The President's Daily Brief - September 11th, 2024: Turkish-American Killed in West Bank, EU’s Defense Concerns, & Venezuelan Gang Activity

Episode Date: September 11, 2024

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   The controversy surrounding the death of Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American shot during a riot in the West Bank. The IDF now admits likely responsibility, leading to international outrage. A landmark EU report reveals that nearly two-thirds of the bloc’s defense equipment is imported, mainly from the U.S., raising concerns about Europe's reliance on foreign suppliers amid tensions with Russia. A closer look at joint naval drills between Russia and China—Russia's largest since the Soviet era—indicating deepening military cooperation between the two global powers. In today's Back of the Brief: New evidence of increasing migrant gang activity in the U.S., as a Texas hotel owner faces legal action tied to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua.   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

This is Euphoria Calvin Klein, the new elixir collection, featuring three perfume intense scents, inspired by a unique orchid accord, paired with vanilla, each with its own distinct attitude, each with its own universe, bold elixir, sensual, woody, addictive, magnetic elixir, sweet and romantic like a lingering touch, solar elixir, a radiant expression of joy, ultra-concentrated for amplified impact and lasting power. Find your euphoria. Discover the Euphoria Elixir Collection by Calvin Klein. Here's a pro tip for getting your day off to a great start. Take one empty coffee mug and then fill it with Blackout Coffee. That's it.

It's simple. Blackout Coffee is a terrific American company, their family owned, and they're completely focused on producing premium coffee, fresh roasted, and shipped out within 48 hours of roasting. Go to Blackout Coffee.com, promo code PDB, for 20% off your first time purchase. It's Wednesday, 11 September. It's now 23 years since 9-11, and for some, well, it's a memory that will never fade. For younger folks, I don't know, maybe it seems like ancient history. I guess that's just the way it works.

For previous generations, well, I'm sure they had the same thoughts about Pearl Harbor, and before that, other major tragic events gone by. That's just the way it is. Time just keeps moving on. And with that, welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. Let's get briefed. First up, the controversy surrounding the death of Aishinor Iggy, a 26-year-old Turkish-American,

shot during a riot in the West Bank on Friday. Now, the IDF admits likely responsibility and, of course, sparking international condemnation. Later in the brief, a landmark report out of the east. EU reveals that nearly two-thirds of the bloc's defense equipment is imported, mostly from the U.S., raising concerns over Europe's limited investment in joint military projects in the face, of course, of rising tensions with Russia. Plus, we'll examine the joint naval drills between Russia and China, Russia's largest since the Soviet era, signaling, of course, deepening military cooperation between the two bowers.

Seriously, get a room already. And in today's back of the brief, new evidence of growing transnational gang activity in the U.S. as a Texas hotel owner faces legal action tied to the criminal activities of Venezuela's Trenneraragua gang. But first, today's BDB spotlight. I want to begin with news out of the West Bank where an American activist was accidentally killed last Friday by the Israeli defense forces. Ischernor Iggy, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist from Seattle, was fatally shot in the head last Friday in the West Bank during a demonstration against the building of Israeli settlements. An inquiry into the incident by the IDF released on Tuesday determined that it was, quote, highly likely that Igy was killed, quote, indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire. That's according to a report from CNN. The IDF said their forces were targeting someone they described as the key instigator of a, quote, violent riot that broke out during the demonstration, but said Igi ended up getting hit by mistake.

They described Palestinian activists burning tires and hurling rocks at IDF troops, but the International Solidarity Movement, with whom Iggy was volunteering, countered that at the time of the shooting, Iggy was peacefully standing with a group of protesters away from the site of the riots. The incident has sparked renewed tensions between Israeli leadership and the Biden administration, which issued their harshest rebuke to date over the tactics used by the Israeli military. At a press conference in London on Tuesday morning, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken condemned what he called a, quote, unprovoked and unjustified shooting and demanded, quote, fundamental changes to IDF operations in the region, where Israel is working to root out Iranian-backed military. militants. Blinken said, quote, no one, no one should be shot and killed for attending a protest.

No one should have to put their life at risk just to purely express their views. The Israeli security forces need to make some fundamental changes in the way they operate in the West Bank, including changes in their rules of engagement, end quote. He added that he would be making that point clear in the coming days to the senior most members of the Israeli government, while the IDF expressed their, quote, deepest regret over the tragic incident. Many are skeptical about their explanation. Iggy's family, who are based in the U.S., said, quote, we are deeply offended by the suggestion that her killing by a trained sniper was in any way unintentional. The disregard shown for human life and the inquiry is appalling. Now, representatives for the international solidarity movement

also rejected the explanation given by the IDF, claiming the shot was aimed directly at Iggy. what exactly happened on the ground? While there are few eyewitness reports, Jonathan Pollack, an Israeli protester who saw the shooting, told the Associated Press that the demonstration was a chaotic event. Pollock said that at one point, clashes broke out between Palestinians hurling rocks and IDF troops who used tear gas, stun grenades, and live fire to disperse the crowd. But Pollock said the violence has subsided roughly a half hour before the shooting. He said protested, had withdrawn several hundred meters from the scene of the clashes when he saw two Israeli soldiers mount the roof by a nearby home aimed towards the group and fire. Several other activists

echoed that account, saying Iggy was shot while standing in an olive grove after the violence had subsided. Israel's military police have opened a criminal investigation into the matter, which will then be submitted for review by the IDF Advocate General. Some members of the U.S. Congress, however, called for an independent investigation, questioning the integrity of the IDF's internal review process. Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen said, quote, it's our responsibility to seek justice and accountability, and in order to get that, we need an independent U.S.-led investigation, end quote, yes, because there's nothing more independent and non-political than a U.S.-led investigation. All right, coming up after the break, a new report is casting doubt on the EU's

readiness in the event of a military conflict. And massive naval drills between Russia and China are just the latest evidence of growing cooperation between the two nations. I'll have those stories when we come back. Starting a business can seem like a daunting task, unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website, to marketing, to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz, and all birds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into... Sign up for your $1 per month trial at Shopify.com slash special offer.

I wrote a little song to remind you, choice hotels, get you more of the experiences. You value. The Cambria hotels got it all. A rooftop bar, have a ball. Cocktails up here feel just right. is Cambria amazing All right Bring a date, your team, or even your mom

Book direct at choiceotails.com See you on the roof Welcome back to the PDB. Shifting our focus to Europe, concerns are mounting that the EU's militaries have become overly reliant on the U.S. for defense and are seriously underprepared to face the mounting security threats

facing the continent. A landmark report on EU competitiveness released Monday warns that EU members are falling behind the U.S. and Eastern powers as they struggle to meet their annual defense spending benchmarks. Now, this is preventing their militaries from modernizing at a time when Europe faces a growing threat from the Putin regime, and that's according to the Associated Press. The much-anticipated report issued by Italian Prime Minister

and European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi notes that the EU has failed to invest in joint military projects and now relies on imports from the U.S. for two-thirds of their military equipment. It comes as European nations are already struggling to cobble together enough weapons and ammunition to support Ukraine. The report states, quote, Europe is wasting its common resources. We have large collective respending power, but we dilute it. We're still not joining forces in the defense industry to help our companies to integrate and reach scale, end quote. The problem appears to come down to individual member priorities.

The report says countries have set themselves back in the long term by favoring their national defense industries over joint procurement ventures. As an example, when Ukraine asked for more artillery weapons early in the war, the EU supplied 10 different types of howitzers that used different shells, and that, of course, causes a major logistical nightmare for leaders in Canada. this internal focus has also stymied efforts to pool resources and invest in developing next-generation weapons and equipment. The report found that the 27 member states of the EU spent only $12 billion, that's with a B, $12 billion in 2022 on research and development for

defense compared with $140 billion spent by the U.S. Furthermore, EU members are still lagging behind their individual spending targets for national defense. Following Russia's annexation of Crimea back in 2014, NATO allies agreed that member countries should aim to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense within a decade. Now, as of 2021, that target was only met by six nations, including the U.S., the U.S., the U.K., and Greece. That said, NATO nations received a big wake-up call in 2022, of course, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to an acceleration in compliance. Defense spending across European allies is up nearly 18% this year, and that's the most substantial rise in several decades. Poland and Estonia, nations that are all too close to the Russian

threat, have both surpassed the 2% spending benchmark, and NATO now forecasts that 23 of its 32 members will meet the threshold by the end of the year. Still, the report warns that the current state of Europe's collective defense poses an existential threat. If Europe can't rapidly adjust to the global threat landscape and ensure that their militaries can adequately provide citizens with security, the report says that Europe, quote, will have lost its reason for being, end quote. Well, seriously? Look, I mean, let's be fair, you've still got absinthe, you've got Guinness, you've got Schnapps, and you've got Uzo. And those seem like pretty solid reasons for being.

if you ask me. All right, shifting to the Sea of Japan. You didn't see that coming, did you? Russian warships commenced joint drills with China as part of Russia's Ocean 2024 naval exercise. That's Moscow's largest naval drills of the post-Soviet era. This exercise comes during the growing alliance between Moscow and Beijing to counter what they view as U.S.-led global hegemony. The Russian-led naval exercises spanning both hemispheres began on Tuesday and will run until 16th September. The drills mark one of Moscow's most aggressive military displays this year, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, stretching Russia's armed forces. The Ocean 2024 exercise involves over 400 warships, submarines, support vessels, more than 120 aircraft and helicopters, 7,000 military special equipment units,

and over 90,000 personnel. Now, that is a lot of hardware for a play date. China's contribution to the exercise, four warships, a supply vessel, and 15 planes, further emphasizes the two nations' shared military objectives. According to China's Xinyuan News Agency, the drills aim to enhance both countries' capacity to challenge Western military influence in the Asia Pacific, specifically the South China Sea, and to bolster their ability to respond to shared security threats. For Russia, the exercise serves as a test of its naval readiness and a way to solidify its alliances with China being a key strategic partner. These drills will extend beyond the Sea of Japan into the Pacific, the Arctic, the Mediterranean, the Caspian,

and the Baltic seas, an area of strategic importance for Russia and China. Control over these vital shipping routes and military zones is critical to both countries' geopolitical. ambitions. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov, President Putin will oversee the drills from a Kremlin, quote, situation center. I can see him there now sitting shirtless, stroking a hairless cat sitting in his lap, emphasizing Russia's intent to maintain a strong defense posture and cultivate military partnerships far from its borders. In a televised address to military officials at the launch of the Ocean 2024 exercises, Putin asserted, that Russia must be prepared for future developments, citing the importance of reinforcing its naval

capabilities, including its nuclear components. Putin further accused the U.S. of trying to achieve a, quote, tangible military advantage through aggressive actions and partnerships, which he argued undermined the security architecture and balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. Very much like Putin's invasion of Ukraine undermined the security architecture of Eastern Europe. But I digress. Putin's remarks signal growing tensions with the U.S. as Washington strengthens alliances in the Pacific, such as the Alcus, an agreement between the U.S., the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Of course, there is the acronym, Alcus, who doesn't love an acronym to counter China's expanding influence? Despite the demands of the Ukraine war, Russia remains determined to project power

on the global stage, reinforcing its military partnerships and testing its readiness across multiple theaters of operation. All right. Coming up next, a Texas hotel has become a haven for the Trendor-Iragua or TDA gang, the latest evidence of the dangerous Venezuelan criminal organization's growing footprint in the United States. I'll have the details in today's back of the brief. Some follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion dollar swings. There's a money side to every story. Get the money side of the story. Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com. In today's back of the brief, an El Paso Hotel has become the epicenter of violent crime with Venezuela's most feared gang, the Trender Aragua, at the center of

the storm. As the U.S. grapples with border security ahead of the 2024 election, the hotel's ties to gang violence, well, and deepen the crisis. The gateway hotel in El Paso, Texas, has been thrust into the spotlight as law enforcement targets the establishment for its alleged ties to organize crime. Authorities believe the hotel is linked to a range of criminal activities orchestrated by Transatloreira-Wagua, Venezuela's most notorious gang, spawning from prison some 15 years ago, and known for drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, money laundering, you name it. They'll engage in it.

Hotel owner Howard Yun faces legal action, including a possible temporary injunction in a restraining order over the abatement of common nuisance. Authorities cite nearly 700 police calls over two years for violent assaults, drug use, and theft, linked to habitual criminal activity

citing court documents. On Monday, a judge ordered that the building be vacated by Thursday. Well, here's a thought. How about you arrest the perpetrators, deport them, those that are here illegally and provide sufficient resources to the police so they can deal properly with this crap. Yeah, there's a thought. The situation came to a head when video evidence presented

in court showed armed individuals roaming the hotel hallways, brandishing guns and knives. The Tren de la Agua has grown into a criminal powerhouse with over 5,000 members. Their presence in cities like El Paso underscores the infiltration of Venezuela's syndicates across the southern border. This isn't an isolated case, of course. As an example, Aurora, Colorado, the gang stormed an apartment complex, fueling national debate on crime and immigration. Texas officials raised alarms about the expanding influence of Transatlagua. State Representative Tony Gonzalez warned that these syndicates pose an existential threat,

stating, quote, these Venezuelan gangs are pure evil, and they will rot any society, any community that they associate themselves with. end quote. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Wednesday, 11th September. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And as you may have already heard from the local authorities, to listen to the show ad-free, well, become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting PDB premium.com. It's very simple.

I'm Mike Baker. I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool. Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile, with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop. With Mint, you can get premium wireless for just $15 a month.

Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments, but that's weird. Okay, one judgment. Anyway, give it a try at mintmobile.com slash switch. Upfront payment of $45 for three-month plan, equivalent to $15 per month, required intro rate first three months only then full price plan options available taxes and fees extra see full terms at mintmobile.com