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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

6:22

S8 Ep337: THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR Colleague...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR Colleague Jonathan Healey. By late 1641, Parliament forces reforms, executing Strafford and imprisoning Laud. The King attempts to arrest five parliamentary members in the House of Commons but fails, leading to massive street protests that force him to flee London. Charles travels the country gathering support while Parliamentarians argue that the safety of the people supersedes the King's authority. Both sides utilize print media to rally troops, with Royalists claiming

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13:13

S8 Ep337: THE PERSONAL RULE OF CHARLES I AND THE...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

THE PERSONAL RULE OF CHARLES I AND THE SLIDE TOWARD REBELLION Colleague Jonathan Healey. Tensions rise as lawyer Edward Coke champions the Petition of Right against Charles I's arbitrary imprisonment and taxation. After the Duke of Buckingham is assassinated by a disillusioned soldier, Charles dissolves Parliament in 1629, beginning a decade of "personal rule." He levies controversial taxes like "ship money," which judges uphold, fearing the public. Religious rigidness led by Archbishop Laud and

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6:23

S8 Ep337: THE SPANISH MATCH AND THE PATH TO WAR...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

THE SPANISH MATCH AND THE PATH TO WAR Colleague Jonathan Healey. In 1623, Prince Charles and the Duke of Buckingham travel to Madrid in disguise to secure a marriage with the Spanish Infanta, hoping her dowry will solve royal financial issues. This "Spanish Match" is deeply unpopular in England due to religious tensions and the ongoing continental war involving James's son-in-law. The diplomatic mission fails, leading to public celebrations in England. Upon their return, Charles and Buckingham push

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11:23

S8 Ep337: JAMES I, THE GUNPOWDER PLOT, AND THE RISE...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

JAMES I, THE GUNPOWDER PLOT, AND THE RISE OF THE MIDDLING SORT Colleague Jonathan Healey. King James I faces a divided England upon his accession, navigating religious tensions between Catholics, Puritans, and the mainstream. The 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a radical Catholic attempt to blow up Parliament, fuels lasting anti-Catholic paranoia and associates Catholicism with tyranny. Healey explains the rise of the "middling sort," a wealthy, literate class of farmers and lawyers who increasingly comprise

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6:13

S8 Ep336: HEADLINE: The Empire Style: Colonial...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

HEADLINE: The Empire Style: Colonial Influence and the End of Sumptuary Laws GUEST AUTHOR: Anne HigonnetSUMMARY: During the Directory, Teresia and Rose dominated Parisian society, where Rose eventually captivated a young Napoleon Bonaparte. Higonnet explains that their signature "chemise" dress was a fusion of Teresia’s prison shift and the simple white muslins Rose knew from the Caribbean, inspired by the dress of women of color in Martinique. This style, while mimicking Neoclassicism, relied on

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13:13

S8 Ep336: HEADLINE: Cotton, Contraband, and the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/19

HEADLINE: Cotton, Contraband, and the Invention of the Handbag GUEST AUTHOR: Anne HigonnetSUMMARY: Higonnet details the material revolution where aristocratic silk was replaced by Indian cotton, a "revolutionary fabric" that allowed painters like Jacques-Louis David to visualize the natural female body. This silhouette necessitated the invention of the modern handbag, as the new slim dresses lacked the space for pockets hidden in traditional voluminous skirts. Josephine further defined the era by

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2:03

S8 Ep325: PREVIEW FOR LATER TRADEMARK TROUBLES FOR...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER TRADEMARK TROUBLES FOR THE RELOCATING ATHLETICS Colleague Jeff Bliss. As the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas via a temporary stay in Sacramento, they face significant branding hurdles. Jeff Bliss explains the team cannot use "Sacramento Athletics" due to local business conflicts and faces legal battles over the "Las Vegas Athletics" name, which was already registered by another party.

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1:24

S8 Ep325: PREVIEW FOR LATER REIMAGINING AI REGULATION...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER REIMAGINING AI REGULATION BEYOND THE SKYNET MYTH Colleague Kevin Frazier, University of Texas Law School. Frazier argues against regulating Artificial Intelligence through a fearful "Skynet mentality," suggesting it is better viewed simply as advanced computing known since 1956. He recommends treating AI not as a bespoke technology but as part of a broader portfolio of technological changes, including quantum computing and robotics.JANUARY 1931

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1:36

S8 Ep325: PREVIEW FOR LATER MEXICO'S IDEOLOGICAL OIL...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER MEXICO'S IDEOLOGICAL OIL LIFELINE TO CUBA Colleague Mary O'Grady, Wall Street Journal. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has tripled oil shipments to Cuba, aiding the struggling dictatorship after Venezuela's support waned. O'Grady explains this support stems from Sheinbaum's ideological alignment and anti-American background, driving her to prop up the Havana regime simply because the United Stateswants it to fall.1936

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2:35

S8 Ep325: PREVIEW FOR LATER THE HIDDEN COSTS OF...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER THE HIDDEN COSTS OF POWERING AI DATA CENTERS Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Sokolski questions who will fund the expensive electricity transmission infrastructure required by new AI data centers, noting transmission constitutes two-thirds of consumer costs. He suggests the most viable solution may involve tech companies building their own on-site power generation to operate off the grid, avoiding public subsidies.FEBUARY 1955

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2:54

S8 Ep324: PREVIEW FOR LATER PERU BALANCES CHINESE...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER PERU BALANCES CHINESE CULTURE WITH SECURITY CONCERNS Colleague Oscar Sumar, Civitas Institute. While Peru recently became a US non-NATO military partner, China maintains heavy investment in Peruvian infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar distinguishes between the beloved Chinese-Peruvian culinary culture and the Chinese Communist Party, noting that while Peruvians embrace the former, they view the CCP as a distinct regional threat.1916 PERUVIAN AMAZON

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4:09

S8 Ep324: PREVIEW FOR LATER SPACE STATION DELAYS...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/16

PREVIEW FOR LATER SPACE STATION DELAYS AND SHIFTING LAUNCH CONTRACTS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Axiom Space faces concerning delays in launching modules for its private space station, now pushed to 2028, leaving little margin before the ISS deorbits. Meanwhile, the US Space Force is shifting launch contracts from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX, prioritizing reliability and cost over vendor redundancy.NOVEMBER 1961

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8:56

S8 Ep320: SHOW SCHEDULE 1-14-25 China Urges Canada...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

SHOW SCHEDULE1-14-251920 SALT RIVERChina Urges Canada to Break from US Influence. Guests: CHARLES BURTON and GORDON CHANG. China is pressuring Canada to adopt "strategic autonomy" and distance itself from US influence as PM Mark Carney visits Beijing. Despite myths of economic salvation through Chinese trade, experts argue Canada'sexports to China remain minimal. Concerns persist regarding fentanyl production, Arctic neglect, and Chineseespionage. China's "Hollow Power" in Iran and Venezuela

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8:47

S8 Ep319: The China-Iran Partnership: Oil,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

The China-Iran Partnership: Oil, Surveillance, and Regional Stability. Guest: JACK BURNHAM. Chinamaintains a pragmatic "partnership" with Iran, focused on extracting discounted oil. Beijing provides surveillance technology to help the Iranian regime suppress internal protests while officially calling for stability. Additionally, Chinese or Russian technology is suspected of disrupting Starlink satellites to hinder military communications.1945 US NAVY ANZIO IN SHANGHAI HARBOR

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10:53

S8 Ep319: The Collapse of the Chinese Real Estate...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

The Collapse of the Chinese Real Estate Market and Economic Stagnation. Guests: ANNE STEVENSON-YANGand GORDON CHANG. China's property sector faces a permanent downturn, with prices dropping 30–60% and enough vacant apartments to house billions. The government lacks the funds for a rescue. Xi Jinping's focus on high-tech is insufficient to replace real estate, which previously accounted for 25% of GDP.1905 SHANGHAI

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8:53

S8 Ep319: Pakistan's $1.5 Billion Arms Deal with...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

Pakistan's $1.5 Billion Arms Deal with Sudan and China's Strategic Influence. Guests: RICK FISHER and GORDON CHANG. Pakistan is nearing a deal to supply jets and drones to Sudan, likely funded by Saudi Arabia. China uses these transactions to establish alternative security structures in the Middle East. Experts suggest Chinaprefers ongoing conflict over peace to maximize profits and regional influence.1900 KARACHI

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8:57

S8 Ep319: Plunging Russian Oil Prices and the Impact...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

Plunging Russian Oil Prices and the Impact of Global Sanctions. Guest: MICHAEL BERNSTAM. Russian oil prices are dropping significantly, with some major brands selling between $34 and $35 per barrel. Western sanctions and global supply gluts allow buyers like China and India to extract massive discounts. Future stability in Iran could further increase competition, driving Russian revenues and taxes even lower.1903 SANTA BARBARA

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9:29

S8 Ep318: The New Right's Radical Rejection of...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/15

The New Right's Radical Rejection of Traditional Republicanism. Guest: PETER BERKOWITZ, Hoover Institution Senior Fellow. Berkowitz contrasts the New Right's desire for state-led social reform with the Republican Party's traditional focus on liberty and limited government. He discusses Michael Anton's views on the "right of revolution" and warns that attacking classical liberalism risks eroding essential protections against bigotry and persecution in America.1929 HOOVER PARADE

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2:30

S8 Ep316: China's Military Technology and Export...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/14

China's Military Technology and Export Capabilities in Conflict ZonesPREVIEW FOR LATER: GUEST JACK BURNHAM. Jack Burnham explores China's supply of air defense radars to Venezuela and its relationship with Iran. While these systems are tested in foreign conflicts, Burnham notes that Venezuelan military incompetence makes it difficult to accurately judge the true effectiveness of Chinese military hardware against Western equipment.1906

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2:13

S8 Ep316: Evaluating Chinese Strategic Influence and...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/01/14

Evaluating Chinese Strategic Influence and Potential Threats in CubaPREVIEW FOR LATER: GUEST STEVE YATES. Steve Yates analyzes potential Chinese threats in Cuba, ranging from biological pathogens to electronic signals. Yates suggests the administration is utilizing economic leverage and a naval armada to force a negotiated settlement, similar to previous "pressure" tactics applied by the executive branch against the Maduro regime1959 CUBA

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6,555 results

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