The President's Daily Brief

Podcast: The President's Daily Brief | Host: Mike Baker (The First TV)
Episode: September 26, 2025 – SHOWDOWN: American Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers & Beijing’s Drone Support for Moscow
Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this edition of The President’s Daily Brief (PDB), Mike Baker delivers a brisk but comprehensive update on recent escalating global tensions. The episode spotlights the interception of Russian bombers by American fighter jets near Alaska, evidence of increasing military and technological cooperation between China and Russia despite sanctions, the unveiling of a Trump-led US peace initiative for Gaza and the reactions of regional leaders, and the historic sentencing of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alaska Airspace Showdown: US Jets Intercept Russian Bombers

[01:04 - 07:53]

• Incident Summary:
  On September 24, NORAD detected two Russian TU-95 bombers and two SU-35 fighter jets entering the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). US and Canadian forces responded with an E-3 surveillance plane, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tankers.

• Importance of the ADIZ:
  The ADIZ is an area of international airspace where aircraft must identify themselves for national security; these Russian aircraft did not breach US or Canadian sovereign airspace.

• Contextual Trends:
  Baker stresses that this cat-and-mouse routine is rooted in Cold War-era probing but recent activity is on the rise:

  “Russia probing the air defenses of its adversaries. This time, it’s probing North America’s defenses with nuclear capable bombers reminding Washington that Moscow isn’t some distant antagonist. It operates right on our doorstep.” (Mike Baker, 03:40)

• Escalation Across NATO:
  Recent similar incidents have occurred in Estonia, Poland, and Denmark, with multiple NATO members invoking Article 4, signaling that alliance security is under real threat.

  “To have three [NATO] members reach for that option in the span of weeks is extraordinary.” (Mike Baker, 06:18)

• US Position & Messaging:
  President Trump, during the UN General Assembly, publicly stated that NATO nations should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace, projecting a more assertive US stance toward Moscow.

2. China’s Deepening Support for Russia’s Drone War

[08:58 - 13:00]

• Evidence of Collusion:
  Investigations reveal Chinese drone specialists have repeatedly visited a Russian military drone plant (IEMZ Kupel), training staff and assisting in assembling/testing drones, directly violating Beijing’s claims of neutrality in the Ukraine war.

• Lavish Paper Trail:
  Internal documents and invoices reviewed by European officials and Reuters show:

  • Chinese engineers assembling kamikaze and reconnaissance drones for Russia.
  • Over $700,000 invoiced for anti-jamming combat drones.
  • Records of joint travel and technology exchanges, including flight logs showing key figures traveling together after drone demonstrations.

  “If this all sounds convoluted and complex, well, welcome to the world of grey arms marketing.” (Mike Baker, 10:13)

• Significance:
  These drones (some modeled after Iranian tech) have rapidly bolstered Russia’s attacks against Ukraine, estimated at “about 500 per month.”

  • Beijing’s Denial:
    Despite mounting evidence, China’s Foreign Ministry repeats that the CCP “never provides lethal weapons to any party in the Ukraine conflict and keeps strict controls on dual use exports”—claims Baker openly calls “comical”.

  “If it wasn’t so seriously lethal, the Chinese regime’s denials and feigned ignorance would be comical.” (Mike Baker, 12:52)

3. Trump’s Gaza Peace Framework: Reactions and Roadblocks

[13:00 - 18:31]

• Plan Outline:
  Trump rolled out a 21-point plan for Gaza, aiming for the release of hostages, permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and a new governance mechanism excluding Hamas.

  • Security guarantees would be jointly enforced by Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim forces with limited Palestinian Authority involvement.

  “It’s the most serious peace push since the fighting began nearly two years ago with Hamas’s attacks on Israel.” (Mike Baker, 13:22)

• Conditional Arab Support:
  Arab leaders expressed cautious approval, stipulating that Israel must halt West Bank annexation, freeze settlement expansion, and maintain the Al Aqsa status quo. Trump reportedly assured them that annexation would not be allowed.

• Palestinian Authority and Next Steps:
  Mahmoud Abbas signaled willingness for PA oversight in Gaza if fighting ceases, but Baker notes the challenge:

  • “Somebody should point out that Hamas needs to agree to return all the hostages and not play any role in governing. There’s also the fact that the PA is very unpopular in Gaza. Oh, and of course Israel needs to agree to the Arab conditions. Other than that, it should be smooth sailing.”

  (Mike Baker, 16:57)

• Upcoming Test:
  The big hurdle will be selling the plan to Israeli PM Netanyahu and securing any semblance of buy-in from Hamas.

4. Back of the Brief: Sarkozy Sentenced to Prison

[19:33 - End]

• Historic Verdict:
  Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to five years in prison (plus a €100,000 fine) for criminal conspiracy in accepting illicit funds from Libya’s Gaddafi for his 2007 campaign.

• Details and Nuance:
  The court acquitted him of several additional charges due to lack of direct financial evidence but found Sarkozy conspired, directing aides to seek funds:

  “According to a report from Reuters, the harsher than expected sentence left observers stunned, marking a shocking downfall for Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012.”
  (Mike Baker, 19:49)

• Sarkozy’s Response:
  Leaving court, Sarkozy remained defiant, declaring:

  “If they absolutely want me to sleep in jail, I will sleep in jail, but with my head held high. I will not apologize for something I didn’t do.”
  (Nicolas Sarkozy, 21:01)

• Broader Context:
  This is just one of several high-profile legal entanglements for Sarkozy in recent years, further tarnishing his legacy.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Russian Bombers Near Alaska:
  “You can see Russia from Alaska.”
  (Mike Baker, 03:54 – referencing the closeness and immediacy of the threat)

• On NATO Tensions:
  “Each of these may be brushed off as routine provocations...taken together, they paint a picture of heightened tension across the transatlantic alliance.”
  (Mike Baker, 06:57)

• On Chinese Drone Support:
  “Chinese components and technical support are now a vital part of Russia's military supply chain, especially in aerial drones.”
  (Senior Fellow, CNAS, as quoted by Mike Baker, 12:15)

• On Middle East Peace Prospects:
  “For the first time, we felt there was a serious plan on the table.”
  (Unnamed Arab official, via Mike Baker, 15:50)

Important Segments and Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:04–07:53 | US jets intercept Russian bombers; NATO airspace provocations | | 08:58–13:00 | Chinese drone specialists aiding Russian arms industry | | 13:00–18:31 | Trump’s Gaza peace plan and regional response | | 19:33–End | Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to prison for conspiracy |

Tone and Delivery

Mike Baker combines gravitas with wry, occasionally sardonic asides, emphasizing geopolitical stakes while providing a measured skepticism about official denials—particularly from Beijing—and political actors’ self-exoneration. Listeners are prompted to consider both the practical military developments and the reliability of public statements by world leaders.

For feedback or questions, Mike Baker invites emails at pdb@thefirsttv.com, and listeners are encouraged to subscribe for ad-free content and premium episodes.