The John Batchelor Show

SHOW 10-29-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1920 BOLIVAR IN CARACAS THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT CARACAS... FIRST HOUR 9-915 Global Flashpoints: Ceasefires, Nuclear Claims, and the Legality of Venezuela Deployment Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland assesses global conflicts, noting the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile as neither Israel nor Hamas is willing to compromise meaningfully. Russia remains defiant, having recently tested a claimed nuclear-powered missile, with Putin insisting Ukraine must surrender to achieve peace. McCausland criticizes the US deployment of a carrier battle group near Venezuela as "overkill," resembling nineteenth-century gunboat diplomacy intended to intimidate the Maduro regime. He questions the legality of kinetic action against alleged drug smugglers without Congressional approval. 915-930 VGlobal Flashpoints: Ceasefires, Nuclear Claims, and the Legality of Venezuela Deployment Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland assesses global conflicts, noting the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile as neither Israel nor Hamas is willing to compromise meaningfully. Russia remains defiant, having recently tested a claimed nuclear-powered missile, with Putin insisting Ukraine must surrender to achieve peace. McCausland criticizes the US deployment of a carrier battle group near Venezuela as "overkill," resembling nineteenth-century gunboat diplomacy intended to intimidate the Maduro regime. He questions the legality of kinetic action against alleged drug smugglers without Congressional approval. 930-945 Analysis of US Carrier Deployment to Venezuela: Overkill for Drug Ops, Risk of Intervention Guests: Brad Bowman, Cameron McMillan Brad Bowman and Cameron McMillan analyze the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, including the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group. They note this extraordinary accumulation of power is "orders of magnitude beyond" what is needed for stopping drug boats. The deployment conveys the "shadow of power" over the Maduro regime but raises serious concerns about constitutional war powers, high opportunity costs for US global security, and the risk of occupation similar to Iraq. 945-1000 Analysis of US Carrier Deployment to Venezuela: Overkill for Drug Ops, Risk of Intervention Guests: Brad Bowman, Cameron McMillan Brad Bowman and Cameron McMillan analyze the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, including the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group. They note this extraordinary accumulation of power is "orders of magnitude beyond" what is needed for stopping drug boats. The deployment conveys the "shadow of power" over the Maduro regime but raises serious concerns about constitutional war powers, high opportunity costs for US global security, and the risk of occupation similar to Iraq. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Diplomacy and Deterrence: Trump's Asia Success and the Venezuela Crisis Guest: Mary Kissel Mary Kissel reviews President Trump's successful engagement in Asia, including the ACEN conference where trade agreements and critical mineral investments were highlighted. She notes the strengthening US-Japanese partnership with Prime Minister Takayuki Sai, calling Japan the only significant military counterbalance to China in the region. Regarding the US carrier deployment near Venezuela, Kissel supports the use of deterrence but raises concerns about the legality of military strikes on alleged drug boats without a declaration of war. The political aim may be to empower Venezuelans to overthrow the Maduro regime. 1015-1030 Diplomacy and Deterrence: Trump's Asia Success and the Venezuela Crisis Guest: Mary Kissel Mary Kissel reviews President Trump's successful engagement in Asia, including the ACEN conference where trade agreements and critical mineral investments were highlighted. She notes the strengthening US-Japanese partnership with Prime Minister Takayuki Sai, calling Japan the...

SpaceX Sets New Launch Records While NASA and Lunar Programs Face Delays Guest: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman discusses SpaceX setting a new record of 138 launches in one year, with Falcon 9 surpassing the total launches of the entire Space Shuttle fleet. This success is attributed to reusability, a concept NASA failed to implement profitably due to its government structure. Other topics include delays in the Griffin lunar lander, iSpace partnerships, Luxembourg's investment in space manufacturing, Russian claims about a nuclear-powered missile, and Japan's launch of an upgraded HTV cargo freighter.

SpaceX Sets New Launch Records While NASA and Lunar Programs Face Delays Guest: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman discusses SpaceX setting a new record of 138 launches in one year, with Falcon 9 surpassing the total launches of the entire Space Shuttle fleet. This success is attributed to reusability, a concept NASA failed to implement profitably due to its government structure. Other topics include delays in the Griffin lunar lander, iSpace partnerships, Luxembourg's investment in space manufacturing, Russian claims about a nuclear-powered missile, and Japan's launch of an upgraded HTV cargo freighter.

Global Commodities and UK Political Turmoil: Copper Prices Soar and Starmer's Tax U-Turn Guest: Simon Constable Simon Constable reports that copper prices are soaring to $5.18, up 20 percent, due to insufficient supply to meet demand from electric vehicles and artificial intelligence applications. In the United Kingdom, he notes Labour leader Keir Starmer reversed his tax pledge amidst poor productivity forecasts and failing reforms. Constable details the collapse of a high-profile China espionage case, possibly because UK espionage laws remain outdated from before World War I and China was not formally designated a hostile state at the time. He also highlights the troubling advice given by police to Israeli football fans to avoid attending a match due to safety concerns.

Global Commodities and UK Political Turmoil: Copper Prices Soar and Starmer's Tax U-Turn Guest: Simon Constable Simon Constable reports that copper prices are soaring to $5.18, up 20 percent, due to insufficient supply to meet demand from electric vehicles and artificial intelligence applications. In the United Kingdom, he notes Labour leader Keir Starmer reversed his tax pledge amidst poor productivity forecasts and failing reforms. Constable details the collapse of a high-profile China espionage case, possibly because UK espionage laws remain outdated from before World War I and China was not formally designated a hostile state at the time. He also highlights the troubling advice given by police to Israeli football fans to avoid attending a match due to safety concerns.

The Constitutional Authority to Deploy National Guard to Protect Federal Facilities Guest: Professor John Yoo Professor John Yoo discusses the President's inherent constitutional authority to use the National Guard to protect federal property and personnel during city disorder. Drawing on the In re Neagle case from 1890, Yoo confirms the federal government's right to use force to execute its functions on American soil. He argues that governors opposing deployment are resisting federal law enforcement, akin to segregationists resisting integration. Yoo clarifies that states can adopt "sanctuary" policies by choosing not to cooperate with federal law, but they cannot constitutionally impede federal agents from carrying out their duties.

The Constitutional Authority to Deploy National Guard to Protect Federal Facilities Guest: Professor John Yoo Professor John Yoo discusses the President's inherent constitutional authority to use the National Guard to protect federal property and personnel during city disorder. Drawing on the In re Neagle case from 1890, Yoo confirms the federal government's right to use force to execute its functions on American soil. He argues that governors opposing deployment are resisting federal law enforcement, akin to segregationists resisting integration. Yoo clarifies that states can adopt "sanctuary" policies by choosing not to cooperate with federal law, but they cannot constitutionally impede federal agents from carrying out their duties.

The Battle for Oceania: Remembering Daniel Suidani and Chinese Political Warfare Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal discusses the death of Daniel Suidani, a leader from Malaita in the Solomon Islands who strongly resisted aggression from the Chinese Communist Party. Suidani's province instituted a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses. Paskal highlights how CCP proxies employed political warfare, financial pressure, and control over vital healthcare resources, such as the country's only functioning dialysis machine, to undermine him. This situation reflects broader CCP influence operations across the Indo-Pacific, including in US territories.

The Battle for Oceania: Remembering Daniel Suidani and Chinese Political Warfare Guest: Cleo Paskal Cleo Paskal discusses the death of Daniel Suidani, a leader from Malaita in the Solomon Islands who strongly resisted aggression from the Chinese Communist Party. Suidani's province instituted a moratorium on CCP-linked businesses. Paskal highlights how CCP proxies employed political warfare, financial pressure, and control over vital healthcare resources, such as the country's only functioning dialysis machine, to undermine him. This situation reflects broader CCP influence operations across the Indo-Pacific, including in US territories.

Canadian Media Airs Interview with Neo-Nazi-Associated Ukrainian Fighter Guest: Lev Golinkin Lev Golinkin discusses the scandal involving the Canadian Broadcasting Company, which interviewed a man associated with a neo-Nazi-led Ukrainian brigade who bore swastika tattoos. CBC subsequently blurred the symbols in the published footage. This incident reflects Canada's historical difficulty in addressing its harboring of former Nazi criminals, following the earlier scandal of Waffen SS member Ivan Hunka receiving an ovation in Parliament. Golinkin notes that while Nazi elements exist within Ukrainian forces, Russia exploits this fact for propaganda purposes to delegitimize Ukraine's struggle.

Canadian Media Airs Interview with Neo-Nazi-Associated Ukrainian Fighter Guest: Lev Golinkin Lev Golinkin discusses the scandal involving the Canadian Broadcasting Company, which interviewed a man associated with a neo-Nazi-led Ukrainian brigade who bore swastika tattoos. CBC subsequently blurred the symbols in the published footage. This incident reflects Canada's historical difficulty in addressing its harboring of former Nazi criminals, following the earlier scandal of Waffen SS member Ivan Hunka receiving an ovation in Parliament. Golinkin notes that while Nazi elements exist within Ukrainian forces, Russia exploits this fact for propaganda purposes to delegitimize Ukraine's struggle.

Diplomacy and Deterrence: Trump's Asia Success and the Venezuela Crisis Guest: Mary Kissel Mary Kissel reviews President Trump's successful engagement in Asia, including the ACEN conference where trade agreements and critical mineral investments were highlighted. She notes the strengthening US-Japanese partnership with Prime Minister Takayuki Sai, calling Japan the only significant military counterbalance to China in the region. Regarding the US carrier deployment near Venezuela, Kissel supports the use of deterrence but raises concerns about the legality of military strikes on alleged drug boats without a declaration of war. The political aim may be to empower Venezuelans to overthrow the Maduro regime.

Diplomacy and Deterrence: Trump's Asia Success and the Venezuela Crisis Guest: Mary Kissel Mary Kissel reviews President Trump's successful engagement in Asia, including the ACEN conference where trade agreements and critical mineral investments were highlighted. She notes the strengthening US-Japanese partnership with Prime Minister Takayuki Sai, calling Japan the only significant military counterbalance to China in the region. Regarding the US carrier deployment near Venezuela, Kissel supports the use of deterrence but raises concerns about the legality of military strikes on alleged drug boats without a declaration of war. The political aim may be to empower Venezuelans to overthrow the Maduro regime.

Analysis of US Carrier Deployment to Venezuela: Overkill for Drug Ops, Risk of Intervention Guests: Brad Bowman, Cameron McMillan Brad Bowman and Cameron McMillan analyze the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, including the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group. They note this extraordinary accumulation of power is "orders of magnitude beyond" what is needed for stopping drug boats. The deployment conveys the "shadow of power" over the Maduro regime but raises serious concerns about constitutional war powers, high opportunity costs for US global security, and the risk of occupation similar to Iraq.

Analysis of US Carrier Deployment to Venezuela: Overkill for Drug Ops, Risk of Intervention Guests: Brad Bowman, Cameron McMillan Brad Bowman and Cameron McMillan analyze the massive US military buildup near Venezuela, including the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group. They note this extraordinary accumulation of power is "orders of magnitude beyond" what is needed for stopping drug boats. The deployment conveys the "shadow of power" over the Maduro regime but raises serious concerns about constitutional war powers, high opportunity costs for US global security, and the risk of occupation similar to Iraq.

Global Flashpoints: Ceasefires, Nuclear Claims, and the Legality of Venezuela Deployment Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland assesses global conflicts, noting the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile as neither Israel nor Hamas is willing to compromise meaningfully. Russia remains defiant, having recently tested a claimed nuclear-powered missile, with Putin insisting Ukraine must surrender to achieve peace. McCausland criticizes the US deployment of a carrier battle group near Venezuela as "overkill," resembling nineteenth-century gunboat diplomacy intended to intimidate the Maduro regime. He questions the legality of kinetic action against alleged drug smugglers without Congressional approval. R

Global Flashpoints: Ceasefires, Nuclear Claims, and the Legality of Venezuela Deployment Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland Colonel Jeff McCausland assesses global conflicts, noting the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile as neither Israel nor Hamas is willing to compromise meaningfully.

Venezuelan Military Action and the Need for Congressional War Powers Debate Bradley Bowman John Batchelor speaks with Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about the possibility of military action against Venezuela's illegitimate Maduro regime. Bowman stresses that before opening fire, the administration must brief Congress, build bipartisan support, and present a realistic plan. Drawing lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan, he warns that while destroying is easy, building is tougher, and war is always unpredictable. 1920

War Fighting vs. Law Enforcement: Clarifying US Operations Against Venezuelan Drug Trafficking Mary Kissel John Batchelor speaks with Mary Kissel about the confusion regarding the US stance on Venezuela and Maduro. Kissel questions if the large offshore fleet suggests war fighting—making it acceptable to bomb boats and kill people—or if drug trafficking should be handled as a criminal enterprise requiring apprehension and justice processes. She notes that figures like Marco Rubio and Chris Landau would likely support a stronger, deterrent policy. 1917

Legality of Sinking Vessels and Mandatory NDAs for Pentagon Officials in Latin America Jeff McCausland John Batchelor and Colonel Jeff McCausland discuss the odd requirement for Pentagon officials serving in the Latin American responsibility (SOUTHCOM) to sign non-disclosure agreements. McCausland argues that ordering pilots to sink vessels and kill civilians involved in drug smuggling, without congressional authorization, is illegal and violates the basic ethical and legal contract the US government has with its military.