The John Batchelor Show

Mary Anastasia O'Grady . O'Grady explains that Trump's refusal to renew USMCA creates investor uncertainty but no immediate trade changes. She highlights the agreement's necessity for North American manufacturing and agricultural competitiveness against global economic rivals. (13) 1920

Edmund Fitton-Brown . Fitton-Brown describes Houthis as autonomous Iranian proxies testing regional blockades. He notes Oman serves as a critical, unpressured hub for smuggling weapons and illicit goods, enabling Houthis to recover from strikes. (12) 1905

Edmund Fitton-Brown . Fitton-Brown highlights the suspicious absence of Mojtaba Khamenei from his father's funeral, suggesting he is incapacitated. He also characterizes Iran's attempts to charge tolls in the Strait of Hormuz as blatant international gangsterism. (11) 1902

Janatan Sayeh . Sayeh details how the Iranian regime used the Ayatollah's funeral to project false stability amidst paranoia. He reports increased internal repression and a shift in power toward the IRGC as clerics lose legitimacy. (10) 1902

John Hardie . Hardie observes a more supportive U.S. stance toward Ukraine's long-range strikes. He suggests Putin is isolated, receiving flawed military reports from his generals, and continues to delay mobilization decisions despite a strategic stalemate. (9) 1896

David Daoud . Daoud critiques U.S. policy for treating Lebanon as a sovereign state, ignoring Hezbollah's deep social and political integration. He warns that the nation is a failed state, now entirely dominated by Iranian influence. (8) 1884

David Daoud . Daoud argues the Lebanese Armed Forces are unlikely to confront Hezbollah , potentially facilitating performative security checks. He stresses that Israel's primary objective in Lebanon is ensuring long-term security for its northern citizens. (7) 1862 CRICKET MELBOURNE

S amuel Ben-Ur discusses the immense difficulty of rebuilding Gaza while Hamas remains in power. He notes Hamas uses reconstruction as a political tool, often obstructing aid efforts to maintain its local authority and influence. (6) 1930 CHILE MEXICO

Samuel Ben~Ur  views the resignation of a Hamas official as a cosmetic tactic to maintain control over Gaza . Despite military setbacks, Hamas continues recruiting youth and manufacturing low-level explosives to remain a significant threat. (5) 1974

Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa . Esclusa details how narco-trafficking infected the São Paulo Forum , causing leftist leaders to reject democratic losses. Araújo argues regional stability requires a dedicated alliance to eradicate the link between communism and organized crime. (4) 1954 HUNGARY BRAZIL

Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa . Esclusa details the Venezuelan regime's negligent earthquake response, focusing on hiding illicit assets rather than saving lives. Araújo argues the U.S. must do more to dismantle the criminal network currently governing the country. (3) 1930 URUGUAY

Bill Roggio . Roggio emphasizes that Hezbollah's core goal remains Israel's destruction, rendering diplomatic ceasefires ineffective. He also warns that Syria's leader is a savvy jihadist who effectively manipulates Western perceptions while remaining a dangerous neighbor. (2) 1930 URUGUAY

Bill Roggio . Roggio explains Pakistan's classification as a "friendly" nation by Iran , highlighting its role as a deceptive mediator. He cautions that Pakistan's military often undermines U.S. interests to maintain its own regional influence. (1) 1930 BRAZIL

Mary O'Grady highlights how the USMCA makes North America globally competitive. By integrating markets and labor across the US , Mexico , and Canada , the region leverages comparative advantages essential for modern manufacturing and economic success. (4) 1909 MEXICO

Preview for Later Today: Alan Tonelson analyzes trade tensions between the US and Canada . He stresses that continental integration remains vital, noting that the USMCA protects most Canadian exports from tariffs despite political friction between Carney and Trump . (5) 1900 OTTAWA

Preview for Later Today: Analyst Bruce Bechtol discusses Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea , noting Kim Jong-un's increased leverage as a weapons supplier. Kim seeks oil and military upgrades from China to bolster his nation's ruined economy. (2) 1951

Preview for Later Today: Former UK Ambassador Edmund Fitton-Brown examines Iran's attempt to control the Strait of Hormuz . He highlights Oman's critical role and US efforts to support Oman , preventing Iran from establishing a maritime "protection racket." (3)

Preview for Later Today: Janatyn Sayeh  of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies details Iranian threats against US and Israeli leadership. He warns that Tehran's rhetoric regarding "accountability" for the Supreme Leader's death signals potential transnational assassination plots. (4) 1904 PERSIAN GULF

Preview for Later Today: Alejandro Peña Esclusa , a Venezuelan opposition member, warns that supporting the Rodriguez regime over elected officials like Machado is irrational. He argues this policy risks damaging Trump's support among Latin American voters before upcoming midterm elections. (1) 1948 CARACAS

Gaius and Germanicus discuss the ubiquity of the term "multipolar" in modern political discourse. Germanicus dismisses the word as a "badge word" or a "secret handshake" used by experts to obscure the actual reality of a declining American empire. He argues that the United States is no longer the unchallenged colossus it was in the early 1990s, noting the surprising resilience of nations like Russ...

Gaius and Germanicus examine the escalating tensions between Poland and Russia . They analyze reports regarding Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk 's warnings of critical months ahead and potential Russian provocations. Germanicus contends that NATO is the primary provocateur, asserting that European leaders have become complacent and dependent on the Ukraine war to suppress domestic crises, such a...

Gaius and Germanicus discuss the concept of "honest graft" in the American republic from their perspective in 92 AD Londinium . They define honest graft as the legal wealth gained through government office, citing Donald Trump 's crypto coin venture as a modern example. Germanicus argues that such graft acts as a lubricant for a republic, much like Roman consular armies sought wealth in foreign ex...

Professor William Taubman , guest author, concludes that following his departure from the Pentagon in 1968, which Johnson orchestrated out of concern for his health, McNamara became President of the World Bank . He viewed this role as repentance, shifting the bank's focus to the "poorest of the poor" and leading a major campaign against river blindness in Africa. In his later years, he issued seri...

Professor William Taubman , guest author, reveals that by 1966, McNamara was a secret opponent of the war, admitting to aides that he desperately wanted to bring the troops home, yet he remained the public face of the conflict out of loyalty to the presidency. He faced intense student protests at Harvard and was profoundly shaken by a Quaker's self-immolation outside his window, leading to a perio...

Professor William Taubman , guest author, describes how McNamara's loyalty to LBJ even extended to acting as a political spy, reporting on the Kennedys' private intentions during the 1964 election to soothe the president's insecurities. Meanwhile, he maintained a loving relationship with Jackie Kennedy , who viewed him as a father figure for her children while simultaneously pounding on his chest...