It's Monday. Welcome to the P.D.B. Afternoon. Afternoon.

I'm Mike Baker. Your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up,

Iran's government is reportedly facing a growing internal revolt as hardliners accused President

Massoud Boschekian of betraying the Islamic Republic. The hardliners are reportedly demanding a

return to war with the United States. But to be honest, if you don't call

the current situation a war, I'm not sure what you call it. Later in the show, Taiwan is sounding the

alarm after a surge in Chinese coast guard and research vessels around the island raises new

concerns about Beijing's ambitions in the Pacific. But first, today's afternoon spotlight.

The war with Iran has claimed another American life. According to reports, a U.S. service member

was killed Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation involving a downed Iranian attack

drone. According to U.S. Central Command, the service member was helping dispose of

unexploded ordinance recovered from the drone. A second American serviceman was wounded in the

incident and is now receiving medical treatment. The Pentagon has not yet publicly identified

either of the troops involved. The death adds to what has already been one of the deadliest weeks for American

forces since the war began. As we reported this morning, two other U.S. service members were killed

Friday while defending an American position in Jordan from an Iranian missile and drone attack.

And while American troops continue facing the consequences of Iran's campaign across the region,

another conflict is supposedly unfolding inside the regime, although reporting is somewhat thin when it comes

to the machinations and goings on inside the Iranian leadership. According to new reporting,

though, from CNN, Iran's most radical factions are now openly turning against President

Massoud Beshechkin and other senior officials, accusing them of betraying the Islamic Republic

by negotiating with the Trump administration.

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