The John Batchelor Show

Legacies in Modern Asia: China's Judge and Japan's Shrine Controversy Professor Gary Bass Chinese Judge May Ruo centered the suffering of Asian peoples but chose to return to Mainland China, making him vulnerable as a "bourgeois" intellectual. Modern tensions persist regarding the Yasukuni Shrine, which has enshrined 14 Class A war criminals. Former PM Shinzo Abe's visits were fueled by resentment inherited from his grandfather, who was held as a suspected Class A criminal but was never indicted.

Indian Judge Rabhabinod Pal wrote a massive dissent, arguing the court lacked legitimacy due to the dominance of imperial powers. Pal, who focused heavily on racism and colonialism, questioned the evidence of Japanese atrocities at Nanjing. During the 1948 executions, army defendants chanted "Banzai" (Long live the Emperor). The US Supreme Court upheld the military commissions by narrowly refusing jurisdiction.

The conspiracy charge, borrowed from Nuremberg, was awkward given the rivalries within the splintered Japanese government. The legal foundation for Class A (aggressive war) relied on treaties like the Kellogg-Briand Pact. This 1928 pact made aggressive war illegal but failed to establish individual criminal responsibility or penalties. All surviving defendants were convicted of at least one charge, receiving mixed verdicts.

As the Cold War set in (1948), George Kennan urged MacArthur to halt progressive liberalization policies. Kennan argued that extensive democratization risked communist subversion, emphasizing the need for a strong, stable, anti-communist Japan. This marked a major shift, recognizing Japan, rather than China, as the crucial strategic anchor for American foreign policy in Asia.

Truman's "crony-like" approach led to the appointment of Chief Prosecutor Joseph Keenan, who was incompetent and struggled with alcoholism. Keenan was far inferior to Nuremberg's Robert Jackson. The trial transcript reached 50,000 pages over two and a half years. Chief Judge Sir William Webb was overly cranky and seemed to favor the prosecution, alienating the defense and other judges.

The American occupation began amidst vast ruins; Japanese officials burned evidence regarding atrocities like Nanjing. Class A crimes focused on aggressive war, targeting senior leaders like Tojo Hideki. Crucial prosecution evidence was found in the detailed diary of the emperor's advisor, Kido Koichi. The US Supreme Court ruled against jurisdiction over earlier military commissions. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East was subsequently established.

Japan's nominal unconditional surrender was conditional on retaining Emperor Hirohito, who was deemed helpful for managing troops and legitimizing the US occupation. General MacArthur, haunted by the Bataan Death March, conducted immediate, swift trials via military commissions against two former enemies. MacArthur initially planned a short, six-month trial focused only on aggression at Pearl Harbor.

Truman Takes Command: Unconditional Surrender and the Brutality of Final Battles Professor Gary Bass Harry Truman assumed the presidency unprepared for the war in Asia or foreign policy. He inherited the demand for unconditional surrender. The immense casualties at Okinawa terrified him about a ground invasion. Before the atomic bombs, US firebombing killed 210,000 Japanese, leading to warnings to Truman about "outdoing Hitler's atrocities." The Potsdam Declaration demanded "Stern justice" for war criminals.

Rommel was increasingly critical of Hitler's flawed personality and his callousness regarding troop lives, ultimately dying because he was a respected military professional who commanded the loyalty of the Wehrmacht. Patton repeatedly displayed abusive behavior toward subordinates, physically and verbally, dating back to WWI. While this behavior was problematic, it was also integral to his impetuous, risk-taking style that made him a great armored commander. Montgomery earned the lasting respect of his peers, despite interpersonal conflicts, exemplified by Omar Bradley's simple note, "thanks," left on his grave. Retry

Montgomery, commanding ground forces for D-Day, gave a "scintillating" and persuasive briefing on his revised Overlord plan. He set objectives in Normandy, like capturing Caen, that were perhaps beyond the means of his exhausted British troops, worsening his relationship with American generals. Montgomery's Operation Market Garden failed to achieve its objectives; the absence of his trusted chief of staff, Freddy Duingan, removed a critical checks and balances system. Rommel showed moral courage by standing up to Hitler in June 1944, arguing the war was over and negotiations were necessary. Patton's swift repositioning of his Third Army to relieve Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge was his finest hour, surprising both allies and Germans.

Bernard Montgomery, supported by his patron Alan Brooke, took command of the demoralized Eighth Army in August 1942. He immediately planned an attack at El Alamein, believing the best defense was attack. Rommel was suffering from chronic health issues, including high blood pressure and stomach problems, stemming from exhaustion and poor self-care due to his constant presence with the troops. Patton entered the conflict via Operation Torch, but rivalry with Montgomery quickly arose during planning for Operation Husky (Sicily), as neither general was initially impressed with the other.

Pre-WWII US exercises, influenced by Patton and his peers, successfully showcased armored warfare. Patton was eccentric, boring audiences with detailed lectures on Roman generals and claiming to be the reincarnation of Napoleon, which disconnected him from his troops. Montgomery, leading the Third Division, trained his men endlessly and formed a cohesive team before the Dunkirk evacuation, seeing the retreat as a challenge to rebuild. Rommel was given command of the 7th Panzer Division in 1940 and, due to his aggressive success, became known as the commander of the "phantom division," celebrated by Nazi propaganda.

Rommel developed a love-hate relationship with Adolf Hitler, often venerating him but glossing over his political and anti-Semitic excesses. Rommel's falling out with Hitler was usually due to distrust or Hitler letting the army down, not politics. Rommel, a Suabian outsider, connected with Hitler partly because both were fighting the "pernicious influence" of the Prussian military aristocracy. Though he disliked the SS, he endured them as part of the system. His book, Infantry Attacks (1937), made him a national personality.

Patton, a cavalryman, carefully accepted that mechanized warfare was the future and became a great advocate of the tank, though his career progression required caution. He was wounded in WWI, feeling he had failed his destiny to die a hero. Montgomery, post-war, was an aloof but talented brigade major who gained confidence by publishing his views on training, asserting "the Montgomery way." Rommel, who married well, became an inspirational lecturer at the Dresden Infantry School. Patton failed a character test by rejecting Joe Angelo, the man who saved his life, after his zealous role in suppressing the Bonus Army in 1932.

Wartime Beginnings: Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel in the Early 20th Century Professor Lloyd Clark Patton sought action and heroism early on, gaining fame as the "bandit killer" in Mexico in 1916 and exploiting the media spotlight. Montgomery was shot and severely wounded leading a charge during WWI. This injury led to staffing jobs, which benefited him and the British army, allowing him to focus on leadership fundamentals and professional knowledge. Rommel was a hands-on, micromanaging, and recklessly brave leader, inspiring his troops through his role model status.

Professor Lloyd Clark's book, The Commanders, contrasts the styles of Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. Patton, born into privilege, struggled at West Point, finding it difficult to form meaningful relationships and compensating by pulling rank. Montgomery, raised by religious and disciplinarian parents, was not the brightest student and was sent to Sandhurst. Rommel, from the southern state of Württemberg, was an initial outsider in the Prussian-dominated German army.

SHOW 11-21-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT UKRAINE FIRST HOUR 9-915 HEADLINE: Las Vegas Shifts Focus with Formula 1 and Lower-End Tourism; California Politics Hit by Indictments GUEST: Jeff Bliss Jeff Bliss reports that the Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas city circuit is attracting major spectacle and high-end tourism, though the city is also attempting recovery by catering to lower-income demographics, evidenced by positive activity at the Excalibur Casino, while facing major competition from a new Indian casino near Bakersfield, California, operated by the Tahone tribe and twice the size of Caesars Palace. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, and four others were indicted on 23 counts of fraud. Additionally, an investigation into the Palisades fire revealed that state workers ordered the LA Fire Department to back off a previously burned area that rekindled, allegedly to protect endangered plants. 915-930 HEADLINE: Industrial Policy and Tariffs Lack Coherence; Removal of Food Tariffs Implies Inflationary EffectGUEST: Veronique De Rugy Veronique De Rugy discusses US industrial policy, noting the trade deficit has increased despite tariffs, and the administration's decision to remove tariffs on food items—goods not produced domestically—is seen as an implicit admission that tariffs contribute to the "affordability crisis" because tariffs are a tax primarily borne by American consumers. The goals behind tariffs have shifted from fighting China to raising revenue, and the largest tariff exemption is for computer parts, indicating an understanding that tariffs could contradict other goals like energy abundance. De Rugyargues that US economic power stems from innovation and a willingness to invest, making industrial policy involving tariffs and seeking foreign investment largely unnecessary and potentially harmful. 930-945 HEADLINE: Mixed US Economic Signals: Strong GDP Contrasts Low Consumer Sentiment; AI Adoption Increases GUEST: Gene Marks Gene Marks discusses the US economy, noting that third-quarter GDP growth is estimated near 4%, contrasting sharply with record-low consumer sentiment in a "tale of two economies" where salaried workers receiving pay raises of 5–7% are outpacing 3% inflation and continuing to spend, while hourly workers struggle. Despite job growth in construction, leading indicators like the architectural billings index show contraction for 11 months. In technology, 88% of major companies are adopting artificial intelligence, though scaling remains limited, with AI already replacing low-level programmers and enhancing customer service. Agentic AI, capable of performing complex tasks, is predicted to impact fields like accounting and marketing by 2027–2028. However, Marks argues that most current major corporate layoffs stem from typical corporate bloat and mismanagement rather than AI, at least not yet. 945-10 SECOND HOUR 10-1015 HEADLINE: Lancaster County Economy Booms Despite Low Consumer Confidence; Local Entrepreneurs ThriveGUEST: Jim McTague Jim McTague reports that the economy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is strong, suggesting it mirrors the greater US economy despite reports of low consumer confidence, observing robust traffic at tourist destinations like Kitchen Kettle Village, a shopping locale established in 1954, with spending largely supported by well-off boomers. Local entrepreneurs are experiencing great success—a dealer selling eclectic electric lamps in Park City Mall is already earning $4,500 per week at the start of the holiday season, and high volume at Costco, where the Amish are major buyers, further indicates available disposable income. McTague concludes that the real economy on Main Street is strong and likely headed for a blockbuster Christmas season. 1015-1030 HEADLINE: Climate Change Threatens Iconic Italian Cheeses;...

2/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German book If Russia Wins, which outlines a scenario where Russia attacks NATO member Estonia around 2028 following a stalled conflict in Ukraine, capturing Narva and an island before halting its advance and creating confusion within NATO. Europeans, living in "Kantian dreams of eternal peace," prioritize a quick end to the conflict and fear escalation, and the scenario posits that the US President decides a World War III over a "tiny piece of land" is not worthwhile, leading Estonia to forego invoking NATO's Article 5 out of fear of alliance rejection. Grygielnotes that decades of demilitarization leave Europe unprepared for war, highlighting that US reinforcements could take 45 days to move and societies lack the political will to fund necessary rearmament.

1/2 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German book If Russia Wins, which outlines a scenario where Russia attacks NATO member Estonia around 2028 following a stalled conflict in Ukraine, capturing Narva and an island before halting its advance and creating confusion within NATO. Europeans, living in "Kantian dreams of eternal peace," prioritize a quick end to the conflict and fear escalation, and the scenario posits that the US President decides a World War III over a "tiny piece of land" is not worthwhile, leading Estonia to forego invoking NATO's Article 5 out of fear of alliance rejection. Grygielnotes that decades of demilitarization leave Europe unprepared for war, highlighting that US reinforcements could take 45 days to move and societies lack the political will to fund necessary rearmament.

CONTINUED 2/2 Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor still provides the necessary "cover" used by countries like Iran. MBS has made clear he will acquire a bomb if Iran does, regardless of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sokolski also discusses the US military's Janus program for small reactors, initially conceived for vulnerable front-line bases but pushed back to remote areas like Alaska and the lower 48 due to concerns about drones and vulnerability. Finally, the US may be moving toward nuclear socialism—government ownership of commercial reactors, potentially funded by Japan—to encourage commercialization even without secured market contracts. 1927