Claim OwnershipThe John Batchelor Show
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The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.
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CONSTANTINOPLE AS HELM'S DEEP AND THE LATIN-GREEK SCHISM Colleagues Gaius and Germanicus, Friends of History Debating Society, Londinium, 91 AD. The final segment eulogizes Constantinople as a "perfect," intentionally designed city that served as "Helm's Deep" for Western civilization, preserving law, credit, and military organization when the rest of the West was atomized. The speakers detail the tragic sack of the city in 1204 by Latin Crusaders, describing it as a betrayal driven by the enduring envy and "bipolar tension" between the Latin West and the Greek East. This event stripped the city of its "divine" status and gold, ending its role as a sanctuary. They conclude by linking this ancient schism to the modern world, positing that the current geopolitical conflict between the US (the inheritor of the Latin West) and Russia (centered in Moscow, the successor to the Greek East) is a continuation of this unresolved cultural and religious struggle. NUMBER 3
1954
TRUMP'S MORTALITY, EUROPEAN ALARM, AND THE BEAR TRAP Colleagues Gaius and Germanicus, Friends of History Debating Society, Londinium, 91 AD. Focusing on "Emperor" Trump, the speakers argue his recent threats against Venezuelan leadership display the "mortality" and "incoherence" of age, exacerbated by the office's "transmogrification" of the individual which detaches them from reality. This aggression alarms European allies, who view the extraction operation as "kidnapping" and a crime. The speakers warn that this behavior exposes the US to a "bear trap" set by Russia and China, who can inflict damage without direct escalation. Contrasting Putin's calculated "restraint" and "legalism" with Trump's "bull in a china shop" approach, they suggest the US is rapidly losing international authority. Consequently, the crisis may force a "quid pro quo," where the US might have to trade influence in Ukraine to resolve the situation in the Western Hemisphere, effectively accepting a bargain to escape the "brier patch." NUMBER 2
1953
VENEZUELA AS A POTENTIAL SINKHOLE AND THE END OF AMERICAN OMNIPOTENCE Colleagues Gaius and Germanicus, Friends of History Debating Society, Londinium, 91 AD. The speakers analyze a failed US"decapitation" strike in Venezuela intended to replace Maduro with Delcy Rodriguez, a move that resulted in confusion regarding the loyalty of Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. They argue that the "omnipotence" the US displayed in Panama or during Desert Storm has vanished, leaving the empire unable to easily topple regimes. Venezuela is described as a potential "sinkhole" defined by complex terrain and heavily armed, "uncontrollable" guerrilla groups that would make intervention a "gigantic mess." The discussion concludes that the US is "hoist by its own petard," having relied on "military theater"—the illusion that waving a wand creates authority—which is now failing against a fractious reality. Unlike the 1990s, the US lacks the force capacity to manage such a conflict without facing an "impossible guerrilla war" that could destroy its remaining reputation. NUMBER 1
1954
THE HOSTAGE RELEASE TIMING AND A LEGACY OF ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE Colleague Craig Unger. The final segment addresses the suspicious timing of the hostage release on January 20, 1981. Unger notes that while Carter stayed up all night negotiating, the hostages were not released until minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. This precise timing suggests a pre-arranged deal, as Reagan had no presidential authority to negotiate prior to that moment. Unger points out that recent biographers and international sources have increasingly accepted the October Surprise as fact. He concludes by contextualizing this event within a broader history of Republican interference in foreign policy to win elections, drawing parallels to Nixon's sabotage of Vietnam peace talks in 1968 and allegations regarding the Trump campaign and Russia. The files suggest that political treason has been used repeatedly to "steal the White House." NUMBER 8
INSIDE IRAN: CONFRONTING REVOLUTIONARY FIGURES AND UNCOVERING THE DOUBLE COUPColleague Craig Unger. Unger describes his 2014 trip to Tehran to find Iranian corroboration for the October Surprise. He visited the former US Embassy, now a "Den of Spies" museum documenting the 1953 CIA coup against Mossadegh, which remains a source of deep grievance. Unger secured a rare interview with Mohsen Rafighdoost, a founder of the Revolutionary Guards and Khomeini's driver. During the interview, Rafighdoost slipped, saying "If we met with the Republicans..."—a moment Unger captured on video. Unger also interviewed Abolhassan Banisadr, the ousted first president of the Islamic Republic, in Versailles. Banisadr provided documents confirming the plot, describing it as a "double coup": it removed Carter in the US and allowed hardliners to consolidate power in Iran by undermining moderates like himself. NUMBER 7
CONFIRMING THE MADRID MEETING AND EXAMINING GEORGE H.W. BUSH'S ALLEGED ROLEColleague Craig Unger. This section focuses on verifying the specific meetings where the alleged treason occurred. Unger asserts certainty that Bill Casey met with Iranian cleric Mehdi Karrubi in Madrid in July 1980 to outline the deal: arms for Iran in exchange for delaying the hostage release until after the election. Unger notes that Israeli military intelligence (AMAN) confirmed the channel of arms sales. The segment also addresses the controversial allegation that George H.W. Bush flew to Paris in October 1980 to seal the deal. While alibis involving Secret Service details and a visit to Justice Potter Stewart were punctured by Bob Parry's reporting, Unger remains "agnostic" but leans toward the meeting having happened. The Iranians reportedly required a high-level figure like Bush to guarantee the agreement before they would release the "frozen assets" of undelivered weaponry needed for their war with Iraq. NUMBER 6
THE SECRET NETWORK: THE SAFARI CLUB, JOHN SHAHEEN, AND DOUBLE AGENTS Colleague Craig Unger. Unger explains the infrastructure used to execute the alleged conspiracy, specifically the "Safari Club," a group of off-the-books intelligence operatives formed after the CIA was restricted by the Church Committee in the 1970s. This network allowed covert operations to bypass congressional oversight. A crucial figure identified is John Shaheen, Bill Casey's close friend and former OSS colleague, who acted as a "cutout" to insulate Casey from direct involvement. Unger reveals that the Hashim brothers, Iranian arms dealers who offered to help Carter, were actually double agents working for Casey. FBI wiretaps eventually confirmed that the Hashims communicated with Shaheen before conducting arms deals, providing a direct link between the Reagan campaign's orbit and the delay of the hostage release. NUMBER 5
MEDIA SUPPRESSION, POLITICAL WHITEWASHING, AND THE DISCOVERY OF BURIED EVIDENCEColleague Craig Unger. This segment recounts the suppression of the October Surprise story by major media and government institutions. After initially hiring Unger to investigate, Newsweek abruptly pivoted, publishing articles denying the events took place, which Unger calls a "disgrace." A subsequent House investigation led by Lee Hamiltonwas characterized as a "whitewash" that accepted weak alibis for Bill Casey. Investigative legend Seymour Hershwarned Unger that he would be "crushed" for pursuing the story, and indeed, Unger faced lawsuits and professional isolation. However, the investigation was revived when reporter Bob Parry discovered 23 gigabytes of documents hidden in an abandoned ladies' room in the House office building. These documents, found under a tampon dispenser, contained evidence that contradicted the official exonerations of the Reagan campaign. NUMBER 4
THE ORIGINS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND THE ALLEGATIONS OF ARI BEN-MENASHE Colleague Craig Unger. Unger details how the "October Surprise" investigation began, sparked by a 1991 op-ed from former National Security Council member Gary Sick. Unger, then working with Esquire and later Newsweek, collaborated with investigative reporter Bob Parry to uncover the truth. A key but controversial source was Ari Ben-Menashe, a rogue Israeli intelligence operative who claimed that Bill Casey met with Iranians in Madrid in July 1980 to negotiate a delay in the hostages' release in exchange for arms. Ben-Menashe further alleged that George H.W. Bush traveled to Paris in October 1980 to finalize the deal. Although these sources were often dismissed as disreputable, Unger argues that investigating illegal arms dealing necessitates speaking to operatives within that shadow world, despite the risk to a journalist's career. NUMBER 3
BILL CASEY'S SECRET INTELLIGENCE NETWORK AND THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT CARTERColleague Craig Unger. Focusing on the Republican response to the hostage crisis, this segment examines the role of William "Bill" Casey, who took over Ronald Reagan's campaign in early 1980. Unger describes Casey as a brilliant former OSS spy who operated a "secret intelligence network" involving South African arms dealers and Israeli agents to monitor the Carter administration's progress. Casey realized that an "October Surprise"—a last-minute release of hostages by Carter—could cost Reagan the election. To prevent this, Casey allegedly sought to delay their release. Unger notes that while Reagan likely knew the broad strokes of these operations, he may have been insulated from the specific, treasonous details, partly due to Casey's habit of mumbling and the "deniability" inherent in his tradecraft. NUMBER 2
THE DESERT ONE TRAGEDY AND THE GEOPOLITICAL STAKES OF THE 1980 ELECTION Colleague Craig Unger. Author Craig Unger discusses the failed "Desert One" rescue mission on April 24, 1980, where mechanical failures and a collision resulted in eight American deaths, ending any immediate hope of rescuing 52 hostages held in Iran. Unger explains that while the Shah of Iran had been a US puppet installed by a 1953 CIA coup, the 1979 revolution replaced him with a hostile Islamic Republic, turning a strategic ally into an enemy. The hostage crisis became the central issue of the 1980 campaign; a successful rescue would likely have secured Carter's reelection, while failure favored Ronald Reagan. Additionally, the segment highlights the strained relationship between Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, noting that despite the Camp David Accords, Israel feared an Iraqi victory over Iran would create a dangerous regional superpower. NUMBER 1
MOTIVE AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF A NARCISSIST Colleague Paul Gregory. In the final segment, Gregoryexplores Oswald's motive, arguing that history has underestimated his intelligence and manipulativeness. Despite his dyslexia and poor education, Oswald successfully manipulated government officials in both the US and USSR. The motive was rooted in a desire to prove his greatness to the world—a belief instilled by his mother—and to prove his manhood to Marina, who viewed him with scorn. Oswald viewed the trial as a platform to broadcast his political theories and achieve historic status. Ultimately, Gregory concludes the assassination was the act of a narcissist trying to escape insignificance and domestic failure by committing a "monstrous act." NUMBER 8
THE WARREN COMMISSION AND THE LONE GUNMAN CONCLUSION Colleague Paul Gregory. Paul Gregory discusses the Warren Commission and the enduring conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. He visited Dealey Plaza personally to assess the sniper's nest, concluding the shot was "fairly easy" for a prepared shooter. Gregory dismisses the idea of a complex conspiracy, noting the spontaneity of Oswald's opportunity at the Book Depository. He highlights the Soviet Union's own suspicion that Oswald was a rogue element. A major focus is Marguerite Oswald's testimony; she confronted Chief Justice Earl Warren, demanding subpoena rights and claiming her son was a scapegoat. Gregory asserts that understanding Marguerite's influence and delusion is essential to understanding the psychological formation of her son, Lee. NUMBER 7
THE FUNERALS AND MARGUERITE'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR Colleague Paul Gregory. This segment contrasts the global mourning for President Kennedy with the lonely burial of Lee Harvey Oswald at Rose Hill, where reporters served as pallbearers. Marina Oswald was in a daze, emotionally devastated by watching Jackie Kennedy and the state funeral on television. Meanwhile, Marguerite Oswald became increasingly difficult, arguing over trivialities and insisting her son was an innocent hero and intelligence agent. Her erratic behavior and refusal to accept facts caused significant friction with the Secret Service agents protecting them. The Gregory family spent Thanksgiving in a "fog," discussing Marguerite's instability, a detail Paul notes was largely absent from the official Warren Report despite its significance in understanding the family dynamic. NUMBER 6
PROTECTING THE FAMILY AND THE BACKYARD PHOTOGRAPH Colleague Paul Gregory. Following the assassination, Oswald's mother, Marguerite, contacted Pete Gregory seeking shelter for herself and Marina. Petecoordinated with the Secret Service to move the women to a hotel at Six Flags to protect them from the press and facilitate interrogation. Authorities were particularly focused on a photo of Oswald holding a rifle; Marina initially hesitated to admit she took it, fearing legal consequences. Pete Gregory helped bridge the trust gap between Marina and the Secret Service. The situation escalated when the family learned Lee Harvey Oswald had been shot. Marguerite and Marina were taken to Parkland Hospital to view his body, after which Marguerite began demanding he be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. NUMBER 5
THE WALKER ATTEMPT AND DELUSIONS IN NEW ORLEANS Colleague Paul Gregory. The narrative shifts to April 1963, when a shaken Oswald confessed to Marina that he had attempted to assassinate General Edwin Walker. Marina found a note with instructions but did not report him, though she threatened to leave if he tried such violence again. Soon after, Oswald moved to New Orleans to build credentials as a pro-Castro operative, hoping to secure a visa to Cuba and eventually the Soviet Union. Gregory explains that Oswald did not actually want to return to Russia but needed a Soviet visa to enter Cuba. During this period, Oswald became increasingly delusional, inventing aliases and seeking status, though there was no evidence yet of a plan to kill President Kennedy. NUMBER 4
POVERTY, RUSSIAN LESSONS, AND THE DINNER PARTY INCIDENT Colleague Paul Gregory. Paul Gregory describes his visits to the Oswalds' impoverished duplex for Russian lessons in the summer of 1962. He notes a specific Time magazine featuring President Kennedy on their coffee table; Marina admired Kennedy, calling him a good father, while Lee seemingly agreed. The couple faced severe deprivation, lacking even a baby carriage, which forced Marina to carry their infant everywhere. A pivotal moment occurred during a dinner with the "Dallas Russians," a local immigrant community. When challenged about defecting from the US, Oswald flew into a "controlled rage," alienating the group. The guests' offer to drive the Oswalds home signaled the end of Lee's ability to isolate Marina, marking a significant turning point in their lives. NUMBER 3
MEETING LEE HARVEY OSWALD AND THE SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT Colleague Paul Gregory. This segment traces the relationship back to June 1962, when Pete Gregory first met Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald, seeking employment that utilized his Russian language skills rather than manual labor, was referred to Pete for a language evaluation. Pete wrote a letter vouching for Oswald's fluency, though he noted Oswald was not a native speaker. Oswaldwas bitter about working as a welder for low wages and hoped to avoid the "blue-collar trap." The segment also introduces the first meeting between Paul and the Oswalds at Robert Oswald's home, where Paul observed Lee's poor grammar despite his fluency. To help the couple financially, the Gregorys arranged for Paul to take Russian conversation lessons from Marina Oswald. NUMBER 2
THE MORNING OF THE ASSASSINATION AND IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT Colleague Paul Gregory. Paul Gregory recounts the morning of November 22, 1963, from the perspective of his father, Pete Gregory, a Russiantranslator who watched President Kennedy speak outside a hotel in Fort Worth. Pete later returned to his office, only to learn shortly after that the President had been shot. Meanwhile, Paul was a student at the University of Oklahoma when a classmate announced the shooting. Gathering around a television with other students, he watched Walter Cronkiteannounce the President's death. When Lee Harvey Oswald appeared on screen as a suspect, Paul shocked his peers by declaring, "I know that guy." He immediately suspected Oswald was guilty and anticipated being contacted by authorities, which occurred the following morning. NUMBER 1
THE LONELY END OF NORSE GREENLAND Colleague Eleanor Barraclough. The final segment explores the disappearance of the Norse settlement in Greenland, focusing on the Herjolfsnes graveyard. Preserved clothing from the 15th century reveals garments that were patched repeatedly, symbolizing the colony's isolation and poverty. Barracloughdescribes a poignant detail: a woman's dress that ripped as she was buried, marking the end of the settlement. Factors discussed include a cooling climate and interactions with the Inuit, evidenced by carved wooden figures. The history closes with a report of a witch burning in 1407, near the colony's end. NUMBER 8
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The John Batchelor Show offers insightful analysis on global events and history. Highly recommended for anyone interested in in-depth news coverage! Check it out: スプランキー https://play-sprunki.org
The title has nothing to do with the actual podcast. This is sadly an annoying habit that has somehow been taken up. This happens quite often.
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The subject matter dosen't match the title. This seems to happen with many episodes.
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