The John Batchelor Show

SHOW SCHEDULE 2-13-20261909 BENGAL1.Jeff Bliss discusses Governor Newsom's mixed popularity in California, highlighting failures in housing affordability, rising homelessness, and the costly, delayed high-speed rail project undermining his national ambitions.2.Jeff Bliss reports on Las Vegas's growth as Californians relocate there, the continued success of In-N-Out Burger, and the irony of California's beautiful weather amidst persistent economic troubles.3.Jeff Bliss and Brandon Weichert debate the AI boom, predicting a market correction followed by a second wave where robotics and AI integration fundamentally transform the global economy.4.Conrad Black reflects on former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's conservative achievements and analyzes current leader Pierre Poilievre's similar but more comprehensive vision to rescue Canada's stagnating economy.5.Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center analyzes tensions between the President and the Federal Reserve, warning against fiscal dominance where political pressure regarding debt forces the Fed to lower rates.6.Jim McTague describes Lancaster County's freezing tundra weather, inflation impacting Valentine's Day sales, and a significant financial windfall for local government from a new data center.7.Michael Munger reviews George Selgin's book False Dawn, arguing that regime uncertainty from FDR's arbitrary New Deal policies hindered investment and actually prolonged the Great Depression.8.Michael Munger explains how post-WWII economic recovery defied Keynesian predictions of doom due to the removal of government controls and a massive release of pent-up consumer demand.9.Josh Rogin discusses the trade conflict between the US and India, noting that tariffs were used as leverage regarding Russian oil and Modi's diplomatic de-risking from Washington.10.Josh Rogin analyzes the reopening of trade between Washington and Delhi, suggesting India is returning to a non-aligned strategy despite improved relations and adjusted tariff rates.11.Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss of the Long War Journal discuss a sophisticated Islamic State drone attack on an airfield in Niger, highlighting security failures by the Russian Africa Corps that replaced US forces.12.Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss provide updates on Somalia including relative success against Al-Shabaab leadership, while reports confirm Russian deceptive recruitment of Africans for the war in Ukraine.13.Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center analyzes the crumbling Non-Proliferation Treaty, citing Iran's inspection violations and China's nuclear expansion as critical challenges for the upcoming international review conference.14.Henry Sokolski critiques the chaotic government response to a balloon over El Paso, arguing the incident exposes dangerous coordination flaws in America's homeland security apparatus and interagency communication.15.Bob Zimmerman of Behind the Black contrasts SpaceX's routine success with ULA's technical struggles, attributing the booming private space sector and massive investments to a shift toward capitalist models.16.Bob Zimmerman covers ESA's fast-tracked Apophis asteroid mission, a commercial attempt to resÅcue a NASAtelescope, and the contrasting regulatory environments of the UK and New Zealand for space launches.Å

Bob Zimmerman covers ESA's fast-tracked Apophis asteroid mission, a commercial attempt to rescue a NASAtelescope, and the contrasting regulatory environments of the UK and New Zealand for space launches.

Bob Zimmerman of Behind the Black contrasts SpaceX's routine success with ULA's technical struggles, attributing the booming private space sector and massive investments to a shift toward capitalist models.

Henry Sokolski critiques the chaotic government response to a balloon over El Paso, arguing the incident exposes dangerous coordination flaws in America's homeland security apparatus and interagency communication.

Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center analyzes the crumbling Non-Proliferation Treaty, citing Iran's inspection violations and China's nuclear expansion as critical challenges for the upcoming international review conference.

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss provide updates on Somalia including relative success against Al-Shabaab leadership, while reports confirm Russian deceptive recruitment of Africans for the war in Ukraine.2020 SOMALIA

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss of the Long War Journal discuss a sophisticated Islamic State drone attack on an airfield in Niger, highlighting security failures by the Russian Africa Corps that replaced US forces.1949 NIGERIA

Josh Rogin analyzes the reopening of trade between Washington and Delhi, suggesting India is returning to a non-aligned strategy despite improved relations and adjusted tariff rates.1862 INDIA

Josh Rogin discusses the trade conflict between the US and India, noting that tariffs were used as leverage regarding Russian oil and Modi's diplomatic de-risking from Washington.1860 INDIA

Michael Munger explains how post-WWII economic recovery defied Keynesian predictions of doom due to the removal of government controls and a massive release of pent-up consumer demand.1945 TRUMAN

Michael Munger reviews George Selgin's book False Dawn, arguing that regime uncertainty from FDR's arbitrary New Deal policies hindered investment and actually prolonged the Great Depression.1945 DOJ

Jim McTague describes Lancaster County's freezing tundra weather, inflation impacting Valentine's Day sales, and a significant financial windfall for local government from a new data center.1950 ALLENTOWN

Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center analyzes tensions between the President and the Federal Reserve, warning against fiscal dominance where political pressure regarding debt forces the Fed to lower rates.1930 FDR AND SARA

Conrad Black reflects on former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's conservative achievements and analyzes current leader Pierre Poilievre's similar but more comprehensive vision to rescue Canada's stagnating economy.1924 MANITOBA

Jeff Bliss and Brandon Weichert debate the AI boom, predicting a market correction followed by a second wave where robotics and AI integration fundamentally transform the global economy.1919 PACIFIC PALISADES AND HOLLYWOOD SETS

Jeff Bliss reports on Las Vegas's growth as Californians relocate there, the continued success of In-N-Out Burger, and the irony of California's beautiful weather amidst persistent economic troubles.1903 SANTA BARBARA

Jeff Bliss discusses Governor Newsom's mixed popularity in California, highlighting failures in housing affordability, rising homelessness, and the costly, delayed high-speed rail project undermining his national ambitions.1901 NEVADA

Conrad Black critiques Canada's economic stagnation under Trudeau, citing fiscal indiscipline and failure to match UScorporate tax cuts, which drove investment away from Canada to its southern neighbor.1900 OTTAWA ROWING CLUB

Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center discusses Kevin Warsh's potential Fed chairmanship, highlighting his focus on price stability and a proposed accord to reduce Treasury pressure on the central bank.1903

Jim McTague reports on a Lancaster County data center windfall, providing millions in fees and taxes to help bail out local budgets and school overspending in Pennsylvania Dutch country.1689 CHARLES II AND WILLIAM PENN

Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center warns the upcoming non-proliferation review must address Iran's safeguards violations while managing Russian and Chinese demands regarding United States nuclear deployments overseas.1945 NM

Brandon Weichert predicts the next major shift involves pairing reliable AI with accurate robotics to replicate human hands, lowering costs but potentially displacing American workers across manufacturing sectors.1958

Caleb Weiss of the Long War Journal details the deceptive recruitment of African men from Kenya and Uganda to fight for Russia in Ukraine, sparking controversy and diplomatic tension.1936 KENYA

SHOW SCHEDULE 2-13-20261900 SWITZERLAND Guest: Anatol Lieven. Lieven discusses the EU's identity crisis, internal disagreements regarding leadership, expansion challenges, and the rising influence of right-wing nationalist parties across the continent. Guest: Anatol Lieven. Lieven explains EU hesitation and anti-Russian sentiment regarding Ukraine aid, highlighting the reliance on U.S. support and the perception that Germany must lead Europe. Guests: Chris Riegel and Jim McTague. Riegel and McTague discuss economic warning signs as high costs and consumer debt cause significant slowdowns and reduced foot traffic in the fast-food industry. Guest: Michael Bernstam. Bernstam details Russia's faltering war economy, citing declining oil production, a shrinking civilian sector, and reliance on gold sales to offset budget deficits. Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. O'Grady criticizes Brazilian Justice de Moraes for arbitrary rulings on free speech and transgender laws, alongside corruption allegations involving his wife and a bank. Guest: Jack Burnham. Burnham reports on a secret 2020 Chinese nuclear test, their expanding nuclear triad, and Beijing's refusal to engage in arms control negotiations with Washington. Guests: Alan Tonelson and Jim McTague. The guests analyze a Morgan Stanley report on AI, debating whether increased productivity will cause job losses or create new industries for creative workers. Guests: Alan Tonelson and Jim McTague. They discuss how AI like Anthropic's Claude threatens traditional software investments by automating coding, potentially hurting private equity while enabling a new class of programmers. Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis describes Guatemala's security crisis involving gang control of prisons, President Arévalo's governance struggles, and continued cooperation with the U.S. on migration enforcement. Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis analyzes the growing threat of Mexican cartel drones at the border and Mexico's economic reliance on USMCA trade negotiations amidst security concerns. Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis reports on Venezuela's regime arresting opposition figures while simultaneously navigating oil deals and appearing to cooperate with the U.S. to maintain power. Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis discusses Chinese control of Peru's Chancay port, Mia Mottley's victory in Barbados, and Cuba's desperate energy crisis forcing potential concessions to the U.S. Guest: Rick Fisher. Fisher discusses China's recent Long March 10A test, a reusable rocket for lunar missions, and outlines their evolving moon architecture compared to U.S. efforts. Guest: Rick Fisher. Fisher details China's ambitious "Tiangong Kaiu" 100-year plan to establish solar system hegemony, exploiting Moon and Mars resources to secure economic and military dominance. Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal analyzes the U.S. State Department's designation of corrupt officials in Palau and the Marshall Islands, a significant move countering Chinese influence in Oceania. Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal contrasts U.S. actions in Palau with worsening corruption in the Northern Marianasand new Chinese infrastructure in Yap, highlighting vulnerabilities in Pacific defense.

Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal contrasts U.S. actions in Palau with worsening corruption in the Northern Marianasand new Chinese infrastructure in Yap, highlighting vulnerabilities in Pacific defense.1939 BRITISH SOLOMONS

Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal analyzes the U.S. State Department's designation of corrupt officials in Palau and the Marshall Islands, a significant move countering Chinese influence in Oceania.1900 NORTHERN MARIANNAS

Guest: Rick Fisher. Fisher details China's ambitious "Tiangong Kaiu" 100-year plan to establish solar system hegemony, exploiting Moon and Mars resources to secure economic and military dominance.1960

Guest: Rick Fisher. Fisher discusses China's recent Long March 10A test, a reusable rocket for lunar missions, and outlines their evolving moon architecture compared to U.S. efforts.JANUARY 1961

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis discusses Chinese control of Peru's Chancay port, Mia Mottley's victory in Barbados, and Cuba's desperate energy crisis forcing potential concessions to the U.S.1935

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis reports on Venezuela's regime arresting opposition figures while simultaneously navigating oil deals and appearing to cooperate with the U.S. to maintain power.1950 CARACAS

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis analyzes the growing threat of Mexican cartel drones at the border and Mexico'seconomic reliance on USMCA trade negotiations amidst security concerns.1647

Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. Ellis describes Guatemala's security crisis involving gang control of prisons, President Arévalo's governance struggles, and continued cooperation with the U.S. on migration enforcement.1895 PUERTO RICO

Guests: Alan Tonelson and Jim McTague. The guests analyze a Morgan Stanley report on AI, debating whether increased productivity will cause job losses or create new industries for creative workers.

Guests: Alan Tonelson and Jim McTague. The guests analyze a Morgan Stanley report on AI, debating whether increased productivity will cause job losses or create new industries for creative workers.

Guest: Jack Burnham. Burnham reports on a secret 2020 Chinese nuclear test, their expanding nuclear triad, and Beijing's refusal to engage in arms control negotiations with Washington.

Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. O'Grady criticizes Brazilian Justice de Moraes for arbitrary rulings on free speech and transgender laws, alongside corruption allegations involving his wife and a bank.

Guest: Michael Bernstam. Bernstam details Russia's faltering war economy, citing declining oil production, a shrinking civilian sector, and reliance on gold sales to offset budget deficits.

Guests: Chris Riegel and Jim McTague. Riegel and McTague discuss economic warning signs as high costs and consumer debt cause significant slowdowns and reduced foot traffic in the fast-food industry.

Guest: Anatol Lieven. Lieven explains EU hesitation and anti-Russian sentiment regarding Ukraine aid, highlighting the reliance on U.S. support and the perception that Germany must lead Europe.

Guest: Anatol Lieven. Lieven discusses the EU's identity crisis, internal disagreements regarding leadership, expansion challenges, and the rising influence of right-wing nationalist parties across the continent.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Michael Bernstam. India continues purchasing Russian oil through intermediaries like Egypt to secure deep discounts, while China absorbs any reduced Indian export volumes.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Jack Burnham. Beijing displays confidence in its maturing nuclear arsenal, publicly showcasing a full triad and investing in land silos and tactical weapons. 1962

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Rick Fisher. China advances a hundred-year space plan, developing heavy launchers and a lunar gateway to establish a permanent, profitable presence on the moon.1940

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. Brazil's Supreme Court faces allegations of unchecked power as a justice's wife is implicated in a bank fraud scandal involving millions.1910 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF BRAZIL

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Cleo Paskal. The U.S. sanctions politicians in the Marshall Islands and Palaufor Chinese-linked corruption, restricting their travel and access to American services.1883 MARSHALLS

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Chris Riegel. Quick service restaurants see franchise shrinkage from rising costs and lower traffic, suggesting economic hardship for consumers reliant on fast food.1900 AUSTRALASIAS WOMEN'S SOCIETY

SHOW SCHEDULE 2-11-2026NEVSKY PROSPECT Guest: Mark Clifford. Clifford details the sentencing of British citizen Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, arguing China is using the case to signal it will crush any dissent regardless of international prestige. Guest: Mark Clifford. Clifford condemns UK PM Starmer for failing to demand Jimmy Lai's release during his China visit, accusing the leader of prioritizing trade over the safety of British citizens. Guest: Ivana Stradner. Russia employs "TV BRICS" and information warfare to control narratives in the Global South, aiming to undermine Western influence and establish a multipolar world order without using kinetic force. Guest: Simon Constable. As Storm Nills approaches France, Constable reports on rising copper prices and volatile gold, while noting UK PM Starmer faces severe political pressure from opposition parties. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Persistent hydrogen leaks delay the Artemis 2 mission; Zimmerman questions Administrator Isaacman's move to reduce reliance on private contractors, fearing it may stifle efficiency and innovation. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Musk announces SpaceX will prioritize the Moon before Mars; regulatory approvals for Starship launches are pending, while Voyager Space secures a management contract for ISS operations. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Starfish Space wins Pentagon contracts for satellite servicing; a new constellation, Logos, enters the market, while India plans an ambitious lunar sample return mission. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Scientists link Enceladus to Saturn's aurora; radar data suggests a lava tube exists on Venus, and archives reveal Pluto retains an atmosphere despite its distance from the sun. Guest: Captain James Fanell (Ret.). With carrier groups near Iran and Venezuela, Fanell discusses the threat of anti-ship missiles in choke points and the necessity of naval power to deter adversaries. Guest: Charles Ortel. Ortel highlights strong private sector growth in Malaysia and Indonesia, contrasting it with China's economic struggles and the state's "national team" intervening to prop up markets. Guest: Charles Burton. A mass shooting shocks British Columbia; tensions rise over the Gordie Howe Bridgeownership as Canada seeks to diversify trade away from the U.S. amid protectionist threats. Guest: Charles Burton. Canada lowers tariffs on Chinese EVs to court Beijing; Burton warns this "strategic partnership" ignores security risks regarding data collection and Chinese influence operations. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger explains how Trump's 1980 Commodore Hotel deal involved purchasing TVs from a KGB front. This transaction reportedly initiated contact with Russian intelligence, who identified Trump's vanity and greed as ideal traits for recruitment. Guest: Craig Unger. Trump's 1987 Moscow trip, arranged by the KGB, was followed by newspaper ads criticizing U.S. alliances. Unger claims these ads, echoing Soviet talking points, combined with real estate dangles to seal the recruitment deal. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger highlights two women with Russian intelligence ties who worked for Jeffrey Epstein. He suggests Epstein's operation gathered "kompromat" on elites and questions why the FBI failed to investigate these foreign intelligence connections. Guest: Craig Unger. An interview by a Russian diplomat's daughter released post-election served as a reminder of Trump's recruitment. Unger discusses missing Epstein tapes, potential disinformation, and Putin's continued influence over Trump's foreign policy decisions.

Guest: Craig Unger. Unger highlights two women with Russian intelligence ties who worked for Jeffrey Epstein. He suggests Epstein's operation gathered "kompromat" on elites and questions why the FBI failed to investigate these foreign intelligence connections.1930 MOTT STREET

Guest: Craig Unger. Trump's 1987 Moscow trip, arranged by the KGB, was followed by newspaper ads criticizing U.S.alliances. Unger claims these ads, echoing Soviet talking points, combined with real estate dangles to seal the recruitment deal.1936 BROOME STREET

Guest: Craig Unger. Unger explains how Trump's 1980 Commodore Hotel deal involved purchasing TVs from a KGBfront. This transaction reportedly initiated contact with Russian intelligence, who identified Trump's vanity and greed as ideal traits for recruitment.1936 HERALD SQUARE

Guest: Charles Burton. Canada lowers tariffs on Chinese EVs to court Beijing; Burton warns this "strategic partnership" ignores security risks regarding data collection and Chinese influence operations.GREENLAND.