The John Batchelor Show

AUSTRALIA RETAINS ASHES VICTORY AS ENGLAND'S BAZBALL STRATEGY FAILS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis discusses Australia's humble celebration after winning the 2026 Ashes series 4-1, noting that England'saggressive "Bazball" strategy was deemed fundamentally flawed by cricket chiefs. While Australia's bowling remains a focus for improvement, captain Pat Cummins has recovered from injury to continue leading the team.1937

BRISBANE WOMAN WAKES TO FIND 8-FOOT PYTHON ON CHEST Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis recounts a shocking story from Brisbane where a sleeping woman mistook an 8-foot python curled on her chest for her dog. Her husband alerted her, and a snake catcher removed the heavy, non-venomous intruder, which likely entered the home through plantation shutters seeking warmth and comfort.

SEVERE STORMS AND BUSHFIRES PLAGUE AUSTRALIA'S CHAOTIC SUMMER Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis describes a tumultuous Australian summer featuring severe storms on the east coast and dangerous bushfires in Victoria. Shifting winds from the desert and Antarctica have exacerbated fires near the Great Ocean Road, threatening rural agriculture and tourism while forecasters predict continued unpredictable weather patterns.1913 BRISBANE

PARTISAN RIFTS AND THE CAPITAL CITY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington selects the Potomac for the new capital to connect the West, while rivals Jefferson and Madison organize political opposition during a northern tour. The series concludes with James Monroe's eventual embrace of Washington's model and a reflection on the first president's enduring, complex legacy. NUMBER 81939 FDR AT MT. BERNON FOR THE 150TH CELEBRATION OF WASHINGTON INAUGURAL

INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND HIDDEN HISTORIES Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington meets with the Catawba nation to promise federal protection for their lands, even as his administration wages war against tribes in Ohio. Philbrick visits Old Salem to explore Moravian history and slavery, concluding with a discovery of physical ruins at Coles Ferry where Washington once crossed. NUMBER 71921 FOCH AND PERSHING VISIT MT. VERNON

THE ARDUOUS SOUTHERN TOUR AND CIVIL WAR ECHOES Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washingtonundertakes an exhausting 2,000-mile journey through the South to unify the country, visiting federalist cities like Charleston. Philbrick notes the eerie experience of following this path, where the ruins of plantations burned during Sherman's March create a visible link between the founding era and the destruction of the Civil War. NUMBER 61919 EDWARD  DUKE OF WINDSOR VISITS MT. VERNON

A STORMY SEA VOYAGE TO RHODE ISLAND Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washington sails to Newport to embrace the former holdout state of Rhode Island, a trip Philbrick reenacts while surviving a terrifying tornado on the water. The discussion uncovers Rhode Island's deep economic ties to slavery, exemplified by the Brown family's conflicting abolitionist and slave-trading histories. NUMBER 51889 APRIL 30..  CENTENNIAL WASHINGTON, NYC

SECRET GRATITUDE TO THE LONG ISLAND SPY RING Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Philbrick details Washington's unadvertised 1790 tour of Long Island, which appears to have been a covert mission to thank members of the Culper Spy Ring. This journey included stops at safe houses like Austin Roe's tavern, serving as a quiet chapter of gratitude to those who risked everything for the Revolution. NUMBER 4

POWER STRUGGLES IN BOSTON AND THE PARADOX OF SLAVERY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. In Boston, Washington asserts federal supremacy by refusing to dine with Governor John Hancock until the governor visits him first. The segment contrasts this political victory with Washington's simultaneous pursuit of the enslaved woman Ona Judge, highlighting the disturbing paradox of liberty and slavery at the nation's founding. NUMBER 31889 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WASHINGTON INAUGURAL

THE INAUGURATION AND THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Overwhelmed by the moment, Washington collapses into a chair after taking his oath on a hastily acquired Bible. Philbrick parallels this vulnerability with the "only a man" folklore and recounts how artist N.C. Wyeth, like Washington, experienced a near-death fall that haunted his dreams of the general. NUMBER 21789

THE RELUCTANT PRESIDENT'S JOURNEY TO NEW YORK Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Washingtontravels from Mount Vernon to New York for his inauguration in April 1789, plagued by inner turmoil and a sense of impending doom. Philbrick describes the President as feeling like a "condemned man," fearing the adulation of the crowds would eventually turn against him as he faced the reality of governing. NUMBER 11914 CAPTURED FLAG TRENTON 1776

PREVIEW THE FOLKLORE OF THE ONLY A MAN STORY Colleague Nathaniel Philbrick. Nathaniel Philbrickdiscusses a recurring oral tradition where Washington, touring the country, tells awestruck observers that despite his title, he is "only a man." Philbrick argues these stories, though absent from contemporary newspapers, likely reflect Washington's genuine efforts to humanize the presidency and acknowledge his own flaws.1787 ASHINGTON DEPARTS NEW YORK.

  THE LEGACY OF THE MARBLEHEADERS Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. The final segment reflects on the heavy price Marblehead paid for independence, ending the war with a ruined economy and nearly 400 widows. O'Donnellnotes that few physical memorials exist today, though John Glover's house and the burial hill are still present. The discussion concludes with a tribute from Henry Knox, who wished legislators understood that without the "men of Marblehead" leading the army across the Delaware, the revolution might have failed. O'Donnell asserts that this "origin story" is indispensable yet has remained largely untold. NUMBER 81889

ASSUNPINK CREEK, PRINCETON, AND INOCULATION Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Following Trenton, many Marbleheaders returned home due to expired enlistments and starving families, but those who remained fought in the pivotal Battle of Assunpink Creek. Here, the Americans successfully held the bridge against elite British grenadiers before maneuvering to attack Princeton, where Washington bravely rode near the front lines. Recognizing the threat of smallpox, Washington ordered the mass inoculation of the army, a massive logistical feat overseen by Dr. Nathaniel Bond. Tragically, Bond died while performing this service, which O'Donnell views as one of Washington's greatest strategic decisions. NUMBER 71872

CROSSING THE DELAWARE AND THE VICTORY AT TRENTON Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. On Christmas night 1776, Washington launched a surprise attack on Trenton requiring a crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River. O'Donnell explains that only the diverse Marblehead Regiment, which included African American and Hispanicsoldiers, possessed the skill to navigate the treacherous waters. Once across, Glover's men secured a decisive tactical advantage by capturing the Assunpink Creek bridge, trapping the Hessian forces. The segment notes that future president James Monroe was severely wounded during the battle and saved by a volunteer doctor. NUMBER 61876

ASSASSINATION PLOTS AND THE MIRACLE OF NEW YORK Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. In 1776, a conspiracy orchestrated by Loyalist Governor Tryon to assassinate George Washington and destroy Patriot gunpowder supplies was uncovered. Thomas Hickey, a member of Washington's own Lifeguard, was implicated and subsequently executed. Later, during the Battle of Long Island, the Continental Army faced destruction, trapped against the East River. In what O'Donnell calls an "American Dunkirk," the Marblehead Regiment utilized their nautical skills to ferry 9,000 troops to safety in Manhattan under the cover of darkness and fog, saving the revolution from collapse. NUMBER 51872

WASHINGTON'S NAVY AND THE LIFEGUARD Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Upon arriving in Cambridge in July 1775, George Washington formed a close bond with the Marblehead Regiment, relying on them for security and expertise. Facing a desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington utilized the Marbleheaders to create an impromptu navy; Captain John Manley successfully captured a British ordinance ship, delivering vital supplies. Washington also established the "Lifeguard" (Commander-in-Chief's Guard) to protect himself and his papers, appointing Marbleheader Caleb Gibbs as commander. The segment describes Beverly as a crucial, difficult-to-navigate port that protected these new cruisers from the Royal Navy. NUMBER 41870

BUNKER HILL, SMALLPOX, AND TREASON Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. The discussion moves to June 1775, covering the Battle of Bunker Hill where Marbleheader Samuel Trevett's cannons successfully repelled Britishcharges despite a critical lack of gunpowder. O'Donnell also details a smallpox epidemic in Marblehead, where a Patriot-funded inoculation hospital on Cat Island was burned down by a mob of Loyalists. Amidst this turmoil, John Glover defended his home with a cannon in his foyer. The segment also reveals the duplicity of Dr. Benjamin Church, a high-ranking Patriot leader who was secretly providing intelligence to General Gage. NUMBER 31819

THE BATTLE OF MENOTOMY AND INFORMATION WARFARE Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Following the initial skirmishes, the conflict escalated into the Battle of Menotomy, where Marbleheaders engaged the retreating British column in brutal combat. O'Donnell highlights a sophisticated "information warfare" campaign led by Elbridge Gerry, who compiled depositions to establish that the Crown fired first. The Patriots acquired a fast ship to rush this narrative to England, arriving two weeks before General Gage's official report and successfully swaying British public opinion. Additionally, this segment illustrates the civil war atmosphere, describing how Dr. Nathaniel Bond was threatened by neighbors for treating wounded British soldiers. NUMBER 21860

THE CORNFIELD ESCAPE AND THE POWDER CRISIS Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Patrick O'Donnellintroduces the Marblehead leadership during the critical nights of April 1775. As the British marched toward Lexingtonand Concord to seize gunpowder, three key Patriot leaders—Elbridge Gerry, Azor Orne, and Jeremiah Lee—were forced to flee the Blackhorse Tavern and hide in a cornfield to avoid arrest. O'Donnell emphasizes that the conflict was initially a civil war over resources, specifically black powder, which the Marbleheaders had been smuggling in from Spain. The British aim was to disarm the rebels by seizing these munitions, sparking the events at Lexington. NUMBER 11780

NDEMIC POLICY AND THE DYING CITIZEN Colleague Victor Davis Hanson. Hanson discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that unelected health officials like Anthony Fauci exercised excessive power that damaged the middle class while favoring large corporations. He contends that lockdowns and school closures caused irreparable harm, particularly to children, while scientific claims regarding natural immunity and masking have been challenged. Hanson also suggests the virus likely escaped from a Wuhan laboratory engaged in gain-of-function research. NUMBER 81821

DIPLOMATIC COUPS AND THE WEAK CONFEDERATION Colleague Joseph Ellis. John Jay secured a diplomatic triumph by defying instructions to consult the French, negotiating directly with Britain to establish the Mississippi River as the western border. Post-war, the government was a loose confederation of sovereign states rather than a unified nation, leaving it ill-equipped to handle slavery or indigenous rights. Robert Morris, the "Financier," personally funded the army's demobilization when Congress failed to pay the troops. NUMBER 71821

GRASSROOTS CONTROL AND VICTORY AT YORKTOWN Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis argues the Britishcould not win because local committees enforced the cause in the countryside, neutralizing loyalists. Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown due to orders from Clinton and the timely arrival of the French fleet, which Ellis attributes to providence. Despite the victory, Washington remained vigilant, later suppressing the Newburgh conspiracy by refusing a military dictatorship, thereby solidifying the principle of civilian control over the military. NUMBER 61810 LONDON STREETS

A GLOBAL WAR AND THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY Colleague Joseph Ellis. The entry of France and Spaintransformed the rebellion into a global war, forcing Britain to prioritize the Caribbean over the colonies. Charles Leewas disgraced for his behavior at Monmouth, while the British shifted to a Southern strategy to retain valuable territory. Simultaneously, Washington ordered a brutal campaign against the Iroquois Confederacy, allies of the British, resulting in the destruction of their villages in a "dirty war" on the frontier. NUMBER 51801 LONDON

THE BATTLE FOR NEW YORK AND THE STANDING MIRACLE Colleague Joseph Ellis. Washington moved the army to New York to uphold civilian control, despite the location being militarily indefensible. Ellis notes that the Howe brothers, hoping to negotiate peace, hesitated to destroy the Continental Army. Washington realized that reliance on militia was a delusion and a disciplined army was necessary for a protracted war. The army's escape from Long Islandacross the East River was a "standing miracle" that saved the revolution from annihilation. NUMBER 41807

SURVIVAL AT VALLEY FORGE AND A NEW ARISTOCRACY Colleague Joseph Ellis. At Valley Forge, the army suffered from congressional neglect until Nathaniel Greene reorganized the quartermaster corps to provide food. Ellis describes the survivors as a "virtuous aristocracy" committed to American nationhood. He highlights the integrated nature of the Continental Army, which included significant numbers of African American soldiers, and John Laurens, a young officer who believed the war must end slavery. The British peace overtures were rejected as too late. NUMBE1801

DIVERSE VOICES AND THE MILITIA MYTH Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis profiles key figures of 1774-1775, including the conservative John Dickinson, who sought to avoid war, and the revolutionary John Adams. He discusses the "delusion" created by Bunker Hill that amateurs could defeat professionals, a myth that persisted despite military realities. Ellis highlights Thomas Paine's Common Sense, which shifted the argument to natural rights and demonized the monarchy, arguing an island could not rule a continent and making independence seem inevitable. NUMBER 21799 LONDON

DEFINING THE CAUSE AND THE MONARCH'S POWER Colleague Joseph Ellis. Ellis explains that colonists adopted the term "the cause" to describe their diverse opposition to British policy and eventual desire for independence, covering various interest groups under one verbal canopy. He describes George III as a powerful monarch who controlled Parliament through treasury funds, viewing American independence as a domino theory threat to the British Empire. Ellis also notes Benjamin Franklin's failed attempts to preserve a commonwealth relationship before British humiliation pushed him toward independence. NUMBER 11761

SHOW SCHEDULE1-17-251895 PARISLAS VEGAS TUNNELS AND THE RELOCATION OF THE ATHLETICS Colleague Jeff Bliss. Jeff Bliss reports on the expansion of The Boring Company's tunnels in Las Vegas, which use Tesla cars to alleviate traffic congestion. He also discusses the Athletics baseball team's temporary move to Sacramento and the legal complications regarding their team name as they prepare for a permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028. NUMBER 1BIG SUR REOPENS AND COPPER THEFT PLAGUES CALIFORNIA Colleague Jeff Bliss. Highway 1 in Big Sur has reopened after landslide repairs featuring new concrete canopies to protect the road. Bliss also details how copper thieves have crippled infrastructure in Sacramento and Los Angeles, contributing to broader political dissatisfaction with Governor Gavin Newsom regarding crime and the state's management. NUMBER 2FEDERAL IMMUNITY AND THE ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Professor Richard Epstein analyzes the legal battle over whether ICE agents have immunity from state prosecution following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis. He explains the complexities of absolute versus qualified immunity, arguing that the agents' aggressive conduct might weaken their defense against state charges in this specific instance. NUMBER 3SUPREME COURT LIKELY TO STRIKE DOWN TRUMP TARIFFS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Epstein predicts the Supreme Court will invalidate the Trump administration's emergency tariffs, arguing there is no statutory basis for the trade imbalances cited as justification. He anticipates a fractured decision where a centrist block of justices joins liberals to rule that the executive branch exceeded its authority. NUMBER 4MEXICO'S ALIGNMENT WITH DICTATORS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady. Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's ideological support for the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes, including increased oil shipments to Havana. She also details a recent train derailment on Mexico's interoceanic line, attributing the failure to secrecy and no-bid contracts managed by the military. NUMBER 5ITALY STABILIZES PENSION COSTS AND CELEBRATES PASTA TARIFF CUTS Colleague Lorenzo Fiori. Lorenzo Fiori reports that despite high pension costs, Italy's economic reforms under Prime Minister Meloni have stabilized the system by increasing employment. Fiori notes that Italy's deficit and inflation have dropped significantly, and he celebrates the US decision to slash tariffs on Italian pasta imports. NUMBER 6SPACE STATION RETURNS, NUCLEAR MOON PLANS, AND BOEING STRUGGLES Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman discusses the early return of an ISS crew due to a medical issue and expresses skepticism about NASA's plan for a lunar nuclear reactor by 2030. He also highlights that the Space Force is shifting launches from ULA to SpaceX due to reliability concerns. NUMBER 7GLOBAL SPACE FAILURES AND CHINA'S REUSABLE CRAFT CLAIMS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman analyzes a failed Indian rocket launch that lost multiple payloads, though a Spanish prototype survived. He also critiques the European Space Agency for delays in debris removal missions and casts doubt on China's claims regarding a "new" reusable spacecraft, suggesting it relies on older suborbital technology. NUMBER 8DATA CENTERS STRAIN THE ELECTRICAL GRID Colleague Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski discusses the surging demand for electricity driven by AI data centers and the White House's proposal to auction power access. He argues that tech companies should finance their own off-grid generation, such as nuclear or gas, rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize new transmission infrastructure. NUMBER 9ELON MUSK AND THE GOLDEN DOME DEFENSE PROPOSAL Colleague Henry Sokolski. Sokolski evaluates Elon Musk's proposal to create a "Golden Dome" missile defense system for the US. While the concept involves space-based sensors, Sokolski notes concerns regarding monopoly power, the reliance on a single contractor for national security, and the undefined costs of ground-based interceptors. NUMBER 10ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11EDUCATION REFORM AND THE AVOIDANCE OF A FEDERAL AI DEPARTMENT Colleague Kevin Frazier. Frazier argues for updating education, starting with teacher training in elementary schools and vocational partnerships in high schools, to prepare students for an AI future. He advises against creating a federal Department of AI, suggesting society should adapt to it as advanced computing rather than a unique threat. NUMBER 12SOVIET UNION'S SECRET 1972 LUNAR BASE AMBITIONS AND THE N1 ROCKET FAILURE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. Anatoli Zak explains that in 1972, the Soviet Union pursued the L3M project to establish a permanent lunar base, refusing to concede the moon race immediately. However, repeated failures of the N1 rocket and the financial strain of competing with the US Space Shuttle eventually forced the program's cancellation. NUMBER 13ISS LAUNCHPAD ACCIDENT AND RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR ROLE IN CHINESE MOON BASE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. A launchpad collapse has halted Russian cargo missions to the ISS, endangering the propellant supply required for critical orbit maintenance. Zak also details Russia's attempt to join China's lunar ambitions, with the Kurchatov Institute developing a nuclear reactor to provide electricity for a future Chinese moon base. NUMBER 14PERU NAMED NON-NATO PARTNER AS US COUNTERS CHINESE INFLUENCE Colleague Oscar Sumar, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Universidad Científica del Sur. Oscar Sumar discusses Peru's designation as a US non-NATO partner, a move designed to counter Chinese geopolitical expansion through infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar warns that while cultural ties are strong, the Chinese Communist Party poses a threat to Peru's democratic stability and political transparency. NUMBER 15ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN INDICATORS AND SECRECY AT THE WHITE HOUSE Colleague Jim McTague, Former Washington Editor of Barron's. Jim McTague observes unusually light traffic and retail activity in Washington, D.C. and Lancaster, signaling a potential economic slowdown. He notes blocked views of White House construction and predicts a recession driven by rising state taxes and the depletion of pandemic-era stimulus funds for local governments. NUMBER 16

ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN INDICATORS AND SECRECY AT THE WHITE HOUSE Colleague Jim McTague, Former Washington Editor of Barron's. Jim McTague observes unusually light traffic and retail activity in Washington, D.C. and Lancaster, signaling a potential economic slowdown. He notes blocked views of White House construction and predicts a recession driven by rising state taxes and the depletion of pandemic-era stimulus funds for local governments. NUMBER 161835

PERU NAMED NON-NATO PARTNER AS US COUNTERS CHINESE INFLUENCE Colleague Oscar Sumar, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Universidad Científica del Sur. Oscar Sumar discusses Peru's designation as a US non-NATO partner, a move designed to counter Chinese geopolitical expansion through infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar warns that while cultural ties are strong, the Chinese Communist Party poses a threat to Peru's democratic stability and political transparency. NUMBER 151941 PERU

ISS LAUNCHPAD ACCIDENT AND RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR ROLE IN CHINESE MOON BASE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. A launchpad collapse has halted Russian cargo missions to the ISS, endangering the propellant supply required for critical orbit maintenance. Zak also details Russia's attempt to join China's lunar ambitions, with the Kurchatov Institute developing a nuclear reactor to provide electricity for a future Chinese moon base. NUMBER 142006

SOVIET UNION'S SECRET 1972 LUNAR BASE AMBITIONS AND THE N1 ROCKET FAILURE Colleague Anatoli Zak, Publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com. Anatoli Zak explains that in 1972, the Soviet Union pursued the L3M project to establish a permanent lunar base, refusing to concede the moon race immediately. However, repeated failures of the N1 rocket and the financial strain of competing with the US Space Shuttle eventually forced the program's cancellation. NUMBER 13MARCH 1959

EDUCATION REFORM AND THE AVOIDANCE OF A FEDERAL AI DEPARTMENT Colleague Kevin Frazier. Frazier argues for updating education, starting with teacher training in elementary schools and vocational partnerships in high schools, to prepare students for an AI future. He advises against creating a federal Department of AI, suggesting society should adapt to it as advanced computing rather than a unique threat. NUMBER 121921 FRANCE

ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11October 1957

ELON MUSK AND THE GOLDEN DOME DEFENSE PROPOSAL Colleague Henry Sokolski. Sokolski evaluates Elon Musk's proposal to create a "Golden Dome" missile defense system for the US. While the concept involves space-based sensors, Sokolski notes concerns regarding monopoly power, the reliance on a single contractor for national security, and the undefined costs of ground-based interceptors. NUMBER 101953 captured Mig-15

DATA CENTERS STRAIN THE ELECTRICAL GRID Colleague Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski discusses the surging demand for electricity driven by AI data centers and the White House's proposal to auction power access. He argues that tech companies should finance their own off-grid generation, such as nuclear or gas, rather than forcing ratepayers to subsidize new transmission infrastructure. NUMBER 9February 1930

GLOBAL SPACE FAILURES AND CHINA'S REUSABLE CRAFT CLAIMS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman analyzes a failed Indian rocket launch that lost multiple payloads, though a Spanish prototype survived. He also critiques the European Space Agency for delays in debris removal missions and casts doubt on China's claims regarding a "new" reusable spacecraft, suggesting it relies on older suborbital technology. NUMBER 81954 

SPACE STATION RETURNS, NUCLEAR MOON PLANS, AND BOEING STRUGGLES Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman discusses the early return of an ISS crew due to a medical issue and expresses skepticism about NASA's plan for a lunar nuclear reactor by 2030. He also highlights that the Space Force is shifting launches from ULA to SpaceX due to reliability concerns. NUMBER 71953

ITALY STABILIZES PENSION COSTS AND CELEBRATES PASTA TARIFF CUTS Colleague Lorenzo Fiori. Lorenzo Fiori reports that despite high pension costs, Italy's economic reforms under Prime Minister Meloni have stabilized the system by increasing employment. Fiori notes that Italy's deficit and inflation have dropped significantly, and he celebrates the US decision to slash tariffs on Italian pasta imports. NUMBER 61945 VJ DAY

MEXICO'S ALIGNMENT WITH DICTATORS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady. Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's ideological support for the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes, including increased oil shipments to Havana. She also details a recent train derailment on Mexico's interoceanic line, attributing the failure to secrecy and no-bid contracts managed by the military. NUMBER 5CUBA

SUPREME COURT LIKELY TO STRIKE DOWN TRUMP TARIFFS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Epstein predicts the Supreme Court will invalidate the Trump administration's emergency tariffs, arguing there is no statutory basis for the trade imbalances cited as justification. He anticipates a fractured decision where a centrist block of justices joins liberals to rule that the executive branch exceeded its authority.1870 CASTLE GARDEN

FEDERAL IMMUNITY AND THE ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein. Professor Richard Epstein analyzes the legal battle over whether ICE agents have immunity from state prosecution following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis. He explains the complexities of absolute versus qualified immunity, arguing that the agents' aggressive conduct might weaken their defense against state charges in this specific instance. NUMBER 31940

BIG SUR REOPENS AND COPPER THEFT PLAGUES CALIFORNIA Colleague Jeff Bliss. Highway 1 in Big Sur has reopened after landslide repairs featuring new concrete canopies to protect the road. Bliss also details how copper thieves have crippled infrastructure in Sacramento and Los Angeles, contributing to broader political dissatisfaction with Governor Gavin Newsom regarding crime and the state's management. NUMBER 21900 CALIFORNIA ALLIGATOR TERM, LA

LAS VEGAS TUNNELS AND THE RELOCATION OF THE ATHLETICS Colleague Jeff Bliss. Jeff Bliss reports on the expansion of The Boring Company's tunnels in Las Vegas, which use Tesla cars to alleviate traffic congestion. He also discusses the Athletics baseball team's temporary move to Sacramento and the legal complications regarding their team name as they prepare for a permanent move to Las Vegas in 2028. NUMBER 11955 SANDS HOTEL

PREVIEW FOR LATER TRADEMARK TROUBLES FOR THE RELOCATING ATHLETICS Colleague Jeff Bliss. As the Oakland A's move to Las Vegas via a temporary stay in Sacramento, they face significant branding hurdles. Jeff Bliss explains the team cannot use "Sacramento Athletics" due to local business conflicts and faces legal battles over the "Las Vegas Athletics" name, which was already registered by another party.

PREVIEW FOR LATER REIMAGINING AI REGULATION BEYOND THE SKYNET MYTH Colleague Kevin Frazier, University of Texas Law School. Frazier argues against regulating Artificial Intelligence through a fearful "Skynet mentality," suggesting it is better viewed simply as advanced computing known since 1956. He recommends treating AI not as a bespoke technology but as part of a broader portfolio of technological changes, including quantum computing and robotics.JANUARY 1931

PREVIEW FOR LATER MEXICO'S IDEOLOGICAL OIL LIFELINE TO CUBA Colleague Mary O'Grady, Wall Street Journal. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has tripled oil shipments to Cuba, aiding the struggling dictatorship after Venezuela's support waned. O'Grady explains this support stems from Sheinbaum's ideological alignment and anti-American background, driving her to prop up the Havana regime simply because the United Stateswants it to fall.1936

PREVIEW FOR LATER THE HIDDEN COSTS OF POWERING AI DATA CENTERS Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Sokolski questions who will fund the expensive electricity transmission infrastructure required by new AI data centers, noting transmission constitutes two-thirds of consumer costs. He suggests the most viable solution may involve tech companies building their own on-site power generation to operate off the grid, avoiding public subsidies.FEBUARY 1955

PREVIEW FOR LATER PERU BALANCES CHINESE CULTURE WITH SECURITY CONCERNS Colleague Oscar Sumar, Civitas Institute. While Peru recently became a US non-NATO military partner, China maintains heavy investment in Peruvian infrastructure like the Chancay port. Sumar distinguishes between the beloved Chinese-Peruvian culinary culture and the Chinese Communist Party, noting that while Peruvians embrace the former, they view the CCP as a distinct regional threat.1916 PERUVIAN AMAZON

PREVIEW FOR LATER SPACE STATION DELAYS AND SHIFTING LAUNCH CONTRACTS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Axiom Space faces concerning delays in launching modules for its private space station, now pushed to 2028, leaving little margin before the ISS deorbits. Meanwhile, the US Space Force is shifting launch contracts from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX, prioritizing reliability and cost over vendor redundancy.NOVEMBER 1961