The John Batchelor Show

PREVIEW: Vladimir Putin Threatens Escalation Over Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine; Response Likely More Bark Than Bite GUEST NAME: John Hardie (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) 100-WORD SUMMARY: John Batchelor and John Hardie discuss Vladimir Putin's threats of escalation if allies provide Tomahawk missiles and other tools of war to Ukraine. Hardie suggests that Russia has been "more bark than bite" throughout the conflict and is extremely unlikely to resort to tactical nuclear use. Putin's response might be asymmetrical, perhaps strengthening air defense or stepping up "gray zone actions" in Europe, or supporting the Houthis. Direct military retaliation against a NATO member is improbable because Putin recognizes he would lose such a war.

PREVIEW: Deadly Clashes Between Pakistan Army and Taliban Along the Unrecognized Durand Line GUEST NAME: Bill Roggio (Foundation for Defense of Democracies, The Long War Journal) 100-WORD SUMMARY: John Batchelor asks Bill Roggio to describe the challenging terrain where reports indicate hundreds have died in clashes between the Pakistani army and the Taliban's army along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The area, which includes both mountainous and desert country, spans hundreds of miles. A major cause of tension is that the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban do not recognize the Durand Line, which serves as the official border. Both sides have set up border outposts, and the location of these outposts sometimes shifts depending on local circumstances.

PREVIEW: The Syrian Quandary: Clashes Threaten Security Gap and ISIS Reemergence GUEST NAME: Ahmad Sharawi (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) 100-WORD SUMMARY: Ahmad Sharawi discusses the fragmented Syrian quandary, which faces threats, chiefly from the Islamic State (ISIS). Recent clashes occurred between the Syrian government and the U.S.-allied, Kurdish-led SDF, which controls about 30% of northeast Syria. Although there are positive signs for the SDF to integrate into the Syrian military, a war between the forces (potentially involving Turkey) could create a security gap or power vacuum. This vacuum would lead to the release and regrouping of Islamic State terrorists from existing camps and prisons, causing a reemergence of ISIS that threatens the whole region.

PREVIEW: Chinese Economy Collapsing Due to Demographic Catastrophe GUEST NAME: Alan Tonelson (RealityChek) 100-WORD SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Alan Tonelson about the collapse of the Chinese economy. The underlying cause is demographics, specifically the catastrophic impact of the 20th century's one-child policy. Tonelson highlights that China's population is virtually collapsing. Citing the Financial Times, he states that the scale of China's economic collapse is so stunning that it is "unprecedented" and has "never been seen before in human history."

PREVIEW: Houthis Are Inconsistent and Unreliable, Their Terms for Attacks Shift GUEST NAME: Bridget Toomey (Foundation for Defense of Democracies) 100-WORD SUMMARY: Bridget Toomey discusses the Houthis in Yemen, noting that they are "completely inconsistent and unreliable." While they currently state they will hold off on attacks if there is a ceasefire concerning Gaza and Hamas is content, their terms constantly shift. Their current demands involve ending the blockade on Gaza and allowing aid in. Toomey emphasizes that the Houthis might decide to attack Israel tomorrow based on a new impetus, despite any statements made today.

HEADLINE: China's Coordinated Aggression in the South China Sea: Analyzing the Philippine Vessel Ramming Incident GUEST NAMES: John Batchelor (Host) and Jim Fanell, Retired US Navy Intelligence Officer 1000-WORD SUMMARY: The program featured an in-depth discussion between host John Batchelor and Jim Fanell, a retired United States Navy intelligence officer, focusing on a recent and troubling ramming incident in the contested waters of the South China Sea's Spratly Islands. This incident involved Chinese vessels deliberately ramming a Philippine resupply ship that was en route to a Philippine outpost, marking another escalation in the ongoing territorial disputes that have made the South China Sea one of the world's most volatile maritime flashpoints. Fanell provided expert analysis that fundamentally reframes how this incident should be understood. Rather than viewing it as an isolated action by an overzealous ship captain acting independently or a spontaneous confrontation that escalated beyond control, Fanell argues that the ramming was a carefully coordinated operation directed from the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party. This assessment carries significant implications for understanding China's strategic intentions and the level of state control exercised over what might otherwise appear to be tactical-level maritime incidents. The coordinated nature of the operation becomes evident when examining the composition and deployment of Chinese forces involved in the incident. Fanell detailed that the ramming was not carried out by a single vessel but was instead supported by a substantial flotilla of Chinese maritime assets. This included vessels from China's maritime militia—ostensibly civilian fishing vessels that operate under state direction and serve paramilitary functions—multiple Coast Guard cutters representing China's official law enforcement presence at sea, and significantly, a warship from the People's Liberation Army Navy, representing the direct involvement of China's military forces. This multi-layered deployment of assets from different organizational structures within China's maritime forces demonstrates a level of coordination and planning that could only originate from centralized command authority. The presence of military, paramilitary, and quasi-civilian forces operating in concert reveals a sophisticated strategy designed to apply overwhelming pressure while maintaining some degree of plausible deniability about the military nature of the confrontation. Fanell emphasized that this incident is not an isolated occurrence but rather part of a consistent and identifiable pattern of Chinese operations concentrated in several key areas of the South China Sea. He specifically mentioned Scarborough Shoal, Sandy Cay, and Second Thomas Shoal as focal points of these coordinated Chinese activities. Each of these locations represents a contested feature in the South China Sea where the Philippines maintains claims and, in some cases, physical presence through grounded vessels or small outposts that serve as territorial markers. Scarborough Shoal, located approximately 120 miles from the Philippine coast, has been under effective Chinese control since a 2012 standoff, despite lying well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone as defined by international law. Second Thomas Shoal has become particularly contentious because the Philippines deliberately grounded a World War II-era vessel, the Sierra Madre, on the shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent outpost. The vessel houses a small garrison of Philippine marines, and China has repeatedly attempted to prevent resupply missions to this outpost, creating recurring confrontations. The pattern Fanell describes reveals a strategy of incremental pressure designed to exhaust the Philippines' ability and willingness to maintain its presence in these disputed areas. By consistently interfering with resupply operations, China aims to...

HEADLINE: Remembering Resilience and a WWII Hero: The Children's Tree and the Legacy of Edward Shames GUEST NAMES: John Batchelor (Host), Thaddeus McCotter of American Greatness, and Malcolm Hoenlein 200-WORD SUMMARY: The program discussed the dedication of the Children's Tree in Battery Park, a powerful symbol of resilience and hope grown from cuttings of a tree secretly nurtured by Jewish children at Terezín (Theresienstadt) concentration camp during the Holocaust. In 1943, teacher Irma Lauscher courageously smuggled the original sapling into the camp so that children could celebrate Arbor Day and maintain a connection to life and normalcy amid unimaginable circumstances. The children sacrificed their precious water rations to care for the tree, demonstrating extraordinary determination and spirit. The 15-foot tree now standing in Battery Park will be cared for by children at the Battery Park School, ensuring that this legacy of hope continues for future generations. The segment also paid tribute to the late Edward Shames, the last surviving member of the legendary Band of Brothers (Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment), who died at age 99. Shames participated in D-Day (Operation Overlord) and was among the first members of the 101st Airborne Division to enter Dachau concentration camp upon its liberation, witnessing firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust. In a remarkable footnote to history, he later acquired Hitler's private cognac from the Eagle's Nest, a personal memento from the fall of the Third Reich. 1698 JERUSALEM The segment also paid tribute to the late Edward Shames, the last surviving member of the legendary Band of Brothers (Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment), who died at age 99. Shames participated in D-Day (Operation Overlord) and was among the first members of the 101st Airborne Division to enter Dachau concentration camp upon its liberation, witnessing firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust. In a remarkable footnote to history, he later acquired Hitler's private cognac from the Eagle's Nest, a personal memento from the fall of the Third Reich.

Roman Revisionism and the Crisis of the American Republic Gaius and Germanicus discuss the 21st-century revisionism of Rome, which they find entertaining, noting that it presents figures like Domitian as successful and Nero as misunderstood. They counter the revisionist view that the Roman Republic was vital by asserting that Rome was perpetually embroiled in civil war until the ultimate resolution by an emperor. This leads to the central question of whether the American Republic is in a late stage heading toward an emperor. They debate whether political strife signals societal vitality or decadence, noting that while conflict in U.S. history was sometimes resolved by figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt or McKinley, the late Roman Republic required the intervention of "big men" like the triumvirates (Pompey and Caesar). The speakers suggest the current American political structure and unsustainable economic inequality may require a major adjustment, echoing the Roman path. They conclude by heading off to make a sacrifice to the great god Augustus. 1876 NERO AND TORCHES FOR CHRISTIANS

Revenge Lawfare, Roman Precedents, and the Threat of Civil Conflict The Friends of History Debating Society discusses "lawfare," described as a simple, high-stakes political conflict where failure to "kill the king" results in logical retaliation. The conversation centers on the American "emperor" (Mr. Trump), who, following attacks during his interregnum, launched "revenge lawfare" upon re-election. The effectiveness of this lawfare is evidenced by the pervasive anxiety resulting from indictments. Recent targets included the Attorney General of New York and the former director of the FBI. This practice is viewed by supporters of Mr. Trump as condign and appropriate punishment following a perceived miscarriage of justice. The speakers fear that escalating cycles of political warfare, particularly if institutionalized by successive administrations, could lead to civil war, a situation Rome experienced repeatedly with figures like Sulla, Pompey, and Caesar. A cautionary example is given of Emperor Titus, the son of Vespasian, who promoted stability by ending the practice of treating slander and libel as treason. Germanicus(Michael Vlahos) and Gaius (John Batchelor) conclude by noting the need to address lawbreaking, but caution against institutionalizing punishment for standard civic discourse. 1880 SULLA SACKS ROMW (82 BCE)

The American Empire, Israeli Ethos, and the Carthaginian Peace Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) discuss the enduring influence of the Roman Empire on the American Empire. Their immediate topic is the situation in Gaza, which Gaius defines as a "Carthaginian peace"—total destruction of the enemy, mirroring Rome's leveling of Carthage in 146 B.C.E. Germanicus posits that this outcome results from the convergence of Israeli and U.S. sensibilities. Israel is driven by the axiom Carthago delenda est (Cato the Elder's decree that Carthage must be destroyed), viewing a successful Palestinian state as intolerable. The U.S. is similarly steeped in the ruthless Roman way of war, pursuing victory to complete destruction, a tradition reflected in conflicts like World War II and the destruction of Mosul against the Islamic State. The Israeli ethos, rooted in narratives of destruction visited upon them by figures like Titus and Hadrian, now embraces the spirit of destruction itself. The American imperial ruthlessness, exemplified by historical figures like Robert McNamara, stems from a fierce Calvinist wrath that aligns well with the Zionist narrative. Although the result appears visually and structurally to be a Carthaginian peace, the survival of some Gazans is attributed to a countervailing American vision of the U.S. as a "redeemer nation." The speakers plan to next discuss revenge lawfare, which Cicero practiced. 1907 CARTHAGE

. The Snowy Egret and Emperor Penguin: Conservation, Fashion, and Climate Crisis AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This final excerpt discusses the slaughter of the Snowy Egret for its feathers during the 19th-century "plumage wars," driven by high fashion. The extreme cruelty galvanized women to form conservation societies, such as the Audubon Society. The murder of warden Guy Bradley, who was protecting the birds, helped end the industry. The conversation concludes with the Emperor Penguin, which is facing massive population loss (estimated 98% by 2100) due to the climate crisis and serves as the "miner's canary" warning humanity of impending doom.

7. The Tree Sparrow: Mao's Folly and the Emu Wars AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This excerpt details Mao's 1958 "Four Vermin" campaign targeting the Tree Sparrow. Maoordered the sparrows killed, believing they consumed grain; however, because sparrows feed their young on insects, their eradication led to an insect population boom. The subsequent crop failures caused a famine that resulted in potentially 45 to 50 million deaths, making it the worst human-created disaster in history. The segment contrasts this tragedy with the "Emu Wars" in 1930s Australia, where highly adaptable Emussuccessfully defeated the Australian army. 1938

6. The Cormorant and the Guano Trade: Wealth, Exploitation, and Intensive Farming AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This section covers Cormorant guano, a highly prized fertilizer known to the Incas. In the 19th century, shipping guano from arid Peruvian islands made British businessman William Gibbs the wealthiest commoner in England. Tragically, this wealth was built upon the exploitation and deaths of Chinese indentured laborers. The guano boom (1840-1870) ended, leading to the invention of synthetic fertilizers (Haber-Bosch process), which enabled intensive farming that caused wildlife decline in Britain and North America. 1838

5. The Raven: Mythology, Intelligence, and Return AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This excerpt examines the large, highly intelligent Raven (a crow on steroids). Its deep mythology stretches from the earliest civilizations, including Norse legend, where Odin's ravens (Huginn and Muninn) flew around the world as his eyes and ears. The myth states that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall. Historically regarded as harbingers of doom and persecuted as scavengers, ravens are currently making a successful, adaptable comeback in Britain. 1849

4. The Dodo: Icon of Extinction and Conservation Inspiration AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This section focuses on the Dodo, which became the icon of extinction. It went extinct on Mauritius within about 80 years after European sailors arrived (c. 1597), introducing ground predators (dogs, rats, cats, monkeys) that ate the flightless bird's eggs and chicks. Since the idea of extinction was incomprehensible to 17th-century society, few specimens were preserved. The dodo's fate has since inspired conservation successes, such as Carl Jones saving the Mauritius Kestreland Pink Pigeon using methods like double clutching.

3. Darwin's Finches, Evolution, and Avian Intelligence AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This excerpt addresses the myth that Darwin immediately understood evolution from the Galapagos Finches; he actually focused on pigeons in The Origin of Species. The finches were only named in his honor about 100 years after his birth. It highlights the work of Peter and Rosemary Grant, who demonstrated that birds can evolve very quickly (in a couple of years) when conditions, such as El Niño, change dramatically. The discussion concludes by noting that all birds, including the Australian Magpie, exhibit high levels of intelligence.

2. The Pigeon: The Great Communicator and War Hero AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This excerpt focuses on the Pigeon, describing it as the "great communicator" due to its extraordinary ability to always go home, a skill enhanced through breeding. Pigeons proved crucial in wartime for fast, secure communication; during D-Day, they were released to confirm successful landings while maintaining radio silence. A WWI pigeon, Cher Ami, saved a New York battalion from friendly fire. The segment also notes that peregrine falcons, which prey on pigeons, were targeted by British soldiers during WWII, contributing to their later endangerment.

1. The Wild Turkey and the Bald Eagle: Symbolism and History AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This excerpt introduces the book and discusses the Wild Turkey, noting its reestablishment in New England and its domestication in prehistory, originating from southern Mexico. It explores the non-logical naming of the turkey, likely confused with exotic trade items like the guinea fowl. The conversation shifts to the Bald Eagle, discussing its scavenging habits, Benjamin Franklin's potential joking preference for the turkey as the national bird, and the eagle's historical representation of power and sinister forces. 1949

4. Heroism Without Orders and the Last Stand AUTHOR NAME: Admiral James Stavridis, United States Navy (Retired) BOOK TITLE: To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision This segment emphasizes extreme courage. Cook Third Class Doris "Dorie" Miller, an African-American man in the segregated Navy, displayed pure heroism at Pearl Harbor by aiding the wounded captain and operating an anti-aircraft gun, earning the Navy Cross. Commander Ernest Evans led the heroic "last stand of the tin can sailors" at Leyte Gulf, charging the massive Japanese fleet (including Yamato) and successfully bluffing their retreat. 1944 IMPERIAL JAPANESE DESTROYER IN LEYTE GULF

3. Detaching Emotion and Adapting Plans Mid-Action AUTHOR NAME: Admiral James Stavridis, United States Navy (Retired) BOOK TITLE: To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision Key lessons include not getting emotionally involved, quoting The Godfather: "Never make the mistake of hating your enemies. It clouds your judgment." Bill Halsey failed this by becoming emotional in competition with Admiral Spruance. Stephen Decatur demonstrated preparedness to change his mind in Tripoli when he switched his plan from cutting out the USS Philadelphia to burning the ship.