The President's Daily Brief PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 13th, 2026: Trump Sends World’s Largest Warship Toward Iran & CIA Moves to Exploit Turmoil Inside China’s Military
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Feb 13, 2026 A top U.S. supercarrier is being sent toward Iran, and what that movement signals for diplomacy and regional military power is examined. A rare public intelligence push aims to recruit disaffected officers inside China’s military amid Xi Jinping’s leadership purge. The bulletin connects naval deployments and covert outreach to shifting global security dynamics.
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Massive Naval Pressure Near Iran
- The USS Gerald R. Ford deployment doubles U.S. carrier presence near Iran and amplifies naval strike and endurance capabilities.
- Mike Baker frames the move as calibrated pressure to force Tehran toward tougher nuclear concessions.
Two Carriers Change The Calculus
- Two carrier strike groups operating together enable sustained round-the-clock air operations without relying solely on land bases.
- Baker notes this shift meaningfully raises the stakes for Tehran and expands U.S. operational endurance.
Negotiations Remain Stalled
- Talks between Washington and Tehran show little progress, with Iran offering limited uranium dilution tied to full sanctions relief.
- Baker stresses the gulf with U.S. demands to address missiles and proxies remains wide.