STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING JEFF BLISS AND GERMANICUS (MICHAEL VLAHOS). 4-17-2026
81 BCE SULLA

Jeff Bliss and John Batchelor discuss the vibrant developments in Las Vegas, where the President of the United Statesrecently arrived on Air Force One to promote a "no tax on tips" policy. The city is diversifying, becoming a sports mecca with Formula 1, World Wrestling at Allegiant Stadium, and a potential NBA franchise. Bliss recalls the legacy of the Rat Pack, Elvis, and Sinatra, while noting new landmarks like the Museum of Ice Cream in Area 15. Additionally, a massive In-N-Out burger restaurant is being built on the Strip, and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is adding rare balcony suites. Batchelor even jokes about a future Museum of Potato Chips featuring Lays.

In California politics, the race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom is intensifying under the Jungle Primary system. Newsom reportedly spent 1.5 million dollars to purchase 67,000 copies of his own book. Current candidates include Steve Hilton, a former Fox contributor; Tommy Steyer, a multi-billionaire; and UC Irvine professor Katie Porter. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass faces a tight race against Spencer Pratt. Batchelor mentions an interview between Bass and Jim Acosta on CNN, where she appeared defensive regarding homeless encampments in Venice and Hollywood.

Other local issues involve the California Coastal Commission canceling Long Beach fireworks. On Catalina Island, once a secret CIA training ground, Batchelor recalls the Four Freshmen singing about the sea while discussing a police canine apprehending a suspect in Avalon. Bliss recounts his own experience being bitten by a German Shepherd when analyzing the intensity of such arrests. Additionally, a massive Animal Crossing bridge is under construction across a Southern California freeway to protect wildlife like buffalo.

Globally, Germanicus warns of the "consolidation" of wars. Russia is reportedly upset by Ukrainian drone attacks launched from the Baltic states and Finland. Germanicus explains that 96% of Russian casualties are now caused by drones produced in Europe, Israel, and Turkey. Germanicus also highlights that leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer are meeting to address the crisis at the Strait of Hormuz. Despite a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, there remains a risk of "spasmodic responses" involving Russia's hypersonic Oreshnik missiles. John Batchelor concludes the session by noting that there is no certainty anywhere in the world except for their conversation. This dialogue captures the intersection of local entertainment, state politics, and global military strategy during a volatile and high-stakes historical period in history.

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-17-2026
1944 DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT, LONG BEACH, CA

Jeff Bliss discusses President Biden's Las Vegas visit to promote "no tax on tips," reviews local developments like hotel balconies and the futuristic In-N-Out, and mentions California's controversial, high-cost animal crossing bridge project. (1)

Jeff Bliss surveys the California gubernatorial landscape, profiling candidates like Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton before the "jungle primary" and revealing Governor Gavin Newsom's $1.5 million self-funded book tour to inflate his sales numbers. (2)

Professor Richard Epstein critiques Senator Bernie Sanders' proposed AI moratorium, arguing that Sanders' rhetoric ignores "creative destruction," fails to understand innovation, and risks national security while stifling growth for small, decentralized startup companies. (3)

Professor Richard Epstein discusses a legal stay against President Trump's White House ballroom project, condemning the "unitary executive" theory and criticizing Trump's disregard for historical preservation laws as erratic, lawless, and dangerously dictatorial. (4)

Jim McTague describes the traffic "nightmare" on Lancaster County's Route 30 due to bridge construction, while also sharing observations on the local Amish community and personal shopping anecdotes from a regional Costco location. (5)

Lorenzo Fiori highlights Italian political support for the Pope following Donald Trump's criticisms, while also recommending that tourists explore the rich history, food, and Lambrusco wine found in Parma and Reggio Emilia. (6)

Professor Luke Foster analyzes the 18th-century parliamentary rivalry between Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox, focusing on their conflicting views regarding the French Revolution and the supreme importance of high-level political rhetoric. (7)

Professor Luke Foster laments the decline of persuasive speech in the United States Congress, contrasting today's partisan anger with the prestigious, policy-shaping parliamentary debates of the 18th century that required sophisticated classical education. (8)

Professor Eric Cline recounts the 1886 discovery of the Amarna tablets, describing how Archibald Henry Sayce initially witnessed the excavation of ancient foundations that would later reveal a massive archive of Bronze Age diplomatic records. (9)

Professor Eric Cline details the dramatic race to acquire the Amarna letters, recounting how Wallace Budge smuggled 81 tablets to the British Museum and competed with Archibald Sayce to publish the first translations. (10)

Professor Eric Cline explores the massive fragmentation of the Amarna archive across global museums and highlights Hugo Winckler's pivotal role in categorizing the diplomatic letters exchanged between great Bronze Age kings and petty tyrants. (11)

Professor Eric Cline discusses the search for Biblical evidence in the Amarna tablets, specifically identifying early mentions of Jerusalem and describing the "kid-like" squabbles between Canaanite vassal kings writing to the EgyptianPharaoh. (12)

Gene Marks analyzes the resilient American economy, noting strong manufacturing expansion and banking stability despite global turmoil, while highlighting sustained consumer spending and the positive impact of 2025 tax refunds on small businesses. (13)

Gene Marks examines the shift from federal deregulation to active state-level labor laws, citing job losses from California's fast-food minimum wage hike and recommending a strategic business switch from ChatGPT to Claude. (14)

Conrad Black critiques the diplomatic rift between Canada and the United States, arguing that Prime Minister Carney's anti-Trump rhetoric serves as a political substitute for substantive policy achievements and effective housing solutions. (15)

Mariam Wahba outlines the brutal civil war in Sudan, explaining how foreign actors like Russia and Iran intervene for Red Sea port access and resources while prolonging the conflict through the supply of advanced weaponry. (16)

Jeff Bliss discusses President Biden's Las Vegas visit to promote "no tax on tips," reviews local developments like hotel balconies and the futuristic In-N-Out, and mentions California's controversial, high-cost animal crossing bridge project. (1)

Jeff Bliss surveys the California gubernatorial landscape, profiling candidates like Tom Steyer and Steve Hilton before the "jungle primary" and revealing Governor Gavin Newsom's $1.5 million self-funded book tour to inflate his sales numbers. (2)

Professor Richard Epstein critiques Senator Bernie Sanders' proposed AI moratorium, arguing that Sanders' rhetoric ignores "creative destruction," fails to understand innovation, and risks national security while stifling growth for small, decentralized startup companies. (3)

Professor Richard Epstein discusses a legal stay against President Trump's White House ballroom project, condemning the "unitary executive" theory and criticizing Trump's disregard for historical preservation laws as erratic, lawless, and dangerously dictatorial. (4)

Jim McTague describes the traffic "nightmare" on Lancaster County's Route 30 due to bridge construction, while also sharing observations on the local Amish community and personal shopping anecdotes from a regional Costco location. (5)

Lorenzo Fiori highlights Italian political support for the Pope following Donald Trump's criticisms, while also recommending that tourists explore the rich history, food, and Lambrusco wine found in Parma and Reggio Emilia. (6)

Professor Luke Foster analyzes the 18th-century parliamentary rivalry between Edmund Burke and Charles James Fox, focusing on their conflicting views regarding the French Revolution and the supreme importance of high-level political rhetoric. (7)

Professor Luke Foster laments the decline of persuasive speech in the United States Congress, contrasting today's partisan anger with the prestigious, policy-shaping parliamentary debates of the 18th century that required sophisticated classical education. (8)

Professor Eric Cline recounts the 1886 discovery of the Amarna tablets, describing how Archibald Henry Sayce initially witnessed the excavation of ancient foundations that would later reveal a massive archive of Bronze Age diplomatic records. (9)

Professor Eric Cline details the dramatic race to acquire the Amarna letters, recounting how Wallace Budge smuggled 81 tablets to the British Museum and competed with Archibald Sayce to publish the first translations. (10)

Professor Eric Cline explores the massive fragmentation of the Amarna archive across global museums and highlights Hugo Winckler's pivotal role in categorizing the diplomatic letters exchanged between great Bronze Age kings and petty tyrants. (11)

Professor Eric Cline discusses the search for Biblical evidence in the Amarna tablets, specifically identifying early mentions of Jerusalem and describing the "kid-like" squabbles between Canaanite vassal kings writing to the EgyptianPharaoh. (12)

Gene Marks analyzes the resilient American economy, noting strong manufacturing expansion and banking stability despite global turmoil, while highlighting sustained consumer spending and the positive impact of 2025 tax refunds on small businesses. (13)

Gene Marks examines the shift from federal deregulation to active state-level labor laws, citing job losses from California's fast-food minimum wage hike and recommending a strategic business switch from ChatGPT to Claude. (14)

Conrad Black critiques the diplomatic rift between Canada and the United States, arguing that Prime Minister Carney's anti-Trump rhetoric serves as a political substitute for substantive policy achievements and effective housing solutions. (15)

Mariam Wahba outlines the brutal civil war in Sudan, explaining how foreign actors like Russia and Iran intervene for Red Sea port access and resources while prolonging the conflict through the supply of advanced weaponry. (16)

Mariam Wahba outlines the brutal civil war in Sudan, explaining how foreign actors like Russia and Iran intervene for Red Sea port access and resources while prolonging the conflict through the supply of advanced weaponry. (16)
1944 B-17

STREAM MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING JIM MCTAGUE, ANATOL LIEVEN,  4-16-2026.
1880 FRENCH IRONCLAD MAGENTA.

The current global landscape is defined by a profound disconnect between market optimism and geopolitical instability. While the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have recently seen "rally mode," this "bullishness" is described as "irrational exuberance" in the face of ongoing violence in Eurasia. Jim McTague argues that the market is in a bubble, predicting a 30% downside retreat before the end of May as "black swans" like the conflict in the Middle East begin to frighten investors.

A primary catalyst for this potential economic "stampede" is the disruption of critical energy corridors, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and Baba Mandeb. Saudi Arabia, which previously encouraged military pressure on Iran, has recently signaled a desire for the U.S. to "back off" as it realizes its own oil pipelines to the Red Sea are vulnerable to Houthi violence. If these waterways remain shut down, oil revenues for Gulf states—which rely on these routes for 70% to 90% of their income—will collapse, likely triggering a global recession.

Simultaneously, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by major corporations as a "convenient excuse" for significant layoffs, even as it remains a "primitive tool" prone to frequent errors. While 30% of the general public expects large-scale job losses, institutional investors view these cuts as strategic cost-cutting rather than a broader labor market warning. The fear of AI-driven displacement is particularly acute among younger generations, leading some to predict a future defined by either "demagogues" exploiting unemployment or a new era of forced leisure. Currently, AI functions more as a "drawing partner" or administrative assistant that still requires a human "editor and proofreader" to manage its "hallucinations" and mistakes.

In Europe, the political tide may be turning following a resounding rebuke of Victor Orban in the Hungarian elections. The victory of Peter Magyar is seen as "good news" for Ukraine, as it removes a major block to a 90-billion-euro EU loan package. However, European economies remain fragile, with governments in Germany and France heavily subsidizing gas prices to prevent political upheaval from far-right parties like the AFD.

Finally, the international order is under strain as China’s patience with the U.S. and Israel wears thin due to the economic damage caused by the Iran conflict. Similarly, the "special relationship" between the UK and the US is facing a "national humiliation" as King Charles prepares to visit a Washington administration that has been openly insulting to British leadership. Amidst this 21st-century chaos, the sources recall the 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer, whose work emerged from a similar era of religious war to promote a "liberal tradition" of tolerance that remains the foundation of modern society.

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-16-26.
1871-1885 BRITISH IRONCLAD

1. Tom Modly joins John Batchelor to discuss the Trump administration's 2027 Navy budget. Secretary John Felin proposes doubling ship production to 34 vessels to expand industrial capacity and secure global oceans.

2. Tom Modly explains the Golden Fleet concept, featuring a potential 40,000-ton battleship. He emphasizes naval agility and drone integration on LCS platforms to counter threats from Iranian, Ukrainian, and Russian adversaries.

3. Anatol Lieven analyzes Hungary's election, where Peter Magyar defeated Viktor Orbán. This victory could lift blocks on Ukrainian aid, though Hungary remains economically dependent on Russian energy and faces significant corruption.

4. Anatol Lieven warns of a looming global recession fueled by oil shocks and Middle East conflict. He describes Donald Trump as a wrecking ball for American international reputation and diplomatic relations within Europe.

5. Evan Ellis reports on Peru's election runoff between Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez. He notes Sanchez's ties to Vladimir Cerron and Cuba, raising concerns about radical leftist governance returning to Peru.

6. Evan Ellis details China's deep penetration in Peru, centered on the Chancay port controlled by Cosco. Corruption within Peruvian institutions allows Beijing to dominate strategic sectors including mining, telecommunications, and Pacific maritime routes.

7. Evan Ellis discusses the Rodriguez family's control in Venezuela following Nicolas Maduro's capture. He suggests they are slow-walking democratic transitions to exploit oil deals, hoping to outlast the Trump administration's pressure and US midterms.

8. Evan Ellis highlights Argentina's economic progress under Javier Milei and Luis Caputo, supported by a new IMF deal. Milei has cut spending to reactivate the economy while the Peronist opposition remains defeated.

9. Andrea Stricker discusses Iran's chemical weapons program, including aerosolized fentanyl. Israel has struck research facilities at Imam Hussein University to degrade these capabilities, which Iran co-mingles with civilian academic programs.

10. Andrea Stricker emphasizes targeting Iran's chemical supply chain involving China, India, and Mexico. She advocates international pressure through the Australia Group and UN 1540 Committee to prevent Tehran from restoring illicit weapons.

11. Joe Pistrito and Phil Swan evaluate the Artemis 2 mission's success. They argue the space race with China drives NASA priorities, despite disagreements on the efficiency of commercial versus government architectures for lunar exploration.

12. Phil Swan and Joe Pistrito envision reusable systems landing humans on Mars within a decade. They advocate for infrastructure like mass drivers and space hotels to reduce costs and build a sustainable multiplanetary civilization.

13. Simon Constable reports from France on falling energy prices and rising fertilizer costs. He notes the growing popularity of Marine Le Pen as Europe faces economic uncertainty and concerns over Iranian maritime blockades.

14. Simon Constable laments the decline of the Royal Navy, noting Britain has more admirals than warships. He criticizes Keir Starmer for resisting military budget increases despite rising threats from Russia and Iran.

15. Mary Anastasia O'Grady debunks myths about Cuba's electricity crisis, attributing it to a lack of hard currency rather than the US embargo. The regime prioritizes power for elites and luxury hotels over ordinary citizens.

16. Veronique de Rugy addresses common tax myths, explaining that the top 1% already pays 40% of US taxes. She argues that confiscating billionaire wealth would fail to eliminate the massive $25 trillion national deficit.

16. Veronique de Rugy addresses common tax myths, explaining that the top 1% already pays 40% of UStaxes. She argues that confiscating billionaire wealth would fail to eliminate the massive $25 trillion national deficit.
1870-1910 OTTOMAN IRONCLAS

15. Mary Anastasia O'Grady debunks myths about Cuba's electricity crisis, attributing it to a lack of hard currency rather than the US embargo. The regime prioritizes power for elites and luxury hotels over ordinary citizens.
1866 PERU IRONCLADS

  12. Phil Swan and Joe Pistrito envision reusable systems landing humans on Mars within a decade. They advocate for infrastructure like mass drivers to reduce transportation costs and facilitate a sustainable multiplanetary human civilization.

1910 USS MASSACHUCETTS

8. Evan Ellis highlights Argentina's economic progress under Javier Milei and Luis Caputo. Supported by a new IMF deal, Milei has cut spending to reactivate the economy while the Peronist opposition remains defeated.
1893 BRITISH IROCLAD INFLEIXIBLE

7. Evan Ellis discusses the Rodriguez family's control in Venezuela. He suggests they are slow-walking democratic transitions and exploiting oil deals, hoping to outlast the Trump administration's pressure and upcoming US midterm elections.
1890 USS CAIRO, IRONCLAD

3. Anatol Lieven evaluates Hungary's election, where Peter Magyar defeated Viktor Orbán. This victory could lift blocks on Ukrainian aid, though Hungary remains dependent on Russian energy and faces European economic hurdles.
1884 DANISH IRONCLAD NORDENSKJOLD