Silicon Curtain

Edition No177 | 03-07-2025 - Today we examine what is known so far about the back to back phone calls involving Trump and Putin, Putin and Macron, and the forthcoming call with Zelenskyy, and as well and the backdrop of topics happening in the last days and week. The halting of weapons shipments to Ukraine, and the restatement of Putin’s maximalist war aims. Does the future of Ukraine hang by a thread, or did they foresee these complications and the abandonment of their cause by the Trump administration. I suspect that what’s happening is not a huge surprise, or such a strategic shock.----------LINKS: [ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/edac806d-5ece-439f-91a8-9769db5828b6?utm_source=chatgpt.com)[theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jul/03/europe-heatwave-live-news-latest-updates-crete-wildfire?utm_source=chatgpt.com)[reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-halts-some-missile-shipments-ukraine-over-low-stockpiles-politico-reports-2025-07-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

GUEST: Anders Puck Nielsen - YouTuber and military analyst. Today I’m speaking with Anders Puck Nielsen, military analyst and influential YouTuber based in Denmark. He specialises in naval warfare and strategy; in today’s video we are going to be talking about the Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk, the state of NATO and repetition of Kremlin narratives coming from the White House and Trump's inner circle. ----------LINKS:https://www.youtube.com/@anderspuck https://twitter.com/anderspuckhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anderspucknielsen/https://apnielsen.info/en/frontpage/----------DESCRIPTION: NATO's Defense Strategy, US Munition Withdrawal, and Europe's Path Forward with Anders Puck NielsenIn this episode, military analyst and YouTuber Anders Puck Nielsen delves into pressing topics concerning global military strategy. The conversation opens with an analysis of NATO's 5% defense budget increase for member states and segues into the implications of the US halting munitions supplies to Ukraine. The episode covers the strategic fallout of these actions, the impact on European security, and the historical and geopolitical underpinnings of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Nielsen emphasizes the need for Europe to adopt a leadership role in defense strategies, touching upon the complexities of nuclear deterrence and the resilience required to counteract Russian aggression. Finally, the discussion reflects on the transformative resilience within Ukraine, underscoring the nation's strong civic society and innovative defense measures.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:07 NATO's Defense Increase and US Munitions Withdrawal01:47 Implications of US Policy on European Security04:34 European Defense Spending and Strategic Independence09:42 Nuclear Deterrence and European Security20:20 Putin's Perspective and Russian Economy34:27 Potential Escalation and European Leadership42:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------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 No176 | 02-07-2025 - The arsenal of democracy is going dark, as the US withdraws promised military support for Ukraine, a young and vibrant democracy as risk of erasure by one of the world’s most vicious empires, and a historically authoritarian society. Today we have seen a chilling shift in the geopolitical order: The United States has halted key weapons shipments to Ukraine. This is not new aid, but military aid that had already been promised and mandated by the Biden administration. Elbridge Colby, head of the Pentagon's policy department — is a long-time advocate of a narrow America First doctrine—has been installed in a top Pentagon policy role. Under is guidance, the U.S. has suspended sending some anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition to Ukraine due to concerns about depleting its own stockpiles. The decision was made by Colby after reviewing the Pentagon's ammunition reserves.----------DESCRIPTION:Betrayal of Ukraine: US Withdraws Military Support Amid Escalating CrisisIn this episode of Silicon Bytes, we delve into the troubling latest developments surrounding Ukraine. The United States has halted crucial military aid, including anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition, previously promised to Ukraine. This decision, led by Elbridge Colby of the Pentagon, is rooted in a controversial strategic shift focusing on China over Europe. Meanwhile, North Korea has begun to support Russia with troops and munitions, escalating the conflict. This episode explores the implications of these actions on the geopolitical order, the future of Western alliances, and the moral and strategic failures of current US policy towards Ukraine.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:50 US Withdraws Military Support for Ukraine01:22 Elbridge Colby's Influence on US Policy01:56 North Korean Involvement in the Ukraine Conflict02:18 Global Reactions and Strategic Implications02:42 The Halt of US Military Aid03:56 Strategic Realignment and Its Consequences06:53 North Korea's Alliance with Russia08:36 The Emerging Axis of Authoritarian Powers10:36 Conclusion: A Call to Action----------LINKS: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says-it-was-not-officially-notified-of-a-halt-in-us-weapons-shipments/ https://kyivindependent.com/nato-chief-urges-continued-us-support-for-ukraine-as-pentagon-halts-arms-shipments/ https://kyivindependent.com/us-halts-promised-air-defense-shipments-to-ukraine-politico-reports/ https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/02/europe/north-korea-troops-russia-ukraine-intl-cmd https://kyivindependent.com/kim-jong-un-meets-russian-culture-minister-amid-deepening-north-korea-russia-ties/ https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4010457-russia-hands-dprk-air-defense-systems-drone-tech-ukraines-defense-intel-chief.html https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/north-korea-troops-putin-ukraine-offensive/ https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/g-s1-71531/north-korea-soldiers-russia-ukraine-war-drones https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14804157/AUKUS-review-Elbridge-Colby-submarines.html https://www.ft.com/content/53f646e7-b4e7-4bf4-8d5d-7142b4460080 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/pentagon-munitions-ukraine-halt-00436048?nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nname=playbook&nrid=00000159-cc8a-dde5-a35b-eccf12480001 https://unn.ua/en/news/pentagon-suspends-supply-of-some-air-defense-missiles-and-precision-weapons-to-ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-may-downgrade-ukraine-focused-office-amid-policy-restructure-media-reports/ https://responsiblestatecraft.org/elbridge-colby-pentagon-trump/ https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/nominee-for-top-dod-policy-job-sidesteps-questions-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Dimko Zhluktenko is an ordinary Ukrainian trying to help his country. He runs Dzyga's Paw to purchase tech equipment for 🇺🇦 Ukrainian Defenders. He is a former software engineer, in civilian life. ----------LINKS:https://dzygaspaw.com/galka-uas-to-14th-regimenthttps://dzygaspaw.com/supporthttps://www.patreon.com/dimkohttps://x.com/dim0kq----------DESCRIPTION:The Frontline Reality: Ukrainian Drone Warfare and Technological InnovationsIn this in-depth interview, Jonathan talks with Dimko Zhluktenko, a key innovator in Ukrainian drone warfare and a member of the Ukrainian armed forces. Dimko provides a detailed look at the day-to-day operations and realities of serving in Ukraine's unmanned systems forces, discussing reconnaissance missions, technological advancements, and the significant impact of UAVs on the battlefield. The conversation also touches on the role of international support, the challenges of relying on Chinese components, and the importance of innovation driven by both government and civic society. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in modern warfare, technological innovation, and the resilience of Ukraine's defense forces.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:08 Dimko's Role in the Armed Forces01:54 A Day in the Life of a UAV Operator05:18 Challenges and Dangers on the Frontline08:39 Russian Tactics and Their Impact20:01 Technological Innovations in Warfare23:10 Data-Driven Warfare: Transparency and Innovation27:08 Challenges of Truthful Reporting in Military Operations28:53 Civic Society and Government Collaboration in Drone Innovation31:36 Ukraine's Struggle with Military Production and Scale33:57 Western Support and Frustrations38:59 Adapting Military Equipment for Battlefield Conditions47:51 The Role of AI and Autonomous Systems in Warfare51:46 Conclusion and Call to Action----------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:kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/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-ukraineUkrainian Freedom Newshttps://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/donation/UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce - Covering US alignment with Russia to force Ukraine to capitulate or to enable the erasure of Ukraine by Russia. ----------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/-----------

Glenn Carle is an American writer and former intelligence officer. He is the author of The Interrogator: An Education (2011), which describes his involvement in the interrogation of a man at the time believed to be one of the top members of al-Qa'ida. Johns Hopkins Magazine has found The Interrogator to be "unusually candid in its portrayal of the CIA's internal workings—and the toll the agency's moral grey zones take on its operatives".Glenn spent 20 years in clandestine field operations with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Carle retired as Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Transnational Threats from the National Intelligence Council. Carle has been critical of President Donald Trump, particularly after Trump began to disparage American intelligence agencies' assessment of Russian influence over the 2016 presidential election. He told Newsweek, in an article dated December 21, 2017, that he believed that President Donald Trump was "actually working directly for the Russians."Among other roles, Glenn is a Columnist for Newsweek Japan, providing commentary and analysis of international relations, Geo-strategic, and US political issues, and foreign policy and intelligence issues.----------DESCRIPTION:The Shadow Wars: Glenn Carl on Russian Influence, U.S. Intelligence, and Global AuthoritarianismIn this episode, former CIA officer and author Glenn Carl discusses his career in intelligence, focusing on themes such as the internal workings of the CIA, the impact of moral gray zones on operatives, and the nuances of Russian active measures. Carl critiques President Trump's stance on U.S. intelligence agencies and comments on Russian tampering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The conversation delves into the strategic shift from focusing on Russia to China, Putin's KGB background, and how Russian tactics destabilize Western democracies. The episode also explores the erosion of U.S. democratic norms through internal and external influences, the complexity of intelligence operations, and the enduring legacy of Carl Schmitt's authoritarian ideas in contemporary U.S. politics.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Glenn Carl00:36 Glenn Carl's Career and Criticism of Trump01:24 Thanking the Supporters01:54 Discussing Russia and the Cold War04:40 Shift in US Strategic Focus06:00 The Role of Russian Intelligence06:49 Putin's Influence and Russian Nationalism18:09 The Struggle in Ukraine24:05 Putin's Background and Russian State Dynamics41:25 The Influence of Vladislav Surkov44:54 Russian Strategy to Undermine the US46:53 Recommended Reading on Russian Influence48:09 Authoritarian Toolkits and Their Impact49:02 US Vulnerabilities and Russian Exploitation49:48 Russian Influence in Europe01:00:24 Traditionalism vs. Modernism01:08:21 Trump's Motivations and Russian Influence01:12:10 Historical Intelligence Operations01:20:01 The Current State of US Democracy01:24:07 Conclusion andhttps://glenncarle.com/ Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://glenncarle.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Carlehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-carle-2031706/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0134b2dhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Interrogator-An-Education/dp/B005UVQIAU----------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 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----------

In-Depth Analysis of Western Policy Towards Ukraine and Russia | John ForemanJohn Foreman, former UK defense attache to the Russian Federation and now an independent consultant specializing in Russia, Ukraine, and international security, joins the channel to discuss Western policies towards the Ukraine crisis and the broader implications for international security. The episode delves into the strategic goals and limitations of both the US and European approaches, the role of NATO, and the importance of military innovation and industrial collaboration. The conversation also explores the impact of Trump's and Biden's policies on the conflict, the necessity of increased European defense spending, and the challenges and potential strategies for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. Thank you to all our supporters for making these discussions possible. Stay tuned for upcoming events in Lviv, Kyiv, and Odesa.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to John Foreman and His Expertise00:50 Acknowledging Support and Upcoming Events01:55 Current Western Policy on Ukraine03:53 Trump vs. Biden: Differences in Approach06:59 Challenges in American and European Policies11:51 NATO's Role and European Defense18:32 UK Defense Review and Strategic Shifts38:21 Concluding Thoughts on Defense and Innovation----------As the UK Defence Attache to the Russian Federation from 2019 to 2022, John Foreman advised senior UK officials and ministers on Russian military and security affairs and represented the UK Chief of Defence Staff to the Russian General Staff. He had a front-row seat for the tense meetings and negotiations that immediately preceded Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. John Foreman is an independent consultant specialising in Russia, Ukraine, and international security, with over 20 years of diplomatic, operational, and corporate experience in the defence and security sector. He facilitated the largest UK ministerial/defence visit to Moscow since 1944, negotiated a bilateral treaty to reduce operational risk, and informed UK Russia policy and strategy. Currently, he is a visiting lecturer to King's College London, a mentor to future UK defence attaches and advisors. ----------LINKS: https://twitter.com/exexpat19https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-l-foreman/https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/john-foreman/https://www.ambassadorllp.com/who-we-are/john-foreman----------ARTICLES:https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2023/03/05/britains-most-recent-defence-attache-in-moscow-on-the-failings-of-valery-gerasimov----------LINKS: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/06/24/could-trump-get-a-nobel-peace-prize-heres-what-we-know-as-allies-champion-israel-iran-efforts/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/trump-nobel-peace-prize-withdrawal-ukraine-ceasfire-b2776295.htmlhttps://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/blood-on-his-hands-pakistan-turn-on-donald-trump-over-nobel-peace-prize-furore/news-story/d5ce83dddb5c45c732e766f733903fbd----------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----------

Edition No168 | 25-06-2025 - Nobel no more? It’s no secret that Trump has hankered after a Noble prize for many years, because he truly appreciates what it stands for, or because this is an exclusive bauble that few people in history have attained. The ultimate in bragging rights – something gold and rare. There is some intended irony in putting this episode out just after my interview with an actual recipient of the Nobel peace prize, a worthy winner, together with the amazing organisation she leads, The Centre for Civil Liberties. The contrast between Oleksandra Matviichuk and Oleksandra Romantsova with Trump could not be starker. These ladies are serious, passionate about justice and rule of law. Highly empathetic and driven to achieve fairness in the world. There are no materials concerns behind their motivations, and an absolute lack of any ego. Compare and contrast to the bling king – the monarch of New York real estate, who bombed Iran intensely, and turned around and declared peace two days later and expects a peace prize for that. All amidst his implied threats to resume strikes if Iran does not comply. I’m not sure, but the traditional image of a peacemaker is a little different from this – from someone who enforces peace down the barrel of a gun. A peacemaker that uses bullying to get his way, along with overt threats of violence. It’s an original approach; I’ll give him that.----------LINKS: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/06/24/could-trump-get-a-nobel-peace-prize-heres-what-we-know-as-allies-champion-israel-iran-efforts/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/trump-nobel-peace-prize-withdrawal-ukraine-ceasfire-b2776295.htmlhttps://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/blood-on-his-hands-pakistan-turn-on-donald-trump-over-nobel-peace-prize-furore/news-story/d5ce83dddb5c45c732e766f733903fbd----------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/-----------

Oleksandra Matviichuk: The Fight for Ukrainian Freedom and Human DignityOleksandra Matviichuk is a prominent Ukrainian human rights lawyer and leader of the Center for Civil Liberties, shares her inspirational journey and relentless dedication to democratic reforms and human rights amid Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. She delves into the historical and personal motivations behind her work, the powerful example set by Soviet dissidents, and Ukraine's fight for freedom and justice. Oleksandra reflects on the significant impact of the Nobel Peace Prize, the dynamics of the Revolution of Dignity, and the importance of international attention and support. She also discusses the ethical collapse in global geopolitics, the importance of persevering democratic values, and the ongoing battle against Russia's authoritarian regime. Oleksandra Matviichuk's conversation provides deep insights into the human cost of war, the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit, and the universal struggle for dignity and justice.----------Oleksandra Matviichuk is a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and civil society leader based in Kyiv and is a campaigner for democratic reforms in Ukraine and the OSCE region. She heads the non-profit organization Centre for Civil Liberties, which was recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022). In 2012 Matviichuk became a member of the Advisory Council under the Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine's parliament (the Verkhovna Rada). After the violent crackdown of peaceful demonstrations on Independence Square in Kyiv in 2013, she coordinated the Euromaidan civic initiative to provide legal assistance and protection to protesters in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Between the Revolution of Dignity and 2022, she focused on documenting war crimes in Donbas, which to an extent helped prepare her and the team at the Centre for Civil Liberties for the heinous war crimes committed by Russia during the full-scale invasion, which continue to this day. ----------CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction to Oleksandra Matviichuk and Her Work00:01:29 Founding the Center for Civil Liberties00:03:13 The Impact of the Revolution of Dignity00:05:00 The Nobel Peace Prize and Its Implications00:06:29 Ukraine's Resilience Against Russian Aggression00:07:48 The Role of Ordinary People in the War00:13:20 The Importance of Justice and Accountability00:16:14 The Global Implications of Russia's Actions00:22:16 The Collapse of International Order and Ethics00:30:03 The Cultural and Historical Context of the Conflict00:35:37 The Human Dimension of the War00:39:20 The Fight for Universal Values and Freedom00:54:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS: https://ccl.org.ua/en/about-the-ccl/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleksandra_Matviichuk https://x.com/avalaina?lang=en https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/oleksandra-matviichuk/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleksandra_Matviichuk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Civil_Liberties_(human_rights_organization) https://www.nobelprize.org/events/nobel-prize-dialogue/brussels2024/panellists/oleksandra-matviichuk/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------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 No167 | 24-06-2025 - Russia has sustained staggering troop losses in Ukraine. Can the regime admit to itself, let alone its people that this has been a tremendous waste for a senseless purpose, and in exchange for trivial gains? Has Russia inadvertently just admitted to the scale of its losses? The staggering troop losses incurred by Moscow's armed forced during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine may just have been blurted out by a senior Russian official on June 19. Mostly likely by accident. He now needs to beware of windows in tall buildings, and a growing list of other hazards that Russia officials, businessmen and military officers are falling prey to. But the war goes on, and Russia’s demands remain maximalist. They continue to demand Ukraine withdraws from the four partially occupied regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and now are making incursions into a new oblast – Sumy. According to figures from Kyiv, Russia has suffered more than 1 million dead, wounded, and missing soldiers since the start of its full-scale invasion, and burned through a large chunk of the Soviet era military equipment that was bequeathed to Russia upon the dissolution of the USSR. And then fell into the hands of pathological kleptocrat, Vladimir Putin.In return for their losses, Russia has received just a few hundred square kilometres of blasted and wrecked earth and the piles of rubble that were formerly towns and villages on those territories. In an interview with CNN, Russian Ambassador to the U.K. Andrey Kelin dismissed the 1m figure of killed and wounded but did confirm that "about 600,000" Russian soldiers were fighting in Ukraine, a number which tallies with some Ukrainian estimates.----------LINKS: https://kyivindependent.com/russia-just-accidentally-admitted-to-its-staggering-troop-losses-in-ukraine/https://kyivindependent.com/by-dumping-bodies-during-exchanges-russia-afraid-to-admit-scale-of-casualties-zelensky-says/https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/jun/22/one-million-and-counting-russian-casualties-hit-milestone-in-ukraine-war?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-gb----------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----------CHAPTERS:00:00 — Introduction and thanks to supporters.00:24 — Channel support helps ongoing Ukraine coverage.02:32 — Recruitment rates and implications for Russian losses.05:05 — Russian economy at risk; government spending out of control.08:13 — Official casualty numbers; independent verification by Mediazona and BBC.10:40 — Funeral industry profits; bureaucracy’s role in reporting.14:18 — Workforce impact; pandemic deaths; falling life expectancy.16:40 — Example of a bereaved parent urging escalation.18:00 — Massive government compensation for families; online support groups.19:45 — Recent recruitment figures; wasteful tactics.19:58 — War continues until public or families refuse to participate.20:19 — Closing remarks; senseless death continues at Kremlin’s behest.----------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----------