

Silicon Curtain
Jonathan Fink
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/siliconcurtain/subscribe
A podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponised conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias.
1984, Authoritarian, Autocracy, Autocrat, Big Brother, Brainwashing, Cold war, Cold war propaganda, Communism, Conflict, Conspiracy theories, Control, Cults, Cyber warfare, Deception, Dictator, Dictatorship, Digital dystopia, Digital media, Disinformation, Echo chambers, Economic sanctions, Fascist, Fake news, Foreign correspondents, Foreign policy, Fossil fuel sanctions, George Orwell, History, Hybrid warfare, Industrial disinfo
A podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponised conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias.
1984, Authoritarian, Autocracy, Autocrat, Big Brother, Brainwashing, Cold war, Cold war propaganda, Communism, Conflict, Conspiracy theories, Control, Cults, Cyber warfare, Deception, Dictator, Dictatorship, Digital dystopia, Digital media, Disinformation, Echo chambers, Economic sanctions, Fascist, Fake news, Foreign correspondents, Foreign policy, Fossil fuel sanctions, George Orwell, History, Hybrid warfare, Industrial disinfo
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Oct 8, 2023 • 53min
261. Tetyana Filevska - By Killing Modernist Artists in their Prime, Russia Wanted to Control the Future.
Tetyana Filevska, an art manager and researcher specializing in 20th-century Ukrainian art, passionately discusses the cultural struggle between Ukraine and Russia. She uncovers how Russia's manipulation of modernist artists aimed to control historical narratives. Tetyana highlights the importance of reclaiming identities of artists like Kazimir Malevich, emphasizing the need for cultural diplomacy in these tumultuous times. The conversation touches on art's role amidst conflict and how creativity can resist oppression, revealing the deep connections between art, identity, and politics.

Oct 6, 2023 • 52min
260. Konstantin Samoilov - Russia's Economy Shows Signs of Strain and Fragility as Fuel Inflation Bites
Welcome to the third of our monthly conversations with Konstantin, who
is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening
Inside Russia.
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Konstantin Samoilov is a well-known YouTuber whose channel ‘Inside
Russia’ comments insightfully on Russia’s decent into authoritarianism
over the last few years. But now, like many others, he’s outside Russia,
with no idea of when he can return there.
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Oct 2, 2023 • 52min
259. Olena Tregub - Democratic Oversight for Defence Spending and Transparency have Never been More Vital
GUEST: Olena Tregub - Ukrainian expert in policy analysis, policy design
and reform implementation.
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SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
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INTRO:
The potential for abuse and infringement of civil rights is huge and is a
risk for any country at war. On top of that are the tens of thousands
of war crimes being committed by the invaders. My guest today is an
expert on Reform, Transparency, Governance, Civil Society and
Corruption. We will be talking about how Ukraine is progress on these
fronts, to defend individual rights and liberty even in wartime, and we
will loom at the importance of striving for Modernity in Ukrainian
culture and institutions.
#olenatregub #ruleoflaw #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin #propaganda #war
#disinformation #hybridwarfare #foreignpolicy #communism #sovietunion #ussr
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SPEAKER:
Olena Tregub is a Ukrainian expert in policy analysis, policy design and
reform implementation, with a special focus on corruption prevention in
economic and security sectors. Since 2017 Olena has been Secretary
General of NAKO (the Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee) – an
international oversight body created by Transparency International.
It’s her mission to strengthen democratic oversight over defence
spending, increase accountability and transparency of the sector, which
is critical in wartime, and has become a hotly debated topic in the
run-up to the 2024 US election. Before joining the Ukrainian government,
Olena built her career abroad in journalism, policy analysis,
education, and international development. Olena has worked in the UN
Headquarters in New York, taught International Relations in American
universities, and cooperated with The New York Times and Kyiv Post.
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LINKS:
https://twitter.com/OTregub
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olenatregub/
https://cepa.org/author/olena-tregub/
https://archive.kyivpost.com/author/olena-tregub
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/olena-tregub/
https://nako.org.ua/en/about
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Oct 1, 2023 • 1h 51min
Ben Hodges - Compilation of 4 Silicon Curtain Interviews with Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges - Oct-22 to Jun-23
GUEST: Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges - Retired United States Army officer
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Compilation of four interviews with Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, one of the
strongest and most experienced voices advocating for a Ukrainian victory
in its defensive war against Russia.
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SPEAKER:
Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander
of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position
for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January
2018. He has been Senior Advisor to Human Rights First since June 2022
and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics. Until recently was
the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European
Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, the Transatlantic relationship
and international security.
#benhodges #usarmy #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin #propaganda
#war #disinformation #hybridwarfare #foreignpolicy #communism #sovietunion #postsoviet
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Sep 30, 2023 • 1h 14min
258. Anna from Ukraine - Are we Letting Russia off the Hook? Is our Softness Prolonging War in Ukraine?
GUEST: Anna from Ukraine - Anna Danylchuk
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Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the
full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims
to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia’s war and cut through the
noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and
independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her
videos, in a clear and honest way.
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Although this is my fifth conversation with Anna on my channel, it’s the
first in what I hope will be a series of monthly conversations with
influential YouTubers and experts on Ukraine and Russia.
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My interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel-
https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z

Sep 27, 2023 • 32min
Silicon Bites - #18 - Putin's Minions: Dead or Alive? Failure in War Makes Russians Dead Men Walking
Edition No18 | 26-09-2023
The status of many of Russia's elite is uncertain (are they alive or
dead?). Ill-health, 'accidents', purges and targeted Ukrainian actions
are taking their toll on Russia's elite.
~~~~~
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
~~~~~
RUSSIAN RECRUITMENT ADS:
https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1703762022582612247
https://twitter.com/Biz_Ukraine_Mag/status/1605314907418886145
~~~~~
NEWS LINKS:
The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/19/explainer-reports-of-kadyrovs-death-may-have-been-greatly-exaggerated-a82507
Explainer: Reports of Kadyrov’s Death May Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
By Charlie Hancock | Sep. 20, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/18/the-cult-of-the-red-terror-executioner-lives-on-a82501
The Cult of the Red Terror Executioner Lives On
By Polly Jones | Sep. 18, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/21/nagorno-karabakh-shows-russia-has-no-credibility-as-a-regional-peacekeeper-a82531
Nagorno-Karabakh Shows Russia Has No Credibility as a Regional
Peacekeeper
By Mikhail Turchenko | Sep. 21, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/21/russian-officials-fighting-in-ukraine-seek-profile-boost-career-advancement-a82532
Russian Officials Fighting in Ukraine Seek Profile Boost, Career
Advancement
By Leyla Latypova | Sep. 21, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/22/russia-is-preparing-the-next-generation-to-die-for-their-country-a82536
Russia is Preparing the Next Generation to Die for Their Country
By Jade McGlynn | Sep. 22, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/21/scores-of-ukrainian-drones-downed-over-annexed-crimea-western-russia-a82529
Mobilized Russian Troops Endure Quick Losses in Ukraine War – Report
Sep. 21, 2023
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/09/21/russia-curbs-gas-diesel-exports-to-stabilize-fuel-prices-a82534
Russia Curbs Gas, Diesel Exports to Stabilize Fuel Prices
Sep. 21, 2023
~~~~~
Kyiv Independent
https://kyivindependent.com/
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-comes-close-to-getting-atacms-how-will-it-change-the-war/
US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war?
by Dinara Khalilova | Sep. 23, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-confirms-first-abrams-tanks-arrived-in-ukraine/
Zelensky confirms first Abrams tanks already in Ukraine
by Dinara Khalilova | Sep. 25, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/military-ukraine-has-achieved-a-breakthrough-in-verbove/
Military: Ukraine has achieved a breakthrough in Verbove
Sep. 23, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-proxies-claim-missile-strike-on-black-sea-fleet-headquarters-in-sevastopol/
Ukrainian military strikes Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters
by Dinara Khalilova | Sep. 22, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/russia-steadily-loses-advanced-air-defense-systems-making-occupied-crimea-vulnerable/
Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russia's best air defenses in
Crimea
by Igor Kossov | Sep. 20, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-september-21/
WAR UPDATE: Ukraine war latest: Russia launches mass missile attack on
energy infrastructure; Ukraine reportedly hits airbase in Crimea
by Alexander Khrebet | Sep. 22, 2023
https://kyivindependent.com/bloomberg-russia-plans-massive-hike-in-defense-spending-in-2024/
Bloomberg: Russia plans massive hike in defense spending in 2024
by Martin Fornusek | Sep. 22, 2023
~~~~~
Russian Media Monitor
https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews
~~~~~

Sep 25, 2023 • 44min
256. Annette Bohr - Ukraine's Fight is Our Fight - Victory is Key to Resolving many Other Global Problems
SUMMARY:
Moscow’s war of reconquest against Ukraine has confirmed in the most
brutal terms how Russia rejects the values underpinning European
security – the same values agreed between Moscow and the West at the end
of the Cold War. As a revisionist power, Russia has made itself the
primary obstacle to peace and security in Europe and beyond. For
stability to be restored and protected, it is essential that the outcome
of the war in Ukraine leads to a situation in which – in addition to
the expulsion of occupying forces – the exercise of Russian power is
contained rather than encouraged. Over time, Russia’s leadership must
also be persuaded to renounce its expansionist ambitions.
It’s now or never for Ukraine. A protracted or frozen conflict benefits
Russia and hurts Ukraine, as does a ceasefire or negotiated settlement
on Russia’s terms. If Ukraine is to avoid these outcomes and turn
tenacious defence and incremental battlefield gains into outright
victory, it needs far more ambitious international military assistance
than it has received to date. This report presents the case for an
immediate and decisive increase in such support, seeks to dispel
overhyped concerns about provoking Russia, and counsels against
accommodating Moscow’s demands.
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WATCH NEXT:
James Nixey
https://youtu.be/xokGSejENPU
Orysia Lutsevych
https://youtu.be/Pq9AOxBvBlA
Simon Smith
https://youtu.be/QGh4YSs71cU
John Lough
https://youtu.be/DI3fdMp2pRE
Timothy Ash
https://youtu.be/UDAdyBgPwfk
Keir Giles
https://youtu.be/6qwNNs5ukMY
Kateryna Busol
https://youtu.be/ctRbhbANCvU
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Sep 24, 2023 • 43min
257. Iryna Kopanytsia - Ukrainian Victory means Hundreds of Thousands of Abducted Childen Need to Return.
GUEST: Iryna Kopanytsia - Women's rights advocate and public speaker,
CEO and Advisory Board Member of White Ribbon, Ukraine.
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SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
----------
INTRO:
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have had to evacuate through Russia
or were forcibly deported there. They have experienced terrible things
like the “filtration” camps on the borders, separation from families,
cruel interrogations by Russians, and being forced to live in another
country (the enemy country) without money or documents in many cases.
Left stranded and struggling to leave Russia by themselves. Some, like
children do not even have the option to try to return home or go to
Europe. Ukraine been able to find and return a few hundred children –
but for victory to be achieved, must locate, and return many thousands.
Even when the fighting ends, victory will not be achieved until all the
children return home to Ukraine.
#IrynaKopanytsia #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin #propaganda #war
#disinformation #hybridwarfare #foreignpolicy #communism #sovietunion #ussr
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SPEAKER:
Iryna Kopanytsia is a women rights advocate and public speaker, CEO and
Advisory Board Member of White Ribbon Ukraine an organisation that
campaigns against domestic violence, and woman rights. Iryna was CEO of
Miss Ukraine and is a successful TV presenter of numerous shows on
Ukrainian TV channels. She is an acclaimed human rights advocate and
psychologist actively supporting different charities including David
Lynch Foundation in Ukraine, One Hope Foundation, children hospitals and
medical facilities, and has participated in developing a number of laws
about women’s rights and other causes. White Ribbon has campaigned in
Ukraine since 2017 for a new law criminalizing domestic violence and
coordinating with European Parliament members on women rights.
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LINKS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-kopanytsia/
https://whiteribbonukraine.org/en/teameng/

Sep 22, 2023 • 59min
253. Volodymyr Kukharenko - Short History of Russian Imperialism - The Russian Empire: Prison of Nations.
Volodymyr Kukharenko, an expert in translation automation and advocate of Russia's imperial history, discusses the impact of Russian imperialism on Ukraine and neighboring countries, highlighting the erasure of cultures and suppression of identities. They also explore the manipulation tactics used by Russia, the difficulty of educating the misinformed, and the importance of countering Russia's informational war through education.

Sep 22, 2023 • 53min
255. Nolan Peterson - Ukraine has the Determination to Defeat Russia - Willpower, Logistics and Material.
GUEST: Nolan Peterson - Consultant, award-winning journalist, war
correspondent, and author.
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Nolan Peterson is a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s
Eurasia Centre. He is an independent defence consultant, award-winning
journalist, war correspondent, and author who has lived in Ukraine since
2014. As an international correspondent, Peterson has covered conflicts
around the world. Apart from his work in Ukraine, he has been embedded
with US armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and with the Kurdish
Peshmerga during the battle for Mosul in Iraq. Peterson is a former US
Air Force special operations pilot and a veteran of the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. After leaving the US Air Force in 2011, Peterson completed
a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill
School of Journalism, where he was a McCormick Foundation fellow.
Peterson’s work has been published by numerous news outlets including
the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, BBC, Newsweek, the Heritage
Foundation, and Coffee or Die Magazine. He is the author of Why Soldiers
Miss War: The Journey Home and several fiction collections.
#NolanPeterson #warjournalism #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin #propaganda
#war #disinformation #hybridwarfare #foreignpolicy #communism #sovietunion #postsoviet
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LINKS:
https://twitter.com/nolanwpeterson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolanwpeterson/
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/nolan-peterson/
https://coffeeordie.com/nolan-peterson
https://ukrainer.net/nolan-peterson/
https://archive.kyivpost.com/author/nolan-peterson
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