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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

10:54

S8 Ep287: SPHERES OF INFLUENCE AND THE RETURN OF THE...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE AND THE RETURN OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Anatol Lieven argues that "spheres of influence" have returned, with the US reasserting the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere and threatening to seize Greenland. Unlike traditional alliances, this approach risks alienating fellow democracies. Lieven contrasts this with Russia's territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union and China's historic regional goals

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1:40

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY REGULATORY HURDLES...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY REGULATORY HURDLES AND HIGH WINDS FUEL PALISADES FIREColleague Jeff Bliss, Pacific Watch. Jeff Bliss reports on the January 2025 Pacific Palisades fire, allegedly ignited by an arsonist and exacerbated by Santa Ana winds. Bliss notes that state regulations protecting a specific plant prevented fire crews from bulldozing underbrush, allowing embers to reignite and causing the catastrophe to rapidly expand.1919 PACIFIC PALISADES

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1:16

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY CULTURE CLASH:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY CULTURE CLASH: MODERN TRAFFIC VS. AMISH BUGGIES Colleague Jim McTague. Jim McTague details the dangerous friction between Amish horse-drawn buggies and automobiles in Lancaster County. With over 30 collisions in 2024 and a recent fatality, McTague attributes the tragedy to impatient motorists who drive carelessly around the buggies, creating a sad and often deadly situation.1941 LANCASTER COUNTY

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1:12

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY CES HIGHLIGHTS THE...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY CES HIGHLIGHTS THE MARRIAGE OF AI AND ROBOTICS Colleague Chris Riegel, Scalar.com. Reporting from the Consumer Electronics Show, Chris Riegel highlights the dominance of robots, ranging from domestic helpers to advanced machines for firefighting. He observes a "progressive marriage" between Artificial Intelligence and robotics, predicting these advancements will significantly alter the execution of dangerous or repetitive tasks.1941

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1:38

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY TURKEY'S NUCLEAR...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY TURKEY'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS AND IMPERIAL NOSTALGIA Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Henry Sokolski explains that Turkey desires a nuclear weapon to assert agency and revive the influence of the Ottoman Empire, despite NATO protection. President Erdoganargues it is unfair for neighbors like Israel to possess nuclear capabilities while Turkey cannot, viewing weapons as a path to respect.1951 RB-36

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2:44

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY EMPEROR MANUEL:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY EMPEROR MANUEL: CHARISMA WITHOUT SUSTAINABILITY Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. Professor Ed Watts critiques Emperor Manuel, a 12th-century ruler who prioritized grand gestures, such as jousting, over strategic governance. Although Manuel's conquests looked impressive, his failure to create sustainable systems left the empire superficially powerful but institutionally weak, unlike successful Roman predecessors.457 AMBROSIAN ILLIAD

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1:45

S8 Ep286: PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY ICE CAPS MAY SHIELD...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY ICE CAPS MAY SHIELD LIQUID LAKES ON MARS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman reviews a new computer model suggesting that liquid water lakes could survive on Mars if protected by a cap of ice. While surface water usually sublimates in the thin atmosphere, this ice barrier might explain the existence of Martian geological water features.1917

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9:45

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Heraclius...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Heraclius defeated the Persian Empire only to lose the Middle East to rising Arab forces, devastating Rome's food and financial supplies. Facing famine and new barbarian threats like the Avars, Romans interpreted these disasters as divine punishment, leading to the religious policy of Iconoclasm to appease God.

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10:00

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. The Nika...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/08

Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. The Nika riots, sparked by chariot racing factions, nearly toppled Emperor Justinian until Empress Theodora convinced him to stay. After crushing the rebellion, Justinian built the Hagia Sophiato symbolize repentance and divine connection. He also launched costly military campaigns to retake Italy and North Africa.

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7:32

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Following...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Following Julian's failed attempt to restore paganism, Theodosius embraced Christianity and suppressed traditional Roman religion. Simultaneously, the mishandling of Gothic refugees fleeing the Huns led to rebellion. After the Roman leadership refused to negotiate extortion payments, Alaric the Goth sacked the city of Rome in anger.

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10:23

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Emperor...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Emperor Diocletian reorganized the empire's administration and persecuted Christians to protect his new system. Following Diocletian's retirement, Constantine seized power through civil war, attributing his military victory to a Christian vision. Constantine subsequently established Constantinople as a new, grand capital to rival Rome.

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7:01

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Latin America...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Latin America is seeing a shift away from leftist "Pink Tide" governments toward pro-U.S. administrations in countries like Argentina and Paraguay due to failures in addressing security and corruption. Despite this political shift, China continues to ensure repayment of its loans, even from struggling regimes like Venezuela.

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12:44

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Events in...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Events in Caracas are shaping upcoming elections in Brazil and Colombia, pushing leaders like Lula toward moderation to appease centrist voters. In Colombia, frustration with President Petro's policies and security failures may favor right-wing candidates. Meanwhile, Peru's election focuses on public insecurity and deep Chinese investment.

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3:59

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Havana is in...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Havana is in panic as the loss of Venezuelan oil threatens to break the country's petroleum-fired power infrastructure. With the currency in freefall and massive blackouts, the regime hopes to muddle through despite enormous suffering, while Washington's rhetoric signals that external pressure will continue.1959 HAVANA

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13:56

S8 Ep285: Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Venezuela's...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Venezuela's oil industry has collapsed due to the firing of professionals and lack of maintenance, leaving infrastructure dangerous and unable to process heavy crude. With storage at capacity, the U.S. is using "coercive diplomacy" to manage oil flows while legal disputes hamper future investment.1904 CARACAS

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8:46

S8 Ep285: Guest: Brandon Weichert. Chinese tech giant...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Brandon Weichert. Chinese tech giant Baidu is developing high-end chips to boost its market valuation. However, the Chinese state drives this "chip war" for military control and resilience rather than profitability. Despite some puffery regarding capabilities, China is serious about creating indigenous alternatives to American technology.1954

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10:58

S8 Ep285: Guest: Alan Tonelson. China's leadership is...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Alan Tonelson. China's leadership is likely stunned by setbacks with allies in Venezuela and Iran. While Chinarelies on coal, the loss of cheap oil imports will squeeze its industry. Furthermore, China's strategy of exporting its way out of trouble faces backlash from foreign markets protecting their own manufacturers.1945 OCTOBER 10

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8:52

S8 Ep285: Guest: Rebecca Grant. The Arctic has become...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Rebecca Grant. The Arctic has become a battleground where Russia and China are increasing military cooperation, including bomber flights and naval exercises. The U.S. needs to expand its fleet of icebreakers and sensors to counter threats, such as Chinese ballistic missile submarines potentially operating under the ice.1904 Greenland

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9:03

S8 Ep285: Guest: Steve Yates. China expects repayment...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: Steve Yates. China expects repayment for its loans to Venezuela, but the U.S. "Monroe Doctrine 2.0" aims to cut adversaries out of the hemisphere. By blocking oil shipments, the U.S. leverages economic power to disrupt China'ssupply chains, potentially forcing Beijing to rethink its global energy strategy.1932 Shanghai

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10:48

S8 Ep285: Guest: General Blaine Holt. The operation...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/07

Guest: General Blaine Holt. The operation in Caracas revealed that Chinese-made air defense systems failed to detect U.S. aircraft. Electronic warfare capabilities and stealth technology likely blinded radars, rendering Russian missile systems useless. This success signals a crackdown on illicit networks, alerting regional leaders to U.S. resolve.

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7,480 results

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