The President's Daily Brief - November 11th, 2024: Iranian Operative Targets Trump, Qatar Moves Against Hamas, & Ukraine’s Largest Attack on Moscow

Episode Date: November 11, 2024

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Federal prosecutors reveal a chilling plot involving an Iranian operative with alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, targeting President-elect Donald Trump for assassination. Qatar agrees to expel Hamas leaders after U.S. pressure, opening possibilities for a ceasefire and hostage release amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Ukraine launches its largest assault on Moscow since the war began, sending a wave of 34 drones toward the Russian capital. And in today’s Back of the Brief: Mexico’s migrant caravan heading to the U.S. has reportedly halved in size, as travelers reassess their chances of reaching the U.S. following Donald Trump’s election victory. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com.  Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. Email: [e-mail] Blackout Coffee: https://www.blackoutcoffee.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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It's Monday, 11 November. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. And by the way, in the U.S., today is Veterans Day. So if you could, take the time to thank those serving or who have served. Look, a very, very small percentage of Americans choose to join the military, and they deserve our appreciation. Let's get briefed.

We're kicking off today's show with a revelation from U.S. federal prosecutors, and this is shocking, an Iranian operative with alleged ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, plotted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. We'll have the details from the Department of Justice. Later in the show, we'll dive into Qatar's decision

to expel Hamas leaders from its borders after months of pressure from the United States, and that's a move aimed at opening a path, perhaps, toward a ceasefire, and potential hostage release in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Plus, Ukraine has launched its largest assault on Moscow since the war began, sending a swarm of 34 drones towards the Russian capital. And in today's back of the brief, Mexico's migrant caravan heading to the U.S.

has reportedly shrunk to half its original size, as travelers reconsider their chances of reaching the U.S. following Donald Trump's election victory this past week. But first, today's PDB spotlight. Just days after Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, federal prosecutors in Manhattan revealed new details about an Iranian operative linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, who allegedly plotted to assassinate the president-elect before the election. Now, this assassination attempt was reportedly ordered directly by the Iranian government. The alleged operative Farhead Shikari is still at large.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed in a Manhattan federal court, 51-year-old Shikari was tasked by his IRGC handlers to organize a network of associates within the United States, including seasoned criminals from New York City to carry out the hit. when he told his Tehran puppet masters how expensive the operation would be, he was told, quote, money is not an issue. Well, now, of course, money would be an issue if the U.S. had maintained maximum pressure on the Iranian regime through sanctions. Authorities allege that Shikari's mission wasn't limited to Trump.

His targets also allegedly included a prominent Brooklyn journalist who has been a thorn in the side of the Iranian regime, and a pair of unidentified Jewish business people. Sources say these targets faced weeks of surveillance and an attempted hit orchestrated by Shikari's U.S. based team. In exchange for payments, Shikari's New York Associates identified as Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Lodholt documented the movements of their targets

and in various messages discussed how to strike with precision. Recorded voice notes from Shikeri revealed specific details of the plot, advising patience and careful timing for a successful hit. Prosecutors say he urged his associates to either catch the target at home or follow them to a less guarded location. Shakari is also alleged to have been instructed to kill President-elect Trump. It's a move that U.S. officials describe as a brazen act, well, yes, it would be a brazen act of foreign aggression on American soil. According to prosecutors, Shikeri stated to individuals associated with the investigation that the IRS

The IRGC pushed him to find a way to assassinate Trump within a time frame of seven days back in early October. The DOJ's charges highlight the extreme lengths to which the Iranian regime will apparently go to target President Trump. In a public statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored that Iran's operatives, including Shakiri, will face relentless pursuit from U.S. authorities, vowing that American soil is off limits for Tehran's war. plots. Unfortunately, Shikeri is believed to be hiding in Iran, putting him, at least for now, out of reach of American justice. The feds alleged that Islamic Revolutionary Guard officials have been pursuing assassination plots as vengeance for the death of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the country's elite Quds force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike ordered by then-President Trump back in 2020. Iran is denying any involvement in the plot to assassinate president.

President Trump. They just don't know anything about it. Iran foreign ministry spokesman, Eshmael Bagai, described the claims as, quote, baseless and rejected, according to a post on X from the ministry. I don't know, but given the Iranian regime's track record, I'd say their denials are completely baseless and rejected. Now, President Trump isn't the only U.S. official targeted by the Iranian regime. According to political, Iran reportedly keeps a hit list that includes several high-ranking American officials involved in the killing of General Kassam Soleimani. Among the names are former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Millie, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

All right, coming up next, we'll look at Qatar's move to expel Hamas leaders. And Ukraine has carried out its largest assault on Moscow since the war began, with some 34 drones launched at the Russian capital. I'll have those stories when we come back. Some follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion-dollar swings.

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responding to mounting frustration over what it calls, quote, political exploitation during past Israel-Khamas peace talks, citing a lack of genuine willingness to negotiate from both sides. For over a decade, Qatar's capital, Doha, has been central to Middle Eastern diplomacy, serving as a safe haven for senior Hamas officials since 2012, who, well, not. for nothing were living lives of luxury, fueled by billions of dollars that they had siphoned off from funds intended for the residents of Gaza. Mounding U.S. pressure on Qatar, particularly following the death of American Israeli hostage Hirsch-Goldberg, Poland in August, reportedly prompted Qatari officials to advise Hamas leaders that it was time to go. About 10 days ago,

According to diplomatic sources, Qatar notified Hamas, Israel, and the U.S., that Hamas officials would need to leave the capital of Doha. This move was praised by a senior Biden administration official on Saturday who told CNN, quote, Hamas is a terrorist group that has killed Americans and continues to hold American hostages. Its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner, end quote. Interestingly, while the U.S. influence reported, played a role, Qatar emphasized that its decision was made independently, rejecting the suggestion that it was pressured solely by external forces. Cutter's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a post on X stated, quote, Qatar will not accept that mediation be a reason for blackmailing it,

underscoring the country acted in response to both sides' unwillingness to pursue genuine peace. A diplomatic source reinforced this, stating, quote, the Qataris have concluded that there is insufficient willingness from either side, with the mediation efforts becoming more about politics and public relations, than a serious attempt to secure peace, save hostages, and protect Palestinian civilians, end quote. For background, Qatar had warned all parties earlier this year that it would withdraw from negotiations if talks failed to yield substantive progress. As a result, Doha's political office for Hamas,

which Qatar established as a channel for peace, quote, no longer serves its purpose, marking a pivotal shift in Qatar's stance on the Israel-Khamas conflict. A senior Hamas official dismissed the expulsion as, quote, baseless and a mere pressure tactic, but U.S. officials insist that Qatar's decision stands. The logistics of where Hamas leaders might go remains unclear, though Turkey has surfaced as a potential destination. However, the U.S. is likely, frankly, to oppose citing similar security concerns. The Biden administration continues to work closely with Qatar,

emphasizing U.S. allies should not offer safe harbor to leaders of groups responsible for American casualties and unresolved hostage crises. An Israeli official close to Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Qatar's stance, stating, quote, no country should host the terror group. For now, Qatar's departure from the negotiating table does mark a recalibration in Middle Eastern diplomacy, one that could shape future talks on the Israel-Khamas war. All right, shifting to Russia, where Ukraine executed its largest drone attack on Moscow since the war began, deploying 34 drones that disrupted flights at three major airports and injured five people.

Since the onset of the conflict two and a half years ago, drone warfare has become an increasingly prominent feature. The 620-mile front line often resembles trench warfare with artillery bombardments echoing those of World War I. But drones have added a new dimension, both for surveillance and targeted attacks, striking beyond the front lines and into core territories of both nations. drone strikes in Moscow, however, well, they remain rare, with the last substantial attack occurring in September, as we reported here on the PDB. That incident saw 20 drones intercepted and led to one civilian death, and that was the first in Moscow from a Ukrainian attack since the war began. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that during Sunday's assault, its network of air defense systems and electronic umbrellas to shield against these assaults intercepts. a minimum of 34 drones over Moscow, with the mayor of Moscow confirming that at least 32 of

these drones were downed over the capital's suburbs. Unverified footage circulating on Russian telegram channels showed drones traversing Moscow's skyline, heightening public awareness of the war's presence. The fortified air defense web around the city has so far managed to prevent widespread damage in central Moscow. The ministry stated, quote, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using airplane-type drones on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted, end quote, well, now you have to admire the chutzpah of the Russian Defense Ministry. They invade Ukraine, and then they call Ukrainian military actions terrorism. And then again, Putin's regime is not exactly known for its self-reflection or introspection. In a sign of heightened security, three regional

airports around Moscow diverted 36 flights before operations resumed hours later. This assault on Moscow was part of a broader Ukrainian offensive targeting multiple Russian regions. In total, Russia's defense ministry claimed 70 Ukrainian drones were shot down across six regions, including the border area inside Russia of Kursk. In a reciprocal offensive. Russia launched a record 145 drones across Ukrainian territory from Saturday night to Sunday morning. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 62 of these drones, yet the overnight strikes left three dead and 18 injured, and that's according to the Ukraine's defense ministry. Dron strikes have become near-nightly occurrences in Ukraine with Kiev and during a wave of attacks throughout September

in October, as Russia ramps up its aerial warfare. The conflict's aerial dimension marks an intensified phase in a broader escalation on the ground. Russian forces are advancing within Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, while reclaiming previously lost territories in Western Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces, of course, mounted a surprise offensive earlier in the year. Last month, Ukrainian officials noted a record number of hostile drone incursions with 2,023 drones directed against civilian and military sites, most of which were either shot down or disrupted by electronic countermeasures.

As both nations expand their drone fleets and tactics, the conflict is now defined by sustained aerial engagements. It's essentially a sign of the times in warfare, as drones continue to play an increasingly larger role in offensive and defensive operations. All right, coming up in the back of the brief, the latest migrant caravan has reportedly halved in size as travelers rethink their chances of reaching the U.S. after Donald Trump's election victory. I'll be right back. This is Euphoria Calvin Klein, the new elixir collection, featuring three perfume

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Eye drops and work all day to prevent the release of histamines that cause itchy allergy eyes. And the winner by knockout is Hatternay. Hatterday. Bring it on. In today's back of the brief, a migrant caravan journeying through Mexico, which once numbered 3,000, has dwindled to fewer than 1600. as former President Donald Trump's election victory last Tuesday appears to have raised doubts among caravan members as to whether they'll be allowed entry into the U.S.

This update follows our Thursday coverage of the caravans' mad dash north from Tapachula, Mexico, which began on election day, aiming to cross the U.S. southern border, of course, before potential immigration policy shifts. As Mexico's National Migration Institute reports, many families have already abandoned the journey, seeking instead to return south to the Guatemalan border. Trump's immigration agenda looms over the remaining migrants. His agenda promises a renewed focus on deportations, fast-track expulsions, and a return to the remain-in-mexico policy, as well as an end

to the catch-and-release policy that's favored by the Biden administration over the past few years, and of course accounted for millions of migrants entering the country. This uncertainty over the immigration and border security policies has left some migrants, obviously, clearly concerned. One Venezuelan migrant traveling with her husband shared her disappointment, saying, quote, I had hoped Kamala Harris would win, but that didn't happen. Well, no, it didn't. Like many in the caravan, she had counted on more lenient U.S. immigration policies under a Harris administration. Well, that would have been a fair assumption given the policies of the Biden-Harris administration. Human rights activists warn that even if official paths narrow, migrants will keep coming.

Now, according to Haman Vasquez, he's a Catholic priest and pro-migrant activist in Chiapas, Mexico, he says, quote, people will seek new paths, it'll be more dangerous, but it won't stop them, end quote. Well, although, to be fair, when you have a focus on border security, along with a remain in Mexico policy and no catch and release, Well, the numbers attempting to enter decrease significantly. It's odd how that works. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief from Monday, 11 November. Now, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And, of course, to listen to the show ad-free, it is very simple.

Just become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting PDB Premium.com. See, I told you it was simple. And I hope you had a chance this weekend to watch our latest episode of the PDB Situation Report. That's our extended weekend show, available on the first TV. Also on our YouTube channel. You can find that at President's Daily Brief. Check that out. And all podcast platforms, of course.

I'm Mike Baker. I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool.