CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR
SHOW SCHEDULE
9-11-25
GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Brussels at the Article Four meeting called by Poland.
1942
FIRST HOUR
9-915
McCausland: Jeff McCausland analyzes
Russia's drone probes into
Poland, viewing them as
Vladimir Putin's attempt to intimidate
NATO and gather military intelligence. He notes
Dmitry Medvedev's aggressive rhetoric against
Finland.
McCausland also discusses
Israel's strike against
Hamas in
Doha, impacting
US-Qatar relations, and
US military posturing near
Venezuela to intimidate
Nicolás Maduro. He warns against "gunboat diplomacy" and a "war on cartels," stressing the dangers of escalation and historical lessons.
915-930
CONTINUED
McCausland: Jeff McCausland analyzes
Russia's drone probes into
Poland, viewing them as
Vladimir Putin's attempt to intimidate
NATO and gather military intelligence. He notes
Dmitry Medvedev's aggressive rhetoric against
Finland.
McCausland also discusses
Israel's strike against
Hamas in
Doha, impacting
US-Qatar relations, and
US military posturing near
Venezuela to intimidate
Nicolás Maduro. He warns against "gunboat diplomacy" and a "war on cartels," stressing the dangers of escalation and historical lessons.
930-945
Mary O'Grady analyzes
Argentine President Javier Milei's significant election loss in Buenos Aires, attributed to a corruption scandal involving his sister and the slowing economy. His brash style, while initially appealing and celebrated internationally, now alienates potential congressional allies and conservative voters.
O'Grady suggests this approach is ill-suited for governing, hindering his economic reforms, as he struggles with high inflation and cuts to public subsidies, impacting public perception.945-1000
Chris Riegel, CEO of
scholar.com, counters AI doomsayers like Geoff
Hinton, emphasizing AI's transformational potential as a tool. He highlights the mmense investment, hundreds of billions, in building gigawatt-plus data centers across the United States. This infrastructure drive is creating new industries and jobs, establishing the US as a global leader in AI, while also noting Asia's keen interest in US AI technology and Europe's lack of a cohesive strategy.
SECOND HOUR
10-1015
Jonathan Conricus observes Qatar's unprecedented move to engage beyond conventional tools, which Israel is closely monitoring. He suggests Israel's recent strike could signify a new deterrence doctrine, making
Hamas leaders in Doha more vulnerable. This pressure might compel
Hamas to accept Israel's terms for ending the conflict, which include releasing hostages and surrendering, thereby preventing further destruction and suffering in Gaza, despite the significant costs involved for Israel.1015-1030
CONTINUED
Jonathan Conricus observes Qatar's unprecedented move to engage beyond conventional tools, which Israel is closely monitoring. He suggests Israel's recent strike could signify a new deterrence doctrine, making
Hamas leaders in Doha more vulnerable. This pressure might compel
Hamas to accept Israel's terms for ending the conflict, which include releasing hostages and surrendering, thereby preventing further destruction and suffering in Gaza, despite the significant costs involved for Israel.1030-1045
Ben Baird reveals US government agencies, under both
Obama and
Biden administrations, continuously funded extremist Muslim groups. Despite warnings and previous
Trump administration cuts, over $25 million in grants went to organizations with alleged ties to terrorism, antisemitism, the
Muslim Brotherhood, and
Hamas. This included partnering with groups like
CAIR, which also provided firearms training to radical mosques, raising serious questions about oversight and vetting standards for federal funds.1045-1100
Jonathan Speyer reports on Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel, sustained by
Iranian, Iraqi,
Hezbollah, and even Chinese support. He describes the Houthis as fanatical, religiously and tribally motivated, aiming for "death to America, death to Israel, and curse the Jews." While cutting their supply chain and taking
Hodeidah port is militarily feasible for a Western-backed force, a lack of political will currently prevents such aggressive action against their sophisticated smuggling operations.
THIRD HOUR
1100-1115
Anatol Lieven explains that
Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus is a Soviet loyalist, not a
Putin stooge, but was driven to Russia by Western sanctions. He discusses Russian drone incursions into Poland, likely an intentional message to NATO to test air defenses and warn against deploying troops to Ukraine. Russia may also seek to maintain Belarus firmly in its orbit by disrupting its multi-vector foreign policy initiatives, particularly any attempts at détente with the West.1115-1130
CONTINUED
Anatol Lieven explains that
Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus is a Soviet loyalist, not a
Putin stooge, but was driven to Russia by Western sanctions. He discusses Russian drone incursions into Poland, likely an intentional message to NATO to test air defenses and warn against deploying troops to Ukraine. Russia may also seek to maintain Belarus firmly in its orbit by disrupting its multi-vector foreign policy initiatives, particularly any attempts at détente with the West.1130-1145
Veronique de Rugy critiques US tax "carveouts," identifying them as inefficient special interest deductions that often fail to incentivize desired behaviors, citing employer health insurance and mortgage interest deductions. While a flat tax would streamline the system and boost economic growth by focusing on consumption,
de Rugy emphasizes that no tax system alone can resolve the severe US debt crisis; crucial reforms to
Social Security and
Medicare are indispensable.1145-1200
Ronan Wordsworth addresses a persistent recruitment and retention crisis in
Five Eyes militaries, spanning decades. Younger generations, particularly
Gen Z, favor STEM careers offering flexibility and better pay over military discipline. Militaries are responding with increased advertising, flexible service models, lateral entry for skilled professionals, and significant pay raises and bonuses. Low morale, stemming from unpopular past wars and perceived institutional guilt, also significantly impacts retention rates.
FOURTH HOUR
12-1215
Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's complex political landscape under unpopular
President Dina Boluarte, its strategic importance due to mineral resources, and substantial economic ties with China, including the
Chancay deepwater port. He also addresses the escalating Venezuelan situation, with a US Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployment and bounties on
Nicolás Maduro, suggesting potential military action. Additionally, he touches on
Bolsonaro's trial in Brazil and Guyana's newfound oil wealth amid Venezuelan threats.1215-1230
CONTINUED
Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's complex political landscape under unpopular
President Dina Boluarte, its strategic importance due to mineral resources, and substantial economic ties with China, including the
Chancay deepwater port. He also addresses the escalating Venezuelan situation, with a US Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployment and bounties on
Nicolás Maduro, suggesting potential military action. Additionally, he touches on
Bolsonaro's trial in Brazil and Guyana's newfound oil wealth amid Venezuelan threats.1230-1245
CONTINUED
Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's complex political landscape under unpopular
President Dina Boluarte, its strategic importance due to mineral resources, and substantial economic ties with China, including the
Chancay deepwater port. He also addresses the escalating Venezuelan situation, with a US Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployment and bounties on
Nicolás Maduro, suggesting potential military action. Additionally, he touches on
Bolsonaro's trial in Brazil and Guyana's newfound oil wealth amid Venezuelan threats.1245-100 AM
CONTINUED
Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's complex political landscape under unpopular
President Dina Boluarte, its strategic importance due to mineral resources, and substantial economic ties with China, including the
Chancay deepwater port. He also addresses the escalating Venezuelan situation, with a US Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployment and bounties on
Nicolás Maduro, suggesting potential military action. Additionally, he touches on
Bolsonaro's trial in Brazil and Guyana's newfound oil wealth amid Venezuelan threats.
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