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.

Episodes


  1. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. A standard solar conjunction has caused a temporary communication blackout with Mars rovers, a routine event for which spacecraft are prepared. In other scientific developments, astronomers have detected the wake of a companion star moving through the atmosphere of Betelgeuse, while new archaeological evidence suggests Neanderthals possessed the technology to create fire 400,000 years ago, pushing bac...
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Guest: Bob Zimmerman. The global launch industry achieved record numbers led by SpaceX, which Zimmerman argues has effectively become the true American space program by launching 90% of all payload mass and funding its own Mars ambitions through Starlink revenue. While China utilizes state-supervised pseudo-capitalism to keep pace, the commercial sector is booming with competitors like Rocket Lab and multiple companies develo...

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Guest: Joseph Sternberg. In Europe, France faces continued political paralysis that may require a decisive election between the right and left, whereas Germany's center-right government under Chancellor Merz is reclaiming the initiative by addressing immigration and economic growth. Meanwhile, Japan's move to normalize interest rates could trigger a massive repatriation of capital that impacts global markets, while in the UK,...

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Guest: Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg analyzes the recent U.S. invasion of Venezuela, noting that while the event disrupted predictions, its global significance ultimately depends on the subsequent U.S. decisions regarding regime support and governance in Caracas. Turning to domestic politics, Sternberg predicts the 2026 midterms will be unusually significant as both parties face internal identity crises, with Democrats torn bet...

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Guest: Gregory Copley. King Charles III is demonstrating resilience by outworking other royals and returning to full duties despite his ongoing cancer treatment, while steadfastly ignoring the distraction of gossip surrounding Prince Harry and Prince Andrew. The King faces a challenging year managing a relationship with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government Copley describes as hostile to the monarchy and struggling wi...

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Guest: Gregory Copley. Discussing Niall Ferguson's comparison of the current geopolitical climate to the imperialism of 1906, Copley argues that while territorial annexation is less common, a new form of technological and economic imperialism has emerged where the U.S. maintains spheres of influence through dominance in global defense sales. Copley notes that while Turkey attempts to reassert Ottoman-style control through "gu...

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Guest: Gregory Copley. President Trump's interest in acquiring or occupying Greenland is driven by the island's strategic value for polar routes, satellite contact, and missile positioning, though Copley argues that administration claims regarding Russian and Chinese provocation in the area are exaggerated to justify the move. While the U.S. seeks to enforce a version of the Monroe Doctrine across the Americas to ensure hegem...

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Guest: Gregory Copley. Following the precise U.S. tactical operation to abduct Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, the strategic focus has shifted to securing the hemisphere and managing oil access, though major companies currently prefer the easier reserves off Guyana over Venezuela's tapped-out infrastructure. Copley notes that while the raid was surgically successful, the lack of follow-up planning risks a messy, protracte...

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Guest: Mary Kissel. The Trump administration is aggressively pursuing strategic interests in Greenland to counter Chinese influence and secure resources. Kissel expresses hope for Cuba, suggesting that pressure on the regime and support for communications could help the Cuban people restore their freedom, potentially triggering a regional shift away from authoritarianism.
1770 GREENLAND
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Guest: Mary Kissel. Following the incursion to arrest Maduro, Kissel notes that restoring the rule of law and curbing gang violence are prerequisites for foreign oil investment. Regarding Ukraine, Putin maintains maximalist demands, suggesting the Trump administration may eventually increase pressure to force a resolution as Europe strengthens its defenses.

1950 CARACAS

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Guest: Cleo Paskal. The Solomon Islands remain heavily influenced by China, leading to social decay and the suppression of democratic voices like the late Daniel Suidani. Paskal urges Australia to combat corruption by targeting funds flowing into their banks, while noting positive U.S. engagement in Palau to counter Chinese aggression.
1910 PALAU

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Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal details severe corruption in Saipan, where Chinese interests have exploited visa loopholes and influenced local politics via a casino. Illegal entry by Chinese nationals poses security risks to nearby Guam, though Palau is receiving U.S. assistance to strengthen defenses against similar influence operations.

1944 SAIPAN

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Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Chaos persists in Syria with airstrikes against ISIS and factional fighting, prompting Israelisecurity concerns. In Gaza, Hamas refuses to disarm despite U.S. pressure and Israeli control over roughly half the territory, signaling a continuation of conflict rather than a ceasefire or reconstruction.
1920 ALEPPO

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Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. The fall of the Maduro regime disrupts a critical transit hub for Hezbollah's illicit finance and drug trade in Latin America. Meanwhile, Iran faces its most significant threat since 2009 due to widespread protests, economic collapse, and the recent loss of key allies like Assad and Maduro.
1914 MT ZION

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Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Peek criticizes Democrats for defending figures like Governor Tim Walz despite a massive welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota. She argues it is politically foolish for Democrats to criticize the arrest of Maduro, given previous administration efforts to apprehend him and the disruption of dangerous gangs involved in the drug trade.

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Guest: Elizabeth Peek. President Trump's comments regarding Venezuelan oil fields have sparked interest among major companies, though political risks and broken infrastructure remain hurdles. Despite past predictions of fossil fuel obsolescence, demand remains high, and U.S. refining capacity is prepared for Venezuelan heavy crude. Economic optimism for 2026 is bolstered by tax cuts and strong consumer spending.
1903 SANTA ...

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PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Bob Zimmerman reports that a standard three-week communication blackout with Mars has begun due to the sun blocking the line of sight between Earth and the Red Planet. While relay satellites may eventually prevent these biannual interruptions, NASA currently prepares all spacecraft to withstand the temporary silence.
1957
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PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Gregory Copley explains that relentless media coverage of Royal Family troubles acts as an enduring institution catering to public appetites for scandal, particularly regarding "spares" like Prince Andrewand Prince Harry. He notes that younger siblings often lack purpose, leading to entitlement and conflict seen throughout monarchical history.
COTSWOLDS
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PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Cleo Paskal details a new US initiative to support Palau's national defense against Beijing's influence operations and visa-less entries. While headlines focus on Palau accepting 75 US deportees, the underlying deal provides this strategic ally—which recognizes Taiwan—with resources to patrol borders and secure its sovereignty.
1930 PALAU
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PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Joseph Sternberg analyzes German efforts to stem the rise of the AfD party through stricter migration policies. He also highlights optimism in Japan's economy and the global impact of rising Japanese interest rates, noting that normalizing rates could pull trillions of dollars in overseas investments back to Japan—imagine the global economy as a hydraulic system where Japan has been a low-pressure re...
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