The John Batchelor Show

Michael Bernstam discusses Putin's admission of "difficulties" as Ukrainian drones target refineries and the shadow fleet. He warns that a desperate leader under internal pressure may resort to drastic measures as diesel supplies vanish now. (1) 1720 PETER

Simon Constable reports on a severe heatwave in southern France that impaired cognitive function. He shares the collective relief felt as temperatures finally dropped, allowing for clearer thinking and a return to daily domestic comfort. (2) 1807 TIILSIT

Evan Ellis analyzes Peru's rightward political shift and its implications for Chinese influence. He suggests that while economic ties remain strong, Peru may subtly accommodate U.S. security concerns regarding deep-water infrastructure and information technology sectors. (4) 1945 LIMA

Captain James Fanell details China's tactical shift east of Taiwan , using law enforcement vessels to assert jurisdictional control. This "salami slicing" strategy aims to redefine international waters as Chinese coastal territory through official legal maneuvering. (5) 1793

Bob Zimmerman discusses the necessity of transparency after rocket failures. He argues that honesty prevents the culture of fear seen in the Soviet Union , builds public trust, and makes complex technical problems easier to solve. (6) 1931

SCHEDULE OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-30-26 1893 HMS INFLEXIBLE The Sloppy Memo of Understanding and Iran's Control of the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Batchelor and Schanzer discuss a "sloppily" written Memo of Understanding that allows Iran to project control over the Strait of Hormuz . Schanzer notes that while shipping continues, markets remain anxious because Iran is effective...

STREAMING MAKING OF THE JBS, 6-30-2026 1903 The provided transcript features a dialogue between John Batchelor and Thaddeus McCotter regarding the geopolitical and domestic landscape in mid-2026. Their discussion highlights a shift in global power , noting how the Gulf States and Iran increasingly act independently of American influence . Domestically, the conversation centers on the Republican pa...

Affordability, Energy Prices, and the Short-Term Gains of Midterm Politics. Guest: Thaddeus McCotter. McCotter observes that all foreign policy eventually becomes domestic, especially through the lens of energy costs. He warns that the administration might prioritize short-term gas price relief over long-term strategic interests in the Middle East . Consequently, providing sanctions relief to Iran...

Domestic Politics, Midterm Perils, and the SAVE Act. Guest: Thaddeus McCotter. Thaddeus McCotter analyzes the upcoming midterms, noting that Democrats have reframed "inflation" as "affordability" to distance themselves from economic policies. He discusses the internal "civil wars" within both parties, including the rise of Democratic Socialists and divisions within the MAGA movement. The "SAVE Act...

The Mystery of Third-Party Litigation Finance and its Taxation. Guest: Michael Toth. Toth explains the emergence of third-party litigation finance, where external financial institutions fund tort cases against American companies. He notes this practice is uniquely American and creates a new market for legal conflict. Toth recommends that the Treasury tax these business gains at ordinary income rat...

Disparate Impact, Merit-Based Admissions, and Federal Contracting Reforms. Guest: Michael Toth. Michael Toth discusses the historical use of "disparate impact" as a mechanism for discrimination in university admissions. He details the current administration's efforts to root out racial preferences in federal contracting. Toth argues for a return to merit-based standards to restore the principle of...

King Charles III and the Revitalization of the Royal Navy. Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley highlights King Charles III 's personal connection to the Royal Navy and his efforts to revitalize the service. Despite budget constraints, the UK is building new capital ships and submarines to maintain maritime power. The King's involvement is seen as crucial for maintaining military morale and national defe...

Global Defense Shifts in a Multipolar World and the End of Intervention. Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley examines the shift toward a multipolar world as countries like Canada and Turkey reduce their dependency on US weapon systems. This "reversion to sovereignty" allows middle powers to play a more independent role. Copley observes that the US is stepping back from its role as the "cop on the beat"...

Chilly Conflicts and Fractured Leadership in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Gregory Copley. Copley describes the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz as a "chilly conflict" where Iranian leadership remains fractured and indecisive. While supertankers sail through, both the US and Iran are using the ceasefire to rebuild their depleted arsenals. Copley notes that the IRGC is increasingly taking p...

The UK's Changing Guard: Andy Burnham and the Defense Budget Black Hole. Guest: Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley discusses the rise of Andy Burnham in Britain following Keir Starmer 's "complete detachment" from the electorate. Burnham must address a massive 45-million-pound black hole in the defense budget. The discussion also covers the intractable problem of illegal immigration across the English...

Diplomatic Failures and the Unsuccessful Campaign to Quell Iran. Guest: Peter Berkowitz. Berkowitz criticizes the administration for failing to prepare the American public for the Iranian conflict through major policy speeches. He highlights a split between Vance 's negotiations with Iran and Rubio 's Israel-Lebanon framework. Finally, he compares the current MOU to failed Gaza deals, suggesting t...

Critiquing the 14-Point Memo of Understanding and Operation Epic Fury. Guest: Peter Berkowitz. Peter Berkowitz analyzes the 14-point Memo of Understanding, contrasting Secretary Marco Rubio 's "peace through strength" approach with Vice President JD Vance 's "restraint." He argues "Operation Epic Fury" failed because it did not secure the Strait of Hormuz before the ceasefire. Berkowitz notes that...

The Escalating Persecution of Christians Within the Islamic Republic of Iran. Guest: Mariam Wahba. Mariam Wahba describes how the Iranian regime is using current regional tensions as a pretext to clamp down on domestic Christians. The regime specifically targets converts, labeling them as "Zionist" mercenaries and national security threats. Imprisonment of Christians has surged sixfold as the regi...

The Ankara NATO Summit and Ukraine's Offensive Against Russia. Guest: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus McCotter. Dempsey and McCotter preview the NATO summit in Ankara , which Donald Trump may attend to reward President Erdoğan with fighter jets. The conversation highlights Ukraine 's successful drone strikes on Russian refineries and resupply lines. Putin faces pressure from both domestic hawks and a po...

Volkswagen Layoffs and the Debate Over German Military Conscription. Guest: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus McCotter. Judy Dempsey reports on the crisis at Volkswagen , where 100,000 workers face layoffs due to the global shift toward electric vehicles and Chinese competition. These layoffs will ripple through Germany 's network of small suppliers. Thaddeus McCotter and Dempsey discuss how these economi...

Indefinite IDF Deployments in the Levant and the Strengthening of Turkey. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Schanzer explains that the IDF will remain in Lebanon and Syria indefinitely to destroy Hezbollah 's massive underground tunnel complexes. He notes that Marco Rubio negotiated a framework emphasizing Lebanese sovereignty. Additionally, Ambassador Tom Barrack is reportedly pressuring Israel while see...

The Sloppy Memo of Understanding and Iran's Control of the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Batchelor and Schanzer discuss a "sloppily" written Memo of Understanding that allows Iran to project control over the Strait of Hormuz . Schanzer notes that while shipping continues, markets remain anxious because Iran is effectively holding international energy hostage. He criticizes the intern...

Preview for Later Today: Judy Dempsey. Resident Specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , Berlin, specializing in European populist movements, German politics, and regional security. She examines the political exploitation of Volkswagen layoffs by the AfD (Alternative for Germany) and the party's lack of viable economic solutions, and monitors the rise of the AfD in polls and...

Preview for Later Today: Jonathan Schanzer. Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) , specializing in maritime security, international sanctions, and Middle Eastern geopolitical leverage. He assesses Iranian intimidation tactics and economic leverage in the Strait of Hormuz , noting their ability to selectively approve or target international shipping, and calls for i...

Preview for Later Today: Peter Berkowitz. Peter Berkowitz critiques the Trump administration's failed negotiations with Iran following a six-week military campaign. He argues that the indefinite extension of a ceasefire, despite Iran's rejection of nuclear and missile program constraints, weakened the U.S. position. The discussion focuses on the mishandling of diplomatic documents. 1521