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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

12:05

49: The Rise of Extremist Politics in the US and UK....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

The Rise of Extremist Politics in the US and UK. Joseph Sternberg analyzes the rise of extreme political figures like New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, warning conservatives that opponents' political mistakes do not guarantee their success, citing the UK's Jeremy Corbyn as a parallel. He notes that frustrated voters seek "sledgehammers" on both the left and right. In the UK, he details how Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Labour government are suffering plummeting approval due to economic

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8:55

49: Hamas Leverage, Gaza Ruin, and Hezbollah...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Hamas Leverage, Gaza Ruin, and Hezbollah Rearmament. Jonathan Schanzer explains that Hamas is stalling hostage releases to maintain leverage, banking on Israel's lack of "strategic patience" for indefinite occupation. He explores the idea of a "Tale of Two Gazas," where Israel controls 53% and Hamas 47%, warning that reconstruction aid is improbable if Hamas remains in power. He highlights growing dangers, including the rearming of Hezbollah by Iran and unexpectedly Turkey, forcing Israel to

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10:45

49: Hamas Leverage, Gaza Ruin, and Hezbollah...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Hamas Leverage, Gaza Ruin, and Hezbollah Rearmament. Jonathan Schanzer explains that Hamas is stalling hostage releases to maintain leverage, banking on Israel's lack of "strategic patience" for indefinite occupation. He explores the idea of a "Tale of Two Gazas," where Israel controls 53% and Hamas 47%, warning that reconstruction aid is improbable if Hamas remains in power. He highlights growing dangers, including the rearming of Hezbollah by Iran and unexpectedly Turkey, forcing Israel to

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4:45

49: Venezuela Pressure Campaign and Asian Diplomacy....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Venezuela Pressure Campaign and Asian Diplomacy. Mary Kissel analyzes the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, staged from Roosevelt Roads, noting that the Trump administration prioritizes removing Maduro due to national security threats. She emphasizes that the State Department possesses numerous non-military levers, like sanctions and international pressure through the OAS, to induce Maduro's exit without direct intervention. Kissel also characterizes President Trump's diplomatic

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13:04

49: Venezuela Pressure Campaign and Asian Diplomacy....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Venezuela Pressure Campaign and Asian Diplomacy. Mary Kissel analyzes the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, staged from Roosevelt Roads, noting that the Trump administration prioritizes removing Maduro due to national security threats. She emphasizes that the State Department possesses numerous non-military levers, like sanctions and international pressure through the OAS, to induce Maduro's exit without direct intervention. Kissel also characterizes President Trump's diplomatic

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6:50

49: The Far Right in Europe and German Rearmament....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

The Far Right in Europe and German Rearmament. Judy Dempsey examines the rise of Europe's far right, noting that while they succeed in complaining, they often struggle to govern, exemplified by the AfD's lack of concrete policies. Hungary's Viktor Orbán, though long-ruling, now faces popular pressure. Dempsey highlights Italy's Giorgia Meloni as an exception who has successfully governed by clearly communicating her reform agenda. She confirms that Russia supports destabilizing far-right movements

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12:55

49: The Far Right in Europe and German Rearmament....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

The Far Right in Europe and German Rearmament. Judy Dempsey examines the rise of Europe's far right, noting that while they succeed in complaining, they often struggle to govern, exemplified by the AfD's lack of concrete policies. Hungary's Viktor Orbán, though long-ruling, now faces popular pressure. Dempsey highlights Italy's Giorgia Meloni as an exception who has successfully governed by clearly communicating her reform agenda. She confirms that Russia supports destabilizing far-right movements

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5:10

49: Economic Policy and China Trade. Elizabeth Peek...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Economic Policy and China Trade. Elizabeth Peek discusses the US economy, where Treasury Secretary Bessent asserts that housing is in recession due to high Federal Reserve rates. Peek argues that lower rates are needed to "unstick" the housing market. The Fed, led by Jay Powell, is fixated on inflation, though Peek questions his rationale regarding tariffs and labor demand. The conversation also covers the Trump-Xi meeting, which was anticlimactic, postponing confrontation for a year. Key

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12:39

49: Economic Policy and China Trade. Elizabeth Peek...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/05

Economic Policy and China Trade. Elizabeth Peek discusses the US economy, where Treasury Secretary Bessent asserts that housing is in recession due to high Federal Reserve rates. Peek argues that lower rates are needed to "unstick" the housing market. The Fed, led by Jay Powell, is fixated on inflation, though Peek questions his rationale regarding tariffs and labor demand. The conversation also covers the Trump-Xi meeting, which was anticlimactic, postponing confrontation for a year. Key

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4:12

48: PREVIEW. Nuclear Testing Remarks and NNSA Budget...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. Nuclear Testing Remarks and NNSA Budget Cuts. Jeff McCausland discusses the President's ambiguous remarks on nuclear testing, noting the President and Secretary of Defense seem to misunderstand nuclear strategy. Immediate warhead testing is impossible because the responsible agency, NNSA, lacks staff due to budget cuts. A return to testing would ultimately benefit adversaries expanding their arsenal, like Russia and China.1940 Retry

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1:57

47: PREVIEW. International Pressure Campaign as...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. International Pressure Campaign as Alternative to Military Action in Venezuela. Mary Kissel discusses options beyond kinetic military force for dealing with Maduro in Venezuela. She favors an international pressure campaign, like maximum pressure to cut off funds and banking, as politically less risky. Weakening the Venezuelan regime also demonstrates to nations like China, Russia, and Iran that the US opposes their presence in its backyard. 1950 TRINIDAD & TOBAGAO

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3:23

46: PREVIEW. The Monarchy's Trouble with Spares....

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. The Monarchy's Trouble with Spares. Gregory Copley discusses the monarchy's inherent troubles with "spares," specifically second sons like Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Historically, this issue was sometimes settled violently, referencing the Roman Empire. Today, these spares, lacking training beyond a backup role, can become petulant, losing their ability to discern duty, unlike those further down the chain, such as Princess Anne. JAMES I

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2:25

45: PREVIEW. Far Right-Wing Parties and Russian...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. Far Right-Wing Parties and Russian Interference in Europe. Judy Dempsey observes that far right-wing parties often rise by protesting the status quo but are quickly rejected in power due to unacceptable governance. Russia is identified as a well-known "outside bad actor" attempting to destabilize EU countries by influencing these anti-EU, anti-NATO groups via social media and cyberattacks. Leaders must focus on serving citizens. 1870 COMMUNARD

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2:52

45: PREVIEW. Tariff Impact Absorbed by Corporate...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. Tariff Impact Absorbed by Corporate Pandemic Profits. Elizabeth Peek recounts the Wall Street Journal's speculation that new tariffs have not yet damaged the American economy because big companies are absorbing the costs. This absorption is possible because these companies already "fattened their margins" by jacking up prices during the pandemic. Companies are also rapidly sourcing imports from places less impacted by tariffs.

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2:31

45: PREVIEW. Political Frustration Fuels Insurgent...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

PREVIEW. Political Frustration Fuels Insurgent Movements Across the Spectrum. Joseph Sternberg explains that frustrated voters in Europe and the United States are using a metaphorical "sledgehammer" to break apart the established political process. This frustration generates insurgent movements on both the left (like Jean-Luc Mélenchon and the Squad) and the right (like Donald Trump). Conservatives should not presume they will always benefit from this political upheaval. IL DUCE

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6:39

44: SHOW 11-3-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

SHOW 11-3-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1895 TRINIDAD THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT VENEZUELA. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Middle East Disorder, Gaza Ceasefire, and Lessons from War Reporting. Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani address the persistent disorder in the Middle East, noting that the Gaza ceasefire ("hudna") is only a pause. Ambassador Haqqani critiques the flawed concept of pursuing a "war to end all wars," suggesting the world is a situation to endure, not solve permanently

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9:15

43: UNIFIL's Failure, Hezbollah's Rebuilding, and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

UNIFIL's Failure, Hezbollah's Rebuilding, and Syria's Fragmented Future. Edmund Fitton-Brown, Ahmad Sharawi, and Bill Roggio label the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) a "spectacular failure" that allowed Hezbollah's military buildup near the Israeli border. Despite the ceasefire terms requiring demilitarization south of the Litani River, the Lebanese government is stalling. Hezbollah is actively rebuilding its infrastructure, forcing Israel to conduct targeted enforcement actions. They also

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10:25

43: UNIFIL's Failure, Hezbollah's Rebuilding, and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

UNIFIL's Failure, Hezbollah's Rebuilding, and Syria's Fragmented Future. Edmund Fitton-Brown, Ahmad Sharawi, and Bill Roggio label the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) a "spectacular failure" that allowed Hezbollah's military buildup near the Israeli border. Despite the ceasefire terms requiring demilitarization south of the Litani River, the Lebanese government is stalling. Hezbollah is actively rebuilding its infrastructure, forcing Israel to conduct targeted enforcement actions. They also

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8:49

43: Iran's Contradictory Nuclear Signals and Proxy...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

Iran's Contradictory Nuclear Signals and Proxy Support. Jonathan Schanzer and Bill Roggio discuss how Iran is sending contradictory messages regarding its nuclear enrichment program and negotiations, with President Pezeshkian ("the dove") threatening to restart enrichment. Schanzer explains that "reformists" like Pezeshkian serve as a calculated front to signal openness while building leverage for future talks. Iran appears willing to risk future strikes, believing it can absorb them. However,

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9:00

43: AI Revolution, Cloud Growth, and the Virtual...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/04

AI Revolution, Cloud Growth, and the Virtual Cell. Brandon Weichert reports on how AI is driving massive growth in cloud computing, exemplified by Amazon's surging shares and AWS growth, reaching paces "we haven't seen since 2022." Weichert dismisses fears of an "AI crash" as fear-mongering rooted in ignorance and past market bubbles, arguing that AI is sparking new sectors and enhancing productivity across industries. He details the cutting-edge application of AI in creating a "virtual

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5,003 results

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