Silicon Curtain

The KGB was the main security agency for the Soviet Union. It emerged as a direct successor of preceding agencies such as the Cheka, GPU, OGPU, NKGB, NKVD and MGB, and was nominally attached to the Council of Ministers. It was the chief government agency of carrying out internal security, foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and secret-police functions. Did it morph into the current FSB, or is that a different beast? Did any of the culture, traditional and methods of the KGB pass to its descendant agency and operatives? What can we know for sure of this brutal and secretive organ of power, and what relation does it have to Putin and his kleptocratic regime? Dr Yuri Felshtinsky is a prominent author, historian, and journalist, and expert on Russia and the former Soviet Union. He has appeared in print, TV, and radio interviews worldwide, and is widely known as co-author of the book “Blowing Up Russia” with Alexander Litvinenko, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the FSB who was poisoned with radioactive polonium in London in 2006. His latest book – “Blowing up Ukraine: The Return of Russian Terror and The Threat of World War III”, was researched before the invasion of Ukraine and is the first comprehensive investigation into the lethal methods Russia has used since 1999 to take over Ukraine – culminating in the full-blown unprovoked war in 2022 and mounting atrocities. ---------- BOOKS: Blowing up Ukraine: The Return of Russian Terror and The Threat of World War III (2022) Blowing up Russia: The Book that Got Litvinenko Murdered (2019) The Putin Corporation: The Story of Russia's Secret Takeover (2012) Lenin And His Comrades: The Bolsheviks Take Over Russia 1917–1924 (2010) ----------

GUEST: Anastasia Edel - writer and social historian. ---------- Until February 2022, the war in Ukraine could be dismissed by some as a “quarrel in a faraway country, between people of whom we know nothing”, especially if they had been influenced by aggressive Russian propaganda and the techniques of hybrid information warfare. But in 2022 the war became full scale, and the propagandistic subterfuge far less effective. The West had believed that mutually beneficial commercial activity created a guarantee against a full-scale war in Europe, that would see hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded; that a Russian elite with financial, property and commercial interests in Europe would not risk it all for an imperial adventure or fall in behind the desperate acts of a genocidal autocrat. But once again, we entirely failed to predict or understand Russia’s actions. The trauma and misfortune Russia has wrought on its peaceful, democratic neighbour is reminiscent of WWII - but will the leaders that unleashed this barbarism go the same way as the Nazi elite in 1945? ---------- SPEAKER: Anastasia Edel is a Russian-born American writer and social historian. She is the author of Russia: Putin’s Playground, a concise guide to Russian history, politics, and culture. Her writing has appeared in the New York Review of Books, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Project Syndicate, Quartz, and World Literature Today. She teaches history at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of California, Berkeley. ---------- LINKS: Twitter: @AEdelWriter Staring Down the Black Hole of Russia’s Future https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/10/russia-ukraine-putin-war-future/ ----------

The rise of the internet in the 21st century has been accompanied by unprecedented levels of polarisation, division, and weaponised information. At the same time democracies around the world are being hit by a huge range of different, and rapidly evolving hostile state activities. The focus of this channel is primarily Russia, but this problem is not confined to countries that oppose Russia’s expansionism and influence in Europe and the US. This is a global problem, with many countries learning and adopting the techniques of digital manipulation for electoral advantage. Once the ‘technology’ and methodology of malign influence through social platforms has been developed, it can be used by local as well as international players, to undermine opponents and their values, and democratic institutions. ---------- SPEAKER: Phumzile Van Damme is an Award-Winning Counter-Electoral Disinformation Expert, digital rights activist, Changemaker, and authority on Platform Accountability. Van Damme is a consultant in South African and former Member of Parliament representing South Africa’s official opposition, the Democratic Alliance and described as a “Young MP with a mission.” She was first elected at the 2014 South African general election and re-elected in 2019. She served as a Whip in the National Assembly and was the Shadow Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Committee. She also serves on boards and advisory councils of organisations dedicated to fighting disinformation and online violence against women and holding social media companies for harms emanating from their platforms. Van Damme has received many accolades for her achievements and work, such as the 2022 Vital Voices Global Leadership Award, Forbes Magazine Top 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa, 2019/20 Vital Voices fellowship, and 2021/Munich Security Conference Young Leader. ---------- LINKS: https://twitter.com/zilevandamme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phumzile_van_Damme https://www.linkedin.com/in/phumzile-van-damme/ https://www.vitalvoices.org/fellow/phumzile-van-damme/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adDXhacRlds https://www.independent.co.uk/author/phumzile-van-damme ----------

Today I am discussing the mechanics and narratives of Russian hybrid information warfare with Oleksandra Tsekhanovska – revisiting themes we first discussed about 4 or 5 months ago. Ukraine remains one of the main targets of Russian disinformation operations, but we now see a strong divergence in propaganda narratives aimed at Ukraine, the West, the global South and other areas. Oleksandra Tsekhanovska was Head at Hybrid Warfare Analytical Group, UCMC (Ukraine Crisis Media Centre), working to build trust-based partnerships that enhance Ukraine’s resilience to cyber warfare and disinformation. She is an information security expert with focus on Russia. Oleksandra has acted as Chief Consultant to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on strategic matters of Information security.

WARNING - poor quality video quality - but audio and insights are great. Ukraine and Russia have arguably been very different for centuries, but in modern times the greatest split came when Ukraine gained its independence on 24 August 1991. Since then that independence has bene reinformed by a wave of revolutions that have gradually transformed Ukraine into a pluralistic, young democracy, with a vibrant civil society. But also, their approach to historical memory has been radically different, and the willingness to face up to the traumas of the past, or to bury them and deny them for expediency and to consolidate power in the present. Today I’m speaking to David Satter, journalist, and historian with unique insights into how the deformation and repression of the past, is having terrible consequences for present day Russia. David has written extensively about Russia and the Soviet Union, especially the decline and fall of the USSR and rise of post-Soviet Russia. David Satter became the first American journalist to be expelled from Russia since the Cold War in December 2013. This was perhaps not a surprising move, given that his books have covered topics such as the FSB’s role in the apartment bombings that brought Putin to power, and the criminalization of Russia under Boris Yeltsin. David’s core theme is why a pluralist and progressive state did not emerge from the collapse of the Soviet Union, and how this understanding guides it’s current policies and actions. From 1976 to 1982 David was the Moscow correspondent of the Financial Times, and then became a special correspondent on Soviet affairs for The Wall Street Journal. He is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a fellow of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. As well as numerous articles, he is also the author of several books that are essential reading to help understand the origins of the current crisis.

Last week, a law being pushed through the Georgian Parliament modelled on Russian legislation designed to curtail freedom of speech and stifle dissent was prevented through the pressure of public protest. The so-called 'foreign agents' law would require some organisations to list themselves as receiving funds from abroad, essentially flagging them as a threat to the state and society. Russia should pay attention – public protest can force change, if carried out on an appropriate scale and pursued with vigour. But the struggle against creeping authoritarianism and Russification has not been won, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Central Asia are all a focus of Moscow’s desire to influence and control the political narrative in its near-abroad (ex-colonial space). But what happens when power in Moscow centre weakens? When people no longer fear the power and threat of Muscovy? ~~~~~ Aleksandar Djokic has a PhD in political science from RUDN Moscow. He is former assistant professor at RUDN Moscow, as well as being a Political analyst. In his journalistic career he writes as a Columnist at Bloomberg Adria and has also written for Novaya Gazeta Europe. Aleksandar has also acted as an Election Observer at Transparency International Serbia. ~~~~~ Links: https://twitter.com/polidemitolog https://rs.bloombergadria.com/a/39/aleksandar-dokic-politikolog-i-naucni-istrazivac/ ~~~~~

The Ukrainian language is a crucial aspect of Ukraine's struggle to  remain independent of Russia. Preserving the Ukrainian language is  essential for maintaining Ukraine's distinct cultural and national  identity, and in the current context, to resisting efforts by Russia to  control and dominate it politically. During Ukraine's history, there have been efforts to suppress the use of  the Ukrainian language, particularly during the Soviet era when Russian  was promoted as the primary language of communication. However, since  Ukraine gained independence in 1991, there has been a renewed emphasis  on the Ukrainian language and its role in shaping the country's national  identity. The Ukrainian government has taken steps to strengthen the status of the  Ukrainian language, including passing laws to promote its use in public  life, education, and government institutions. It has also sought to  counter Russian propaganda efforts by promoting Ukrainian-language media  and cultural events. Russian propaganda has labelled this process as  persecution and Russophobia.  The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has further highlighted  the importance of the Ukrainian language as a symbol of Ukraine's  sovereignty and independence. The Russian government and pro-Russian  separatists have attempted to promote the use of Russian in eastern  Ukraine, leading to tensions between Ukrainian and Russian speakers in  the region. In conclusion, the Ukrainian language is a crucial element of Ukraine's  struggle to remain independent of Russia. Its preservation and promotion  are essential for maintaining Ukraine's national identity and  sovereignty.    Inna Sopronchuk is creator and host of the popular YouTube channel —  “Speak Ukrainian” and has made it her mission to be a guide to the  language and culture of her Ukrainian ancestors. She created the online  school “Speak Ukrainian”. As well as the free course, she has created  Textbooks, Flashcards, and structured Online Classes to help her  audience reach their language goals. The course is intended both for  interested foreigners, but also for Ukrainians to help connect with  their ancestral roots. Inna regularly posts video lessons about  Ukrainian grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics.   Links:  https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakUkrainian

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.    Kateryna Pavlevych is a PR Specialist by day and writer by night. She is  a Ukrainian native that lives in New York. Kateryna’s skills are  independent PR, Comms & Advocacy. She is a contributor to the PR  Army of Ukraine, a Volunteer at RAZOM for Ukraine, and a strong speaker  and advocate in the campaign ‘Where Are Our People’, and recently spoke  at the UN in New York on this issue.    ~~~~~   Links:   WhereAreOurPeople  https://deportation.org.ua/    Razom for UKraine  https://razomforukraine.org/    Helping to leave (evacuation from Russia)  https://helpingtoleave.org/en    Human rights:  https://zmina.ua/en/   https://ccl.org.ua/en/(human rights)  https://www.thereckoningproject.com/   Missing children:  https://childrenofwar.gov.ua/   The podcast at NYT mentioned in the video:  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/03/podcasts/the-daily/russia-ukrainian-children-adoption.html  ~~~~~   https://twitter.com/Kpavlevych  https://twitter.com/WAOPUA  https://twitter.com/prarmyua   https://twitter.com/razomforukraine   https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhereAreOurPeople&src=hashtag_click  https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1lPKqBRbkqmGb?s=20   https://ukrainer.net/russia-russified/  https://medium.com/the-ukrainian-view/11-tips-for-journalists-covering-russian-war-against-ukraine-a70bc51d684a   Where Are Our People? @WAOPUA - A campaign by @prarmyua aimed at  returning Ukrainians who were illegally deported to Russia during the  Russian-Ukrainian war #WhereAreOurPeople deportation.org.ua   ~~~~~

Comprehensive interview with retired Lt. General Ben Hodges. Life is  becoming harder in Ukrainian cities as winter sets in and the supply of  power and heat become uncertain. Winters are harsh in this part of the  world, and people in big cities cannot survive for long periods without  heat. Russia’s campaign to cripple Ukraine’s power infrastructure could  therefore trigger a new wave of emigration to Europe. As Russia’s  position on the battlefield becomes more precarious, Putin may resort to  terroristic threats, against nuclear facilities, or other irresponsible  actions. Ukraine is on a path to victory, but how long will it take,  and what will be the eventual cost? Lt. General Ben Hodges is the Former Commanding General, US Army Europe  from 2014-2017. Ben Hodges is now Senior Advisor at Human Rights First,  and 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.

Life is becoming harder in Ukrainian cities as winter sets in and the  supply of power and heat become uncertain. People in big cities cannot  survive for long periods without heat. Russia’s campaign to cripple  Ukraine’s power infrastructure could therefore trigger a new wave of  emigration to Europe. Putin is resorting to terroristic threats, against  nuclear facilities, as his army loses on the frontlines.    Anastasiya Shapochkina is Founder and president of Eastern Circles, she  has 11 years of experience in consulting and energy industry, where she  worked on companies, technologies and market analysis in the renewable  energy, utilities, nuclear energy, and e-mobility. She led development  of international cross-industry partnership research projects on these  subjects and represented business in European industrial and research  associations. Anastasiya is a lecturer on geopolitics in Sciences Po  Paris since 2012, focusing on the role of business in the EU-Russia  relations. Anastasiya is author of articles on the geopolitics and  geoeconomics in the Former Soviet Union, she has regular TV and radio  appearances. Anastasiya graduated from Georgetown University School of  Foreign Service, German, and European Studies Program.