The John Batchelor Show

PREVIEW for Later Today: The Mission to Rescue the Swift Space Telescope. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Astronomers are organizing a rescue for the Swift telescope, currently in a degrading orbit. Its unique ability to quickly capture multi-wavelength data on gamma-ray bursts remains essential for studying black hole formation. JANUARY 1956

PREVIEW for Later Today: China's Legacy of Nuclear Proliferation Since 1982. Guest: Peter Huessy. Since 1982, China has secretly spread nuclear technology to nations like Pakistan and North Korea. This legacy undermines the Non-Proliferation Treaty, yet international consequences remain minimal due to China's significant economic leverage. 1951 LAS VEGAS

PREVIEW for Later Today: Turkey's Middle Corridor Faces Economic and Legal Hurdles. Guest: Sinan Ciddi. Turkeyoffers a strategic trade route bypassing the Red Sea, yet high inflation and concerns regarding the rule of law deter investors. The government struggles to compete with Indian and Middle Eastern corridors. 1870 COMSTANTINOPLE

PREVIEW for Later Today: China's Brutal Campaign to Sinicize Christianity. Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur. China is forcibly replacing Christian symbols and the Ten Commandments with portraits of Xi Jinping and state ideology. Christians face persecution in underground churches or must submit to state-run organizations prioritizing political loyalty. 1903

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-12-26. January 1931. Inflation reached 3.8% in April due to gas prices. Elizabeth Peek notes that real hourly wages fell while global eyes turn toward the Strait of Hormuz and Trump's consequential summit in China. (1/16) Elizabeth Peek critiques redistricting as an unattractive game that voters generally dislike. She emphasizes that population growth in Texas and Florida provides more long-term political power than manipulating district lines in blue states. (2/16) Iran is losing $400 million daily due to U.S. sanctions and blockades. Jonathan Schanzer discusses the leadership vacuum in Tehran, noting that decisions are currently made by a chaotic committee of revolutionary figures. (3/16) Israel engages in "constant gardening" to clear Hezbollah threats south of the Litani River. Jonathan Schanzer labels Hamas a spent force, having lost over half its territory and significant rocket-firing capabilities since the conflict began. (4/16) Indonesia is taking "baby steps" toward U.S. cooperation to counter China's unlawful maritime claims. James Holmeshighlights the importance of professional military education and potential overflight agreements to secure the Strait of Malacca. (5/16) Peter Huessy warns of China's lack of transparency regarding its massive nuclear expansion and dual-use systems. The CCP's push to dominate offensive artificial intelligence poses a significant threat to global security and stability. (6/16) Steve Yates reveals there is no such thing as a private meeting with the CCP, as every word is recorded and broadcast to thousands. Trump's top-down personal diplomacy lacks the usual preparatory paperwork. (7/16) The U.S. holds increased leverage over global choke points while China faces a demographic crisis. Steve Yatesdiscusses manufacturing shifts to India, suggesting that China's export-dependent model remains a "shaky house of cards." (8/16) Gregory Copley describes the Beijing summit as a theatrical performance while the Chinese economy and political structure collapse. China has lost global trust, particularly regarding the safety and quality of its electric vehicles. (9/16) The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is fluid as Iran attempts to wait out the U.S. Gregory Copley argues the U.S. requires regime change to stop trans-Eurasian monopolies and restore regional stability. (10/16) Turkey is now considered nuclear ready after displaying an ICBM with a 6,000 km range. Gregory Copley notes this shift toward a "gunpowder state" reflects neo-Ottoman ambitions to balance power against Israel, Russia, and China. (11/16) Gregory Copley discusses Prime Minister Starmer's struggle to maintain party trust following poor election results. He highlights King Charles's role in repairing the U.S.-UK special relationship despite Starmer's apparent indifference toward the monarchy. (12/16) Gordon Chang details China's historical failure to meet trade commitments and its ongoing support for the Iranian regime. He also notes reports of blatant Chinese bribery and intervention within the U.S. government. (13/16) Bob Zimmerman dismisses the government moon race as a political fraud, while noting China's rational, incremental progress. He identifies SpaceX as the true leader, likely reaching the moon with far superior, sustainable technology. (14/16) Syria neutralized a Hezbollah plot to assassinate senior officials to restore a logistical weapons corridor. AHmad Shariwah explains that both Hezbollah and Iran gain from inciting chaos and instability within the Syrian regime. (15/16) John Hardie analyzes the unusual appointment of an army general to lead Russia's Aerospace Forces. Despite high losses, Russia's battlefield gains remain slow, while Ukraine continues to have success with long-range strikes and drones. (16/16)

MAKING OF THE JBS, FEATURING GORDON CHANG, JIM HOLMES, PETER HUESSY, STEVE YATES, 5-12-26 SEPTEMBER 1932. This collection of transcripts examines the shifting geopolitical landscape in Asia, specifically focusing on Indonesia's strategic pivot away from neutrality. Experts discuss how Jakarta is strengthening ties with the United States to counter China’s aggressive maritime claims near the Strait of Malacca. The dialogue transitions to the complexities of nuclear proliferation, highlighting concerns regarding China’s lack of transparency and its support for unstable regimes like Iran. Additional segments analyze the high-stakes diplomacy between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, noting the absence of traditional formal documentation in their communications. Contributors evaluate how economic dependenciesand competition for technological dominance in AI and space exploration define the current adversarial relationship. Ultimately, the sources portray a region increasingly defined by military exercises and the delicate balancing of global trade interests.

John Hardie analyzes the unusual appointment of an army general to lead Russia's Aerospace Forces. Despite high losses, Russia's battlefield gains remain slow, while Ukraine continues to have success with long-range strikes and drones. (16/16) November 1939

Syria neutralized a Hezbollah plot to assassinate senior officials to restore a logistical weapons corridor. Ahmad Shariwah explains that both Hezbollah and Iran gain from inciting chaos and instability within the Syrian regime. (15/16) may 1930

Bob Zimmerman dismisses the government moon race as a political fraud, while noting China's rational, incremental progress. He identifies SpaceX as the true leader, likely reaching the moon with far superior, sustainable technology. (14/16) DECEMBER 1951

Gordon Chang details China's historical failure to meet trade commitments and its ongoing support for the Iranian regime. He also notes reports of blatant Chinese bribery and intervention within the U.S. government. (13/16) FEBRUARY 1932

Gregory Copley discusses Prime Minister Starmer's struggle to maintain party trust following poor election results. He highlights King Charles's role in repairing the U.S.-UK special relationship despite Starmer's apparent indifference toward the monarchy. (12/16) DECEMBER 1951

Turkey is now considered nuclear ready after displaying an ICBM with a 6,000 km range. Gregory Copley notes this shift toward a "gunpowder state" reflects neo-Ottoman ambitions to balance power against Israel, Russia, and China. (11/16) JUNE 1962

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is fluid as Iran attempts to wait out the U.S. Gregory Copley argues the U.S. requires regime change to stop trans-Eurasian monopolies and restore regional stability. (10/16) JUNE 1964

Gregory Copley describes the Beijing summit as a theatrical performance while the Chinese economy and political structure collapse. China has lost global trust, particularly regarding the safety and quality of its electric vehicles. (9/16) AUGUST 1963

The U.S. holds increased leverage over global choke points while China faces a demographic crisis. Steve Yatesdiscusses manufacturing shifts to India, suggesting that China's export-dependent model remains a "shaky house of cards." (8/16) 1952

Steve Yates reveals there is no such thing as a private meeting with the CCP, as every word is recorded and broadcast to thousands. Trump's top-down personal diplomacy lacks the usual preparatory paperwork. (7/16) OCTOBER 1930

Peter Huessy warns of China's lack of transparency regarding its massive nuclear expansion and dual-use systems. The CCP's push to dominate offensive artificial intelligence poses a significant threat to global security and stability. (6/16) NOVEMBER 1931

Indonesia is taking "baby steps" toward U.S. cooperation to counter China's unlawful maritime claims. James Holmeshighlights the importance of professional military education and potential overflight agreements to secure the Strait of Malacca. (5/16)

Israel engages in "constant gardening" to clear Hezbollah threats south of the Litani River. Jonathan Schanzer labels Hamas a spent force, having lost over half its territory and significant rocket-firing capabilities since the conflict began. (4/16) AUGUST 1930

Iran is losing $400 million daily due to U.S. sanctions and blockades. Jonathan Schanzer discusses the leadership vacuum in Tehran, noting that decisions are currently made by a chaotic committee of revolutionary figures. (3/16) 1931