David Priess: Global Challenges and the President’s Daily Brief

David Priess, former CIA analyst, manager, and intelligence briefer, and author of The President’s Book of Secrets, talks about the history and purpose of the President’s Daily Brief (PDB). Priess traces the PDB’s origins in the Second World War, its transformation under John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and the way it has been continually reshaped to suit each president’s habits and priorities. He also explores what the PDB reveals about the relationship between intelligence and power and why delivering insight (not certainty) remains its central challenge. The interview, conducted by historian and senior editor Paul Lay, was recorded in October 2025 during the seminar Intelligence and Contemporary Global Challenges. See also Axess Television's website: https://www.axesstelevision.com/ Axess Television on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axesstelevision/ Axess Television on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axesstelevision