Today’s episode is dedicated to the recent NATO Summit to discuss potential outcomes for Ukraine as well as the ongoing Russian invasion. What discussions took place behind closed doors, what is the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, and why was the role of Ukraine downgraded compared to last year’s summit. Is there now a risk of countries like the US normalising relations with the pariah terror state, Russia? ----------Mark Temnycky is a Ukrainian American freelance journalist, based just outside of New York City, and is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Centre. He has covered Eastern European affairs and energy security matters for seven years, with articles published in The New York Times, Forbes, Daily Mail, EUobserver, Kyiv Post, Atlantic Council, Wilson Centre, and other US and European news outlets and think tanks. ----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing the 2025 NATO Summit: Ukraine, Defense Spending, and Trump's InfluenceIn this episode, we delve into the outcomes of the recent NATO summit, focusing on the discussions surrounding Ukraine and the ongoing Russian invasion. We explore the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, the downgrading of Ukraine's role at this year's summit, and the potential risks of normalizing relations with Russia. The conversation includes the implications of increased defense spending targets, the emphasis on burden sharing among NATO members, and the strategic significance of providing continuous aid to Ukraine. Join us as Mark and Tim discuss these pressing issues with Nicki, a Ukrainian American freelance journalist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to NATO Summit and Key Topics01:48 NATO Summit Dynamics and Trump's Influence04:33 NATO's Defense Spending and Burden Sharing08:31 Ukraine's Role and NATO's Strategic Shifts16:53 Challenges in Defense Spending and Strategic Goals22:05 NATO's Collective Security and Article 527:01 Ukraine's Struggle and Western Support31:50 Summit Outcomes and Future Implications----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktemnycky/https://x.com/mtemnyckyhttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/mark-temnycky/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/mark-temnyckyhttps://kyivindependent.com/author/mark-temnycky/https://www.fpri.org/contributor/mark-temnycky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/mtemnycky/https://cepa.org/author/mark-temnycky/----------ARTICLES:https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-sees-mixed-results-2025-nato-summit-opinion-2092722 ----------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----------

Live stream with Yuri Rashkin. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

Edition No196 | 21-07-2025 - This episode is about satire as a threat to authoritarianism, and why it’s one of the first things to get shut down by any dictator, or aspiring autocrat. But let’s be specific before anyone calls this out. Of course, minorities and vulnerable communities are the first things that autocrats come after – in Germany it was the communists and the Jews. In Russia it was the Chechens and people from Central Asia. In the US it was undocumented migrants and now anyone with black or brown, irrespective of whether they have legal status to be in the US or not.But once populist credentials are established through outrageous, capricious and physical action, and an atmosphere of division and fear is whipped up, then regimes get stuck into their real opponents. Those in opposition who have power and influence – enough to derail their authoritarian ambitions. And amongst the effective opposition, those with influence and status, I’ll bet that the first they come after are satirists and humorists. This is what Putin did in the early 2000s, because once you cancel derision, those that puncture the pomposity of powerful people, expose their schemes and corruption, once you marginalize, cancel them, forcing media companies to comply, you can start to gain control of the news cycle itself. ----------DESCRIPTION:The Threat to Satire in Modern Authoritarian Regimes: A Deep DiveIn this episode of 'Silicon Bites,' we explore how satire is often one of the first casualties under authoritarian regimes. Starting with a historical analysis of political censorship from early Russia to current trends in the United States, we delve into the impact of the Trump administration on satirical voices. With examples including the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show and the resignation of cartoonist Ann Telnaes, this episode highlights the tightening grip of political power on media and comedy. We underscore the symbiotic relationship between satire and democracy, discussing the broader implications of silencing critical voices in media. The episode concludes with a call for vigilance and support for independent satire.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:43 The Role of Satire in Authoritarian Regimes01:11 Historical Examples of Satire Suppression02:32 The Symbiotic Relationship Between Satire and Power03:11 Modern-Day Satire Under Threat07:09 The Case of Stephen Colbert's Show Cancellation11:10 The Broader Implications for Democracy14:31 The Russian Example: A Cautionary Tale18:36 Call to Action: Supporting Independent Satire----------SOURCES: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/democrats-cbs-colbert-show https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/stephen-colbert-canceled-cbs-staff-trump-shakedown-b2791693.html https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/culture/stephen-colbert-cancelled-cbs-kimmel-b2792213.html https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/jul/19/paramount-cbs-trump https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-kimmel-stephen-colbert-cancelled-b2792174.html https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/stephen-colbert-late-show-celebrities-react https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/18/stephen-colbert-late-show-ending-trump https://russiapost.info/digest/political_humor https://www.rferl.org/a/russia_independent_ntv_fell_silent/3557594.html https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/01/11/satirist-mocked-putin-russian-spitting-image-flees-country-harrassment/ ----------

Edition No195 | 20-07-2025 - The night skies turn hostile, but this time it’s not only over Ukraine, but the capital of the aggressor, Moscow. This episode investigates the impact of three nights of drone raids on Moscow – both the material and psychological effects. There is a phrase is Russian, sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. Now the city of Lenin and Stalin is becoming Dronegrad, an imperial capital under fire. Did Putin think he could inflict aggression, but that Ukraine would not strike back? It seems he thought precisely this. Since early July, Moscow has faced repeated drone incursions. On July 19, Mayor Sobyanin announced that air defences shot down 2 drones, prompting temporary suspensions at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports (Reuters). Similar closures occurred on July 17 and 18, with disruptions at all four major Moscow airports (tvpworld.com).----------DESCRIPTION:Drone Strikes on Moscow: Disruption and DestructionIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the third day of drone strikes on Moscow, which have significantly disrupted airports and travel in the city, turning it into a virtual no-fly zone. The strikes have inflicted both material and psychological damage, highlighting the vulnerability of Moscow despite Russia's aggression in Ukraine. We discuss the economic impact, including massive airline losses and delays, and the broader implications for Russian society and its government's perceived strength. We also examine Ukraine's strategic use of drone strikes as a form of guerrilla economics, aimed at inflicting financial and psychological pain on Russia. Despite Western caution, Ukraine is expanding its capabilities and normalizing these strikes, while Russian civilians remain anxious and frustrated. Ultimately, bringing the war to Russian soil alters the dynamics of the conflict, challenging the Kremlin's narrative and strategy.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Channel Support00:36 Drone Strikes on Moscow: An Overview01:11 Impact on Moscow's Airports and Economy02:13 Psychological and Symbolic Effects02:43 Ukraine's Strategic Calculations05:02 Western Reactions and Future Prospects06:58 Conclusion and Summary----------SOURCES: Reuters: Sobyanin on drones & airport halts (July 19, 2025)The Sun: four-night blitz, airport shutdowns Reuters: 122 drones intercepted July 17, broader strike Kyiv Independent: airlines’ losses of 20 bn roublesWashington Post: infrastructure & telecom disruptionsReuters/AP: casualties and public frustrationAP News/Reuters: Russia-Ukraine drone exchanges, Western arms dealsWikipedia: Nov 2024, summer 2024 drone pushesAtlantic Council & CSIS: drone strategy, cost-effectivenessReuters: civilian impacts across regionsThe Washington Post: mobile internet blackouts centralised Guardian/Independent/WSJ: peace talks, escalation, Trump involvement----------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/----------

Joe Lindsley is a traveler and a writer, and American who was reporting for Chicago's WGN Radio from Ukraine each and every weekday of Russia's full-scale war. He once was protégé to Fox News founder Roger Ailes, but Lindsley escaped that frenzied world where power mattered more than truth. He came to Lviv for a Ukrainian Catholic University journalism conference on Information Overload, AI, and Responsibility. Then the pandemic shut down world travel, and he stayed to build a better vision for the media industry.----------DESCRIPTION:Navigating U.S. Support for Ukraine: Insights from Joseph Lindsley In this episode, Joseph Lindsley returns to discuss his daily reporting from Ukraine during the war. Highlighting his conservative stance and mission to inject truthful messages into U.S. conservative circles, Lindsley underscores the importance of influencing current power dynamics in support of Ukraine. They cover the experiences of Kyiv’s recent calm interrupted by intense Russian attacks, the trauma left behind, and discussions about a potential awakening in Washington. Lindsley addresses being labeled as partisan while advocating for Ukraine, emphasizing the need to appeal to those in power. Key topics include Trump’s perceived change in stance towards Ukraine, the importance of understanding MAGA’s anti-war sentiment, and strategies to communicate Ukraine’s actions and innovations effectively to the American public. The episode also features discussions on Russian propaganda, Ukraine’s internal politics, and the significance of timely U.S. military support.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome Back Joseph Lindsley 01:10 Current Situation in Kyiv02:01 Conservative Voices and Ukraine03:22 Trump's Influence and MAGA06:22 Ukraine's Innovation and Military Strategy16:10 Media Criticism and Russian Propaganda19:44 Ukraine's Political Strategy25:51 The Importance of American Support28:19 Distrust in Washington and Ukraine's Common Ground28:39 Challenges in Convincing MAGA Supporters29:47 Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Propaganda31:39 The Forever War Dilemma36:56 Ukraine's Technological Edge and Innovation43:20 The 50-Day Ultimatum for Putin50:03 Strategic Communication and Persuasion----------LINKS:https://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/donation/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Lindsleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lindsley-60087618/https://www.youtube.com/@jplindsleyhttps://twitter.com/JPLindsleyhttps://www.instagram.com/jplindsley/https://www.facebook.com/josephlindsleyhttps://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.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/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Edition No194 | 19-07-2025 - The divisive and controversial “Russia Hoax” has made a reappearance on the political scene, and this time it’s the ringmaster of politics, Donald Trump that has reanimated it. And there is nothing accidental about the timing as the Epstein scandal deepens and broadens. Grab your tin-foil hats—because we’re diving into the *alleged* “Russia Hoax”, or rather the claims that the Hoax that was not a hoax was a Democratic deep state hoax. Confused – you should be. Concerned – you will be. Cue ominous circus clown music.----------DESCRIPTION:The Russia Hoax Revisited: Trump's Tactics & The Epstein ConnectionIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we dive into the re-emergence of the controversial Russia hoax, spearheaded once again by Donald Trump. As the Epstein scandal continues to unfold, the timing of this resurgence is anything but accidental. We analyze the mechanics behind the Russia hoax, its inception in 2016, the findings of the Mueller Report, and the Steele Dossier. Additionally, we explore Russia's cyber warfare capabilities and intent to meddle in democratic processes worldwide. We also cover Trump's current legal battles, media deflections, and the political strategies aimed at distracting public attention from new explosive revelations. Buckle up for an in-depth breakdown of one of the most contentious topics in modern political history.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:17 The Russia Hoax Revisited00:52 Understanding the Russia Hoax03:45 Election Hacking Allegations06:26 The Steele Dossier09:34 Russia's Cyber Warfare Capabilities11:48 Trump's Deflection Tactics13:33 Epstein Scandal and Political Fallout16:46 Trump vs. Murdoch: The Media Battle18:12 Legal and Political Escalations20:04 Conclusion and Future Expectations----------LINKS: https://www.justsecurity.org/44697/steele-dossier-knowing/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steele_dossierhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Steelehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Intelligence_Committee_report_on_Russian_interference_in_the_2016_United_States_presidential_electionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mueller_reporthttps://www.thedailybeast.com/putin-pals-say-trumps-russia-threat-is-just-an-epstein-smokescreen/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jul/19/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-files-latest-news-wall-street-journal-ruper-murdoch-maga-us-politicshttps://www.axios.com/2025/07/18/epstein-trump-murdoch-relationship-wsjhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-sues-wall-street-journal-over-epstein-report-seeks-10-billion-2025-07-18/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jul/18/donald-trump-epstein-files-wsj-birthright-citizenship-cryptocurrency-us-politics-live-news-updateshttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-trump-spent-years-stoking-dark-theories-and-why-hes-facing-epstein-case-blowback-nowhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/14/a-tycoons-deep-state-conspiracy-divehttps://nypost.com/2025/07/15/us-news/trump-hits-back-at-reporter-asking-if-hes-named-in-jeffrey-epstein-files-at-center-of-maga-firestorm/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/24/what-steele-dossier-said-vs-what-mueller-report-said/https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsi-gabbard-feeds-maga-an-obama-conspiracy-amid-epstein-blowback/ ----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce and Andrew Perpetua. Focusing on the alleged connections between Jeffrey Epstein and Russian Intelligence, the state of the Russian war economy, Putin's rapidly degrading war machine, and the problems in Russia's military industrial complex. ----------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 No193 | 18-07-2025 - After episodes that focused on the utterances of Igor Girkin (Strelkov), here is another repugnant character, but one nonetheless that is speaking out about the ineptitude and pointlessness of Putin’s war against Ukraine. Is this the start of a Z-Patriot rebellion, something that Putin is likely far more fearful of, than the so-called liberal opposition. Z Rebellion: Gubarev, Putin, and the Cracking Facade of Russian Ultra-Loyalism. Today’s episode: how a strange group of bloggers, loud mouths, and battlefield fantasists — the so-called Z-Patriots — are turning on their own emperor – or at least starting to point in his direction and proclaim that the emperor has no clothes on. Our criminal Russian nationalist of the week? Pavel Gubarev. The former governor of the self-proclaimed Peoples of Donetsk in 2014. Once a proud foot soldier of Russia’s imperialist crusade — now sounding alarm bells that Putin’s army is losing. And claiming the losses are spectacular. With Igor Strelkov in jail, Gubarev has inherited his crown — not as a leader of troops, but of outrage. And his new role? Frontline Cassandra. Warning that defeat is near while the Kremlin fiddles and drops glide bombs on Ukrainian apartment blocks yet has no military strategy.----------DESCRIPTION:----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:----------LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1TrJyUJljs&t=710shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQesztN6TeAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wixw7suSFjUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNYc7tZxa5ohttps://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/ukraine-russia-war-donetsk-putin-b2200925.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Gubarev ----------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/----------