

Silicon Curtain
Jonathan Fink
Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/siliconcurtain/subscribe
A podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponised conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias.
1984, Authoritarian, Autocracy, Autocrat, Big Brother, Brainwashing, Cold war, Cold war propaganda, Communism, Conflict, Conspiracy theories, Control, Cults, Cyber warfare, Deception, Dictator, Dictatorship, Digital dystopia, Digital media, Disinformation, Echo chambers, Economic sanctions, Fascist, Fake news, Foreign correspondents, Foreign policy, Fossil fuel sanctions, George Orwell, History, Hybrid warfare, Industrial disinfo
A podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponised conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias.
1984, Authoritarian, Autocracy, Autocrat, Big Brother, Brainwashing, Cold war, Cold war propaganda, Communism, Conflict, Conspiracy theories, Control, Cults, Cyber warfare, Deception, Dictator, Dictatorship, Digital dystopia, Digital media, Disinformation, Echo chambers, Economic sanctions, Fascist, Fake news, Foreign correspondents, Foreign policy, Fossil fuel sanctions, George Orwell, History, Hybrid warfare, Industrial disinfo
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2025 • 44min
603. Zarina Zabrisky - Reporting on Russian Criminality - Propaganda Methods and a Resurgent Imperialism.
Zarina Zabrisky is an American writer based in the Bay Area, California. She is the author of the novel, We, Monsters, several collections of short stories, including Explosion, A Cute Tombstone and her debut work, Iron, and a book of collaborative poetry and art, Green Lions, co-written with Simon Rogghe. Zabrisky is currently based in Odesa, Ukraine. From the beginning of the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zabrisky has been reporting on the war in Ukraine for Euromaidan Press, Byline Times and A Community Alliance, and has been published in The Paris Review and various other publications. ----------LINKS:http://www.zarinazabrisky.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarina_Zabriskyhttps://euromaidanpress.com/author/zarinazabrisky/https://kyivindependent.com/author/zarina-zabrisky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/zarinazabrisky/----------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.

Feb 7, 2025 • 14min
Silicon Bites #93 - New Blow to Putin and Russian Army as Ukraine Advances in the Kursk Direction.
Edition No93 | 07-02-2025 - Ukraine has struck again in the Kursk direction, advancing up to 6km it is claimed. Russian reports described being struck ‘Like a Bolt from the Blue’, raising the question of preparedness of Russian troops and lack of effective monitoring of Ukrainian preparations. So far, the only information we have is from Russian Mil bloggers, and Z-patriots, so we need to be cautious about the details, as the Ukrainian side is observing tight operational silence. According to these sources, Ukrainian troops launched a surprise offensive in Kursk with 500 personnel and 50 armoured vehicles. It is alleged that gas pipelines were damaged and the strike comes as a blow to Russian control in the area, as well as to Putin image. ----------We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed in high definition for the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasBut it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv, and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will have an impact, so please help if you can. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------Kursk has become not just a significant meat grinder to sap Russia’s human resources, but a metal grinder, destroying huge amounts of Russian armour and kit. It is interesting to end this episode on some quotes and conclusions from the ISW report: - A small group of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast have complicated the Russian military's efforts to advance in Ukraine over the last six months. - Roughly a division's worth of Ukrainian troops has undermined the Russian military's ability to launch or renew offensive operations in lower-priority areas of the frontline and to reinforce priority efforts with elite airborne (VDV) and naval infantry units. - The Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast is a partial proof of concept of how limited Ukrainian battlefield activity that leverages vulnerabilities in Russia's warfighting capabilities and that integrates technological adaptations with mechanized manoeuvre can have theatre-wide impacts on operations. - It showed that surprise is still possible even on a partially transparent battlefield and that rapid manoeuvre is possible under the right conditions. The war in Ukraine, in other words, is not permanently stalemated. - Either side can potentially restore manoeuvre and begin to gain or regain significant territory. Russia will be able to do so if the West reduces or cuts off aid. Ukraine may be able to do so if Western support continues to empower Ukrainian innovation.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Feb 7, 2025 • 31min
620. Anna Danylchuk - Ukraine is Target of Full-scale War but Feels like the Least Divided Place on Earth
Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia’s war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------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 front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------OTHER VIDEOS WITH ANNA ON SILICON CURTAIN:15. https://youtu.be/o_gWfR5XPrE (20-Dec-24)14. https://youtu.be/EZRULDT06_k (13-Nov-24)13. https://youtu.be/GU4R5mcubIE (19-Sep-27)12. https://youtu.be/APTdfyqnyAI (15-Aug-24)11. https://youtu.be/xUsxXcc97m8 (03-Jun-24)10. https://youtu.be/eQ5fJCFATM0 (18-Apr-24)9. https://youtu.be/Y59nUd8B5pY (21-Feb-24)8. https://youtu.be/J8mge30rxY8 (24-Jan-24)7. https://youtu.be/XQJoTAAfxt4 (24-Dec-23)6. https://youtu.be/0gaK_5TEXXw (28-Nov-23)5. https://youtu.be/x0o1bn-1Yyc (29-Sep-23)4. https://youtu.be/Hm5_Yb3geQ4 (30-Aug-23)3. https://youtu.be/r0PNxM7Xyow (23-Feb-23)2. https://youtu.be/5AenntkSxIs (31-Dec-22)1. https://youtu.be/vPT6oZ1FOAw (21-Oct-22)----------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.

Feb 6, 2025 • 9min
Silicon Bites #92 - North Koreans Quit Kursk After Failing to Recapture the Region from Ukraine Army
Edition No92 | 06-02-2025 - North Koreans may have pulled out of front
line. At least this is the claim coming from officials in Ukraine.
Ukrainian special forces fighting in the Kursk region, which is where
Koreans are thought to be concentrated, told the BBC they have not seen
any North Korean troops there for the past three weeks. Ukraine's
Special Operations Forces (SOF) spokesperson, Colonel Oleksandr
Kindratenko, said it was likely they had pulled out after suffering
heavy losses. So just how upset is Jim Jong Un with Putin at this
humiliating blow?
----------
We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
Neither Russia nor North Korea release casualty figures or even admit
openly that those troops are fighting on Russian soil, but estimates
suggest that out of some 11,000 troops sent to fight, 1,000 had been
killed in just three months. Possibly far more are killed and injured.
If the speculation is true, it suggests significant North Korean
casualties, because of which they have been pulled off the front lines.
The concern among Ukrainian experts and Western officials is that the
withdrawal may not be permanent. There is a possibility of course, that
North Korean soldiers could return after receiving additional training,
and in far greater numbers. But the Russians would have to come up with
new ways of deploying them to avoid a repeat of such heavy casualties.
----------
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 front-line towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
NEWS SOURCES:
https://kyivindependent.com/north-korean-troops-not-seen-for-3-weeks-in-parts-of-kursk-oblast-ukraines-special-forces-say/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjder8zgk48o
https://www.politico.eu/article/north-korea-troops-removed-from-russia-ukraine-combat-seoul-spy-agency-nis-says/
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-strike-on-russian-command-post-kills-key-russian-north-korean-officers/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/15/north-korea-deployed-12000-troops-to-kursk-in-october-three-months-later-a-third-are-dead-or-wounded/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNkh5I_ZKQ4&t=472s
----------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
----------
TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
https://www.saveukraineua.org/
Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
https://superhumans.com/en/
UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in
Ukraine
https://unbroken.org.ua/
Come Back Alive
https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine
UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
https://u24.gov.ua/
Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
https://prytulafoundation.org
NGO “Herojam Slava”
https://heroiamslava.org/
kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and
Przemysl
https://kharpp.com/
NOR DOG Animal Rescue
https://www.nor-dog.org/home/
----------

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 37min
619. Volodymyr Yermolenko - Why Russia Attacks its Neighbours - Imperial Trauma that Triggers Violence.
Volodymyr Yermolenko is President of PEN Ukraine, the writers Union, and
Chief Editor of Ukraine World. He is one of Ukraine’s leading cultural
and intellectual figures, a philosopher, essayist, translator, Doctor of
Political Studies, candidate of philosophical sciences, and senior
lecturer at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. It is a great privilege to be in
conversation, especially here in Kyiv.
In this discussion, Yermolenko unpacks the complexities of Ukrainian
identity, the historical context of Russian-Ukrainian relations, and the
ongoing war. He explores themes of assimilation, imperialism, and the
role of language in shaping national identity, while also analyzing how
media narratives influence public perception.
----------
This event was co-hosted jointly by the Fog of War & Silicon Curtain
podcasts. Hosts: Yaroslava Bukhta and Jonathan Fink
📍 Recorded at the office of ICAP Yednannia
🎥 Filming & Editing: Vladyslav Mashkin, The Ukrainians Media
📢 Event Logistics & Communications: 9.Department & Veronika
Kobzysta
🔍 Key Topics:
✅ The historical roots of Russian-Ukrainian relations
✅ How language shapes identity and assimilation
✅ The role of media in shaping war narratives
✅ The cultural stakes of Ukraine’s fight for identity
✅ What this means for Europe’s future
📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth
conversations on Ukraine, media, and global affairs.
----------
00:00:00 - Introduction to the event and speaker
00:03:47 - Importance of memory and history in the Russian political project
00:04:32 - Discussion on the conscious effort to erase historical documents
00:05:26 - The symbolic significance of Chersones in Russian history
00:06:58 - The destruction of historical monuments in Crimea
00:08:04 - The role of legacy in European history
00:13:15 - The significance of language in shaping identity
00:14:41 - Language as a tool of imperialism and assimilation
00:20:58 - The challenge of conveying the reality of war to outsiders
00:28:56 - Discussion on genocide and reconciliation post-conflict
00:34:45 - The future of Europe and the rise of authoritarianism
00:50:20 - The balance between power and democracy in society
01:02:25 - The fight for Ukrainian identity as an anti-imperial struggle
01:06:26 - The role of culture in understanding and translating experiences
01:19:20 - The impact of media narratives on public perception
01:21:54 - Closing thoughts and reflections on the discussion
----------
🎧 Follow us on: Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2xj9aEHBbqc3VfH7mayJWB ApplePodcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fog-of-war/id1782306981
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fog_of_war_podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fogofwarpodcast/
----------
View Yaroslava’s profile Yaroslava Bukhta:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaroslava-bukhta/
https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/people/yaroslava-bukhta
https://www.ukrainer.net/authors/yaroslava-bukhta-2/
https://x.com/yaroslavabukhta https://www.facebook.com/yaroslava.bukhta/
----------
We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------

Feb 5, 2025 • 29min
612. Ingvald & Birds of Fury - Advances in Drone Warfare Protect Lives and Help Keep Ukraine in the Fight
Interview with Ingvald, member of the “BIRDS OF FURY” unit of the
Ukrainian armed forces.
A unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that uses the «Backfire» unmanned
aerial vehicle system
which has been specially designed to destroy enemy forces and equipment.
This drone can fly far beyond the front line, venting our fury on the
enemy, and return home to pick up a new payload.
The «Backfire» is immune to enemy radio electronic countermeasures, and
like us, is ready to unleash its rightful rage against our genocidal
invaders. However, we and our planes need your help to continue
destroying the Russian occupiers before they come knocking on your door.
----------
LINKS:
https://zlyizbir.org.ua/
https://zlyizbir.org.ua/en/
----------
We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
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 front-line towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
----------
TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
https://www.saveukraineua.org/
Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
https://superhumans.com/en/
UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in
Ukraine
https://unbroken.org.ua/
Come Back Alive
https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine
UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
https://u24.gov.ua/
Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
https://prytulafoundation.org
NGO “Herojam Slava”
https://heroiamslava.org/
kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and
Przemyśl
https://kharpp.com/
NOR DOG Animal Rescue
https://www.nor-dog.org/home/
----------
PLATFORMS:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon
Instagram: 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
----------
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.

Feb 5, 2025 • 16min
Silicon Bites #91 - Why are Moscow and Washington Pushing Ukraine to Hold Risky, Divisive Elections
Edition No91 | 05-02-2025 - About 8 months ago I spotted an uptick in
allusions to a certain narrative – the illegitimacy of Ukraine’s
president. His elected term formally ended in May 2024, but under the
country's martial law no election can be held. Let’s make this clear, it
would be unconstitutional and unlawful for Zelenskyy to call an
election. We’ll examine the impracticality of this later.
----------
We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
More than five years have now passed since May 20, 2019, when Zelensky
was sworn in to the Verkhovna Rada, and boldly stated: "Each of us is
president." He was elected with 73.2% of ballots cast by voters who
dreamt of change. Among his many promises of transformation was a key
one to negotiate an end to the war in the Donbas. He also committed to
end corruption, improve pensions, raise wages, and many other enticing
promises. Instead, what he and Ukraine got was war – full-scale, brutal
and destructive, imperial, genocidal, relentless.
The former comedian turned war leader has changed beyond recognition.
Physically of course the impact of war has been obvious. But he has also
matured into a great speaker, persuader and one of the most iconic war
leaders of history. His words have matured, his face has hardened, his
beard has grown. Zelensky now only appears in combat fatigues, an outfit
that has remained unchanged since the invasion of February 24, 2022.
----------
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 front-line towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
NEWS SOURCES:
https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ukraine-peace-elections/33303303.html
https://kyivindependent.com/us-urges-ukraine-to-hold-elections-after-ceasefire-trumps-envoy-tells-reuters/
https://unherd.com/newsroom/america-should-not-pressure-ukraine-into-elections/
https://news.sky.com/story/us-wants-ukraine-to-hold-elections-following-potential-ceasefire-trump-envoy-says-13301316
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-freak-out-us-russia-push-election/
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/05/23/volodymyr-zelensky-a-president-with-no-term-end_6672475_4.html
----------
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
----------

Feb 4, 2025 • 20min
Silicon Bites #90 - Orwellian 'Ministry of Efficiency' Mounts a 'Crypto Coup' Against US Governance.
Edition No90 | 04-02-2025 - Under the guise of bringing efficiency and
transparency to governance in the US is a coup under way? An
administrative takeover, a crypto coup by the leading luminary of the
tech brotherhood, Elon Musk? A nihilistic revolution eviscerating US
government institutions.
Some are starting to see patterns that indicate a hijack of the Federal
Government is in progress and being conducted virtually unchallenged.
You perhaps thought that Trump 1, after 2016 was chaotic, then buckle
up, because 2025 will be far wilder and stranger.
----------
We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
The newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” under Elon Musk,
is increasingly starting to look like an Orwellian choice of names. For
efficiency, read demolition of the basic functions of government, and a
paralysis in the process of governance.
Barely has the inauguration passed and attempts to decimate the federal
civil service are well in hand. But the consequences are being felt on a
global scale, as we just saw with the suspension of USAID that will
affect many hundreds of millions of people outside of the US.
----------
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 front-line towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
----------
NEWS SOURCES:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-156341494
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/02/elon-musk-doge-access-federal-payment-system
https://news.sky.com/story/senior-usaid-pair-suspended-after-refusing-elon-musks-doge-staff-access-to-secure-systems-13302165
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/02/politics/usaid-officials-leave-musk-doge/index.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/02/02/this-needs-to-stop-now-elon-musk-confirms-radical-doge-us-treasury-plan/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/18/tech-bros-trump-inauguration-silicon-valley-nation-state
https://news.sky.com/story/senior-usaid-pair-suspended-after-refusing-elon-musks-doge-staff-access-to-secure-systems-13302165
https://www.businessinsider.com/union-groups-sue-accuse-treasury-giving-doge-access-data-2025-2
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SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
https://www.saveukraineua.org/
Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
https://superhumans.com/en/
UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in
Ukraine
https://unbroken.org.ua/
Come Back Alive
https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine
UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
https://u24.gov.ua/
Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
https://prytulafoundation.org
NGO “Herojam Slava”
https://heroiamslava.org/
kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and
Przemysl
https://kharpp.com/
NOR DOG Animal Rescue
https://www.nor-dog.org/home/
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Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 30min
Live Stream with Jonathan MS Pearce - The Chaos of Geopolitics and Moving at the Speed of Ukraine
Kyiv stands firm, in the third year of the war. Our trip to Ukraine is
now over. ALL INTERVIEWS RECORDED and they’ve started appearing on the
channel. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen - your
generosity meant we could film everything that we planned. We hope these
materials will have an impact in helping to tell Ukraine's story, and
generate support for its cause. Everything will be published free on
Silicon Curtain throughout February.
We are still a little way off the funding target, and have some filming
and logistics expenses to cover. If you can, do please help us to get to
the target, and this will also help us to confidently plan the next
event.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras

Feb 3, 2025 • 12min
Silicon Bites #89 - EU Debates Resumption of Gas Supplies from Russia (or their Total Capitulation).
Edition No89 | 03-02-2025 - This episode is all about energy –
especially gas supply to Europe. Rumours abound that the EU is
considering renewing gas purchases from Russia as part of a Ukraine
peace deal. Where do we even start with this unbelievably misguided,
opportunistic, immoral and strategically brain-dead idea? Dependence on
Russian gas is what led Putin to believe he could invade a sovereign
European nation in the first place and coerce all the others to just
tolerate that.
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We ran two events in Ukraine in the last two weeks. Lviv (part 2) and
Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a
great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two
events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed
in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was £3,500 for Live in Lviv,
and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are
higher, and there's less opportunity to sell tickets at the available
venues and studios, so I'm creating a campaign to raise £5,000 to make
this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to
film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will
have an impact, so please help if you can.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
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Allegedly, EU officials are discussing the potential resumption of gas
purchases via a Russian pipeline as part of a potential settlement of
the Russia-Ukraine war. This was reported by the Financial Times
reported on Jan. 30, citing undisclosed sources.
The proposal's advocates, including Hungarian and German officials (of
course), argue the move could give both Russia and Europe incentives to
maintain a peace deal while stabilizing the continent's energy market,
the outlet wrote. And this based on the theory that Russia was so
trustworthy the first time round, through the Budapest Memorandum and
Minsk Accords, that we should have another go at surrendering our
security to the tyrant in the Kremlin? Such logic also assumes that the
Russian leadership are economically and politically rational and ignore
the clear imperialistic and genocidal motivations behind the war of
aggression.
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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 front-line towns.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
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NEWS SOURCES:
https://kyivindependent.com/eu-denies-any-ties-between-russian-gas-purchases-and-peace-talks-over-war-in-ukraine/
https://kyivindependent.com/eu-mulls-restarting-russian-gas-purchases-as-part-of-ukraine-peace-deal-ft-reports/
https://www.ft.com/content/a19aa690-fb54-41ea-9885-10972b11ab24
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-block-eu-russia-sanctions-next-time-unless-ukraine-gas-transit-resumes-2025-01-31/
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-lets-russian-gas-slip-again-in-new-sanctions-package/
https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-europe-gas-transit-ukraine-replace-cyprus/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/20/donald-trump-tells-eu-buy-more-us-oil-gas-tariffs
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SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain
https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain
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