The John Batchelor Show
578 episodes — Page 5 of 12
S8 Ep832: 8/16: Hussein Abdul-Hussein explains that the United States remains the biggest player in Iraq, wielding significant influence over leadership choices and economic policy. Washington is currently pushing to move Iraq from a cash-based to a digital economy
May 6, 20267 min
S8 Ep832: 7/16: Hussein Abdul-Hussein introduces Ali al-Zaydi, a political newcomer nominated for Iraqi Prime Minister by the Shia coordination framework. Al-Zaydi, a wealthy contractor, follows a pattern where "no-ones" are chosen when powerful factions cannot agr
May 6, 202612 min
S8 Ep832: 6/16: Ivana Stradner discusses how American jazz symbolizes freedom and individualism, making it a threat to repressive regimes. Historically used as a "non-nuclear weapon" during the Cold War, jazz's improvisational nature counters state propaganda. She
May 6, 20267 min
S8 Ep832: 5/16: Ivana Stradner reports that Vladimir Putin is living in a bunker, fearing a coup as he loses on the battlefield. To maintain control, the Kremlin has implemented severe internet blackouts and banned Western social media. Stradner suggests the West s
May 6, 202610 min
S8 Ep832: 4/16: Rich Goldberg outlines a "blockade plus" strategy to bankrupt the Iranian regime by cutting off oil and petrochemical revenues. This economic pressure aims to spark internal fractures and popular uprisings. Goldberg also advocates for expanding Midd
May 6, 20269 min
S8 Ep832: 3/16: Grant Newsham explores Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's diplomatic mission to Vietnam and Australia to counter Chinese aggression. Takaichi is shifting Japan from purely economic influence toward a professional military posture. This approach is welc
May 6, 202610 min
S8 Ep832: 2/16: Liz Peek reflects on the successful American visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, noting the public's rehabilitated view of the royal couple. Despite past controversies, their visit reaffirmed the special relationship, and American affection
May 6, 20264 min
S8 Ep832: 1/16: Liz Peek discusses the strong American economy, noting low unemployment and an AI-driven boom despite oil price spikes from the Iran war. While concerns about plummeted savings exist, record stock market highs and a robust labor market sustain growt
May 6, 202613 min
S8 Ep831: 3/3: Preview for Later Today: Liz Peek analyzes AI's impact on labor, noting that while productivity increases may reduce hiring, human oversight remains vital to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
May 6, 20262 min
S8 Ep831: 2/3: Preview for Later Today: Burnham explains how China's Ministry of State Security employs private hackers and front companies for cyber operations, ensuring the government always maintains plausible deniability.
May 6, 20262 min
S8 Ep831: 1/3: Preview for Later Today: Abdul-Husain explains Iraq's sectarian power-sharing system where the Prime Minister is Shia, Speaker is Sunni, and President is Kurdish, highlighting the internal Shia primary.
May 6, 20261 min
S8 Ep830: 3/3: Preview for Later Today: Ivana Stradner examines American jazz as a potent soft power tool and "non-nuclear weapon." She explains how its themes of freedom and individualism countered Soviet propaganda, inspiring those living under various repressive
May 5, 20261 min
S8 Ep830: 2/3: Preview for Later Today: Grant Newsham highlights Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, praising her bold leadership against Chinese aggression. He notes her appeal to younger citizens due to her articulate manner and independent ideas during critic
May 5, 20261 min
S8 Ep830: 1/3: Preview for Later Today: Rich Goldberg discusses tracking IRGC assets hidden in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. He advocates for a kleptocracy initiative, similar to the Russian oligarch program, to seize real estate and funds from Iranian l
May 5, 20262 min
S8 Ep829: SCHEDULE JBS, 5-4-26 PERSIA
May 5, 20265 min
S8 Ep828: STREAM MAKING OF JBS, FEATURING BILL ROGGIO AND GORDON CHANG, 5-4-26 1664
May 5, 20261h 0m
S8 Ep827: 16/16: John Hardie and Bill Roggio report on Vladimir Putin's isolation in bunkers due to intensified assassination fears. Simultaneously, President Zelenskyy is establishing international drone production partnerships with Finland and other NATO allies
May 5, 20269 min
S8 Ep827: 15/16: Miad Maliki and Bill Roggio describe political chaos in Tehran and the regime's inability to make decisions under extreme pressure. Experts warn of a global energy tipping point involving severe fuel shortages within thirty days.
May 5, 202610 min
S8 Ep827: 14/16: Joe Truzman reports on London stabbing attacks claimed by Ashab al-Yamin, an Iranian front organization recruiting criminals. The UK has raised its terrorism threat level to severe due to these developments.
May 5, 20269 min
S8 Ep827: 13/16: Ahmad Sharawi details Iranian strikes on UAE oil facilities aimed at disrupting Project Freedom. Meanwhile, Bashar al-Assad seeks Gulf investment while reportedly coordinating quietly with Israel against Hezbollah.
May 5, 20268 min
S8 Ep827: 12/16: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa highlight Cuba's collapse as Russian and Venezuelan oil supplies vanish. Araújo details Panama's resistance to Chinese influence over its canal ports and subsequent retaliatory trade pressure from Beijing.
May 5, 20267 min
S8 Ep827: 11/16: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa report that Delcy Rodríguez is avoiding elections in Venezuela. Araújo discusses Lula's weakening power in Brazil and judicial shifts that could lead to Jair Bolsonaro's release.
May 5, 202612 min
S8 Ep827: 10/16: Gordon Chang analyzes how China supports Iran while negotiating trade with the US. This conflict creates economic instability, including rising inflation and slower growth across major Asian trading economies.
May 5, 20269 min
S8 Ep827: 9/16: Bridget Toomey and Bill Roggio discuss Ali Al-Zadei, a businessman elevated to Iraqi Prime Minister with Iranian support. While endorsed by Trump, his background in illicit finance raises concerns about ongoing militia influence.
May 5, 20268 min
S8 Ep827: 8/16: David Daoud explains the IDF was caught off guard by Hezbollah's innovative use of fiber-optic and FPV drones. Despite these threats, the Israeli public largely favors continuing military operations to secure borders.
May 5, 20266 min
S8 Ep827: 7/16: David Daoud argues the ceasefire restricts Israel while allowing Hezbollah to rearm. Hezbollah is exploiting cheap FPV drones to harass Israeli forces, utilizing a low-tech method that lacks an effective counter.
May 5, 202612 min
S8 Ep827: 6/16: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter warn that Iran is running out of oil storage, potentially forcing a production halt. Hoenlein characterizes the recent Gaza flotilla as a failed PR stunt carrying no aid.
May 5, 20264 min
S8 Ep827: 5/16: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report on escalating violence in the Gulf, including the sinking of IRGC boats. They also discuss Mahmoud Abbas's attempt to install his son, Yasser Abbas, as his political successor.
May 5, 202613 min
S8 Ep827: 4/16: Alan Tonelson and Gordon Chang examine how the Iran war drives inflation and damages Asian manufacturing. China continues to flood markets with subsidized exports while using lawfare and harassment against smaller nations like Panama.
May 5, 202611 min
S8 Ep827: 3/16: Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang discuss the Artemis mission and China's competitive drive to establish a permanent moon base. Both nations are also developing combat satellites and weapon systems for use in lunar orbit.
May 5, 20268 min
S8 Ep827: 2/16: Bill Roggio explains that al-Qaeda is expanding across Mali and Somalia, exploiting weak governments to build a caliphate. Both al-Qaeda and ISIS are partitioning territories and increasingly threatening regional capitals.
May 5, 20264 min
S8 Ep827: 1/16: Bill Roggio discusses Project Freedom, a mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed to hit a US warship, but the Navy reported no ships were struck.
May 5, 202613 min
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest Gordon Chang. Chang examines the trade dilemma involving China's support for Iran's nuclear program. He discusses President Trump's efforts to stop Beijing's military proliferation by leveraging China's current economic trad
May 4, 20261 min
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest Rick Fischer. Fischer attributes the slow pace of China's moon landing program to extreme risk aversion within the Communist Party culture. They prioritize avoiding technical failures over competing directly with American ti
May 4, 20261 min
S8 Ep826: Preview for Later Today: Guest John Hardie. Hardie explores Vladimir Putin's increasing isolation and the geopolitical uncertainty following a potential leadership vacuum. He also highlights Ukraine's expanding international drone industry deals with NATO
May 4, 202610 min
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest Bridget Toomey. Toomey profiles Iraq's new Prime Minister, Zedi Ali al-Zahedi, a wealthy businessman with extensive experience across various sectors. She examines his transition from a multi-sector conglomerate leader to a
May 4, 20261 min
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest Ahmad Sharawi. Sharawi discusses "Project Freedom" and Iran's retaliatory attacks on UAE energy interests. He highlights a recent strike on an ADNOC vessel, suggesting Iran aims to disrupt maritime security despite US Navy e
May 4, 20260 min
S8 Ep825: Preview for Later Today: Guest David Daoud. Daoud analyzes how Hezbollah utilizes inexpensive FPV and fiber optic drones to bypass Israel's advanced technological defenses. He notes the IDF currently lacks effective responses to these low-cost, under-the-
May 4, 20262 min
S8 Ep824: The current war with Iran is significantly less popular than the Vietnam War was at its lowest point. Polling suggests an 80% disapproval rate, compared to the 60-70% disapproval seen during the depths of the Vietnam conflict. The administration is per
May 4, 202619 min
S8 Ep824: The goals of the Trump administration's war with Iran have remained undefined since hostilities began on February 28, 2026. It remains unclear if the objective is regime change, ballistic missile control, or the dismantling of the nuclear program. The war
May 4, 202615 min
S8 Ep824: Based on the discussions from the Londinium debating society in 92 AD, experts project that the Earth will reach a tipping point for oil reserves by the end of May 2026. At this point, strategic stockpiles are expected to run out, leading to a potential c
May 4, 202623 min
S8 Ep823: Fanell suggests "warfighting proliferation," including potential nuclear capabilities for allies, to counter China's rapid military buildup. He advocates for the total economic and diplomatic isolation of the CCP to trigger its collapse. This strategy p
May 4, 20268 min
S8 Ep823: Fanell stresses the necessity of admitting strategic failure to properly address the China threat. He proposes an independent "Team B" for objective intelligence analysis, similar to Cold War practices. Recommendations include moving investment oversight
May 4, 202611 min
S8 Ep823: Fanell and Thayer compare modern U.S. policy to Britain's disastrous "10-year rule" after WWI, which hindered defense readiness. Fanell reflects on how the U.S. Navy ignored the rising PRC threat during the 1990s. They criticize the U.S. for maintaining e
May 4, 20268 min
S8 Ep823: James Fanell discusses China's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" military exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" intended to blockade and pressure Taiwan following its presidential inauguration. He and Bradley Thayer argue that Washington's "neo-enga
May 4, 20269 min
S8 Ep822: The Norse settlement of Greenland, founded by Eric the Red in approximately 985 AD, provides a poignant and sad look at the final chapters of the Viking Age. Excavations at the Herjolfsness graveyard at the southern tip of Greenland have yielded extrao
May 4, 20268 min
S8 Ep822: The conclusion of the Viking Age is often associated with the pivotal year 1066, marked by the death of Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Hardrada was a legendary King of Norway who had lived an extraordinary life, serving as an imperial b
May 4, 202610 min
S8 Ep822: In the Surtshellir lava cave of Iceland, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a mysterious and frightening belief system. This vast cave system, located under a lava field created by a massive eruption around 900 AD, contains a large man-made wall an
May 4, 20269 min
S8 Ep822: Norse mythology and belief systems were largely recorded by Christian authors in the 13th century, creating a significant historical gap that requires careful interpretation. The primary source for these myths is Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic poet and po
May 4, 20268 min
S8 Ep822: Viking raiders often targeted Christian monasteries for their beautifully decorated reliquaries, which were holy containers designed to house the remains of saints. While monks valued the sacred relics inside, the Norse raiders disregarded the contents, o
May 4, 20267 min