PDB Afternoon Bulletin | March 17th, 2026: Iran’s De-Facto Leader Killed & Ecuador Declares War on Cartels

The President's Daily Brief · Mar 17, 2026 · 13m

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Reports say Israel has eliminated Ali Larijani, the regime’s de-facto leader and key wartime decision-maker. We break down who he was, how he rose to power, and what his death means for Iran’s leadership structure and the broader conflict. Ecuador launches a sweeping, U.S.-backed offensive against drug cartels, deploying tens of thousands of troops and imposing strict curfews in key coastal regions. We examine how this operation fits into Washington’s broader strategy—and whether it can break cartel control. To listen to the show ad-free, become…