Podcasts about john batchelor

John Batchelor introduces Patrick K. O'Donnell and his book The Unvanquished, focusing on the "Jesse Scouts" and their leader, Captain John Charles Carpenter. Named after Jesse Frémont, these Union scouts utilized disguises and "trade craft" to infiltrate Confederate lines, though Carpenter was eventually cashiered for theft.1861

Hotel Mars, Weds, Jan. 14, 2026Hotel Mars presents Dr. Devesh Nandal with John Batchelor and Dr. David Livingston discussing Dr. Nandal's research regarding the cosmological mysteries known as the “little red dots.” The discovery consists of compact, bright objects in the early universe that are not easily explained as galaxies or accreting black holes. The findings challenge the standard model of cosmology and may suggest the universe matured much earlier than previously thought by 21st-century scientists.Dr. Nandal and other scientists rely on the James Webb 2.0 with larger mirrors plus a successor to the Chandra X-ray telescope. As to be expected, substantial funding is needed for researchers to develop new mathematical models to fit this discovery. In addition, new data is constantly being added to the pool of research and more and more scientists are examining this little red dot mystery.Note: This summary is largely taken from the program summary used by John Batchelor for this program.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4489 Zoom Robert (Bob) Zimmerman | Tuesday 20 Jan 2026 700PM PTGuests: Robert ZimmermanZoom Bob brings us news and perspective unique only to himBroadcast 4490 Hotel Mars with Doug Messier | Wednesday 21 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: John Batchelor, Dr. David Livingston, Douglas MessierDoug updates us on global launch informationBroadcast 4491 Zoom Dr. Antonio Del Popolo | Friday 23 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr/. Antonio Del PopoloZoom: Dr. Popolo talks about hs new booik, “Extraterrestrial Life: We are not alone.”Broadcast 4492 Zoom Dr. Ajay Kothari | Sunday 25 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. Ajay KothariZoom Dr. Kothari on “MUCH NEEDED CARGO TO MOON” Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

Iran in Transition: Assessing a Regime on the Brink. Guest: MARY KISSEL, Executive Vice President at Stephens Incorporated. John Batchelor and Mary Kissel analyze reports of Iran's potential collapse, citing internet blackouts and regime brutality. They discuss potential U.S. interventions, such as kinetic strikes or Starlink access, and evaluate whether Reza Pahlavi is a credible transitional leader amidst concerns of the country breaking into ethnic factions.1806, CHURNING MILK OCEAN

SHOW SCHEDULE1-14-251920 SALT RIVER China Urges Canada to Break from US Influence. Guests: CHARLES BURTON and GORDON CHANG. China is pressuring Canada to adopt "strategic autonomy" and distance itself from US influence as PM Mark Carney visits Beijing. Despite myths of economic salvation through Chinese trade, experts argue Canada'sexports to China remain minimal. Concerns persist regarding fentanyl production, Arctic neglect, and Chineseespionage. China's "Hollow Power" in Iran and Venezuela. Guests: GORDON CHANG and CHARLES BURTON. China's influence appears limited as it fails to substantively support struggling allies like Venezuela's Maduro or the Iranian regime. While China remains a major purchaser of discounted Iranian oil, it has proven unable to dictate events against US pressure. Experts describe China as a "hollow power." Trump's Iran Tariff Threat and China Trade Rift. Guest: ALAN TONELSON. President Trump's threat of a 25% tariff on any country trading with Iran significantly impacts China, which values this trade for political and symbolic reasons. China has already failed to meet its previous trade obligations, including soybean purchases and rare earth export licenses. Europe remains economically vulnerable. Electricity Costs, AI Demand, and Venezuela's Oil Reality. Guest: BUD WEINSTEIN. Rising US electricity prices, up 30-35% over five years, are driven by data center and AI growth alongside infrastructure underinvestment. Meanwhile, Venezuelan oil is deemed impractical for US demand due to high extraction costs and political instability. Rebuilding these fields would require massive, high-risk investments. Chinese Sinister Intentions in Cuba and Nicaragua. Guest: STEVE YATES. China maintains a significant presence in Cuba, utilizing the island for intelligence gathering and signals facilities targeted at the United States. As Venezuela's oil subsidies to Cuba potentially end, the island faces economic collapse. The US may utilize travel restrictions and economic pressure as leverage. The Risks of Venezuelan Oil and Soaring Copper Prices. Guest: SIMON CONSTABLE. American oil companies remain reluctant to invest in Venezuela due to the historical risk of nationalization and decayed infrastructure. In commodity markets, copper has reached an "astronomical" price of over $6 per pound, leading to a surge in theft from electronics and bridges globally. Artemis 2 Safety Concerns and SpaceX Dominance. Guest: BOB ZIMMERMAN. The Artemis 2 manned mission faces controversy over unresolved Orion heat shield damage observed during previous tests. Meanwhile, SpaceX has secured a monopoly on recent Space Force contracts, signaling a shift toward prioritizing reliability and cost over redundancy. China has filed for 200,000 new satellites. Scouting Mars for Helicopters and the Search for Alien Life. Guest: BOB ZIMMERMAN. Scientists are scouting landing sites for future Mars helicopters in areas containing near-surface ice, potentially for future Starship missions. Research suggests liquid water may have existed on Mars three billion years ago under protective ice sheets. Recent SETI results analyzed billions of data points without finding definitive alien signals. Venezuela's Power Vacuum and the Path Forward. Guest: MARY KISSEL, Executive Vice President at Stephens Incorporated. Mary Kissel discusses the "unfinished" state of Venezuela following the removal of Maduro, characterizing the remaining leadership as "thugs" and "gangs" focused on drug money. She explores the roles of Cuba, regional neighbors like Colombia and Brazil, and the Vatican's new moral leadership in the region. Iran in Transition: Assessing a Regime on the Brink. Guest: MARY KISSEL, Executive Vice President at Stephens Incorporated. John Batchelor and Mary Kissel analyze reports of Iran's potential collapse, citing internet blackouts and regime brutality. They discuss potential U.S. interventions, such as kinetic strikes or Starlinkaccess, and evaluate whether Reza Pahlavi is a credible transitional leader amidst concerns of the country breaking into ethnic factions. The Intellectual Factions of the "New Right". Guest: PETER BERKOWITZ, Hoover Institution Senior Fellow. Peter Berkowitz outlines the fracturing of the "New Right" into factions like national conservatives and post-liberals. Referencing Laura K. Field's book, Furious Minds, he notes these groups often reject Lockeanprinciples in the Declaration of Independence. However, he distinguishes these intellectuals from typical, non-ideological Trump voters. The New Right's Radical Rejection of Traditional Republicanism. Guest: PETER BERKOWITZ, Hoover Institution Senior Fellow. Berkowitz contrasts the New Right's desire for state-led social reform with the Republican Party's traditional focus on liberty and limited government. He discusses Michael Anton's views on the "right of revolution" and warns that attacking classical liberalism risks eroding essential protections against bigotry and persecution in America. Plunging Russian Oil Prices and the Impact of Global Sanctions. Guest: MICHAEL BERNSTAM. Russian oil prices are dropping significantly, with some major brands selling between $34 and $35 per barrel. Westernsanctions and global supply gluts allow buyers like China and India to extract massive discounts. Future stability in Iran could further increase competition, driving Russian revenues and taxes even lower. Pakistan's $1.5 Billion Arms Deal with Sudan and China's Strategic Influence. Guests: RICK FISHER and GORDON CHANG. Pakistan is nearing a deal to supply jets and drones to Sudan, likely funded by Saudi Arabia. China uses these transactions to establish alternative security structures in the Middle East. Experts suggest China prefers ongoing conflict over peace to maximize profits and regional influence. The Collapse of the Chinese Real Estate Market and Economic Stagnation. Guests: ANNE STEVENSON-YANG and GORDON CHANG. China's property sector faces a permanent downturn, with prices dropping 30–60% and enough vacant apartments to house billions. The government lacks the funds for a rescue. Xi Jinping'sfocus on high-tech is insufficient to replace real estate, which previously accounted for 25% of GDP. The China-Iran Partnership: Oil, Surveillance, and Regional Stability. Guest: JACK BURNHAM. Chinamaintains a pragmatic "partnership" with Iran, focused on extracting discounted oil. Beijing provides surveillance technology to help the Iranian regime suppress internal protests while officially calling for stability. Additionally, Chinese or Russian technology is suspected of disrupting Starlink satellites to hinder military communications.

SHOW1-14-251671 Guests: Elizabeth Peek and John Batchelor. Batchelor and Peek discuss inflation holding firm at 2.7% in December. They evaluate falling gasoline prices and strong holiday retail performance as indicators of improving consumer sentiment. Peek also critiques a DOJ investigation into Jerome Powell, labeling it an "unforced error" that might inadvertently extend Powell's tenure. Guest: Elizabeth Peek. This segment addresses political dissent in Minnesota following a tragedy involving an ICE agent. Peek argues that liberal activists are nationalizing the incident to demonize law enforcement. She views this as partisan positioning for the midterms, intended as a weapon to be used against President Trump. Guests: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Matter. Dempsey explains that the EU lacks a cohesive strategy for Irandespite a consensus on increasing sanctions. Regarding Ukraine, she highlights staggering divisions among European states as the U.S. withdraws military help. Dempsey notes a ceasefire remains unlikely because Russiacurrently has no interest in negotiations. Guests: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Matter. The discussion focuses on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to address immigration to counter the populist AfD party. Dempsey explores the nuances of refugee integration into the German workforce. Finally, she reports European "horror" at potential U.S. moves to annex Greenland, which could threaten the survival of NATO. Guest: Joseph Sternberg. China faces a "sluggish zombie economy" characterized by a burst property bubble and anemic consumption. Sternberg warns of "Japanification," where growth remains stagnant for decades. Beijingstruggles with price deflation, further burdening a heavily indebted economy. Meaningful recovery requires political reforms Xi Jinping resists.  Guest: Joseph Sternberg. President Trump is reportedly using an investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell as a pretext to influence interest rate decisions. Sternberg notes that while central banks like the Bank of England strive for independence, they are increasingly politicized. Additionally, Western media outlets like the BBC initially faced criticism for slow coverage of Iranian massacre 7Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Intense protests in Iran, sparked by decades of mismanagement, have led to a violent crackdown by the regime. Schanzer highlights that these demonstrations are uniquely supported by President Trump's rhetoric. Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a potential figurehead for a transitional government or constitutional monarchy, as the population remains largely pro-Western.8 Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Syria's new central government remains extremely fragile, with authority barely extending beyond Damascus as factions clash in Aleppo. Schanzer describes a "Sunni jihadist regime" facing retribution from sectarian minorities. Meanwhile, regional tensions escalate as Israel and Iran reportedly narrowly avoided direct conflict, prompting Russia to evacuate its embassy. Guest: Dr. Brenda Shaffer. Iran is a multi-ethnic state where Persians constitute less than 40% of the population. Shaffer explains that while current protests are Persian-led, the regime's survival often depends on the participation of ethnic minorities like Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Baluch. These groups frequently engage in direct retribution against security forces. Guest: General Blaine Holt (retired). Holt discusses potential U.S. intervention to support Iranian protesters, emphasizing strikes on command nodes rather than ground troops. While the U.S. maintains air superiority, putting special operators on the ground carries high risk. The Iranian people face a critical window of days to succeed before facing stunning reprisals. Guest: Brandon Weichert. Iranian protesters face a brutal regime that may utilize a "Samson Option," firing all missiles at Israel if the government falls. Weichert notes that while the Israelis and CIA have covert assets on the ground, the protest movement lacks a cohesive leader. Proposals for restoring the Pahlavi dynasty are criticized as an impractical solution. Guest: Brandon Weichert. Turmoil in Iran threatens China's energy security, as Beijing receives roughly 70-80% of Iranian oil. Weichert suggests Russia and China are using the crisis to test anti-Starlink technologies. Furthermore, the regime might import foreign terrorists to suppress domestic dissent, while the U.S. provides behind-the-scenes support to the movement. Guest: Gregory Copley. Iran's collapse could dismantle the "International North-South Transport Corridor," a vital trade route for Russia and India. Copley argues that the Iranian public is increasingly secular, with the youth rejecting clerical authority. While the regime may fire remaining missiles in desperation, a post-clerical Irancould ignite Central Asian economic potential. Guest: Gregory Copley. Although the U.S. promises help, Copley warns that a ground invasion is physically difficult and historically unsuccessful. There are signs that Iranian police and some Revolutionary Guard units are refusing to fire on protesters. Ultimately, the Iranian people must take ownership of the revolution to ensure the legitimacy of any successor government. Guest: Gregory Copley. Following the arrest of Maduro, Venezuela is controlled by four competing "crime families." Copley notes the absence of a clear U.S. plan for citizens facing food and medical insecurity. The U.S.seeks to enforce an oil embargo against Cuba, which is currently suffering from infrastructure collapse and electric grid failures. Guest: Gregory Copley. Reza Pahlavi proposes a constitutional monarchy where the crown serves as a symbolic figurehead, similar to the British system. Copley highlights Pahlavi's unique name recognition and legitimacy as the former crown prince. However, air power alone cannot decisively change the situation on the ground, requiring covert support after the clerics collapse.

SHOW SCHEDULE1-13-251868 PUBLISHER'S ROW NYC Guests: Elizabeth Peek and John Batchelor. Batchelor and Peek discuss inflation holding firm at 2.7% in December. They evaluate falling gasoline prices and strong holiday retail performance as indicators of improving consumer sentiment. Peek also critiques a DOJ investigation into Jerome Powell, labeling it an "unforced error" that might inadvertently extend Powell's tenure. Guest: Elizabeth Peek. This segment addresses political dissent in Minnesota following a tragedy involving an ICE agent. Peek argues that liberal activists are nationalizing the incident to demonize law enforcement. She views this as partisan positioning for the midterms, intended as a weapon to be used against President Trump. Guests: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Matter. Dempsey explains that the EU lacks a cohesive strategy for Irandespite a consensus on increasing sanctions. Regarding Ukraine, she highlights staggering divisions among European states as the U.S. withdraws military help. Dempsey notes a ceasefire remains unlikely because Russiacurrently has no interest in negotiations. Guests: Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Matter. The discussion focuses on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's efforts to address immigration to counter the populist AfD party. Dempsey explores the nuances of refugee integration into the German workforce. Finally, she reports European "horror" at potential U.S. moves to annex Greenland, which could threaten the survival of NATO. Guest: Joseph Sternberg. China faces a "sluggish zombie economy" characterized by a burst property bubble and anemic consumption. Sternberg warns of "Japanification," where growth remains stagnant for decades. Beijingstruggles with price deflation, further burdening a heavily indebted economy. Meaningful recovery requires political reforms Xi Jinping resists. Guest: Joseph Sternberg. President Trump is reportedly using an investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell as a pretext to influence interest rate decisions. Sternberg notes that while central banks like the Bank of England strive for independence, they are increasingly politicized. Additionally, Western media outlets like the BBC initially faced criticism for slow coverage of Iranian massacres. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Intense protests in Iran, sparked by decades of mismanagement, have led to a violent crackdown by the regime. Schanzer highlights that these demonstrations are uniquely supported by President Trump's rhetoric. Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a potential figurehead for a transitional government or constitutional monarchy, as the population remains largely pro-Western. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer. Syria's new central government remains extremely fragile, with authority barely extending beyond Damascus as factions clash in Aleppo. Schanzer describes a "Sunni jihadist regime" facing retribution from sectarian minorities. Meanwhile, regional tensions escalate as Israel and Iran reportedly narrowly avoided direct conflict, prompting Russia to evacuate its embassy. Guest: Dr. Brenda Shaffer. Iran is a multi-ethnic state where Persians constitute less than 40% of the population. Shaffer explains that while current protests are Persian-led, the regime's survival often depends on the participation of ethnic minorities like Azerbaijanis, Kurds, and Baluch. These groups frequently engage in direct retribution against security forces. Guest: General Blaine Holt (retired). Holt discusses potential U.S. intervention to support Iranian protesters, emphasizing strikes on command nodes rather than ground troops. While the U.S. maintains air superiority, putting special operators on the ground carries high risk. The Iranian people face a critical window of days to succeed before facing stunning reprisals. Guest: Brandon Weichert. Iranian protesters face a brutal regime that may utilize a "Samson Option," firing all missiles at Israel if the government falls. Weichert notes that while the Israelis and CIA have covert assets on the ground, the protest movement lacks a cohesive leader. Proposals for restoring the Pahlavi dynasty are criticized as an impractical solution. Guest: Brandon Weichert. Turmoil in Iran threatens China's energy security, as Beijing receives roughly 70-80% of Iranian oil. Weichert suggests Russia and China are using the crisis to test anti-Starlink technologies. Furthermore, the regime might import foreign terrorists to suppress domestic dissent, while the U.S. provides behind-the-scenes support to the movement. Guest: Gregory Copley. Iran's collapse could dismantle the "International North-South Transport Corridor," a vital trade route for Russia and India. Copley argues that the Iranian public is increasingly secular, with the youth rejecting clerical authority. While the regime may fire remaining missiles in desperation, a post-clerical Irancould ignite Central Asian economic potential. Guest: Gregory Copley. Although the U.S. promises help, Copley warns that a ground invasion is physically difficult and historically unsuccessful. There are signs that Iranian police and some Revolutionary Guard units are refusing to fire on protesters. Ultimately, the Iranian people must take ownership of the revolution to ensure the legitimacy of any successor government. Guest: Gregory Copley. Following the arrest of Maduro, Venezuela is controlled by four competing "crime families." Copley notes the absence of a clear U.S. plan for citizens facing food and medical insecurity. The U.S.seeks to enforce an oil embargo against Cuba, which is currently suffering from infrastructure collapse and electric grid failures. Guest: Gregory Copley. Reza Pahlavi proposes a constitutional monarchy where the crown serves as a symbolic figurehead, similar to the British system. Copley highlights Pahlavi's unique name recognition and legitimacy as the former crown prince. However, air power alone cannot decisively change the situation on the ground, requiring covert support after the clerics collapse.

THE US-MANAGED TRANSITION IN POST-MADURO VENEZUELA Colleague Ernesto Araújo. John Batchelor and Ernesto Araújo discuss the US-led operation that captured Nicolas Maduro. Araújo describes the current situation as a well-managed transition where the US is navigating internal power struggles among military factions and criminal gangs rather than allowing a power vacuum to form. NUMBER 91937 Venezuela

SHOW1-12-26"THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW""The Making of the John Batchelor Show" is a live-streaming "beta" experiment launched by John Batchelor on Monday, January 12, 2026. The primary objective of this specific program is to demonstrate "total transparency" by allowing the audience to see the behind-the-scenes process and technical "bumps" involved in producing the show.GLOBAL CHAOS AND THE EROSION OF STABILITY Colleagues Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani. The guests discuss worldwide instability, arguing that the US has abandoned its traditional role in maintaining global order. They examine conflicts in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, suggesting US actions are often driven by whims rather than strategic planning, leading to a state of heightened chaos. NUMBER 1FICTIONS IN SYRIA AND THE RISKS OF INTERVENTION Colleagues Bill Roggio and Husain Haqqani. The discussion focuses on the Syrian conflict, criticizing the US for maintaining "fictions" about local actors and security forces. Haqqani warns against military intervention in Iran, citing past failures like Vietnam and Iraq, noting that military force cannot solve misunderstood political problems. NUMBER 2CHINA'S GREAT HEIST OF AMERICAN SECRETS Colleagues David Shedd and Bill Roggio. David Sheddoutlines China's extensive cyber espionage campaigns, including "Salt Typhoon," which successfully hacked US Congressional committees. These operations aim to steal sensitive communications and embed sabotage tools within USinfrastructure, highlighting a critical failure in American defensive preparedness. NUMBER 3REGIME CHANGE AND SHIFTING POWER IN THE AMERICAS Colleagues David Shedd and Bill Roggio. Shedd details the removal of Nicolas Maduro and a regional shift toward center-right governments. This transition aims to end Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere. Furthermore, the US is demanding stricter security cooperation from Mexico to dismantle powerful drug cartels. NUMBER 4IRANIAN PROTESTS AND THE COLLAPSE OF REGIME CONTROL Colleague Malcolm Hoenlein. Protests across Iran have turned deadly, with reports of hundreds killed by live fire and hospitals refusing wounded demonstrators. Malcolm Hoenlein highlights a communication blackout and a collapsing economy where the currency has plummeted. A new minority coalition of Baluchis and Kurds is now supporting rebellion. NUMBER 5THE SHIFTING BALANCE OF FEAR IN IRAN Colleague Malcolm Hoenlein. As the regime faces potential implosion, discussions involve a return of the Shah's son as a symbolic figurehead, though no clear path to collective leadership exists. Revolutionaries are now tagging the homes of officials, signaling that the balance of fear has shifted from the people to the leadership. NUMBER 6RUSSIA'S ORESHNIK MISSILE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERRENCE Colleague John Hardy. Russia is utilizing the Oreshnik missile to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, leaving thousands without heat. John Hardy explains these strikes serve as psychological intimidation to deter Western nations from providing security guarantees or ground troops. Recent strikes likely targeted an aircraft repair plant, not gas storage. NUMBER 7ESCALATING CONFLICT BETWEEN SYRIAN FORCES AND KURDISH ALLIES Colleague Akmed Khari. Clashes have erupted in Aleppo between the Syrian government and the Kurdish SDF after a failed integration agreement. Akmed Khari notes the complexity of the US coordinating with Syrian security forces that remain riddled with jihadists. The conflict is expected to expand into other contested regions. Analogy: The situation in Syria is like a shaky alliance between rival firefighters who, while ostensibly trying to put out the same blaze, begin turning their hoses on each other while the fire continues to spread. NUMBER 8THE US-MANAGED TRANSITION IN POST-MADURO VENEZUELA Colleague Ernesto Araújo. John Batchelor and Ernesto Araújo discuss the US-led operation that captured Nicolas Maduro. Araújo describes the current situation as a well-managed transition where the US is navigating internal power struggles among military factions and criminal gangs rather than allowing a power vacuum to form. NUMBER 9REGIONAL SHIFTS: COLOMBIA'S DIPLOMACY AND BRAZIL'S POLITICAL FUTURE Colleague Ernesto Araújo. The discussion focuses on Gustavo Petro's pivot toward the United States and the historical concept of "Grand Colombia." In Brazil, they evaluate Lula da Silva's potential re-election bid against the enduring popularity of the imprisoned Jair Bolsonaro and the influence of new nationalist political forces. NUMBER 10REGIONAL REACTIONS TO MADURO'S CAPTURE AND THE ISOLATION OF CUBA Colleague Alejandro Peña Esclusa. Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports that Venezuelans are celebrating Maduro's capture while the Trumpadministration halts oil shipments to Cuba. He explains that regional left-wing leaders fear a trial will reveal their corrupt ties to Maduro, while the Cuban regime faces collapse without Venezuelan energy. NUMBER 11THE FOUR FAMILIES OF CARACAS AND THE END OF THE REGIME Colleague Alejandro Peña Esclusa. Esclusa analyzes the four mafias currently competing for power in Caracas: the Rodriguez siblings, Diosdado Cabello, Padrino Lopez, and Maduro's remnants. He argues that overwhelming US military force has rendered local weapons irrelevant and that the dismantling of these groups is necessary for elections. NUMBER 12ESCALATING IRANIAN PROTESTS AND POTENTIAL US INTERVENTION Colleague Edmund Fitton-Brown. Edmund Fitton-Brown describes the current Iranian protests as a movement that has shifted into a repression phase characterized by internet blackouts and rising casualties. He argues that US military force targeting repression organs could tip the balance in favor of the protesters, who are increasingly calling for a constitutional monarchy. The regime is reportedly attempting to negotiate following US strike threats. NUMBER 13THE COLLAPSE OF THE AXIS OF RESISTANCE Colleague Edmund Fitton-Brown. Fitton-Brown explains how the fall of the Iranian regime would devastate its regional proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias, which depend on IRGC funding and training. Without Tehran's "big brother" support, these groups would likely be forced to make accommodations with local governments. He also notes Hezbollah's role as an international drug cartel. NUMBER 14THE ZOMBIE REGIME AND STRATEGIC TARGETS Colleague Jonathan Sai. Jonathan Sai labels the Islamic Republic a "zombie regime" facing an existential threat despite its brutal crackdowns. He reports that the IRGC and foreign militias are using automatic weapons against protesters in cities like Tehran and Mashhad. Sai suggests that USintervention should prioritize striking repression centers and state-run propaganda machines to dismantle the regime's control. NUMBER 15HEZBOLLAH'S SURVIVAL AND THE LOSS OF REGIONAL LIFELINES Colleague David Daoud. David Daoud characterizes Hezbollah as an ideological extension of Iran currently in survival mode as its lifelines in Syria and Venezuela weaken. While Hezbollah wants the regime to survive for power projection, Daoud suggests Iraqi militias are more likely to be physically assisting Tehran's crackdowns due to their proximity and lower combat losses compared to Hezbollah. To clarify the current state of the Iranian government, Jonathan Sai uses the metaphor of a "zombie regime": it may appear to be moving and in control, but it is functionally dead because it can no longer sustain its support base or provide basic necessities for its people. NUMBER 161832 PERSIAN GIRL, SKETCHED ON STONE BY JAMES ATKINSON

"The Making of the John Batchelor Show" is a live-streaming "beta" experiment launched by John Batchelor on Monday, January 12, 2026. The primary objective of this specific program is to demonstrate "total transparency" by allowing the audience to see the behind-the-scenes process and technical "bumps" involved in producing the show.According to the sources, this format provides several unique insights into the show's production: Live Recording for Radio: While the stream is broadcast live, Batchelor and his guests record specific segments that are later lined up for the standard radio audience in the evening. Technical Troubleshooting: The stream captures the raw interactions between Batchelor and his producer, Chris Noel, as they manage software like StreamYard, troubleshoot audio issues with guests, and coordinate the timing of the "go live" countdown. Real-Time Coordination: The sources show Batchelor and co-host Bill Roggio managing the schedule in real-time, such as texting guests like Jonathan Seiya to arrange interview slots between other segments like "New World". A "Maiden Voyage": Batchelor describes this weekday streaming effort as a "maiden voyage" and a way to jump into the "pool" of new technology, even when they are not entirely confident in the tools. Expert Integration: The format allows for casual introductions and pre-interviews between experts, such as when Batchelor introduced David Shedd to Bill Roggio before they began a formal recorded segment on China's cyber-espionage. Throughout the broadcast, the experts used this transparent platform to analyze an "unprecedented" period of global instability. They covered a wide array of topics, including the news blackout in Iran, the "fiction" of U.S. strikes in Syria, and the shift toward center-right governments in Latin America following the removal of Nicolas Maduro.In essence, "The Making of the John Batchelor Show" functions like a "glass-walled studio," where the audience observes both the polished geopolitical analysis and the unscripted logistical efforts required to bring that analysis to the airwaves.1850 SUBURB OF TEHRAN

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY: This transcript features a discussion between John Batchelor and Gregory Copley regarding the potential political return of Reza Pahlavi to Iran. The speakers suggest that the Crown Prince is currently the only figure with sufficient name recognition and historical legitimacy to lead the nation following a potential collapse of the current regime. While the United States Department of State historically opposes monarchic structures, the experts argue that Pahlavi could serve as a transitional leader or a constitutional monarch similar to the British model. They emphasize that his return is increasingly supported by internal Iranian voices seeking stability through his established plans for economic and agricultural reform. Ultimately, the dialogue positions Pahlavi as a unique bridge between the country's imperial past and a future democratic transformation.1970 TEHRAN

Guests: Elizabeth Peek and John Batchelor. Batchelor and Peek discuss inflation holding firm at 2.7% in December. They evaluate falling gasoline prices and strong holiday retail performance as indicators of improving consumer sentiment. Peek also critiques a DOJ investigation into Jerome Powell, labeling it an "unforced error" that might inadvertently extend Powell's tenure.FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD 1917

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT HEZBOLLAH'S EXPLOITATION OF VENEZUELAN INSTABILITYColleague David Daoud, Foundation for Defense of Democracies. John Batchelor and David Daoud discuss Hezbollah's operations in Venezuela and the Americas, which involve illicit drugs and other activities. Daoud suggests that Hezbollah's future depends on whether Venezuela establishes a durable, pro-American government to enforce the rule of law or remains in chaos, which the group would exploit.1954 VENEZUELA

PREVIEW FOR LATER:  RUSSIA'S STRIKES ON UKRAINIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE Colleagues John Hardie and Bill Roggio. John Batchelor and Bill Roggio interview guest John Hardie regarding Russia's strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Hardie highlights the Arashnik missile as a tool for psychological intimidation to deter Western security guarantees. They discuss Russia's tactical use of Shahed drones and decoys against civilians.1951.

THE STATUE OF KHMELNYTSKY AND THE ORIGINS OF IMPERIAL DOMINATION Colleague Professor Eugene Finkel. John Batchelor and Professor Eugene Finkel discuss the 1888 statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky in Kyiv, originally a project of Russian nationalists who envisioned a Ukraine stripped of Jews, Poles, and Westerninfluence. Finkel explains Khmelnytsky's 17th-century rebellion against Poland and his subsequent alliance with Moscow, which Russians interpret as unification but Ukrainians view as a pragmatic move for statehood. The conversation explores the 1783 imperial project under Catherine the Great, comparing the colonization of "New Russia" and the Black Sea coast to American colonial expansion, aiming to force Russian identity onto a diverse population. NUMBER 1SOVIET KYIV

Anatoly Zak, Hotel Mars, Jan. 7 Weds:The summary below is provided by John Batchelor. You can see this program's video on John's Substack page.Dr. David M. Livingston, doctor of space himself, is here. He is my colleague and co-host and friend and copilot, as we're getting not only into time and space, but we're going back to 1972 to go forward to the moon.We welcome Anatoly Zak, who keeps the very helpful RussianSpaceWeb.com, a subscription site. I heartily recommend it for those of you who lived through the first moon rays during the Cold War of the 20th century.Now we're witnessing a new moon race, this time with a new player on the field: the Chinese space program.However, in 1972, America had won the moon race. In 1969, there were subsequent moon ventures by the Russians and the Americans. We're talking detente, and that would lead to a joint space mission in Earth orbit. But as of that point, the Russians and Roscosmos had ambition to get to the moon—and they still have ambition to get to the moon.And it's totally wonderful to travel to 1972, when I was a much younger fellow and didn't see or didn't know about all these developments in Russia. What was L3m?Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 448t ZOOM Guy Schumann | Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Guy SchumannOur guest is the CEO of RSS-Hydro in Luxembourg. The company helps assess and mitigate the risks of natural extremes, safeguarding both your communities and assets with resilience and security from space assets.Broadcast 4487: Hotel Mars TBD | Wednesday 14 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: John Batchelor, Dr. David LivingstonHotel Mars TBDBroadcast 4488 Zoom, DR. ARMEN PAPAZIAN | Friday 16 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr. Armen PapazianArmen presents his latest space economics paper which is posted on The Space Show blog for this program.Broadcast 4489 Zoom Dan Adamo | Sunday 18 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dan AdamoZoom: Dan discusses the special lunar orbit being used for the Artemis program Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

REEVALUATING CANADA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CUBA AMIDST VENEZUELAN TENSIONS Colleague Charles Burton. John Batchelor and Charles Burton discuss whether Ottawa's friendly ties with Havana will endure given the unfolding Venezuela episode and US scrutiny. Burton argues that Cuba's failing economy and rising repression make it difficult for Canada to justify its support, suggesting the Castro dictatorship must ultimately come to an end. 1899 HAVANA

RUNES, TAVERN MESSAGES, AND HIDDEN HISTORIES Colleague Eleanor Barraclough. John Batchelorinterviews Eleanor Barraclough about her book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age. They discuss a specific runic inscription from roughly 1200 AD found on a piece of wood in a tavern in Bergen, Norway. The message is from a woman named Gyda telling her husband to come home, to which he seemingly carved a nonsensical, drunken response. Barraclough explains her methodology of using such everyday objects—"embers of the hands"—to reveal the personal lives of individuals often lost in the grand scope of history. The segment also establishes the 793 AD raid on Lindisfarne as the traditional, shocking start of the Viking Age. NUMBER 1

HENRY AVERY: THE COMPLICATED GENIUS WHO SPARKED THE GOLDEN AGE OF PIRACYColleagues Sean Kingsley and Rex Cowan, The Pirate King. Host John Batchelor introduces the authors of The Pirate King to discuss Henry Avery, a "complicated genius" who raided a Mughal treasure ship in 1695. While this heist sparked the Golden Age of Piracy, the authors reveal that Avery did not merely vanish but entered a world of espionage. NUMBER 1

TRANSLATION AND THE SEARCH FOR TROY Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. John Batchelor interviews Professor Emily Wilson about her new iambic pentameter translation of the Iliad. They discuss the historical location of Troy in modern Turkey and the archaeological layers discovered by Schliemann, who wrongly believed he found Agamemnon's mask. Wilson explains that while the Greeks viewed the Iliad as partly historical, it is a poetic imagining composed centuries after the events, designed for oral performance and rhythmic reading. NUMBER 1 500 AD ALEXANDRIA AMBROSIAN ILIAD

SHOW 12-30-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THESDHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF WAR-MAKING AS EXPRESSED MOURNFULLY BY HECTOR'S WIFE ANDROMACHE... SHOW 12-30-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR TRANSLATION AND THE SEARCH FOR TROY Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. John Batchelor interviews Professor Emily Wilson about her new iambic pentameter translation of the Iliad. They discuss the historical location of Troy in modern Turkey and the archaeological layers discovered by Schliemann, who wrongly believed he found Agamemnon's mask. Wilson explains that while the Greeks viewed the Iliad as partly historical, it is a poetic imagining composed centuries after the events, designed for oral performance and rhythmic reading. NUMBER 1 HOMER'S NARRATIVE CHOICES AND ORAL TRADITION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilsondiscusses the "Homeric Question," noting that oral stories existed for centuries before the alphabet arrived in the 8th century BCE. She highlights the Iliad's sophisticated narrative structure, which omits famous events like the Apple of Discord and the Trojan Horse to focus intensely on a specific period of the war. The conversation compares the Iliad'sfocus on Greek infighting with Virgil's Aeneid, noting the distinct goals of each epic tradition. NUMBER 2 TRAGIC COUPLES AND DIVINE INTERVENTION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The segment explores key character pairings, starting with Helen's complex view of Paris and her weaving as a metaphor for the story. Wilsonanalyzes the tragic relationship between Hector and Andromache, emphasizing Hector's choice of duty over family. They discuss the gods' roles, particularly Thetis's prayer to Zeus which seals Achilles' fate, and Hera's bargaining with Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction, highlighting the interplay of divine will and mortal suffering. NUMBER 3 TRANSLATION AND THE SEARCH FOR TROY Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. John Batchelor interviews Professor Emily Wilson about her new iambic pentameter translation of the Iliad. They discuss the historical location of Troy in modern Turkey and the archaeological layers discovered by Schliemann, who wrongly believed he found Agamemnon's mask. Wilson explains that while the Greeks viewed the Iliad as partly historical, it is a poetic imagining composed centuries after the events, designed for oral performance and rhythmic reading. NUMBER 1 HOMER'S NARRATIVE CHOICES AND ORAL TRADITION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilsondiscusses the "Homeric Question," noting that oral stories existed for centuries before the alphabet arrived in the 8th century BCE. She highlights the Iliad's sophisticated narrative structure, which omits famous events like the Apple of Discord and the Trojan Horse to focus intensely on a specific period of the war. The conversation compares the Iliad'sfocus on Greek infighting with Virgil's Aeneid, noting the distinct goals of each epic tradition. NUMBER 2 TRAGIC COUPLES AND DIVINE INTERVENTION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The segment explores key character pairings, starting with Helen's complex view of Paris and her weaving as a metaphor for the story. Wilsonanalyzes the tragic relationship between Hector and Andromache, emphasizing Hector's choice of duty over family. They discuss the gods' roles, particularly Thetis's prayer to Zeus which seals Achilles' fate, and Hera's bargaining with Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction, highlighting the interplay of divine will and mortal suffering. NUMBER 3 APHRODITE, PATROCLUS, AND TROPHY WOMEN Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilson examines Aphrodite's intervention on the battlefield and her representation of baser instincts like lust. The discussion shifts to Briseis, a "trophy" of war, and her relationship with Patroclus, whom Wilson refuses to classify as a "beta male" despite his kindness. Patroclus is described as a brutal killer and Achilles' closest companion. The segment highlights the emotional depth of Achilles, who displays immense vulnerability alongside his capacity for violence. NUMBER 4 AGAMEMNON'S FAILURE AND DIVINE POLITICS Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. This segment details the plot's catalyst: Agamemnon seizing Briseis from Achilles, causing the hero to withdraw from battle. Wilson explains the divine politics, including Hera trading three Greek cities to Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction. They analyze Agamemnon's flawed leadership; while he blames Zeus for his bad decisions, the poem portrays the immense difficulty of holding a disparate army together, leading to disastrous choices that necessitate Achilles' eventual return. NUMBER 5 THE GORE AND GLORY OF BATTLE Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilson discusses translating the Iliad'svivid violence, drawing on insights from combat veterans regarding the trauma of battlefield death. A central theme is the treatment of corpses; possessing and stripping a dead enemy's armor is the ultimate sign of dominance. The conversation touches on the physical nature of the gods, who bleed "ichor" when wounded, and Poseidon's support for the Greeks in contrast to his brother Zeus. NUMBER 6 THE DEATH OF PATROCLUS AND HECTOR Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The tragedy culminates with Patroclus ignoring Achilles' warning, leading to his death by Hector and the loss of Achilles' armor. Wilson describes Achilles' terrifying return to battle, equipped with new armor from Hephaestus, and his slaughter of Trojans. The segment covers the final confrontation where Achilles kills Hector and, driven by vengeance, drags his body behind a chariot, denying him burial rights and intending to mutilate him forever. NUMBER 7 GRIEF, GAMES, AND ACCEPTANCE Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. After Hector's death, Achilles finds a form of healing through funeral games, which offer a non-lethal model of competition. He even awards Agamemnon a prize without a contest, possibly as a slight. The poem concludes not with victory, but with a "humanitarian pause" for Hector's funeral. Wilson notes the ending focuses on women's lamentations, emphasizing the Iliad's enduring lesson on the struggle to accept human mortality. NUMBER 8 FEMALE AUTHORSHIP AND THE TROJAN WOMEN Colleague Daisy Dunn. Daisy Dunn discusses the legend of Phantasia, a rumored female source for Homer, and the myth of Leda and the Swan. She argues that the Trojan Warlikely reflects real historical conflicts at the site of Hisarlik. The segment highlights key female figures: Andromache, who offers military advice to Hector, and Briseis, the enslaved woman central to the dispute between Agamemnon and Achilles, illustrating the centrality of women to the epic. NUMBER 9 SAPPHO OF LESBOS Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn explores the life of Sappho, debunking myths about her appearance and suicide. She explains that Sappho was exiled due to her family's aristocratic background during a time of political revolution. The conversation covers Sappho's disapproval of her brother's relationship with the courtesan Doricha and her professional jealousy when students left her school for rivals. Weaving is presented as a metaphor for women shaping fate. NUMBER 10 ETRUSCANS AND THE WOMEN OF EARLY ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn discusses the Etruscans, noting their advanced dentistry and the shock Greeks felt at Etruscan men and women dining together openly. Transitioning to Rome, they recount the violent founding myth of the Rape of the Sabine Women. The segment details the tragedy of Lucretia, whose rape and subsequent suicide led Brutus to overthrow the monarchy and establish the Roman Republic, making her a paragon of virtue. NUMBER 11 DIDO AND THE FOUNDING OF CARTHAGE Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn recounts the story of Dido, the clever founder of Carthage who tricked a local king to secure land. When Aeneas abandons her to fulfill his destiny, Didocurses him, foreshadowing the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage. The segment explores her tragic suicide on a pyre, noting the societal judgment against her for breaking vows of celibacy, while acknowledging her capacity as a talented ruler and builder of cities. NUMBER 12 CORNELIA AND SERVILIA: MOTHERS OF ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. This segment focuses on Cornelia, the educated "one-man woman" who raised the reforming Gracchi brothers to challenge the Roman elite. Dunn notes Cornelia's heartbreak as she tried to dissuade her second son from following his assassinated brother's path. The discussion shifts to Servilia, Caesar's long-term mistress and mother of Brutus. Servilia is depicted as a politically astute woman caught between her lover and her son, the future assassin. NUMBER 13 CLEOPATRA AND CAESAR Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn describes Cleopatra's dramatic entrance from a rug to meet Caesar and secure her rule in Egypt. Despite her intelligence and linguistic skills, the Romans viewed her with suspicion and distaste, labeling her a "whore queen." Dunn challenges the Hollywood image of Cleopatra's beauty, noting coin portraits show a hooked nose, and argues her power lay in her charisma and voice. She remains a figure of admiration today. NUMBER 14 ANTONY, FULVIA, AND CLEOPATRA'S END Colleague Daisy Dunn. The conversation turns to Mark Antony'sunpopular affair with Cleopatra and his wife Fulvia, who instigated a war in Italy to counter Octavian. Dunn highlights the Roman propensity for public emotion and early marriage. Following Antony's botched suicide, Cleopatra takes her own life to avoid being paraded as a trophy by Octavian. Dunn suggests the "asp" story might be a myth covering a lethal injection or poison. NUMBER 15 THE WOMEN OF THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn profiles the powerful women of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Livia is portrayed as Augustus's essential political partner and diplomat. The segment covers the tragic life of Julia, the lechery of Caligula, and the notorious reputation of Messalina. Finally, Agrippina the Younger is described as a co-emperor to her son Nero before he turned against her. Dunn concludes that Roman politics were bloodier but more politically savvy than the Greeks. NUMBER 16

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE ANTHROPOCENE AND THE INEVITABILITY OF CLIMATE MIGRATION Colleague Gaia Vince. John Batchelor and Gaia Vince discuss her book, Nomad Century, which argues that climate migration is already underway and inevitable. Vince illustrates this reality through Abel Cruz, a Peruvian farmer forced to migrate to a slum in Lima after drought destroyed his livelihood. She describes the forces driving this movement as the "four horsemen of the Anthropocene": fire, heat, flood, and drought. As the tropics become increasingly dangerous, Vince explains that populations from the Global South will necessarily move toward the Global North, where land is more abundant and nations are wealthier and better able to adapt. NUMBER 1 1857 IRISH ARRIVING BOSTON

SHOW 12-29-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR UR THE PRINCESS'S MUSEUM AT THE DAWN OF HISTORY Colleague Moudhy Al-Rashid. Moudhy Al-Rashidintroduces Ennigaldi-Nanna, a princess and high priestess of the moon god in the ancient city of Ur. Excavators discovered a chamber in her palace containing carefully arranged artifacts from eras much older than her own, effectively serving as a museum. A clay cylinder found there acted as a museum label, preserving the history of ancient kings to lend legitimacy to her father, King Nabonidus, and his dynasty. NUMBER 1 THE STORIES TOLD BY MESOPOTAMIAN BRICKS Colleague Moudhy Al-Rashid. Moudhy Al-Rashidexplains how millions of mud bricks reveal the history of ancient Mesopotamia, from the construction of massive temples to the 9-kilometer wall of Uruk. These bricks were often stamped with the names of kings to ensure their deeds were known to the gods. Beyond royal propaganda, bricks preserve intimate moments, such as the accidental paw prints of dogs or footprints of children left while the clay dried in the sun. NUMBER 2 GILGAMESH AND THE BIRTH OF WRITTEN LEGEND Colleague Moudhy Al-Rashid. Al-Rashid discusses Cuneiform, a writing system used for over 3,000 years to record languages like Sumerian and Akkadian. She details the Epic of Gilgamesh, a tale of a tyrannical king who finds wisdom and friendship with the wild man Enkidu. While Gilgamesh was likely a real historical figure, his story evolved into high poetry about mortality and leadership. The segment notes that kingship was believed to have descended from heaven. NUMBER 3 HOMEWORK AND HEARTACHE IN ANCIENT SCHOOLS Colleague Moudhy Al-Rashid. Excavations of a "schoolhouse" in Nippur revealed thousands of practice tablets, showing the messy first attempts of children learning to write. These artifacts include literary accounts of school life, complaints about food, and even teeth marks from frustrated students. The curriculum was rigorous, covering literacy and advanced mathematics like geometry, which was essential for future scribes to calculate field yields and manage the bureaucracy. NUMBER 4 THE ALCOHOLIC TYRANTS OF THE WEST Colleague Professor James Romm. James Romm introduces Syracuse as a dominant power in the 4th century BCE under the rule of Dionysius the Elder, who rose from clerk to autocrat. Dionysius fortified the city's geography to create a secure military base and adopted the Persian custom of polygamy, marrying two women on the same day. This created a rivalrous, "unhappy family" dynamic in a court notorious for heavy drinking and "Syracusan tables" of excess. NUMBER 5 PLATO'S FAILED FIRST MISSION TO SICILY Colleague Professor James Romm. Professor Romm details Plato's background, including his connection to the Thirty Tyrants in Athens and his philosophy of "forms." Plato was invited to Syracuse by Dion, who hoped the philosopher could reform the tyrant Dionysius the Elder. However, this first visit was a disaster; Plato attempted to lecture the ruler on ethics and moral behavior, resulting in the philosopher being dismissed from the court with dishonor. NUMBER 6 THE BANISHMENT OF DION Colleague Professor James Romm. Plato returned to Syracuse to tutor Dionysius the Younger, hoping to create an enlightened monarch, but found a court defined by drunkenness and immaturity. The experiment failed when Dion, Plato's ally, sent a letter to Carthage that the tyrant interpreted as treason. Dionysiusbanished Dion and kept Plato under a form of house arrest to maintain the appearance of an alliance, while the tyrant solidified his power. NUMBER 7 A PHILOSOPHER OBSERVES A COMING WAR Colleague Professor James Romm. At the Olympic Games, Plato met the exiled Dion and learned that the tyrant had confiscated Dion's property and given his wife to another man. Despite the growing tension, Plato visited Syracuse a third time in 361 BCE to attempt reconciliation. Romm argues that Plato's harsh description of the "tyrannical man" in The Republic was directly inspired by his personal observations of living under the roof of the Syracusan tyrant. NUMBER 8 REVOLUTION, ASSASSINATION, AND CHAOS Colleague Professor James Romm. Dion launched an invasion to liberate Syracuse, but the revolution unleashed chaotic populist passions he could not control. After ordering the assassination of a rival, Dion fell into a depression and was eventually assassinated by a faction of his own army. Rommnotes that ancient historians, including Plutarch, largely protected Dion's reputation to safeguard the prestige of Plato's Academy, despite Dion's failure to become a true philosopher king. NUMBER 9 THE TYRANT WHO BECAME A SCHOOLTEACHER Colleague Professor James Romm. Professor James Romm discusses the surprising fate of Dionysius II, the tyrant of Syracuse. After the Corinthian leader Timoleonarrived to liberate the city, Dionysius surrendered and was allowed to retire to Corinth rather than facing execution. There, the former absolute ruler became a music teacher, leading to the proverb "Dionysius is in Corinth," a saying used for centuries to describe the unpredictability of fortune and the fall of the powerful. NUMBER 10 PHILOSOPHER KINGS AND THE RIVER OF HEEDLESSNESS Colleague Professor James Romm. James Romm explores Plato's Republic, arguing that philosophers make the best kings because they perceive the true "forms" of justice rather than earthly shadows. The discussion turns to the "Myth of Er," a story of the afterlife where souls travel for a thousand years before choosing their next life. Plato warns that drinking too deeply from the River of Heedlessnesserases memory, whereas philosophers strive to recall the forms. NUMBER 11 PLATO'S LETTERS AND THE WHITEWASHING OF DION Colleague Professor James Romm. The conversation examines Plato's thirteen letters, specifically the five Romm believes are genuine regarding the Syracuse affair. Platoviewed himself as a wise lawgiver capable of reforming a tyrant, though he was naive about practical politics. In the seventh letter, Plato attempts to rehabilitate the reputation of his associate Dion, spinning the narrative to portray Dion as a virtuous victim of evil rather than admitting his political failures. NUMBER 12 THE RETURN OF THE NOBLE MONARCH Colleague Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley argues that the world has reached "peak republicanism," where republics have become inefficient political battlegrounds. He defines nobility not as a class structure, but as a quality of honorable leadership that embodies the state's values. Copley suggests modern monarchies, like that of King Charles III, are reinvigorating this role by acting as apolitical symbols of unity and diplomacy, unlike elected leaders who only represent their voters. NUMBER 13 THE DANGERS OF TRANSACTIONAL NATIONALISM Colleague Gregory Copley. Copley warns that suppression in republics often leads to uncontrollable demands for liberty, citing the collapse of the Shah's Iran and the USSR. He distinguishes between "tribal nationalism," based on shared history, and "state nationalism," which is often transactional. Copley argues that transactional systems eventually fail because the state runs out of resources to trade for support, leading to corruption and the potential fracturing of society. NUMBER 14 CONSTITUTIONS, BELIEF, AND THE EMPIRE Colleague Gregory Copley. Copley describes the US Constitution as the "de facto crown" holding the American empire together, though it faces challenges from populist movements. He argues that a "faith-based electorate" or a "belief in beliefs" is essential for social unity, noting that when people stop believing in God, they will believe in anything. Monarchy utilizes mysticism and continuity to maintain this unity, a quality difficult for republics to replicate. NUMBER 15 THE REASSERTION OF ANCIENT EMPIRES Colleague Gregory Copley. Copley contends that China is reasserting its identity as an empire, with the Communist Party seeking legitimacy by connecting with imperial history despite previous rejections of the past. Similarly, he views Vladimir Putin as a nationalist attempting to restore the memory and grandeur of the Russian Empire. The segment concludes by suggesting the US might "lease" the symbolic nobility of King Charles III during state visits to borrow necessary leadership prestige. NUMBER 16

ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They examine Cicero's debut defense of Roscius, accused of patricide, a crime punished by being sewn into a sack with animals. Cicero proved Roscius was framed by relatives seeking to seize his inheritance, establishing his reputation for storytelling and detective work. NUMBER 1 1450

Show 12-26-25 The show begins in doubts of the veneration of Cicero. and the derogation of Aggripina Minor. 1880 SULLA SACKING ROME ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They examine Cicero's debut defense of Roscius, accused of patricide, a crime punished by being sewn into a sack with animals. Cicero proved Roscius was framed by relatives seeking to seize his inheritance, establishing his reputation for storytelling and detective work. NUMBER 1 THE PROSECUTION OF VERRES Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero takes on the corruption trial of Gaius Verres, the governor of Sicily who looted art and money from the province. Although Cicero usually defended clients to earn favors, he prosecuted Verres to align with political shifts demanding reform. Verres was backed by the Senateestablishment and Sulla's followers, making Cicero's move a bold attack by an outsider against a "crooked establishment" to cleanse the government. NUMBER 2 CICERO VS. CATILINE: THE CONSPIRACY BEGINS Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero captivated the jury against Verres by describing the governor partying while pirates raided Syracuse, causing Verres to flee into exile. Later, Cicero achieved the consulship by defeating Catiline, an aristocrat who became his bitter rival. Desperate after losing the election again, Catiline conspired with a fashionable group of young men to overthrow the government, leading to a showdown with Cicero in the Senate. NUMBER 3 THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Romancitizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Caesar's suggestion of life imprisonment, became a major political error. Cicero's gloating and refusal to grant due process alienated the public and powerful figures, turning him into a target for the populist movement and threatening his future career. NUMBER 4 THE BONA DEA SCANDAL Colleague Josiah Osgood. A scandal erupts when Publius Clodius infiltrates the women-only Bona Dea ceremony at Caesar's house disguised as a female musician, allegedly to pursue Caesar's wife. Although Cicero initially hesitated, he testified against Clodius, destroying his alibi that he was out of town. This testimony created a dangerous enemy in Clodius, who, despite the sacrilege charge, managed to secure an acquittal through bribery. NUMBER 5 EXILE AND THE TEMPLE OF LIBERTY Colleague Josiah Osgood. Seeking revenge, Clodius transitions to plebeian status to become a tribune and passes a law punishing anyone who executed citizens without trial, specifically targeting Cicero. Forced into exile, Cicero flees Rome while Clodius destroys his mansion on Palatine Hill. Clodiusdedicates the site to the goddess Liberty as a political coup and a humiliation to Cicero, while also harassing Cicero'swife, Terentia, who remained in Rome. NUMBER 6 THE IDES OF MARCH Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero returns to a Rome on the brink of civil war, eventually being pardoned by the victor, Caesar. Resenting Caesar's tyranny, Cicero seemingly encouraged Brutus but was not part of the assassination plot. On the Ides of March, Cicero witnessed the murder in the Senate; Brutus shouted Cicero's name while holding the bloody dagger, linking the orator to the restoration of the Republic in the public eye. NUMBER 7 THE DEATH OF CICERO Colleague Josiah Osgood. Following Caesar's death, Cicero returns to politics to oppose Mark Antony, delivering the "Philippics" and allying with young Octavian. This strategy backfires when Octavianreconciles with Antony, leading to a kill order against Cicero for his anti-Caesar rhetoric. Cicero is assassinated, possibly meeting his death with theatrical heroism by extending his neck to the soldiers, a scene likely popularized by his loyal secretary Tiro. NUMBER 8 THE SABINE WOMEN AND AUGUSTAN HISTORY Colleague Emma Southon. Emma Southon discusses A Rome of One's Own, examining history through women's perspectives. They analyze the myth of the Sabine women, abducted by Romulus to populate Rome. This story, recorded by Livy to flatter Augustus, culminates in Hersilia and the women intervening in battle to unite the warring fathers and husbands. It establishes women as the "glue" holding Romanfamilies and society together. NUMBER 9 LUCRETIA: VIRTUE AND SUICIDE Colleague Emma Southon. The discussion moves to Lucretia, the model of Roman female virtue. During a contest among husbands, Lucretia is found virtuously weaving wool while others party. This leads to her rape by Sextus Tarquinius, who threatens her reputation. To protect her honor, Lucretia confesses to her family and commits suicide, an act Augustus later used to define female virtue and which sparked the end of the monarchy. NUMBER 10 TULLIA AND THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC Colleague Emma Southon. Contrasting Lucretia is Tullia, a figure of female ambition and wickedness. Tullia conspires with her brother-in-law to murder their spouses and her own father, the king, even driving over his body. Her crimes and the subsequent assault on Lucretia by her son, Sextus, justify the overthrow of the monarchy. Brutus uses Lucretia's body to incite the revolution that establishes the Roman Republic. NUMBER 11 CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro Caelio, Cicero characterizes her as a "Palatine Medea" and a seductress to discredit her claims of attempted poisoning. Unable to speak in court, Clodia is silenced by Cicero's rhetorical assassination of her character. NUMBER 12 JULIA: THE EMPEROR'S REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER Colleague Emma Southon. Augustus uses his daughter Julia as a political tool, marrying her to Marcellus, Agrippa, and finally the reluctant Tiberius to secure an heir. While she had five children with Agrippa, her forced marriage to Tiberius leads to rebellion. Julia engages in public adulterous affairs to humiliate her father, resulting in her permanent exile and eventual starvation by Tiberius after Augustus'sdeath. NUMBER 13 QUEENS OF BRITAIN: CARTIMANDUA AND BOUDICCA Colleague Emma Southon. This segment contrasts two British queens: Cartimandua and Boudicca. Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, collaborates successfully with Rome, understanding they are "not to be defeated, they're to be pleased." Conversely, Boudicca represents resistance; provoked by Roman mistreatment, she leads a rebellion but is defeated. While Tacitus claims Boudicca committed suicide to preserve honor, English schools celebrate her as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. NUMBER 14 WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND THE FRONTIER Colleague Emma Southon. We meet Julia Felix, a Pompeianentrepreneur who ran a luxury bath and dining complex, offering "bougie" experiences to the middle class before dying in the Vesuvius eruption. The discussion shifts to Vindolanda in Britain, where letters between Sulpicia Lepidina and Claudia Severa reveal a vibrant social life for women in military forts, including birthday parties and domestic luxuries like wild swan and imported wine. NUMBER 15 PERPETUA AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY Colleague Emma Southon. The final segment discusses Perpetua, a young nursing mother and Christian convert in Carthage. Defying the Roman mandate to sacrifice to the emperor, she views suffering as redemptive rather than a punishment. Unlike Romans who viewed suicide by poison as honorable, Perpetua and her slave Felicity choose martyrdom in the arena, having their throats cut to demonstrate their faith, signaling the rise of Christianity. NUMBER 16

Hotel Mars with John Batchelor for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 featuring from India, Dr. Sabayashi Pal.John Batchelor and I introduced The Hotel Mars audience to DR. SABAYASHI PAL regarding his discovery of giant radio galaxies and supermassive black holes. Dr. Pal reported that astronomers have discovered 53 giant radio galaxies, some 75 times larger than the Milky Way, powered by active supermassive black holes emitting radio jets. These ancient objects offer insights into galactic evolution, contrasting sharply with the Milky Way's smaller, dormant black hole in the center of our galaxy that allows life to exist safely.In Part Two of our Hotel Mars discussion with Dr. Pal, he said that with an unlimited budget, he would use it for investing in human intelligence over that of any AI. Dr. Pal prefers to prioritize human resource development over new telescopes, proposing a space study institute in Africa to train experts. He said that while AI is a useful tool, a quality science education is essential for humans to interpret data and appreciate the machinery rather than being replaced by it. Dr. Pal strongly believes that human intelligence is a far more valuable resource than artificial intelligence, even for the future.Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4476 Zoom Dr. MIKE GRIFFIN | Tuesday 23 Dec 2025 700PM PTGuests: Dr. Michael D. GriffinZoom: Dr. Griffin discusses how best to promptly get to the Moon and more.Broadcast 4477 Zoom: To Be Determined | Friday 26 Dec 2025 930AM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZOOM: To Be DeterminedBroadcast 4478: Zoom: TOM OLSON | Sunday 28 Dec 2025 1200PM PTGuests: Thomas A. OlsonZoom: Tom returns for his annual year in review program. Always exciting and fun. Don't miss it. Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

LOGAN'S LAMENT AND THE CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY Colleague Robert G. Parkinson. Host John Batchelor introduces Professor Robert G. Parkinson and his book, Heart of American Darkness, which investigates the complex relationship between colonials and Native Americans in 1775. The discussion focuses on a famous document known as "Logan's Lament," published in the Pennsylvania Journal, in which a Mingo leader named Loganblames a "Colonel Cresap" for the cold-blooded murder of his family. Parkinson clarifies that this was a case of mistaken identity; Logan confused the father, Thomas Cresap, with the son, Michael, though neither was the actual killer. NUMBER 1

SHOW 12-11-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR JUNE 1957 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE TRUMP COROLLARY  FIRST HOUR 9-915 Ukraine-Russia Conflict and the Transformation of Warfare: Colleague Anatol Lieven discusses the Ukraine-Russia conflict, noting that drone warfare has fundamentally changed battle tactics, analyzing Trump's influence on peace negotiations and suggesting Ukraine risks losing support without concessions, while explaining that EU membership is being offered as a prize in exchange for territorial losses. 915-930 Why Russia Will Not Attack NATO: Colleague Anatol Lieven dismisses fears that Russia intends to attack NATO Baltic states, arguing such a move would lack strategic gain and risk nuclear war, contending these defenses are unnecessary because attacking NATO would unite the West, contrary to Russian interests. 930-945 China's Intellectual Property Theft and the K-Shaped Economy: Colleague Chris Riegel discusses "The Great Heist," a book detailing China's campaign to steal American intellectual property via spies and students, also noting a US consumer slowdown and describing a "K-shaped" economy where lower-income earners struggle with affordability despite infrastructure spending. 945-1000 Iran's Currency Collapse and Legitimacy Crisis: Colleague Jonathan Sayeh reports that Iran's currency has collapsed to historic lows, fueling inflation and social dissatisfaction, explaining that while the regime uses repression and temporary social loosening to maintain control, it faces a legitimacy crisis and difficulty recruiting loyal security forces. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Warnings Against a US-Saudi Nuclear Deal: Colleague Andrea Stricker warns against a US-Saudi nuclear deal that allows uranium enrichment, advocating for the "gold standard" of non-proliferation, arguing any agreement must include the Additional Protocol for inspections and ensure the US retains a right of return for nuclear materials. 1015-1030 Credit Card Interest Rate Caps Would Harm Low-Income Borrowers: Colleague Veronique de Rugy criticizes proposals by Senators Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez to cap credit card interest rates at 10 percent, arguing price controls will force companies to reduce risk, ultimately denying credit to the low-income borrowers the bill aims to protect. 1030-1045 1045-1100 American Universities Have Abandoned Liberal Education: Colleague Peter Berkowitz argues that American universities have abandoned liberal education, replacing the study of Western civilization with narrow specialization and political agendas, lamenting that students are no longer taught about historical heroes or the realities of the Revolutionary War, depriving them of national identity. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 James I, Mary Queen of Scots, and the English Succession: Colleague Clare Jackson explains how James I managed the tension between his imprisoned mother, Mary Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I, noting James protested his mother's execution but prioritized his claim to the English throne, maintaining a complex correspondence with Elizabeth to ensure his succession. 1115-1130 James I's Sea Voyage to Denmark and Dynastic Tragedies: Colleague Clare Jackson details James I's decision to travel by sea to marry Anna of Denmark, viewing it as a dynastic duty despite the risks, also discussing the death of his heir Prince Henry and his daughter's involvement in the conflicts sparking the Thirty Years' War. 1130-1145 James I's Male Favorites and the Madrid Adventure: Colleague Clare Jackson explores James I's intense relationships with male favorites like Robert Carr and George Villiers, noting the political complications these caused, describing the bizarre, risky journey Prince Charles and Villiers took to Madrid in disguise to woo the Spanish Infanta. 1145-1200 James I, American Colonies, and Tobacco Revenue: Colleague Clare Jackson discusses James I's oversight of American colonies like Jamestown, using chartered companies for deniability against Spanish claims, noting his initial opposition to tobacco before accepting its revenue and describing his fluctuating relationship with Parliament regarding funding and military action. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Venezuelan Opposition Leader Accepts Nobel Prize in Oslo: Colleague Evan Ellis reports on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado accepting a Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo after escaping her country, outlining a new US national security strategy increasing military presence in the hemisphere and the seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker. 1215-1230 Caribbean Reactions to US Military Operations Against Venezuela: Colleague Evan Ellis analyzes Caribbean reactions to US military operations against Venezuela, noting support from the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, explaining that islands like Curacao and Aruba fear becoming targets, while political shifts in St. Vincent offer new cooperation opportunities. 1230-1245 Electoral Chaos in Honduras and Chile's Stark Choice: Colleague Evan Ellis describes electoral chaos in Honduras, where US-backed candidate Asfura leads amidst claims of irregularities and potential unrest, contrasting this with Chile's election where voters choose between conservative Kast and communist "Hara" due to fears of communism or desire for social rights. 1245-100 A China's New White Paper on Latin America: Colleague Evan Ellis details China's new white paper on Latin America, which ignores US pressure and asserts a "full speed ahead" diplomatic and economic approach, emphasizing expanding infrastructure, technology, and security cooperation while securing access to critical commodities like copper.

SHOW 12-9-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1916 MONTENEGRO THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE HUBBLE CONSTANT. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Baltic Defenses and NATO's Uncertain Resolve: Colleague Blaine Holt discusses the Baltics preparing defensive "Mino lines" and bunkers fearing a potential Russian attack, noting Baltic citizens feel trapped between NATO bureaucracy and Russian hybrid warfare while doubting NATO's resolve to intervene, arguing diplomatic solutions are necessary as Europe lacks resources for a cohesive defense. 915-930 NATO's Viability and Europe's Demographic Shifts: Colleague Blaine Holt questions NATO's viability through 2050, citing rising US sentiment to withdraw and Europe's demographic shifts due to mass migration, warning that diverging values and economic instability could lead to civil unrest or new geopolitical alignments between Russia, China, and the US. 930-945 European Leaders Meet Zelenskyy Amid Strategic Dilemmas: Colleague Judy Dempsey discusses the "Big Three" European leaders meeting Zelenskyy, questioning their ability to resolve the war without wider coalitions, noting the EU is bypassing unanimity rules to seize Russian assets but struggles with the dilemma of offering Ukraine EU membership while demanding territorial concessions. 945-1000 Europe's Lack of Self-Confidence Facing Global Challenges: Colleague Judy Dempsey criticizes Europe's lack of self-confidence and ambition when facing Trump's transactional administration and Chinese aggression, arguing European leaders complain about US criticism rather than leveraging their own economic power, noting they are "sleepwalking" regarding the auto industry and dependencies on China. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The National Security Strategy and the First Island Chain: Colleague Steve Yates analyzes the National Security Strategy's focus on the "first island chain" and deterrence against China's bullying of Japan and the Philippines, noting the CCP's obsession with WWII-era Japan for propaganda fails to resonate regionally as neighbors face modern Chinese aggression and grey zone tactics. 1015-1030 Nvidia Chip Sales to China Raise National Security Concerns: Colleague Brandon Weichert reports on the Trump administration approving Nvidia H200 chip sales to China while taking a 25% cut, warning this transactional approach compromises national security by aiding China's military AI, signaling a shift from hawkish policies to favoring business interests like soybeans. 1030-1045 SpaceX Dominance and the Golden Dome Defense Project: Colleague Bob Zimmerman highlights SpaceX's dominance with record-breaking booster reuse and launch frequency compared to rivals, discussing the secretive "Golden Dome" defense project, defects on the Orion capsule's hatch threatening the Artemis mission, and Airbus surprisingly choosing a Chinese satellite constellation for in-flight internet. 1045-1100 Cosmological Crises and Mars Rover Progress: Colleague Bob Zimmerman details cosmological crises including the "Hubble tension" where expansion rates conflict and a baffling 7-hour gamma-ray burst, reporting on Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS images confirming it is a comet rather than a spacecraft, and the Perseverance rover moving toward promising mining terrain on Mars.           THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The 1605 Gunpowder Plot and Catholic Desperation: Colleague Claire Jackson explains the 1605 Gunpowder Plot as a desperate attempt by Catholics, frustrated by James I's retention of penal laws and peace with Spain, to destroy the Protestant establishment, with the plotters aiming to kill the king and install a puppet Catholic monarch amidst the ensuing chaos. 1115-1130 The Mirror of Great Britain and James I's Violent Childhood: Colleague Claire Jackson explains the "Mirror of Great Britain" jewel symbolizing James I's union plans, though it was destroyed during the Civil Wars, detailing his violent childhood in Scotland, his father Darnley's murder, and his separation from his mother Mary Queen of Scots, which shaped his intellectual upbringing. 1130-1145 The Hampton Court Conference and the King James Bible: Colleague Claire Jackson describes how James I convened the Hampton Court Conference to resolve religious differences, resulting in the King James Bible, highlighting his unique role as an author of works like Basilikon Doron, using print to converse with subjects and establish the divine right of kings. 1145-1200 James I as Ecumenicist Amid Confessional Complexity: Colleague Claire Jackson portrays James I as an ecumenicist seeking accommodation, provided Catholics recognized his temporal authority via an Oath of Allegiance, noting he faced a "confessional complexity" ruling Protestant Scotland and England alongside Catholic Ireland, aiming to isolate radical Jesuits from the loyal majority. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Commodities Update from France: Colleague Simon Constable reports from France on unseasonably warm weather and rising copper prices driven by tech demand, noting cocoa prices dropped while coffee remains expensive, discussing farmers' effective non-violent protests in Europe and contrasting European energy shortages with the electricity needs of AI development. 1215-1230 UK Labour's Struggles and the Workers' Rights Bill: Colleague Simon Constable analyzes the UK Labour Party's struggles despite a large majority, citing Keir Starmer's low approval, warning that the return of "Red Rayner" and a new workers' rights bill preventing easy firing could stifle economic growth and deter foreign investment, worsening Britain's debt. 1230-1245 The National Security Strategy as Transatlantic "Divorce Papers": Colleague Blaine Holt argues the National Security Strategy resembles "divorce papers" for a perilous transatlantic relationship, contending Europe, having de-industrialized, refuses Trump's diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, fearing the aftermath of a conflict they cannot sustain against a re-industrialized Russia. 1245-100 AM Penang's Boom Contrasts with China's Decline: Colleague Charles Ortel contrasts Penang's economic boom and diverse hardworking culture with China's decline, discussing China's suppressed financial data and property crisis with Gordon Chang, arguing Western elites were "bought off" by Beijing while investors should demand transparency regarding assets trapped in ChiNA.

SHOW 12-9-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1918 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE FED CUT AND THE MARKETS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Wall Street Bets on Rate Cuts Despite Mixed Economic Signals: Colleague Elizabeth Peek discusses the near certainty of a Federal Reserve rate cut, noting Wall Street's optimism despite steady inflation and mixed employment signals, highlighting strong holiday spending and arguing that fears regarding tariffs were overblown, while emphasizing that AI investment is reshaping, rather than reducing, corporate hiring. 915-930 Concerns Over New York City Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Appointments: Colleague Elizabeth Peek criticizes Mayor-elect Mamdani's controversial appointments, including an ex-convict as a criminal justice adviser and anti-car activists for transportation roles, arguing these ideological choices neglect the pragmatic needs of citizens concerned with safety and education, predicting administrative failure for the new administration. 930-945 Rising Tensions: Hezbollah's Rearmament and Hamas's Defiance: Colleague Jonathan Schanzer warns that Hezbollah has rebuilt its strength in Lebanon using Iranian weapons, prompting Israeli threats of a full-scale attack, noting that Hamas refuses to disarm in Gaza, supported by Turkey and Qatar, while the U.S. moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations. 945-1000 Syria's Fragmentation and the Regional Arms Race: Colleague Jonathan Schanzer describes Syria as a chaotic mix of armed factions, including Al-Qaeda-led pragmatists and Iranian proxies, held together only by regime brutality, mentioning potential U.S. plans for a base to deter bad actors and highlighting rapid military expansions by Turkey and Egypt amid regional instability. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The Trump Corollary: Reasserting Influence in the Western Hemisphere: Colleague Mary Kissel analyzes the new National Security Strategy, praising its focus on the Western Hemisphere to counter Russian and Chinese influence in Venezuela and Cuba, warning against accepting separate global spheres of influence and emphasizing that the U.S. faces a coordinated threat from China, Russia, and Iran globally. 1015-1030 Europe's Defense Dilemma and Demographic Decline: Colleague Mary Kissel attributes Europe's inability to fund Ukraine's defense to decades of relying on U.S. protection while prioritizing generous welfare states, citing "scary statistics" regarding France's aging population and pension burdens, arguing that Europe must pursue economic growth rather than government handouts to survive security challenges. 1030-1045 Europe's Economic Stagnation and the Innovation Gap: Colleague Joseph Sternberg discusses Europe's economic decline relative to the U.S., driven by high energy costs and excessive regulation, noting a growing debate in Brussels about deregulation but arguing Europe lacks a unified vision to encourage the entrepreneurship and healthcare innovation seen in the American system. 1045-1100 Angela Rayner's Return and Labour's Economic Struggles: Colleague Joseph Sternberg analyzes the political return of Angela Rayner and her push for a "workers rights bill" despite Prime Minister Starmer's plummeting popularity, arguing this move highlights internal Labour Party conflict and risks imposing policies detrimental to an economy already struggling with inflation and stagnation.THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Paul Manafort and the Origins of Modern Foreign Lobbying: Colleague Ken Vogel chronicles how Paul Manafort revolutionized the lobbying industry by merging political consulting with foreign representation, creating a model later adopted by Tony Podesta and others, explaining how the fall of Ukraine's Yanukovych and subsequent investigations exposed the industry's widespread failure to comply with FARA regulations. 1115-1130 Robert Stryk's Risky Lobbying Missions in Somalia and Venezuela: Colleague Ken Vogel details lobbyist Robert Stryk's dangerous mission to Mogadishu to secure U.S. aid for Somalia's President Farmajo during the Trump administration, also describing Stryk's controversial efforts to represent Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, illustrating the lucrative and often perilous nature of foreign influence peddling in unstable regions. 1130-1145 The Revolving Door: Democratic Insiders and Foreign Influence: Colleague Ken Vogel explains how Democratic operatives like Anita Dunn and Antony Blinken leveraged government experience for lucrative consulting roles at firms like SKDK and WestExec, also discussing Hunter Biden's pardon regarding Chinese business dealings and Robert Stryk's representation of sanctioned Russian defense executives. 1145-1200 The Decline of FARA Enforcement and Politicized Justice: Colleague Ken Vogel argues that enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act is weakening, citing Rudy Giuliani's work for sanctioned Balkan leaders and Attorney General Pam Bondi's potential decriminalization of FARA, suggesting the U.S. is returning to a "Wild West" era of unregulated foreign influence where laws are flouted. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Reviving the Monroe Doctrine via the Trump Corollary: Colleague Gregory Copley analyzes the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, which reasserts the Monroe Doctrine to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the Western Hemisphere, arguing that "gunboat diplomacy" off Venezuela effectively restores U.S. sovereignty, signaling a shift toward self-reliance and away from traditional alliances like NATO. 1215-1230 European Leaders Scramble to Support Ukraine Amidst Domestic Crises: Colleague Gregory Copley discusses the meeting between UK, French, and German leaders with Zelenskyy, noting they are using the Ukraine war to distract from domestic political failures, tracing Europe's defense dependency to U.S. post-WWII policies and suggesting Zelenskyy is leveraging European fears against Washington to secure his future. 1230-1245 The Strategic Implosion of China and Global Realignments: Colleague Gregory Copley asserts that the People's Republic of China has strategically collapsed due to economic failure and demographic decline, claiming Xi Jinping is no longer effectively in power, noting that Russia is distancing itself from Beijing and Western leaders like Albanese are pivoting back toward Washington. 1245-100 AM King Charles, Environmental Realism, and UK Political Instability: Colleague Gregory Copley observes that King Charles avoids political climate statements despite Bill Gates' recent realism regarding environmental alarmism, discussing political instability in the UK and suggesting Prime Minister Starmer faces challenges from the left that could force new elections, potentially benefiting reformists like Nigel Farage.

SHOW 12-8-2025 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1895 KHYBER PASS THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE FEDERAL RESERVE  BOARD OF GOVERNORS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 The DC Shooter, the Zero Units, and the Tragedy of the Afghan Withdrawal: Colleagues Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss recent violence in Washington, D.C. involving an Afghan immigrant that has drawn attention back to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021; the shooter, Ramanula Lakanal, was a member of the elite "Zero Units" of the Afghan National Army, a force that demanded priority evacuation for their families in exchange for providing security at the Kabul airport during the U.S. retreat, and while these units were stalwart allies against enemies like al-Qaeda and ISIS, they fought a "dirty war" and were accused of human rights violations, highlighting the broader failure of the withdrawal which occurred because political will faded across multiple administrations. 915-930 The Vetting Failure and the Lack of an Exit Strategy in Afghanistan: Colleagues Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggioexplain that the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan was exacerbated by the lack of a methodical exit strategy, unlike the British who organized their departure and evacuation lists well in advance; critics argue that the U.S. imported significant security risks by rushing the evacuation, bringing in over 100,000 Afghans without adequate vetting, and while there was a moral obligation to help those who served, experts suggest that wholesale importation of citizens from a war-torn country was not the only solution and that better vetting or resettlement in third countries should have been considered. 930-945 Martial Law in South Korea and the Shadow of the North: Colleagues Morse Tan and Gordon Chang discuss South Korea facing severe political turmoil following President Yoon's declaration of martial law, a move his supporters argue was a constitutional response to obstructionist anti-state forces; the opposition, led by figures previously sympathetic to North Korea, has been accused of attempting to paralyze the government, while accusations of "insurrection" against President Yoon are dismissed as nonsensical, with the political infighting fracturing the conservative party and leaving South Korea vulnerable to the North Korean regime in a way not seen since the Korean War. 945-1000 Japan Stands Up for Taiwan While Canada Demurs: Colleagues Charles Burton and Gordon Chang report that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi recently declared that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a "survival threatening situation" for Japan, authorizing the mobilization of self-defense forces; this statement has triggered a massive propaganda campaign from Beijing demanding a retraction, as a successful invasion of Taiwan would likely require violating Japanese sovereignty, while in contrast Canada remains reluctant to support Tokyo or criticize Beijing, hoping to secure trade benefits and diversify exports away from the U.S., leaving Japan isolated by its allies. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The Survival of UNRWA and the Flow of Terror Finance: Colleagues Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotterreport that despite investigations revealing corruption and ties to terrorism, the UN has renewed the mandate for UNRWA for another three years; the organization's facilities have been used by Hamas and its schools have been implicated in radicalizing children, yet international efforts to replace it have stalled, while Hamas leadership refuses to disarm or accept international oversight, demanding a Palestinian state as a precondition for any change, with financial support for terror groups continuing to flow through networks in Europe and the Middle East. 1015-1030 Greece's "Achilles Shield" and Israel's Iron Beam Laser Defense: Colleagues Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter report that Greece is undertaking a historic modernization of its armed forces, unveiling a new national defense strategy focused on long-range missiles and a modernized air defense system dubbed "Achilles Shield," allowing Greece to project power more flexibly in the Eastern Mediterranean and counter threats from Turkey; in Israel, a major defensive breakthrough is imminent with the deployment of the "Iron Beam," a laser defense system capable of intercepting threats at approximately $50 per shot, expected to rewrite the rules of air defense by effectively countering drone swarms and missiles. 1030-1045 Hezbollah's Quiet Regeneration Under Naim Qassem: Colleagues David Daoud and Bill Roggio report that since the ceasefire began, Hezbollah has received at least $2 billion from Iran and is actively rearming and regenerating its forces in Lebanon; the terror group is focusing on acquiring drone swarms and other asymmetrical weapons that are cheap to produce and difficult for Israel to counter, while Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem is leveraging his "bookish" and underestimated persona to lower the temperature and allow the group to rebuild without attracting the same level of scrutiny as his predecessor. 1045-1100 Fragmentation in Yemen: The Southern Transitional Council Advances: Colleagues Bridget Tumi and Bill Roggio report that the civil war in Yemen is fracturing further as the Southern Transitional Council, which advocates for southern secession, advances into eastern governorates to secure territory and combat smuggling; this move has heightened tensions within the anti-Houthi coalition, as the STC is backed by the UAE while other government factions are supported by Saudi Arabia, weakening the collective effort against the Houthis who control the capital Sanaa and maintain ambitions to conquer the entire country. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The Druze National Guard and Internal Strife in Southern Syria: Colleagues Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio report that instability is growing in Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province, where a newly formed "National Guard" militia has begun arresting and killing political opponents; the militia is spiritually guided by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, who has consolidated power by sidelining other Druze leaders who were open to reconciliation with the Assad regime, with Turkey expressing support for the anti-Assad Druze factions against both the Syrian government and Kurdish forces, while recent violence suggests a hardening of anti-regime sentiment. 1115-1130 The "Variable Geometry" of the Muslim Brotherhood and Its Global Affiliates: Colleagues Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio explain that the Muslim Brotherhood operates as a "mothership" for various Islamist movements, utilizing a strategy of "variable geometry" to adapt to local political environments while aiming for a global caliphate; Hamas functions as the Palestinian branch of the Brotherhood and despite being severely damaged by the war with Israel remains the dominant force in Gaza, with the Brotherhood finding state sponsorship primarily in Qatar, which provides funding and media support via Al Jazeera, and Turkey, where President Erdogan acts as a leader for the organization. 1130-1145 Ukraine Negotiations Hit a Cul-de-Sac Amidst Infiltration Tactics: Colleagues John Hardie and Bill Roggio report that peace talks regarding Ukraine are currently at a standstill, with the U.S. and Ukraine at odds over Russia's demands for territory in the Donbas versus Ukraine's need for meaningful security guarantees; while the U.S. has pressured Ukraine to concede territory, the security assurances offered are viewed skeptically by Kyiv, and Russia refuses to accept any Western military presence in Ukraine, while on the battlefield Russia employs infiltration tactics using small groups, sometimes single soldiers, to penetrate deep into Ukrainian positions. 1145-1200 The Trump Corollary: Reviving the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America: Colleague Ernesto Araújo discusses a new "Trump corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine reshaping U.S. policy in the Americas, signaling a more assertive stance against foreign influence and authoritarian regimes; this shift is evident in Venezuela, where President Maduro appears to be negotiating his exit in the face of U.S. pressure, while in Brazil the administration of Lula da Silva faces significant instability due to a massive banking scandal linking the government to money laundering and organized crime, with the new application of the Monroe Doctrine suggesting the U.S. will favor political figures aligned with its security strategy. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Devil's Advocates: Robert Stryk, Rudy Giuliani, and the Business of Influence: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel discusses how in the power vacuum created by Donald Trump's arrival in Washington, unconventional lobbyists like Robert Stryk rose to prominence by marketing access to the new administration; Stryk, described as an "anti-hero" with a checkered business past, hosted a lavish event at the Hay-Adams Hotel to legitimize the regime of Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, successfully delivering Rudy Giuliani as Trump's personal attorney, signaling a new informal channel for foreign diplomacy and highlighting how foreign regimes utilized large sums of money and unconventional intermediaries to seek favor. 1215-1230 The Accidental Diplomat: Robert Stryk and the New Zealand Connection: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel explains that Robert Stryk's rise in the lobbying world was fueled by serendipity and bold bluffs, exemplified by a chance encounter with a New Zealand diplomat at a cafe; the diplomat revealed that New Zealand, having prepared for a Clinton victory, had no contacts within the incoming Trump team and could not arrange a congratulatory call between their Prime Minister and the President-elect, and Stryk, leveraging a connection to a former Trump campaign field director, provided a phone number that successfully connected the embassy to Trump's team, establishing his credibility and launching his career in high-stakes foreign lobbying. 1230-1245 Hunter Biden, Chinese Spies, and the Monetization of Political Connections: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel reports that following his father's departure from the vice presidency, Hunter Biden faced financial pressure and sought lucrative foreign clients, leading to risky entanglements; one venture involved a corrupt Romanian real estate magnate who hired Hunter along with former FBI Director Louis Freeh and Rudy Giuliani to resolve his legal troubles, with the proposed solution involving selling land including the site of the U.S. Embassy in Romania to a Chinese state-linked fund, and Hunter Biden was aware of the nature of his associates, referring to one as the "spy chief of China." 1245-100 AM FARA: From Fighting Nazi Propaganda to Modern Transparency: Colleague Kenneth P. Vogel explains that the Foreign Agents Registration Act was originally enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda in the United States before World War II; at the time, the Third Reich was paying well-connected American consultants to whitewash Hitler's image and keep the U.S. out of the war, operating without public knowledge, and Congress passed FARA to create transparency, requiring those paid by foreign principals to influence the U.S. government or media to register their activities, with the law remaining today the primary vehicle for accountability in foreign lobbying

PREVIEW — Charles Burton — The US Silence Regarding China's Threats Against Japan. Burton and John Batchelor discuss the strategic "mystery" of the United States failing to explicitly defend Japan against China's recent escalated threats directed toward Japan's new Prime Minister. Burton argues that China systematically deploys disinformation campaigns to misrepresent democratic Japan's legitimate defensive modernization as aggressive militarism, thereby expanding Beijing's regional influence through propaganda and narrative manipulation. Burton warns that this absence of explicit American allied support for Japan against Chinese coercion is "repugnant," undermining the credibility of the U.S.-Japan security alliance and emboldening Beijing to escalate pressure against regional partners through nuclear threats and strategic intimidation. 1937 SHANGHAI

SHOW 12-5-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1940 PITTSBURGH THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT INFLATION. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Infrastructure Booms and Business Exoduses in the West: Colleague Jeff Bliss reports that high-speed rail construction from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is accelerating in anticipation of the 2028 Olympics, while the Boring Company expands tunnel networks; conversely, California faces corruption scandals and business flights, and Oregon sees companies like Columbia Sportswear struggle with the business climate. 915-930 Milan Prepares for Christmas and the Olympics: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan celebrates St. Ambrose Day with traditional markets and lights, marking the start of the holiday season, as the city prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February 2026, with cultural events including the La Scala premiere of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and the enjoyment of Panettone. 930-945 Supreme Court Enables Partisan Gerrymandering: Colleague Richard Epstein discusses the Supreme Court permitting Texas to redraw congressional districts for 2026, favoring Republicans, arguing that lack of oversight allows parties to entrench power, creating extreme polarization where "reds become redder and blues become bluer," making legislative compromise nearly impossible. 945-1000 Scrutiny Over Lethal Strike on Drug Boat: Colleague Richard Epstein examines Defense Secretary Hegseth facing pressure regarding a lethal strike on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, with reports suggesting survivors may have been shot in the water, asserting that murdering surrendered individuals violates the laws of war, regardless of whether the targets were smugglers. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Lancaster County Shows Consumer Fatigue: Colleague Jim McTague reports that retailers in Lancaster are using deep discounts to attract price-sensitive shoppers, noting that while weekend traffic is decent, weekdays are slow and high-end dining is struggling, with the job market tightening significantly as skilled labor demands vanish, suggesting consumers are "running out of disposable income". 1015-1030 Future Tech and Economic Shifts: Colleague Jim McTague predicts "creative destruction" where old industries fade, expressing bullishness on solar power due to data center demands and envisioning self-driving cars and useful humanoid robots revolutionizing daily life, with rate cuts expected in 2026 as consumers rebuild savings after a period of spending. C 1030-1045 Private Space Sector Challenges and Triumphs: Colleague Bob Zimmerman reports that Jared Isaacman testified that private companies, not NASA, are driving space colonization; a Russian cosmonaut was removed from a SpaceX mission for spying, while China successfully tested a reusable rocket; additionally, Boeing faces legal challenges from crash victims' families, and activists oppose Blue Origin's operations. 1045-1100 New Discoveries Challenge Cosmic Models: Colleague Bob Zimmerman reports that ground-based telescopes have directly imaged exoplanets and debris discs, the James Webb Telescope found a barred spiral galaxy in the early universe defying evolutionary models, scientists discovered organic sugars on asteroid Bennu, and admits solar cycle predictions have been consistently incorrect. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The Early Church Headquarters on Mount Zion: Colleague James Tabor discusses archaeology on Mount Zion revealing a first-century foundation beneath a medieval church, likely the headquarters of the early movement, describing this as the home where James led the church and Mary hosted pilgrims, with Mary possibly living long enough to witness James's martyrdom. 1115-1130 The Historical Disappearance of Mary: Colleague James Tabor explains that following the crucifixion, Mary disappears from the biblical record, likely dying before the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem; while early Christians fled to Pella under Simon's leadership, traditions suggest Mary died on Mount Zion, with Tabor arguing she was "written out" of the story by later traditions. 1130-1145 The Talpiot Tomb and Ossuary Evidence: Colleague James Tabor discusses a tomb discovered in 1980 containing ossuaries with a unique cluster of names, including Jesus, Maria, and Jose, suggesting this could be the Jesus family tomb, supported by statistical analysis and an ossuary inscribed "James son of Joseph brother of Jesus," with new DNA testing underway. 1145-1200 Mary's Influence on Early Christian Teachings: Colleague James Tabor examines the "Q" source containing teachings shared by Matthew and Luke that parallel the words of James and John the Baptist, positing that Mary, as the mother, was the source of this shared wisdom, arguing that historians must reclaim her humanity and influence from theological erasure. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 The Limits of AI and the Global Quantum Race: Colleague Brandon Weichert explains that current AI models are data crunchers rather than thinking entities, facing limits known as "The Bitter Lesson," while China is "nanoseconds" away from practical quantum computing aimed at decrypting military communications, with Switzerland and Singapore also pursuing sovereign quantum capabilities to ensure digital independence. 1215-1230 Lebanon's Demographic Decline and Political Stagnation: Colleague Hussain Abdul-Hussain reports that Pope Leo's visit highlighted Lebanon's diminishing Christian population, now estimated at perhaps one-quarter, with the government remaining weak and reluctant to disarm Hezbollah, fearing foreign deals that sacrifice national interests; while civil war is unlikely, the country remains dominated by an Iranian-backed militia. 1230-1245 Nuclear Ambitions in South Korea: Colleague Henry Sokolski reports that South Korea is requesting nuclear-powered submarines and enrichment rights, raising concerns about potential nuclear proliferation, with some arguing this could lead to a confederation with the North or US withdrawal, while others prefer Seoul invest in American nuclear facilities to strengthen the alliance. 1245-100 AM audi Arabia Seeks Nuclear Capabilities: Colleague Henry Sokolski explains that Saudi Arabia wants a nuclear power plant but resists signing US protocols allowing inspections; while Washington may view this as a hedge against Iran, a Saudi nuclear capability would threaten Israel's qualitative military edge, and the US has not yet granted advanced consent for enrichment.

PREVIEW — Professor Steven Hayward — The Shift from Optimism to Environmental Gloom. John Batchelor and Professor Steven Hayward trace the intellectual origins of "apocalyptic environmentalism" to the comprehensive collapse of liberal optimism during the turbulent 1960s. Hayward argues that catastrophic policy failures regarding Vietnam War prosecution, escalating urban crime, and intractable poverty discredited liberal governance ideology, displacing the Kennedy-era sunniness and technological optimism with a persistent cultural pessimism that catalyzed the environmental catastrophism of the 1970s. Hayward documents how this ideological shift from confidence to apocalyptic gloom sustained Republican political victories throughout subsequent decades, establishing enduring conservative demographic coalitions opposing progressive environmental regulation predicated on existential doom narratives.

Iran's Aggressive Posture, Sanctions Evasion, and 'Fake Reform' — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Jonathan Sayeh— Sayeh characterizes Iran as an active predator state, systematically seizing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and progressively advancing its nuclear weapons program toward weapons-grade fissile material production. Batchelor documents that despite US sanctions regimes, Iran currently exports more petroleum than during the previous administration, suggesting inadequate enforcement rigor and possible sanctions evasion through intermediary nations. Sayeh characterizes Iranian regime tactics as employing "fake reform," superficially tolerating hijab violations while simultaneously intensifying internal security crackdowns, executions, and suppression of political dissent, creating a facade of liberalization masking deepening authoritarianism. 1870 TEHRAN

Maduro Suffers Blow as Honduran Leftist Candidate Loses — John Batchelor, Ernesto Araujo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa — Peña Esclusa interprets the Venezuelan-backed candidate's defeat in the Honduras presidential election as a significant strategic setback for Maduro and the Venezuelan regime. Araujo identifies this outcome as reflecting a broader hemispheric political realignment wherein voters systematically reject the ideological alliance of socialism with organized crime networks, instead shifting toward Western-oriented center-right governance. Batchelor credits USdiplomatic engagement and strategic influence as a significant contributing factor in these regional political realignments favorable to American interests and democratic governance norms. 1905 HONDURAS

US Designates Muslim Brotherhood Branches and Ideological Threat — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Edmund Fitton-Brown — Fitton-Brown describes the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) as a secretive, transnational organization with deliberately decentralized hierarchical structure designed to obscure leadership and maintain operational security. Fitton-Brown articulates the organization's long-term strategic objective: establishment of a global Islamic caliphatestructure superseding nation-states. Batchelor reports that the US formally designated violent Muslim Brotherhoodaffiliates operating in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as terrorist organizations. Roggio notes conspicuously that Turkishand Qatari Muslim Brotherhood branches were omitted from designation, likely because those nations are viewed as strategically important US policy facilitators requiring diplomatic accommodation. 1900 ISTANBUL POST OFFICE

Palestinian Islamic Jihad Presence in Syria and Iranian Ties — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Akmed Sharawari — Sharawari documents that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) maintains operational presence in Syria, conducting activities from refugee camps adjacent to Damascus, maintaining historical organizational relationships with the Assadregime structure. Roggio emphasizes that PIJ functions as a crucial Iranian proxy organization, receiving weapons, financial resources, and operational guidance from Tehran's security apparatus. Batchelor notes that although PIJ was a major participant in the October 7th attacks on Israel, Shara's current government is reluctant to provide full institutional sponsorship due to significant associated political and security risks from Israeli retaliation. 1920 DAMASCUS

Hamas Reemerges in Southern Syria Near Golan Heights — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, Akmed Sharawari — Sharawari reports that Hamas has been systematically rebuilding military infrastructure in southern Syria, reportedly coordinating with Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood networks operating near the Golan Heights in the village of Bei Jin. Roggio notes that Syria's new government under Shara is unlikely to conduct forceful suppression operations due to widespread domestic sympathy for Palestinian causes among the Syrian population. Batchelor emphasizes that Israel'sstrategic position on Mount Hermon provides significant tactical advantage against threats originating from both Syriaand Lebanon, enabling rapid response to emerging security threats. 1500

Lebanon's Failure to Disarm Hezbollah Amid Regeneration — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, David Daoud — Roggio documents that the Lebanese government continues to systematically refuse enforcement of Hezbollahdisarmament provisions negotiated in the ceasefire agreement one year prior, instead employing rhetorical frameworks of "dialogue and consensus." Daoud reports that the Trump administration is growing impatient with this intransigence, explicitly setting deadlines for Lebanese compliance and action. Batchelor emphasizes that Hezbollah is regenerating with unprecedented speed, focusing on easily manufactured assets including drone swarms, rendering the Lebanesestrategic concept of "containment" operationally meaningless and strategically ineffective in limiting Hezbollahcapabilities. 1902 CARACAS

Hezbollah Regeneration and Israel's Targeted Killing of Hashem Safieddine — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, David Daoud — Daoud reports that Hezbollah is actively regenerating military capabilities throughout Lebanon, systematically violating the ceasefire agreement through infrastructure reconstruction and weapons procurement. Roggiodocuments that Israel successfully targeted and killed Hashem Safieddine, identified as Hezbollah's top military logistics officer overseeing reconstruction operations. Batchelor notes that Iran has reportedly allocated $2 billion for Hezbollah reconstruction and operational purposes, demonstrating Tehran's commitment to sustaining the organization despite military setbacks. Daoud details Israeli Defense Force operations including air strikes, drone operations, and ground-based policing activities against Hezbollah assets throughout Lebanon. 1836 BEIRUT

The Evolution of Drone Warfare in Ukraine — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio, John Hardie — Roggio examines drone warfare's significant but sometimes exaggerated role in the Ukraine conflict, tracing technological evolution from ISRreconnaissance drones like the TB2 to FPV (First Person View) drones, bomber drones, and emergent interceptor drone systems. Hardie identifies a consistent pattern: Ukraine consistently leads in innovative military technology development and deployment, while Russia demonstrates superior capability in rapidly scaling technologies to mass production and tactical integration, occasionally achieving operational effectiveness superior to the original Ukrainian innovations. Batchelor emphasizes this dynamic reflects fundamentally different military cultures and organizational capabilities.

Skepticism Over China's Renewed Promise to Buy US Farm Products — John Batchelor, Gordon Chang, Alan Tonelson — Chang and Tonelson express skepticism regarding China's latest promises to expand American agricultural purchases, particularly soybeans, reiterating unfulfilled commitments from the 2020 Phase One trade agreement. Tonelson cites China's well-documented history of violating trade commitments and bilateral agreements. Batchelorraises concern that agricultural sector lobbying is disproportionately influencing American trade policy, potentially obscuring critical deficiencies in US manufacturing competitiveness and structural national security vulnerabilities. 1959

Diplomacy with Threat: US Tries to Talk Maduro Out of Power — John Batchelor, Alejandro Peña Esclusa, Ernesto Araujo — Batchelor reports that President Trump confirmed a direct phone call with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as part of US diplomatic efforts encouraging his peaceful voluntary departure from power, efforts implicitly backed by the threat of military force. Peña Esclusa documents that Maduro is articulating unacceptable preconditions for departure, including total amnesty from prosecution and continued control of the Venezuelan armed forces. Araujo emphasizes that the transition will be further complicated by military officials implicated in large-scale corruption, drug trafficking operations, and documented human rights violations requiring accountability. 1922 CARACAS

Pro-Iran Militias Dominate Iraqi Elections; Iran Losing Control of Houthis — John Batchelor, Thaddeus Martin, Malcolm Hoenlein — Batchelor reports that pro-Iran militias and their political front organizations consolidated unprecedented power in Iraq's recent election, generating concern among American officials regarding Iranian regional influence expansion. Martin documents a counterintuitive development: Iran appears to be losing operational control over the Houthis in Yemen, its most strategically critical proxy force in the region. Hoenlein concludes with positive news regarding the Bene Manasseh, descendants of the ancient lost Israelite tribe, returning to Israel and establishing community and cultural presence.

Netanyahu Pardon Request, Hostages, and Israel's Iron Laser Dome — John Batchelor, Thaddeus Martin, Malcolm Hoenlein — Batchelor discusses Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's pardon request addressing his corruption charges involving luxury items including Cuban cigars and French champagne, though formal acceptance may require admission of culpability. Hoenlein reports that Israel is demanding the return of the final two remaining hostages from Gaza. Martin highlights Israel's deployment of the "Iron Laser Dome" defense system, which effectively counters inexpensive drones and rockets at minimal cost, approximately $50 per interception, providing asymmetric defensive advantage against financially constrained adversaries. 1922 UNDER FIRE 2ND GAZA WAR

China's Self-Reliant Trade Philosophy and Military Ambitions — John Batchelor, Gordon Chang, Alan Tonelson— Chang explains China's strategic trade philosophy, viewing commerce not as reciprocal exchange but as a temporary necessity until achieving complete self-reliance in all manufactured products. Chang traces this doctrine to classical Chinese strategic thought, emphasizing the goal of China exporting everything while importing nothing. Tonelsoncharacterizes current Chinese leadership implementation of this doctrine as ominous, explicitly oriented toward preparing China for military conflict and establishing complete dominance of global manufacturing capabilities independent of external supply chains. 1906

Jihadists Remain a Threat: Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio — Batchelor and Roggio argue that jihadist organizations including Al-Qaeda and Islamic State remain a critical national security threat. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) leaders, including Osama He and Aif Yahi Gori, have been designated as high-value targets with a $10 million reward for intelligence. Roggio documents that this group is systematically building infrastructure and operational capability in Afghanistan, enabled by Taliban toleration, raising concerns analogous to pre-9/11 conditions that enabled the original Al-Qaeda attack planning. 1900 THE SUBCONTINENT

DC Shooting, Afghan Veteran, and the Threat of Blue on Green Attacks — John Batchelor, Bill Roggio — The Washington DC tragedy, allegedly perpetrated by Afghan national Ramanula Lakenwal, is examined as a possible "blue on green" attack pattern. Lakenwal served as a veteran of the Afghan National Army Special Unit, potentially associated with CIA-backed Zero units operating covert counterterrorism missions. Roggio and Batchelor raise critical concerns regarding the vetting procedures for Afghan nationals and the potential political motivation of the attack given its proximity to the White House, suggesting possible ideological rather than criminal motivation. 1878 AFHANISTAN

PREVIEW — Jack Burnham — The Hidden Dangers of Chinese AI Deep Seek. John Batchelor speaks with Jack Burnham, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy, regarding the Chinese artificial intelligence model Deep Seek. Burnham warns that despite public claims regarding the software's cost efficiency and technical effectiveness, Deep Seek functions strategically as a "back door" providing Chinese leadership direct access to American users' data, devices, and computational infrastructure, posing profound national security risks including potential espionage, intellectual property theft, and surveillance capabilities that exceed publicly disclosed functionalities. 1942

SHOW 12-1 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1919 KABUL RIVER "John Batchelor 12-01 segment 1.mp3" Headline: DC Shooting, Afghan Veteran, and the Threat of Blue on Green Attacks Guest: John Batchelor, Bill Rajio. 50 Word Summary: The DC tragedy, allegedly involving Afghan national Ramanula Lakenwal, is discussed as a possible "blue on green" attack. Lakenwal was a veteran of the Afghan National Army Special Unit, potentially associated with CIA-backed Zero units. Concerns are raised about the vetting process for Afghans and the potential political motivation of the attack due to its proximity to the White House.