The John Batchelor Show

PREVIEW: Taiwan's Culture, Safety, and Economic Woes Amid AI Transformation Guest: Anne Stevenson-Yang This is a conversation between John Batchelor and Anne Stevenson-Yang, who has recently arrived in Taipei, Taiwan. Stevenson-Yang praises Taiwan's wonderful public culture, safety, security, honesty, and accessibility, noting that one can leave money on the street or walk out late without worry. However, she acknowledges that Taiwan suffers from common global issues, including increasing income inequality, unaffordability, rising housing prices, and stagnant wages. While much of the economy is focused on electronics and fabs, these industries do not employ a massive number of people. The conversation also touches upon the worldwide, accelerating transformation of all endeavors—including productivity, education, and work—to an AI base. 1925 TAIPEI

PREVIEW: Israeli Strikes Hit Houthi Targets but Fail to Achieve Deterrence Guest: Bridget Toumey John Batchelor speaks with Bridget Toumey of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about the lack of success in deterring the Houthis following failed US and British campaigns. The discussion focuses on a recent Israeli strike in late September. Initial reports suggested the Israeli attack was a success in targeting Houthi infrastructure. However, Toumey states that while strikes hit their targets, they have not managed to deter the Houthis. Deterrence likely requires much more significant action than infrastructure strikes, such as killing the leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, or senior military command. Alternatively, incurring costs on Iran for arming the Houthis might be necessary. Israel is expected to continue air strikes, though deterrence remains unachieved.

PREVIEW: US Tomahawk Missile Transfer to Ukraine Considered for Strikes on Russian Infrastructure Guest:John Hardie John Batchelor speaks with John Hardie of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) regarding the potential US transfer of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine via Europe. The Tomahawk is a cruise missile with a range of 1,500 miles (2,000 kilometers), typically carrying conventional weaponry, although it is capable of carrying a nuclear-tipped warhead. If supplied, the Tomahawks would bring Russian infrastructure, especially war-fighting associated sites, into range. The move is viewed as a "counterpunch" due to Trump's reported frustration with Putin's involvement in Ukraine peace talks. The potential Tomahawk supply is reportedly being considered alongside the Trump administration's decision to provide intelligence for Ukrainian strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. These long-range missiles could target key Russian defense industrial sites, such as Shahed-type drone factories in Alabuga. This possible transfer is noted as a potential escalation.

PREVIEW: European Allies Consider 'Drone Wall' Amid Russian Harassment and Political Confusion Guest:Mary Kissel The discussion between John Batchelor and Mary Kissel centers on an extraordinary emergency meeting held in Copenhagen by the EU and NATO—not including the US—to address repeated harassment by drones presumed to be launched by Russia. The allies are discussing creating a "drone wall." Mary Kissel emphasizes that the purpose of Russia's actions is to exploit vulnerabilities and create "uncertainty, confusion, deterrence." When President Putin observes Europe from Moscow, he sees nations with "weaker defense capabilities, weaker ties to Washington, and weaker political systems." Specifically, many governments, such as those in Germany, Belgium, and France, are weak, noting that the French government recently collapsed after less than a month. Mary Kissel quotes her colleague, Tom Tugendhat, outlining Russia's aggressive actions in the UK alone, which include using chemical weapons, nuclear poisons, committing sabotage, attempting espionage, and threatening nuclear attack. Ultimately, the goal of Russia's "poking and prodding" is to gauge the reaction of these nations and see if they will implement the drone wall or respond with "just words."

PREVIEW: Possible False Flag Operation Against US Embassy in Caracas Guests: Alejandro Piña Esclusá and Ernesto Araújo The conversation between John Batchelor, Alejandro Piña Esclusá, and Ernesto Araújo focuses on the urgent situation in Caracas, particularly a possible attempt on the American embassy allegedly being planned by the Maduro regime. Alejandro Piña Esclusá brought information indicating that Maduro intends to stage the event, making it appear as if he is rescuing the embassy from "interlopers" or "invaders." Ernesto Araújo warned that this planned action is "very serious" and demonstrates Maduro's intent to increase his negotiating capital with the US and Donald Trump. The strategy involves having the embassy invaded, denying responsibility by claiming it is a false flag, and then using the embassy's return as a bargaining chip. Maduro would use this element to negotiate conditions, possibly demanding that the US "leave me in power" or "leave me in power under such and such conditions." This desperate move is being pursued because Maduro currently "doesn't have much in terms of bargaining chips anymore," leading him to look for one last element to introduce into negotiations.

PREVIEW: Historic Election of Takaichi Sanae as LDP Leader and Presumed Next Prime Minister of JapanGuest: Scott Harold John Batchelor's conversation with Scott Harold focuses on the newly elected head of the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) in Japan, Takaichi Sanae, who is presumed to be the next prime minister. Ms. Takaichi's political background is that of a conservative LDP member and an acolyte of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Her victory was attributed to two main factors. First, she was the most conservative candidate at a time when the LDP was worried about losing conservative votes to another party that sought to emulate parts of the MAGA ideology. The party viewed her as the best candidate to retrieve those votes. Second, while her competitor was the younger, more liberal son of a former prime minister, LDP voters and legislative members were ultimately "more comfortable voting for an older conservative woman." Additionally, a major scandal involving derogatory remarks posted by her competitor's supporters helped drive down his support late in the race. This is a historic election as Ms. Takaichi will be the first female Japanese prime minister. She has described herself as an emulator of Margaret Thatcher and emphasizes boosting the Japanese economy with substantial spending, including on defense, to enhance the US-Japan alliance.

Charles's Return and the Fate of the Prize Guest: Eric Jay Dolin Barnard and his marooned men were eventually rescued by two British whaling ships and taken to Lima, Peru. Before starting his arduous, uncertain two-year return journey to New York, Barnard regretfully gave his beloved dog, Cent, who was critical to their survival, to a British whaling captain, believing Cent would have a better life. Barnard returned home virtually bankrupt, having signed a $5,000 bond. The "lawfare" over the Nanina eventually concluded when Murray and Son successfully appealed the prize court's initial decision favoring D'Aranda. Murray and Son received payment for the brig's value, leaving D'Aranda with nothing. Though initially vowing to quit the sea, Charles returned to sealing, later becoming a port warden, and published a book about his experiences in 1829.

Prize Greed and the Abandonment of Barnard Guest: Eric Jay Dolin Charles Barnard offered the British castaways a humanitarian deal: rescue them in exchange for salvaging the Isabella. This accord was shattered when HMS Nancy, commanded by Lieutenant William Peter D'Aranda, arrived. D'Aranda, seeking personal fame, immediately disregarded the agreement, prioritizing personal financial gain through the prize system, which was widely viewed as "semi-piracy." D'Aranda seized the Nanina as a prize and declared the Americans prisoners of war. Crucially, D'Aranda callously abandoned Barnard and four others (including three British) who were ashore hunting food for the entire group. Marooned for 534 days, Barnard's survival hinged on the help of his dog, Cent, who was vital for hunting powerful, four-tusked wild boars.

Shipwreck in the Barren Falklands Guest: Eric Jay Dolin The Nanina crew was sealing in the inhospitable Falkland Islands, characterized by constant 18 mph winds, cold temperatures, and no trees, only tall tussock grass. The sealing industry targeted valuable fur seals, rougher hair seals, and massive elephant seals whose blubber yielded high-quality illuminant oil. While the Americans were operating, the British ship Isabella, sailing from the Australian penal colony to London, wrecked on Eagle Island. The Isabella carried 54 people, including armed Marines, former convicts, and prostitutes. Captain George Higton was blamed for the crash due to his ineptitude and heavy drinking. Although the survivors made it ashore, they felt stranded and many broke into the salvaged alcohol.

Commerce, Conflict, and the High-Risk Sealing VoyageGuest: Left for Dead is set during the War of 1812, documenting a collision between young America and Britain in the contested Falkland Islands. The narrative begins with the highly lucrative sealing commerce, which involved gathering millions of seal skins and sea otter pelts for sale primarily in China. American sealer Charles Barnard proposed a high-risk voyage aboard the brig Nanina to Murray and Son, aiming to exploit the projected pent-up demand due to reduced competition. Despite the imminent war, they left New York Harbor just as an embargo was placed. The crew included Barnard's elderly, infirm father, Valentine, who was intended to sail the initial cargo back to New York. The presence of four experienced sealing captains among the crew, including diarist Barzillai Pease, created a potential "recipe for disaster."

PREVIEW: ERIC JAY DOLIN'S LEFT FOR DEAD D'Aranda's Treachery and the Semi-piracy of the Prize SystemGuest: The book focuses on the greed involved in the prize system during a minor 1812 incident in the Falkland Islands. Lieutenant D'Aranda of HMS Nancy arrived intending to be a hero by rescuing castaways. However, D'Aranda immediately ripped up the Americans' humanitarian deal, viewing the situation as an opportunity for personal financial gain. He claimed the American ship Nanina as a prize and the Americans as prisoners of war, highlighting how many interpreted the prize system as "semi-piracy." The British castaways did not oppose D'Aranda's decision. D'Aranda completed his villainous act by abandoning Charles Barnard and his party who were hunting ashore to secure necessary food provisions.

3. Magpie Breeding Causes Bird Substitution: Dallas the Dog Meets the Courageous Currawong Family Guest:Jeremy Zakis Dallas the dog was "absolutely dumbfounded" before dawn when he found a family of currawongs on the back lawn instead of his usual magpies. Currawongs are similar in size to magpies but resemble crows, retaining some white feathers. They appear to be substituting for the magpies, who are now dedicating more time to their nests during breeding season. Dallas eventually became accepting of the currawongs. These substitute birds are courageous, sometimes standing at the kitchen window looking in at eye level. Furthermore, the destructive cockatoos ("cockies"), known for stripping pine trees and dropping debris like half-eaten pine cones and sticks, are also staying away during their own breeding cycle, offering a "nice little reprieve."

2. Air Attacks Intensify During Worst Magpie Season, While Snakes, Including a Red-Bellied Black in a Dollhouse, Abound Guest: Jeremy Zakis It is magpie breeding season, described as possibly the worst magpie season in a long time. Male magpies are strategically attacking fast-moving cyclists and joggers, with reports of magpies landing on heads or even stealing a cyclist's earbuds. Meanwhile, the mild winter led to early reptile breeding, resulting in snakes that are more numerous and growing "a lot bigger" due to ample food. Snakes are moving into urban areas, evidenced by a 1.5-meter-long red-bellied black snake found in a child's dollhouse in southern Sydney. Children as young as five are taught safety: if they encounter a venomous snake, they must "stop still" and "act like a statue" to avoid panicking the snake before backing away.

Extreme Spring Heat Signals Catastrophically Hot Summer and Multi-Wave Bushfire Risk for AustraliaGuest: Australian springtime is experiencing unseasonably hot temperatures, approximately 16°C above average. Western Australia recorded 110°F, while Sydney reached 80-90°F. This sustained heat is seen as an ominous sign of a catastrophically hot summer involving droughts and bushfires. However, temperatures are expected to plummet by up to 20°C later in the week. This rapid cycling between hot/dry and cool/wet weather poses a major risk, as rain promotes rapid undergrowth that could fuel second, third, or fourth waves of bushfires. Discussions of La Niña have vanished, focusing instead on Antarctic upper-level wind layers, which are about 30°C warmer. Long-term forecasting is currently "almost impossible." 1864 BUSHFIRE

3. Rituals of Command and the Cicero Revelation Londinium Chronicles Gaius & Germanicus Debate The emperor asserted command authority over the legions in a ritual event at Quantico, Virginia, with his viceroy addressing the leadership of the legions. This ceremony was designed to overturn the previous instances of "command disobedience" experienced by Trump during his first term (such as General Milley's reported actions). The message delivered was a direct command: "New mission. Fortress America. If you are uncomfortable with that, leave."Domestically, this ongoing power transition draws parallels with the murder of Caesar, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and the path toward the principate. A newly shared detail from the documents of Marcus Tullius Cicero reveals that Brutus allegedly raised his dagger while striking Caesar and shouted "Cicero." This detail suggests Cicero, the master storyteller and champion of the senatorial class, provided the intellectual legitimacy and imprimatur for the assassination, affirming that the murder was committed in the name of the Senate's vision of republicanism. 1802

LONDINIUM CHRONICLES: GAIUS & GERMANICUS PHILOSOPHIZE Summary of Audio Part 2 Gaius and Germanicus discuss the emperor's ceremonial gathering of the legion leadership at Quantico, where the new mission of "Fortress America" was announced, an event they view as a necessary ritual to overturn previous command disobedience and re-establish the emperor's authority. They connect the current US political crisis to the end of the Roman Republic, observing that the constitutional system cannot sustain the ongoing conflict between the immensely rich oligarchic Senate faction (represented by "blue" elites) and the popular movement championed by the powerful leader, similar to the clash between senators and populares. This power struggle is visible in the Governor of California's challenge to the president's authority to use the National Guard against perceived "insurrections," which they believe is an unavoidable dynamic leading towards the establishment of a principate system.

LONDINIUM CHRONICLES: GAIUS & GERMANICUS PHILOSOPHIZE Summary of Audio Part 1 Gaius and Germanicus, reflecting on 21st-century events from Londinium, compare the American "princeps" (emperor) issuing ultimatums against "gangsters" in places like Gaza and Caracas to the Roman precedent of figures like Pompey suppressing the Cilician pirates, noting that emperors do not negotiate. Germanicus suggests the current US administration's approach of reducing direct administrative control over allies while maintaining titular supremacy is reminiscent of how the Roman Emperor in Constantinople dealt with emerging barbarian kingdoms by bestowing Roman titles like Consul and Patrician. They debate whether Europe's recent emergency meeting in Copenhagen regarding a "drone wall" signifies European independence or a success of the US princeps' policy of creative retrenchment, criticizing the arbitrary basis of 20th-century alliances like NATO and the discredited domino theory.

8. The Legacy and Sacrifice of the Marbleheaders: From Bankruptcy to Monument Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Following the Trenton campaign, many Marbleheaders, exhausted and with enlistments expired, returned home, including John Glover, whose wife was ill. Marblehead suffered immense devastation post-war; the prosperous town went "bust," the industry declined, and many leading men went bankrupt. The sacrifice was tragic, resulting in nearly 400 widows by the war's end, with many bodies lost at sea. Washington eventually entreated Glover to return, promoting him to general, and Glover continued fighting until 1782. Today, the Marbleheaders' story is visible through remaining historic landmarks: John Glover's house has a plaque, the Jeremiah Lee mansion serves as part of the Marblehead Museum, and notable figures are buried in Old Burial Hill. In Trenton, a statue of Marbleheader John Russell is displayed, holding an oar to symbolize the famous Delaware crossing. Henry Knox paid tribute to the regiment, stating he wished Congress had seen the men of Marblehead alone stand forward to lead the army across the perilous river to achieve the victory at Trenton.

7. The Indispensables at Trenton: Crossing the Ice-Filled Delaware River Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware On Christmas night 1776, Washington ordered his 2,400 men to cross the ice-filled Delaware River to attack Trenton. This "mission impossible" was only achieved due to the skill of the Marbleheaders in handling the Durham and flat-bottom boats, as all other attempts to cross the river that night failed. Their unique expertise, developed while fishing the Grand Banks, allowed them to manage the difficult currents and ice flows. The regiment was a diverse, unified team, including free men of color such as Caesar Gloverand Oliver Cromwell. After crossing in the nor'easter, the troops—many lacking shoes—marched toward Trenton. Glover's regiment was in the vanguard, marching down the river road. They secured the crucial Assunpink Creek bridge, ensuring the captured Hessians under Johann Rall had no means of retreat, leading to a decisive double envelopment victory. Days later, during the Second Battle of Trenton at Assunpink Creek, the remaining Marbleheaders held the bridge against repeated assaults by elite British grenadiers, allowing Washington to execute a feint and escape north toward Princeton. 8. The Legacy and Sacrifice of the Marbleheaders: From Bankruptcy to Monument Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Following the Trenton campaign, many Marbleheaders, exhausted and with enlistments expired, returned home, including John Glover, whose wife was ill. Marblehead suffered immense devastation post-war; the prosperous town went "bust," the industry declined, and many leading men went bankrupt. The sacrifice was tragic, resulting in nearly 400 widows by the war's end, with many bodies lost at sea. Washington eventually entreated Glover to return, promoting him to general, and Glover continued fighting until 1782. Today, the Marbleheaders' story is visible through remaining historic landmarks: John Glover's house has a plaque, the Jeremiah Lee mansion serves as part of the Marblehead Museum, and notable figures are buried in Old Burial Hill. In Trenton, a statue of Marbleheader John Russell is displayed, holding an oar to symbolize the famous Delaware crossing. Henry Knox paid tribute to the regiment, stating he wished Congress had seen the men of Marblehead alone stand forward to lead the army across the perilous river to achieve the victory at Trenton.

6. The Miracle Evacuation: The Marbleheaders at the Battle of Long Island Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware After the defeat at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Washington's 9,000-man army was trapped at Brooklyn Heights, facing destruction by Lord Howe's forces. Washington decided upon a harrowing retreat across the swirling, mile-long East River—an evacuation described as one of the most difficult military maneuvers. Had the British succeeded in destroying the army here, the Revolution likely would have ended. The Marblehead Regiment was tasked with rowing the army across in small, inadequate boats. The success relied entirely on the unique skill set of the Marbleheaders, honed by fishing the deadly Grand Banks. Despite the wind and currents initially frustrating the operation, two timely atmospheric events aided them: the wind failed to shift in a way that would allow the British Navy to sail up the East River to intercept, and as dawn broke, a dense fog rolled in, screening the movements of the escaping army. Washington personally supervised the evacuation, enforcing order and being one of the last men to leave the shore.