The John Batchelor Show

Michael Bernstam explains how Ukrainian drone strikes have destroyed 30% of Russia's refining capacity, causing the "crack spread"—the profit margin for refining oil—to triple worldwide. While Russia exports crude, it now suffers from severe domestic shortages of gasoline and jet fuel. Consequently, Russia is forced to buy back its own refined oil from India at premium prices. Putin has been "hois...

Henry Sokolski continues: the Saudi nuclear deal could trigger a proliferation race, with nations like Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE demanding similar enrichment rights. Furthermore, allies such as South Korea and Poland may reconsider their own nuclear ambitions if they view American security guarantees as insufficient. Proliferation is no longer "old news" but a growing threat as nations seek their...

Henry Sokolski warns that the Trump administration's nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia allows the kingdom to enrich uranium, a process that can easily be diverted for bomb-making. Saudi Arabia has rejected the "additional protocol" for rigorous UN inspections, raising concerns about their true intentions. This "black box" arrangement lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent a rapid diversion of nuclear...

Peter Earle argues that not all trillions are equal; some represent genuine wealth creation, such as SpaceX's $2 trillion valuation based on future technological potential. However, inflation and government borrowing have also inflated nominal values, potentially leading to a fiscal reckoning. If creditors lose faith in U.S. debt, the government may be forced to print more money, further devaluing...

Peter Earle traces how the word "trillion" entered the economic lexicon in 1981 when the U.S. passed $1 trillion in public debt. Today, the U.S. national debt approaches $40 trillion, with annual interest payments exceeding $1 trillion. Unlike 19th-century millionaires who faced high risks, modern trillion-dollar figures are often a product of government monetary expansion. We have entered "Trilli...

Gordon Chang and Victoria Coates continue: China benefits from discounted Iranian oil but views the regime's economic instability as a "bad debt." Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia is deepening its partnership with the U.S. through a landmark nuclear cooperation deal. Iraq has also signaled a shift toward Washington, signing $60 billion in energy deals with American companies like Chevron. While Russia...

Gordon Chang and Victoria Coates report that Iran has activated the Houthis to attack the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical choke point for Saudi Arabian oil exports. This escalation has pushed oil prices past $95 as the Houthis use Iranian-supplied missiles and drones to harass shipping. While the House of Saud is targeted, internal frictions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE complicate a unified r...

Gordon Chang and Peter Huessy discuss the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) bill to drastically reduce the U.S. nuclear triad, including cutting ICBMs from 400 to 150. Supported by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the plan effectively promotes unilateral disarmament. Critics argue this trashes the concept of nuclear deterrence just as China and Russia expand their arsenals. Furth...

Gordon Chang and Rick Fisher examine Xi Jinping's introduction of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), designed to establish Chinese dominance in setting global AI rules. Headquartered in Shanghai, the group aims to make international partners dependent on Chinese technology while promoting anti-democratic values. Meanwhile, China's economy is struggling, with real g...

SCHEDUKE JBS 7-21-26Elizabeth Peek joins John Batchelor to discuss how rising gasoline prices act as a talisman for consumer sentiment and presidential approval. Despite low unemployment and rising real wages, the public remains fixated on energy costs. Peek criticizes Republican messaging and highlights the massive AI-driven investment boom currently occurring. (1)Elizabeth Peek discusses New Yor...

STREAMING THE MAKING OF The JOHM BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-21-261903This transcript captures a discussion between John Batchelor and former Congressman Thaddeus McCarter regarding the geopolitical and domestic challenges facing the United States as it nears a midterm election. Internationally, the dialogue covers a variety of crises, including the outbreak of Ebola in Africa, military tensions with Iran a...

  Peter Huessy. The discussion continues with a focus on films like Fail-Safe and The Day After. Huessy highlights how these movies influenced public perception and presidential policy, including Ronald Reagan's drive for arms reduction. They reflect on the devastating human and economic consequences of a potential nuclear exchange. (16) 2945 NAGASAKI

Peter Huessy. Peter Huessy and John Batchelor review classic films like Godzilla, On the Beach, and Dr. Strangelove to discuss cultural fears of nuclear war. They contrast cinematic depictions of accidental launches with modern safeguards, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent in a complex geopolitical landscape. (15) 1940

Thaddeus McCotter. McCotter analyzes the president's recent address regarding the 2020 election, calling it a strategic narrative designed to insulate himself against potential midterm losses. He argues that focusing on past grievances rather than current economic concerns like gas prices and inflation may be counterproductive for the Republican Party's success. (14) 1950 STORK CLUB

Thaddeus McCotter. Thaddeus McCotter discusses how high gasoline prices and affordability issues weigh on the upcoming U.S. midterms. The conversation also covers the Trump administration's use of punitive tariffs against Canada, drawing parallels to the Smoot-Hawley Act, which historically exacerbated the Great Depression by triggering international trade wars. (13)

Gregory Copley. This segment highlights the transition of power in the UK, where King Charles III invited Andy Burnham to form a government. Copley explains the King's role as the symbolic representative of the nation, providing constitutional legitimacy and "blessing" the transition without direct political interference or leaving fingerprints on policy. (12) 1936 JERUSALEM

Gregory Copley. Copley explores the "balance of ignorance," where declining literacy and a loss of historical knowledge among urban populations lead to poor strategic decisions. This lack of identity and understanding of adversaries affects national unity and hampers effective governance and military planning in the U.S. and Britain. (11)

Gregory Copley. The discussion centers on the fraying relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Copley explains how Canada is asserting its sovereignty by moving away from U.S. defense procurement, opting for Australian and Swedish technologies over American systems like the F-35, largely due to political alienation felt under the current administration. (10) 1890 AUSTRALIA

AGregory Copley. John Batchelor and Gregory Copley discuss Britain's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and his cabinet's focus on defense. While the government aims to bolster military spending and NATO participation, Copley notes internal divisions regarding illegal immigration and a lack of a fresh, strategic global outlook for post-TrumpBritain. (9)

Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg discusses new British PM Andy Burnham, who inherits a heavily taxed economy. Burnham's "tax the rich" approach risks driving wealth out of the country. Sternberg warns that Labour's resistance to market reform and commitment to net-zero regulations further hamper the UK's path to growth. (8) ONTARIO

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