigilance.

For further questions or comments, listeners are invited to contact Mike Baker at pdb@thefirsttv.com.