Mike Baker

Tehran's actions are increasingly isolating the regime, even in spaces that have historically prized dialogue and champagne swilling above all else.

Now, whether this marks a genuine shift in how global institutions engage with authoritarian regimes or simply a rare moment of moral clarity in a sea of talk, well, that's an open question.

And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Tuesday, the 20th of January.

Now, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdbatthefirsttv.com.

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I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin.

Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

It's Monday, the 19th of January.

Welcome to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin.

I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage.

All right, let's get briefed.

First up, a stunning breach of Iran's propaganda machine.

Iranian state TV is hacked to broadcast the exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, along with images that the regime has tried desperately to erase.

I'll have those details.

Later in the show, CIA Director John Ratcliffe flies to Venezuela to meet newly named President Delcy Rodriguez in the highest-level US engagement since Maduro's capture.

But first, today's afternoon spotlight.

For years, the Iranian regime has relied on one tool above almost all others to maintain control – total dominance of information.

State television is not just media in Iran, of course.

It's an integral part of the regime's ability to control the population, a carefully managed pipeline of propaganda meant to project strength and unity and inevitability.