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PODCAST

The John Batchelor Show

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.

news & politics history

All Episodes

2:52

57: PREVIEW. Inside Gaza: Estimates of Hamas's...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. Inside Gaza: Estimates of Hamas's Remaining Combat Forces and Fighter Pay. Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib of the Atlantic Council discusses the situation inside the half of Gaza where Hamas maintains control using the power of the gun. Based on contacts on the ground, he is highly skeptical of estimates claiming 15,000 to 30,000 Hamas troops. His personal estimate, shared by military intelligence contacts, places the number of combat-effective militants at no more than 3,000 to 5,000. Hamas

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1:28

57: PREVIEW. Contrasting US and Canadian Views on Xi...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. Contrasting US and Canadian Views on Xi Jinping's Conciliatory Stance. Conrad Black discusses the differing opinions in Canada versus the United States regarding Xi Jinping's recent presentations and meetings, including one with Mr. Carney. Black notes that Xi appears to have gone out of his way to be conciliatory toward both Canada and the United States. He contrasts this with distinguished US pundits who argued the US was at a disadvantage after those meetings.1900 QUEBEC

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2:17

57: PREVIEW. Nuclear Propulsion, Russian Cruise...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. Nuclear Propulsion, Russian Cruise Missiles, and the Future of Flight on Mars. AJ Kulhari of Astrix Corporation discusses a nuclear-powered rocket concept that generates thrust by heating intake air or other material. Russia successfully tested such a cruise missile that can fly low around the world. This same method could work on Mars, using its abundant carbon dioxide atmosphere as the substance to heat. This could allow a vehicle to travel completely around Mars using only 20 grams of

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2:08

56: PREVIEW. Russian Frustration, US Targeting, and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. Russian Frustration, US Targeting, and Escalation Risks in the Ukraine War. Anatol Lieven of the Quincy Institute discusses how the US is actively participating in the Ukraine war by supplying targeting intelligence, enabling strikes on Russian war nodes. Russian hardliners view this as the West targeting them and demand retaliation to force peace. Though Putin has resisted direct escalation, he would be forced to retaliate immediately if the West escalates first, for example, by seizing

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2:32

56: PREVIEW. Security Concerns and Political...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. Security Concerns and Political Legitimacy Risks in Venezuela. Mary Anastasia O'Grady at the Wall Street Journal editorial page discusses how Venezuela's opposition is ready on day one, having drawn up plans for a new government. Edmundo González, the president-elect (in exile), has legitimacy with an estimated 70% of the vote from the July 2024 election. However, security is the main concern, as the government must guarantee it. Whoever possesses the guns and tanks will call the shots,

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1:20

56: PREVIEW. AI, Corporate Staffing Reduction, and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

PREVIEW. AI, Corporate Staffing Reduction, and Consumer Liquidity Issues Threatening a Recession. Chris Riegel discusses how while AI contributes to corporate staff reduction (e.g., IBM), financial results from quick service restaurants like Chipotle indicate consumer challenges. Specifically, younger consumers are financially strained, leading to negative results and consumers trading down. This problem with consumer liquidity represents early signs of what could become a nasty recession, though

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6:28

55: SHOW 11-5-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

SHOW11-5-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT AI AND CHILDREN. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Canada's Troubled Relations with China and the US. Charles Burton (author of The Beaver and the Dragon) analyzes Canadian Prime Minister Carney's meeting with China's Xi Jinping following the APEC conference. Burton described Carney as a "supplicant" who echoed Chinese rhetoric of "constructive and pragmatic interactions," which means focusing on trade while avoiding

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5:00

54: Private Space Enterprise, Artemis Debate, and the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

Private Space Enterprise, Artemis Debate, and the Human Body in Space. Bob Zimmerman (Behind the Black) reviews the private space sector, highlighting VAST, which is developing the small manned demo space station Haven One using its own investment capital, unlike other NASA-funded consortiums. VAST's larger planned station, Haven 2, is designed to rotate, creating artificial gravity. This capability is crucial for mitigating the damage extended weightlessness causes the human body, such as

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14:40

54: Private Space Enterprise, Artemis Debate, and the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

Private Space Enterprise, Artemis Debate, and the Human Body in Space. Bob Zimmerman (Behind the Black) reviews the private space sector, highlighting VAST, which is developing the small manned demo space station Haven One using its own investment capital, unlike other NASA-funded consortiums. VAST's larger planned station, Haven 2, is designed to rotate, creating artificial gravity. This capability is crucial for mitigating the damage extended weightlessness causes the human body, such as

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6:49

53: Regulating AI and Protecting Children. Kevin...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

Regulating AI and Protecting Children. Kevin Frazier (Law School Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin) addresses the growing concern over AI chatbots following tragedies, noting that while only 1.9% of ChatGPT conversations relate to "relationships," this fraction still warrants significant attention. He criticizes early state legislative responses, such as Illinois banning AI therapy tools, arguing that such actions risk denying mental health support to children who cannot access human

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11:00

53: Regulating AI and Protecting Children. Kevin...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

Regulating AI and Protecting Children. Kevin Frazier (Law School Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin) addresses the growing concern over AI chatbots following tragedies, noting that while only 1.9% of ChatGPT conversations relate to "relationships," this fraction still warrants significant attention. He criticizes early state legislative responses, such as Illinois banning AI therapy tools, arguing that such actions risk denying mental health support to children who cannot access human

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8:45

53: The Dominance of the US Dollar and Its...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

The Dominance of the US Dollar and Its Challenges. Alex Pollock (Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute) discusses Kenneth Rogoff's book, Our Currency, Your Problem, focusing on why the US dollar remains the dominant global currency. The dollar's strength is linked to US military power and superior legal and bankruptcy systems, which provide essential "social infrastructure." Pollock recalls the famous quip, "Our currency, your problem," made by Treasury Secretary John Connally in 1971 after the US

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10:55

53: The Dominance of the US Dollar and Its...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

The Dominance of the US Dollar and Its Challenges. Alex Pollock (Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute) discusses Kenneth Rogoff's book, Our Currency, Your Problem, focusing on why the US dollar remains the dominant global currency. The dollar's strength is linked to US military power and superior legal and bankruptcy systems, which provide essential "social infrastructure." Pollock recalls the famous quip, "Our currency, your problem," made by Treasury Secretary John Connally in 1971 after the US

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8:04

53: US Military Operations off Venezuela and the War...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

US Military Operations off Venezuela and the War in Ukraine. General Blaine Holt (United States Air Force retired) analyzes the significant US military buildup off Venezuela, headquartered at Roosevelt Roads, describing it as a "war-winning force" primarily targeting cartels and sending a global message of American might. He suggests that operations will likely use commando-style tactics rather than a full occupation, potentially leveraging historical events like the Bay of Pigs as cover for

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9:45

53: US Military Operations off Venezuela and the War...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

US Military Operations off Venezuela and the War in Ukraine. General Blaine Holt (United States Air Force retired) analyzes the significant US military buildup off Venezuela, headquartered at Roosevelt Roads, describing it as a "war-winning force" primarily targeting cartels and sending a global message of American might. He suggests that operations will likely use commando-style tactics rather than a full occupation, potentially leveraging historical events like the Bay of Pigs as cover for

en-us

6:50

53: AI Philosophy and Jewish Wisdom. Spencer Klavan...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

AI Philosophy and Jewish Wisdom. Spencer Klavan (Associate Editor of the Claremont Review of Books) reviews Michael M. Rosen's book, Like Silicon from Clay, which uses ancient Jewish wisdom, specifically the Golem legend, to analyze AI. Rosen categorizes AI believers into four camps: autonomists (who believe AI will achieve consciousness or sentience) and automationists (who view AI as a sophisticated, non-conscious tool). Both camps are divided into "positive" (optimistic) and "negative"

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12:50

53: AI Philosophy and Jewish Wisdom. Spencer Klavan...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

AI Philosophy and Jewish Wisdom. Spencer Klavan (Associate Editor of the Claremont Review of Books) reviews Michael M. Rosen's book, Like Silicon from Clay, which uses ancient Jewish wisdom, specifically the Golem legend, to analyze AI. Rosen categorizes AI believers into four camps: autonomists (who believe AI will achieve consciousness or sentience) and automationists (who view AI as a sophisticated, non-conscious tool). Both camps are divided into "positive" (optimistic) and "negative"

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6:05

53: US-China Ceasefire and Competition in Technology...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

US-China Ceasefire and Competition in Technology and Space. Jack Burnham (Foundation for Defense of Democracies research analyst) characterizes the Trump-Xi meeting as a necessary "truce" that allows both nations to gain stability and strengthen their positions before the next escalation. Regarding rare earths, China is now employing the US "playbook," setting up a licensing structure rather than a full trade cessation. He emphasizes that building a complete rare earth supply chain outside of

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11:44

53: US-China Ceasefire and Competition in Technology...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

US-China Ceasefire and Competition in Technology and Space. Jack Burnham (Foundation for Defense of Democracies research analyst) characterizes the Trump-Xi meeting as a necessary "truce" that allows both nations to gain stability and strengthen their positions before the next escalation. Regarding rare earths, China is now employing the US "playbook," setting up a licensing structure rather than a full trade cessation. He emphasizes that building a complete rare earth supply chain outside of

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5:45

53: The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/06

The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Peter Berkowitz (Hoover Institution Fellow and educator) discusses the Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which requires universities to meet ten priorities to qualify for federal benefits like student loans and research grants. While many goals are proper or already legally required (like protecting free speech and obeying civil rights laws), several are highly controversial. These controversial

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5,003 results

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