Silicon Curtain

DW Phillips is a documentary filmmaker and constitutional attorney with Ukraine Story, a nonprofit foundation for journalism and documentary reporting in Ukraine. He and his documentary team have been filming conducting interviews in Ukraine with victims of Russian atrocities, and reporting stories of courage, defiance and perseverance of the Ukrainian people. He has reported on Russian atrocities in Bucha, and is presently working on issues of Kremlin disinformation campaigns in the American Right, religious liberty in Ukraine and the KGB domination of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orrhodox Church. ----------Ronnie Apteker was born in South Africa and is a tech entrepreneur, writer and indie film maker. Ronnie came to live in Kyiv quite a few years ago and loves giving foreigners, and some locals, tours of the city.----------Ukraine deserves a better conversation in the world. KYIV OF MINE - is a documentary series about Ukraine’s beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.----------LINKS:https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojecthttps://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnie-apteker-88219371/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dw-p-59111859/https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineStory----------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 No229 | 22-08-2025 Moscow delivers a message to Trump, with drones and explosions, trauma and terror. Last night, in the stillness before dawn, Russia hurled hundreds of drones and dozens of projectiles across Ukraine, and hit an American-owned electronics plant in Mukachevo, far in the country’s west, near the EU border. Inside were hundreds of workers sheltering in place. By morning, the factory—owned by Texas-rooted, Singapore-registered Flex—was ablaze. This is an extraordinary act of aggression against US interests and investments. It’s an attack on Europe too, and the concept of European security. For over ten years, this is what Ukraine has had to get used to, - endless broken agreements by Russia, betrayals and deceptions. Every step towards peace and mediation is snuffed out by Russian violence. Now, slowly and hesitantly, the US is starting to understand. For Moscow, this is called it business as usual. Unfortunately, for the US and Donald Trump it comes as a surprise and a sock. It shouldn’t. The strike on US interests also seems to have forced a shift in Trump’s tone. For the first time ever, he posted that Ukraine must be allowed to “FIGHT BACK”, and he laid the blame for Ukraine having its hands tied in fighting back for 3 years against Russia at Biden’s door. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: ----------DESCRIPTION:Putin's Latest Act of Aggression: A Strike on US Interests in UkraineIn this episode of Silicon Bison, we explore Vladimir Putin's recent military aggression against an American-owned facility in Ukraine. The attack signifies a blatant challenge to US interests and European security, raising critical questions about Putin's motives. The discussion highlights the historical context of Russian actions, the shift in US political stances, particularly Trump's new tone, and what this means for future US-Russia relations. We also delve into the wider geopolitical implications, the role of China, and how Western leaders need to reassess their approach to Russian provocations to ensure global stability.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:49 Russian Aggression in Ukraine03:09 Putin's Strategic Objectives06:11 Trump's Response and Shift in Tone09:00 Implications for US and European Security21:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you’re standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------

Welcome to our monthly conversation with Konstantin, who is one of the most respected voices on YouTube about what is happening Inside Russia. Konstantin Samoilov is a well-known YouTuber whose channel ‘Inside Russia’ comments insightfully on Russia’s decent into authoritarianism over the last few years. But now, like many others, he’s outside Russia, with no idea of when he can return there. ----------DESCRIPTION: Putin's Unexpected Alaska Visit: Diplomatic Maneuvers, Economic Struggles, and PropagandaKonstantin from Inside Russia conducts an in-depth conversation discussing Putin's surprising trip to Alaska. The episode delves into the risks and optics of the visit, the impact on both Russian and American audiences, and the strategic aims behind the meeting. They analyze the broader implications, including the role of Russian propaganda, the domestic economic crises, and the future geopolitical landscape. The dialogue also covers Ukraine's military strategy and the shifting narratives within Russian society. Finally, they explore the systemic economic issues plaguing Russia, hidden behind crafted propaganda, and speculate on the potential internal consequences for Putin's regime.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome and Introduction01:19 Discussing the Risks and Challenges02:12 Putin's Surprising Visit to Alaska07:28 Russian Propaganda and Public Perception12:37 Putin's Objectives and Negotiation Tactics17:02 The Outcome and Reactions24:12 Russia's Propaganda Victory24:23 Putin's Strategic Moves25:56 Nuclear Blackmail and Rumors29:16 Media Manipulation and Influence38:44 Economic Troubles in Russia45:46 Conclusion and Future Predictions----------LINKS: ⁨@INSIDERUSSIA⁩  https://www.patreon.com/insiderussiaINSIDE RUSSIA is a source of current news on Russia - Konstantin carefully selects 9 news stories that are important and really matter, with commentaries and analyses by Konstantin delivered daily to channel patrons at Patreon.comGet your access to daily news updates at patreon.com/INSIDERUSSIA----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you’re standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------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----------

Edition No228 | 20-08-2025 - So many of Putin’s publicly faithful minions are dropping like flies. Businessmen, oligarchs, apparatchiks, minigarchs and occasionally intelligence personnel. This compels us to ask the question, is everything ok Vova? Are you worried about something? Are people plotting behind your back? Are they whispering about you? Or does Putin need to push some people out of the way (permanently) to make way for more fervent or more brutal loyalists? We record this episode as another oligarch has just joined the great Kobzon concert (концерт Кобзона) in the sky, in what seems to be somewhat mysterious circumstances, yet again. In August 2025, Mikhail Kenin, co‑founder and largest shareholder of Samolet Group (29% holding) — Russia’s largest housing developer—died suddenly, aged 57. The company eulogized him: “Mikhail Borisovich was one of those people who leave their mark on the earth… endowed with natural talents… an excellent organiser…” (fakti.bg). But in Putin’s dictatorship, you should not believe in coincidences. Russia’s “vertical of power” operates without rule of law, without an impartial judiciary, without an independent legislature. This breeds a system steeped in theft, violence, and fear — eerily reminiscent of the lawless 1990s, but then the state was weak. Now we have lawlessness of the 90s combined with an overweening, powerful and paranoid state apparatus reminiscent of the 1930s. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: “Chekism” and KGB/FSB control over leadership (Wilson Center, Le Monde.fr, The New Yorker)Favarel‑Garrigues on anti‑corruption as elite discipline (Sciences Po)CSIS “Repression Trap” analysis of violence escalationWikipedia on ‘krysha’, crime in 1990s Russia Medvedev’s *A War Made in Russia*, mafia honor code ("ponyatiya") (Le Monde.fr)New Yorker on Kremlin-linked oligarchs and feudal orderMikhail Kenin: Fakti.bg, bne IntelliNews, AIMGROUP, UAWireAndrey Badalov: The Moscow Times, Echo, Global News, OilPriceRavil Maganov: Reuters, The Guardian, PoliticoMikhail Rogachev: Newsweek, The Times, RedditSergei Protosenya: RFERL, Business Insider, The Barents Observer, Economic TimesAvayev and Tyulyakov: Wikipedia, Reuters, Novaya Gazeta, MeduzaShulman, Melnikov, Watford: TheWeek, RFE, MeduzaAlexei Navalny: TIME, The Guardian, AP News, WSJSkripal: Wikipedia (Wikipedia)----------DESCRIPTION:The Brutal Reality of Russia's Power Structure: Oligarchs Falling Like FliesIn this gripping episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the increasingly precarious position of Russia's elite under Putin's regime. Triggered by a recent mysterious death of a prominent businessman, we explore the systematic conditions leading to the sudden and suspicious deaths of numerous oligarchs, business leaders, and officials since the Ukraine war began. We analyze the vertical of power that sustains Putin's rule—a system devoid of rule of law and permeated by fear, loyalty, and corruption. By outlining several high-profile fatalities, we underscore the brutal enforcement of loyalty and the pervasive culture of kleptocratic governance. Join us as we paint a chilling picture of how power, corruption, and fear intertwine in today's Russia.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Context00:51 The Mysterious Deaths of Putin's Inner Circle02:11 Russia's Vertical of Power05:27 The Role of Corruption and Fear06:33 Historical Context: The 1990s to Now08:31 The Mafia Code and Governance11:30 Case Studies: Recent Deaths18:20 Conclusion: The Kremlin's Deadly Grip----------

Edition No227 | 19-08-2025 - Today’s episode focuses on security guarantees – Ukraine has been here before. The Budapest Memorandum threw Ukraine under the bus, stripping away its deterrent weapons, while offering illusory guarantees on security. These proved to be toothless and worthless when Russia invaded. 2025, and are we back to the same exercise of making false promises to Ukraine, as it continues to fact an existential threat to its existence. We ask what can genuinely deter Russian aggression, and do Western powers have the will and capacity to follow through on what is required. We explore the recent White House summit between Zelenskyy, European leaders, and Trump—focusing on, historical security pitfalls, deterrence theory and practice and the precarious path ahead.What does it really mean when Ukraine—and the world—seeks security guarantees in the shadow of shattered treaties and lies by Russia and a history of betrayal by Ukraine’s allies. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: The Guardian: “Wartime crisis meeting… Article 5‑like security guarantees” (The Washington Post)Term of “prepared and warmly engaging” (The Guardian)$90B weapons purchase, Article 5‑style and reassurance force (New York Post)Details on U.S. “very good protection” vagueness (ABC News)European Sky Shield (Wikipedia)Coalition of the willing from London Summit (Wikipedia)U.S.–Israel security assistance long-term model (U.S. Department of State)Budapest Memorandum context history (Wikipedia)Broken treaties and need for deterrence referenced across sources (Wikipedia)----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you’re standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------DESCRIPTION:Post-Summit Analysis: Security Guarantees for UkraineIn today's episode of Silicon Bites, we dive deep into the recent White House summit involving Zelenskyy, European leaders, and Donald Trump. This episode explores the pressing topic of security guarantees for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. We reflect on historical precedents like the Budapest Memorandum, discuss the implications of Article 5-like assurances, and compare potential security models to Israel's strategic support from the US. Key developments, such as Europe's $19 billion weapons package for Ukraine and proposed European-led reassurance forces, are analyzed. The discussion emphasizes the need for credible deterrents and proactive commitments from Western allies to support Ukraine effectively.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:24 Support and Contributions01:01 Focus on Security Guarantees01:04 Historical Context: Budapest Memorandum01:48 Recent White House Summit02:32 European and US Reactions03:55 Challenges and Ambiguities06:17 Comparing to Israel's Security Model12:00 Potential Security Measures for Ukraine13:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Implications----------

Edition No226 | 18-08-2025 - Oil and Omissions: the Alaska Summit and the Business of War. The curtain has dropped on the Alaska summit, but the analysis goes on – especially as there’s a sequel, in the meeting of Zelenskyy and European leaders with Trump in Washington today. But is it oil that greased the wheels of the Alaska summit, and not peace. But like it’s oil that is greasing the gears of war, but perpetuating the Kremlin’s war machine? We dive into oil deals, Kremlin ploys, and why this summit’s headline theme of peace may have in fact been a smokescreen for the real agenda – cut deals with Putin, agreed to lift sanctions, and push Ukraine into a disadvantageous and dangerous peace as quickly as possible. Could it be that both Trump and Putin need to rehabilitate the Russian regime as quickly as possible to get the black gold flowing as quickly as possible, as well as the dollars? War Rages in Kharkiv While the Alaska Summit Glitters with a false promise of fool’s gold. The noise of the summit had barely cooled, and already Kharkiv was aflame. On August 18, Russia unleashed drone and missile attacks that killed civilians—including children—just as America’s president boarded Air Force One. “Russia escalated… launching a major missile and drone attack that killed at least 10 civilians—including children…” (The Washington Post)Meanwhile, Zelensky warned: “Moscow is deliberately escalating attacks to undermine diplomatic efforts.” (The Guardian)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Washington Post, Reuters, AP coverage of post‑summit attacks on Kharkiv and summit context The Guardian on Putin’s Donbas demandsTIME on unchanged Russian objectives (The Washington Post)Summit outcome analysis: Alaska shift, vague peace focus (AP News)Reuters on oil price stabilization post-summit (Reuters)FT and Economist experts on Russian economy strain (Financial Times)Business Insider & Reuters on oil revenue drop and India tariffsOECD/Economics Observatory analysis on sanctions efficacy (Economics Observatory)Reuters on Exxon option for Sakhalin‑1 (Wikipedia)Byline Times/Forbes on Antarctic oil speculation ----------DESCRIPTION:The Alaska Summit: Oil, War, and Double StandardsIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the underlying motives and outcomes of the Alaska Summit. Was it really about peace, or was oil the driving force? The video examines the purported business deals, Kremlin strategies, and the political maneuvers surrounding the summit. We also cover recent escalation in Ukraine and how the war is being sustained by oil revenues. Trump and Putin's roles, the economic implications, and the moral double standards in the international community are highlighted. We discuss the critical importance of enforcing sanctions to cut off Russia's financial lifeline and end the war.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Gratitude00:40 The Real Agenda of the Alaska Summit01:55 Russia's Escalation and Ukraine's Struggle03:23 The Double Standards of the Summit05:43 Oil and Economic Warfare13:06 Ukraine's Counteroffensive on Oil14:30 Trump's Blame Game and Its Consequences----------

Edition No225 | 17-08-2025 - Summits and Surrender: America’s Morality left on the Tarmac. Again, as true gluttons for punishment, addicts for the truth, no matter how searing, and how painful, we're diving into the awkward red‑carpet tango of tyrants that was the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska. No ceasefire. No firm agreement. Just optics, photo‑ops, and America’s moral compass burying its needle in the direction of ‘irretrievably lost’.Just imagine the thoughts going through the minds of Western politicians and diplomats. Month after month of effort, invested to help explain to Trump the importance of peace through strength, the vitality of not conceding to Putin, the imperative not to betray Ukraine. Even the tortuous hours spend trying to penetrate his skull with the idea that Ukraine is the victim, not the perpetrator, and that they did not seek war and did not start the war. And one three-hour session with the killer from the Kremlin, and it all goes out of the window. Figuratively, not, unfortunately, literally. And now they must start again from the very basics, to teach the Orange conman why surrendering to a genocidal dictator might not be the right thing to do, and might not actually serve the interests of America and global democracy. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: AP News: Summit puts Putin back on the global stage... (Aug 16, 2025)Washington Post: Russia sees victory as Trump adopts Putin’s approach... (Aug 16, 2025) Financial Times: No concessions, no ceasefire: how Putin outplayed Trump...Reuters: Trump shifts stance… Gotta make a deal (Aug 16, 2025) TIME: Trump is Frequently Seduced By Summits… (TIME)The Guardian: Reaction coverage, strains in diplomacyCBS News: European leaders react… Wikipedia: U.S.–Russia relations, summit contextWikipedia: Peace negotiations, quote from John HealeyReuters (oil markets): market implicationsWikipedia: U.S.–Russia terms, public reaction, U.S. intelligence commentary----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you’re standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------

Edition No224 | 16-08-2025 - “Step Right Up! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the greatest geopolitical circus on Earth — featuring a trained killer, a conman, and hordes of gullible media.”The Alaska Summit Spectacle — When Diplomacy Became a Circus – but who humiliated whom at the summit? This episode is a kind of test, a poll – because it has two potential thumbnails. If you clicked on the image of Putin dominating Trump, that may say something about who you feel came out on top. If you clicked on Trump getting one over on Putin, then this could be equally revealing. I’ll be adding a poll to the community pages of the channel too, so please complete that to make your views on the matter clear!The Alaska summit between Trump and Putin: a geopolitical gift wrapped in a red carpet with a side dose of sycophancy and humiliation. This summit ended with zero deals — exactly what we have been predicting on this channel. That’s good for Putin, but not so good for Trump. The US President may even have a palpable sense of his failure in holding the summit, of the risks that haven’t paid off and the political risks he took, of the Nobel Peace prize that seems every more elusive for him to win. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Time: “Trump and Putin Didn’t Make a Deal, but Putin Still Won” (TIME)Washington Post: “Trump‑Putin summit began with red carpet, ended in early, sober exit” Reuters: “Trump shifts stance…after meeting Putin” (Reuters)Associated Press: “Trump leaves Alaska summit…empty‑handed…” (AP News)Sky News (via news aggregator): body language, no press questions (The New Republic)New Republic: “Trump, 79, Confuses Russia and Alaska” (The New Republic)The Independent: similar confusion (The Independent)Wikipedia: Summit timeline and facts (Wikipedia)New Republic / others on Trump–Zelenskyy shouting match (Wikipedia)Coverage of protests in Alaska (Yahoo)----------TRUCK FUNDRAISER - GET A SILICON CURTAIN NAFO PATCH:Together with our friends at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub (the NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade), we are teaming up to provide 2nd Battalion of 5th SAB with a pickup truck that they need for their missions. With your donation, you're not just sending a truck — you’re standing with Ukraine.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-communityWhy NAFO Trucks Matter: Ukrainian soldiers know the immense value of our NAFO trucks and buses. These vehicles are carefully selected, produced between 2010 and 2017, ensuring reliability for harsh frontline terrain. Each truck is capable of driving at least 20,000 km (12,500 miles) without major technical issues, making them a lifeline for soldiers in combat zones.https://www.help99.co/patches/nafo-silicon-curtain-community----------

Edition No223 | 15-08-2025 - The reaction of Russia’s nationalists, the so-called turbo patriots and war bloggers to Putin’s Alaska Summit with Trump is perhaps not what you might have expected. It’s far from positive, and strikes a tone of caution, fear even, of humiliation, failure and treachery. What on earth is going on? Ordinarily, we would not spend much time reviewing what Z-Patriots think, because it is vile and inconsequential. But on this occasion, the negative murmurings around the summit are perhaps a little revealing – not of Russia’s strengths, but a recognition of its weakness and vulnerability. They fear that the capacity for Russia to wage war may be dwindling and ending. What Z-Patriots really think and what Putin Wants. “No greater humiliation”: Why the Alaska summit rattles the Z-sphere. On the eve of the Alaska summit, the Kremlin’s online chorus of hate and loathing, The Z-Patriot milieu sounds a little off-key. Russia’s hardline pro-war influencers can’t decide whether Alaska is a stage set for triumph or a set-up for humiliation. Exiled dissident Russian journalist and YouTuber Майкл Наки stitched together their reactions in a scathing roundup titled «БОЛЬШЕГО УНИЖЕНИЯ ПРИДУМАТЬ НЕВОЗМОЖНО» — “You couldn’t invent a greater humiliation.” (YouTube, channel “Майкл Наки,” uploaded mid-Aug 2025.)----------DESCRIPTION: Alaska Summit Dilemma: Z-Patriots, Putin, and Trump's Tactical DanceIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the controversial Alaska Summit involving Putin, Trump, and their key ministers. We explore the reactions of Russia's nationalists, the so-called turbo patriots, and war bloggers who perceive the summit not as a triumph, but as a potential humiliation for Russia. As we analyze the symbolism, fears, and strategic implications, we also look into what the summit means for Russia, Ukraine, and global geopolitics. With perspectives from various commentators, observers, and official statements, we dissect the underlying motives and anticipated outcomes of this high-stakes meeting.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to the Alaska Summit01:01 Z-Patriots' Reactions and Fears03:27 The Kremlin's Official Stance06:29 The Summit's Symbolism and Optics10:10 Ukraine's Strategic Pressure10:44 The Human Cost of War11:39 Myths and Misconceptions15:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VohB4cXnfe8&t=967s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOHk3mHwMWY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOHk3mHwMWY Kyiv Independent — Russia unveils delegation, agenda, schedule; no agreement expected; live news feed, summit framing.Reuters — Zelenskyy in London; security guarantees debate; Trump/Putin deal talk; Putin’s demands incl. NATO renunciation; Volgograd refinery fire.Euronews — What we know about the upcoming Alaska meeting. CSIS / ISW — Alaska stakes and Russian objectives unchanged; propaganda aims around summit.Meduza — Summit format and symbolism; travel/return schedule. Times of Israel / Independent — “West Bank-style” model reporting and denial by White House.OHCHR — July 2025 civilian casualty spike (1,674). (UN Human Rights Ukraine)ICC — Arrest warrants (Putin; Lvova-Belova) over unlawful deportation/transfer of children; EU statement. (International Criminal Court, European External Action Service)AP / Reuters — Deportations to Belarus; Yale-backed research on transfers by Kremlin aircraft. Kyiv Independent — Oil-infrastructure strikes; “historical materials” warning. ----------

Edition No222 | 14-08-2025 - Putin and Trump seem intent on carving up Europe into an area for manipulation, appropriation and exploitation. This isn’t diplomacy, it’s geopolitical vandalism. There is an imperial and chauvinist style of geopolitics that treats the world like a Monopoly board: you move pieces, trade squares, bankrupt opponents. Everything is transactional, and everyone can be bought. Peace and justice don’t play a role, unless they contribute to deals and relationships that keep the old hamster wheel turning. It’s often referred to as the realistic school of geopolitics too, but the mechanistic theories that drive its logic bear little resemblance to what Putin wants, and how Russia is behaving. His game is closer to the military strategy game Risk. The challenge is that Trump is negotiating from this supremely transactional point of view, over layed by a veneer of so-called realist thought among his advisers and analysts. But Putin is playing a different game, and one on a larger board – in terms of scale and depth of time – namely the survival of his regime, and the impact of his person on history. He wants no less than to enter the annals of Russian political folklore as a great Tsar – among the ranks of Peter and Catherine, unifiers of imagined Russian lands and oppressors of the native populations of those places. Rulers that shaped Russia’s militaristic civilisation and the contours of empire. Coming into the Alaska summit, Trump is playing Monopoly, while Putin is playing Risk. ----------DESCRIPTION: Alaska Peace Summit: Dangerous Proposals for Ukraine?In this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the controversial proposals ahead of the Alaska Peace Summit, which could model the occupied territories in Ukraine on Palestine—a move heavily criticized for legitimizing Russian aggression. Host highlights the transactional approach of Trump's administration and Putin's broader, historical ambitions, examining why such peace deals may perpetuate violence and instability. We review leaked proposals, their implications for Ukrainian sovereignty, and the moral imperatives at stake. Lastly, we analyze the attendees, the symbolic significance of Alaska, and the geopolitical stakes for Europe and Ukraine's future.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:43 Geopolitical Games: Putin vs. Trump02:36 The Alaska Summit: A Dangerous Proposal03:57 The Palestine Model for Ukraine: A Terrible Idea06:37 Economic Bribes and Ideological Goals11:31 The Reality of Russian Occupation14:43 The Stakes of the Alaska Summit16:25 Non-Negotiables for Peace----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/12/the-daily-t-trump-and-putin-carve-up-europe/https://kyivindependent.com/russia-announces-delegation-schedule-for-putin-trump-alaska-meeting/https://www.ft.com/content/5031b199-344c-4fb0-8ce8-6f62165a0aa8https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-112/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/trump-offers-hope-security-guarantees-ukraine-braces-putin-meet-2025-08-14/https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-reportedly-meet-starmer-in-uk-after-call-with-trump/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/08/13/trump-to-present-minerals-deal-to-putin-in-alaska/https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-suffered-most-civilian-casualties-in-july-since-2022/https://kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-sparks-blaze-at-oil-refinery-in-russias-volgograd-russian-official-says/https://kyivindependent.com/us-will-support-ukraine-security-guarantees-but-no-nato-membership-macron-says/https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/us-russia-deal-west-bank-occupation-ukraine-wfvnt6v6f----------