The John Batchelor Show

Jeff McCausland. Jeff McCausland analyzes Israel 's military overextension across multiple fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon . He highlights the political challenges facing Prime Minister Netanyahu , who trails in polls following a controversial peace agreement excluding Israeli consultation. 1914

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOCR SHOW, 6-24-2026 MEXICO CITY The Imprisonment of Jimmy Lai and the Future of Hong Kong. Guest: Mark Clifford and Gordon Chang. Jimmy Lai has spent over 2,000 days in prison, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Chinese Communist Party . His fate mirrors that of Hong Kong , which is transforming into a national security state where surveillance and espionage exten...

STREAM MAKING-JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING GORDON CHANG, MARK CLIFFORD, REBECCA GRANT, CHARLES BURTON, 6-24-26. 1906 These transcripts from The John Batchelor Show explore several interconnected global crises, beginning with a severe heat wave across Europe and the potential emergence of a "Godzilla" El Niño event. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the plight of Jimmy Lai , a pr...

New Discoveries in Planetary Science and Cosmology. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. The Lucy probe's flyby of asteroid Donaldjohanson revealed a "tumbling peanut" shape, providing insights into its 155-million-year history. Additionally, observations of asymmetric radio galaxies highlight galactic movement through the intergalactic medium, while debates continue among cosmologists regarding the existence an...

Private Innovation and Infrastructure Challenges in Space. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. SpaceX successfully defeated legal challenges in Texas while NASA 's aging infrastructure faces funding gaps and restrictive laws. Meanwhile, private startups like K atalyst are attempting robotic satellite rescues, signaling a shift toward a capitalist model in space operations as government agencies struggle with de...

AI in Education and the Necessity of Liberal Learning. Guest: Peter Berkowitz. The rise of AI in academia tempts students to bypass the essential struggle of thinking, leading to intellectual atrophy. Educators argue that liberal education is now more vital than ever to help students cultivate a flourishing mind and recognize the limitations of technological shortcuts. 14 1910 VALENCIA

Pope Leo XIV's Warning on Artificial Intelligence. Guest: Peter Berkowitz. In a 43,000-word encyclical, Pope Leo XIV warns that artificial intelligence risks dehumanizing society and excluding God from the human experience. While acknowledging technological benefits, the Pope emphasizes the danger of treating humans as mere means and the erosion of authentic human relationships in favor of machine...

Mexico's Economic Growth and USMCA Renegotiation Tensions. Guest: Evan Ellis. The Mexican economy saw its sharpest expansion in five years, yet the upcoming USMCA renegotiation creates significant uncertainty. While Mexico attempts to appease the US through high-level investigations into cartel-linked officials, the Sheinbaum government remains hesitant to fully confront powerful political figures...

Political Instability in Bolivia and Regional Alliances. Guest: Evan Ellis. President Rodrigo Paz has survived a 50-day crisis in Bolivia after declaring a state of emergency to clear blockades led by Evo Morales . While regional allies have supported Paz, Brazil 's absence from this coalition highlights President Lula 's role as a principal counterweight to US influence. 11 1959

Keiko Fujimori and the Return of the Fujimori Dynasty. Guest: Evan Ellis. Keiko Fujimori has likely secured the Peruvian presidency, narrowly defeating her socialist opponent through overseas votes. Her administration faces a deeply divided nation, widespread illegal mining, and cocaine production, but may benefit from a new bicameral Congress intended to provide greater political stability than p...

Colombia's Presidential Shift Toward Security and Law and Order. Guest: Evan Ellis. Abelardo de la Espriella appears to have won the Colombian presidency, promising a crackdown on insecurity and organized crime modeled after El Salvador 's policies. His victory signals a likely return to strong security cooperation with the United States and a departure from the policies of Gustavo Petro . 9 1900...

The Infrastructure and Economic Impact of Data Centers. Guest: Simon Constable. Data centers have become essential infrastructure for AI development, consuming vast amounts of water and electricity. While they provide significant tax revenue for localities, particularly in states like Virginia and Texas , their construction often faces local opposition due to their immense resource requirements an...

European Heatwave, Commodity Prices, and UK Political Shifts. Guest: Simon Constable. A "Godzilla El Niño" has triggered record-breaking heatwaves across Europe , impacting energy demand and agriculture. Amid falling Brent crude prices, attention shifts to UK politics, where the potential rise of Andy Burnham within the Labour Party signals a move toward higher taxes and increased government spend...

Declining Russian Oil Production and the Shadow Fleet. Guest: Michael Bernstam. Russian oil production is falling due to aging fields and a lack of investment, failing to meet OPEC quotas. While Russia utilizes a "shadow fleet" to bypass sanctions, it must offer steep discounts to India and China as Brent crude prices decline and fiscal pressures mount. 6 1944

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Cripple Russian Oil Infrastructure. Guest: Michael Bernstam. Cheap Ukrainian drones have successfully targeted Russian refineries and fuel transport, causing significant shortages of gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. This technological warfare has forced Russia to ban exports and implement rationing, as traditional air defense systems struggle to counter swarms of small,...

Strengthening Defense Ties Between the Philippines and Canada. Guest: Charles Burton and Gordon Chang. Canada is deepening security cooperation with the Philippines to counter Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea . This partnership includes logistical agreements and military training, even as Canada faces challenges protecting its own Arctic sovereignty against increasing Russian and Chines...

Canadian Public Opinion on the Chinese Threat and US Trade. Guest: Charles Burton and Gordon Chang. A majority of Canadians perceive China as a threat following revelations of election interference and malign influence operations. Meanwhile, concerns grow regarding the reliability of the United States as a partner under the Trump administration and the potential abrogation of the USMCA trade agree...

US Navy Control and the Opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Rebecca Grant and Gordon Chang. Despite Iranian claims of closure, the US Navy maintains tactical control over the Strait of Hormuz , ensuring sea lanes remain open for international shipping. Advanced mine-clearing technology and persistent patrols have neutralized threats, though economic signals like the Jones Act waiver remain poi...

The Imprisonment of Jimmy Lai and the Future of Hong Kong. Guest: Mark Clifford and Gordon Chang. Jimmy Lai has spent over 2,000 days in prison, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Chinese Communist Party . His fate mirrors that of Hong Kong , which is transforming into a national security state where surveillance and espionage extend to international cities like London . 1 1918

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Charles Burton. Charles Burton discusses Canada 's struggle to defend the Arctic against Chinese incursions, mapping, and surveillance. Despite promises of increased defense spending, Canada currently relies on limited resources like snowmobiles to monitor regional threats. 1890 GREENLAND

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Mark Clifford. Mark Clifford recounts how China uses its Hong Kong trade office in London as a front for espionage and harassment. Agents were convicted for surveilling dissidents and abusing British immigration databases to gather info. 1930

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Evan Ellis. Evan Ellis analyzes the political crisis in Bolivia , focusing on President Rodrigo Paz 's attempts to navigate social unrest. Paz acts as a compromise between indigenous rights and skepticism toward traditional, lighter-skinned political elites. 1951

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Rebecca Grant. Rebecca Grant highlights the US Navy 's advanced mine-clearing capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz . The Navy utilizes autonomous sea drones and aerial pods to detect and neutralize floating mines left by the IRGC . 1893 IRONCLAD INVINCIBLEE

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman explains Rocket Lab 's record-breaking seventeen-hour military launch demonstrating rapid response capabilities. The mission involved deploying a satellite named Puma to rendezvous with a target spacecraft previously launched by a different company. 1954

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Michael Bernstam. Michael Bernstam reports on Ukrainian drone strikes that have crippled Russian refineries, causing severe fuel shortages. Consequently, Moscow is forced to import gasoline from Belarus to meet its domestic energy and military needs. 1925