The President's Daily Brief - December 19th, 2025: Russia Deploys Nuclear-Capable Missiles On NATO’s Doorstep & China Rages Over Taiwan Arms Sale

Episode Date: December 19, 2025

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Moscow deploys its newest nuclear-capable missile system to Belarus, placing a powerful new class of weapons on NATO’s doorstep and forcing the alliance to reassess its defensive posture. Beijing lashes out after Washington approves a massive arms package for Taiwan worth more than ten billion dollars, including missiles, drones, and heavy artillery. New reporting claims President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quietly planned a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear program far earlier than publicly known, using a coordinated deception campaign. And in Today’s Back of the Brief: Just days after the deadly attack on Bondi Beach, Australian police launch a dramatic operation in Sydney amid intelligence warnings of a possible follow-on plot. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Debt Relief Advocates: Learn what debt reduction you may qualify for. Go online and visit https://DRA.com/podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 989-89-89. 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 989-89-89. It's Friday, the 19th of December.

Congratulations, we made it to the end of another week. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, Russian provocation yet again on NATO's border. Moscow has deployed its newest nuclear-capable missile system to Belarus, putting a new class of weapons on the alliance's doorstep. I'll have the details.

Later in the show, Beijing lashes out as Washington approves and a massive new arms package for Taiwan, including missiles, drones, and heavy artillery worth more than $10 billion. Plus, a report claims President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu laid the groundwork for a possible strike on Iran long before the public knew, using an elaborate deception effort to keep plans under wraps. And in today's back of the brief, just days after the deadly attack on Bondi Beach, Australian police launch a dramatic operation in Sydney amid intelligence warnings of a possible

follow-on plot. But first, today's PDB spotlight. Russia has now placed its latest generation nuclear-capable missile system inside neighboring Belarus. That's a move that brings some of Moscow's most advanced weaponry closer to NATO territory than at any point in the post-Cold War era. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that Russia has deployed the Oresnik intermediate range ballistic missile system to Belarus, where it has officially entered combat duty. While Lukashenko did not provide details on how many missiles were deployed or exactly where they are positioned, the announcement alone is enough to raise alarms across Europe.

The Oreschnik is not just another missile. It's an intermediate range weapon capable of carrying other conventional or nuclear warheads, and it is believed to travel at hypersonic speeds, meaning it could potentially strike targets in minutes, not hours. That combination of speed and range and potential maneuverability and payload makes it especially challenging for air and missile defense systems to intercept. And that's the key issue here. By positioning this system in Belarus, Russia shortens NATO's warning times and complicates defensive planning, missiles that might want once have been launched from deep inside Russian territory, are now positioned far closer to alliance members, like Poland and Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This deployment also carries

symbolic weight. Intermediate-range missiles were once banned under the now-defunct INF Treaty, as a Cold War-era agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons from Europe. Their return signals a move away from arms control frameworks that helped stabilize the continent for decades and toward a more openly confrontational posture. Russian and Belarusian officials have framed the move as defensive, arguing it's a response to NATO's own military posture near Russia's borders. But Western analysts see it differently, as you might imagine. It's viewed as a deliberate escalation designed to pressure NATO, increase Moscow's leverage and test the alliance's resolve.

For Moscow, deploying the Oresnik in Belarus, accomplishes a few objectives all at once. It deepens Belarus' role as a forward operating base. It strengthens Russia's deterrence posture against NATO and sends a clear message that the Kremlin is prepared to raise the stakes as negotiations over Ukraine remain uncertain. And NATO is already responding. Germany, one of Europe's largest and most influential military powers, has announced plans to

assist with defensive construction in Poland and to deploy additional troops to Lithuania. These moves are part of a broader effort to reinforce NATO's eastern frontier in response to growing concerns about Russia's long-term intentions. This marks a notable shift in Germany's posture. For the first time since World War II, German forces are returning to the region on a more permanent basis. Berlin will play a central role in strengthening defenses along NATO's eastern flank, including reinforcing troop presence, improving infrastructure, and supporting allied surveillance and deterrence

efforts. German troops stationed in Lithuania will bolster existing multinational battle groups designed to deter aggression and reassure frontline allies. Meanwhile, defensive works in Poland are aimed at hardening borders, improving mobility for NATO forces and complicating any potential Russian military planning. Across the alliance, these steps reflect a growing consensus. Russia's military posture is increasingly aggressive and requires an immediate deterring response. Western intelligence agencies have warned that Moscow could be capable of mounting a broader

challenge to NATO within the next several years, if left unchecked. Now, this doesn't mean that NATO thinks war is around the corner, but it does mean the alliance is getting more serious about deterrence, putting forces forward, staying ready, and making sure that it can respond fast if it has to. Putin's missile deployment is not happening in a bubble, of course, the Kremlin is engaged in other provocations across Europe's borders, including the drone incursions and hybrid operations that we've been tracking here on the PDB. Taken together, these moves suggest a strategy aimed at keeping NATO off balance while steadily expanding Russia's military footprint.

For NATO, the challenge is clear. Strengthen defenses without triggering a wider confrontation. The goal is deterrence, not provocation, making it unmistakably clear that any aggression against one member would be met with a unified response. Russia's decision to deploy nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus puts that challenge into sharp focus. The strategic landscape in Europe is shifting, and NATO is adjusting in real time. All right, coming up after the break, Beijing lashes out as Washington approves a massive arms package for Taiwan.

And new reporting claims President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu quietly laid the groundwork for a potential strike on Iran long before the public knew. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, let me take just a moment of your time, if I could, to talk about personal finances. And let me ask you an important question. Do you owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt or personal loans? Well, with credit card debt at all-time highs, the folks at debt relief advocates are urgently notifying consumers of debt relief that's now being made available designed to aid consumers

with out-of-control credit card debt. Those who qualify and enroll for this relief program may only have to pay back a fraction of what they owe. It's not a bankruptcy or a debt consolidation loan. This is a relief program that, frankly, credit card companies would rather you not know about because it could end your debt nightmare and save you lots of money. Consumers owning at least $10,000 in credit card debt or personal loans can now take advantage of this debt relief as the cost of living continues to rise.

To learn what debt reduction you may qualify for, simply go online and visit dRA.com. That's DRA. That's debt relief advocates. DRA.com. Again, one more time, that's dora.com. Welcome back to the PDB. The latest turn in the U.S.-China relationship happened on Wednesday, with the Trump administration rolling out one of the largest arms packages ever offered to Taiwan. It's a more than $11 billion sale. That's billion with a B.

No surprise, that sale drew immediate fury from Beijing. If Congress signs off, as it is widely expected to, given longstanding bipartisan agreement on bolstering Taiwan's defenses, the package would surpass the roughly $8 billion approved during the Biden administration. That sense of scale is what sets this package apart from the others. The Trump administration's decision places the defense package among the most consequential arms moves involving Taiwan in decades, rivaling the $18 billion authorized under President George W. Bush in 2001,

a figure that was later trimmed to $15 billion. You may remember during Trump's first term when Washington approved roughly 10 billion in arms sales to Tai Bay, including 8 billion for fighter jets. This time, the administration went even larger. So, what exactly is included in the package? Well, I'm glad you asked. It spans eight major sales agreements, all aimed at strengthening Taiwan's ability to deter and respond to a potential attack. At the center of it are more than 80 high-mobility artillery rocket systems. also known as Haimars, and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, worth over $4 billion,

both of which are battlefield tested. These are systems that Washington previously supplied to Ukraine. Another $4 billion covers 60 self-propelled howitzers and related equipment, while drones valued at more than $1 billion are also included. The rest of the package fills in the gaps. Military software valued at over $1 billion, javelin and anti-tank missiles, helicopter spare parts, and refurbishment kits for harpoon missiles. In announcing the sale, the State Department said the package serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by helping Taiwan modernize its armed forces, maintain defensive capabilities,

and help preserve the political and military balance in the Taiwan Strait. Under long-standing legislation, Washington is required to assist Taiwan with its self-defense. That's an obligation that has long-strained relations with. Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party, of course, claims the self-governed island as its own and refuses to rule out the use of force to achieve reunification. Taiwan's response came fast. The Democratic Islands Defense Ministry said the weapons would help maintain, quote, sufficient self-defense capabilities. Taiwan's foreign minister thanked the U.S. calling its support essential to preserving peace in the region. Beijing, by contrast and, as mentioned, reacted with anger. China,

foreign ministry warned Washington to, quote, immediately stop arming Taiwan, end quote. Oh, that seems a little bossy, arguing the sale violated diplomatic understandings and would, quote, gravely harm China's sovereignty and security. Not to mention gravely harmed China's ability to overtake Taiwan militarily if it so chooses. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman went even further, attacking Taiwan's leadership, claiming it was pursuing independence through force. He warned American support would only accelerate the region toward military confrontation, stating, quote, using Taiwan to contain China will not succeed, end quote. And those warnings came against a familiar backdrop. As Beijing condemned the arms sale, the People's Liberation Army, the PLA, continued to apply military pressure around the island. Taiwan's defense ministry said it detected some 40 Chinese military aircraft, along with eight naval vessels operating near the island,

during a 24-hour period ending early Thursday. That activity, as we've tracked here on the BDB, is part of China's near-daily gray zone operations, designed to intimidate and test Taipei's defenses without crossing thresholds of open conflict. So taken together, the package underscores Taiwan's growing role in the U.S.-China rivalry during Trump's second term, with Washington reinforcing deterrence

as Beijing responds with warnings and an expanded military presence. Okay, shifting gears, what looked like diplomacy was in part a ruse. A new report reveals President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu were preparing for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear program months earlier than publicly known as they engaged in a complex deception program. The groundwork for that strategy was laid during a February meeting between at Netanyahu in what was there first since Trump returned to office for a second term. According to a report this week from the Washington Post, Netanyahu arrived with four

military options for confronting Iran, ranging from a unilateral Israeli strike to a full U.S.-led assault, with several variations in between. One person familiar with that meeting says Trump chose to give diplomacy a chance, but that choice came with a clear caveat. Planning for a military operation would continue quietly. Inside both governments, officials viewed diplomacy not as an end point so much as a test. Several sources told Washington Post that the assumption was straightforward. If talks failed, the two sides needed to be ready to move quickly. As preparations advanced, that's when Washington and Jerusalem began shaping the public narrative. Trump repeatedly emphasized his preference for a negotiated solution, while Israeli officials allowed carefully timed signals of

diplomatic engagement to surface. You may remember our coverage here on the PDB, as publicly available information suggested that Netanyahu's top advisor Ron Dermar and Mossad director David Barnia were preparing to meet with White House envoy Steve Whitkoff. And as for nuclear talks between Washington and Tecrane, they were scheduled for mid-June, reinforcing the impression that diplomacy remained the primary track. At the same time, both governments allowed reports of friction between them to circulate. According to sources familiar with the cooperation, those stories were inaccurate, but useful. That appearance of tension coupled with what we know now helped keep Iran off balance and diverted attention from the scope of the military planning underway. Publicly, the relationship

appeared strained, while privately coordination was intensifying. According to the report, Israel's Mossad recruited and armed more than 100 Iranian nationals, some of whom were brought to Israel for training before being sent back to the Islamic Republic on tightly compartmentalized missions. Those agents were reportedly not told they were part of a broader assault on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs in an effort to preserve secrecy until the last possible moment. As Israeli strikes kicked off against Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile infrastructure and senior military leadership, Trump made one final diplomatic push. On the 15th of June, the U.S. transmitted a new proposal.

to Iran through Qatar, one far less favorable to the mullahs than earlier offers. That proposal required Iran to dismantle its uranium enrichment program altogether and halted support for its armed proxy groups across the region in exchange for the lifting of all U.S. sanctions. According to a senior American diplomat cited in the Washington Post report, Iran rejected that offer. With diplomacy exhausted and Iran unwilling to accept constraints on its nuclear program, Trump formally decided to join the Israeli operation.

Israeli officials said the assault was necessary to prevent the regime from advancing toward a nuclear weapon and acting on its long-stated objective of destroying the Jewish state. So, Iran consistently denies seeking nuclear weapons, really. Yet, as I've said here on the podcast, the evidence does point elsewhere. Tehran has enriched uranium levels to the degree with no civilian application, limited international inspections and expanded its ballistic missile arsenal. Steps that U.S. and Israeli officials argue left little room for delay. So the report reveals how diplomacy and military planning moved in lockstep,

not as competing paths, but as complementary tools. And when Iran rejected a final off-ramp, well, the groundwork for action had already been laid. All right, coming up in today's back of the brief, Australian police act on fresh intelligence just days after the Bondi Beach attack, moving to stop what could have been another deadly terror incident. I'll have that when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here, with a great holiday opportunity from our friends at Birch Gold Group, right? Now, what we're talking about here is not just gold, we're adding silver to the mix, right? Because for every $5,000 you purchase between now and December 22nd, Birch Gold will send you an ounce of silver.

silver, and if you're not aware, silver is up over 60% just this year. Here's the thing. When you're talking about protecting your hard-earned assets, it's important to diversify and have a hedge against instability and uncertain times. That's why I encourage you to consider buying gold from Birch Gold Group. Let Birch Gold help you convert an existing IRA or 401k into a tax-sheltered IRA in physical gold. And for every $5,000 you buy, well, you'll get an ounce of silver for your Christmas stocking or for your kids' stocking. And frankly, it's a great way to teach kids about investing and building a smart portfolio. Just text PDB to 989-89-898 to claim your eligibility for this offer. Again, text PDB to 989-8-8 today

because Birch Golds freeze silver with qualifying purchase promotion, well, that ends on December 22nd. So text PDB to 989-898. In today's back of the brief, the further fallout from the Bondi Beach terror attack, not because of new charges died to Sunday's massacre, but because Australian authorities say they may have interrupted a potential follow-on plot. Armed officers executed a tactical stop in the Liverpool area of Western Sydney on Thursday, intercepting two vehicles with out-of-state plates and detaining a group of men after concerns were raised about a possible violent act. Police used a forced vehicle intervention, ramming one of the cars to disable it, before officers

detained seven individuals for questioning. That's according to a report from the New York Post. Video footage of the police operation showed a dramatic intervention with heavily armed officers and tactical gear seen restraining men with zip ties near a busy shopping center. Multiple local news outlets said the cars were on their way to Bondi Beach, and sources told the Sydney Morning Herald that a weapon may have been recovered from one of the cars. But I do want to stress that the precise motivation for the police action remains under investigation. and authorities have not confirmed that any weapons were found during the stop or the potential destination of the vehicle. Police have not revealed the identities of the men or said whether anyone

has been charged. In a statement, officials simply said that they were responding to, quote, information received that a violent act was possibly being planned, and that, quote, as investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries. They urged the public to remain calm, as the inquiry into Thursday's continues, but stressed that there's no ongoing threat to the community. Authorities were also quick to stress that at this time, they have not identified any connection between the current police investigation and the Bondi terror attack on Sunday, where two ISIS-linked shooters murdered 15 people attending a celebration, marking the first day of Hanukkah

and also leaving dozens more wounded. Nevertheless, the operation reflects a significant shift in law enforcement posture across Australia. In the days since the Bondi massacre, which marked the worst mass shooting in the country in nearly three decades, Australian police and intelligence agencies have said they are operating with elevated vigilance, ready to act swiftly when they assess credible indicators of potential violence. And that, my friends, is the president's daily brief for Friday the 19th of December. Now, if you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And for an ad-free PDB experience, simply become a premium member.

of the President's Daily Brief by visiting PDB Premium.com. I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool.