The John Batchelor Show

Critiquing the Memo of Understanding with Iran. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Schanzer describes the newly established Memo of Understanding as a "dog's breakfast" that grants the Iranian regime significant sanctions relief and upfront cash. He argues the agreement appears to be an American defeat, particularly regarding the shaky nuclear inspection protocols and the uncertain status of the Strait of...

The Resilient US Consumer and AI Infrastructure. Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Despite concerns over tariffs and wars, consumer spending remains robust, fueled by record stock market levels and rising low-end wages. Peek argues against AI alarmism, noting that massive investments in AI infrastructure are creating a surge in blue-collar job demand for skilled trades like welding and construction. 2 1920

Alan Greenspan's Legacy and the New Fed Chair. Guest: Elizabeth Peek. This segment reflects on the passing of Alan Greenspan and the transition to Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair. Peek highlights Warsh's goal to reform data collection and move away from forecasting, favoring real-time data over the traditional, often confusing, communication styles of his predecessors like Greenspan. 1 19202

STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING THADDEUS MCCOTTER, 6-23-26. 1643 This transcript features a discussion between John Batchelor and Thaddeus McCotter regarding the geopolitical instability following a proposed peace deal with Iran . The speakers highlight the confusion surrounding the Strait of Hormuz , where conflicting claims of openness and closure have disrupted global...

Preview for Later Today: Peter Berkowitz. Peter Berkowitz discusses human rights at the State Department under Mike Pompeo . He highlights the necessity of universal principles against the CCP 's crimes in Xinjiang and the abuse of its own population.

Preview for Later Today: Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley explains why King Charles III will not welcome Prince Harry back into royal duties. The King prioritizes the crown's image as a unifying symbol, protecting it from further family scandals.

Preview for Later Today: Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel warns that adversaries like Iran and China exploit the US political calendar to undermine elections. These regimes use economic pressure and domestic dynamics to favor more "dovish" presidential candidates.

Preview for Later Today: Liz Peek. Liz Peek analyzes robust household spending driven by the "wealth effect" of record stock markets. She emphasizes that rising blue-collar wages and job demand are narrowing the divide between various spending classes.

Preview for Later Today: Jonathan Schanzer. Jonathan Schanzer evaluates Iran 's restrictive tactics regarding IAEA inspections of its suspect nuclear program. He warns that the administration must not concede to Iranian guidance while the regime continues playing games.

Preview for Later Today: Joseph Sternberg. Joseph Sternberg examines the UK Labour Party 's hesitation to implement a reform agenda for the NHS and welfare. He argues their ideological ties to the status quo prevent necessary political persuasion.  

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-22-26. 1787 The Fog of Diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Ambassador Hussain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss competing headlines regarding "progress" in US-Iran negotiations and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz . Ambassador Haqqani notes neither side has achieved its original war aims, while Bill Roggio argues the US lacks the military wil...

Recommendations for a New Syria Policy. Guest: Josh Rogin and Bill Roggio. Josh Rogin recommends that the US prepare to lift the terrorism designation on Syria to support reconstruction and counter adversarial influence. He argues the current Al-Shara government is the only viable partner for stability and that US bureaucratic inertia is currently benefiting China , Russia , and Iran . 16 DAMASCUS...

The $216 Billion Rebuild of Syria. Guest: Josh Rogin and Bill Roggio. Josh Rogin reports that Syria requires $216 billion for reconstruction following the fall of the Assad regime. He explains that US "State Sponsor of Terrorism" sanctions prevent American businesses from bidding on contracts, leaving an opening for Chinese and Russian technology to dominate the new government's infrastructure. 15...

Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan , Hezbollah 's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has targeted its branches, the Lebanese government is hesitant to shut it down, allowing it to sustain the group's operations through gold-backed fina...

Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan , Hezbollah 's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has targeted its branches, the Lebanese government is hesitant to shut it down, allowing it to sustain the group's operations through gold-backed fina...

Eurasian Interests in Middle East Conflict. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss how Russia and China are benefiting from America's Middle East difficulties, often frustrating US objectives on the nuclear file. Fitton-Brown notes the Europeans have been "anemic," failing to coordinate a forceful naval presence to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains reliably open for global en...

The Flaws of the Iran Memorandum. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the current US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, calling it a failure of negotiation that incorporates "every Iranian trick." He argues Iran's core goals—the destruction of Israel and the expulsion of US influence—remain unchanged, and that the US has displayed a defeatist lack of patience....

Resurgent Piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Guest: Bridget Toomey and Bill Roggio. Bridget Toomey reports a resurgence of Somali piracy, with three ships recently captured for ransom in the Gulf of Aden . Bill Roggio links this spike to Al-Shabaab 's growth and suggests that pirate networks may be coordinating with the Houthis to facilitate weapons smuggling and increase regional instability. 10 1721

Iran's Economic Demands in Switzerland. Guest: Jonathan Sayeh  and Bill Roggio. Jonathan Sayeh argues that Iran is seeking a systemic economic lifeline through billions in unfrozen assets. He criticizes recent US oil waivers as a sign of caving to pressure. Iran aims to link a Lebanon ceasefire to negotiations to delay nuclear discussions and drive a wedge. 9 1705

The Crisis in Air Force Procurement. Guest: General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang. General Blaine Holt critiques the broken US procurement system, specifically the Air Force 's contradictory stance on retiring the A-10 Warthog while keeping the B-52 bomber for a century. He advocates for reform to break contractor monopolies, allowing the military to innovate faster and field cheaper equipment. 8 1...

The Failure to Counter Chinese Influence. Guest: Bill Gertz and Gordon Chang. Bill Gertz details a GAO report revealing that the US spent $1.2 billion on countering Chinese influence without evaluating its impact. The discussion highlights the superior effectiveness of Chinese information warfare, which outspends the US significantly to shape global narratives while American efforts lack a cohesiv...

The Slow-Motion Coup in Bolivia. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. The segment addresses the crisis in Bolivia , where Evo Morales is accused of orchestrating a "slow motion coup" via blockades. Ernesto Araújo criticizes Brazilian President Lula 's silence on the matter, while Alejandro Peña Esclusa suggests that regional support for the elected government may finally lead to Moral...

Latin America's Shift to the Right. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. Guests discuss the right-wing political shift in Latin America following Abelardo De La Espriella 's apparent victory in Colombia . They compare his security-focused platform to the Bukele model in El Salvador , emphasizing a mandate to combat the organized crime that has historically penetrated the region's poli...

The Legality and Lethality of Armed Conflict. Guest: Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski analyzes a public memo from Admiral Brad Cooper regarding the legitimacy of lethal force. They discuss the necessity of proportionality in conflict, arguing that avoiding civilian targets like nuclear reactors is a military requirement for success, as destroying essential infrastructure alienates populations and co...

Hamas Sidelined in Regional Talks. Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur and Bill Roggio. Samuel Ben-Ur explains why Hamas has been sidelined in recent Iranian negotiations compared to Hezbollah . Relations soured when Hamas failed to support Iranian strikes against Qatari targets. Currently, Hamas remains funded by Qatar and Turkey while maintaining a brutal "reign of terror" over the portions of Gaza it still co...