The John Batchelor Show

Joseph Sternberg. Joseph Sternberg analyzes China's struggling economy, citing a real estate implosion, high youth unemployment, and demographic decline. Unlike Japan's historical democratic transition, Xi Jinping's adversarial posture and reliance on subsidized exports face global resistance, leaving the CCP with few ideological options for a virtuous recovery. (7) 1880 NANTUCKET

Mary Kissel. Kissel discusses NATO's internal struggles and the need for American leadership to counter a rising axis of Russia, Iran, and China. She notes that Western European nations often prioritize domestic politics over defense, while Eastern European states face more immediate physical threats from Russian aggression. (6)

Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel examines the escalating conflict with Iran, noting a total lack of overlap between US demands and Iranian strategic interests regarding nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz. She argues the regime is bolstered by Russian and Chinese support, making a diplomatic breakthrough unlikely without significant leverage. (5) 1900

Ahmad Sharawi. Ahmad Sharawi reports on Syria intercepting sophisticated Iranian weapons components smuggled via oil tankers from Iraq to Lebanon. This effort by the al-Sharaa government aims to build international trust and secure investment, despite retaliatory terror plots and rocket attacks within Syria from a disgruntled Hezbollah. (4) 1833

Peter Berkowitz. Peter Berkowitz explores Vice President JD Vance's journey from atheism to Catholicism. He highlights Vance's ambiguity regarding the state's role in promoting Christianity. Drawing on James Madison, Berkowitz emphasizes the constitutional necessity of separating church and state to protect religious freedom and institutional integrity. (3) NEW AMSTERDAM

Liz Peek. Peek critiques New York politician Zohran Mamdani for failing to define the working class, arguing the DSAprimarily represents white, college-educated liberals. She also discusses Kevin Warsh's influence and the likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining interest rates despite inflationary pressures and global instability in the Middle East. (2) 1900

Liz Peek. Liz Peek discusses how gasoline prices serve as a talisman for the American cost of living. While metrics like low unemployment and rising real wages suggest a strong economy, high pump prices and poor Republican messaging negatively impact consumer sentiment and presidential approval ratings ahead of the midterm elections. (1)]1870

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-20-26John Batchelor with Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani. This discussion addresses the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran. The participants analyze the effectiveness of American air power, concluding that bombing campaigns alone cannot achieve regime change without a massive ground presence that the U.S. currently lacks the political will to depl...

STREAMING MAKING JBS, 7-20-262015 YEMENJohn Batchelor with Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani. This discussion addresses the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran. The participants analyze the effectiveness of American air power, concluding that bombing campaigns alone cannot achieve regime change without a massive ground presence that the U.S. currently lacks the political will to de...

David Daoud. Israel has begun a phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon, testing whether the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) can effectively disarm Hezbollah in "pilot zones." David Daoud expresses skepticism, noting Lebanon is already attempting to backtrack on its legal commitments and reverse agreed-upon sequences. Success depends on whether the U.S. will hold Lebanon's feet to the fire or permit I...

David Daoud. Iraq has issued a circular to banks to comply with U.S. sanctions against Hezbollah financiers and pro-Syrian politicians. However, David Daoud argues this measure is largely symbolic, as it does not touch powerful local militias like Kata'ib Hezbollah. Furthermore, Iraqi religious shrines continue to provide financial support to Hezbollahthrough various media and charitable branches,...

Jonathan SAYEH. U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure have caused widespread power outages, yet the regime remains dug in under the leadership of Ahmad Vahidi. Tehran views its ability to throttle the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Seaas a strategic victory that forces U.S. coordination. By using inexpensive missiles and drones through the Houthis, Irancan drive up oil prices and exert leverage wit...

John Hardie. President Zelensky's dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sparked wartime protests and unease among Western partners. Fedorov was a key driver of drone innovation and anti-corruption reforms in procurement. His firing is attributed to clashes with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom protesters characterize as an unpopular "Soviet-style butcher." There are indicati...

Edmund Fitton-Brown. The U.S. continues a naval blockade intended to reduce Iran to bankruptcy, as Tehranmaintains "impossible demands" regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Edmund Fitton-Brown suggests while Russia and China provide intelligence and resupply, they are unlikely to take serious risks to save the regime. Ultimately, the conflict may depend on national patience, with the U.S. capable of su...

Edmund Fitton-Brown. The long-standing truce between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has unraveled as the group attempts to break a decade-long blockade. Edmund Fitton-Brown explains the Houthis now control major Yemeni state organs and possess the capability to strike deep into Saudi territory. While air campaigns have hurt the group, they remain difficult to deter because they view the suffering of...

Samuel Ben-Ur and Bill Roggio. The Hamas political bureau has relocated to Istanbul, choosing Khalil al-Hayya as a leader closely aligned with Iran and Hezbollah. Inside Gaza, Hamas continues to obstruct food distribution and hijack aid supplies. While Israel successfully eliminated several military commanders, the organization has yet to name replacements. New "pilot zones" are being explored to...

Bridget Toomey. The Houthis have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, targeting ports and vessels in the Red Sea to demand compensation for the civil war. While their missile capabilities rely on Iran, the Houthis have refined domestic drone production using Chinese components. Shippers are already rerouting around Africa, as even the threat of sporadic attacks makes transiting the Bab al-Ma...

Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo. In Venezuela, "pot-banging" protests reflect deep public anger toward an illegitimate interim government that failed to manage earthquake recovery. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Brazil following Lula's refusal to fight organized crime and his alignment with the BRICS currency initiative. Ernesto Araújo argues these tariffs are...

Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo. Alejandro Peña Esclusa highlights CIA-documented election interference in Venezuela spanning 20 years, delegitimizing the current regime. In Brazil, the Supreme Court is restricting visits to the popular but ill Jair Bolsonaro, a move Ernesto Araújo describes as micromanaging the upcoming election. These actions by Lula da Silva's allies signal a fear of...

Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus Marta. An experiment with "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon involves Israeli troop withdrawals and replacement by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. In Washington, 103 Democrats signed a resolution to deny aid to Israel, a move Hoenlein attributes to political intimidation rather than violations of law. Furthermore, a reported deten...

Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus MCCOTTER. Iran has expanded its attacks to seven countries, including strikes on desalination plants in Kuwait and a ballistic missile fired at Saudi Arabia. Malcolm Hoenlein reports the U.S. is hitting infrastructure near Bandar Abbas to isolate Iran's ability to harass shipping. Additionally, the Houthis have escalated threats against the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb,...

Melik Kaylan and Gordon Chang. Melik Kaylan suggests Putin is increasingly isolated, facing potential threats from his own Praetorian guards as domestic desperation grows. However, the dismissal of Ukraine's popular defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, may have inadvertently delayed Putin's demise. Fedorov, credited with turning the tide of war through digital innovation and anti-corruption audits,...

Alan Tonelson and Gordon Chang. Despite a trade truce declared last October, the U.S. remains dependent on China for rare earths and critical minerals. Alan Tonelson notes that while China's domestic economy is weak, it maintains a "chokehold" on products essential for AI and military technology. The Trump administration's decision to remove trade sanctions on Hong Kong is viewed as a puzzling mov...

Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. Experts argue maximalist positions prevent resolution as Iran views survival as victory while the U.S. relies on ineffective bombing. Roggio emphasizes that despite pressure, the regime remains capable of striking ships, functioning as its version of a nuclear weapon. Both analysts suggest building an effective resistance takes time and secrecy, elements currently l...

Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. A tanker fire in the Straits of Hormuz and consecutive days of missile exchanges signal a "war restart." Ambassador Haqqani argues neither side can afford to look weak, leading to a stalemate of aerial bombing without a clear plan for regime change. Roggio and Haqqani agree air power alone cannot secure ground, and the estimated 600,000 troops required for a ground...