The John Batchelor Show

Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. To counter China's conventional superiority, the authors recommend "war fighting proliferation," supporting nuclear capabilities for allies like Japan and South Korea. They advocate for "political warfare" rather than armed conflict, aiming to isolate the CCP economically and diplomatically. By cutting off investment and exploiting Xi Jinping's current economic weaknesses, they propose a strategy to delegitimize the regime and trigger internal change similar to the Soviet Union's collapse.

Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell argues the U.S. must "admit failure" regarding China, likening the situation to a patient acknowledging cancer to begin treatment. To combat "threat deflation" and institutional bias in intelligence, they propose a "Team B" of independent analysts to objectively assess PRC capabilities. Thayer advocates moving oversight of foreign investment (CFIUS) to the Department of Defense and ultimately cutting off all trade to deny the CCP resources and protect intellectual property.

Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. The authors draw parallels between current U.S.policy and the British Empire's 1919 "10-year rule," which underfunded defense and ignored rising threats. They criticize the U.S. response to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, noting that the Bush administration rushed to re-engage rather than isolate the CCP. Fanell recalls that intelligence agencies remained focused on Russia, failing to perceive the Chinese military buildup as a credible threat until it was too late. 1942ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY LIGHT CRUISER HOBST, BSTTLE OF SAVO ISLAND

Guests: Captain James Fanell (USN Ret.) and Bradley Thayer. Fanell and Thayer discuss the PLA's "Joint Sword 2024 Alpha" exercises, describing them as an "Anaconda strategy" designed to suffocate Taiwan following President Lai's inauguration. They argue that despite these overt threats, Washington remains trapped in a failed "engagement school" mindset, believing the PRC could be democratized through trade. Instead, they assert China has transformed U.S. institutions through elite capture, necessitating a shift to a confrontational strategy. 1939 REUBEN JAMES

PREVIEW Guest: Emma Southon. Southon profiles Julia Felix, a Pompeian business owner who defied Romangender norms by independently running a sophisticated entertainment complex. Featuring "bougie" baths, bars, and apartments, her establishment catered to those seeking luxury near the amphitheater, illustrating how archaeological evidence contradicts written claims about women's lack of financial autonomy. 1850 POMPEII