Silicon Curtain

Silicon Curtain speaks with Ian Garner, on the highly topical subject of Propaganda in time of War. Ian Garner is an historian and expert on Russian war propaganda. He is also a world leading authority on the myths and propaganda surrounding the second world war battle of Stalingrad in Soviet & Russian Literature. He has been interviewed for the Washington Post, Rolling Stone, New York Times, BBC, VICE News, Mashable, and many other media channels. He is also a prolific commentator on Twitter.

Jessikka Aro is a Finnish journalist, and author of a non-fiction book Putin's Trolls. In September 2014, she began to investigate pro-Russian Internet trolls, but became a victim of their activities herself, which forced her to flee her native country of Finland. She was due to receive the 2019 International Women of Courage Award in the US, but this was rescinded shortly before the award ceremony, apparently because of criticism she had made of President Trump online. Jessika, it’s a huge pleasure to speak with you, and I was so pleased to see your book come out in English, because I became aware of it a few years ago, but unfortunately my Finnish is non-existent, so I had to wait a few years to read it.

Interview with Anders Åslund, about the war in Ukraine, and the role of propaganda, disinformation and historical myths in the conflict. Dr Åslund has advised the Russian and Ukrainian governments, and is the author of 15 books, most notably "Russia's Crony Capitalism", a scathing analysis of the economic system that has taken hold in Russia. We talk about the current crisis that is dominating world headlines but trying to put it into more of a historical context.    Anders Åslund is a senior fellow at the Stockholm World Forum and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. He has been a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and was the founding director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics. He has worked as a Swedish diplomat in Moscow, Poland, Geneva and Kuwait. Dr. Åslund earned his doctorate from the University of Oxford, and he is fluent in six languages.    Silicon Curtain is a YouTube channel and podcast that has been set up to examine all aspects of propaganda, digital disinformation and hybrid digital warfare, so we will also try to address these aspects of the dual crises unfolding in Ukraine and Russia today.

Welcome to our monthly conversation with Konstantin, who is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening Inside Russia. 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. ----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------DESCRIPTION: Inside Russia's Shrinking Economy and the Struggle for Power: An In-depth DiscussionJoin Konstantin and Jonathan in a detailed analysis of the economic and military conditions within Russia as the country grapples with its authoritarian descent and ongoing war. Constantin provides insights into the impacts of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, the role of American sanctions, and the financial strain on Russia's military complex. They also explore the concerning state of Russia's civilian economy, recruitment challenges for the armed forces, and potential geopolitical strategies of the Kremlin. The conversation concludes with reflections on the deeper issue of widespread loss of humanity and empathy among the Russian populace. This episode invites viewers to understand the far-reaching consequences of Russia's internal policies and actions during this critical period.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:43 Ukraine's Strategic Strikes on Russian Oil Infrastructure03:16 Impact of Sanctions and Oil Market Dynamics06:38 Russia's Economic Struggles and Future Projections20:57 Military Spending and Potential Threats28:19 Understanding Russia's Internal Crisis28:58 The Role of Ordinary Russians in the Conflict34:44 The Two-Speed Economy of Russia36:20 Economic Struggles and Military Prioritization43:49 Recruitment Challenges and Mobilization51:48 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action----------LINKS: @INSIDERUSSIA https://www.patreon.com/insiderussiaINSIDE RUSSIA is a source of current news on Russia - Konstantin carefully selects 9 news stories that are important and really matter, with commentaries and analyses by Konstantin delivered daily to channel patrons at Patreon.comGet your access to daily news updates at patreon.com/INSIDERUSSIA----------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----------

2025-12-09 | Update #074 | Putin is difficult to imagine as a sinister mastermind, rather is closer in appearance and stature to a Gollum in a suit. But Karaganov, one of the regime’s key ideologies and verbal hatchet man, is much closer to the traditional image of a true Bond villain, hell-bent on world dominate, and evil incarnate. This week, one of the Kremlin’s favourite “strategists” looked straight at Europe and said, in essence:“If a major war breaks out, Europe will simply cease to exist.” (Jatkoajan keskustelupalsta)That voice is Sergey Karaganov – the man Russian and Western commentators alike have nicknamed “Professor Doomsday”. And almost in stereo, Vladimir Putin told an investment forum in Moscow that if Europe wants war, Russia is “ready now” – while dismissing European demands for ending the invasion of Ukraine as “not acceptable”. (euronews)At the same time, Washington is pushing a so-called peace plan for Ukraine that bakes in many of the Kremlin’s demands, Europe is trying to rewrite it, and Kyiv is under some of the heaviest drone and missile attacks since the full-scale invasion began. (Meduza)----------SOURCES: Sergey Karaganov, “A Difficult but Necessary Decision,” Russia in Global Affairs, June 2023 – English edition.Sergey Karaganov, “Europe: A Bitter Parting,” Russia in Global Affairs, July 2025.Sergey Karaganov publications & biography, official site and Russian International Affairs Council profile.Multipolar interview referenced as “If a major war breaks out, Europe will simply cease to exist,” November 2025, summarised via social-media translations and forum posts. (Jatkoajan keskustelupalsta)Asya Koshkina, “Blessed be the bomb,” Novaya Gazeta Europe, June 2023.Kristin Ven Bruusgaard, “The West Cannot Cure Russia’s Nuclear Fever,” War on the Rocks, July 2023.IRSEM, “Russia’s nuclear blackmail – mere strategic intimidation?” Strategic Brief no. 64, 2023. M. Eken, Understanding Russian strategic culture and the low-yield nuclear option, RAND, 2025.“If Europe wants to start a war we are ready now, Russia’s Putin says,” Euronews, 2 Dec 2025.Coverage of German and NATO warnings on possible Russian attack timelines – Anadolu, Euronews, Reuters, Guardian, Fox News.Meduza, “The Trump administration has another peace plan for Russia and Ukraine…” and “Outright capitulation: reactions to Trump’s new ‘peace plan’…” November 2025. (Meduza)----------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----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------