The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.
TABLE OF CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW 8-21-2026 Anatol Lieven discusses the war in Ukraine , highlighting Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure like Black Sea resorts and a commercial center. He carefully examines the psychological impact of these infrastructure strikes, noting that while they aim to weaken Russian morale, history shows such strategies rarely…
Evan Ellis analyzes key regional political and security developments in Latin America . Ellis discusses Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa 's visit to China to secure security, trade, and economic assistance, and explains how historical visa-free policies turned Ecuador into a major transit corridor for Chinese migrants entering the US . He details Bolivia 's ongoing political instability and the…
James M. Scott traces the dramatic, complex final months of World War II in the Pacific . Scott details how Secretary of War Henry Stimson briefed Truman in depth on the secret atomic bomb, and praises General Leslie Groves ' masterful management of the Manhattan Project 's secret cities. He describes Japan 's political division: Emperor Hirohito secretly sought peace while militarists prepared a…
Rohan Naidu discusses the groundbreaking discovery of "black hole stars" at cosmic dawn using the James Webb Space Telescope . Naidu explains that these infant objects appear as mysterious "little red dots" but possess hybrid properties of both highly luminous black holes and stars. He explains how a young black hole surrounded by dense hydrogen gas absorbs blue and green light, creating a…
Veronique de Rugy critiques California Representative Ro Khanna 's proposal for a "one-time" 5% wealth tax on billionaires. De Rugy explains that several different European countries largely abandoned wealth taxes because they are administratively difficult, generate little revenue, and cause severe economic distortions. Highlighting a debate between Khanna and Mark Cuban , she details how taxing…
Jonathan Miltimore discusses the ongoing imprisonment of 79-year-old pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong , calling it the world's most overlooked story. Miltimore expresses his deep disappointment that Donald Trump failed to raise Lai's case publicly during his Beijing trip, instead repeating CCP rhetoric that Lai caused "bedlam." He describes Lai's deteriorating health inside his tiny,…
Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses the alarming rise of authoritarianism in Mexico under President Claudia Sheinbaum and her ruling party, Morena . O'Grady details how the ruling party has systematically consolidated power by taking control of independent electoral bodies, tribunals, regulatory commissions, and the judiciary through politicized popular elections. She warns that Morena's latest…
Peter Berkowitz reflects on the 30th anniversary of Alan Sokal 's famous academic hoax, which exposed the intellectual decline within higher education humanities. Berkowitz critiques contemporary humanities departments for their ideological hypocrisy: professors claim objective truth is subjective while simultaneously insisting that their own political claims are absolute truths. He references a…
Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft analyzes the multi-faceted, global strains of the Russia - Ukraine war. He discusses how Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian-adjacent sites like Sochi and the Wildberries warehouse aim to demoralize Russia, though historically such strategic bombing campaigns fail. Meanwhile, Russia is betting on a war of attrition, weaponizing…
TABLE OF CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-19-2026 Rebecca Grant , Vice President of the Lexington Institute , discusses technological advancements on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford . She details the transition from traditional steam-powered catapults to modern electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), which offer superior, adjustable torque to launch both lightweight drones and…
TABLE OF CONTENTS, JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-18-2026 Liz Peek discusses the resilience of the American economy, noting that high-end consumer spending remains strong despite recession fears. Small businesses are reportedly "humming," with hiring and profitability reaching their highest levels since 2026. This economic momentum is increasingly driven by a massive boom in AI development, which has…
Bob Zimmerman reports on the successful recovery of a SpaceX Starship near Christmas Island , which remained seaworthy for 24 days after a vertical splashdown in the Indian Ocean . This achievement, along with SpaceX's record-breaking launch frequency, signals a "renaissance to American ingenuity." Zimmerman notes that Elon Musk 's political involvement was a defensive reaction to the Biden…
Thaddeus McCotter analyzes the recent Michigan Democratic primary, where Dr. Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated the establishment candidate, Haley Stevens . El-Sayed, an "anti-establishment" fighter endorsed by Bernie Sanders , capitalized on unhappiness within the Democratic base, particularly in counties with large young populations like Washtenaw and Kent . While El-Sayed distances himself from…
Joseph Sternberg addresses the looming "year of doom" in 2032, when the Social Security trust fund is projected to run out. Without reform, benefits could be slashed by 22% to match current payroll tax revenues, creating a massive political crisis. Sternberg explores potential remedies such as means testing for high-earners like Elon Musk or raising the payroll tax cap, though he warns these could…
Mary Kissel discusses the strained US - South Korea alliance, where disagreements over military funding have prompted Seoul to seek independent nuclear-powered submarine capabilities. She characterizes North Korea as a reckless actor that has committed tens of thousands of combat troops and ballistic missiles to aid the Russian invasion of Ukraine . Kissel critiques the "transactional nature" of…
Gregory Copley analyzes China 's recent ICBM test in the South China Sea , interpreting it as "Wolf Warrior diplomacy" designed to signal naval reach to the US and regional neighbors. Australia is countering this threat through the AUKUS and Five Eyes alliances, though Copley notes a lack of cohesion between current heads of government. He highlights Canada 's significant pivot under Mark Carney…
Jonathan Schanzer examines the fractured state of Hamas , noting the group currently controls only 30% of Gaza while facing internal discord over potential disarmament. International negotiators are discussing a "disarm first" condition, which Hamas leadership currently rejects, demanding an Israeli withdrawal instead—a term Schanzer deems unacceptable to any Israeli leader. The conversation turns…
Liz Peek discusses the resilience of the American economy, noting that high-end consumer spending remains strong despite recession fears. Small businesses are reportedly "humming," with hiring and profitability reaching their highest levels since 2026. This economic momentum is increasingly driven by a massive boom in AI development, which has created an exponential demand for long-term capital.…
TABLE OF CONTENTS, THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-17-2026. Bill Roggio reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting the accuracy of the maps he built that predicted the Taliban 's takeover. He describes the withdrawal as disorganized, noting there was zero plan for the Afghan government or military equipment. Roggio specifically criticizes the abandonment of…
Jeremy Zakis reports on the looming weather crisis in Australia , where meteorologists predict a "super El Niño " combined with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole . This rare combination is expected to cause extreme drought and record-breaking temperatures in New South Wales and Victoria . Zakis warns that a wet winter has fueled rampant eucalyptus growth, creating a massive volume of flammable oils.…
