Silicon Curtain

Jonathan Fink
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Jul 23, 2025 • 8min

BREAKING NEWS - Is This The End For Russian Banks?

Edition No199 | 23-07-2025 - The gates of the financial level crossing are coming down, but the Russian banking system is still stuck on the tracks, like the idiot driver that ignores the signals and bells and thinks they can cross in time. The express train of sanctions and consequences is careening down the tracks. Get ready for the troubled Russian banking sector to be turned to scrap by the impact, a pile of fiscal junk, entirely because of Putin’s reckless and senseless decisions. Russia’s economy is about to implode—and the silence on its banking system is deafening. Russian banks are teetering, bailouts are rumoured, and the Kremlin is quietly crafting laws to lock down the narrative. Why now? Because the war, sanctions, and mounting debt have created a financial tinderbox—and Ukraine’s lighting matches.----------DESCRIPTION:The Imminent Collapse of Russia's Banking SystemIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the unfolding banking crisis in Russia. The financial instability is being exacerbated by sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, leading to a significant strain on the system. Notably, several top Russian banks are quietly discussing emergency bailouts, and there's growing internal panic over rising bad loans and delinquency rates. The Kremlin is implementing laws to suppress information and control the narrative, even as the economy faces a potential collapse. We explore how high interest rates, inflation, and declining revenues are contributing to this financial turmoil, and why comprehensive sanctions by Western allies are crucial to forcing Putin's wartime economy to its breaking point.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:23 The Russian Banking Crisis Unfolds01:26 Emergency Bailouts and Hidden Debts02:40 Rising Bad Loans and Economic Warnings04:53 Sanctions and Global Isolation05:46 Censorship and Economic Control07:26 Conclusion: The Path Forward----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/russian-banks-will-fall-the-question-is-how-hard-a89912 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/russian-banks-have-discussed-seeking-bailouts-within-next-year https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/russias-economy-is-a-ticking-time-bomb/ https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russias-oil-and-banks-after-robert-fico-lifts-his-veto https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/17/russias-largest-banks-exploring-bailouts-as-bad-loans-grow-bloomberg-a89862 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-18/eu-backs-revised-russia-oil-price-cap-and-new-russia-sanctions https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-debt-bank-bailout-bad-loans-rates-ukraine-war-2025-7 https://uatv.ua/en/comprehensive-isolation-of-russia-s-financial-sector-is-gaining-momentum-the-governor-of-the-national-bank-of-ukraine/ https://kyivindependent.com/russias-systematically-important-banks-discussing-bailout-within-next-year-07-2025/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/russian-banks-fear-debt-crisis-is-coming-as-war-strains-economy https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/oman-tightens-banking-restrictions-on-russian-firms-vedomosti-a89918 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2085142/russia-economy-loan-defaults-vtb-bank https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/17/russian-banks-prepare-bailout-putins-war-hammers-economy/ ----------
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Jul 23, 2025 • 12min

Will Ukraine Outsmart Russia's Army? And is Adaptation of the Russian Army a Risk?

Edition No198 | 23-07-2025 - In this episode, we take a hard, unsparing look at the Russian military’s transformation, or lack of it—and the West’s slow, uncertain response, at times pessimistic and laden with panic, at others complacent and bloated by hubris and overconfidence. Drawing on the analysis of John Foreman CBE and Edward Lucas of The Times, this episode insights from Bob Seely’s new book ‘The New Total War’. It explores three years of hard lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield, to ask: Is Russia preparing for perpetual war—and are we prepared to stop it?Russian Military Reform – Crude, Bloody, But Learning Dangerously and Unexpectedly Fast. John Foreman CBE, former British defence attaché in Moscow, pulls no punches: "Russia’s approach to war is not efficient in a Western sense—its waste is staggering—but it can still be effective." (NEST Centre, July 2025). Despite early humiliations—the failed dash to Kyiv, the retreat from Kherson, and the mauling at Vuhledar—Russia has adapted. Foreman notes: “Mass and firepower, not finesse, remain the defining principles.” The focus is not on minimizing casualties but on ensuring throughput: of shells, drones, prisoners, and bodies, for meat-wave assaults.----------DESCRIPTION:Russia's Military Transformation: Adapting for Perpetual ConflictIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the critical question of whether Russia's military can change and adapt amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Drawing on insights from experts like John Foreman, CBE, and Edward Lucas, and referencing Bob Seeley's new book "The New Total War".----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Ukraine's Independence00:16 Support and Engagement: How You Can Help00:34 Analyzing Russia's Military Transformation00:52 Insights from Experts: John Foreman and Edward Lucas01:14 Russia's Military Reform and Adaptation03:12 Ukraine's Agility vs. Russia's Mass06:29 The West's Response and Strategic Challenges06:56 Russia's Drone Warfare and Industrial Scale Production08:46 Information Warfare: Russia's Hybrid Campaigns10:08 Conclusion: The Perpetual War Machine----------SOURCES: https://nestcentre.org/military-lessons/ https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/wake-up-west-russia-war-donald-trump-5kscn3w32----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------
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Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 4min

782. Scandal in Ukraine as Anti-Corruption Agencies and Activists Targeted

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce - Scandal in Ukraine and the US - we break down what's happening.----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------
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Jul 22, 2025 • 42min

780. Putin's Under More Pressure - Will he Crack?

Tom Keatinge is the founding Director of the Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI. According to The Economist, Tom Keatinge is one of a small group of '‘White collar vigilantes and poachers-turned-gamekeepers’. Tom’s research focuses on matters at the intersection of finance and security, including the use of finance as a tool of intelligence and disruption. He has a Master’s in Intelligence and International Security from King’s College London, where his research focused on the effectiveness of the global counter-terror finance regime. Prior to joining RUSI in 2014, he was an investment banker for 20 years at J.P. Morgan.----------LINKS: https://www.rusi.org/people/keatingehttps://x.com/keatingetomhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-keatinge-9812444/ https://icct.nl/people/tom-keatingehttps://www.tomkeatinge.net/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Jul 22, 2025 • 12min

Why Is Russia Planning to Cut Off the Internet?

Edition No197 | 22-07-2025 - Putin is tightening the digital noose in Russia, as the crackdown on the internet intensifies. We explore What It Signals in this episode. The Kremlin isn’t just at war with Ukraine — it’s at war with its own population, and the internet itself. Connectivity blackouts are plaguing regions of Russia, and now spyware is being installed on every internet capable device. The Victory Day disconnections of internet coverage were just a foretaste of the censorship and control that is rapidly approaching. The edges are emerging of what promises to be a terrifying blueprint for new a “digital gulag.” But this isn’t just about censorship. It’s about what Russia might be preparing for next — why the regime has such a sense of urgency to gain control of the Russian internet, and what that means for Ukraine and for the rest of us.----------DESCRIPTION:Putin's Digital Gulag: Why Russia is Shutting Down its InternetIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into Vladimir Putin's aggressive efforts to control and restrict internet access in Russia. We explore the Kremlin's increasing crackdown on digital freedom and what it means for Russia's population, the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and potential geopolitical ramifications. Key points include the intensification of censorship, the spread of spyware on consumer devices, and the Kremlin's urgency to isolate the Russian internet by autumn 2025. We also discuss possible reasons behind this rapid digital suppression including further mobilization, preparing for war with NATO, economic collapse, or autocratic whims. Discover how these unprecedented moves might signify a strategy to escalate the war or manage looming internal and external crises.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Putin's Attempt to Break the Internet00:30 The Digital Noose Tightens01:26 The Big Digital Squeeze03:00 Technical Details of the Crackdown04:24 Spyware and the Digital Gulag05:52 Hypotheses Behind the Crackdown10:10 The Autumn Trap: Why Now?11:39 Conclusion: The Global Implications----------SOURCES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx3hF3Yk2rYhttps://jamestown.org/program/russia-ramps-up-internet-censorship/https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-cut-internet-access-victory-day-ukraine-drone-strikes-putin-2025-5https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/putin-moscow-whatsapp-ban-plan-max-app-launch-b789tt6tshttps://united24media.com/latest-news/putins-new-orders-could-reshape-russian-internet-heres-whats-next-10019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-kremlin-instagram-atms-ukraine-b2791385.htmlhttps://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/07/mapping-russia-s-internet-blackoutshttps://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/01/russia-to-disconnect-foreigners-who-have-not-submitted-biometric-data-from-mobile-internet-a89635https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/17/russia-internet-censorship/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56473https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-03/russian-internet-outages-soar-as-kremlin-boosts-wartime-controls----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------
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Jul 21, 2025 • 36min

765. Is Ukraine Losing Support From the West?

Today’s episode is dedicated to the recent NATO Summit to discuss potential outcomes for Ukraine as well as the ongoing Russian invasion. What discussions took place behind closed doors, what is the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, and why was the role of Ukraine downgraded compared to last year’s summit. Is there now a risk of countries like the US normalising relations with the pariah terror state, Russia? ----------Mark Temnycky is a Ukrainian American freelance journalist, based just outside of New York City, and is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Centre. He has covered Eastern European affairs and energy security matters for seven years, with articles published in The New York Times, Forbes, Daily Mail, EUobserver, Kyiv Post, Atlantic Council, Wilson Centre, and other US and European news outlets and think tanks. ----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing the 2025 NATO Summit: Ukraine, Defense Spending, and Trump's InfluenceIn this episode, we delve into the outcomes of the recent NATO summit, focusing on the discussions surrounding Ukraine and the ongoing Russian invasion. We explore the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, the downgrading of Ukraine's role at this year's summit, and the potential risks of normalizing relations with Russia. The conversation includes the implications of increased defense spending targets, the emphasis on burden sharing among NATO members, and the strategic significance of providing continuous aid to Ukraine. Join us as Mark and Tim discuss these pressing issues with Nicki, a Ukrainian American freelance journalist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to NATO Summit and Key Topics01:48 NATO Summit Dynamics and Trump's Influence04:33 NATO's Defense Spending and Burden Sharing08:31 Ukraine's Role and NATO's Strategic Shifts16:53 Challenges in Defense Spending and Strategic Goals22:05 NATO's Collective Security and Article 527:01 Ukraine's Struggle and Western Support31:50 Summit Outcomes and Future Implications----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktemnycky/https://x.com/mtemnyckyhttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/mark-temnycky/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/mark-temnyckyhttps://kyivindependent.com/author/mark-temnycky/https://www.fpri.org/contributor/mark-temnycky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/mtemnycky/https://cepa.org/author/mark-temnycky/----------ARTICLES:https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-sees-mixed-results-2025-nato-summit-opinion-2092722 ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------
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Jul 21, 2025 • 52min

781. Z-Patriots are in Meltdown over Waning Russian Influence (with Yuri Rashkin)

Live stream with Yuri Rashkin. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------
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Jul 21, 2025 • 20min

Is Satire Threatened with Extinction in the America of 2025?

Edition No196 | 21-07-2025 - This episode is about satire as a threat to authoritarianism, and why it’s one of the first things to get shut down by any dictator, or aspiring autocrat. But let’s be specific before anyone calls this out. Of course, minorities and vulnerable communities are the first things that autocrats come after – in Germany it was the communists and the Jews. In Russia it was the Chechens and people from Central Asia. In the US it was undocumented migrants and now anyone with black or brown, irrespective of whether they have legal status to be in the US or not.But once populist credentials are established through outrageous, capricious and physical action, and an atmosphere of division and fear is whipped up, then regimes get stuck into their real opponents. Those in opposition who have power and influence – enough to derail their authoritarian ambitions. And amongst the effective opposition, those with influence and status, I’ll bet that the first they come after are satirists and humorists. This is what Putin did in the early 2000s, because once you cancel derision, those that puncture the pomposity of powerful people, expose their schemes and corruption, once you marginalize, cancel them, forcing media companies to comply, you can start to gain control of the news cycle itself. ----------DESCRIPTION:The Threat to Satire in Modern Authoritarian Regimes: A Deep DiveIn this episode of 'Silicon Bites,' we explore how satire is often one of the first casualties under authoritarian regimes. Starting with a historical analysis of political censorship from early Russia to current trends in the United States, we delve into the impact of the Trump administration on satirical voices. With examples including the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show and the resignation of cartoonist Ann Telnaes, this episode highlights the tightening grip of political power on media and comedy. We underscore the symbiotic relationship between satire and democracy, discussing the broader implications of silencing critical voices in media. The episode concludes with a call for vigilance and support for independent satire.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:43 The Role of Satire in Authoritarian Regimes01:11 Historical Examples of Satire Suppression02:32 The Symbiotic Relationship Between Satire and Power03:11 Modern-Day Satire Under Threat07:09 The Case of Stephen Colbert's Show Cancellation11:10 The Broader Implications for Democracy14:31 The Russian Example: A Cautionary Tale18:36 Call to Action: Supporting Independent Satire----------SOURCES: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/democrats-cbs-colbert-show https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/stephen-colbert-canceled-cbs-staff-trump-shakedown-b2791693.html https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/culture/stephen-colbert-cancelled-cbs-kimmel-b2792213.html https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jul/19/paramount-cbs-trump https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-cancelled-b2792174.html https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/stephen-colbert-late-show-celebrities-react https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/stephen-colbert-late-show-ending-trump https://russiapost.info/digest/political_humor https://www.rferl.org/a/russia_independent_ntv_fell_silent/3557594.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/01/11/satirist-mocked-putin-russian-spitting-image-flees-country-harrassment/ ----------
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Jul 20, 2025 • 8min

Moscow Airports in Chaos After Drone Strikes

Edition No195 | 20-07-2025 - The night skies turn hostile, but this time it’s not only over Ukraine, but the capital of the aggressor, Moscow. This episode investigates the impact of three nights of drone raids on Moscow – both the material and psychological effects. There is a phrase is Russian, sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. Now the city of Lenin and Stalin is becoming Dronegrad, an imperial capital under fire. Did Putin think he could inflict aggression, but that Ukraine would not strike back? It seems he thought precisely this. Since early July, Moscow has faced repeated drone incursions. On July 19, Mayor Sobyanin announced that air defences shot down 2 drones, prompting temporary suspensions at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports (Reuters). Similar closures occurred on July 17 and 18, with disruptions at all four major Moscow airports (tvpworld.com).----------DESCRIPTION:Drone Strikes on Moscow: Disruption and DestructionIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the third day of drone strikes on Moscow, which have significantly disrupted airports and travel in the city, turning it into a virtual no-fly zone. The strikes have inflicted both material and psychological damage, highlighting the vulnerability of Moscow despite Russia's aggression in Ukraine. We discuss the economic impact, including massive airline losses and delays, and the broader implications for Russian society and its government's perceived strength. We also examine Ukraine's strategic use of drone strikes as a form of guerrilla economics, aimed at inflicting financial and psychological pain on Russia. Despite Western caution, Ukraine is expanding its capabilities and normalizing these strikes, while Russian civilians remain anxious and frustrated. Ultimately, bringing the war to Russian soil alters the dynamics of the conflict, challenging the Kremlin's narrative and strategy.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:36 Drone Strikes on Moscow: An Overview01:11 Impact on Moscow's Airports and Economy02:13 Psychological and Symbolic Effects02:43 Ukraine's Strategic Calculations05:02 Western Reactions and Future Prospects06:58 Conclusion and Summary----------SOURCES: Reuters: Sobyanin on drones & airport halts (July 19, 2025)The Sun: four-night blitz, airport shutdowns Reuters: 122 drones intercepted July 17, broader strike Kyiv Independent: airlines’ losses of 20 bn roublesWashington Post: infrastructure & telecom disruptionsReuters/AP: casualties and public frustrationAP News/Reuters: Russia-Ukraine drone exchanges, Western arms dealsWikipedia: Nov 2024, summer 2024 drone pushesAtlantic Council & CSIS: drone strategy, cost-effectivenessReuters: civilian impacts across regionsThe Washington Post: mobile internet blackouts centralised Guardian/Independent/WSJ: peace talks, escalation, Trump involvement----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------
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Jul 20, 2025 • 56min

778. 50 Days for Ukraine to Strike Back Hard Against Russia

Joe Lindsley is a traveler and a writer, and American who was reporting for Chicago's WGN Radio from Ukraine each and every weekday of Russia's full-scale war. He once was protégé to Fox News founder Roger Ailes, but Lindsley escaped that frenzied world where power mattered more than truth. He came to Lviv for a Ukrainian Catholic University journalism conference on Information Overload, AI, and Responsibility. Then the pandemic shut down world travel, and he stayed to build a better vision for the media industry.----------DESCRIPTION:Navigating U.S. Support for Ukraine: Insights from Joseph Lindsley In this episode, Joseph Lindsley returns to discuss his daily reporting from Ukraine during the war. Highlighting his conservative stance and mission to inject truthful messages into U.S. conservative circles, Lindsley underscores the importance of influencing current power dynamics in support of Ukraine. They cover the experiences of Kyiv’s recent calm interrupted by intense Russian attacks, the trauma left behind, and discussions about a potential awakening in Washington. Lindsley addresses being labeled as partisan while advocating for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to appeal to those in power. Key topics include Trump’s perceived change in stance towards Ukraine, the importance of understanding MAGA’s anti-war sentiment, and strategies to communicate Ukraine’s actions and innovations effectively to the American public. The episode also features discussions on Russian propaganda, Ukraine’s internal politics, and the significance of timely U.S. military support.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome Back Joseph Lindsley 01:10 Current Situation in Kyiv02:01 Conservative Voices and Ukraine03:22 Trump's Influence and MAGA06:22 Ukraine's Innovation and Military Strategy16:10 Media Criticism and Russian Propaganda19:44 Ukraine's Political Strategy25:51 The Importance of American Support28:19 Distrust in Washington and Ukraine's Common Ground28:39 Challenges in Convincing MAGA Supporters29:47 Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Propaganda31:39 The Forever War Dilemma36:56 Ukraine's Technological Edge and Innovation43:20 The 50-Day Ultimatum for Putin50:03 Strategic Communication and Persuasion----------LINKS:https://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/donation/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lindsleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lindsley-60087618/https://www.youtube.com/@jplindsleyhttps://twitter.com/JPLindsleyhttps://www.instagram.com/jplindsley/https://www.facebook.com/josephlindsleyhttps://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

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