Silicon Curtain

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----------

Edition No194 | 19-07-2025 - The divisive and controversial “Russia Hoax” has made a reappearance on the political scene, and this time it’s the ringmaster of politics, Donald Trump that has reanimated it. And there is nothing accidental about the timing as the Epstein scandal deepens and broadens. Grab your tin-foil hats—because we’re diving into the *alleged* “Russia Hoax”, or rather the claims that the Hoax that was not a hoax was a Democratic deep state hoax. Confused – you should be. Concerned – you will be. Cue ominous circus clown music.----------DESCRIPTION:The Russia Hoax Revisited: Trump's Tactics & The Epstein ConnectionIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we dive into the re-emergence of the controversial Russia hoax, spearheaded once again by Donald Trump. As the Epstein scandal continues to unfold, the timing of this resurgence is anything but accidental. We analyze the mechanics behind the Russia hoax, its inception in 2016, the findings of the Mueller Report, and the Steele Dossier. Additionally, we explore Russia's cyber warfare capabilities and intent to meddle in democratic processes worldwide. We also cover Trump's current legal battles, media deflections, and the political strategies aimed at distracting public attention from new explosive revelations. Buckle up for an in-depth breakdown of one of the most contentious topics in modern political history.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:17 The Russia Hoax Revisited00:52 Understanding the Russia Hoax03:45 Election Hacking Allegations06:26 The Steele Dossier09:34 Russia's Cyber Warfare Capabilities11:48 Trump's Deflection Tactics13:33 Epstein Scandal and Political Fallout16:46 Trump vs. Murdoch: The Media Battle18:12 Legal and Political Escalations20:04 Conclusion and Future Expectations----------LINKS: https://www.justsecurity.org/44697/steele-dossier-knowing/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steele_dossierhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Steelehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Intelligence_Committee_report_on_Russian_interference_in_the_2016_United_States_presidential_electionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mueller_reporthttps://www.thedailybeast.com/putin-pals-say-trumps-russia-threat-is-just-an-epstein-smokescreen/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jul/19/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-files-latest-news-wall-street-journal-ruper-murdoch-maga-us-politicshttps://www.axios.com/2025/07/18/epstein-trump-murdoch-relationship-wsjhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-sues-wall-street-journal-over-epstein-report-seeks-10-billion-2025-07-18/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jul/18/donald-trump-epstein-files-wsj-birthright-citizenship-cryptocurrency-us-politics-live-news-updateshttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-trump-spent-years-stoking-dark-theories-and-why-hes-facing-epstein-case-blowback-nowhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/a-tycoons-deep-state-conspiracy-divehttps://nypost.com/2025/07/15/us-news/trump-hits-back-at-reporter-asking-if-hes-named-in-jeffrey-epstein-files-at-center-of-maga-firestorm/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/24/what-steele-dossier-said-vs-what-mueller-report-said/https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsi-gabbard-feeds-maga-an-obama-conspiracy-amid-epstein-blowback/ ----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce and Andrew Perpetua. Focusing on the alleged connections between Jeffrey Epstein and Russian Intelligence, the state of the Russian war economy, Putin's rapidly degrading war machine, and the problems in Russia's military industrial complex. ----------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/-----------

Edition No193 | 18-07-2025 - After episodes that focused on the utterances of Igor Girkin (Strelkov), here is another repugnant character, but one nonetheless that is speaking out about the ineptitude and pointlessness of Putin’s war against Ukraine. Is this the start of a Z-Patriot rebellion, something that Putin is likely far more fearful of, than the so-called liberal opposition. Z Rebellion: Gubarev, Putin, and the Cracking Facade of Russian Ultra-Loyalism. Today’s episode: how a strange group of bloggers, loud mouths, and battlefield fantasists — the so-called Z-Patriots — are turning on their own emperor – or at least starting to point in his direction and proclaim that the emperor has no clothes on. Our criminal Russian nationalist of the week? Pavel Gubarev. The former governor of the self-proclaimed Peoples of Donetsk in 2014. Once a proud foot soldier of Russia’s imperialist crusade — now sounding alarm bells that Putin’s army is losing. And claiming the losses are spectacular. With Igor Strelkov in jail, Gubarev has inherited his crown — not as a leader of troops, but of outrage. And his new role? Frontline Cassandra. Warning that defeat is near while the Kremlin fiddles and drops glide bombs on Ukrainian apartment blocks yet has no military strategy.----------DESCRIPTION:----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:----------LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1TrJyUJljs&t=710shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQesztN6TeAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wixw7suSFjUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNYc7tZxa5ohttps://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ukraine-russia-war-donetsk-putin-b2200925.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Gubarev ----------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/----------

A comprehensive investigation by DFRLab and OpenMinds exposes a vast, coordinated Russian bot network exploiting Telegram to disseminate pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian propaganda across occupied Ukrainian territories. ----------Yuliia Dukach leads Disinformation Investigations at OpenMinds, focusing on Cognitive Threats Intelligence and Response, ensuring that their research translates into real-world impact. That’s what makes the work of OpenMinds unique, as it combines analysis and reporting with the clear intention to counter Russian disinformation operations. Previously Yuliia worked at Texty, where she uncovered the hidden mechanisms of influence — such as the lingering presence of Soviet-era street names before Ukraine’s decommunization efforts. Now she is fully immersed in one of Ukraine’s most pressing challenges — Russian information warfare. Tackling disinformation at scale, working with big data, machine learning, and AI-driven detection methods. ----------REPORT:https://www.openminds.ltd/reports/digital-occupation-pro-russian-bot-networks-target-ukraines-occupied-territories-on-telegram----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/ydukachhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliia-dukach/ https://www.openminds.ltd/ https://texty.org.ua/----------DESCRIPTION:Exposing Russia's Telegram Bot Networks: A Deep Dive with Yuliia DukachIn this episode, we delve into a groundbreaking report by DFR Lab and OpenMinds, unveiling a massive coordinated Russian bot network exploiting Telegram to spread pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian propaganda. Our guest, Yuliia Dukach, a lead disinformation investigator at Open Minds, shares insights from the report, discussing the significance of Telegram in Russia's disinformation strategy, the collaboration between DFR Lab and OpenMinds, and the technical and strategic aspects of Russian bot operations. We also explore Russia's efforts to control information in occupied Ukrainian territories and the impact of these disinformation campaigns on public perception.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Russian Bot Network Investigation00:17 Meet Yuliia Dukach: Disinformation Expert01:15 The Role of Telegram in Russian Propaganda03:45 Collaboration Between DFR Lab and OpenMinds06:25 Russian Control Over Occupied Territories09:29 Scale and Impact of Russian Bot Networks18:41 Pro-Russian and Anti-Ukrainian Narratives24:59 Challenges in Countering Russian Disinformation51:52 Conclusion and Further Reading----------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.

Edition No192 | 17-07-2025 - What has been the reaction to Trump’s ultimatum of military backing and sanctions increases after 50 days? We break down Western and Ukrainian responses, but crucially also the reaction from Russian leaders and propagandists. Without giving too much away, the Russian reaction can be summarized as “so what”. It seems they have heard all these threats before, from stopping the war in 24 hours, to two weeks, two weeks, two weeks, two weeks. And now it’s 50 days; I don’t think they take the threat seriously. They still believe Trump is largely acting in their interests. Are they delusional to think so? Will this hubris and endless aggression eventually lead to the collapse of Russia? Let’s unpack all this in today’s episode – and Russians’ attitude to the war, “Why Stop…”.----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing Trump's 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia: Impacts and ReactionsIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the global reactions to Trump's 50-day ultimatum to Russia, promising military backing and increased sanctions. We explore the dismissive reaction from Russian leaders, responses from Western and Ukrainian politicians, and the skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of the ultimatum. The discussion covers potential outcomes, including increased Russian aggression, the impact on the Ukrainian conflict, and the broader implications for international relations. We also highlight calls for immediate action and a unified Western policy to counter Russia’s ongoing military strategies in Ukraine.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Provocative Question00:31 Trump's Ultimatum and Reactions01:57 Western and Ukrainian Responses02:33 Russian Dismissal and Propaganda05:26 European Disarray and Sanctions Debate06:23 Military Aid and Strategic Implications08:06 Russia's Summer Offensive11:39 Conclusion: The Need for Unified Action----------LINKS: https://x.com/JuliaDavisNews https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3072ezle7yo https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/16/politics/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-strategy-shift-analysis https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-trump-ukraine-war-ceasefire-ultimatum-sanctions-unacceptable/ https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-trump-zelenskyy-eb878d323d03656d9496d927ebb9e1c4 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/14/trump-gives-russia-50-days-to-resolve-ukraine-war-a89813 https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4015860-latvian-fm-urges-trump-to-impose-russia-sanctions-now-not-wait-50-days.html https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-latest-trump-to-announce-ukraine-weapons-plan-as-un-chief-visits-washington-12541713 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-trump-50-day-peace-deal-sanctions-b2789842.html https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/europe/putin-window-ukraine-war-trump-analysis-intl-hnk https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-50-day-deadline-russia/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/16/trump-sanctions-braze-latvia-00459093https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-medvedev-says-preemptive-strikes-against-west-could-be-needed-tass-2025-07-17/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/ukraine-war-briefing-weapons-will-be-europes-support-to-ukraine-not-trumps-kallas-suggestshttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trump-can-end-ukraine-war-with-secondary-sanctions-says-zelensky-aide-fcn7b8x2s ----------

Edition No191 | 17-07-2025 - Putin’s Economic Terminal Spiral — More Guns, No Butter, and Not Much of anything Else. This is what happens when you launch a war, alienate the civilized world, and try to run a dark-ages style empire on barrels of crude and a bunch of Telegram propagandists.Let’s dig into the quiet implosion of the Russian economy – rampant inflation, falsified numbers, and a military-industrial complex so bloated it's eating the country alive. Let’s start with the basics: Russia isn’t just in a war—it’s in a payment crisis. But unlike in the 1990s, the regime is denying it and trying to falsify economic figures to cover up the sale of the crisis. And unlike that 1990s, no one is coming to help in the West. Some presume that China and India will continue to support Russia, but those relationships are far shallower and more transactional than many assume. China will not be bailing out the Russian economy. ----------DESCRIPTION:Putin's Economic Terminal Spiral: The Imminent Collapse of Russia's EconomyThis episode delves into the severe economic crisis facing Russia as a result of its ongoing war and isolation from the global community. It explores rampant inflation, falsified economic data, and a massive military-industrial complex that's consuming the country's resources. With a focus on ghost payments, the depletion of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and the struggle to maintain civilian infrastructure, the video highlights the unsustainable financial bubble that Putin's regime has built. The episode also discusses the broader implications for Russia's future as Western sanctions bite harder and public discontent rises.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Series00:08 Putin's Economic Terminal Spiral00:50 The Quiet Implosion of the Russian Economy01:08 Russia's Payment Crisis02:34 The Ministry of Lies and Deferred Liabilities03:26 Military Spending and Civilian Struggles04:15 Inflation and Budget Deficit06:27 Western Sanctions and Import Substitution08:22 The Desperate Gamble08:46 Conclusion: The Looming Collapse----------LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w501eh8QGTQ&t=156s ----------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/----------

Edition No190 | 16-07-2025 - Brains Over Brute Force – Zaluzhnyi's Vision of Future WarfareGeneral Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, has written a foreword to the 2024 book by Ukrainska Pravda journalist Roman Romanyuk “What Will Be Used to Fight in World War III”. In it, he outlines his vision for the future of warfare and the trajectory of Russia’s War against Ukraine.The technological war of attrition — and how to prevail in it is the theme, and covers several important topic areas: - Technologies of the New War of Attrition- Examples from the Russia-Ukraine War- Forecasting the Next Phase of the Russia-Ukraine War- Challenges to Restoring Offensive Capability Amid Technological Parity- The New Era of Warfare: AI, Drones, and the Russia-Ukraine ConflictGeneral Valerii Zaluzhnyi is the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces and has emerged as one of the leading philosopher-generals of 21st-century warfare. A strategic thinker with unprecedented experience of modern warfare and the ferocious pace of change and innovation. He is also a deeply humane thinker that commanded the respect of his soldiers and officers and is well respected across Ukrainian society. ----------DESCRIPTION:Brains Over Brute Force: Why Russia's War Will Fail - General Valerii Zaluzhnyi's InsightsIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we analyze General Valerii Zaluzhnyi's perspective on why Russia's war will fail. The discussion delves into future warfare strategies, the shift from brute force to technological superiority, and the role of AI and drones. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, shares his insights on modern attritional warfare, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and technological innovation. This episode is grounded in his 2024 forward to Roman Romanyuk's book and focuses on Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. Join us to understand how future victories in war may be shaped by intelligence and cutting-edge technology.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:35 General Valerii Zaluzhnyi's Vision for Future Warfare02:26 Historical Perspective on Warfare03:32 Technological Advancements in Modern Warfare04:54 Ukraine's Tactical and Technological Edge06:10 Challenges and Future Strategies09:33 AI and Autonomous Warfare10:30 Ukraine's Path to Victory12:01 Conclusion: The New Doctrine of Warfare----------LINKS: https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2025/07/13/7521484/ https://russiaanalyzed.substack.com/p/general-zaluzhnyis-vision-for-the ----------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/----------

I’m speaking today with Yevhen Lyr, author of the novels, The God of the Steps (Євген Лір «Степовий бог») and The Flood. On June 6, 2023, the Kakhovka Dam in Russian-occupied Ukraine was destroyed, unleashing catastrophic flooding in Kherson and surrounding regions. It is widely believed to have been a deliberate act of ecocide by Russian forces. The Flood was inspired, provoked event by that act of barbarism and is a is a literary tapestry woven from real testimonies, documentary journalism, and fictional connectors. It centres on the aftermath of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam — an event that devastated parts of southern Ukraine and submerged Kherson in water and grief. The story follows a newcomer to the city, “the Clock smith,” who listens to and collects the stories of soldiers, volunteers, survivors, and locals. ----------LINKS:https://x.com/lyryevhenhttps://store.ukrainer.net/en/product/book-flood/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235824462-the-flood----------Yevhen Lyr Discusses 'The Flood': A Novel Inspired by Ukraine's TragedyIn this episode, we speak with Yevhen Lyr, author of 'The Flood,' a novel inspired by the catastrophic flooding following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Russian-occupied Ukraine on June 6, 2023. We discuss the real-life testimonies, documentary journalism, and fictional elements that make up his work. Yevhen Lyr shares his personal connection to Southern Ukraine, his experiences as a volunteer and soldier, and the importance of bearing witness through literature. The narrative follows a clocksmith who collects stories from those affected by the disaster. We also touch on the challenges of translating the novel into Ukrainian, the media's response to the dam’s destruction, and the vital role of culture in countering Russian propaganda.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Yevhen Lyr and His Novel 'The Flood'00:08 Background of the Kakhovka Dam Destruction01:52 Yevhen Lyr's Personal Connection to Ukraine04:48 The Challenges of Translating 'The Flood'05:52 Bearing Witness to Man-Made Disasters15:37 The Artistic and Cultural Losses21:04 The Symbolism in 'The Flood'39:56 The Role of Ukrainian Writers in Countering Propaganda45:42 Promoting 'The Flood' and Future Plans----------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.

Edition No189 | 15-07-2025 - Today’s episode, Trump’s 50‑day ultimatum to Putin, is this a serious threat, or another way of kicking the can down the street? We look at Russia’s looming summer offensive, and what it all means for Ukraine. Trump gave Putin “another 50 days… or else,” hinting at 100% secondary tariffs on Russia or its trading partners (The Daily Beast). He also unexpectedly cited Melania, and her caustic responses to him about how not serious Putin is about peace, repeatedly striking civilians. He admitted: “Putin’s talk of peace… doesn’t mean anything” (The Washington Post).At his Oval Office meeting with NATO’s Rutte, Trump said, “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him… We had a deal done four times… then… he attacked a nursing home in Kyiv” (The Guardian). Of course there was no deal, and no intention to honor it by Putin. ----------DESCRIPTION:Trump's 50-Day Ultimatum to Putin: Illusion of Action or Strategic Delay?In this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into Trump's recent 50-day ultimatum to Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Analysts have mixed views on whether this move signals real action or is merely a delay tactic. We break down the potential implications for both Russia's military strategies and Ukraine's pressing need for defense support. The discussion also covers the broader geopolitical consequences, including the role of international allies and the symbolic weight of Trump's deadline. Join us as we critically examine this complex situation and its impact on global politics.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Overview01:02 Trump's 50-Day Ultimatum to Putin02:14 Reactions and Criticisms05:02 Putin's Military Strategy and Implications07:30 Escalation of Attacks on Civilians09:38 Trump's Transactional Diplomacy15:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-gives-vladimir-putin-a-50-day-ultimatum-on-ukraine/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/14/trump-presidency-news/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/15/trump-putin-rutte-zelenskyy-ukraine-russia-europe-news-live-updateshttps://www.thesun.ie/news/15539566/trump-military-package-long-range-missiles-russia-ukriane/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasputitsahttps://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ukraine-prepares-russian-summer-offensivehttps://www.ft.com/content/ef899f3a-3f93-4aef-824a-ecdd75f6dcc0https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russias-coming-summer-offensive-could-be-deadliest-of-the-entire-war/https://jamestown.org/program/russian-mobilization-falls-short-ahead-of-putins-summer-offensive/https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-50-day-deadline-russia/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/putins-escalating-air-offensive-is-overwhelming-ukraines-defenses/ ----------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/----------