SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-5-2026.1920 HONG KONG 1/16: Liz Peek discusses the strong American economy, noting low unemployment and an AI-driven boom despite oil price spikes from the Iran war. While concerns about plummeted savings exist, record stock market highs and a robust labor market sustain growth. Peek also addresses political resistance to AI development. 2/16: Liz Peek reflects on the successful American visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, noting the public's rehabilitated view of the royal couple. Despite past controversies, their visit reaffirmed the special relationship, and American affection for the British monarchy remains strong, reflected in high television ratings. 3/16: Grant Newsham explores Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's diplomatic mission to Vietnam and Australia to counter Chinese aggression. Takaichi is shifting Japan from purely economic influence toward a professional military posture. This approach is welcomed by Southeast Asian nations facing maritime bullying from China. 4/16: Rich Goldberg outlines a "blockade plus" strategy to bankrupt the Iranian regime by cutting off oil and petrochemical revenues. This economic pressure aims to spark internal fractures and popular uprisings. Goldberg also advocates for expanding Middle Eastern pipeline infrastructure to bypass the Strait of Hormuz permanently. 5/16: Ivana Stradner reports that Vladimir Putin is living in a bunker, fearing a coup as he loses on the battlefield. To maintain control, the Kremlin has implemented severe internet blackouts and banned Western social media. Stradnersuggests the West should provide Russians with more VPN systems. 6/16: Ivana Stradner discusses how American jazz symbolizes freedom and individualism, making it a threat to repressive regimes. Historically used as a "non-nuclear weapon" during the Cold War, jazz's improvisational nature counters state propaganda. She argues the U.S. should revitalize this tool to reach those lacking freedom. 7/16: Hussein Abdul-Hussein introduces Ali al-Zaydi, a political newcomer nominated for Iraqi Prime Minister by the Shia coordination framework. Al-Zaydi, a wealthy contractor, follows a pattern where "no-ones" are chosen when powerful factions cannot agree. Iraqi voters are increasingly favoring patriots over pro-Iran candidates. 8/16: Hussein Abdul-Hussein explains that the United States remains the biggest player in Iraq, wielding significant influence over leadership choices and economic policy. Washington is currently pushing to move Iraq from a cash-based to a digital economy to prevent Iran from siphoning funds and to ensure financial transparency. 9/16: Gregory Copley highlights a major defense contract between Japan and Australia, involving the sale of Mogami-class frigates. The two nations are cooperating to bypass China's monopoly on rare earth processing and energy supply chains. This partnership builds on a long history of strategic trade. 10/16: Gregory Copley examines the instability of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The region faces increasing jihadist threats and government paranoia regarding French interference. Meanwhile, Chinese influence in Africa is weakening as Russia's African Corps remains active but limited. 11/16: Gregory Copley reports that Iran is effectively under a military government led by General Vahidi, as Ayatollah Khamenei remains incapacitated. Simultaneously, China's Xi Jinping faces internal strife and energy shortages, while India maintains a strategic, non-aligned posture between the United States, Russia, and the People's Republic of China. 12/16: King Charles III visited the United States and Bermuda, receiving bipartisan acclaim in Congress for his defense of constitutional checks and balances. Despite health concerns, the King successfully revitalized the special relationship and was lauded by a Bermuda rabbi for his family's historical protection of Jews. Gregory Copley reports. 13/16: Thaddeus McCotter analyzes how high gasoline prices and economic disruptions from the Iran conflict influence midterm elections. He notes that while minority parties usually have messaging advantages, the lack of clear strategic military objectives and persistent inflation create significant uncertainty for American voters and global markets. 14/16: Thaddeus McCotter argues that while Wall Street performs well, the average worker remains anxious about healthcare, interest rates, and student loans. He describes the current economy as fragile and warns that failing to address these underlying domestic anxieties could lead to political repercussions during the midterm elections. 15/16: Jack Burnham details the rare extradition and indictment of a Chinese national, Mr. U, for state-sponsored hacking. Operating under "Silk Typhoon," the group targeted American COVID-19 research. This operation demonstrates China's strategy of using private actors to steal scientific excellence and prepare the digital battlefield. 16/16: Jack Burnham discusses how Chinese commercial satellite firms provide the IRGC with high-resolution imagery to direct attacks against American assets. He differentiates this from the state-led surveillance of the Chinese balloon incident over U.S. missile silos, emphasizing China's broad campaign to disrupt American societal morale.
