Podcasts about fsb

Greg Scarlatoiu analyzes Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang, noting that Kim Jong-un now views himself as a strategic equal to Xi and Putin. Despite sanctions, North Korea's economy shows a facade of growth fueled by billions made exporting artillery and special forces to Russia. Kim is also modernizing his security apparatus into a structure similar to Russia's FSB. (1)

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-10-26.Greg Scarlatoiu analyzes Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang, noting that Kim Jong-un now views himself as a strategic equal to Xi and Putin. Despite sanctions, North Korea's economy shows a facade of growth fueled by billions made exporting artillery and special forces to Russia. Kim is also modernizing his security apparatus into a structure similar to Russia's FSB. (1)Professor Jim Holmes discusses the naval balance between the U.S. and China, suggesting the PLA Navy aims for six aircraft carriers to project power in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. While China has made strides in naval aviation without the heavy losses the U.S. historically endured, Holmes believes they still lag behind in technological sophistication and human tactical proficiency. (2)Victoria Coates highlights Taiwan's indispensable role in the global AI revolution through TSMC's high-end chip production, which the U.S. and China currently cannot replicate. She emphasizes that Taiwan's engineering "super workers" are a state secret. Coates also discusses the political friction in Washington regarding arms sales and the need for Taiwan to increase its own defense spending. (3)Victoria Coates addresses the Pentagon's decision to list major Chinese companies like BYD and Alibaba as security risks due to their military ties. She argues for clear country-of-origin labeling on products to inform American consumers. Furthermore, Coates criticizes the Biden administration for prioritizing climate goals over addressing China's use of forced labor in the solar panel supply chain. (4)Natalie Ecanow details Qatar's massive $400 billion investment footprint in the United States, including high-profile real estate like New York's Park Lane Hotel and significant orders for Boeing aircraft. She argues these investments are not merely financial but serve to buy long-term political influence and goodwill with American policymakers, regardless of party affiliation, by embedding Qatari wealth into the U.S. economy. (5)Natalie Ecanow explains that Qatari wealth is controlled by the Al-Thani autocracy, whose values often conflict with U.S. interests, such as their support for Hamas and the Taliban. She highlights the lack of transparency in Qatarifunding, citing a lawsuit that revealed nearly half a billion dollars in undisclosed money sent to Texas A&M University, and calls for stricter U.S. disclosure laws. (6)Joel Kotkin examines the definition of fascism, arguing that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is not a fascist because she respects democratic norms. He identifies China's government-led economy as the closest modern parallel to historical fascism. Kotkin also warns of "techno-fascism," where a small group of global tech companies exert unprecedented control over public opinion and information through surveillance tools. (7)Joel Kotkin disputes the label of "fascist" for the MAGA movement, noting it lacks the youth-driven, paramilitary organization characteristic of movements led by Mussolini or Hitler. He describes MAGA as a chaotic coalition of various interest groups held together by Donald Trump's personality. Kotkin emphasizes that using the term as a political slur ruins the possibility of necessary civil discourse. (8)Michael Bernstam discusses a looming glut of liquefied natural gas driven by record U.S. shale production, which is stabilizing energy prices in Europe. Regarding Russia, he explains that while crude exports continue, Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries have created a domestic manufacturing crisis, leading to fuel shortages for Russian agriculture and industry that are difficult to repair under sanctions. (9)Michael Bernstam reveals that China has significantly reduced its oil imports by nearly half by drawing on massive strategic reserves of 1.4 billion barrels and increasing electric vehicle adoption. Simultaneously, the U.S. has reached record domestic oil production of nearly 14 million barrels per day. These factors combined help lower global oil prices despite declining inventories in other OECD countries. (10)Tal Fortgang explores Justice Scalia's legal philosophy through a biography by James Rosen, focusing on Scalia's dissent in Lee v. Weisman regarding religious benedictions at public graduations. Fortgang explains how Scaliapopularized "originalism" and "textualism," arguing that the Constitution should be interpreted based on the original public meaning of the text rather than through subjective "moral readings" by judges. (11)Tal Fortgang discusses the "Scalian revolution" that shifted the Supreme Court toward judicial restraint. He notes that while Scalia faced a hostile press and "nasty" internal criticism from colleagues like Harry Blackmun, his ideas eventually prevailed. Fortgang also observes that the modern partisan venom in confirmation hearings began during Scalia's era with the contentious treatment of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. (12)Simon Constable reports from France on falling global commodity prices for food and energy due to supply meeting demand. He then shifts to the immigration crisis in Britain, where violent incidents in Belfast and Southampton have fueled public outrage. Constable attributes the unrest to a failure of both major parties to manage unfettered immigration and the lack of cultural integration. (13)Simon Constable discusses the declining popularity of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the potential rise of challengers like Andy Burnham. He highlights a dramatic shift in British public opinion, with polling by Lord Ashcroftshowing that a vast majority of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters—and even a third of Conservatives—now favor rejoining the European Union after a decade of Brexit. (14)Bob Zimmerman tracks the transition to commercial space, noting that private companies like Vast are leading the race to build stations to replace the aging ISS. He discusses Amazon's struggle to launch its satellite constellation due to rocket delays, contrasted with SpaceX's efficiency. Zimmerman also reports on a milestone for SpaceX, as a single Falcon 9 booster successfully completed a record 35th flight. (15)Bob Zimmerman highlights discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope, including a black hole 6 billion times the mass of the sun located 10 billion light-years away. He also describes a "flickering" quasar from the early universe that challenges current Big Bang theories. Finally, Zimmerman provides an update on the Curiosity rover as it travels through the "Grand" valley on its ascent of Mars. (16)Two name fixes: Joel Cotkin → Joel Kotkin (7, 8) — the urbanist/scholar's correct spelling Natalie Eacano → Natalie Ecanow (5, 6) — the FDD scholar's correct spelling

Octopus Energy went from £0 in revenue to £12 billion in 10 years.  Today, on Nudge, I chat with their first employee Pete Miller, who explains how they used nudges to grow.  Hear why they:  1) Encourage customers to spin a wheel to reward metre readings.  2) Give away free electricity at 4pm.  3) Play you the number one song from the year you turned 14.  4) And gave away 40,000 electric blankets during an energy crisis. --- Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/ Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list  Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/  --- Today's sources:  Shampanier, K., Mazar, N., & Ariely, D. (2007). Zero as a special price: The true value of free products. Marketing Science, 26(6), 742–757. Shen, L., Fishbach, A., & Hsee, C. K. (2015). The motivating-uncertainty effect: Uncertainty increases resource investment in the process of reward pursuit. Journal of Consumer Research, 41(5), 1301–1315 Skinner, B. F. (1938). The behavior of organisms: An experimental analysis. Appleton-Century-Crofts.

C dans l'air du 4 juin 2026 - L'Ukraine frappe Saint-Pétersbourg… Poutine panique ?L'Ukraine à l'offensive. En plein forum économique international de Saint-Pétersbourg, l'Ukraine a lancé des frappes visant des sites stratégiques de la ville. Des réservoirs pétroliers ont été touchés et d'épaisses colonnes de fumée ont été visibles depuis le centre. Ces bombardements ont été présentés par Kiev comme des représailles, alors que l'Ukraine a été frappée, dans la nuit de lundi à mardi, par un raid de missiles et de drones russes, causant la mort d'au moins 21 personnes. L'objectif : cibler des infrastructures liées à l'effort de guerre russe.Ces attaques interviennent dans un contexte de pression militaire accrue et de pertes territoriales évoquées côté russe. Dans le même temps, l'Ukraine prévoit d'entamer en juin des discussions officielles liées à son intégration à l'Union européenne.En Russie, le pouvoir s'est encore durci. Des décrets classifiés ont été adoptés et les prérogatives du service russe de sécurité (FSB) renforcées. Les lois sur l'« extrémisme » et la « désinformation » sont largement utilisées, et des coupures d'internet ont été signalées.Une partie des opposants à Vladimir Poutine vit en exil, notamment à Londres, où ils dénoncent un système devenu plus opaque. C'est le cas de l'ex-oligarque russe Mikhaïl Khodorkovski, 62 ans, emprisonné dix ans en Sibérie, aujourd'hui déclaré « terroriste » par le Kremlin.Une présence qui pose question. Cette semaine, un pétrolier russe « Tagor », sous sanctions, a été repéré au large des côtes françaises alors qu'il n'était pas censé circuler. Selon les autorités françaises, le commandant aurait refusé d'obtempérer aux premières demandes de contrôle. Des forces françaises sont finalement montées à bord afin de procéder aux vérifications nécessaires. Un incident comparable s'était produit la semaine précédente avec un commandant chinois. Les autorités européennes affirment appliquer désormais une vigilance renforcée face à ces navires liés à la « flotte fantôme », un ensemble de bâtiments soupçonnés de contourner les sanctions en changeant de pavillon ou de propriétaire. Pourquoi l'Ukraine a-t-elle frappé la Russie en plein forum économique international ? Quel est le niveau actuel de contrôle exercé par l'État russe sur sa population dans le contexte de la guerre en Ukraine ? Qu'est-ce que la flotte fantôme russe, dont un quatrième pétrolier a été arraisonné par la France ? Nos experts :- Vera GRANTSEVA - Politologue, spécialiste de la Russie et professeure à Sciences Po Paris - Marie JÉGO - Journaliste "Le Monde", ancienne correspondante à Moscou - Anthony BELLANGER - Éditorialiste à Franceinfo TV, spécialiste des questions internationales - Guillaume LAGANE - Spécialiste des questions de défense, enseignant à Sciences PoPRESENTATION : Caroline Roux - Aurélie Casse - REDIFFUSION : du lundi au vendredi vers 23h40.PRODUCTION DES PODCASTS: Jean-Christophe ThiéfineRÉALISATION : Nicolas Ferraro, Bruno Piney, Franck Broqua, Alexandre Langeard, Corentin Son, Benoît LemoinePRODUCTION : France Télévisions / Maximal ProductionsRetrouvez C DANS L'AIR sur internet & les réseaux :INTERNET : francetv.frFACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Cdanslairf5TWITTER : https://twitter.com/cdanslairINSTAGRAM :https://www.instagram.com/cdanslair/

It is the moving story of a Russian father and daughter who opposed Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. It all began in March 2022, when 12-year-old Maria drew an anti-war picture at school in response to the invasion launched a month earlier. She was immediately reported by those around her, and the FSB soon visited both her school and her home. Her father was eventually arrested for supporting his daughter and speaking out against the war. He was convicted of discrediting the Russian army. Following his release from a penal colony, he and Maria left Russia and are now refugees in Strasbourg. A report by Elena Volochine, English adaptation by Lauren Bain.

Russia's FSB calls out a Western spyware operation, high-profile Instagram accounts hijacked via Meta's AI support agents, Red Hat npm packages were compromised in another supply chain attack, and ten percent of domains registered last year were malicious. Show notes Risky Bulletin: A tenth of all new domains last year were malicious

Referências do EpisódioRapid7 Observed Exploitation of PAN-OS GlobalProtect Authentication Bypass Vulnerability (CVE-2026-0257)FSB's matryoshka #1/3 – Gamaredon's gifts that keeps unpacking – GammaPhish and GammaWormMalicious npm packages abuse dependency confusion to profile developer environmentsRoteiro e apresentação: Carlos CabralEdição de áudio: Paulo Arruzzo Narração de encerramento: Bianca Garcia

The Asset team is releasing a 6-part audio drama Patriarchs. As the United States approaches 250 years of independence, the nation is asking hard questions about how it began, who paid the price, and what kind of republic it has become. Patriarchs, a loaded but apt term in today's vernacular, is a six-episode historical podcast drama that answers those questions by chronicling the most consequential relationship in early America: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, told in their own words. Subscribe hereWe begin with two former presidents looking back over a life together as friends, rivals, and uneasy family. From there, listeners travel back to the moment these strangers first step outside the Continental Congress to talk, two lawyers, two farmers, two men who have no idea they are about to remake the world. Every scene, every argument, every confession in Patriarchs is drawn from real letters, speeches, and memoirs, voiced by an ensemble of award-‑winning actors—with Stacy Keach starring as Thomas Jefferson. The result is an intimate drama of brilliant founders who are also flawed fathers, husbands, slaveholders, and partisans. ​We hear their partnership forged in crisis, as they push Congress toward independence and wrestle the language of the Declaration onto the page.​ Alongside them is Abigail Adams, one of the sharpest political minds of the age, whose letters slice cleanly through ego and ideology. Patriarchs also confronts the reality of slavery and sexual exploitation in the founding generation, centering Sally Hemings not as rumor but as a speaking, thinking presence whose choices and constraints shape Jefferson's life. Patriarchs is a chance to hear the founding generation as they really sounded: insecure, vain, idealistic, petty, courageous, haunted—often in the same breath in a rare combination of rigorous primary-source history and bingeable character drama, led by Stacy Keach and a veteran cast capable of carrying both prestige storytelling and wide audience appeal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 1 of our massive 2.30 Double-Feature, we aren't looking at the frontlines—we are looking at the multi-organ failure of the Russian state. Terminal gangrene has set in.While Washington think-tanks and Senator Marco Rubio panic over a conventional Russian ground invasion of the Baltics, the reality on the ground is mathematically absurd. We kick things off by roasting the American hockey machine (Latvia 4, USA 2) before diving into the absolute, sweating desperation of the Kremlin. From dropping $80-million "Oreshnik" tungsten crowbars on Ukrainian garages, to the eradication of 25% of Russia's oil refining capacity, the empire is bankrupting itself.We break down the Chinese betrayal in Beijing, the Russian oligarchs begging the FSB for "rules," the looming bank run outlined by Igor Lipsits, and the absolute mutiny happening in the comments of the heavily censored Yandex Dzen. The social contract is dead, and the elites are fighting over the pirate treasure while the ship goes down.The Eastern Border is an entirely independent, listener-supported journalism project operating 22km from the Russian border. If you want to keep the servers humming and the moonshine flowing, please consider supporting us:Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships:https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe:https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDownload all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well!http://theeasternborder.lv/Donate to the Ukrainian army so that they can get the trucks that they need:https://car4ukraine.com/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

L'apertura di giornata con le notizie e le voci dei protagonisti, tutto in meno di 30 minuti.Sempre lontana una tregua tra Russia e Ucraina. Esercitazione congiunta di Russia e Bielorussia con il lancio di missili balistici ed ipersonici da una parte mentre l'Ucraina ha bombardato una sede dei servizi russi del Fsb nel Kherson, con molti morti e feriti. Intanto il cancelliere tedesco Merz ha proposto uno status di membro associato dell'Ue per l'Ucraina.Ne parliamo con Vincent Della Sala, docente di Scienza Politica dell'università di Trento.

Bli med Ukrainapodden på livepodkast 28. mai på Carls i Oslo. Dørene åpner 18, podkasten starter 19 – og det er helt gratis. Mer info her: https://fb.me/e/4x9uHioEI I dagens episode tar Jørn Sund-Henriksen og Tormod Malvin Sæther en grundig gjennomgang av krigen i Ukraina, der det utspiller seg både gode og dårlige nyheter for Ukrainas del. Vi starter på Krymhalvøya, der et ukrainsk angrep mot et FSB-hovedkvarter har resultert i en massakre. Rundt 100 personer meldes drept eller skadd, samtidig som et Pantsir-luftvernsystem ble ødelagt. Vi retter også søkelyset mot de dype sprekkene i den russiske krigsøkonomien. Ferske avsløringer fra The Moscow Times viser at Russlands gullreserver stuper i rekordfart. Kreml har solgt unna hele 27,9 tonn fysisk gull på bare fire måneder for å skaffe umiddelbar kapital til å dekke det enorme budsjettunderskuddet. Samtidig herjer en akutt rekrutteringskrise for okkupantene. Data viser at antallet innsatte i russiske fengsler har sunket med nesten 200 000 siden 2021. Med reduserte incentiver og ubestemt tjenestetid stuper nå den daglige vervingen markant, noe som setter Russlands evne til å opprettholde krigføringen i alvorlig fare. I tillegg analyserer vi storpolitikken rundt Belarus. Diktator Aleksandr Lukasjenko og Russland har nylig avholdt en massiv atomvåpenøvelse på grensen. Men vil Belarus faktisk gå aktivt inn i krigen? Vi ser også på hvordan ukrainske militære styrker baner vei gjennom russisk luftvern, og hvordan de svenske donasjonene av Stridsbåt 90 utstyres med improviserte «cope cages» for å motstå FPV-droner i den intense maritime dronekrigen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaun Pinner is a former British soldier and Ukrainian Marine. He has written an extraordinary first-hand account of the war in Ukraine, his capture, imprisonment, and torture by the Russian invaders. Shaun was a retired and decorated British soldier, living peacefully in Mariupol with his Ukrainian family. But the full-scale war began, and after fighting alongside Ukrainian army colleagues, he found himself imprisoned in Russian-occupied Ukraine, and embarking on an unexpected and unimaginable fight for survival. After the horrors of frontline fighting, Shaun had to survive his capture by Russian soldiers, and his removal to a Black Site – an off-grid FSB prison operating outside all human rights conventions – where he was subjected to a campaign of torture by Putin's secret police.----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/olddog100uahttps://www.facebook.com/snowy5599https://www.instagram.com/snowy_ua/https://linktr.ee/old_dog_uahttps://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GKJQYBPRV6YNL----------BOOKS:Live. Fight. Survive.: An ex-British soldier's account of courage, resistance and defiance fighting for Ukraine against Russia Paperback (2023)by Shaun Pinner (Author)----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/----------DESCRIPTION: Shaun Pinner on Captivity, Mariupol, and the Next Front: Russia's Cognitive War Against Ukraine and the WestJonathan Fink is joined by former Ukrainian marine POW Shaun Pinner, who fought for Mariupol, survived Russian captivity and torture, and now uses YouTube, Substack, and a book to inform both Western and Ukrainian audiences. Pinner describes shifting from combat to journalism after rehab, injury, and family commitments, and explains the “media wall” between Western narratives and Ukrainian realities, including the exclusion of pro-Ukrainian Russian-speaking Ukrainians. They promote a fundraiser to buy “vampire” drones for the Khartia unit and discuss sustaining and expanding pro-Ukraine engagement, especially among younger demographics. Pinner recounts efforts to reach North American media, warns about Russian propaganda and “neutrality,” and argues the war is increasingly cognitive and political, with Russia laundering its reputation internationally while destabilizing democracies. He outlines why a Russian victory would threaten NATO and highlights hope in a special tribunal and his lawsuit setting precedent for claims against the Russian state.----------CHAPTERS:01:05 From POW to Creator03:29 Breaking Media Narratives05:51 Vampire Drone Fundraiser07:06 Growing the Pro Ukraine Bubble09:20 Tours and Genocide Reality15:20 Soundbites and Propaganda21:17 Cognitive Warfare Front27:13 Debunking Ukraine Myths33:59 Why Russia Threatens All42:51 Justice and Tribunal Hope----------

Suzi speaks with Simon Pirani about his book Voices Against Putin's War: Protesters' Defiant Speeches in Russian Courts and the film Try Me For Treason. Russian exile activist Aleksandra Zapolskaia also joins the conversation to discuss Azat Miftakhov's case, one of thousands. Currently, there are more political prisoners in Russia than at any time since the post-Stalin thaw of the 1950s, and the state is killing them; at least seven political prisoners died in Russian custody in the first four months of 2026. We will also hear actors from the film read courtroom speeches from Igor Paskar and Andrei Trofimov. Paskar, who was tortured after protesting at an FSB office, asked the court what future generations will be told about these times. Trofimov received three additional years of imprisonment for his initial courtroom statements; his second speech concludes with the line that gave the film its title: “Try me for treason. I betrayed your deranged state.” Aleksandra Zapolskaya (Sasha) shares the story of Azat Miftakhov, the mathematician and anarchist who was tortured at an Arctic penal colony just down the road from where Navalny was killed. After his torturers were publicly identified, prison officials called Azat to their office and promised to treat him “respectfully” if he would stop talking to the media. “Being silent doesn't help,” Sasha says. “Being loud helps.” The discussion covers prisoner solidarity, the duration of the war, and the implications of Russia's current trajectory. Sasha offers a warning to Western listeners regarding the speed of political shifts: “It changes very slowly. And then it happens very fast.” Watch the film: youtube.com/watch?v=7FHacVH8tK8 Jacobin article: https://jacobin.com/2026/05/film-russia-ukraine-antiwar-prisoners Jacobin Radio with Suzi Weissman features conversations with leading thinkers and activists, with a focus on labor, the economy, and protest movements.

Greetings, comrades, and welcome to The Eastern Border. Today, we are taking a long, hard look into the rotting, schizophrenic core of the Russian imperial delusion.The Kremlin generals are promising Vladimir Putin the entire Donbas by autumn, but the guys in the trenches are looking up at a sky entirely owned by Ukrainian drone swarms. In this episode, we audit the absolute collapse of the Russian state's connection to physical reality. We dive into the "Drone Wall" paralyzing Russian logistics, the dystopian slaughter of the Kuzbass dairy cows by the "Sovereign Feudalism" elite, and the frantic mothers of the 138th Brigade revealing that the Rostov military morgues are physically overflowing.But the real fatal blow? The 12-trillion ruble black hole in the Russian budget. As real inflation crosses 20% and the public withdraws 600 billion rubles in a massive bank run, the Kremlin has completely run out of cash. Their response? A terminal hallucination where the FSB blames their own drug epidemic on Kyiv, and the censorship board literally bans 10th-grade physics textbooks because the "Gay-Lussac" gas law sounds too much like Western propaganda.The empire is overdosing on vranyo, and the withdrawal symptoms are terminal.Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships:https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe:https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDonate to the Ukrainian army so that they can get the trucks that they neehttps://car4ukraine.com/YouTube Link:https://youtu.be/ttwDtp4skucSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeffrey Epstein is notorious for his involvement in human trafficking and finance. However, newly released files reveal intriguing connections with intelligence agencies like Mossad, CIA, and FSB, largely overlooked until now. This episode delves deep into these links. Sources can be accessed here. Music by various artists, including Looppelganger, Sad Moses, Skyler Lawson, Alexander Mack, Brendon Moeller, Bytheway-May, and Anton Belov. 00:00:00: I. The Crumbling Facade00:03:57: II. The Beginning00:06:09: III. The First Prosecution00:09:07: IV. The First Clues00:11:45: V. Wexner and Southern Air Transport00:16:45: VI. The Ehud Barak Connection00:19:06: VII. Eastern Asset Management00:22:15: VIII. A Message #JeffreyEpstein #Mossad #CIA #FSB #intelligenceagencies #humantrafficking #finance #connections See show notes: https://inlet.fm/epoch-philosophy/episodes/6a060f59e6ae299bde219d74 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

C dans l'air du 13 mai 2026 - Chômage, inflation : vous n'avez encore rien vu ...Deux mois et demi après le déclenchement de la guerre au Moyen-Orient, le détroit d'Ormuz est toujours fermé, la situation piétine sur le plan diplomatique et les voyants économiques commencent à passer au rouge. L'Insee vient de publier ses chiffres pour le premier trimestre 2026 : le chômage est en hausse de 0,2 % et atteint 8,1 %, son plus haut niveau en cinq ans. Les prix à la consommation ont augmenté de 2,2 % sur un an au mois d'avril, tirés par la flambée des prix de l'énergie. La croissance française est à l'arrêt. L'activité économique a stagné au premier trimestre, et la banque centrale n'a pas fait de prévision chiffrée pour le second trimestre. Autre signe d'inquiétude, les faillites d'entreprises ont frôlé la barre symbolique des 70 000 en mars dernier, selon des données de la Banque de France.Avec un pouvoir d'achat en recul, les courses deviennent un casse-tête pour de nombreux Français. Les boutiques sont de plus en plus désertées, et le secteur de la mode en particulier connaît une crise très profonde, marquée par une succession de redressements judiciaires et de fermetures qui fragilisent même des marques que l'on pensait incontournables. Ainsi, le chausseur Minelli vient d'annoncer la fermeture définitive de ses boutiques le 30 mai.Dans ce contexte, le Smic va augmenter de 2,4 % le 1er juin, a annoncé ce mercredi le ministre du Travail Jean-Pierre Farandou, soulignant qu'il s'agit d'une augmentation « mécanique » du salaire minimum, liée à la reprise de l'inflation, sans coup de pouce. Parallèlement, le gouvernement planche sur de nouvelles annonces pour soutenir le pouvoir d'achat des Français alors que les bénéfices des géants pétroliers relancent la question d'une taxation des « superprofits ». D'autres idées sont en débat, comme le blocage des prix ou la nationalisation de TotalEnergies.Parallèlement, le Conseil de stabilité financière (FSB), l'organisme international créé dans le cadre du G20 pour surveiller les vulnérabilités du système financier, alerte sur les risques croissants du crédit privé. Dans un rapport, il pointe la trop grande opacité des opérations de financement privé, plébiscitées ces dernières années, en particulier aux États-Unis, pour financer les PME et les ETI, et aujourd'hui dans l'œil du cyclone. L'inquiétude est montée d'un cran après que le géant BlackRock, ou encore le gérant Blue Owl, ont dû plafonner les rachats de parts de fonds investis dans la dette privée. Dans une tribune publiée en mars dans le New York Times, Richard Bookstaber, ancien responsable au Trésor américain, estime non seulement que « des signes de tension systémique commencent à apparaître », mais que ceux-ci pourraient déboucher sur une crise encore plus sévère que celle des « subprimes » en 2008. Il nous a accordé une interview.Nos experts :- Philippe DESSERTINE - Économiste, professeur à l'Université IAE Paris panthéon sorbonne, auteur de L'horizon des possibles, publié chez Robert Laffont- Mathieu PLANE - Économiste Directeur adjoint du Département Analyse et Prévision à l'OFCE, enseignant à Sciences PO Paris, auteur de L'économie française 2026, publié aux éditions La Découverte- Jean-Paul CHAPEL - Éditorialiste économique à France Télévision- Stéphanie VILLERS - Économiste, spécialiste des questions de Finances, conseillère économique de PwC France, un cabinet de conseils auprès des entreprises

Unmask the shadowy world of Russian espionage in this lecture with Sean M. Wiswesser, a national security professional whose career spans nearly three decades across intelligence, foreign service, and defense institutions. Drawing on his experience as a senior operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency—including multiple overseas tours, war-zone deployments, and service as a chief of station—Wiswesser offers a rare, insider perspective on the evolving landscape of global intelligence. Centering on the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS), this talk explores the doctrine of Maskirovka—the art of denial, deception, and manipulation that underpins Russian strategy. Through historical case studies and firsthand insights, Wiswesser examines the structure and operations of Russia's principal intelligence agencies: the SVR, GRU, and FSB. Topics include the use of double agents, surveillance and “street work,” honey traps, sabotage, active measures, assassinations, and the role of intelligence services in the Russo-Ukraine War. A Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wiswesser holds a bachelor's degree in history and Russian & Slavic linguistics. He earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College in 2023, where he received the Russia Integrated Deterrence Award. Subscribe for more expert lectures and conversations at the forefront of global policy, strategy, and leadership. **Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academics/graduate-degree-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=3

2026-05-03 | UPDATES #191 | Tupik. Russia's own war correspondents just declared the war a dead end. The confessions of disheartened z-bloggers and turbo patriots. This episode is based on Michael Naki's survey of Russian z-blogger confessions. Whines of doom and gloom, whinging about the weakness of Russia and Putin's failure to erase Ukraine as a nation, a people, and as a military power. There is one Russian word you need to hold in your head for the next ten minutes. The word is Tupik. It means dead end. Cul-de-sac. The road that goes nowhere. Ironic that as we approach May 9th, Victory Day, we should be focusing on the war in which Russians no longer see victory, but rather a catastrophic defeat that now threatens to become an existential risk to their imperial realm. For four years, this word has been forbidden in Russian state media. The official line, repeated by Vladimir Putin, by Defence Minister Belousov, by Chief of General Staff Gerasimov, by every state television presenter, by every official briefing — was that the Special Military Operation was progressing. That every Ukrainian village taken was a victory. That every line on the map redrawn in Russia's favour was evidence of inevitable triumph. That the Western analysts predicting Russian failure were inventing fictions.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Michael Naki — "ТУПИК ДЛЯ АРМИИ РФ. Военкоров прорвало" / "DEAD END FOR THE RUSSIAN ARMY. War correspondents have broken through" (May 2026 video, transcript provided in user upload) — Primary source for entire episode: comprehensive collation of admissions from Zvinchuk (Rybar), Solovyov panellists, Sladkov, Steshin, Kotenok, Strelkov, Tretyakov, Ageev, and the "When the cannons sang" Telegram channelWashington Post — "Russian Mikhail Zvinchuk accused by State Department of election interference" (4 November 2024)Genderdesk WordPress — "Another Russian z-blogger: 'Rybar'" (24 April 2026) Pravda Ukraine — "UAV Operators. They'll be operators, not stormtroopers" (April 2026)Pravda NATO — "Results of April 27/30/May 1/May 2 from Rybar via SolovyovLive" (April-May 2026) Ukrainian News (Ukranews.com) — "Terrorist Girkin predicts Russia's military defeat" (April 2026) Wikipedia — Igor Girkin (Strelkov) — Biographical record; FSB colonel; April 2014 Sloviansk operation; Dutch MH17 conviction November 2022; 4-year sentence January 2024; Putin "lowlife" remarks; ongoing Telegram channel maintained by wife Miroslava ReginskayaThe New Voice of Ukraine — "Z-bloggers expose the harsh reality of Russia's stalled invasion" (April 2026) ----------

Le secteur militaro-industriel – y compris l'armée – veut attirer plus de jeunes techniciens et spécialistes, en particulier dans le pilotage des drones. Les écoles d'apprentissage de pilotage pour enfants, jeunes et adultes commencent à se multiplier dans le pays, et les élèves sont incités à se tourner davantage vers l'enseignement technique. Presque 14 ans, couvé du regard par son père, il est assis sur une chaise pliante, ses yeux faisant l'aller-retour entre une tablette à plusieurs manettes et le ciel balayé par des rafales d'un vent puissant. Facile de deviner ce qu'il y scrute avant même qu'on lève les yeux : le bruit léger mais strident d'un drone plane au-dessus des têtes. Pas question de le photographier parmi la foule venue à ce festival patriotique annuel sur un aérodrome dans la nature, à une demi-heure de voiture de Lipetsk. Pourtant, Artëm est déjà une petite célébrité locale : il est champion de vol de drones de sa région, et très bien classé dans les championnats nationaux. « Mon père m'a montré une vidéo sur Internet où un pilote assemblait des drones et les faisait voler et m'a demandé si ça m'intéressait. J'ai adoré et je m'y suis mis », raconte-t-il. Un intérêt dont les motifs n'ont rien à voir avec des affrontements militaires : ce qu'Artëm dit aimer, « c'est qu'on peut admirer de magnifiques paysages en vol, et on peut aussi en faire son métier plus tard, notamment en compétition. Bon, quand je serai grand, tout peut changer, alors je ne sais pas encore ce que je ferai plus tard. Mais les drones peuvent servir à irriguer les champs, à prendre des photos et même à gagner de l'argent ». L'usage large des drones dans le secteur civil et les perspectives de carrière qui y sont liées, les nombreuses petites entreprises locales qui en développent et ont leur stand dans le festival en parlent beaucoup. Usage civil des drones mis en avant Mais les hommes venus démontrer l'éventail de leur production sont le plus souvent masqués, et affirment parfois être d'anciens combattants. Du reste, le festival – gratuit pour le public – est organisé par l'association régionale des vétérans, et nombreux sont ceux liés, notamment familialement, aux soldats qui se battent en Ukraine. « Regardez, ce drone est revenu du front aujourd'hui, il a terminé une mission de combat hier soir », explique un homme qui se présente sous le nom « Ocean » et représente la société locale Neibo. « Celui-ci, par exemple, a une capacité de déplacement de 10 kilomètres aller et 10 kilomètres retour. C'est un appareil qui peut fonctionner par radio et par fibre optique. La fibre optique permet un vol totalement silencieux, mais en cas de coupure de la ligne, l'équipement bascule automatiquement en mode radiocommandé et continue d'exécuter la mission avec un seul opérateur depuis une seule console. Et si notre drone, désormais radiocommandé, pénètre dans le système de défense antidrone, il dispose d'un algorithme pour sortir du périmètre de sécurité du système », poursuit-il. « Ocean » affirme utiliser « un maximum » de composants russes, et pour l'heure, ne pas avoir encore pu remplacer par une production nationale un seul élément : le moteur. Il déclare aussi que sa petite société vend à des compagnies nationales. « Nous sommes une petite entreprise ajoute -t-il, nous produisons entre 50 et 60 engins par mois. Mais si nous recevions une commande du ministère de la Défense, nous serions en mesure d'accroître notre capacité de production de manière significative. » Des pratiques de pression rapportées dans certaines universités, un démenti de l'armée Dans les allées des stands montés sur l'herbe, on croise aussi des officiers venus vanter leur académie militaire des forces aériennes, « une des plus importantes de Russie » dit l'un d'eux, une pile de prospectus devant lui. Mais aussi un jeune étudiant en physique venu avec sa grand-mère, dont l'un des fils est décédé dans les combats en Ukraine. Le jeune homme, lui, déclare dans une formule grinçante : « Je dois poursuivre sérieusement mes études, sinon, on va m'expulser de l'université. Et après, je vais devoir prendre des cours pour piloter des drones, puis signer un contrat pour l'armée et finalement être envoyé en troupes d'assaut. » Sa babouchka (« grand-mère ») proteste. Cette pratique de pression suite à de mauvais résultats ou des signalements de mauvais comportements d'élèves a en effet en tout cas été signalée dans certaines universités russes. Le journal Kommersant rapporte aussi que, selon des avocats spécialisés dans le droit militaire, ont été signalées « des situations où des étudiants endettés pour leurs études se seraient vu proposer des contrats comme alternative à l'exclusion pour non paiement » de l'université. À Novossibirsk, en février, l'enregistrement audio d'une professeure d'université, mécontente du peu d'enthousiasme des élèves à s'engager, a fuité et fait scandale. « D'où vient cette peur ? Êtes-vous tous des lâches ? », a-t-elle notamment déclaré. Après la publication de l'enregistrement audio, l'enseignante s'est plainte de menaces sur les réseaux sociaux, a contacté le FSB – le service de renseignement intérieur – et a notamment ensuite déclaré avoir « parlé sous le coup de l'émotion », mais ne pas avoir de regrets. « J'aurais probablement dû m'exprimer avec plus de douceur. Quant au fait de les avoir appelés à aimer leur patrie… je ne retirerai jamais ces mots ! », a-t-elle affirmé. Les événements de ce type ont en tout cas fini par faire réagir les autorités, d'autant qu'une vaste campagne de recrutement de soldats contractuels pour les forces de systèmes sans pilote a débuté en janvier. Le 27 avril, le ministère de la Défense a apporté un démenti officiel au recrutement d'étudiants par la coercition. Lors d'une réunion consacrée au recrutement d'étudiants pour les troupes de systèmes sans pilote, le vice-ministre de la Défense et général d'armée Viktor Goremykin a précisé que les candidats souhaitant intégrer les forces de systèmes sans pilote peuvent choisir de signer un contrat d'un, deux ou trois ans et insisté sur le fait que « toute forme de contrainte à la signature d'un contrat est exclue ». Le ministère de la Défense a aussi annoncé la mise en place d'une ligne téléphonique spéciale, destinée à recueillir les plaintes pour tentative de contrainte à la signature de contrats. Des cours de pilotage de drone à partir de 9 ans Kommersant écrit que « la question de l'issue d'un contrat demeure délicate. Suite à l'annonce de la mobilisation partielle à l'automne 2022, la durée d'engagement de la plupart des militaires sous contrat a été prolongée jusqu'à la fin officielle du régime de mobilisation. Les garanties spécifiques offertes aux candidats aux troupes de drones entrant en service diffèrent sensiblement des pratiques habituelles. Toutefois, la validité de ces garanties ne pourra être vérifiée qu'en 2027, à l'expiration des premiers contrats d'un an ». De Krasnodar à Sotchi ou Ivanov, en passant par la capitale russe, on signale en tout cas de plus en plus la création d'écoles de drones locales. Celle de Lipetsk est dirigée par l'association régionale des vétérans. Elle emploie notamment un homme – lui aussi masqué – qui se présente comme « Sergueï », ex-combattant de Wagner, l'ancienne compagnie d'Evgeni Prigojine inscrite sur la liste noire de l'Union européenne, des États-Unis et d'autres pays pour – notamment – crimes de guerre et activités déstabilisatrices en Ukraine, en Syrie et en Afrique. « Sergueï » est aujourd'hui instructeur pour les soldats comme pour les enfants à partir de 9 ans, et visite régulièrement les écoles de la région. « Nous commençons par l'enseignement théorique, explique-t-il. Ensuite, les enfants assemblent des drones, puis les programment. Nous les formons sur des simulateurs informatiques. Puis, ils prennent les drones pour les piloter. Nous organisons ces cours et formons les enfants gratuitement. De plus, ils n'étudient pas seulement les drones et la robotique, mais nous leur enseignons aussi des valeurs patriotiques. Nous intégrons même des notions scolaires. Nous éduquons nous-mêmes les enfants. » Pour « Sergueï », ce sont les 10-18 ans qui apprennent le plus vite, « car ils sont habitués à jouer aux jeux vidéo ». Des incitations à s'orienter vers l'enseignement technique Parallèlement, les places à l'université ont été réduites et les incitations des enseignants lors de l'orientation à se rendre dans l'enseignement technique au lieu de la filière générale sont de plus en plus nombreuses, et parfois mêmes pressantes, selon certains témoignages. L'entrée à l'université se fait en moyenne à 18 ans, après onze ans de scolarité dans la filière générale, et les études y durent en général cinq ans, quand la filière technique compte neuf ans d'étude, et une spécialisation supérieure qui ne dépasse pas les trois ans. Ce changement de braquet, qui intervient sans avoir été formellement annoncé, suscite certaines critiques. Un enseignant, qui a demandé à s'exprimer anonymement, juge ainsi que : « ​​​​​​​La qualité de l'enseignement dans les écoles techniques, après plus de 30 ans de réformes, s'est considérablement détériorée et la confiance du public est rompue. Si la qualité était meilleure, peut-être que les familles réagiraient différemment. Mais là, naturellement, les parents sont très mécontents de voir leurs enfants privés de la possibilité de recevoir une bonne éducation. Par ailleurs, l'enseignement technique est aussi une formation qui s'achève très rapidement. Et contrairement aux universités qui permettent d'obtenir un sursis, les jeunes qui y ont étudié doivent faire leur service militaire très vite et très jeune, et tout le monde n'est pas prêt si rapidement pour ça. » Pas les adolescents qui fréquentent les festivals comme ceux de Lipetsk, qu'ils soient venus en famille ou avec leur mouvement de jeunesse patriotique. On leur offre de tester des armes automatiques, de faire des parcours du combattant, et bien sûr de rencontrer « Sergueï », l'instructeur, qui a déployé ses drones dans son stand. Médailles sur la poitrine, le dirigeant de l'association régionale des vétérans, Alexander Yastreb, rencontre et serre des mains dans les allées des stands du festival. Ce natif de Crimée ne mentionne pas Wagner dans sa biographie officielle, mais parmi les récompenses qu'il affiche sur sa poitrine, on remarque quatre croix noires, soit une distinction non officielle décernée par la société militaire d'Evgueni Prigojine. Et dans la liste des « points chauds » où il dit avoir servi son pays, figurent notamment la Syrie, la Libye, le Tchad et la Centrafrique, ainsi que « l'opération spéciale ». Il se présente aujourd'hui aux primaires de Russie Unie, le parti au pouvoir, pour concourir comme élu à la Douma.  S'il est désigné, Alexander Yastreb pourrait faire partie des 80-100 vétérans du conflit en Ukraine à devenir députés en septembre 2026, soit presque 20% de l'assemblée. La Douma, bien sûr, ne conteste jamais les projets du Kremlin. Mais cette forte présence à venir de ces vétérans à Moscou est une forme de traduction de leur poids dans les rouages de l'appareil d'État. Et le signal, parmi d'autres, qu'ils sont destinés à rester, quelle que soit l'issue du conflit, une force politique et sociale qui va peser sur l'avenir de la Russie. À commencer par celui de la jeunesse aujourd'hui. Retrouvez tous nos articles, reportages et émissions sur la Russie

2026-05-03 | UPDATES #191 | Tupik. Russia's own war correspondents just declared the war a dead end. The confessions of disheartened z-bloggers and turbo patriots. This episode is based on Michael Naki's survey of Russian z-blogger confessions. Whines of doom and gloom, whinging about the weakness of Russia and Putin's failure to erase Ukraine as a nation, a people, and as a military power. There is one Russian word you need to hold in your head for the next ten minutes. The word is Tupik. It means dead end. Cul-de-sac. The road that goes nowhere. Ironic that as we approach May 9th, Victory Day, we should be focusing on the war in which Russians no longer see victory, but rather a catastrophic defeat that now threatens to become an existential risk to their imperial realm. For four years, this word has been forbidden in Russian state media. The official line, repeated by Vladimir Putin, by Defence Minister Belousov, by Chief of General Staff Gerasimov, by every state television presenter, by every official briefing — was that the Special Military Operation was progressing. That every Ukrainian village taken was a victory. That every line on the map redrawn in Russia's favour was evidence of inevitable triumph. That the Western analysts predicting Russian failure were inventing fictions.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------ACTIVE CAMPAIGN:We are raising funds for 5 of 15 Vampire DronesSilicon Curtain for Kupiansk Vampires. Dzyga's Paw, together with Jonathan Fink, is joining forces to raise $40,000 to provide the Khartiia Brigade with Vampire Drones.https://dzygaspaw.com/silicon-curtain-for-kupiansk-vampiresThese heavy bombers are designed to destroy manpower and equipment, as well as for remote mining. The Vampire UAV, manufactured by Skyfall, has proven itself to be one of the most effective weapons in the Kupiansk direction. Skyfall is one of Ukraine's largest defense tech companies, producing Vampire bomber drones, various modifications of Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN, Shahed drone interceptors, communication systems, and components.----------PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Michael Naki — "ТУПИК ДЛЯ АРМИИ РФ. Военкоров прорвало" / "DEAD END FOR THE RUSSIAN ARMY. War correspondents have broken through" (May 2026 video, transcript provided in user upload) — Primary source for entire episode: comprehensive collation of admissions from Zvinchuk (Rybar), Solovyov panellists, Sladkov, Steshin, Kotenok, Strelkov, Tretyakov, Ageev, and the "When the cannons sang" Telegram channelWashington Post — "Russian Mikhail Zvinchuk accused by State Department of election interference" (4 November 2024)Genderdesk WordPress — "Another Russian z-blogger: 'Rybar'" (24 April 2026) Pravda Ukraine — "UAV Operators. They'll be operators, not stormtroopers" (April 2026)Pravda NATO — "Results of April 27/30/May 1/May 2 from Rybar via SolovyovLive" (April-May 2026) Ukrainian News (Ukranews.com) — "Terrorist Girkin predicts Russia's military defeat" (April 2026) Wikipedia — Igor Girkin (Strelkov) — Biographical record; FSB colonel; April 2014 Sloviansk operation; Dutch MH17 conviction November 2022; 4-year sentence January 2024; Putin "lowlife" remarks; ongoing Telegram channel maintained by wife Miroslava Reginskaya----------

Israël est-il en train de devenir un État paria ? La question est posée cette semaine dans le Nouvel Obs, qui titre en Une : « Crimes de guerre, colonisation, atteintes à la démocratie : la dérive d'Israël ». « Fondé pour être l'État refuge des juifs persécutés au lendemain de la Seconde guerre mondiale, Israël devient un état paria », estime Omer Bartov, universitaire israélo-américain, interrogé par le Nouvel Obs. Et l'hebdomadaire accuse : « Avec ses ministres messianiques et suprémacistes, le gouvernement israélien pratique une politique d'effacement des Palestiniens d'une violence inouïe et pilonne l'État de droit ». Le Nouvel Obs aligne les chiffres : « plus de 72 000 morts dont près de 30 000 enfants à Gaza, l'ouverture de six autres fronts : (Liban, Iran, Cisjordanie, Yémen, Irak, Syrie), et des frappes qui peuvent faire un carnage en quelques minutes comme à Beyrouth le 8 avril (350 morts et plus de 1200 blessés) ».   À Jérusalem-Est et Tel Aviv Le Nouvel Obs est allé à la rencontre des Israéliens et des Palestiniens. L'hebdomadaire s'est rendu à Silwa, quartier de Jérusalem-Est, en Cisjordanie occupée, où les habitants palestiniens de 150 maisons ont reçu des ordres de démolition, pour faire la place à des familles de colons. Destruction que les Palestiniens doivent effectuer eux-mêmes sous peine d'une amende de « dizaines de milliers de shekels ». C'est ainsi que Wassim Siam, « père de cinq enfants » est en train de démolir sa propre maison. « Les Israéliens ne veulent plus de nous ici », déclare-t-il au Nouvel Obs.   L'hebdomadaire s'est aussi rendu à Tel Aviv, où il a rencontré des Israéliens majoritairement favorables à la politique de Benyamin Netanyahou, comme cette jeune réserviste de l'armée israélienne qui déclare : « J'espère qu'on va reprendre Gaza. Ils doivent foutre le camp d'ici. Il y a plein d'état musulmans dans le monde, pourquoi on ne pourrait pas avoir notre petit bout de terre à nous ? » « L'immense majorité des médias israéliens, précise le Nouvel Obs, martèle désormais un discours nationaliste, guerrier et relaie la propagande gouvernementale ». Dans ces conditions, y a-t-il encore une opposition en Israël ?  « La gauche israélienne, encore favorable à une solution à deux Etats, se réduit comme peau de chagrin », reconnaît l'hebdomadaire.  Le pouvoir jusqu'au bout Le Point fait sa Une sur « Ces malades qui nous gouvernent ». Et la liste est longue, elle va de Georges Pompidou, François Mitterrand et Jacques Chirac en France, à Mao en Chine, en passant par Staline, à l'époque de l'URSS. Mais l'actualité, en la matière, nous conduit aux États-Unis. « Entre Joe Biden et Donald Trump, lequel est le plus atteint ? » interroge le Point, qui ne répond pas vraiment, mais qui publie une photo des deux hommes, chacun en public, semblant plongé dans un profond sommeil… ce à quoi l'actuel président américain a répondu « qu'on le prend en photo quand il cligne des yeux ». Le 13 avril dernier, « son médecin Sean Barbabella a publié un rapport décrivant sa santé comme "excellente", y compris sur le plan cognitif ». Mais « la majorité des Américains en doute », assure le Point, à l'appui de plusieurs sondages, dont l'un paru fin février, et selon lequel « 61 % des Américains pensent que Donald Trump est devenu "imprévisible avec l'âge" ». D'anciens soutiens du président en doutent aussi, ajoute l'Express, d'anciens soutiens qui invoquent le 25ème amendement, celui qui permettrait de chasser Donald Trump du pouvoir. Toutefois, rappelle le Point, « la révocation du président devrait être votée par le Congrès à la majorité des deux tiers. Assez peu probable », conclut l'hebdomadaire. Blocage d'Internet En Russie, plusieurs villes, dont la capitale Moscou, sont privées d'Internet, depuis plusieurs semaines, annonce l'Express, selon lequel « la grogne monte au sein de la population et des élites pro-pouvoir ». L'hebdomadaire raconte une scène courante : dans la rue, un Moscovite se bat avec un plan papier, « encombrant et chiffonné », faute de GPS. « Un comble, dans une des villes les plus digitalisées au monde », remarque l'Express, qui ajoute : « Aujourd'hui, les Russes font un grand bond en arrière. Pourquoi ? simplement par la volonté de Poutine. Plus exactement du FSB, successeur du KGB, aux manettes de cette vaste opération de censure (…) » Explications d'Alexander Kolyandr, chercheur au Centre d'analyse des politiques européennes : « Les services de sécurité russes veulent créer un goulag numérique car ils considèrent Internet comme une menace ». La tension est montée d'un cran, mi-avril, avec la vidéo d'une blogueuse, faisant partie "du cercle pro-poutine", comptant "13 millions d'abonnés", et ayant publié un post incendiaire, dans lequel « elle liste les problèmes qui s'accumulent en Russie, dont le blocage d'Internet ». Le porte-parole du Kremlin Dmitri Peskov a estimé que ce message abordait "des questions importantes", dont "aucune n'a été laissée sans réponse". C'est peu, mais aux yeux de l'Express, "c'est le signe d'une fébrilité au sein du pouvoir, à 5 mois des élections à la Douma". 

2026-05-01 | UPDATES #189 | Girkin has issued another outburst from prison — 'we are heading for military defeat.' The man who did more than most to start this war now says it is lost. He is a criminal, but this pronouncement is worth listening to. The implication, the Putin regime has lost control of its own founding myth – its own justification for existing. The rest is failure and defeat. His name is Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin. Pen name: Strelkov — the Shooter. Former colonel of Russia's FSB. The self-proclaimed man who "pulled the war's trigger" in April 2014 by leading armed Russian militants across the border into Sloviansk. The so-called Defence Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic. Convicted in absentia by a Dutch court in November 2022 for the mass murder of 298 civilians on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. By any honest accounting, an international war criminal of the first order.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Ukrainian News (Ukranews.com) — "Terrorist Girkin predicts Russia's military defeat" (Late April 2026) Euronews — "EU approves €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary lifts controversial veto" (23 April 2026)Council on Foreign Relations — "Orbán's Fall in Hungary Opens a Door for Europe — and Closes One for Russia" — Liana Fix and Benjamin Harris (3 April 2026) Ukrainska Pravda / European Pravda — "Hungary's Magyar comments on EU's €90bn loan for Ukraine" (13 April 2026) Ukrainska Pravda — "EU wants to unblock €90bn for Ukraine as quickly as possible after Orbán's defeat" (13 April 2026)Wikipedia — Igor Girkin (Strelkov) The Moscow Times — "Ex-Rebel Leader Girkin Sentenced to 4 Years for Extremism After Criticizing War" (25 January 2024) Newsweek — "Putin's forces heading to military 'defeat,' former Russian commander warns" (April 2023)Newsweek — "Russia has suffered 'strategic defeat' as war nears 10th month: Igor Girkin" (December 2022) The New Voice of Ukraine — "Former 'DPR' leader argues Russia is 'heading for a military defeat'" (April 2023) ----------

In the second season of Brief Histories, True Spies producer Joe Foley is your guide to the shadowy side of the world's Espionage capitals. In Moscow, we'll discover the origins of Russia's intelligence culture, go underground with the CIA"s Moscow Station, and hear a first-hand account from an FSB defector. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Nathan Chasing Horse, known for his role in “Dances with Wolves”, has been sentenced in Nevada to 37 years to life in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls. A jury found him guilty on 13 charges, mostly involving sexual abuse. Prosecutors say he used his position as a Lakota spiritual leader to gain trust and manipulate victims over many years. One woman, who was 14 when the abuse began, told the court her childhood was taken from her. Chasing Horse was arrested in 2023 and has denied the charges. Tongass National Forest Deputy Supervisor Barb Miranda talks about the Tongass Forest Plan Revision agenda to Wrangell, Alaska residents at the Nolan Center on April 21, 2027. (Photo: Colette Czarnecki / KSTK) U.S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel have been visiting Southeast Alaska communities to understand how residents want the Tongass National Forest used. The federal agency is doing a comprehensive revision of the Tongass National Forest plan, which will guide long-term management. They are focusing on tribal, subsistence, recreation, tourism, and timber aspects. Tongass National Forest Deputy Supervisor Barb Miranda with USFS visited Wrangell last week and gave a brief presentation to community members. “Down in the lower 48, the towns and wild places are surrounded by civilization. Here it’s the opposite — we have our communities surrounded by this wild place that provides so much for our food, for our subsistence and for our economies.” Miranda says the plan aims to balance ecological preservation and community needs. Towards the back of the room were activities where people could write down their thoughts and take a survey. Community members highlighted the importance of balancing commercial activities like logging and recreation with subsistence needs. Albert Rinehart is the tribal administrator for the Wrangell Cooperative Association. He just finished an activity that had him identify the greatest subsistence harvest in a certain area of the Tongass. “Subsistence is important to a lot of our smaller communities, rural communities. If we’re gonna be doing any planning, it should be to help those habitats prosper and have our subsistence game be available.” The current comprehensive plan for the Tongass was revised in 1997 and was last amended in 2016. The deadline for Southeast communities to comment is May 6. USFS plans to release a draft of the environmental impact statement in November with a 90-day comment period following. Additionally, they plan to release the final draft of the statement in the summer of 2027, and the final plan in January of 2028. This story was provided by KSTK's Collete Czarnecki Perseverance Lake in Ketchikan, Alaska. (Photo: Leila Kheiry) The Federal Subsistence Board (FSB) voted last week to uphold Ketchikan's rural designation. That is after two tribal organizations on Prince of Wales (POW) Island submitted requests for reconsideration to the federal Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) last July. FSB voted in 2025 to reclassify Ketchikan from a non-rural status, allowing all residents to hunt and fish on federally managed lands and waters that were previously closed to them. That designation was challenged by Craig's tribe and Native corporation. They said the board failed to “fully consider the unintended consequences” of allowing new subsistence hunters from Ketchikan to access POW's deer population. The Ketchikan Indian Community was in favor of the rural designation, and worked for years to get rights to federally regulated subsistence activities. The tribe argued that the rural designation allows its tribal citizens to exercise traditional subsistence practices. The vote to sustain Ketchikan's rural designation came in the final hours of the board's four-day wildlife regulatory meeting in Anchorage. The vote also followed an executive session on April 23 to discuss the requests for reconsideration. This story was provided by KRBD's Hunter Morrison Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — The Menu: Traditional diet success and the first Indigenous ‘Chopped' champion

In this episode, Sean M. Wiswesser, former CIA Operations Officer, discusses his latest book, "Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War". The book explores the covert world of Russian espionage and how the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS) - the SVR, GRU, and FSB, including their use of double agents, surveillance, and “street work,” honeytraps, sabotage, active measures, assassinations - operate across the globe including the tactics, tradecraft, and mindset of the RIS. And the RIS roles in the Russo-Ukraine War. Interview date Wednesday, 25 March 2026. Interviewers Paul Hollingsworth PhD, former Senior CIA Officer and Analyst, President, AFIO, and Co-Host James Hughes, President Emeritus, AFIO.

Rusland trekt een “digitaal ijzeren gordijn” op, zo noemt de BBC het. Het Kremlin heeft het internet afgesloten voor de bevolking en dat leidt tot interne onvrede. Maar ook zijn buitenlandbeleid moet president Vladimir Poetin stilaan zorgen baren. ­ Het rommelt in Rusland: de economie sputtert, hoe langer hoe meer Russen zijn oorlogsmoe en recent heeft de geheime dienst FSB het internet afgesloten. Apps zoals Telegram en Whatsapp zijn niet meer toegankelijk. “Hij wil het westen zoveel mogelijk buiten houden en de Russen isoleren”, zegt buitenlandredacteur Dominique Minten. ­ Is hij bang van te veel kritiek op het internet? Feit is dat de Russische beauty-influencer Victoria Bonya, die in Monaco woont, in een filmpje kritiek uitte op het beleid van Poetin. “De mensen zijn bang van u”, klonk het. De video werd 30 miljoen keer bekeken, en vervolgens werd het internet ontoegankelijk gemaakt. Welk effect heeft dat in de praktijk? En wie is er dan eigenlijk bang van wie? ­ “De oorlog in Oekraïne blijft de olifant in de kamer”, vertelt Dominique. De Russische ministers en de gouverneur van de Nationale Bank moesten zich komen verantwoorden. Tot overmaat van ramp voor Poetin, verliest hij zijn ogen en oren binnen Europa. In Hongarije is Orban immers niet opnieuw verkozen. Hoe kan Poetin zijn invloedsfeer in Europa blijven behouden? En kunnen/zullen de Russen hun president in een positie dwingen waarbij hij de oorlog wel moét beëindigen? ­ Wil je de nieuwste aflevering van onze economiepodcast Kop of munt beluisteren? Luister en volg hier: De Standaard Spotify Apple podcasts ­ Journalist Dominique Minten | Presentatie Marjan Justaert | Redactie Gijs op ‘t Roodt | Eindredactie Janne Maeseele | Audioproductie en muziek Brecht Plasschaert | Chef podcast Alexander LippeveldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Paul and Burning Bright settle into a new Thursday night 10:30 PM ET time slot with a deep dive into David Cronenberg's 2007 crime drama Eastern Promises, written by Steven Knight and starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Mueller-Stahl. The guys unpack why this stoic, brutal character study is more than a mob movie. It's a meditation on moral relativism, the weapons of the enemy, and the blurry line between systems and sovereigns. Along the way, they argue that stories (not facts) are the real terrain of the info war, using Nikolai's undercover FSB operation as a lens for understanding narrative warfare, controlled opposition, and what it really means when you can't verify any of the "real" stories being fed through your screen. They also wander into the Russian Vory code, the Ukrainian oligarch pipeline, Putin's strange bureaucratic war on the criminal underworld, the Donbas trafficking pipeline, and why Nikolai's tattoo ceremony is really a ritual of dehumanization. Plus, a sneak peek at next week's pick: No Country for Old Men.

Connexions perturbées, blocage des messageries WhatsApp et Telegram continuent d'isoler la Russie du reste d'internet. En dépit du bruit fait par les influenceurs, financièrement affectés par ces coupures, et malgré l'impact de ces mesures sur le front ukrainien, le Kremlin parachève le verrouillage interne. Tout en poursuivant -à l'extérieur- une stratégie offensive de diffusion des narratifs pro-russes.  Notre invité est le spécialiste du cyberespace russophone Kévin Limonier. Professeur des universités en géographie à l'Institut Français de Géopolitique, il est aussi directeur adjoint du laboratoire GEODE pour Géopolitique de la data sphère, partenaire de cette émission.   Une vidéo devenue virale montre Victoria Bonya, une influenceuse russe suivie par des millions d'abonnés sur les plus grandes plateformes, s'adressant directement à Vladimir Poutine pour dénoncer la peur qui paralyse la société russe. Son message, envoyé depuis Monaco où elle réside, résonne avec de nombreuses autres publications ces dernières semaines, d'internautes résidant en Russie et déplorant l'état désastreux de l'économie russe et les effets néfastes des coupures d'internet, suppression de l'accès aux messageries privées WhatsApp et Telegram.  Une tendance irréversible, malgré la colère « Aujourd'hui, les personnes qui décident de la politique de blocage des applications sont des officiers du FSB pour qui le contrôle de l'information est une nécessité, pour assurer la survie du régime. » En fait, depuis une quinzaine d'années, nous explique Kévin Limonier, la Russie construit un système de contrôle en ligne, aujourd'hui piloté par le FSB, héritier du KGB, pour étouffer toute velléité de contestation. Les blocages de Telegram, WhatsApp ou les restrictions sur les VPN ne sont que la partie émergée d'une machine bien huilée, où le contrôle de l'information prime même sur les intérêts économiques ou militaires – comme l'a montré l'impact tactique désastreux de ces blocages pour les soldats russes sur le front ukrainien. Laboratoire d'oppression numérique « Dans les territoires occupés par la Russie en Ukraine, les Russes testent des systèmes de censure et de surveillance qui sont ensuite déployés dans toute la Fédération. C'est un laboratoire d'oppression numérique. » Et si le Kremlin coupait ainsi les ailes de sa propagande à l'étranger ? La question se pose alors que Telegram, sorte d'incubateur des campagnes de désinformation ciblant l'Europe notamment, est désormais dans le collimateur du Kremlin. Il est cependant possible d'imaginer un système de passe-droits au profit d'officines et agences de marketing digital, épargnant la diffusion des contenus propagandistes ou mensongers à destination de l'étranger. Mais il est encore trop tôt pour le dire. 

Manto Adomėno romanas „Moneta ir labirintas“ pirmoji dalis. Išleido leidykla „baltos lankos“.2018-ieji, Nižnedvinskas, Šiaurės Rusija. Lietuvos saugumo Giliosios geopolitikos skyriaus žvalgybininkas Tomas Narvydas incognito seka ataušusiais pėdsakais. Prieš metus šiame mieste, prigludusiame prie poliarinio rato, jo mokytojas, viršininkas ir bičiulis Leonas Nevardauskas rastas nuskendęs upėje. Iš pirmo žvilgsnio mirtis atrodo kaip nelaimingas atsitikimas, tačiau ką FSB nekenčiamas žmogus veikė vienas gūdžioje Rusijos provincijoje? Kodėl velionio kišenėje rastas belemnito akmuo, dar vadinamas velnio pirštu? Tomas leidžiasi į labirintišką kelionę tiesos link po Rusijos tamsumas ir savo paties praeitį. Knygos ištraukas skaito aktorius Giedrius Arbačiauskas.

Day 1,511.Today, as the 50-nation Ukraine Defence Contact Group meets in Berlin just hours after President Zelensky signs a new defence cooperation pact with Germany, we assess the first moves of Hungary's new prime minister and what they could mean for European support for Ukraine. We then take a deep dive into Russian military tactics and campaign design – including how Moscow consolidates control over occupied territories – with an expert from the Institute for the Study of War.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Karolina Hird of the Institute for the Study of War.NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest CONTENT REFERENCED:Karolina Hird's Occupation Updates for the ISW:https://understandingwar.org/people/karolina-hird/ The SBU detained an FSB informant who, while working as a school principal in Kramatorsk, corrected shelling of the city (Ukrainian Government):https://ssu.gov.ua/novyny/sbu-zatrymala-informatorku-fsb-yaka-pratsiuiuchy-zavuchem-shkoly-u-kramatorsku-koryhuvala-obstrily-mista17-year-old Lithuanian who won the Norwegian Mathematical Olympiad donated the entire prize to Ukraine (LRT):https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/svietimas/45/2887345/norvegijos-matematikos-olimpiadoje-laimejes-17-metis-lietuvis-visa-priza-paaukojo-ukrainai Ukraine opens first Africa food supply center in Ghana (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-links-food-aid-and-trade-with-ghana-agrohub/?mc_cid=d5c797f2f4&mc_eid=08d0680a95 EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16. The Russian Mob and Political Kompromat. Craig Unger explores Viktor Orbán's long-standing ties to the Russian mafia and the FSB. He argues that both Orbán and Donald Trump have functioned as assets for Russian intelligence due to financial entanglements.1815 Moscow

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-13-2026.1979 WOMEN PROEST IN TEHRAN The Brewing Blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Bill Roggio discusses the potential US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following failed talks in Islamabad. US demands include opening the strait, ending nuclear programs, and stopping proxy attacks against Middle Eastern neighbors.2. The Resilience of Iranian Surrogates. Bill Roggio analyzes the continued strength of Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Despite military pressure, these groups remain active, with the Houthis potentially held in reserve to threaten critical global shipping lanes.3. The Internal Struggle of the Iranian People. JANATYN SAYEH discusses the regime's brutal internal crackdown, noting over a thousand executions in 2026. The Iranian people feel abandoned by the current ceasefire, fearing the regime will survive without significant systemic change.4. Identifying Iran's Hardline Five-Man Leadership. Jonathan Schanzer outlines Iran's core leadership, including Ghalibaf and Vahidi, who possess deep ties to internal repression and international terror. These veterans represent an institutional commitment to the revolution, making significant concessions unlikely.5. Holocaust Remembrance and the Iranian Ideology. Malcolm Hoenlein reflects on Yom HaShoah and rising global anti-Semitism. He discusses how Iran's radical ideology drives its leaders to claim victory despite heavy military losses, refusing to compromise on their nuclear and proxy ambitions.6. Regional Realignments and the Houthi Threat. Malcolm Hoenlein warns the Gulf States face extreme vulnerability as Iran threatens their infrastructure. The Houthis remain a strategic reserve capable of closing the Bab al-Mandeb, while Europe continues to marginalize itself by staying on the sidelines.7. Operation Roaring Lion and Strikes on Beirut. David Daoud details the IDF's Operation Eternal Darkness, which targeted 100 Hezbollah sites in under ten minutes. The strikes hit densely populated areas of Beirut, causing massive displacement and raising questions about tactical objectives.8. Hezbollah's Inseparable Link to the Iranian Regime. David Daoud explains that Hezbollah is an essential extension of Iran's regional power, not a disposable proxy. Iran will likely fight to preserve the group, as Hezbollah's survival is critical to its revolutionary goals.9. Peru's Shift to the Right. Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports on Peru's election, where right-wing candidates Kiko Fujimori and Rafael Lopez Aliaga are leading. This trend suggests a continental shift away from the pink tide and toward pro-Western governments.10. Political Stagnation and Repression in Venezuela. Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports that the Rodriguez brothers maintain control in Venezuela by focusing on economic compliance while delaying political transitions. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faces threats of imprisonment, hindering hopes for free elections and a democratic transition.11. Escalation and Extortion in the Straits. Edmund Fitton-Brown discusses the US Navy's mission to counter Iranian extortion and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's big-stick strategy aims for a deal but risks a resumption of war.12. Viktor Orbán's Defeat and the European Center. Edmund Fitton-Brown analyzes the ousting of Hungary's Viktor Orbán by Peter Magyar as a victory for traditional democracy. This shift removes a major obstacle to EU aid for Ukraine and disrupts Vladimir Putin's influence.13. Ukraine's Easter Standoff and Prisoner Exchanges. John Hardy reports on Russian ceasefire violations during Orthodox Easter and significant prisoner exchanges. The removal of Viktor Orbán in Hungary is expected to unblock vital EU financial loans for the Ukrainian government.14. Iraqi Militias as Iran's Strategic Reserve. Ahmed Sharari discusses how Iraqi militias are fundraising to support Iran and Hezbollah. These groups serve as a strategic reserve for the Iranian regime, demonstrating their readiness to sacrifice resources for the revolution.15. Canada's Pivot Toward China. Conrad Black analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's efforts to strengthen trade with China amidst shifting relations with the US. While resource-rich Canada seeks new markets, political mistrust of China's undemocratic regime remains high.16. The Russian Mob and Political Kompromat. Craig Unger explores Viktor Orbán's long-standing ties to the Russian mafia and the FSB. He argues that both Orbán and Donald Trump have functioned as assets for Russian intelligence due to financial entanglements.

2026-04-14 | UPDATES #172 | The ghost leaves the machine — Surkov's alleged flight and the unravelling of Putinism. The man who invented "managed reality" for the Kremlin has, reportedly, had to manage his own reality to remain out of prison. Disappeared. A fugitive. That's the rumour. The subject of a criminal case being — and I quote the phrasing from Russian sources — "being prepared." The ghost-writer of Putin's postmodern autocracy has been ghosted by the system he built.Vladislav Surkov. Putin's brain. That was never Dugin – but Surkov is a far more likely candidate for that title. The grey cardinal. The architect of sovereign democracy. The curator of the invasion of Ukraine. The man who ran the Donbas occupation like a stage production. And, according to multiple Russian and Ukrainian sources in the last few hours, a man who has just bolted from Russia — one step ahead, they say, of the FSB knock on the door.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: EADaily, "What do you mean, 'left'? The Kremlin commented on Surkov's 'emergency departure'" (11 March 2026) — Peskov / RTVI quote, Yuri Kotenok Telegram sourcing. Informat (Romania), "Vladislav Surkov, former advisor to Putin, has fled Russia due to investigations related to the management of funds" (10 March 2026) — UAE / Latin America speculation, 2014–2020 funds investigation.Ukraine Today, "BREAKING NEWS: Vladislav Surkov has urgently fled Russia fearing immediate arrest" (10 March 2026) Stellar Reaches, "A Russian Puppetmaster Flees" (11 March 2026)PD Jukes / Trojan Horses Substack, "The Ghost Who Fled: Surkov's Fall and the Unravelling of Putinism" (Scout's Diary Entry #444, 9 March 2026) The L'Express interview (19 March 2025) and analysis:Kyiv Post, "'War in Ukraine Will Separate Sheep From Goats' – Vladislav Surkov" (24 March 2025) Ukrainska Pravda (English), "'Novorossiya' ideologist claims Russia has no borders and will expand in all directions – ISW" (23 March 2025)UNITED24 Media, "'Russian World Has No Borders': Putin's Ex-Advisor Lays Out Kremlin's Expansionist Vision" (23 March 2025) Institute for the Study of War (via X/Twitter), 22 March 2025 assessment American Foreign Policy Council / National Interest, Ilan I. Berman, "Russia's Imperial Mindset Hasn't Changed" (11 April 2025)----------

Rosja od 2022 roku systematycznie blokuje zachodnie, "wrogie" usługi. Ale teraz na celownik wzięła ukochany komunikator Rosjan na całym świecie: Telegram. Cel jest prosty: przekierować użytkowników do nowej, rządowej aplikacji Max, w której cały ruch i rozmowy mogą być monitorowane przez FSB. A dodatkowo będzie zysk ekonomiczny, bo przez Telegram w szarej strefie przepływały miliardy rubli. Czy zatem Rosja jest bliżej zbudowania Runetu i całkowitej kontroli swoich obywateli? A może w systemie są wyłomy? I ile właściwie bohatera w Pawle Durowie, założycielu Telegrama? O tym opowiadamy w tym odcinku. Rozdziały: 7:40 - Ban Telegrama 19:00 - Ile Kremla w Telegramie? 29:30 - Kim jest Paweł Durow? 40:20 - N****tyki, pe**filia, scamy 46:35 - Wolność 54:00 - MAX i kontrola internetu w Rosji Źródła: Powrót do analogowej wiedzy: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-13/moscow-s-internet-outages-drive-sales-of-pagers-and-paper-maps Triumf WhatsAppa nad Telegramem: https://www.forbes.ru/tekhnologii/556595-i-vtorye-stanut-pervymi-telegram-obosel-whatsapp-po-popularnosti-v-rossii Blokada WhatsAppa: https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-blocks-metas-whatsapp-messaging-service-ft-reports-2026-02-12/ Rosja wycisza internet: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/10/09/russia-is-shutting-down-its-own-internet-to-stop-ukrainian-drones/ Przeciążony Rosskomnadzor: https://www.forbes.ru/tekhnologii/557481-obhod-na-server-roskomnadzoru-stanovitsa-tazelee-blokirovat-internet-resursy Oszustwa na Telegramie: https://www.thebanker.com/content/dd411f8c-3624-472c-b3f4-9329c096f048 Putin promuje MAX'a http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/77099 Usługi państwowe na Telegramie: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7757038

Rosja od 2022 roku systematycznie blokuje zachodnie, "wrogie" usługi. Ale teraz na celownik wzięła ukochany komunikator Rosjan na całym świecie: Telegram. Cel jest prosty: przekierować użytkowników do nowej, rządowej aplikacji Max, w której cały ruch i rozmowy mogą być monitorowane przez FSB. A dodatkowo będzie zysk ekonomiczny, bo przez Telegram w szarej strefie przepływały miliardy rubli. Czy zatem Rosja jest bliżej zbudowania Runetu i całkowitej kontroli swoich obywateli? A może w systemie są wyłomy? I ile właściwie bohatera w Pawle Durowie, założycielu Telegrama? O tym opowiadamy w tym odcinku. Rozdziały: 7:40 - Ban Telegrama 19:00 - Ile Kremla w Telegramie? 29:30 - Kim jest Paweł Durow? 40:20 - N****tyki, pe**filia, scamy 46:35 - Wolność 54:00 - MAX i kontrola internetu w Rosji Źródła: Powrót do analogowej wiedzy: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-13/moscow-s-internet-outages-drive-sales-of-pagers-and-paper-maps Triumf WhatsAppa nad Telegramem: https://www.forbes.ru/tekhnologii/556595-i-vtorye-stanut-pervymi-telegram-obosel-whatsapp-po-popularnosti-v-rossii Blokada WhatsAppa: https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-blocks-metas-whatsapp-messaging-service-ft-reports-2026-02-12/ Rosja wycisza internet: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkirichenko/2025/10/09/russia-is-shutting-down-its-own-internet-to-stop-ukrainian-drones/ Przeciążony Rosskomnadzor: https://www.forbes.ru/tekhnologii/557481-obhod-na-server-roskomnadzoru-stanovitsa-tazelee-blokirovat-internet-resursy Oszustwa na Telegramie: https://www.thebanker.com/content/dd411f8c-3624-472c-b3f4-9329c096f048 Putin promuje MAX'a http://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/77099 Usługi państwowe na Telegramie: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/7757038

Sean Wiswesser spent three decades in the U.S. intelligence community, much of it running operations against Russia for the CIA. His new book, Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks, dissects of how the FSB, SVR, and GRU actually do their work: dead drops, signal sites, surveillance detection routes, and the street tradecraft that protected agents like Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen for years. Wiswesser explains why Russian services keep returning to Cold War–era methods, breaks down the operational differences between the SVR and GRU, and assesses elite units like Alpha, Vympel, and Spetsnaz whose mythology often outpaces their record. He also charts the sharp escalation in Russian sabotage across Europe, the mafia-like culture driving increasingly reckless operations, and Moscow's use of AI-enhanced active measures to deepen division in Western democracies.Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, global issues, and current affairs.Order Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: https://www.usni.org/press/books/tradecraft-tactics-and-dirty-tricksConnect with Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-wiswesser-a86603133/Please share this episode using these linksAudio: https://pod.fo/e/3fb9a1YouTube: https://youtu.be/WI7IChkSNpsSupport Secrets and SpiesBecome a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpiesBuy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/secretsandspiesSubscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dgFor more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.comConnect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspiesFacebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspiesSpoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpiesFollow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.netSecrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD: https://filmsandpodcasts.co.uk/Music by Andrew R. BirdPhoto by Dmitry Astakhov / REXSecrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.

C dans l'air du 10 avril 2026 - Epstein : Melania Trump relance l'affaire « Les mensonges qui m'associent à ce personnage infâme qu'est Jeffrey Epstein doivent cesser aujourd'hui ». Alors que Donald Trump avait demandé aux Américains de « passer à autre chose » sur le scandale Epstein, Melania Trump a surpris tout le monde, jeudi, en convoquant une conférence de presse à la Maison Blanche. La première dame a nié tout lien avec le criminel, alors que certaines rumeurs affirmaient que Jeffrey Epstein avait présenté Melania à Donald Trump. Cette conférence de presse est un nouveau rebondissement dans une affaire qui a largement agité le début de second mandat du président. Celui qui avait initialement promis de faire toute la lumière sur le dossier a finalement changé d'avis, alimentant les rumeurs sur ses liens avec l'homme d'affaires, décédé en 2019 en prison. Il y a une semaine Donald Trump a licencié sa ministre de la Justice Pam Bondi, accusée d'avoir mis trop d'énergie et de moyens pour enquêter sur cette affaire. Pendant ce temps, les victimes présumées de Jeffrey Epstein observent avec dégoût la gestion du scandale sexuel par la Maison blanche. Parmi elles, Lisa Phillips, 49 ans. Ancienne mannequin, désormais animatrice du podcast « From Now On », elle dit avoir été violée par l'homme d'affaires en 2004, lorsqu'elle avait 21 ans. À l'occasion d'un shooting photo dans les Caraïbes, une amie lui avait proposée d'aller dans la maison du riche homme d'affaires. Il l'aurait alors agressée sexuellement en compagnie d'une autre jeune femme. « Il aimait la peur, c'est sûr. Il aimait ça, vous savez, le fait que nous étions paralysés », raconte-t-elle à C dans l'air. Après des années de silence et de déni, elle a finalement décidé de participer à l'ouverture de la parole : « C'est seulement après la mort de Jeffrey Epstein que j'ai eu un déclic. C'est à ce moment-là que j'ai eu mon effondrement émotionnel, en voyant à la télévision qu'il était mort. » Par ailleurs, quels liens Jeffrey Epstein entretenait-il avec le Kremlin ? Sur les 3,5 millions de documents publiés par le ministère de la Justice américain en janvier, près de 10 000 font référence à la Russie, et au moins 1 000 à Vladimir Poutine. Deux échanges, en 2011 et 2014, évoquent même des rendez-vous avec le président russe, même si la rencontre n'a semble-t-il jamais eu lieu. Le prédateur sexuel américain s'était également lié à Sergueï Beliakov, haut-fonctionnaire russe formé au FSB, les services secrets du Kremlin. Pour quoi faire ? Plusieurs historiens s'interrogent...Comment expliquer la récente prise de parole de Melania Trump sur l'affaire Epstein ? Comment les victimes du prédateur sexuel américain vivent-elles la gestion du dossier par la Maison Blanche ? Et que vaut la piste du « kompromat » russe ?Nos experts :- Christine OCKRENT - Journaliste, spécialiste des affaires étrangères – France Culture - Lucas MENGET - Grand reporter, spécialiste des relations internationales - James ANDRÉ - Grand reporter - France 24 - Audrey GOUTARD - Grand reporter - France Télévisions, spécialiste des faits de société - (En duplex de Washington) David THOMSON - Journaliste, spécialiste du mouvement MAGA

2026-04-01 | UPDATES #159 | Girkin's letter from prison on the Telegram Kill Switch, Shoigu Slipping, and the Iron Curtain Descending. Based on Igor Girkin's prison letter (March 22, 2026) and other reporting. Igor Girkin (Strelkov) was once untouchable — a former FSB colonel, a war criminal by any honest accounting, the man who by his own admission pulled the trigger that started the Donbas war in 2014, the commander sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by a Dutch court for his role in shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and killing all 298 people aboard. A man who called Putin a "lowlife" and a "cowardly bum" on his Telegram channel — and was arrested the following day. He is now in a penal colony in the Kirov region of Russia. Strelkov — (the Shooter) is currently serving four years in a Russian penal colony on charges of inciting extremism. He is one of the most hawkish, most committed Russian nationalists in the country's entire political ecosystem. He is not a democrat, not a liberal, not a friend of Ukraine in any sense of that word.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------

Riley Waggaman discusses his recent expulsion from Russia after his partner was interrogated by the FSB and handed a 25-year entry ban for unspecified national security reasons. The discussion critiques both West and East, arguing that the same Davos globalist technocracy is present in the BRICS nations through initiatives like CBDCs and carbon markets. Waggaman contends that the SMO has only served to further integrate Ukraine into the Western sphere while domestic freedoms in Russia are increasingly restricted. The dialogue highlights the perceived disingenuousness of alternative media figures who provide uncritical support for the Kremlin’s policies. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Listen Ad-Free for $4.99 a Month or $49.99 a Year! Apple Subscriptions https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geopolitics-empire/id1003465597 Supercast https://geopoliticsandempire.supercast.com ***Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics American Gold Exchange https://www.amergold.com/geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape The Technocracy (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics Outbound Mexico https://outboundmx.com PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis https://societates-civis.com StartMail https://www.startmail.com/partner/?ref=ngu4nzr Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Edward Slavsquat Substack https://edwardslavsquat.substack.com About Riley Waggaman Edward Slavsquat is a moniker sometimes used by Riley Waggaman, an American writer and journalist who has lived in Russia for close to a decade. He has contributed to many websites, including Anti-Empire, Russian Faith, Brownstone Institute, Unlimited Hangout, and Geopolitics & Empire. He worked for Press TV, Russia Insider, and RT before going solo. You can follow him on Twitter here. Email: riley (dot) waggaman (at) gmail.com Also, follow Edward Slavsquat on Telegram for exciting (usually daily) Russia-related news updates! *Podcast intro music used with permission is from the song “The Queens Jig” by the fantastic “Musicke & Mirth” from their album “Music for Two Lyra Viols”: http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

2026-03-31 | UPDATES #158 | The Tsar is on edge, spooked even. Putin's post-Iran paranoia and the traffic cameras that changed everything. Based on Julia Ioffe's Puck News analysis (March 24, 2026) and other reporting. This is an interesting question. What does it take to terrify Vladimir Putin? Fear of death alone seems not to be enough, but fear of losing power, of humiliation is even worse. The man who has spent twenty-six years turning Russia into a personal fortress. The man who operates from three identical, interchangeable offices — at Novo-Ogaryovo, at Valdai, at Sochi — each decorated to the millimetre so that even his closest aides cannot determine which city he's in on any given day. The man who has had his Black Sea palace partially demolished and rebuilt, who has 12 Pantsir-S1 air defence systems stationed around his Valdai compound, who has Kremlin-adjacent Telegram channels claiming his FSB is on permanent alert against biochemical attacks in his bedsheets. What does it take to terrify that man? Stunning recent reporting suggests that a traffic camera in Tehran has particularly triggered him.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Julia Ioffe / Puck News — "Putin's Post-Iran Paranoia" (March 24, 2026)https://puck.news/putins-post-iran-paranoia/Puck News teaser / follow-up — "The Russian president has curtailed his schedule, and Moscow has virtually no cell service. The official explanation is about Ukrainian drones, but Putin is clearly spooked." (March 29, 2026)https://puck.news/the-secret-iran-intel-that-terrified-dems/Newsweek — "Putin assassination fears could explain internet shutdown" (March 2026)Euromaidan Press — "Putin watched Khamenei get killed. Then disappeared from public view for nine days. Then shut down Moscow's internet." (March 25, 2026)RBC-Ukraine — "Putin no longer seen at Kremlin following Khamenei's elimination, reports say" (March 2026)United24 Media — "Putin Reportedly Avoids Kremlin After Reports of Iranian Leaders Tracked by Cameras" (March 2026)Times of Israel — "Report: Israel hacked Tehran traffic cameras to track Khamenei ahead of assassination" (March 3, 2026)United24 Media — "Israel and CIA Conduct Precision Strike on Khamenei Using Tehran Surveillance Systems" (March 3, 2026)Kyiv Post — "Putin's Sochi Residence Gets Mega Security Zone Amid Drone Fears" (March 2026)United24 Media — "Russia Drafts Massive Protected Zone Around Putin's Sochi Residence" (March 13, 2026)----------

Today Justin sits down with Janosh Neumann, known as Jay. Jay was born in Russia under a different name and joined the Federal Security Service, known as the FSB ,as a counterintelligence officer in 1996. Over the next few years, he investigated international money laundering and other crimes. In 2008, he and his wife, Victoria, who was also an FSB officer, traveled to the Dominican Republic where they walked into the US Embassy and offered to defect to the United States. This was the start of a years long relationship with the US government, which helped relocate the couple to the United States to start a new life with many ups and downs along the way. He's here today to discuss his life story, which has been made into a graphic novel series called Almost American by Aftershock Comics in 2022. Connect with Janosh: realspycomics.com info@realspycomics.com Twitter/X: @RealSpyComics_ Check out the comic book of his life, ALMOST AMERICAN, here. https://a.co/d/0aTyO0lv Connect with Spycraft 101: Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here. spycraft101.com IG: @spycraft101 Shop: shop.spycraft101.com Patreon: Spycraft 101 Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here. Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here. Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here. Kruschiki The best surplus military goods delivered right to your door. Use code SPYCRAFT101 for 10% off! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2026-03-28 | UPDATES #156 | VYBORG: Ukraine Just Sank Putin's Arctic Dream a Thousand Kilometres from the Front Line. I used to go there from St Petersburg on weekend trips, to stroll around a city with a European scale and ambience (even though it has degenerated from a vibrant cosmopolitan city to a village mentality, when the Soviets stole it from the Finns). It's odd to see places from one's past descend into battlegrounds, with air raid sirens wailing and explosions detonating. A thousand kilometres from the nearest Ukrainian position. A shipyard on the Baltic Sea, 30 kilometres from the Finnish border. A city that used to be Finnish, that changed hands in wars most people have forgotten. And there, listing to port in the grey water of the harbour, her hull leaning against a neighbouring research vessel — a brand new Russian military icebreaker, built for Putin's FSB, designed to project power across the Arctic, worth an estimated €220 million.The Purga. Project 23550. Russia's state-of-the-art combat icebreaker. Struck by Ukrainian drones on the night of March 24th to 25th. Now keeling over in the port of Vyborg. This is symbolism of the highest order. It's a message to the Kremlin that nowhere is safe. Not your oil ports. Not your shipyards. Not your Arctic ambitions. Ukraine can reach all of it.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------

In September 1999, just weeks after 46-year-old Vladimir Putin became Russia's prime minister, a series of apartment bombings ripped through Russian cities, killing hundreds as they slept and plunging the country into fear. The government blamed Chechen militants—but questions soon emerged. Some journalists and investigators began to suspect Russia's own security services, the FSB, successor to the KGB. Those who pursued the story, including former agent Alexander Litvinenko, paid a heavy price. To this day, the truth remains fiercely contested. What is clear is the impact: out of the chaos, Putin rose as a leader promising order and revenge—an ascent that would reshape Russia's future.Dan is joined by journalist Helena Merriman, who hosts a brand new podcast from BBC Studios called The History Bureau that delves into this story and asks the journalists who were there - what did we miss the first time around? You can listen to The History Bureau on the BBC Sounds app or wherever you get your podcasts.Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Matthew Wilson.Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026-03-12 | UPDATES #143 | What does it say about the state of mind in the Putin regime, that it has started normalising communications blackouts in its own capital? This is where Russia is now – internet shutdowns in the centre of Moscow have become daily occurrences. Is it to do with war security, as the regime claims, or is it to do with fears of a coup, circulating as rumours? Over the past week, Moscow, St Petersburg, and other Russian cities have seen repeated mobile internet outages, with residents reporting they could not load apps, call taxis, access websites, complete payments, or sometimes even place normal calls. On March 10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the shutdowns were real, saying they were being imposed for security reasons and were being carried out “in strict compliance with current legislation.” A day later, the Kremlin doubled down, saying the restrictions would last “as long as necessary” for public safety. That is the official story: security. But in Russia, “security” is a broad and opaque explanation. It comes with the hint and shadow of the feared security and intelligence services, the successors to the KGB. And increasingly, it is a method for switching off normal life.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters, March 10, 2026 — Kremlin says Moscow mobile internet outages are done for sake of security.Meduza, March 10, 2026 — The Kremlin says it's cutting off mobile Internet access for security reasons. Muscovites say they're resigning themselves to regular blackouts. The Guardian, March 12, 2026 — Unexplained Moscow internet blackouts spark fears of web censorship plan. Kyiv Independent, March 11, 2026 — Fact-check: Moscow internet outages spark coup rumors — experts say it's 'wishful thinking'. Reuters, September 5, 2025 — Russia lists local apps that will survive its internet blackouts. Reuters, February 12, 2026 — Russia fully blocks WhatsApp, talks up state-backed alternative. President of Russia / Kremlin website, February 20, 2026 — law requiring telecom providers to suspend services at the FSB's request. ----------

On this week's show, Patrick Gray, Adam Boileau and James WIlson discuss the week's cybersecurity news. They cover: The US-Israeli attack on Iran had a whole lot of cyber. It's clearly in the playbook now! The NSA Triangulation / L3 Harris Trenchant iOS exploit kit is on the loose, and being used by Chinese crypto scammers So long Maddhu Gottumukkala, but CISA's annus horribilis continues Adam “humbug” Boileau complains about the Airsnitch wifi attack just being three ethernets in a trenchcoat ASD's Cisco SD-WAN threat hunting guide is clearly borne of … experience This week's episode is sponsored by AI threat hunting platform Nebulock. Sydney Marrone joins to talk about how useful AI models are on the hunt, and her work building out an open source framework and maturity model. It's methodology agnostic, so you can adapt it for your environment, and the github link is in the show notes! This episode is also available on Youtube. Show notes Inside the plan to kill Ali Khamenei Hacked traffic cams and hijacked TVs: How cyber operations supported the war against Iran | TechCrunch Matthew Prince

Five Eyes flags active exploitation of Cisco SD-WAN flaws. Ransomware incidents surge, but fewer victims are paying. The FTC eases its stance on COPPA to encourage age verification. Authorities in Poland and Germany charge 11 in a Facebook credential harvesting scheme. Top UK news outlets unite on AI licensing standards, as the UK touts gains in cyber resilience. Researchers say a hacker abused Anthropic's Claude to breach Mexican government networks. Gamers revolt over AI in game development. On our Industry Voices, we are joined by Linda Gray Martin, Chief of Staff and SVP, and Britta Glade, SVP of Content and Communities, from RSAC sharing what is new at RSAC 2026. In Moscow, a man is accused of impersonating an FSB officer to shake down the Conti ransomware gang.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today on our Industry Voices, we are joined by Linda Gray Martin, Chief of Staff and SVP, and Britta Glade, SVP of Content and Communities, from RSAC sharing what is new at RSAC 2026. Selected Reading Cisco SD-WAN Is Actively Exploited by UAT-8616, Five Eyes Alliance Agencies Issue Warning (TechNadu) Ransomware payments dropped in 2025 as attack numbers reached record levels: Chainalysis (The Record) FTC Softens Enforcement of Rule Protecting Children Online, Ostensibly to Protect Children Online (Gizmodo) Poland Cybercrime Unit Uncovers Scheme Stealing 100,000 Facebook Logins (The 420) UK news giants form 'NATO for news' group to control AI scraping (Press Gazette) Government cuts cyber-attack fix times by 84% and launches new profession to protect public services (GOV.UK) Hacker Used Anthropic's Claude to Steal Sensitive Mexican Data (Bloomberg) AI Mistakes Are Infuriating Gamers as Developers Seek Savings (Bloomberg) Moscow man accused of posing as FSB officer to extort Conti ransomware gang (The Record) AIs can't stop recommending nuclear strikes in war game simulations (New Scientist) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the geopolitical cesspool. Today, we are taking a hard look at the crumbling, jury-rigged mafia state operating just across the border, and the exiled "Good Russians" who think they are magically going to inherit it.First, we dive into the blood-soaked mud of the zero-line with the leaked audio of Major General Roman Dimurchiev. From troops hunting for a prosecutor's missing underpants amidst artillery fire to commanders earning state medals for sapper-shovel executions, we examine the true operating system of the Russian military. Frankly, comparing these guys to the armies of Mordor is a massive, unforgivable insult to the logistical competence of the Uruk-hai.Then, we cross the border into Europe to check on the High Elves of Rivendell—the exiled Russian liberal opposition. While actual people are dying in the mud, the architects of the "Beautiful Russia of the Future" are busy playing Dungeons & Dragons in rented seminar rooms, running multi-million-dollar offshore laundromats, and hiring Baltic street thugs to kneecap their political rivals with meat hammers.From the Z-patriots desperately rebranding themselves as the Mongol Horde, to the sheer, Bond-villain absurdity of the FSB utilizing South American dart frog neurotoxins, this episode is a deep dive into an empire built entirely out of stolen myths, hallucinations, and pure rot.Support the War Effort: The Ukrainian military doesn't need PowerPoint presentations; they need armor. Please support Car4Ukraine as they weld heavy armor onto civilian pickup trucks and send them straight to the front line:

Today's Headlines: On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that Donald Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The dissenters: Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh. Trump responded by blasting Justices Gorsuch and Barrett as “disloyal” and insisting he can “destroy trade” but not “charge a little fee.” He then proposed a global 10% tariff workaround — later bumped to 15%. Meanwhile, Americans are still effectively paying 9.1% in tariffs, and the Court didn't address what happens to the $133 billion already collected. Over the weekend, Trump announced he's sending a “great hospital boat” to Greenland, despite Denmark saying it wasn't informed and doesn't need it. The Navy ships in question are reportedly in Alabama. Sure. On the Russia beat, a Trump ally signed a natural gas deal with Russian energy giant Novatek despite U.S. sanctions tied to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine — the first known new U.S.–Russia venture of its kind. Separately, ICE and other agencies contracted with phone-forensics firm Oxygen Forensics, which has ties to sanctioned former FSB figures. At the same time, DHS has issued hundreds of subpoenas to tech companies seeking identifying information on users critical of ICE. Trump is also pressuring Netflix to remove Susan Rice from its board amid maneuvering around a media acquisition deal that could affect CNN. Casual. In Florida, Secret Service agents shot and killed a 21-year-old man who allegedly breached the perimeter of Mar-a-Lagowith what appeared to be a shotgun and fuel can; the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers approved renaming Palm Beach International Airport after Trump — a $5.5 million rebrand. And finally, taxpayers will now provide new Secret Service agents with two tailored suits upon graduation. Inflation hits us all differently. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Trump raises global tariff to 15% shortly after implementing reworked 10% levy NYT: Denmark Rejects Trump's Plan to Send Hospital Boat to Greenland NYT: With ‘Tremendous' Deals at Stake, Trump Is Bringing Russia in From the Cold Substack: ICE Is Using Phone Extraction Software Linked to Russia's FSB-Connected Network Military: DHS Collecting Big Tech Users' Personal Data, Issuing Subpoenas For ICE-Related Criticism Financial Times: Trump demands Netflix remove former Obama official from board NBC: Law enforcement shoots and kills armed man trying to enter Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says Politico: Now boarding: Florida Legislature approves renaming Palm Beach airport after Trump NYT: Homeland Security to Shut TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at Airports CNN: Exclusive: Secret Service will offer tailored suits to new protective detail agents Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Czech Security and the Ukrainian Mob Unger discusses how Czech intelligence monitored Ivana Trump and explores Trump's negotiations with Pavel Fuks, a Ukrainian developer described as "pure Russian mob". Fuks, who boasted of FSB ties, negotiated for a Trump Tower in Moscow and later paid significant sums to attend Trump's inauguration. Guest Author: Craig Unger1868 PUBLISHING ROW

IRAN 1971113 Bayrock, Franchising, and Financial Rescue Craig Unger details how Bayrock, a firm of Soviet immigrants with mob ties located in Trump Tower, rescued a bankrupt Trump. They introduced a risk-free franchising model, allowing Trump to profit from licensing his name while Russian intelligence and mafia figures utilized his properties for money laundering operations. Guest Author: Craig Unger14 Epstein, Real Estate Flips, and Russian Ties The conversation shifts to Jeffrey Epstein's mysterious links to Russian intelligence and his real estate dealings with Trump. Unger highlights a suspicious transaction where Trump bought a property and quickly flipped it to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev for a massive profit despite making no improvements. Guest Author: Craig Unger15 Czech Security and the Ukrainian Mob Unger discusses how Czech intelligence monitored Ivana Trump and explores Trump's negotiations with Pavel Fuks, a Ukrainian developer described as "pure Russian mob". Fuks, who boasted of FSB ties, negotiated for a Trump Tower in Moscow and later paid significant sums to attend Trump's inauguration. Guest Author: Craig Unger16 FBI Failures and the Mueller Limitations Unger argues the FBI failed to investigate Trump's Russian ties, noting that former directors later worked for Russian mobsters. He claims the Mueller investigation was limited to criminal acts rather than counterintelligence, allowing Trump to avoid consequences for "willful blindness" regarding money laundering through his properties. Guest Author: Craig Unger