Show notes
CAPTION 1860 PRESIDENT-ELECT A. LINCOLN, ILLINOIS STATE CAPITALA
CONTENTS TABLE OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW 9-8-2026
Liz Peek joins the show to discuss the resilient US economy, highlighting a vibrant jobs market and booming consumer spending. Despite Wall Street optimism and rising corporate profits, escalating oil prices driven by the Middle Eastconflict remain a major headwind. Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential race, Peek assesses the early Republicanlandscape. While Vice President J.D. Vance currently leads, his relationship with certain voter blocs remains complicated. Meanwhile, big donors increasingly favor the personable Marco Rubio over Vance. Donald Trump must improve his gutter-level favorability numbers by presenting a more likable, grandfatherly image to voters before the midterms. (1)
Jonathan Schanzer analyzes the expanding Middle East conflict, noting recent Iran-backed Houthi strikes on four Saudi cities. This dangerous escalation highlights Iran's strategy to disrupt regional energy assets and exploit vulnerabilities in the United States security architecture. Schanzer also details a worrying alliance between the Houthis and Somalia's al-Shabaab. In Lebanon, the Israeli military has cleared a key subterranean Hezbollah nerve center, leaving the proxy in financial disarray. Ultimately, Schanzer argues that Iran acts like a battered boxer playing "rope-a-dope," surviving to maintain its revolutionary ideology. Turkey is also complicating matters by pursuing an active encirclement strategy near Israel's borders. (2)
George Beebe discusses the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the serious effort by the Trump administration to rekindle peace talks through emissaries like Jared Kushner. Strategically, the United States wants to end the war to reduce Russia's dependence on China and secure a crucial foreign policy victory before the midterms. However, Beebe explains that a breakthrough will not rely on territorial compromise, which both sides reject. Instead, it requires a strategic settlement that addresses Russian concerns about NATO expansion and guarantees Ukrainian neutrality. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces thinning battle lines, severe manpower recruitment issues, and a critical shortage of air defense missiles. (3)
Tal Fortgang revisits the late 2023 congressional hearings where university presidents argued that calling for the genocide of Jewish people "depends on the context." Fortgang contends that schools selectively used "context" to excuse student agitators who systematically violated time, place, and manner rules to intimidate others. These disruptive activities constituted a targeted harassment campaign rather than protected academic debate. Furthermore, the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that Iran financially backed some protesters. Fortgang argues that universities failed their moral duty by not enforcing rules and expelling those individuals committing lawless acts, which effectively silences legitimate, peaceful and civil campus speech. (4)
Gregory Copley covers global structural changes, discussing the Kushner-Witkoff Kremlin mission and the fracturing of traditional alliances, including US-Canada trade disputes over tariffs. He highlights that Volodymyr Zelenskyyopposes a negotiated Ukraine peace deal because ending the conflict would likely trigger his political removal. Furthermore, Copley observes the decline of globalization and a return to nationalism. Driven by new manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and advanced drone platforms, countries such as Australia and Japan are building sovereign aerospace industries to reduce dependence on foreign powers. Finally, he shares brief updates on King Charles III and Prince George's enrollment at Eton. (5)
Thaddeus McCotter joins the program to dissect the political climate leading into upcoming midterm elections. McCotter observes that Donald Trump's net approval rating is deep underwater, posing a significant hurdle for congressional Republicans. Since the president's performance is always implicitly on the ballot, voters send a direct message to the administration by defeating his fellow partisans in the legislative branch. McCotter and Batchelor also explore the 2028 presidential nomination beauty contests, noting J.D. Vance's early lead while questioning old truisms. Lastly, they discuss the internal ideological divisions within the Democratic party and how candidates distance themselves from the Trump administration. (6)
Joseph Sternberg discusses global fiscal crises, focusing on soaring government debt in developed countries. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has failed to tackle public finances, choosing instead to campaign retroactively against Margaret Thatcher's legacy rather than implementing needed welfare and NHS reforms. Francefaces similar political gridlock, prompting some economists to unrealistically suggest that the European Central Bankforgive its national debt. Meanwhile, the United States faces a looming 2032 deadline when Social Security faces technical insolvency, forcing a crucial entitlement reform debate. Lastly, Sternberg examines newly appointed Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish stance on inflation. (7)
8. Streaming
- Headline: Diesel Shortages Threaten Global Economy
- Guest: Thaddeus McCotter
- Summary: Thaddeus McCotter joins the show’s preparation segment to examine the severe global diesel shortage, which has pushed Connecticut prices well past $6 per gallon. This scarcity stems from refinery backlogs, a critical lack of new US infrastructure, and Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refining facilities. In response, anxious Russian citizens have started purchasing alternative electric vehicles to bypass long fueling lines. McCotter and Bachelor also analyze the upcoming midterm elections, noting how visual presentation is crucial in the social media era. They highlight candidate El Sayed’s deliberate "fighter" style of wearing work boots and t-shirts to capture anti-establishment voter frustration
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