The John Batchelor Show

Professor Barry Strauss. Following the Gallus revolt in 351 AD, Rome eventually renamed Judea to Syria Palaestinato erase Jewish connection to the land. Control shifted to the Byzantines and then the Muslims in the 7th century, significantly altering the religious and political landscape of Jerusalem. 2010 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. In 132 AD, Simon Bar Kokhba led a major rebellion, utilizing underground tunnels and guerrilla warfare to ambush Roman forces. Viewed by many, including Rabbi Akiva, as a Messiah, he established a short-lived administration that issued coins before Rome ruthlessly crushed the revolt and killed him at Betar. 1850 SIEGE JERUSALEM

Professor Barry Strauss. Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina, dedicating it to Jupiter and banning the Jewish Temple to crush rebellious spirits. While Rome viewed Jewish monotheism with confusion, the Parthiansmaintained good relations with their Jewish population, who had helped them against Roman aggression. 1920 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. During Trajan's campaign against Parthia, a coordinated Jewish revolt erupted across Libya, Egypt, and Cyprus. This massive insurgency threatened Rome's grain supply, forcing Trajan to divert troops. The suppression of this revolt devastated the historic Jewish community in Alexandria and strained Roman resources. 1843 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 AD, leaving the city in ruins and enslaving survivors. Rome established a permanent legion to ensure security. The revolt concluded with the fall of Masada, where defenders largely committed suicide rather than surrender to the Roman governor. 1850 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. Three Jewish factions fought for control of Jerusalem, destroying their own grain supplies and exacerbating the famine. While rebels used guerrilla tactics against Rome, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai escaped in a coffin to preserve Judaism at Yavneh, and Christians reportedly fled to Pella for safety. 1492

Professor Barry Strauss. Following Nero's suicide and the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian claimed the throne while his son Titus moved to besiege Jerusalem. The rebels believed their fortifications and supplies made the city impregnable, unaware that internal strife would soon undermine their defenses against Rome. 1492

Professor Barry Strauss. Josephus commanded the defense of Jotapata against Vespasian in 67 AD. After the city fell, he survived a mass suicide pact in a cave through luck or manipulation. He saved his own life by prophesying Vespasianwould become emperor, defecting to the Roman side. 1492 JOSEPHUS FLAVIUS

Professor Toby Wilkinson. After their defeat, Antony died in Cleopatra's arms. Cleopatra committed suicide to avoid Roman humiliation, ending the Ptolemaic dynasty. Octavian annexed Egypt, dismissing its religious traditions regarding the Apis Bull and exploiting the land solely as a grain source for the Roman Empire. 1900

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Cleopatra seduced Mark Antony with a theatrical entrance as Aphrodite, securing a romantic and political partner. Antony relied on Egyptian wealth for his campaigns but suffered military setbacks, alienating Rome by adopting Eastern customs. Their union produced children and challenged Octavian's authority, leading to inevitable conflict. 2900 SUEZ

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Cleopatra VII aligned with Julius Caesar to secure her throne, using her intellect and charisma to win his support. During Caesar's defense against Egyptian forces, he burned ships in the harbor, an inferno that accidentally spread to and destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria. 1892 CAIRO

Professor Toby Wilkinson. The Ptolemies practiced sibling marriage, creating complex family rivalries. Powerful queens like Cleopatra I and III emerged as capable rulers who navigated civil wars and stabilized the kingdom. Cleopatra III, in particular, was a formidable strategist who managed conflicting dynastic ambitions through force of personality. 1845

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Egypt's wealth allowed the Ptolemies to hire mercenaries and engage in arms races involving African war elephants against Seleucid Indian elephants. Despite early military successes like the Battle of Raphia, the dynasty began to decline with the accession of child kings like Ptolemy V, leading to internal factionalism. 1846

Professor Toby Wilkinson. The Ptolemies leveraged Egypt's grain and gold to build a prosperous economy. They constructed the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Museum, which attracted scholars like Archimedes. Zenodotus, the first head librarian, invented bibliography to organize the Library's massive collection of scrolls. 1856 CLEOPATRA NEEDLE

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Ptolemy I Soter, a scholar and general under Alexander, founded a dynasty by integrating Greek and Egyptian traditions. He appointed Egyptian advisors and created the hybrid god Serapis to unify his subjects, successfully establishing a stable, wealthy empire that included Cyprus and parts of the Mediterranean. 1900 NILE

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Alexander the Great besieged Gaza, dragging its governor to death to mimic Achilles and signal his dominance. Seeking divine validation, he trekked to the Siwa Oasis, where priests confirmed him as the son of Zeus Ammon. He later founded Alexandria, orienting Egypt toward the Mediterranean. 1842 EGYPT

PREVIEW THE PTOLEMAIC ARMS RACE: WAR ELEPHANTS AS ANCIENT BATTLE TANKS Colleague Professor Toby Wilkinson. Professor Wilkinson details the military "arms race" between the Ptolemies and Seleucidsinvolving war elephants, the "battle tanks" of the ancient world. He explains how the Ptolemies utilized flighty Africanelephants against their rivals' Indian elephants, creating a strange but critical competition to amass military power.

PREVIEW CLEOPATRA III: A FORCE OF NATURE WITHIN THE PTOLEMAIC DYNASTY Colleague Professor Toby Wilkinson, Cambridge University. Wilkinson identifies Cleopatra III as a "force of nature" within the Ptolemaic dynasty. He highlights her strategic ability, absolute conviction, and sheer personality, suggesting she is the most fascinating figure for a dinner party, even compared to her famous descendant, Cleopatra VII. 1770

PREVIEW PTOLEMY I: THE GENIUS WHO UNIFIED GREEK AND EGYPTIAN CULTURES Colleague Professor Toby Wilkinson. Wilkinson characterizes Ptolemy I as a genius who unified Greek and Egyptian cultures following Alexander the Great's death. By employing diverse advisors and inventing the hybrid god Serapis, Ptolemy Isuccessfully forged a single identity from many strands, effectively implementing an ancient version of e pluribus unum.

PREVIEW; In this interview, historian James Tabor discusses his research into the historical identity of Jesus's biological father, as explored in his book The Lost Mary. He examines the ancient name Pantera, which appears in early texts and has been linked to both the family of Joseph and a specific Roman soldier stationed in Germany. By analyzing a nineteenth-century archaeological discovery of a tombstone belonging to a soldier from the Sidon region, Tabor investigates whether this individual could be the man mentioned in ancient traditions. While traditional scholarship identifies Josephas the father, Tabor uses archaeological evidence and linguistic clues to consider alternative possibilities. His work seeks to reconstruct the life of Mary by synthesizing fragmentary historical records and physical artifacts. This investigation highlights the complexities of tracing ancestral lineages through the intersection of biblical tradition and Roman military history. MORE TOMORROW, CHRISTMAS DAY. 1687

PREVIEW:  This audio excerpt features an interview with Professor Barry Strauss regarding his book, which chronicles the Jewish rebellion against Roman authority during the first century. The discussion focuses on the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, led by Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian. Although the Jewish resistance considered their capital an impregnable fortress due to its geographic defenses and abundant resources, the city remained vulnerable along its northern wall. Internal leadership struggles and incomplete fortifications ultimately hampered the rebels' ability to withstand the Roman military onslaught. This historical account highlights the intense defiance of the Judean people as they faced a concentrated effort by the Roman Empire to suppress their revolt. MORE LATER.

SHOW 12-23-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS F THE EU... 1831 BRUSSELS EU STRUGGLES WITH RUSSIAN ASSETS AND AID Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey discusses the EU's difficulty in utilizing frozen Russian assets and the "defeat" for Chancellor Merz regarding the funding mechanism for Ukraine. NUMBER 1 THE RISE OF THE AFD IN GERMANY Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey continues, focusing on the rise of the AfD party in Germany and its connections to elements of the US Republican party. NUMBER 2 STALEMATES IN GAZA AND LEBANON Colleague Jonathan Schanzer. Jonathan Schanzer discusses the stalemate regarding the last hostage in Gaza, the fragmented control of the territory, and threats in Lebanon and Syria. NUMBER 3 EU REGULATION VS. US GROWTH Colleague Michael Toth. Michael Toth critiques the European Union's "regulatory imperialism" and contrasts it with the economic growth of the US. NUMBER 4 STATE DEPARTMENT RECALLS AND STRATEGY Colleague Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel discusses the recall of career ambassadors by the Trump administration and challenges in Panama and Greenland. NUMBER 5 AUSTRALIA'S DEFENSE AND CHINA Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham warns about Australia's lack of defense capabilities and the erosion of its influence in the Pacific islands due to Chinese political warfare. NUMBER 6 THE BORING BENEFITS OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier advocates for the "boring use cases" of AI, such as in healthcare and traffic management, to save costs and improve efficiency. NUMBER 7 REGULATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier continues, warning against a "waterfall of regulation" by states and advocating for "regulatory sandboxes" to allow experimentation. NUMBER 8 US EXPANSIONISM AND DIPLOMATIC RIFTS Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley analyzes US foreign policy moves regarding Greenland, Panama, and Venezuela, describing them as a return to "might is right" expansionism. NUMBER 9 THE MONROE DOCTRINE AND NAVAL POWER Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, debating whether the US is a naval or continental power in the context of enforcing the Monroe Doctrine and discussing a proposal for new battleships. NUMBER 10 THE DECLINE OF LITERACY AND CONTEXT Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, discussing the decline of literacy and context since the mid-20th century, comparing modern society to the Eloi and Morlocks of H.G. Wells. NUMBER 11 KING CHARLES III AND UK POLITICAL TURMOIL Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, analyzing the challenges King Charles III faces under the Keir Starmer government, which Copley compares to the era of Oliver Cromwell. NUMBER 12 THE LEGEND OF THE HESSIANS Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell discusses the American fear of Hessian soldiers and Washington's strategic victory at Trenton. NUMBER 13 FRANCE'S GLOBAL STRATEGY IN THE REVOLUTION Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell continues, highlighting the role of Foreign Minister Vergennes and how French involvement expanded the war globally. NUMBER 14 BENEDICT ARNOLD AND PEGGY SHIPPEN Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell continues, discussing Peggy Shippen's influence on Benedict Arnold's defection and their subsequent life in London. NUMBER 15 THE ACCIDENTAL COLONIZATION OF AUSTRALIA Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell concludes, recounting the story of convict William Murray and the accidental selection of Australia as a penal colony following the loss of the American colonies. NUMBER 16

THE ACCIDENTAL COLONIZATION OF AUSTRALIA Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell concludes, recounting the story of convict William Murray and the accidental selection of Australia as a penal colony following the loss of the American colonies. NUMBER 16 1945

BENEDICT ARNOLD AND PEGGY SHIPPEN Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bellcontinues, discussing Peggy Shippen's influence on Benedict Arnold's defection and their subsequent life in London. NUMBER 15 PEGGY SHIPPEN

FRANCE'S GLOBAL STRATEGY IN THE REVOLUTION Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell continues, highlighting the role of Foreign Minister Vergennes and how French involvement expanded the war globally. NUMBER 14

THE LEGEND OF THE HESSIANS Colleague Professor Richard Bell. Professor Richard Bell discusses the American fear of Hessian soldiers and Washington's strategic victory at Trenton. NUMBER 13 1975 TRENTON

  KING CHARLES III AND UK POLITICAL TURMOIL Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, analyzing the challenges King Charles III faces under the Keir Starmer government, which Copley compares to the era of Oliver Cromwell. NUMBER 12 1824 HIGH GROVE HOUSE

THE DECLINE OF LITERACY AND CONTEXT Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, discussing the decline of literacy and context since the mid-20th century, comparing modern society to the Eloi and Morlocks of H.G. Wells. NUMBER 11 1959

THE MONROE DOCTRINE AND NAVAL POWER Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley continues, debating whether the US is a naval or continental power in the context of enforcing the Monroe Doctrine and discussing a proposal for new battleships. NUMBER 10 1910

US EXPANSIONISM AND DIPLOMATIC RIFTS Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley analyzes US foreign policy moves regarding Greenland, Panama, and Venezuela, describing them as a return to "might is right" expansionism. NUMBER 9 1777 GREENLAND

REGULATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier continues, warning against a "waterfall of regulation" by states and advocating for "regulatory sandboxes" to allow experimentation. NUMBER 8 NOVEMBER 1955

THE BORING BENEFITS OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier advocates for the "boring use cases" of AI, such as in healthcare and traffic management, to save costs and improve efficiency. NUMBER 7 JANUARY 1951

AUSTRALIA'S DEFENSE AND CHINA Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham warns about Australia's lack of defense capabilities and the erosion of its influence in the Pacific islands due to Chinese political warfare. NUMBER 6 1894 PERTH

STATE DEPARTMENT RECALLS AND STRATEGY Colleague Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel discusses the recall of career ambassadors by the Trump administration and challenges in Panama and Greenland. NUMBER 5 1979 TEHRAN

EU REGULATION VS. US GROWTH Colleague Michael Toth. Michael Toth critiques the European Union's"regulatory imperialism" and contrasts it with the economic growth of the US. NUMBER 4 1935 BRUSSELS

STALEMATES IN GAZA AND LEBANON Colleague Jonathan Schanzer. Jonathan Schanzer discusses the stalemate regarding the last hostage in Gaza, the fragmented control of the territory, and threats in Lebanon and Syria. NUMBER 3 1937 RAMALLAH

THE RISE OF THE AFD IN GERMANY Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey continues, focusing on the rise of the AfD party in Germany and its connections to elements of the US Republican party. NUMBER 2 1933 

EU STRUGGLES WITH RUSSIAN ASSETS AND AID Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey discusses the EU's difficulty in utilizing frozen Russian assets and the "defeat" for Chancellor Merz regarding the funding mechanism for Ukraine. NUMBER 1 1890 SAXONY

PREVIEW AFD PARTY RISING IN GERMANY WITH TIES TO TRUMP-VANCE FACTION Colleague Judy Dempsey. Judy Dempsey reports from Berlin on the rising popularity of the AfD party, which is nearly tied with Chancellor Merz's coalition. She warns of a dangerous affinity between the AfD and the Trump-Vance Republicanfaction, noting that their collaboration aims to weaken the European Union through populism and deep conservatism. 1870 SCHWEINFURT

PREVIEW STATE DEPARTMENT CHALLENGES WITH PANAMA AND CCP INTERFERENCE Colleague Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel evaluates the State Department under Secretary Rubio, noting fewer negative leaks but significant challenges regarding Panama. She details how the CCP disrupts agreements by constantly renegotiating, suggesting that high-level US intervention is now required to counter Chinese influence and finalize deals in the region. 1910 CANAL ZONE

REVIEW AUSTRALIA CRITICIZED FOR KOWTOWING TO CHINA DESPITE DISDAIN Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham criticizes the Australian government for "kowtowing" to China due to a dependence on raw material exports. Despite China treating Australia with disdain—sending naval patrols and calling the nation "gum on your shoe"—Canberra continues these dealings rather than diversifying trade toward friendly allies. BOOTH BAY.

PREVIEW PEGGY SHIPPEN'S CUNNING DECEPTION DURING THE ARNOLD CONSPIRACY Colleague Richard Bell. Historian Richard Bell discusses his book on the American Revolution, focusing on the cunning of Peggy Shippen. Bell describes how Shippen, Benedict Arnold's wife, successfully feigned hysteria and madness to deceive Continental Army officers, effectively hiding her complicity in the treasonous conspiracy while shifting all suspicion onto her husband.

PREVIEW STARMER COMPARED TO CROMWELL AS MONARCHY FACES THREATS Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley analyzes the tension between the British King and Parliament, comparing politician Keir Starmer to Oliver Cromwell. Copley suggests Starmer aims to dismantle the monarchy, while the King must carefully navigate these threats, retaining reserve powers as Commander-in-Chief to prevent civil unrest or stagnation caused by parliamentary taxation.

PREVIEW WARNING AGAINST FRAGMENTED STATE-LEVEL AI REGULATION Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier, a University of Texas Law School fellow, warns against fragmented AI regulation by individual states seeking tax revenue. He advocates for a national framework rather than hasty local laws, arguing that allowing technology to develop through "trial and error" is superior to heavy-handed, immediate restrictions.

PREVIEW HEZBOLLAH REARMAMENT FUNDED BY IRAN AND SMUGGLING TUNNELS Colleague Jonathan Schanzer. Jonathan Schanzer, from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, details Hezbollah'srearmament, funded primarily by Iran with some Turkish and Qatari involvement. He highlights the discovery of massive smuggling tunnels in Syria and Lebanon, illustrating the staggering financial investment made to arm the region for conflict against Israe

SHOW 12-22-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT FUTURE NAVY. 1941 HICKAM FIELD 1. Restoring Naval Autonomy: Arguments for Separating the Navy from DoD. Tom Modly argues the Navy is an "underperforming asset" within the Defense Department's corporate structure, similar to how Fiat Chrysler successfully spun off Ferrari. He suggests the Navy needs independence to address critical shipbuilding deficits and better protect global commerce and vulnerable undersea cables from adversaries. 2. Future Fleets: Decentralizing Firepower to Counter Chinese Growth. Tom Modly warns that China's shipbuilding capacity vastly outpaces the US, requiring a shift toward distributed forces rather than expensive, concentrated platforms. He advocates for a reinvigorated, independent Department of the Navy to foster the creativity needed to address asymmetric threats like Houthi attacks on high-value assets. 3. British Weakness: The Failure to Challenge Beijing Over Jimmy Lai. Mark Simon predicts Prime Minister Starmer will fail to secure Jimmy Lai's release because the UK mistakenly views China as an economic savior. He notes the UK's diminished military and economic leverage leads to a submissive diplomatic stance, despite China'sdeclining ability to offer investment. 4. Enforcing Sanctions: Interdicting the Shadow Fleet to Squeeze China. Victoria Coates details the Trump administration's enforcement of a "Monroe Doctrine" corollary, using naval power to seize tankers carrying Venezuelan oil to China. This strategy exposes China's lack of maritime projection and energy vulnerability, as Beijingcannot legally contest the seizures of illicit shadow fleet vessels. 5. Symbolic Strikes: US and Jordan Target Resurgent ISIS in Syria. Following an attack on US personnel, the US and Jordan conducted airstrikes against ISIS strongholds, likely with Syrian regime consultation. Ahmed Sharawi questions the efficacy of striking desert warehouses when ISIS cells have moved into urban areas, suggesting the strikes were primarily symbolic domestic messaging. 6. Failure to Disarm: Hezbollah's Persistence and UNIFIL's Inefficacy. David Daoud reports that the Lebanesegovernment is failing to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, merely evicting them from abandoned sites. He argues UNIFIL is an ineffective tripwire, as Hezbollah continues to rebuild infrastructure and receive funding right under international observers' noses. 7. Global Jihad: The Distinct Threats of the Brotherhood and ISIS. Edmund Fitton-Brown contrasts the Muslim Brotherhood's long-term infiltration of Western institutions with ISIS's violent, reckless approach. He warns that ISISremains viable, with recent facilitated attacks in Australia indicating a resurgence in capability beyond simple "inspired" violence. 8. The Forever War: Jihadist Patience vs. American Cycles. Bill Roggio argues the US has failed to defeat jihadist ideology or funding, allowing groups like Al-Qaeda to persist in Afghanistan and Africa. He warns that adversaries view American withdrawals as proof of untrustworthiness, exploiting the US tendency to fight short-term wars against enemies planning for decades. 9. The Professional: Von Steuben's Transformation of the Continental Army. Richard Bell introduces Baron von Steuben as a desperate, unemployed Prussian officer who professionalized the ragtag Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington's hiring of foreign experts like Steuben demonstrated a strategic willingness to utilize global talent to ensure the revolution's survival. 10. Privateers and Prison Ships: The Unsung Cost of Maritime Independence. Richard Bell highlights the crucial role of privateers like William Russell, who raided British shipping when the Continental Navy was weak. Captured privateers faced horrific conditions in British "black hole" facilities like Mill Prison and the deadly prison ship Jersey in New York Harbor, where mortality rates reached 50%. 11. Caught in the Crossfire: Indigenous Struggles in the Revolutionary War. Molly Brant, a Mohawk leader, allied with the British to stop settler encroachment but became a refugee when the British failed to protect Indigenous lands. Post-war, white Americans constructed myths portraying themselves as blameless victims while ignoring their own Indigenous allies and British betrayals regarding land rights. 12. The Irish Dimension: Revolutionary Hopes and Brutal Repression. The Irish viewed the American Revolutionas a signal that the British Empire was vulnerable, sparking the failed 1798 Irish rebellion. While the British suppressed Irish independence brutally under Cornwallis, Irish immigrants and Scots-Irish settlers like Andrew Jackson fervently supported the Continental Army against the Crown. 13. Assessing Battlefield Realities: Russian Deceit and Ukrainian Counterattacks. John Hardie analyzes the "culture of deceit" within the Russian military, exemplified by false claims of capturing Kupyansk while Ukraine actually counterattacked. This systemic lying leads to overconfidence in Putin's strategy, though Ukraine also faces challenges with commanders hesitating to report lost positions to avoid forced counterattacks. 14. Shifts in Latin America: Brazilian Elections and Venezuelan Hope. Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Peña Esclusapredict a 2026 battle between socialist accommodation and freedom-oriented transformation in Brazil, highlighted by Flavio Bolsonaro's candidacy against Lula. Meanwhile, Peña Esclusa anticipates Venezuela's liberation and a broader regional shift toward the right following leftist defeats in Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. 15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to explicitly name China as an adversary or define clear goals for defending allies in Asia and Europe against great power rivals. 16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are the most reliable partners for protecting American security and values, making cooperation essential despite resource constraints and political disagreements.

 16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are the most reliable partners for protecting American security and values, making cooperation essential despite resource constraints and political disagreements. 1850 FRANKLIN

15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to explicitly name China as an adversary or define clear goals for defending allies in Asia and Europe against great power rivals. 1770 FIVE VIEWS OF NY ENTRANCEC

14. Shifts in Latin America: Brazilian Elections and Venezuelan Hope. Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Peña Esclusapredict a 2026 battle between socialist accommodation and freedom-oriented transformation in Brazil, highlighted by Flavio Bolsonaro's candidacy against Lula. Meanwhile, Peña Esclusa anticipates Venezuela's liberation and a broader regional shift toward the right following leftist defeats in Ecuador, Argentina,1910 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF BRAZIL

13. Assessing Battlefield Realities: Russian Deceit and Ukrainian Counterattacks. John Hardie analyzes the "culture of deceit" within the Russian military, exemplified by false claims of capturing Kupyansk while Ukraine actually counterattacked. This systemic lying leads to overconfidence in Putin's strategy, though Ukraine also faces challenges with commanders hesitating to report lost positions to avoid forced counterattacks. 1940

12. The Irish Dimension: Revolutionary Hopes and Brutal Repression. The Irish viewed the American Revolutionas a signal that the British Empire was vulnerable, sparking the failed 1798 Irish rebellion. While the British suppressed Irish independence brutally under Cornwallis, Irish immigrants and Scots-Irish settlers like Andrew Jackson fervently supported the Continental Army against the Crown. 1780 GORDON RIOTS