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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

5:50

93: The Green Belt and Rethinking Liberty 30 Years...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/16

The Green Belt and Rethinking Liberty 30 Years Later. Matthew Longo reflects that thirty years after the Iron Curtain fell, the border site is now an unremarkable "green belt." Researcher Longo considers the meaning of freedom, contrasting Isaiah Berlin's negative liberty—freedom from state interference—with Hannah Arendt's concept of plurality and solidarity. He notes the disappointment felt by some East Germans who missed the community they knew in the East. Guest: Matthew

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13:50

93: Panic, Pioneers, and the Moral Choice at the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/16

Panic, Pioneers, and the Moral Choice at the Border Picnic. Matthew Longo recounts that by August 19, 1989, hundreds of thousands of East German refugees were camped near Sopron, terrified of Stasi informers. Nemeth's government used the chaotic Picnic as a test for Soviet intervention. When a mass bolted across the border, mistaking champagne pops for gunfire, Hungarian guards made the tremendous moral choice not to shoot, allowing a bloodless breakthrough to freedom. Guest: Matthew

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7:50

93: Young Activists Plan the Audacious Pan-European...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/16

Young Activists Plan the Audacious Pan-European Picnic. Matthew Longo describes how in late June 1989, young activists Fedins and Maria in Debrecen conceived an audacious plan to throw a protest party—The Picnic—at the Iron Curtain near Sopron. They aimed to challenge communism and celebrate freedom. Though the Curtain was a deadly "death zone," not a simple fence, they secured a unique one-time crossing, allowing Austrians to join the Hungarians. Guest: Matthew Longo.

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10:00

93: Elite Politics and the First Crack in the Iron...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/16

Elite Politics and the First Crack in the Iron Curtain. Matthew Longo details the July 1989 Warsaw Pact meeting where reformer Nemeth faced off against old-guard Ceausescu. Nemeth had received Gorbachev's "green light" to dismantle the Iron Curtain's deadly fencing in Hungary. Gorbachev secretly confirmed the presence of a nuclear arsenal, urging discretion, revealing how delicate his own political position was. Guest: Matthew Longo.

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6:33

87: SHOW 11-13-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

SHOW11-13-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT BUNDESTAG COHESION AND STABILITY. FIRST HOUR 9-915 1/2 Anatol Lieven discusses the war in Ukraine, noting the new Russian unit RubiKon hunting drone operators and the slow Russian advance on Pakovsk, aided by both innovation and old factors like fog. The conversation also covers Germany's military rearmament plans and the significant, rising influence of the populist right AFD party in German

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5:45

86: COP 30 is largely "political theater" with...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

COP 30 is largely "political theater" with commitments insufficient to address climate change. Estimates suggest the crucial 1.5-degree global temperature increase will be reached by 2030. While there is increased international attention, funding remains inadequate; Brazil secured only $5.5 billion toward its $125 billion forest preservation goal. The plight of Amazonian indigenous peoples continues unaddressed. Guest: Evan Ellis.4/4

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14:00

86: Honduras is holding a high-stakes, single-round...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Honduras is holding a high-stakes, single-round election where the outcome could determine if the country returns to alignment with Taiwan or shifts to China. Election observers noted improper pressure and concerns about meddling by the ruling Libre Party. Separately, Argentina's economy under Milei is strengthening, backed by a significant US currency swap and political support. Guest: Evan Ellis. 3/4

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7:07

86: Peru faces severe political instability,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Peru faces severe political instability, evidenced by six presidents in two years and detentions for corruption. Transitional leader José Heresi is tackling rising organized crime, including a 36% jump in homicides, through a state of emergency. Meanwhile, China maintains deep-seated influence, controlling key sectors like mining, oil, and the deep-water port of Chancay. Guest: Evan Ellis.2/4

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10:48

86: The arrival of the US carrier Gerald Ford signals...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

The arrival of the US carrier Gerald Ford signals an escalating commitment to possible military solutions against Maduro's regime in Venezuela. Maduro has ordered a Cuban-style guerrilla defense, but analysts worry more about "anarchization"—wreaking havoc—if he falls. Removing Maduro and lifting sanctions could lead to necessary refinancing of Venezuela's $170 billion debt. Guest: Evan Ellis. 1/4

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9:00

86: Scott Winship investigates the mystery of the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Scott Winship investigates the mystery of the decline in young men's earnings between 1973 and 1989. He concludes this period was not caused by accelerated immigration or women entering the workforce, as men's earnings continued to rise. The actual explanation is the unique economic combination of stagflation—high unemployment and very high inflation—that occurred until the early 1980s recession. This severe economic dynamic has not been matched since 1989. Guest: Scott Winship. 2/2

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10:45

86: Scott Winship analyzes 50 years of US median...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Scott Winship analyzes 50 years of US median earnings, preferring the MACPI to accurately adjust for cost of living. He finds that the middle class is better off: women's earnings are up 120%, and men's are up 40–50%. Winship disputes populist theories that income inequality or the China shock are the main villains, noting that the worst period for young men was 1973–1989, predating those factors. Guest: Scott Winship.1/2

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8:53

86: Conrad Black assesses Canadian Prime Minister...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Conrad Black assesses Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's new budget as anti-climactic, failing to deliver promised growth or definitive decisions on controversial policies like pipelines. However, the budget was sensible and conciliatory, avoiding conflict with the opposition, Washington, and Alberta. Carney, adopting a diplomatic style akin to a central banker, did offer serious encouragements to alleviate the housing shortage. Guest: Conrad Black.

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9:02

86: Veronique de Rugy discusses the cost of living,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Veronique de Rugy discusses the cost of living, critiquing the administration's claims that Thanksgiving dinner is cheaper, citing the use of shrinkflation and item removal. She criticizes the proposal to send $2,000 checks, noting this Keynesian approach boosts demand, which, without increased supply, risks raising prices further. De Rugy advocates for deregulation and the elimination of tariffs (which she confirms are a tax) as the necessary supply-side solution to the affordability crisis. Guest:

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6:57

86: Professor Matthew Graham details his needs for...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

HOTEL MARS WIProfessor Matthew Graham details his needs for future black hole research, prioritizing a network of space telescopes with large fields of view, like the Roman space telescope, for perpetual, multi-wavelength monitoring of the sky. This "audit of the cosmos" will improve detection speed and timing. Graham encourages students to pursue black hole work, noting it is a vibrant growth area, viewing black holes as the enduring future product of the universe. Guest: Professor Matthew

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12:48

86: Professor Matthew Graham discusses the most...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Professor Matthew Graham discusses the most powerful black hole flare ever recorded, which shone like 10 trillion suns from an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). Material falling into the supermassive black hole forms an accretion disc, releasing intense radiation. This 10-billion-year-old event was detected using computer cameras. Graham explains that these black holes are ancient "seeds" of galaxies, acting as cosmic vacuum cleaners, such as when a large star gets shredded. Guest: Professor Matthew

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8:55

86: Sadanand Dhume examines the shift in US foreign...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Sadanand Dhume examines the shift in US foreign policy, where President Trump now favors Pakistan and its military chief, General Munir. This followed intense combat between India and Pakistan after a horrific terrorist attack. When the US mediated a ceasefire, Trump took credit, which embarrassed Indian Prime Minister Modi. Pakistan cleverly thanked Trump and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize, securing his favor over India. India now needs a trade deal. Guest: Sadanand Dhume.

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9:00

86: Cliff May discusses severe Christian persecution...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Cliff May discusses severe Christian persecution in Nigeria, which President Tinubu claims guarantees religious liberty. Attacks are carried out by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and powerful Fulani militias. May suggests jihadism acts as theological justification for Fulani nomadic herders to seize land from Christian farmers. The US could provide assistance, training, and advice to the Nigerian military to protect communities. Guest: Cliff May.

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9:02

86: Mary Anastasia O'grady reports on the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Mary Anastasia O'grady reports on the assassination of Mayor Carlos Monzo in Michoacán, killed after leaving President Sheinbaum's Morena party and aggressively confronting cartels and their agricultural extortion. Sheinbaum has cooperated smartly with the US, allowing surveillance flights, and hired credible security chief García Haruch. The main challenge is whether Sheinbaum has the political will to confront the cartels, especially given the widespread belief in Morena's complicity. Guest:

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10:48

86: Chris Riegel, CEO of SCALA.com, states that...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

Chris Riegel, CEO of SCALA.com, states that Chinese claims of matching Nvidia's high-end chip success are largely propaganda, though China mandates domestic chip use. The US holds the AI "pole position." AI is a genuine profit driver, worth trillions to GDP, with material workforce impact expected by 2026. Guest: Chris Riegel

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5:37

86: 2/2 Anatol Lieven details UK Prime Minister...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/11/14

2/2 Anatol Lieven details UK Prime Minister Starmer's genuine political troubles concerning domestic policy drift and significant potential losses in upcoming regional elections. Starmer maintains prestige supporting Ukraine, though funding remains a question. A back channel to Moscow has been opened by Jonathan Powell to discuss peace, dropping the prior insistence on a ceasefire, indicating a shift in London. Guest: Anatol Lieven. 2/2

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4,967 results

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