Silicon Curtain

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/----------

This conversation was recorded before Russia's drone strike on Poland. But in the conversation we speculate that just such an incident is becoming an inevitable part of the Kremlin's escalating aggression and probing of Western defenses and resolve. ----------Today I’m speaking with Operator Starsky, a former Ukrainian National Guardian, blogger, and inspiration for everyone who is following the war, and supporting a Ukrainian victory. He has created one of the most popular and original YouTube channels dedicated to the international community. I’m not sure you need an introduction – I’m sure most people watching this channel will have seen your videos! ----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@PropagandaStudyInstitutehttp://psi-eu.org/https://www.youtube.com/@StarskyUA----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION: Disrupting Disinformation: The Urgent Need for Resilient SocietiesIn this illuminating conversation, the host and Operator Starsky reconvene to discuss the pressing issues surrounding disinformation, focusing on a recent move by the U.S. Department of State to dismantle a 22-country agreement aimed at combating Russian, Chinese, and Iranian misinformation. They highlight the severe implications of this decision for national security and counter-intelligence efforts. The conversation turns to the lamentable yet strategic nature of disinformation campaigns and their harmful impacts and stresses the necessity for robust countermeasures. The discussion also delves into Ukraine's ongoing struggle and how the nation has remarkably adapted to external threats by enhancing its defensive and offensive capabilities, including the development of advanced drones and missiles like Flamingo. The societal and geopolitical impacts are examined, with specific focus on how international communities can provide better support against such pervasive threats. The episode wraps up with a poignant reminder of the unyielding resilience of the Ukrainian people amid these extraordinary challenges.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Recap00:42 Breaking News: Disinformation Agreement Annulled01:57 The Threat of Russian Disinformation04:57 Propagandists and Justice08:11 Film Recommendation: Kiev of Mine11:02 Escalation in Ukraine13:31 Trump's Impact on Ukraine28:54 Ukraine's Resilience and Innovation36:03 Escalating Fuel Crisis in Russia38:18 Historical Context and Comparisons40:20 Russian Air Defense and Strategic Targets44:00 Internal Russian Politics and Potential Coups46:58 Ukraine's Strategic Strikes and International Support52:35 Impact of Sanctions on Russian Aviation58:52 Western Perceptions of Russia01:04:16 Historical Atrocities and Misconceptions01:08:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------

Keir Giles has spent his career watching, studying, and explaining Russia. Keir’s work has appeared in a wide range of academic and military publications across Europe and in North America, and he is a regular contributor and commentator on Russian affairs for international print and broadcast media. He works with the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), a group of deep subject matter experts on Eurasian security formerly attached to the British Ministry of Defence. He is a regular contributor to research projects on Russian security issues in the U.S., UK, and Europe.----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER - A 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 frontline towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing Russian Drone Incursions in Poland: Intentional Act or Accident?In this episode, we delve into the recent incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace, a significant event post-World War II. The discussion examines the implications of such actions, including NATO's response and the invocation of Article Four. Our expert guest provides insights into the potential motivations behind Russia's actions, the role of Belarus, and the complexities of electronic warfare. We also explore the broader context of Russia's provocations against Western resolve, the potential for escalatory steps, and the future of NATO's response strategy. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the geopolitical tensions and the strategic calculations involved.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:54 Recent Drone Incursion in Poland02:17 NATO's Response and Article Four04:24 Kremlin Signaling and Intent12:17 Electronic Warfare and Drone Behavior16:02 Potential Escalation and Western Response20:30 Belarus' Role and Sanctions22:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------BOOKS:Who Will Defend Europe? An Awakened Russia and a Sleeping Continent (2024)Order Keir's new book: https://amzn.to/4cFI1b6Russia's War on Everybody: And What it Means for You (2022)Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West (2019)The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy (2017)The State of the NATO-Russia Reset (2011)Potential Challenges to Public Order and Social Stability in the Russian Federation (2011)----------LINKS:Order Keir's new book: https://amzn.to/4cFI1b6https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/keir-gileshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keir_Gileshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/keir-giles-499a489/----------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.org----------

Edition No245 | 10-09-2025 - Poland has triggered NATO Article 4, in what is being interpreted by informed commentators as a significant sub-threshold escalation by Russia’s, and explicit threat Europe and the NATO alliance, as well as marking the war’s widening arc. Poland says a mass of Russian “drone-type objects” broke into its airspace as Moscow hammered Ukraine. Polish and allied jets — including Dutch F-35s — scrambled and shot several down. Warsaw shut airports, ordered people indoors, and did something only anticipated in the gravest moments: invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. “Last night the Polish airspace was violated by a huge number of Russian drones. Those drones that posed a direct threat were shot down,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote. (Associated Press via NPR/OPB, Sept. 10, 2025)The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called it “the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began,” adding that “indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.” (Reuters, Sept. 10, 2025; ABC News, Sept. 10, 2025) This is no isolated scare. It fits a pattern: missiles and drones “straying” into NATO skies, GPS jamming from Kaliningrad, and the return of Zapad, Russia’s most confrontational military drills with Belarus. Tonight, we map the pattern, the risks, and what comes next. (AP News, Defence News, Chatham House)----------SOURCES: https://kyivindependent.com/poland-asks-nato-to-invoke-article-4-over-russian-drone-incursion/https://kyivindependent.com/nato-jets-scrambled-as-poland-reacts-to-suspected-russian-drones-during-strikes-on-ukraine/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-drones-poland-nato/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/sep/10/poland-pm-condemns-repeated-violation-of-airspace-amid-russian-attack-on-ukraine-follow-livehttps://news.sky.com/story/russian-drones-may-have-been-testing-nato-but-how-will-it-respond-13428012https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5495514-poland-russia-drones-shot-down/https://www.ft.com/content/0dc73556-67f2-4f48-b0ad-53f183a05df3https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-scrambles-fighters-shoots-down-russian-drones-after-airspace-violations-ukraine-warning/https://cepa.org/article/russias-zapad-2025-an-exercise-in-hostility/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/09/02/russias-zapad-drill-has-europe-on-edge-about-low-key-attacks/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/zapad-2025-what-russia-belarus-military-exercise-will-reveal-about-lukashenkas-intentionshttps://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/09/09/poland-to-close-border-with-belarus-ahead-of-zapad-2025-military-drills-a90474----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

James Nixey was lead at the Russia-Eurasia programme at Chatham House, and his principal expertise concerns the relationships between Russia and the other post-Soviet states. He has published papers and articles in books and journals and commented extensively in the national and global media. He has also organised hundreds of private expert round tables on Russian and Eurasian affairs while at Chatham House. Publications include The Long Goodbye: Waning Russian Influence in The South Caucasus and Central Asia, Putin Again: Implications for Russia and the West, and many others.----------LINKS:https://x.com/jamesnixey?lang=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-nixey/----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Understanding Russia's Intentions: A Deep Dive with James NixeyIn this episode, Jonathan chats with James Nixey, former head of the Russia Eurasia program at Chatham House. They delve into Russia's relations with post-Soviet states, the miscalculations made by Western leaders about Russia's aims, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conversation also touches on the cultural, political, and even psychological factors driving Russian policy. Additionally, Jonathan highlights the importance of the 'Kyiv of Mine' film series, which chronicles life in Ukraine from before the war to the present day. This insightful discussion sheds light on the broader implications of Russia's actions for global stability and Western values.----------CHAPTERS: 03:06 The Russian Perspective on Winning04:03 Russia's Endless Campaign06:31 Ukraine's Struggle and Western Response09:04 Personal Recommendation: Kiev of Mine12:17 Trump and Putin: A Comparison15:10 Russia's Influence and Global Perception23:28 Lessons from the Cold War25:43 Questioning Our Values and Convictions27:45 Escalation and Boundaries28:41 The Threat of Authoritarianism in Europe29:43 The Role of Culture and Nationalism33:53 Long-term Strategies of Russia and China42:41 The Weaponization of Russian Culture48:27 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action----------

Edition No244 | 09-09-2025 - America steps back from resisting information warfare and foreign interference, just as the barrage from unfriendly actors intensifies. Nothing screams sovereignty like allowing disingenuous foreign influence to pollute your information sphere. Today, the United States just unplugged part of its information defense grid — ending joint anti-disinformation pacts with 22 partner countries. The timing? Perfect, if you’re the Kremlin, Beijing, or Tehran, that is. We’ll explain what exactly was shut down, how it fits a broader rollback of U.S. defenses against foreign information and cyber-operations, why science and media are squarely in the crosshairs as well, and what adversaries are doing right now to flood our feeds, weaken trust in our institutions and fracture our democracies. Late on September 8–9, 2025, European governments received formal notice from the U.S. State Department: Washington is terminating memorandum of understanding that underpinned a common playbook for spotting and exposing foreign disinformation from Russia, China, and Iran. ----------SOURCES: https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/09/09/u-s-tells-europe-it-s-withdrawing-from-joint-effort-to-combat-foreign-disinformation-including-russia-shttps://kyivindependent.com/us-steps-back-from-joint-efforts-to-combat-misinformation-ft-reports/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/09/science-under-siege-weaponised-disinformation-michael-mann-peter-hotezhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-europe-russia-disinformation-memorandum-b2823146.htmlhttps://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/09/9/7529949/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/business/russia-disinformation-trump.htmlhttps://www.ft.com/content/d31b56e3-aca9-4ee7-af5a-abec74830455https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/business/russia-disinformation-trump.html ----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Today I’m speaking with Operator Starsky, a former Ukrainian National Guardian, blogger, and inspiration for everyone who is following the war, and supporting a Ukrainian victory. He has created one of the most popular and original YouTube channels dedicated to the international community. I’m not sure you need an introduction – I’m sure most people watching this channel will have seen your videos! ----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@PropagandaStudyInstitutehttp://psi-eu.org/https://www.youtube.com/@StarskyUA----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION: Ukraine's Counter-Propaganda Efforts & Russian Military TacticsIn this interview, we are joined by operator Starsky, a Ukrainian Guardsman and prominent voice countering Russian propaganda in the West. The discussion covers a variety of important topics, including the current state of the war in Ukraine, Russia's military strategies and troop buildup, the use of unconventional vehicles like motorbikes and golf carts, and the effects and implications of Russian propaganda. Additionally, the conversation delves into how the West can protect itself from Russian aggression, the role of Trump in enabling Putin, and the dangerous reality of appeasement strategies within European diplomacy. Starsky also provides insights into the distorted information within Russian elites and the ongoing efforts of Russia to paint itself positively on the global stage.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:12 Current Situation in Ukraine05:57 Russian Military Tactics and Strategies12:59 Putin's Delusions and Propaganda16:40 European and American Perspectives31:13 Russian Propaganda and Image Laundering----------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.org----------

Edition No243 | 07-09-2025 - Is the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Already Unravelling?Europe promises a “reassurance force” for Ukraine — someday — while Moscow says any such troops would be “legitimate targets for targeting and destruction.” Meanwhile, trial-balloons about Chinese or even UN peacekeepers drift across the news cycle like other-worldly experimental weather balloons cut adrift. Global diplomacy resembles nothing more than some geopolitical Area 52 – an absurd landscape full of rumours, secrets, conspiracies, and various unreal things. Is this strategy of the absurd… or strategic stalling? Let’s get into it.The big Paris headline sounded impressive: French President Emmanuel Macron said twenty-six nations had pledged to provide post-war security guarantees to Ukraine, including an international force on land, at sea, and in the air. But there’s one crucial detail that needs to be called out: post-war. The (theoretical) force deploys only “the day after the conflict stops.” (Reuters)The Associated Press spelled it out: “26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a ‘reassurance force’… once fighting ends.” (AP, Sept. 4, 2025). Note the use of the phrase reassurance, rather than deterrence. It sounds non-committal and non-specific. Who is it reassuring, Western electorates and politicians themselves? Probably not the Ukrainians who have been hardened by Western weakness, betrayal and hypocrisy over the last two decades. That’s reassurance with a deferral clause, and one which lacks deterrence power for the country that matters, Russia. ----------SOURCES: AP (Sept. 4, 2025): “26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a ‘reassurance force’… once fighting ends.” Reuters (Sept. 5, 2025): Putin: “these will be legitimate targets for destruction.” Washington Post (Updated Sept. 4, 2025): Russian MFA: Russia “is not going to discuss in any format any idea of foreign military intervention, which is unacceptable and undermines any security.”Reuters (Sept. 4–5, 2025): NATO SecGen Mark Rutte: “Why are we interested in what Russia thinks about troops in Ukraine? It’s a sovereign country.”Al Jazeera (Aug. 12, 2025): Zelenskyy: “He is definitely not preparing for a ceasefire.” EuromaidanPress/Welt (Aug. 23, 2025): China “ready to send peacekeepers… if deployed “on the basis of a United Nations (UN) mandate.” ----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

I join Jonathan MS Pearce around minute 34. Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce - China's role in supporting the war, the weakness of the US in putting pressure on Putin, Flamingo missile system, and issues in the Russian economy. ----------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/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------DESCRIPTION:Explosive Updates: US Politics, Ukraine War, and Farage’s Treasonous Acts!Join Jonathan and team as they navigate through the whirlwind of global politics in this explosive episode! Discover shocking revelations about RFK Junior's disastrous Congress hearing, the strategic moves in the Ukraine War, and the seismic shifts in European politics. Learn about Nigel Farage's controversial trip to the US, tech authoritarians' influence on UK politics, and the looming threats from Russia and China's geopolitical maneuvers. An unmissable deep dive into the hottest current affairs!----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Apologies01:09 RFK Junior's Congressional Hearing01:53 Green Party's New Direction02:39 Updates on the War in Ukraine03:44 Putin's Statements and Actions06:08 Analysis of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Meeting08:23 Perceptions of Global Powers15:44 Trump's Stance on Sanctions and Relations23:57 European Leaders' Frustrations with Trump41:24 Poland and Czechia's Political Shifts42:34 Concerns About the UK's Political Landscape43:31 Sanctions and Political Leverage in Europe44:27 Hungary's Political Future and Election Concerns46:23 Nigel Farage's Congressional Appearance50:17 Free Speech and Media Control59:26 Farage's Hypocrisy and Political Maneuvering01:17:20 Data Security Breach and Russian Involvement01:23:56 Positive Developments on the Ukrainian Front01:24:38 Ukraine's Strategic Victories and Russia's Failures01:26:53 Ukraine's Tactical Strikes and Command Node Targeting01:28:04 The Role of Missiles and Drones in Ukraine's Defense01:28:57 The Impact of Attrition and Industrial Logistics01:35:15 Ukraine's Systematic Degradation of Russian Air Defenses01:39:02 Political Dynamics and International Support01:55:09 Fundraising and Community Support for Ukraine----------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.org-----------

Edition No242 | 06-09-2025 - Europe gears up—again—for tougher sanctions on Russia but always seems to keep one foot on the brake at the same time as the accelerator. In Paris, the U.S. envoy, Witless Witkoff stormed in, then stormed out again, of a high stakes meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders. And in Washington, the Trump White House talks tough, yet holds back on hitting Putin directly — every single time – while scolding Europe about Russian oil that still seeps in through economic cracks. Let’s connect the dots, call out the pressures, and say the quiet part out loud: neither Europe, nor the U.S. have done anything that has real deterrence power. No wonder Putin is intent on continuing his war, with a sense of complete impunity. Europe’s Sanctions Jitters, Paris Drama, and the Fine Art of Trump ManagementFirst the good news: Europe does understand the threat. After a Paris summit of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” European Council President António Costa confirmed that a team is flying to Washington to co-write a joint Russia sanctions package—explicitly including secondary sanctions in the draft. His words in Uzhhorod were unambiguous: “We are working with the U.S. and other partners to intensify our pressure through additional sanctions, both direct and secondary sanctions.” (Kyiv Independent, Sept. 5, 2025) Ukrainska Pravda reported the same: Brussels has already begun work on the next package and is sending a team to coordinate it with U.S. counterparts. (Українська правда)----------SOURCES: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-delegation-us-prepare-joint-sanctions-russia-ukraine-war/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/09/5/7529510/https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-announces-upcoming-talks-with-trump-on-strengthening-sanctions-against-russia/https://kyivindependent.com/europe-sends-team-to-washington-to-work-on-russia-sanctions-eu-council-chief-says/https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/inflection-points/its-time-for-trump-to-put-maximum-pressure-on-putin/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/01/why-does-trump-hold-back-on-punishing-russia-and-putin.htmlhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-02/us-holds-back-china-trade-threats-as-it-weighs-russia-sanctionshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g7dze5n1vohttps://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/witkoff-walks-out-of-coalition-of-willing-1756986589.html----------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----------DESCRIPTION: Europe's Sanctions & America's Mixed Signals: The Real StoryIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we dissect the fraught geopolitical landscape between the US, Europe, and Russia. Explore how Europe prepares for tougher sanctions against Russia while simultaneously trying to avoid economic disruptions. Understand the discrepancy between the strong rhetoric from the Trump administration and its actual actions. Get insights into Paris meetings, American diplomatic stunts, and the rumored hidden agendas behind political maneuverings. Discover why Europe's cautious approach and Washington's indecisive stance might be giving Putin a strategic advantage in the ongoing war. Learn what actions are urgently needed to create a significant deterrent and pressure on Russia, and why Europe may need to take the lead without waiting for U.S. cooperation.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:28 Europe's Sanction Dilemma03:21 US and Europe's Mixed Signals04:55 Paris Drama and Diplomatic Tensions09:12 Washington's Paradox and Critique12:54 Europe's Strategy and Trump's Influence15:46 Conclusion and Future Steps----------