S8 Ep1044: The $216 Billion Rebuild of Syria. Guest: Josh Rogin and Bill Roggio. Josh Rogin reports that Syria requires $216 billion for reconstruction following the fall of the Assad regime. He explains that US "State Sponsor of Terrorism" sanctions prevent America
The $216 Billion Rebuild of Syria. Guest: Josh Rogin and Bill Roggio. Josh Rogin reports that Syria requires $216 billion for reconstruction following the fall of the Assad regime. He explains that US "State Sponsor of Terrorism" sanctions prevent American businesses from bidding on contracts, leaving an opening for Chinese and Russian technology to dominate the new government's infrastructure....
12m Jun 23
12m
S8 Ep1044: Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has tar
Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has targeted its branches, the Lebanese government is hesitant to shut it down, allowing it to sustain the group's operations through gold-backed fin...
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has tar
Hezbollah's Shadow Banking System. Guest: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio. Ahmad Sharawi examines Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah's financial arm that provides social services and interest-free loans outside the official banking system. Although Israel has targeted its branches, the Lebanese government is hesitant to shut it down, allowing it to sustain the group's operations through gold-backed fin...
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: Eurasian Interests in Middle East Conflict. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss how Russia and China are benefiting from America's Middle East difficulties, often frustrating US objectives on the nuclear file. Fitton-Brown notes the
Eurasian Interests in Middle East Conflict. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss how Russia and China are benefiting from America's Middle East difficulties, often frustrating US objectives on the nuclear file. Fitton-Brown notes the Europeans have been "anemic," failing to coordinate a forceful naval presence to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains reliably open for global...
8m Jun 23
8m
S8 Ep1044: The Flaws of the Iran Memorandum. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the current US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, calling it a failure of negotiation that incorporates "every Iranian trick." He argues Iran's core
The Flaws of the Iran Memorandum. Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill Roggio. Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the current US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, calling it a failure of negotiation that incorporates "every Iranian trick." He argues Iran's core goals—the destruction of Israel and the expulsion of US influence—remain unchanged, and that the US has displayed a defeatist lack of patienc...
12m Jun 23
12m
S8 Ep1044: Resurgent Piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Guest: Bridget Toomey and Bill Roggio. Bridget Toomey reports a resurgence of Somali piracy, with three ships recently captured for ransom in the Gulf of Aden. Bill Roggio links this spike to Al-Shabaab's growth and s
Resurgent Piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Guest: Bridget Toomey and Bill Roggio. Bridget Toomey reports a resurgence of Somali piracy, with three ships recently captured for ransom in the Gulf of Aden. Bill Roggio links this spike to Al-Shabaab's growth and suggests that pirate networks may be coordinating with the Houthis to facilitate weapons smuggling and increase regional instability. 10 1721
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: Iran's Economic Demands in Switzerland. Guest: Jonathan Schanzer and Bill Roggio. Jonathan Schanzer argues that Iran is seeking a systemic economic lifeline through billions in unfrozen assets. He criticizes recent US oil waivers as a sign of caving to pr
Iran's Economic Demands in Switzerland. Guest: Jonathan Sayeh and Bill Roggio. Jonathan Sayeh argues that Iran is seeking a systemic economic lifeline through billions in unfrozen assets. He criticizes recent US oil waivers as a sign of caving to pressure. Iran aims to link a Lebanon ceasefire to negotiations to delay nuclear discussions and drive a wedge. 9 1705
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: The Crisis in Air Force Procurement. Guest: General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang. General Blaine Holt critiques the broken US procurement system, specifically the Air Force's contradictory stance on retiring the A-10 Warthog while keeping the B-52 bomber
The Crisis in Air Force Procurement. Guest: General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang. General Blaine Holt critiques the broken US procurement system, specifically the Air Force's contradictory stance on retiring the A-10 Warthog while keeping the B-52 bomber for a century. He advocates for reform to break contractor monopolies, allowing the military to innovate faster and field cheaper equipment. 8...
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: The Failure to Counter Chinese Influence. Guest: Bill Gertz and Gordon Chang. Bill Gertz details a GAO report revealing that the US spent $1.2 billion on countering Chinese influence without evaluating its impact. The discussion highlights the superior ef
The Failure to Counter Chinese Influence. Guest: Bill Gertz and Gordon Chang. Bill Gertz details a GAO report revealing that the US spent $1.2 billion on countering Chinese influence without evaluating its impact. The discussion highlights the superior effectiveness of Chinese information warfare, which outspends the US significantly to shape global narratives while American efforts lack a cohe...
11m Jun 23
11m
S8 Ep1044: The Slow-Motion Coup in Bolivia. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. The segment addresses the crisis in Bolivia, where Evo Morales is accused of orchestrating a "slow motion coup" via blockades. Ernesto Araújo criticizes Brazilian President
The Slow-Motion Coup in Bolivia. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. The segment addresses the crisis in Bolivia, where Evo Morales is accused of orchestrating a "slow motion coup" via blockades. Ernesto Araújo criticizes Brazilian President Lula's silence on the matter, while Alejandro Peña Esclusa suggests that regional support for the elected government may finally lead to Mora...
6m Jun 23
6m
S8 Ep1044: Latin America's Shift to the Right. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. Guests discuss the right-wing political shift in Latin America following Abelardo De La Espriella's apparent victory in Colombia. They compare his security-focused platf
Latin America's Shift to the Right. Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa. Guests discuss the right-wing political shift in Latin America following Abelardo De La Espriella's apparent victory in Colombia. They compare his security-focused platform to the Bukele model in El Salvador, emphasizing a mandate to combat the organized crime that has historically penetrated the region's poli...
11m Jun 23
11m
S8 Ep1044: The Legality and Lethality of Armed Conflict. Guest: Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski analyzes a public memo from Admiral Brad Cooper regarding the legitimacy of lethal force. They discuss the necessity of proportionality in conflict, arguing that avoiding
The Legality and Lethality of Armed Conflict. Guest: Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski analyzes a public memo from Admiral Brad Cooper regarding the legitimacy of lethal force. They discuss the necessity of proportionality in conflict, arguing that avoiding civilian targets like nuclear reactors is a military requirement for success, as destroying essential infrastructure alienates populations and...
11m Jun 23
11m
S8 Ep1044: Hamas Sidelined in Regional Talks. Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur and Bill Roggio. Samuel Ben-Ur explains why Hamas has been sidelined in recent Iranian negotiations compared to Hezbollah. Relations soured when Hamas failed to support Iranian strikes against Qatari
Hamas Sidelined in Regional Talks. Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur and Bill Roggio. Samuel Ben-Ur explains why Hamas has been sidelined in recent Iranian negotiations compared to Hezbollah. Relations soured when Hamas failed to support Iranian strikes against Qatari targets. Currently, Hamas remains funded by Qatar and Turkey while maintaining a brutal "reign of terror" over the portions of Gaza it still ...
9m Jun 23
9m
S8 Ep1044: Pakistan as a Strategic Mediator. Guest: Ambassador Hussain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. John Batchelor examines Pakistan's role as a mediator between the United States and Iran. Ambassador Haqqani explains that Pakistan provided an "exit ramp" for the Trump
Pakistan as a Strategic Mediator. Guest: Ambassador Hussain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. John Batchelor examines Pakistan's role as a mediator between the United States and Iran. Ambassador Haqqani explains that Pakistan provided an "exit ramp" for the Trump administration by utilizing its unique access to the IRGC and Iran's power structure to facilitate communication and avoid further military es...
4m Jun 23
4m
S8 Ep1044: The Fog of Diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Ambassador Hussain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss competing headlines regarding "progress" in US-Iran negotiations and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Ambassador Haqqani notes neither
The Fog of Diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Ambassador Hussain Haqqani and Bill Roggio. Guests discuss competing headlines regarding "progress" in US-Iran negotiations and ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Ambassador Haqqani notes neither side has achieved its original war aims, while Bill Roggio argues the US lacks the military will to reopen the Strait, leaving Iran with the ...
14m Jun 23
14m
S8 Ep1043: The provided text is a transcript from the **John Batchelor Show** featuring a deep-dive discussion on the fragile diplomatic landscape involving the **United States**, **Iran**, and **Israel**. The participants analyze the "ceaseless fire" in **Lebanon**
STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING BILL ROGGIO, HUSAIN HAQQANI, SAMUEL BEN-UR, 6-22-26 1903 PERSIA The provided text is a transcript from the John Batchelor Show featuring a deep-dive discussion on the fragile diplomatic landscape involving the United States, Iran, and Israel. The participants analyze the "ceaseless fire" in Lebanon and the Straits of Hormuz, questioni...
54m Jun 22
54m
S8 Ep1043: Preview for Later Today: Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur. Samuel Ben-Ur, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, identifies Hamas as being sustained by funding and political cover from Qatar and Turkey. He questions their roles as mediators while providing t
Preview for Later Today: Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur. Samuel Ben-Ur, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, identifies Hamas as being sustained by funding and political cover from Qatar and Turkey. He questions their roles as mediators while providing terror groups shelter. 1922 GAZA GREAT MOSQUE
1m Jun 22
1m
S8 Ep1042: Preview for Later Today: Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown. Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding as a disastrous negotiation. He argues the deal incorporates Iranian tricks, frontloads their benefits, and undermines the United
Preview for Later Today: Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown. Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding as a disastrous negotiation. He argues the deal incorporates Iranian tricks, frontloads their benefits, and undermines the United States and its regional ally, Israel. 1721 PERSIA
1m Jun 22
1m
S8 Ep1042: Preview for Later Today: Guest: John Hardie. John Hardie explains Ukraine's efforts to address manpower issues through new service commitment rules and increased pay. Despite these challenges, funding remains secure through the current defense budget and
1917 ODESSA CIRCUS
1m Jun 22
1m
S8 Ep1042: Preview for Later Today: Guest: General Blaine Holt. General Blaine Holt advocates for urgent military procurement reform. He highlights the shift from rapid wartime innovation to decades-long delays, blaming a "mafioso machine" of lobbyists and bureaucra
Preview for Later Today: Guest: General Blaine Holt. General Blaine Holt advocates for urgent military procurement reform. He highlights the shift from rapid wartime innovation to decades-long delays, blaming a "mafioso machine" of lobbyists and bureaucrats for staggering costs and inefficiencies. 1922 France
2m Jun 22
2m
S8 Ep1042: Preview for Later Today: Guest: Josh Rogin. Josh Rogin examines the implications of lifting Syria's state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation. He discusses how this move could potentially provide a legal path for victims to settle long-standing court judgmen
Preview for Later Today: Guest: Josh Rogin. Josh Rogin examines the implications of lifting Syria's state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation. He discusses how this move could potentially provide a legal path for victims to settle long-standing court judgments and collect millions in compensation. 1920 Damascus
2m Jun 22
2m
S8 Ep1042: Preview for Later Today: Guest: Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski analyzes Admiral Cooper's recent remarks regarding the relationship between military lethality and proportionality. He explores the policy implications of this stance, specifically concerning
Preview for Later Today: Guest: Henry Sokolski. Henry Sokolski analyzes Admiral Cooper's recent remarks regarding the relationship between military lethality and proportionality. He explores the policy implications of this stance, specifically concerning risks to critical infrastructure and international nuclear safety. 1945
2m Jun 22
2m
S8 Ep1040: (3) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. Meteorology, Myth, and the Miracles of D-Day. R
(3) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. Meteorology, Myth, and the Miracles of D-Day. Reviewing the film Pressure, the pair discusses how meteorological "miracles" and "preternatural discipline" decided the fate of D-Day. They concl...
15m Jun 22
15m
S8 Ep1041: (2) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. The Tired Emperor and the Limits of Grandeur. The
C(2) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. The Tired Emperor and the Limits of Grandeur. The duo explores the physical and metaphorical exhaustion of the "emperor," critiquing his focus on aesthetic "baubles"—such as the reflecting po...
18m Jun 22
18m
S8 Ep1040: (1) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. Embracing Defeat: Strategic Bribery in the MiddleW
(1) In the setting of Londinium, 92 AD, Gaius and Germanicus engage in a series of debates comparing the struggles of the ancient Roman Empire to the paradigms of power and exhaustion in the 21st century. Embracing Defeat: Strategic Bribery in the Middle East. Addressing the conflict with Iran, Germanicus proposes "embracing defeat" as a sophisticated path to a "win-win" resolution. He likens p...
21m Jun 22
21m
S8 Ep1039: The Shift to Australia: Reimagining the British Empire After the Revolution. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. The loss of the American colonies forced Britain to seek new locations for its convicts, leading to the colonization of Australia. After failed exp
The Shift to Australia: Reimagining the British Empire After the Revolution. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. The loss of the American colonies forced Britain to seek new locations for its convicts, leading to the colonization of Australia. After failed experiments in West Africa, the British government turned to Botany Bay in 1786 out of desperation. The "First Fleet" arrived in 1788, signaling ...
10m Jun 22
10m
S8 Ep1039: Peggy Shippen: The Mastermind Behind Benedict Arnold's Defection. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Peggy Shippen, the ambitious wife of Benedict Arnold, is portrayed as a central architect of his betrayal who likely encouraged him to monetize his position b
Peggy Shippen: The Mastermind Behind Benedict Arnold's Defection. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Peggy Shippen, the ambitious wife of Benedict Arnold, is portrayed as a central architect of his betrayal who likely encouraged him to monetize his position by selling loyalty to the British. When the plot was discovered, she feigned "hysteria" to successfully deflect suspicion from herself, convinc...
10m Jun 22
10m
S8 Ep1039: The Global Strategy of Vergennes and the French Alliance. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. French Foreign Minister Vergennes viewed the American Revolution as a strategic opportunity to weaken the British Empire and avenge losses from the Seven Years' War.
The Global Strategy of Vergennes and the French Alliance. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. French Foreign Minister Vergennes viewed the American Revolution as a strategic opportunity to weaken the British Empire and avenge losses from the Seven Years' War. He orchestrated covert aid before committing the French military in 1778, which transformed the rebellion into a global conflict spanning the ...
8m Jun 22
8m
S8 Ep1039: Shattering the Myth of Hessian Invincibility at the Battle of Trenton. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. King George III rented 30,000 German soldiers, known as Hessians, to crush the American insurgency, leading to widespread patriot terror. Washington's vi
Shattering the Myth of Hessian Invincibility at the Battle of Trenton. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. King George III rented 30,000 German soldiers, known as Hessians, to crush the American insurgency, leading to widespread patriot terror. Washington's victory at Trenton was a crucial symbolic blow that proved these "savage cutthroats" were human and defeatable. Following their capture, Hessian...
9m Jun 22
9m
S8 Ep1039: The Influence of American Independence on the Irish Revolution. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. The American Revolution signaled that British imperial control was not invincible, inspiring the 1798 Irish revolt by the United Irishmen. Irish-born soldiers w
The Influence of American Independence on the Irish Revolution. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. The American Revolution signaled that British imperial control was not invincible, inspiring the 1798 Irish revolt by the United Irishmen. Irish-born soldiers were so prevalent in Washington's ranks that British commanders nicknamed the Continental Army the "Line of Ireland." Lord Cornwallis, famously...
10m Jun 22
10m
S8 Ep1039: The Brutality of Frontier Warfare and the Dispossession of Native Nations. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Molly Brant, a Mohawk woman, navigated the brutal Western frontier, which served as a massive thousand-mile battlefield characterized by "scorched ea
The Brutality of Frontier Warfare and the Dispossession of Native Nations. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Molly Brant, a Mohawk woman, navigated the brutal Western frontier, which served as a massive thousand-mile battlefield characterized by "scorched earth" tactics against civilians. Most Native nations allied with the British to prevent patriot expansion onto their lands. However, following ...
10m Jun 22
10m
S8 Ep1039: Privateers and the Deadly Reality of British Prison Ships. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Privateers were government-sanctioned pirates who caused significant economic damage to the British while the Continental Navy struggled. William Russell, a schoolte
Privateers and the Deadly Reality of British Prison Ships. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Privateers were government-sanctioned pirates who caused significant economic damage to the British while the Continental Navystruggled. William Russell, a schoolteacher, joined a privateering vessel but was captured and imprisoned in the HMS Jersey, a floating "black hole" in Brooklyn Bay. Mortality rates...
8m Jun 22
8m
S8 Ep1039: Baron von Steuben and the Strategic Overhaul at Valley Forge. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, arrived at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777–1778, desperate for a career after being forced out of the Prussian
Baron von Steuben and the Strategic Overhaul at Valley Forge. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, arrived at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777–1778, desperate for a career after being forced out of the Prussian military. Though he arrived in a brilliant uniform, he was essentially a "soldier of fortune" hired by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to i...
10m Jun 22
10m
S8 Ep1038: The "Hungry Summer" and the Stench of Rot. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Scanlan describes the unique horror of the blight's progression, noting that it struck potatoes both in the ground and in storage. Typically, the summer was the "hungry time" in Ireland
The "Hungry Summer" and the Stench of Rot. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Scanlan describes the unique horror of the blight's progression, noting that it struck potatoes both in the ground and in storage. Typically, the summer was the "hungry time" in Ireland as stocks ran low before the new harvest. However, P. infestans ensured that even harvested and stored potatoes rotted, removing any buffer for ...
7m Jun 22
7m
S8 Ep1038: Phytophthora Infestans: The Science of the Blight. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The discussion turns to the biological cause of the famine: Phytophthora infestans, or the potato blight. Scanlan explains that Irish potatoes were grown from cuttings (clones), an
Phytophthora Infestans: The Science of the Blight. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The discussion turns to the biological cause of the famine: Phytophthora infestans, or the potato blight. Scanlan explains that Irish potatoes were grown from cuttings (clones), and this lack of genetic diversity made them uniquely vulnerable to pathogens. While Ireland had experienced localized crop failures before, the...
13m Jun 22
13m
S8 Ep1038: The Conacre System and the Disincentive for Improvement. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. This segment defines the "conacre" system, a type of high-priced, short-term lease common in Ireland for growing potatoes. Unlike in England, where landlords and tenants ofte
The Conacre System and the Disincentive for Improvement. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. This segment defines the "conacre" system, a type of high-priced, short-term lease common in Ireland for growing potatoes. Unlike in England, where landlords and tenants often shared the costs of improvements, Irish land was rented "soil only." This meant any improvements made by a tenant, such as building a canal ...
7m Jun 22
7m
S8 Ep1038: Malthusian Logic and the "Check" of Hunger. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Scanlan discusses the influence of economist Thomas Robert Malthus on Victorian policy, noting his argument that population growth would inevitably outstrip food production. Malthus viewe
Malthusian Logic and the "Check" of Hunger. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Scanlan discusses the influence of economist Thomas Robert Malthus on Victorian policy, noting his argument that population growth would inevitably outstrip food production. Malthus viewed famine as nature's "last most dreadful resource" to restore balance. For Victorian policymakers, this logic justified a refusal to provide d...
11m Jun 22
11m
S8 Ep1038: An Oligarchy of Landlords and Forced Enslavement. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The conversation highlights the staggering concentration of land ownership in the Victorian era, where a mere 4,000 people owned 80% of Ireland. Batchelor characterizes this as a fo
An Oligarchy of Landlords and Forced Enslavement. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The conversation highlights the staggering concentration of land ownership in the Victorian era, where a mere 4,000 people owned 80% of Ireland. Batchelor characterizes this as a form of "forced enslavement," noting that the Irish people never voted for this arrangement; it was imposed through historical conquest. Scanlan...
7m Jun 22
7m
S8 Ep1038: Conquest and the Legacy of the Ulster Plantation. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Batchelor and Scanlan trace the historical roots of land ownership in Ireland back to the conquests of Elizabeth I and Oliver Cromwell. Scanlan uses Shirley Castle in County Monagha
Conquest and the Legacy of the Ulster Plantation. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. Batchelor and Scanlan trace the historical roots of land ownership in Ireland back to the conquests of Elizabeth I and Oliver Cromwell. Scanlan uses Shirley Castle in County Monaghan as an emblem of this era, noting the family were descendants of the Earl of Essex who received the land during the Ulster Plantation. The ca...
13m Jun 22
13m
S8 Ep1038: The Fragile Three-Legged Stool of Irish Agriculture. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The discussion explores the specific mechanics of 19th-century Irish agriculture, which Scanlan describes as a "three-legged stool" of the potato, the pig, and turf fuel. The pot
The Fragile Three-Legged Stool of Irish Agriculture. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. The discussion explores the specific mechanics of 19th-century Irish agriculture, which Scanlan describes as a "three-legged stool" of the potato, the pig, and turf fuel. The potato acted as the "glue" for a system that was surprisingly productive; Ireland was a major agricultural exporter of beef, pork, and oats to Gr...
7m Jun 22
7m
S8 Ep1038: The Ghost Story of Skibbereen and Queen Victoria. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. John Batchelor introduces Professor Patrick Scanlan to discuss the Great Famine and its impact on the millions who fled to America. The conversation begins with a "ghost story" invo
The Ghost Story of Skibbereen and Queen Victoria. Guest: Patrick Scanlan. John Batchelor introduces Professor Patrick Scanlan to discuss the Great Famine and its impact on the millions who fled to America. The conversation begins with a "ghost story" involving Queen Victoria and the village of Skibbereen, which became an icon of the disaster after a journalist reported scenes of utter social co...
11m Jun 22
11m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd concludes with the American entry under General John J. Pershing in June 1917. Pershing arrived without an army but adamantly resisted "amalgamation," the Allied demand to fold American troops into French and British units.
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd concludes with the American entry under General John J. Pershing in June 1917. Pershing arrived without an army but adamantly resisted "amalgamation," the Allied demand to fold American troops into French and British units. Lloyd explains that Pershing insisted on maintaining a semi-independent force, despite the desperate pleas of leaders like Lloyd George during t...
6m Jun 21
6m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd analyzes the "twinned" horrors of 1916: Verdun and the Somme. He explains Falkenhayn's ruthless strategy at Verdun, which was designed purely to "bleed the French white" through industrial-scale killing. In response, the Briti
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd analyzes the "twinned" horrors of 1916: Verdun and the Somme. He explains Falkenhayn's ruthless strategy at Verdun, which was designed purely to "bleed the French white" through industrial-scale killing. In response, the British launched the Somme offensive to relieve the pressure, leading to a famous strategic dispute between Douglas Haig's desire for a breakthroug...
14m Jun 21
14m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd explores the strategic impasse of late 1915, specifically during the Second Battle of Champagne. He notes that both Joffre and Falkenhayn began to realize that traditional breakthroughs were becoming impossible, yet commanders
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd explores the strategic impasse of late 1915, specifically during the Second Battle of Champagne. He notes that both Joffre and Falkenhayn began to realize that traditional breakthroughs were becoming impossible, yet commanders remained reluctant to abandon the dream of decisive maneuver. Lloyd describes trench warfare not as a siege, but as a "constant evolution" wh...
7m Jun 21
7m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd recounts the high-stakes drama of the 1914 German invasion, focusing on the pivotal Battle of the Marne. He describes the near-destruction of the British Expeditionary Force and the internal conflict between Kitchener and Sir
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd recounts the high-stakes drama of the 1914 German invasion, focusing on the pivotal Battle of the Marne. He describes the near-destruction of the British Expeditionary Force and the internal conflict between Kitchener and Sir John French, where Kitchener had to personally intervene to prevent a British retreat that might have shattered the alliance. On the German si...
12m Jun 21
12m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd examines the British entry into the war, characterizing it as a gradual process hampered by friction between key leaders like Prime Minister Asquith, Lord Kitchener, and Sir John French. Initially, the British sent a tiny expe
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd examines the British entry into the war, characterizing it as a gradual process hampered by friction between key leaders like Prime Minister Asquith, Lord Kitchener, and Sir John French. Initially, the British sent a tiny expeditionary force of just four divisions, which the French viewed with constant hunger for more manpower. Lloyd details the massive expansion of...
7m Jun 21
7m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd discusses the French defense, starting with General Joseph Joffre, a steady "engineer" who saved France at the Marne by maintaining his nerve when his German counterpart collapsed. The conversation explores the intricate relat
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd discusses the French defense, starting with General Joseph Joffre, a steady "engineer" who saved France at the Marne by maintaining his nerve when his German counterpart collapsed. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between French military and political leaders, including President Raymond Poincaré, who worked to reassert political authority over t...
14m Jun 21
14m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd delves into the German high command, highlighting the psychological burden on Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, who felt inadequate compared to his famous uncle. Moltke's lack of nerve led him to fatally alter the Schlieffen Pla
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd delves into the German high command, highlighting the psychological burden on Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, who felt inadequate compared to his famous uncle. Moltke's lack of nerve led him to fatally alter the Schlieffen Plan's right wing, eventually causing his nervous breakdown as the invasion stalled. Lloyd describes Kaiser Wilhelm II as an inconsistent "weathe...
9m Jun 21
9m
S8 Ep1037: Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd discusses his ambition to provide a comprehensive narrative of the Western Front, emphasizing it as a massive coalition war involving multiple empires. He explains his focus on the operational level of senior commanders, aimin
Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd discusses his ambition to provide a comprehensive narrative of the Western Front, emphasizing it as a massive coalition war involving multiple empires. He explains his focus on the operational level of senior commanders, aiming to challenge the persistent "lions led by donkeys" myth. By examining the immense pressures and dilemmas faced by leadership, Lloyd hopes to...
10m Jun 21
10m
S8 Ep1036: Adrian Wooldridge concludes by recommending a "remoralization" of meritocracy, where those with talent view their abilities as a public duty rather than just a source of personal reward. He warns against abandoning objective testing (like the SAT), arg
Adrian Wooldridge concludes by recommending a "remoralization" of meritocracy, where those with talent view their abilities as a public duty rather than just a source of personal reward. He warns against abandoning objective testing (like the SAT), arguing that lotteries or subjective admissions are more "gameable" by the privileged. Finally, he stresses that the West must purify its meritocrat...
15m Jun 21
15m