The John Batchelor Show

David Grinspoon discusses upcoming Venus missions: DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) and VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR Topography, and Spectroscopy). DAVINCI, the first entry probe with 21st-century instruments, will precisely measure atmosphere composition, like the deuterium/hydrogen ratio, to reconstruct water history. VERITAS, an orbiter, will map the surface in detail, looking for signs of active volcanism and ancient shorelines.

Dr. David Grinspoon discusses the potential for life in the relatively benign clouds of Venus, particularly around 50 km altitude, where conditions are similar to Earth's surface. This idea, once fringe, is gaining acceptance due to intriguing chemistry and clues like the controversial detection of phosphine, a possible biosignature. Life may have migrated from a previously watery surface or arrived via panspermia.

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 11-6-25 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT VENEZUELA. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities. 915-930 Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities. 930-945 Chris Riegel discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming labor, citing modest IBM layoffs but predicting heavy impacts in large retail. Advanced robotics in Chinese auto manufacturing drives cost efficiency, and AI combined with robotics enhances manufacturing capability. While seeing demand, Riegel notes characteristics of a bubble, especially in wildly overvalued stock prices, fueled by vast investment in AI data centers. In QSRs and retail, AI adoption is driven by efficiency and, in places like California, high minimum wages. 945-1000 Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses the strong US military presence near Venezuela, intended to pressure dictator Nicolás Maduro to leave. While the opposition (led by elected President González) is ready to govern, the Trump administration hesitates due to security concerns. The major risk is chaos: following Maduro's exit, drug cartels (like Cartel de los Soles) and other groups (like ELN and Tren de Aragua) might fight dissident generals, leading to instability rather than a smooth transition to democracy. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Joel Finkelstein discusses how the New York election of socialist Zohran Mamdani was influenced by "subnationalism," where foreign nations subvert democracy. Organizations associated with Islamist Maoist ideals and CCP assets (like Neville Roy Singham, who bankrolled a campaign hub) were central to mobilizing votes. On social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, content favorable to Mamdani was given "engineered virality," with over 50% of viral engagement coming from non-American users, suggesting organized foreign intercession. 1015-1030 Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib discusses the high probability of renewed conflict in Gaza, arguing that the ceasefire is fragile due to Hamas's malign intentions. He estimates Hamas's combat-effective forces are significantly lower than reported (3,000 to 5,000, versus 15,000 to 30,000), noting Hamas pays fighters $20 to $25 a day. He also challenges polls showing widespread Gazan support for Hamas, arguing such results are manipulated and defy logic given the catastrophe following October 7. Disarmament is crucial for any future political process. 1030-1045 Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib argues that disarmament must precede any credible political process in Gaza, citing Hamas's use of medical facilities like Shifa and Nasser hospitals for interrogations and military activities. He criticizes Turkey and Qatar for using Hamas as a bargaining chip for regional leverage, suggesting they now posture Hamas as a potential security guarantor against ISIS. Alkhatib also suggests using Private Military Contractors (PMCs) as an enforcement force to actively fight Hamas and...

Conrad Black discusses Canadian politics and trade, noting a misunderstanding between Prime Minister Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford regarding an anti-tariff ad that offended President Trump. Black reports that China's General Secretary Xi has been conciliatory toward both Canada and the US. Crucially, Canada needs pipelines built both east, west (Trans Mountain to Vancouver/Pacific), and south (Keystone XL) to move Alberta's oil. Carney's federal government tentatively agreed to approve a second pipeline to Northern British Columbia. 1893

EDr. AJ Kolhari discusses Russia's successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which flew 14,000 km for 15 hours. The missile captures and compresses air, heating it over a nuclear reactor to create thrust. Kulhari emphasizes the danger because it flies low (50 to 100 m) and is hard to detect. He notes this nuclear propulsion technology, or similar ramjet designs, could revolutionize commercial travel and be applied to flight on Mars, using its CO₂ atmosphere for heating. 1958

Alan Tonelson discusses the Supreme Court oral arguments concerning the President's authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The administration argues the President can invoke IEEPA due to emergencies like fentanyl and trade deficits. Tonelson finds arguments against including tariffs under IEEPA's regulatory language "jaw-dropping." He stresses that the President must have sole control over declaring foreign policy emergencies, necessary for rapid response. If rejected, the President has other longstanding tariffing powers. 1883 WALL STREET

Veronique de Rugy critiques the administration's legal argument at the Supreme Court that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes the President to impose tariffs. She argues the term "emergency" is used too loosely, defining 50 years of trade deficits as an emergency, potentially granting the President immense, unchecked power to tax. Tariffs are taxes, which Congress should control. De Rugy notes tariffs are already causing damage by raising prices for consumers or forcing companies to cut profits and investment. 1882 NYSE

Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "econ

Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "econ

Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "econ

Professor Evan Ellis discusses Argentina's economic stabilization under President Milei, who resisted dollarization by bringing the peso to a stable, free-market rate through aggressive spending cuts and US/IMF support. This success under the new US "economic Monroe Doctrine" sends a strong signal to the Americas, aimed at countering China's rapid expansion. Ellis also reviews US military readiness near Venezuela and political shifts toward the center-right in Bolivia and potentially Chile, though these nations remain economically engaged with China. 1898 Caracas

Gregg Roman details Turkey and Qatar's strategy to establish regional hegemony across "five fronts" by replacing the Shia Crescent. Turkey, providing military manpower, and Qatar, providing the budget, are active in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Syria, and Djibouti. Their plan includes securing maritime supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean via an agreement with Libya and extending air power over Syrian airspace. Erdoğan seeks plausible deniability by empowering Syrian jihadis to attack the Golan Heights and is building bases in Djibouti and Somalia. 1930

Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib discusses the high probability of renewed conflict in Gaza, arguing that the ceasefire is fragile due to Hamas's malign intentions. He estimates Hamas's combat-effective forces are significantly lower than reported (3,000 to 5,000, versus 15,000 to 30,000), noting Hamas pays fighters $20 to $25 a day. He also challenges polls showing widespread Gazan support for Hamas, arguing such results are manipulated and defy logic given the catastrophe following October 7. Disarmament is crucial for any future political process. 1917

Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib discusses the high probability of renewed conflict in Gaza, arguing that the ceasefire is fragile due to Hamas's malign intentions. He estimates Hamas's combat-effective forces are significantly lower than reported (3,000 to 5,000, versus 15,000 to 30,000), noting Hamas pays fighters $20 to $25 a day. He also challenges polls showing widespread Gazan support for Hamas, arguing such results are manipulated and defy logic given the catastrophe following October 7. Disarmament is crucial for any future political process. 1898

Joel Finkelstein discusses how the New York election of socialist Zohran Mamdani was influenced by "subnationalism," where foreign nations subvert democracy. Organizations associated with Islamist Maoist ideals and CCP assets (like Neville Roy Singham, who bankrolled a campaign hub) were central to mobilizing votes. On social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, content favorable to Mamdani was given "engineered virality," with over 50% of viral engagement coming from non-American users, suggesting organized foreign intercession. 1931

Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses the strong US military presence near Venezuela, intended to pressure dictator Nicolás Maduro to leave. While the opposition (led by elected President González) is ready to govern, the Trump administration hesitates due to security concerns. The major risk is chaos: following Maduro's exit, drug cartels (like Cartel de los Soles) and other groups (like ELN and Tren de Aragua) might fight dissident generals, leading to instability rather than a smooth transition to democracy.

Chris Riegel discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming labor, citing modest IBM layoffs but predicting heavy impacts in large retail. Advanced robotics in Chinese auto manufacturing drives cost efficiency, and AI combined with robotics enhances manufacturing capability. While seeing demand, Riegel notes characteristics of a bubble, especially in wildly overvalued stock prices, fueled by vast investment in AI data centers. In QSRs and retail, AI adoption is driven by efficiency and, in places like California, high minimum wages.

Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities.

Anatol Lieven discusses the institutionalization of the Ukraine war, highlighted by children being trained to fly drones in classrooms. This blend of new technology and old societal militarization creates a "bloodless war" perception, potentially making conflict psychologically easier. He also addresses the argument that "stagnating states" are militarizing to maintain power, fueling conflicts and reasserting spheres of influence (a "new economic Monroe Doctrine"). The US is critically involved, enabling Ukrainian targeting capabilities. 1940

PREVIEW. Inside Gaza: Estimates of Hamas's Remaining Combat Forces and Fighter Pay. Ahmad Fouad Alkhatib of the Atlantic Council discusses the situation inside the half of Gaza where Hamas maintains control using the power of the gun. Based on contacts on the ground, he is highly skeptical of estimates claiming 15,000 to 30,000 Hamas troops. His personal estimate, shared by military intelligence contacts, places the number of combat-effective militants at no more than 3,000 to 5,000. Hamas allegedly offers its fighters $20 to $25 a day. RAMALLAH