The John Batchelor Show

S8 Ep1112: Veronique de Rugy uses a 700-year-old Siena fresco to discuss the virtues of good governance. The artwork illustrates that a flourishing society requires the rule of law and justice. She cautions that modern industrial policies and government cronyism

S8 Ep1112: Cliff May explores the historical link between socialism and Islamism, tracing partnerships from early Bolsheviks to the Iranian Revolution. These alliances often end in violence and purges of leftists, as seen when Ayatollah Khomeini executed communist l

S8 Ep1112: Thomas Savidge argues for stringent budget reforms and spending cuts to address the fiscal crisis. He notes that while many elected officials recognize the problem, the priority of political reelection prevents them from making unpopular decisions, leavin

S8 Ep1112: Thomas Savidge warns that the US national debt is reaching dangerous levels relative to GDP. He explains that rising interest costs are now exceeding national defense spending, which threatens to stifle the productive economy and lead to a decreased stand

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean summarizes Kelly Johnson's 14 rules, emphasizing simplicity and speed. These principles required small teams and minimal paperwork to innovate effectively. Before passing away in 1990, Johnson witnessed a final emotional flyover of his iconic Bl

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean highlights Kelly Johnson's struggle with anxiety and health, alongside the emergence of stealth technology. Under his successor Ben Rich, Skunk Works developed the F-117 Nighthawk. Utilizing facets to scatter radar, this "hopeless diamond" prove

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean recounts Kelly Johnson's creation of the world's first drone for reconnaissance and his failed pitch for an A-12 bomber. He clashed with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, who ordered the destruction of A-12 tools. The segment also highlights Jo

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean explores the Area 51 mysteries and the Gary Powers incident. Many UFO sightings were actually spy planes like the U-2, tested in secret. Despite the shootdown of Powers in 1960, Johnson had already begun developing the Mach 3.2 Blackbird to main

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean details the CIA-led U-2 program, designed for high-altitude reconnaissance over the Soviet Union. To achieve 70,000 feet, Johnson created a lightweight glider-like plane. This required the invention of specialized pressure suits for pilots, prov

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean explains the Skunk Works method through the development of the F-104 Starfighter. Johnson demanded total control and minimal oversight from the Air Force, focusing on speed and climb. His test pilots, including Tony LeVier, formed an intimate, t

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean describes the early days of the Lockheed Corporation and the birth of Skunk Works. After saving the company by fixing the Electra, Kelly Johnson promised a jet fighter in just six months. Operating out of a circus tent, his team produced the P-8

S8 Ep1112: Josh Dean introduces Kelly Johnson, the brilliant engineer behind the P-38 fighter. Born to hardworking Swedish parents, Johnson overcame poverty to become a legend in aviation. His industrious nature and early mastery of aeronautics led him to Lockheed,

S8 Ep1112: Mariam Wahba reports on the brutal persecution of Christians under the Chinese Communist Party's "sinicization" policy. This effort involves rewriting the Bible and mandating state-sanctioned clergy to ensure religion serves the state. Despite this, the u

S8 Ep1112: Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports on the earthquake tragedy in Venezuela and the incompetence of the Rodriguez regime. She details how officials like Diosdado Cabello hinder rescue efforts to hide illicit activities. Meanwhile, the opposition leader María Co

S8 Ep1112: Anatol Lieven explores a potential peace compromise and the risks of escalation. He notes that while Ukraine can make Russia suffer via drone strikes on energy infrastructure, aerial bombardment alone will not force a surrender. A single miscalculation co

S8 Ep1112: Anatol Lieven discusses the impact of the Ukraine war on Russian consumers and potential peace terms. He suggests Russia might settle if it abandons Donbass demands, provided the West bars Ukrainian NATO membership. Currently, the Russian military is adva

S8: Preview for Later Today: Josh Dean discusses the Lockheed Skunk Works and the U-2 spy plane's history. He details the Soviet Union's frustration as their radar detected the high-altitude aircraft, yet their defenses were unable to intercept it. (1)

S8 Ep1111: Preview for Later Today: Veronique de Rugy reflects on a Siena fresco contrasting good and bad government. She explores how arbitrary justice leads to societal decay and family destruction, noting that contemporary governance often struggles with these sa

S8 Ep1111: Preview for Later Today: Anatol Lieven examines the Russia-Ukraine conflict and NATO's cautious escalation. He discusses the supply of Patriot missiles and the risks of direct military clashes, noting that both sides face internal pressure to achieve vict