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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

13:40

S8 Ep116: Harry Harrison Young and the Jesse Scouts...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

Harry Harrison Young and the Jesse Scouts Lead Sheridan's Final Campaign — Patrick K. O'Donnell — After Blazer's capture, Harry Harrison Young led the Jesse Scouts, using Confederate disguises for reconnaissance. Scouts provided Phil Sheridan with real-time intelligence, serving as his "eyes." Young's scouts delivered critical strategic intelligence to Grant instead of going to Sherman. They identified weak points at Five Forks and interrupted Lee's supply trains, effectively sealing the

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4:05

S8 Ep116: Lewis Powell and the Confederate Secret...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

Lewis Powell and the Confederate Secret Service Plot to Kidnap Lincoln — Patrick K. O'Donnell — Lewis Powell, a Mosby Ranger, was identified as a Lincoln conspirator working with John Wilkes Booth. Powell's trip to Richmond ostensibly to deliver prisoner Blazer actually served as cover to coordinate with the Confederate Secret Service. This was part of a large, well-funded special operation involving hundreds of conspirators designed to kidnap President Lincoln. Mosby later positioned hundreds of

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13:45

S8 Ep116: The Manhunt: Blazer Scouts vs. Mosby's...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

The Manhunt: Blazer Scouts vs. Mosby's Rangers and the Capture of Blazer — Patrick K. O'Donnell — Grant ordered Phil Sheridan to wage total war against partisans, though Sheridan only partially complied for political reasons. Following Mosby's devastating wagon raid, Richard Blazer and his scouts were equipped with Spencer carbines and tasked with hunting Mosby. After initial Union success, Mosby planned an ambush at Cabletown. Lewis Powell, one of Mosby's rangers and a future Lincoln conspirator,

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9:50

S8 Ep116: Jubal Early's Near-Capture of Washington...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

Jubal Early's Near-Capture of Washington and Mosby's Influence — Patrick K. O'Donnell — General Jubal Earlymarched on poorly defended Washington in summer 1864, aiming to capture the capital and liberate prisoners at Point Lookout. Early and Mosby disliked each other, hindering coordination. President Lincoln fearlessly stood on the parapet at Fort Stevens. Mosby's concurrent Calico raid severed B&O rail lines, cutting off Union reinforcements. Mosby conducted disciplined close-range

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9:50

S8 Ep116: The Decapitation Raid on Richmond and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

The Decapitation Raid on Richmond and Confederate Covert Operations — Patrick K. O'Donnell — The controversial Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid (1864) aimed to burn Richmond and assassinate Confederate leaders like Jefferson Davis. Lacking sufficient troops for occupation, the North struggled to suppress Confederate insurgency. The Confederacy wielded sophisticated irregular warfare through Mosby's Rangers and the Confederate Secret Service, which influenced the 1864 election. Writer Herman Melville

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6:45

S8 Ep116: Richard Blazer and the Manhunt for the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

RichardRichard Blazer and the Manhunt for the Thurman Rangers — Patrick K. O'Donnell — Richard Blazer, a skilled manhunter, commanded the Blazer Scouts, utilizing Jesse Scouts tradecraft. Operating in rugged West Virginia, they functioned as the first modern hunter-killer team, pursuing the ruthless bushwhackers, the Thurman brothers. Blazer's unit specialized in detective work and lightning raids, eventually operating under General Averell for strategic reconnaissance missions.

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11:05

S8 Ep116: The Jesse Scouts and the Origins of Civil...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/23

The Jesse Scouts and the Origins of Civil War Irregular WarfarePatrick K. O'Donnell The Civil War saw the rise of irregular forces like Jesse Scouts, named after John Fremont's wife, who used 21st-century tradecraft like infiltration and Confederate disguises, led by John C. Carpenter. The Confederacy countered with the Partisan Ranger Act to control guerrillas like John Singleton Mosby. Confederate leaders were ambivalent toward partisans, viewing them as both useful and potentially

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8:55

S8 Ep111: Jim McTague reports that the economy in...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

Jim McTague reports that the economy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is strong, suggesting it mirrors the greater US economy despite reports of low consumer confidence, observing robust traffic at tourist destinations like Kitchen Kettle Village, a shopping locale established in 1954, with spending largely supported by well-off boomers. Local entrepreneurs are experiencing great success—a dealer selling eclectic electric lamps in Park City Mall is already earning $4,500 per week at the start of

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9:32

S8 Ep111: CONTINUED HEADLINE: Mixed US Economic...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

CONTINUED HEADLINE: Mixed US Economic Signals: Strong GDP Contrasts Low Consumer Sentiment; AI Adoption Increases GUEST: Gene Marks

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10:18

S8 Ep111: HEADLINE: Mixed US Economic Signals: Strong...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

Gene Marks discusses the US economy, noting that third-quarter GDP growth is estimated near 4%, contrasting sharply with record-low consumer sentiment in a "tale of two economies" where salaried workers receiving pay raises of 5–7% are outpacing 3% inflation and continuing to spend, while hourly workers struggle. Despite job growth in construction, leading indicators like the architectural billings index show contraction for 11 months. In technology, 88% of major companies are adopting artificial

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8:58

S8 Ep111: Veronique De Rugy discusses US industrial...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

Veronique De Rugy discusses US industrial policy, noting the trade deficit has increased despite tariffs, and the administration's decision to remove tariffs on food items—goods not produced domestically—is seen as an implicit admission that tariffs contribute to the "affordability crisis" because tariffs are a tax primarily borne by American consumers. The goals behind tariffs have shifted from fighting China to raising revenue, and the largest tariff exemption is for computer parts, indicating an

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8:57

S8 Ep111: Jeff Bliss reports that the Formula 1 race...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

Jeff Bliss reports that the Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas city circuit is attracting major spectacle and high-end tourism, though the city is also attempting recovery by catering to lower-income demographics, evidenced by positive activity at the Excalibur Casino, while facing major competition from a new Indian casino near Bakersfield, California, operated by the Tahone tribe and twice the size of Caesars Palace. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, and

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1:18

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW Pacific Palisades Fire Controversy:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW Pacific Palisades Fire Controversy: State Orders Firefighters to Stand Down Jeff Bliss A fire in Pacific Palisades became a major disaster after a previously burned, smoldering area was allowed to reignite. Video evidence reportedly shows a state worker ordering the LA Fire Department to leave the scene and not extinguish the smoldering underbrush. The stated reason for the order was to protect endangered plants. This response, involving state regulations, is described as "unbelievable

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2:25

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW NATO Dilemma: Responding to...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW NATO Dilemma: Responding to Russian Aggression in Estonia (2028 Scenario) Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel's book, If Russia Wins, explores a scenario years from now where Russia takes the city of Narva in Estonia after a frozen conflict in Ukraine. This action forces NATO to decide whether to invoke Article Five. Responding militarily is difficult because it would likely involve escalation, requiring NATO to strike logistical bases, missile installations, and airports within Russia

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1:14

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW Architect's Index Signals Continued...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW Architect's Index Signals Continued Economic Contraction Gene Marks Gene Marks discusses the architect's index, which serves as a leading indicator for the direction of the American economy, forecasting big buildings and high-end residential construction six to twelve months ahead. For the eleventh consecutive month, the index showed contraction, not expansion, indicating a difficult market for architects and mixed, non-encouraging economic pictures overall.

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0:41

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW Measuring Local Economy Amid Low...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW Measuring Local Economy Amid Low Consumer Confidence Jim McTague Jim McTague visited Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster County, observing lots of tourists and entrepreneurs with business seemingly going well. This local economic activity, where people appeared hungry and eager to spend money, contrasts with national reports stating that the consumer confidence number is at an all-time low.

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2:13

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW Autocrats Versus Democrats: The...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW Autocrats Versus Democrats: The Rise of Illiberal Ideologies Professor Michael McFaul Professor Michael McFaul discusses the growing global appeal of autocrat models, including Putinism's illiberal populist nationalism in Europe and the state-run economic model favored by China in the developing world. He notes that bureaucracy and veto points stifle growth and cause inefficiency in the U.S. Although democracy remains popular, its appeal is less potent than it was thirty years

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1:07

S8 Ep110: PREVIEW Risks of Placing Small Modular...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/22

PREVIEW Risks of Placing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Military Bases Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski addressed the Pentagon's Janice program, which planned to deploy very small nuclear reactors on military bases. Major concerns included the need for absolutely perfect air defenses and the threat posed by drones. Because of these issues, the Army ultimately decided not to place the micro-reactors on any forward bases.

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1:44

108: PREVIEW Eric Berger of Ars Technica discusses...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/20

PREVIEW Eric Berger of Ars Technica discusses Blue Origin's successful first New Glenn mission for NASA, carrying Operation Escapade packages for Mars. Berger highlights the rocket's size and successful booster return. The company seeks quick certification to compete with ULA and SpaceX for lucrative national security and important NASA science missions. Guest: Eric Berger.1958

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1:37

108: REVIEW Michael Bernstam of the Hoover...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/20

REVIEW Michael Bernstam of the Hoover Institution analyzes the impact of sanctions on Russia, whose economy is hurt by cheap oil prices. The International Energy Agency forecasts a significant oil glut of 2 to 4 million barrels per day surplus in 2025 and 2026. This, along with US deregulation, means cheaper oil, potentially causing Russia to stumble into a deep recession. Guest: MichaelBernstam.

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9,259 results

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