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PODCAST

The John Batchelor Show

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.

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All Episodes

9:45

101: Iraq Elections and Yemen's Houthi Crackdown...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Iraq Elections and Yemen's Houthi Crackdown Guest: Bridget Toomey Bridget Toomey discussed recent developments in Iraq and Yemen, noting that Iraqi parliamentary elections saw a higher-than-expected 56% voter turnout, with preliminary results suggesting Shiite parties close to Tehran performed well and might secure enough seats to form the next government, despite internal infighting and votes remaining largely sectarian, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received credit for stability and

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9:55

100: Ukraine Conflict: French Arms Deal, Sabotage,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Ukraine Conflict: French Arms Deal, Sabotage, and the Perilous Battle for Pokrovsk. Guest: John Hardie. John Hardie reported that Ukraine signed a letter of intent with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes over 10 years, along with air defense systems. While this partnership is encouraging, Hardy expressed concern that Ukraine is excessively over-diversifying its future air fleet (including F-16, Grippen, Mirage, and Rafale) which complicates long-term sustainment and maintenance. Simultaneously,

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6:55

100: Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the wat...

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10:54

100: Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the water crisis is worsened by the regime, especially IRGC-affiliated contractors, who prioritize their support base through unregulated

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6:45

100: CONTINUED The rebels utilized successful...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED The rebels utilized successful asymmetrical warfare, operating from underground tunnel systems and ambushing Roman forces. The conflict was so severe that Hadrian deployed reinforcements from across the empire, including Britain, and the Roman army was badly mauled. The revolt ended bloodily at the stronghold of Betar. As lasting punishment for centuries of trouble and rebellion, the Romans renamed the province from Judea to Syria Palestina. Pockets of resistance continued, notably the

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12:55

100: CONTINUED 3/4 srajan's successor, Hadrian,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED 3/4 srajan's successor, Hadrian, revered the war against Parthia but recognized the Jews' disloyalty. Starting in 117 AD, Hadrian planned to rebuild Jerusalem as a pagan city named Aelia Capitolina to demonstrate that the Temple would never be restored and to discourage collusion between Jews and Parthians. This provoked the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132 AD. The leader, Simon Bar Kosa, took the messianic title Bar Kokhba, meaning "Son of the Star," and was accepted as the Messiah by some

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6:54

100: CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign against the Parthian Empire, a widespread and coordinated "diaspora revolt" erupted in 115–117 AD, beginning in Libya and spreading to Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. This was a major challenge, forcing Trajan to divert a legion, as Egypt was the empire's strategic breadbasket. The revolt was spurred by the insulting Jewish tax, the fiscus Judaicus, paid to Jupiter, and the frustrated expectation that the Temple would be rebuilt within 70 years. The

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10:55

99: 1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1888 SULLA SACKING ROME

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8:55

99: CONTINUED Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and... 1930 Caracas

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10:45

99: Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and reportedly wanting to discuss surrender conditions with President Trump, though his exit is complicated by his ally Diosdado Cabello, who heads operations for the Cartel of the Suns and has no path

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5:00

99: CONTINUED Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government... 1505

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12:49

99: Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government suggesting they won't possess the bases but might allow US use for counter-ISIS missions or potentially a security agreement requested by Israel for deconfliction, noting a recent US C-130 spotted landing at the Mezzeh

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9:05

99: x China's Role in Global Drug Epidemics: Meth...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

China's Role in Global Drug Epidemics: Meth Precursors and Weaponizing Chemicals. Guests: Kelly Currie and Gordon Chang. Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang detailed China's crucial role in the global drug trade, asserting that China's chemical exports are fueling a "tsunami of meth" across Asia. Chinese manufacturers supply meth precursor chemicals to warlords, notably the Chinese-aligned, US-sanctioned United Wa State Army in Myanmar. This production (Yaba/ice) is believed to have been diverted from

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10:40

99: China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy Failures, and Property Market Stagnation Guests: Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang discussed the unprecedented slump in China's economic activity, noting cooled investment and slowing industrial output, with exports falling 25% to the US, attributing this long-term decline to the government's 2008 decision to pull back economic reforms and the current 15th Five-Year Plan lacking viable solutions or bailouts for

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8:15

99: CONTINUED Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

CONTINUED Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power 1945 CHAPPAR RIFT

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9:34

99: Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/18

Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power by designating him Chief of Defense Forces, giving him control over the entire military, as Munir aims for presidential privileges without directly taking power, backed by a national narrative

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1:56

98: PREVIEW John Hardie discusses how poor weather,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/17

PREVIEW John Hardie discusses how poor weather, including fog, rain, snow, and cold, fundamentally impacts military operations around Papovsk and the Donbass. Poor weather is often a boon to Russians, as they time assaults during rain and fog to impede Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and drone operations. However, the subsequent loss of foliage in deep winter provides less concealment for Russian forces, making conditions tougher for them due to Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance capabilities. Guest:

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1:39

98: PREVIEW Ahmad Sharawi explores current Russian...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/17

PREVIEW Ahmad Sharawi explores current Russian interests in Syria, noting that Russia previously assisted Assad in brutalizing the Syrian people. Recent discussions included defense agreements, military ties, and the status of two Russian bases in Western Syria. While Syria tries to balance world powers, the guest expresses concern because the Syrian people are domestically unhappy with a close relationship with Russia due to past atrocities. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi. ALEPPO

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1:24

98: PREVIEW Anne Stevenson-Yang focuses on the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/17

PREVIEW Anne Stevenson-Yang focuses on the decline of China's economic miracle, which was fueled by borrowing and falsehoods and is potentially headed toward japanification or worse. The idea that China was continuously rising and overtaking the United States is now largely disregarded. Although some asset investors hold hope that Asia, specifically China, will provide yield, few believe the downturn is temporary. Guest: Anne Stevenson-Yang. 1918 PEKING

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1:11

98: PREVIEW Janatyn Sayeh highlights the severe,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/17

PREVIEW Janatyn Sayeh highlights the severe, unacceptable air quality and pollution crisis in Tehran, where she grew up. The pollution is described as poison, with carbon dioxide levels reported to be ten times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended average. The pollution is so severe that schools are sometimes shut down during winter, and residents constantly smell and ingest the high carbon dioxide levels. Guest: Janatyn Sayeh. 18TH CENTURY TEHRAN

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9,287 results

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