Silicon Curtain

Edition No175 | 01-07-2025 - This is an episode based on Putin’s recent speech -perhaps the most perverse and rambling one he has ever made. After listening to it, we must ask – has Vladimir Putin lost the plot? Following the EAEU summit in Minsk, Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russian journalists on June 27, 2025. This was perhaps the least consequential set of ramblings he’s made to date, yet the speech is of great consequence. Because it seems that his brain is now totally dominated by a mixture of resentment, lies and delusions. As Vlad Vexler has insight-fully pointed out in a recent video, Putin seemed not to be addressing the world in his responses, nor an internal audience, nor the so-called Russian elite. Rather, this sounded like an internal monologue, unfiltered and unvarnished. It was also deeply unhinged. ----------"They’ll Die Themselves Soon” Putin said of Europe. Is this because he is trying hard to bring this about, or he fervently believes it will happen? A kind of ‘inevitable’ historical mythology, something like Marxism? Putin’s speech was part war cry, part peace overture, and entirely delusional. Putin once again took to the stage — not to chart a path to peace, but to perform a geopolitical pantomime: a speech to no one in particular, the world, his own people? It contained within it two rhetorical tricks. Yes, Putin is more than a one trick donkey. The first, menace, the other, misdirection.----------DESCRIPTIONPutin's Delusional Speech and Global Reactions: Analysis and ImplicationsIn this episode, we delve into Vladimir Putin's recent speech at the EAEU summit in Minsk on June 27th, 2025. The speech, marked by delusional claims and unfiltered rhetoric, raises questions about Putin's state of mind and strategic intentions. We analyze his assertions about Russia's position in the Ukraine war, his dismissive remarks about the West, and his unexpected admiration for Donald Trump. The episode also covers the global reactions, including responses from European leaders and NATO, who see through Putin's manipulative strategies. Key themes such as Putin's distorted portrayal of Russia as a victim, his misleading economic claims, and his call for peace under Russian terms are critically examined. This episode underscores the urgent need for unity and decisive action in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.----------CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:36 Putin's Delusional Speech Overview02:01 Key Points from Putin's Speech03:48 Putin's Manipulative Tactics06:16 International Reactions to Putin's Speech07:37 Economic and Military Realities09:52 Putin's Continued Aggression and Delusions11:33 Summary and Analysis of Putin's Speech22:02 Final Thoughts and Implications----------LINKS: http://www.en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/77316 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-russia-plans-cut-military-spending-next-year-2025-06-27/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/06/28/7519200/https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/27/west-keeps-trying-to-bury-russia-but-they-will-die-themselves-soon-says-putin-in-new-speech/----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain----------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----------

Edition No174 | 30-06-2025 - Today we go into a catastrophe unfolding right now, and in fact for a few months, that is largely unnoticed —far from cameras, beyond headlines, in the Siberian wilderness. “Let it burn” has become Russia’s unofficial policy towards vast wildfires that started early this year, from February onwards, in Siberia. Putin has focused the country’s resources on stealing territory from its neighbour Ukraine, and setting its cities on fire, rather than tackle the flames in its own backyard. The resulting destruction and pollution are a threat on a planetary scale. Russia is truly the arsonist of countries. Massive wildfires are tearing across Russia’s Far East, igniting forests, choking cities, and once again exposing the brittle infrastructure of a government prioritizing war over life. And yes, we’ve seen this before. Last year, and the year before. But this year is different, because of the scale, and because of the amount of people and resources diverted into the war.----------DESCRIPTIONRussia's Burning Lands: Unseen Environmental CatastropheIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into Russia's uncontrollable wildfires raging across Siberia. These fires, which began in February, are causing massive destruction and pollution due to the Russian government's negligence, as military spending takes precedence. With over 1.4 million hectares burned, entire regions are under toxic haze, exposing the brittle infrastructure and mismanagement of fire control efforts. The situation exacerbates global climate challenges, turning carbon sinks into sources. As the crisis worsens, the episode highlights the urgent need to address Russia's internal issues and the broader environmental impact.----------CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Overview00:17 Support for Ukraine and Fundraising Efforts00:48 The Unfolding Catastrophe in Siberia01:53 The Scale and Impact of the Wildfires03:35 Government Response and Budget Issues04:31 The Human and Environmental Toll05:45 Global Implications and Future Outlook06:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/13/in-photos-wildfires-tear-across-russias-far-east-a89061https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/11/major-fires-in-siberia-far-east-mark-ominous-start-to-russias-2025-wildfire-season-a88683 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/14/europe/russia-wildfires-rage-siberia-region-intl-latam https://kyivindependent.com/massive-forest-fires-break-out-in-russias-far-east-buryatia-declares-regional-emergency/ https://theins.ru/en/society/279838 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2054586/russia-state-emergency-buryatia-wildfires ----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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----------

Analyzing Putin's Miscalculations and the Western Response – A Discussion with Lt. Gen. (retired) Ben HodgesIn this episode, former Lieutenant General Ben Hodges joins the host to discuss Vladimir Putin's belief in the inevitability of Russia's triumph over Europe and the flaws in that thinking. They dive deep into the current state of the Russian military, its geopolitical strategies, and the significance of the West's response. Hodges outlines the importance of economic measures and political will to help Ukraine defend itself. The discussion also covers the influence of Trump’s policies, the misjudgment of Russia’s mass by historical tyrants, and potential strategic moves by Ukraine. The talk wraps up with insights into the weakening of U.S. military institutions and the need for retired military leadership to speak out.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Current State of Western Resolve00:27 Putin's Misconceptions and European Defense01:06 Guest Introduction: Lt. General Ben Hodges02:13 Strategic Implications of Putin's Beliefs05:21 Economic and Military Strategies Against Russia10:10 Ukraine's Resilience and Future Strategies16:02 The Role of Western Support and Sanctions19:14 Potential Outcomes and Historical Comparisons22:51 Putin's Escalation Tactics and Western Response26:25 Challenges in Western Unity and Action30:46 Concerns About US Military and Political Integrity33:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------Putin in a recent rambling speech seems surprised the West has not collapsed yet. According to his mythologised version of history, the West is decadent and ripe for implosion, it is an inevitability in his mind. So why is Europe raising defence spending to 5% of GDP and why are Russian armies failing to deliver victories in Ukraine. His finances are catastrophic, his resources are stretched, his military capability weakening, and his regime getting more brittle. But he clings to the inevitability of triumph. ----------Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Center for European Policy Analysis, specializing in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security. ----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/general_benhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hodges https://cepa.org/author/ben-hodges/ https://warsawsecurityforum.org/speaker/hodges-ben-lt-gen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172/ ----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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----------

First-Hand Insight into Ukraine War: Interview with Stephen HumphreysIn this episode, Stephen Humphreys, a US attorney who has spent significant time in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion, shares his experiences and observations. He discusses the escalating situation, the impact of Russian attacks on cities like Odesa and Kyiv, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Humphreys also highlights his efforts in communicating these realities to an American audience and his ongoing work on legal actions related to war crimes. Additionally, the episode explores the challenges faced by local Ukrainian media professionals and the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.----------Birmingham attorney Stephen Humphreys has spent considerable periods of time during the full-scale war in Ukraine mainly working on war crimes investigations, volunteering to help train Ukrainian armed forces, and teaching law and history at the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Meeting Stephen Humphreys00:32 Crowdfunding for Ukrainian Aid01:03 Stephen's Experience in Ukraine02:09 Escalation of Russian Attacks04:03 American Volunteers and Media Coverage05:17 Disinformation and Political Narratives09:10 Communicating the Ukrainian Crisis16:08 Legal Actions and Media Accountability30:57 War Crimes and Future Plans33:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS:https://www.al.com/news/2023/07/guest-opinion-in-ukraine-to-help-alabama-man-finds-hope-for-home.html----------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 No173 | 29-06-2025 - Today we’re focusing on Ukraine’s northeastern front, where the Kremlin’s started this summer’s offensive, which is already burning out in the fields and woods of Sumy. ‘50,000 Russian troops pinned down' it’s claimed — as Ukraine halts the enemy’s advance in Sumy Oblast, as Russia’s summer campaign gets underway. "Based on the results of May and June, we can say that this year's wave of the enemy's summer offensive from Russian territory is faltering," Syrskyi said, reporting that Russian troops in the northeastern border region had been stopped.----------After weeks of more intense Russian operations, Ukraine’s military says it has stalled Moscow’s advance in Sumy Oblast. According to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, "the enemy's offensive actions have been halted," with Russian forces “trying to gain a foothold on the lines they have reached,” but finding themselves checked by coordinated Ukrainian resistance. This is a serious failure, and a moment of reckoning for Putin’s senseless invasion of Ukraine. The money is running out to fund his war machine, and if that same rabble army fails to make significant gains on the ground, then to all intents and purposes, it’s over for Putin. This is a moment to savour, but we must not make light of it. Because this victory is hard won by Ukraine and comes at the price of viscous fighting and terrible loss and trauma.----------DESCRIPTIONUkraine Halts Russian Offensive in Sumy: A Detailed AnalysisIn this episode of 'Silicon Bites,' we delve into the failure of Russia's latest offensive in Sumy Oblast, part of their broader summer campaign. Despite mounting pressure, Ukrainian forces have successfully halted and even begun reversing Russian advances. We discuss key moments, including significant battles near Velyka Pysarivka and Ukrainian counterstrikes that have strategically weakened Russian forces. The episode highlights the resilience and strategic prowess of the Ukrainian military, the importance of drone technology, and the broader implications for the ongoing conflict. Tune in for an in-depth look at the situation on Ukraine's Northeastern Front and what it means for both Ukraine and Russia moving forward.----------CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:38 Ukraine's Northeastern Front: The Stalled Russian Offensive02:36 Key Battles and Strategic Wins for Ukraine04:15 Russian Tactical Failures and Ukrainian Counteroffensive05:18 The Role of Drones and Technological Edge07:31 Ukrainian Resilience and Strategic Maneuvers09:59 Conclusion: Ukraine's National Ethos and Future Outlook----------LINKS: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-halts-russian-advance-in-sumy-syrskyi-says-summer-offensive-faltering-06-2025/ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-sumy-russia-commander-advance-b2777545.html https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/27/ukraine-sumy-ambush-commander-killed-hq-seized/ https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/06/26/ukraine-s-top-commander-says-russian-offensive-in-sumy-region-has-stalled https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4008469-ukrainian-paratroopers-capture-15-russian-soldiers-in-sumy-region.html----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Ukraine Matters: Analyzing NATO Summit & Defense Strategies with Georgijs Ivanovs Georgijs, the founder of the Ukraine Matters channel, discusses the latest developments in NATO's support for Ukraine, defense spending, and Ukraine's innovative wartime strategies. Topics include the impact of European funding, the production of military supplies within Ukraine, and the evolving dynamics of drone and missile warfare. The conversation also addresses the potential for Russian economic collapse, the inefficiencies within Russian military tactics, and the broader geopolitical implications of the ongoing war. Georgijs emphasizes the importance of supporting Ukrainian production and the strategic use of resources to counter Russian advancements. Additionally, the discussion touches on the role of AI in modern warfare and the significance of adapting to rapidly changing battlefield technologies.----------Georgijs Ivanovs started the Ukraine Matters channel in 2007, and it has garners 11.5 m views. He started the channel to explain the situation surrounding the war in Ukraine in simple terms. Like myself, he is not Ukrainian, nor is he a military expert. But he has been to Ukraine many times and seen it almost fully (except for Odesa region). He has a lot of good friends in Ukraine, and in fact his wife is Ukrainian, and so feels extremely connected to the invasion that scaled up in February 2022. ----------LINKS: @UkraineMatters  ----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Ukraine Matters01:32 NATO Summit Highlights03:04 European Support and Danish Model 2.007:39 Drone Warfare and Innovations10:33 Ukraine's Missile Capabilities16:15 Economic and Military Outlook21:53 Potential Endgame Scenarios26:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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 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----------

Edition No172 | 28-06-2025 - In the early hours of June 27, Ukraine struck deep inside Russian territory — again. According to Ukrainian defence officials and corroborated by open-source intelligence, long-range drones hit four Russian Su-34 tactical bombers parked at the Marinovka air base in Russia’s Volgograd region. Ukraine once again shows its capability to pull of daring and ambitious raids, deep inside Russian territory. Dramatic, and embarrassing for the Russians.The Marinovka air base airbase in central Russia's Volgograd Region is some 900 km (550 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Hitting it is an extraordinary achievement. These aren’t symbolic strikes. The Su-34s have been the backbone of Moscow’s aerial bombardment campaign — launching deadly glide bombs into Ukrainian towns and front-line positions. Destroying them isn’t just a tactical win — it’s strategic payback. It’s destroying the assets which are vital to Moscow’s terror campaign against Ukrainian cities and civilians.----------LINKS: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraine-says-it-hits-four-warplanes-russias-volgograd-region-2025-06-27/ https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/06/27/ukraine-launches-new-long-range-drone-strikes-at-russian-military-airfield-targeting-tactical-warplanes https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4009145-ukraine-hits-four-russian-su34-warplanes-at-marinovka-airbase.html https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/06/27/7519134/ ----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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/-----------

Donald Bacon is an American politician and retired military officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since 2017. During his 29 years in the United States Air Force, he commanded wings at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha, Nebraska, before retiring as a brigadier general in 2014. Bacon has been described as a maverick for his opposition to the isolationist and protectionist policies proposed by Donald Trump, who has derided him as a "rebel." Bacon is one of the strongest pro-Ukraine voices in US politics, with a clear and moral stance on the war. In April 2022, the Russian Federation sanctioned and banned Bacon in retaliation for U.S. participation in sanctions against pro-war members of the Russian Duma. In 2023, Bacon signed a letter advocating for President Joe Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.Following the highly contentious White House meeting between President Trump and Volodymir Zelenskyy in February 2025, Bacon described the summit as "a bad day for America's foreign policy." In an interview with CNN, he described Trump's stance on Russia as "too conciliatory" and amounting to "walking away" from America's legacy as the leader of the free world. Bacon did not join congressional Republicans who sided with the Trump campaign's attempts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election. He voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's votes in the 2021 Electoral College vote count. Bacon was one of 35 Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6 commission to investigate the Capitol attack.----------Links: https://x.com/repdonbacon?lang=en https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Baconhttps://bacon.house.gov/https://www.congress.gov/member/don-bacon/B001298https://www.facebook.com/RepDonBacon/https://www.instagram.com/repdonbacon/ ----------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 No170 | 27-06-2025 - Today we're diving deep into growing trouble inside Russia’s war economy. Kremlin officials still speak of resilience and momentum. The war machine continues to crank out lethal munitions to add to the pile of trauma and scrap metal in Ukraine. But scratch the surface, and the cracks are hard to ignore. Let’s dive in.Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, it’s become the most sanctioned nation on Earth. Yet, against all odds, its economy has shown a defiant resilience, based on certain metrics. According to official Russian figures, growth in 2024 outpaced all G7 nations. The economy expanded 4.3%, compared with just 1.1% in the UK and 2.8% in the US. But firstly. Official Russian bank figures have become increasingly questionable through the course of the war, and that growth is driven almost entirely by record-breaking military spending. There is the potential that this spending has also built up a huge off-books financial risk, or debt bubble. Just as the war is not politically or militarily rational, in a classical Western analysis, it turns out to neither be economically rational. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the state of the economy has been secondary to the goal of winning the war against Ukraine. That is the Kremlin's overarching priority.----------LINKS: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/19/russia-ramps-up-borrowing-as-oil-revenues-falter-and-war-spending-soars-a89502 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/19/russias-economy-minister-warns-of-looming-recession-a89510 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/20/sberbank-ceo-warns-high-rates-and-strong-ruble-creating-perfect-storm-for-russian-economy-a89516 https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/19/foreign-investment-in-russia-falls-to-lowest-level-since-2001-un-report-says-a89512 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr30jx6x0vo https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqnj17vryjo https://kyivindependent.com/as-russian-losses-in-ukraine-hit-1-million-putin-faces-an-economic-time-bomb/----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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 No169 | 26-06-2025 - Appeasing Trump seems to have been the tone and substance of the NATO Summit that has just ended. Maybe it’s worked. Maybe the perceived victory is illusory and temporary. America’s traditional allies pledged to spend a lot more on defence, but the details are sketchy to put it mildly. At least, the Western democracies may conclude, that a Trump toddler meltdown, like that which took place in the Oval Office was averted.“Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world,” wrote Mark Rutte, in a statement that managed to be both obsequious and condescending at the same time. “Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.” A day later Mr Rutte went further, referring to the president as “Daddy”, in a moment of pure cringe. Was Mr Rutte’s strategy was degrading or inspired, no one could decide. But it is an indication of how far Trump has dragged the tone down to his level. Rutte, Nato secretary-general, praised the US president for his galvanising effect. “Dear Donald, you made this change possible,” referring to the increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP.NATO's Potemkin Summit: Words Over Actions?In this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the recent NATO Potemkin Summit, dominated by attempts to appease Donald Trump. Despite soaring promises and new defense spending targets, the tangible actions and details remain vague. The summit reveals the increasing pressure European allies feel to cater to Trump, often at the expense of addressing critical issues like Russia's ongoing aggression toward Ukraine and other NATO members. Key moments include discussions about defense spending, with some nations resisting the 5% GDP target, and Trump's ambiguous commitment to NATO's Article 5. The episode underscores the complexities and contradictions in transatlantic relations under Trump's influence.----------CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:00:30 NATO Summit Overview00:00:32 Trump's Influence and Reactions00:01:48 Defense Spending Commitments00:02:26 Russia's Threat and NATO's Response00:02:56 Spain's Resistance and Internal Issues00:04:21 Concerns Over NATO's Preparedness00:07:23 Trump's Ambiguous Stance on Article Five00:09:20 European Allies' Perspective00:12:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/25/at-a-tricky-nato-summit-a-trumpian-meltdown-is-avertedhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/25/the-guardian-view-on-the-nato-summit-europe-must-take-the-path-of-strategic-self-reliancehttps://news.sky.com/story/there-were-toe-curling-displays-of-affection-towards-daddy-trump-at-the-nato-summit-but-like-it-or-not-it-worked-13388735https://theconversation.com/how-nato-summit-shows-europe-and-us-no-longer-have-a-common-enemy-259842https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/25/nato-summit-trump-ukraine-war-zelensky-starmer/----------Car for Ukraine has once again joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this summer. Sunshine here serves as a metaphor, the trucks are a sunshine for our warriors to bring them to where they need to be and out from the place they don't.https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtainThis time, we focus on the 6th Detachment of HUR, 93rd Alcatraz, 3rd Brigade, MLRS systems and more. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-silicon-curtain- bring soldiers to the positions- protect them with armor- deploy troops with drones to the positions----------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----------