Podcasts about Max Bergmann

2025-10-02 | Silicon Wafers 017 | Today's episode focuses on a blistering new front of the war in Ukraine — energy warfare inside Russia — and what this means for Putin's war machine and his regime. We'll walk through four interlinked stories:1. Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries and the fuel shock inside Russia2. Russia's pivot to Asian gasoline imports as its refining base crumbles3. Trump's green-light for U.S. intelligence sharing aimed at Russian energy targets4. What all this reveals about Putin's war, domestic repression, and regime brittleness. Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries: fuel lines, export bans, price shockFor four years, Ukraine's military campaign has largely focused on military sites — barracks, command posts, supply lines. But in recent weeks, a new vector has burst into view: the decapitation of Russia's refining and fuel infrastructure.According to the Kyiv Independent, “Ukraine's sustained campaign of strikes on refineries is now causing havoc at gas stations in Russia and occupied Crimea, with prices skyrocketing and short-term shortages widely reported.” (Karol Luczka, Oct. 1, 2025) (The Kyiv Independent)----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

2025-10-01 | Silicon Wafers 016 | DAILY UPDATES | Lately, there's been a flood of voices in Russian circles admitting that things on the front are nowhere near as rosy as state television makes them out to be. Complaints about high casualties, poor equipment, and a shortage of manpower are everywhere. And crucially, aside from the most die-hard propagandists, almost everyone admits that victory in this war is now out of reach.Dmitry Rogozin—former head of Roscosmos, now commander of the “Bars Sarmat” drone unit and still carrying shrapnel in his backside—recently gave a strikingly gloomy interview. He declared bluntly that the front is at a dead end. He admitted Russia has no chance of winning with its current methods, and that Ukraine's armed forces are ahead in many critical areas. His words are worth looking at carefully. ----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------curtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-10-30 | Silicon Wafers 015 | DAILY UPDATES | Tonight, the voices from Moscow we prefer not hear from, unless they are prophesying the fall of the Putin regime and doom for the Russian military operation in Ukraine. It's not Western politicians or Ukrainian commanders — but the Kremlin's chorus of hawks, genocidal sycophants, propagandist talk-show stars and death-cult nationalist influencers. Over the past weeks some of those voices have drifted from mumbling out the official script and started to admit what everyone else can see: the war is failing: grindingly slow, costs are stacking up, and successes are thin on the ground.We'll walk through what those propagandists are saying, what some Russian economists quietly admit about the state of the war-economy, and why the rage of nationalist ideologues — Tatyana Montyan, Dmitry Rogozin, Pavel Gubarev, Igor “Strelkov” Girkin and others — matters for the strength of Putin regime. The chorus of discontent and whining is signaling that his grip on power may be brittle and tenuous. What happens when a fascistic regime's loudest cheerleaders turn into resentful critics?----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-09-28 | Silicon Wafers 013 | DAILY UPDATES | Today's episode energy warfare: how Russia is threatening Ukraine's lights this winter, and for the fourth winter in a row, but this time, Kyiv is also threatening to darken Russia in turn, and with the scaled-up production of the Flamingo missile complex, may have that capability. The contested space over energy production, distribution and export is increasingly central to the war and is an indicator of why the momentum is shifting decisively in favor of Ukraine. We'll walk through:* Russia's stated intention to target Ukraine's energy utilities this winter* Zelenskyy's fiery warning that if Kyiv goes dark, Moscow might too* The rising strike capabilities of Ukraine (Flamingo, long-range drones)* The vulnerabilities of Russia's energy network — civilian, export, transit* Recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities* The growing seriousness among allies to disrupt Russia's “grey fleet” oil tankers----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-09-27 | Silicon Wafers 012 | Wafers daily is a round-up of news over the last 1-2 days, with a particular focus on the resurgence of authoritarian regimes in the 21st century, great power competition, democracy on the defensive, the Russian imperial project, and how Ukraine is leading the fightback for values and freedom. In this short video format, I hope to bring some light to dark times.Topics covered less than they deserve, and on topics that are more terrifying than most care to acknowledge. Nuclear coercion, torture, drones, and blackmail. We ask: how far will Russia push in weaponizing nuclear infrastructure? And what does that say about the terroristic logic of Putinism?We'll break the episode into four segments:1. Zaporizhzhia's external power outage — brinkmanship with reactors2. The imprisonment and torture of Ukrainian nuclear workers3. Drones striking the protective shell around Chernobyl4. Russia's use of nuclear blackmail — is it a modern ISIS with missile codes?----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph teamhttps://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeottihttps://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovayahttps://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Michael Naki - https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel - https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov - https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Vladimir Milov - https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Hosted by Sternenko channel - https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO ----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2012 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

2025-09-26 | Silicon Wafers 011 | Wafers daily is a round-up of news over the last 1-2 days, with a particular focus on the resurgence of authoritarian regimes in the 21st century, great power competition, democracy on the defensive, the Russian imperial project, and how Ukraine is leading the fightback for values and freedom. In this short video format, I hope to bring some light to dark times.“The Shadow War is Becoming more overt: Russia's Hybrid Attacks on Europe”— this episode dives deep into Moscow's covert operations across the continent. Operations that are becoming implausibly deniable as the scale and scope of them increases. We'll map the sabotage, the plots, the attempted assassinations, and the creeping provocations. We'll ask: Why do so many of these go unanswered? And how must the West change posture if it hopes to deter the hybrid war, and prevent it becoming a fully kinetic one?We'll structure the episode in five parts:1. A historical baseline: Russia's covert hits on foreign soil (pre-2022)2. The surge since February 2022: sabotage, subversion, assassination attempts3. What's new in September 2025: recent grey zone provocations4. Why the West is slow to respond—and what critics call weak deterrence5. The hawks' prescription: what we should do now----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph teamhttps://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeottihttps://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovayahttps://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Michael Naki - https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel - https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov - https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Vladimir Milov - https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Hosted by Sternenko channel - https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO ----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2012 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-09-24 | Silicon Wafers 009 | DAILY UPDATES | Wafers daily is a round-up of news over the last 1-2 days, with a particular focus on the resurgence of authoritarian regimes in the 21st century, great power competition, democracy on the defensive, the Russian imperial project, and how Ukraine is leading the fightback for values and freedom. In this short video format, I hope to bring some light to dark times.Today: we're tracking Trump's dramatic change of tone, Russia's strategic gambits, Ukraine's defiant countermoves, China's balancing act, and the cracks forming in Russia's war economy. We examine how these moves fit longer arcs — authoritarian slide, the undoing of norms, imperial ambition, and great power competition.Trump Shifts Tone — Says Ukraine Can Win Back All Territory President Trump publicly stated that he now believes Ukraine can reclaim all territory lost to Russia, with NATO and EU support. (AP News) This marks a departure from prior suggestions of negotiated land compromises – the morally vacuous and strategically unworkable ‘land swap' proposal.----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-09-22 | Silicon Wafers 007 | DAILY UPDATES | Wafers daily is a round-up of news over the last 1-2 days, with a particular focus on the resurgence of authoritarian regimes in the 21st century, great power competition, democracy on the defensive, the Russian imperial project, and how Ukraine is leading the fightback for values and freedom. In this short video format, I hope to bring some light to dark times.Today is September 22, 2025. Over the past two days we've seen sharp escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war, new moves from Moscow on arms control, and rumbles in the clash between great powers. We'll walk through what's new, what it reveals, and what it tells us about tyranny, imperial ambitions, and the long arc of global authoritarianism. Let's begin.Russia's Massive Drone & Missile Assaults — Civilian Terror as Strategy. On September 20, Russian forces launched what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a “massive” coordinated attack: over 580 drones and around 40 missiles fired overnight at nine regions across Ukraine — including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy and Kharkiv. (Reuters)The targets: infrastructure, residential buildings, civilian manufacturing. In Dnipro, for example, a cluster munition struck a multi-story residential building. At least three people were killed, dozens injured. (Reuters)----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

2025-09-23 | Silicon Wafers 008 | DAILY UPDATES | Wafers daily is a round-up of news over the last 1-2 days, with a particular focus on the resurgence of authoritarian regimes in the 21st century, great power competition, democracy on the defensive, the Russian imperial project, and how Ukraine is leading the fightback for values and freedom. In this short video format, I hope to bring some light to dark times.Ukraine's $65 Billion Financing Gap and the War Economy - Ukraine is facing a painful truth: the scale of external financing it needs through 2027 is far beyond previous estimates. The International Monetary Fund has forecast a $65 billion financing gap, almost double what Ukraine had earlier estimated — $38 billion. (Reuters)----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Overview00:34 Ukraine's $65 Billion Financing Gap04:24 China's Cargo Ship in Occupied Crimea07:47 Trump and Zelenskyy Meet at the UN09:58 Moscow Under Drone Barrage12:26 Denmark and Norway Close Airports After Drone Sightings15:55 Moldova's Election Under Threat18:53 Escalation at NATO's Borders21:57 Conclusion and Strategic Observations----------

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and President Trump's calls for Europe to increase its defense spending have served as a wake up call for European governments who are committing to boost both military spending and investments in their defense sector. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we look at where Europe is today on defense, and how this could impact the Transatlantic alliance.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Defense Budgets in an Uncertain Security EnvironmentLoss for Trump as Denmark chooses Franco-Italian air defense system over US PatriotsBrussels approves Germany's mega spending planTrump to host Erdogan at White House on September 25PM heads to New York, plans meetings all week

In this episode of The Power Vertical Podcast, host Brian Whitmore speaks with Max Bergmann of CSIS about Vladimir Putin's return to the global stage. From Beijing's military parade with Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un to a red-carpet summit in Alaska with Donald Trump, Putin is no longer isolated. We unpack what this means for the emerging authoritarian axis, the future of the West's unity, and the impact of U.S. security cuts to Europe.

In a special crossover episode with CSIS's State of Play, Max Bergmann joins Will Todman and Victor Cha to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump and what patterns are emerging about how President Trump engages with autocrats.Learn more:⁠State of Play | CSIS Podcasts⁠Statesmen's Forum: His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea | CSIS⁠⁠Max and Maria on the Alaska and White House Peace Summits⁠⁠ | CSIS Russian Roulette

This episode is a special crossover with our CSIS sister podcast, State of Play. After a busy month of U.S. diplomacy, Victor Cha and Max Bergmann join Will to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump and what patterns are emerging about how President Trump engages with autocrats. "⁠Statesmen's Forum: His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea⁠" CSIS, August 25, 2025. "⁠Max and Maria on the Alaska and White House Peace Summits⁠" Russian Roulette, CSIS, August 21, 2025. Listen to CSIS Podcast State of Play at https://www.csis.org/podcasts/state-play

On today's episode, Lawfare's Ukraine Fellow Anastasiia Lapatina sits down with Minna Ålander, an associate fellow at Chatham House Europe Programme, and Max Bergmann, the Director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to discuss NATO's historic decision to increase its member state's defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Euroopan Nato-maat paisuttavat puolustusmenojaan viiteen prosenttiin bruttokansantuotteesta. Se merkitsee satojen miljardien eurojen satsausta aseisiin. Maailmanpolitiikan arkipäivää -ohjelma pohtii sitä, millaiseen Euroopan puolustusteollisuuden uusjakoon kisa kasvavista markkinoista johtaa. Oletettavaa on, että poliittisessa keskustelussa satsaukset sosiaalimenoihin ja puolustukseen joutuvat vastakkain. Ohjelmassa haastatellut asiantuntijat pitävät viiden prosentin tavoitetta osin ylimitoitettuna. He myös näkevät vanhentuneen eurooppalaisen puolustusteollisuuden joutuvan todelliseen mankeliin. Tehostamistoimet seulovat jyvät akanoista ja ala jakautuu voittajiin ja häviäjiin. Bruegel-ajatushautomon asiantuntija Francesco Nicoli muistuttaa, että puolustusteollisuus on syvästi kansallista ja maat suhtautuvat yrityksiinsä myös hyvin mustasukkaisesti. Yhdysvaltalainen asiantuntija Max Bergmann sanoo, että Eurooppa pelkää kyllä Yhdysvaltain sitoutumista Euroopan puolustukseen, mutta Euroopassa ei puhuta juuri lainkaan puolustusrakenteiden uudistamisesta. SIPRIN tutkija Lorenzo Scarazzato taas muistuttaa, että maat, jotka käyttävät viisi prosenttia bruttokansantuotteestaan puolustukseen tuppaavat olevaan maita, jotka käyvät sotaa tai ovat diktatuureja. Ohjelman toimittavat Heikki Heiskanen ja Sampo Vaarakallio. Äänitarkkailija on Matias Puumala.

“I think what happened here is Europeans made a lot of commitments that they don't have any intention of fulfilling—at least in the near term—and this is all about appeasing President Trump to keep him engaged with the NATO alliance.” At the recent summit in The Hague, Netherlands, NATO allies agreed to spend a target 5 percent of GDP on defense in a win for Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed the belief that European NATO allies are not spending enough. Was this a mistake—and can European nations afford to follow through?CSIS's Max Bergmann, director of the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, joins the podcast to discuss what really happened at the NATO summit and how defense spending will impact European economies going forward.

At this point, it's anyone's guess as to what the US will do next in Iran. Apparently, not even our President knows what's coming next. Will we enter the war? More importantly, should we? Esteemed guests Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and CSIS's Max Bergmann join host David Rothkopf to try and answer these questions and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At this point, it's anyone's guess as to what the US will do next in Iran. Apparently, not even our President knows what's coming next. Will we enter the war? More importantly, should we? Esteemed guests Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and CSIS's Max Bergmann join host David Rothkopf to try and answer these questions and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American security guarantee to Europe appears to be less iron clad than it used to be. The Trump administration seeks to shift military assets from Europe to the Asia-Pacific and expect Europe to spend 5% of its GDP on defence. How dramatic are these changes? How will it happen? And will it make Europe more exposed and vulnerable to potential Russian aggression? In this episode Karsten Friis discusses these and other relevant questions, including the newly published British Strategic Defence Review, with Max Bergmann from CSIS and Neil Melvin from RUSI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US and the EU seem to have agreed to speed up trade talks after President Trump issued and then postponed a 50 percent tariff threat. While many European leaders welcomed this move, it's still unclear whether Washington and Brussels can bridge the divide between them. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we explore whether a trade deal between the EU and the US is in the cards, and look into the deeper questions this looming trade war raises about the transatlantic relationship.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:A big, beautiful EU trade deal with Trump? Dream on!E.U. says it will fast-track tariff talks with U.S. after Trump threatTrump's ‘Liberation Day' tariffs halted by Court of International TradeForeign Ministry reacts to Egyptian court decision on Sinai monasteryTurkish nationals appear in Greek court after shooting incident with police in Thessaloniki

Max Bergmann dreamt of having his own farm — until the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa turned his everyday life upside down. But instead of giving up, he fought his way back: two Paralympic participations, a PhD in agricultural sciences and finally the founding of the DromeDairy camel farm in Western Australia. My colleague Barbara Barkhausen spoke to him about how he realized his dream — and why camel milk can do much more than you think. - Max Bergmann träumte von einer eigenen Farm – bis die Diagnose Retinitis Pigmentosa seinen Alltag auf den Kopf stellte. Doch statt aufzugeben, kämpfte er sich zurück: Zwei Paralympics-Teilnahmen, eine Promotion in Agrarwissenschaften und schließlich die Gründung der Kamelfarm DromeDairy in Westaustralien. Meine Kollegin Barbara Barkhausen hat mit ihm darüber gesprochen, wie er seinen Traum verwirklichte – und warum Kamelmilch viel mehr kann, als man denkt.

In this special CSIS crossover episode with Russian Roulette's sister podcast, The Eurofile, Max Bergmann and co-host Donatienne Ruy welcome Tom Wright, senior fellow at Brookings and former Senior Director for Strategic Planning at the United States National Security Council (NSC) in the Biden administration, to discuss his recent article in Foreign Affairs outlining a U.S. strategy for Russia-Ukraine negotiations.  The interview covers the current state of play in negotiations, Trump and Biden's respective strategies toward Europe, and Tom's experience in government on a range of issues, including countering alignment between U.S. adversaries and competitors.  For the complete episode, covering big news in European defense and more, visit The Eurofile

Since Nato's inception in 1949, the US has always formed a central part of the alliance and been the biggest contributor to its defensive strength.However, since his second term began, President Donald Trump has shifted the US's allegiances towards Vladimir Putin's Russia and away from Nato. Simultaneously, the US President has repeatedly criticised Europe's defence spending and the continent's reliance on the US.This radical shift from the Nato status quo has brought the alliance's future into question.Katie Stallard is joined by David Reynolds and Max Bergmann. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special crossover episode with CSIS's The Truth of the Matter, Max Bergmann joins Andrew Schwartz to debrief his recent trip to meet with European diplomats in Brussels and Paris and discuss a possible United States divorce from our allies in Europe. Economic disputes, defense spending disagreements, and differing approaches to Russia and China have further widened the gap between the transatlantic allies. This episode dives into new developments as European leaders question the long-term reliability of U.S. commitments to NATO and regional security, as well as the impact on European allies as Washington shifts its strategic focus toward the Indo-Pacific. 

Following meetings with European diplomats in Brussels and Paris, CSIS's Max Bergmann joins the podcast to discuss a possible United States divorce from our allies in Europe. As geopolitical tensions rise and Washington shifts its strategic focus toward the Indo-Pacific, European leaders question the long-term reliability of U.S. commitments to NATO and regional security. Economic disputes, defense spending disagreements, and differing approaches to Russia and China have further widened the gap between the transatlantic allies.   Background Reading: Why It's Time to Reconsider a European Army Events: U.S. Allies and Partners Under the Trump Administration

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Max Bergmann, head of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS. Previously, Max held a variety of positions at the State Department, including senior adviser to the assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. He later went on to serve as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he researched security cooperation between Europe, Russia, and the United States. Together, Jon and Max discuss the Middle East issues that unite and divide European countries and how Russia's invasion of Ukraine may be reshaping European perspectives on the region. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Will Todman to evaluate the benefits, and costs, of U.S. unilateralism in the Middle East.  Transcript: "Max Bergmann: Does Europe Matter in the Middle East?," CSIS, February 27, 2025. Max Bergmann's recent report: "The Transatlantic Alliance in the Age of Trump: The Coming Collisions," CSIS, February 14, 2025.

In this crossover episode with the Truth of the Matter, Max Bergmann joins Host Andrew Schwartz to discuss the current state of European security, the potential for a U.S.-Europe tech war, how Ukraine negotiations might evolve, and more.

CSIS's Max Bergmann, director of the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program, joins the podcast to discuss the current state of European security, the potential for a U.S.-Europe tech war, how Ukraine negotiations might evolve, and more. Read or listen to Max Bergmann's new report, The Transatlantic Alliance in the Age of Trump: The Coming Collisions, here: https://www.csis.org/analysis/transatlantic-alliance-age-trump-coming-collisions

According to recent reports - notably in the Financial Times - the EU is debating a return to Russian gas as part of a Ukraine peace deal, with officials from Germany and Hungary endorsing the idea. This discussion is unfolding as President Trump is threatening tariffs against the EU if it doesn't buy more American LNG, and as Europe grapples with the broader question of whether it needs to prepare for a post-America Europe. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into this energy debate and the future of the US-Europe relationship.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:EU debates return to Russian gas as part of Ukraine peace dealTrump Needs a Plan to Get Europeans to Step Up on DefenseSyria's interim leader holds talks with key ally Turkey on his second international tripSantorini mass exodus ongoing as tremors persist

On this episode of the Energy Security Cubed Podcast, Kelly Ogle and Joe Calnan interview Max Bergmann and Cy McGready about their recent report, "Power Plays: Europe's Response to the Energy Crisis", which can be found here: https://www.csis.org/analysis/power-plays // For the intro, Kelly and Joe discuss the ongoing negotiations between Canada and the United States about the Trump tariff threat and the prospect of Indonesian nuclear energy. // Guest Bio: - Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies - Cy McGready is a fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies // Host Bio: - Kelly Ogle is Managing Director of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute - Joe Calnan is a Fellow and Energy Security Forum Manager at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute // Reading recommendations: - "To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power", by Sergey Radchenko: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/to-run-the-world/to-run-the-world/2E6C55152B5325189728E1B1A0DB517A - "The Myth of Sisyphus", by Albert Camus: https://www.amazon.ca/Myth-Sisyphus-Albert-Camus/dp/0525564454 // Interview recording Date: October 10, 2024 // Energy Security Cubed is part of the CGAI Podcast Network. Follow the Canadian Global Affairs Institute on Facebook, Twitter (@CAGlobalAffairs), or on LinkedIn. Head over to our website at www.cgai.ca for more commentary. // Produced by Joe Calnan. Music credits to Drew Phillips.

In 2016 European leaders treated Trump's win as an aberration, something to ride out. Eight years later, European leaders are now trying to gauge what a second Trump presidency will mean for the continent. While Jean Monnet famously said “Europe will be forged in crisis,” the political turmoil in Germany and France, Europe's two largest economies, has many asking if Europe is up for the challenge. Expert Max Bergmann joins Thanos Davelis to break down what European leaders should expect from the incoming Trump administration, and whether the continent is ready to meet the challenges ahead.Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The Trump challenge for EuropeNew Democracy rift and SYRIZA polls in the spotlightGov't dismisses stability concerns after Samaras expulsion; focus shifts to KaramanlisTurkey expands grip in Libya

In the last of our series unpacking global preparations for the US election, Max Bergmann - director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies - discusses whether the Kremlin would prefer either candidate, and how a change in the White House may alter Russia's military approach.The World in 10 is the Times' daily podcast dedicated to global security. Expert analysis of war, diplomatic relations and cyber security from The Times' foreign correspondents and military specialists. Watch more: www.youtube.com/@ListenToTimesRadio Read more: www.thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year marked 75 years since the creation of NATO, and the latest summit in Washington, DC sent a clear message that NATO is back, returning to its Cold War roots deterring the Russians and adding new members. At the same time, however, there are increasing concerns in Europe about America's long-term commitment to their security. This has revived the notion of building up Europe's defense capabilities. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis to look at why this 75th anniversary is an opportunity for the US to lead the way in plotting a new course for NATO and European defense. You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:NATO Missed a Chance to Transform ItselfPlan for recovery of forests in AtticaGreece to compensate fire-stricken households near AthensGreek-flagged vessel ‘Sounion' attacked in Red Sea

Max and Donatienne discuss Ursula von der Leyen being confirmed for a second term as Commission President, the turbulent start to Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union, and President Biden's decision not to run for reelection in November. Then, they turn to a conversation with Chris Johnstone, senior adviser and Japan Chair at CSIS, to discuss his recent report co-authored with Max Bergmann titled “Europe's Security Role in the Indo-Pacific: Making It Meaningful.”   Learn more:   Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts  Europe's Security Role in the Indo-Pacific: Making It Meaningful 

On this week's episode, Max and Michael Kimmage sat down with Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of Silverado Policy Institute, to discuss Dmitri's recent book, "World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century." Recorded on July 2, 2024, the conversation covers the geopolitical parallels between the European and Indo-Pacific theaters today, and what the dual strategic challenges emanating from Moscow and Beijing mean for Western policymakers.   SHOW NOTES: Check out a new CSIS report from Max Bergmann and Christopher B. Johnstone, "Europe's Security Role in the Indo-Pacific: Making It Meaningful."

CSIS's Max Bergmann joins the podcast to discuss the main goals of the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, NATO's role in Ukraine, and more.

Max Bergmann, the Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies... Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program joins Megan Lynch and Tom Ackerman to explain his concerns for propaganda and disinformation at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.  Credit: © Quinn Harris-USA TODAY NETWORK

Sunday's European elections saw not only a strengthened far right emerge, but also saw French President Macron call for snap parliamentary elections in response to the victory for the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. Center-right and far-right parties are now set to take the largest number of seats in the most populous nations. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis with the main takeaways from the European elections while looking at what this means for transatlantic relations.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:In E.U. Elections, the Center Holds, but the Far Right Still Wreaks HavocMacron bets the house in election to break far-right momentum in FranceND, SYRIZA and PASOK fall short in European Parliament electionGovernment rues ‘Pyrrhic victory'YouTube prankster voted in as Cyprus MEPMEPs: Akel, Disy big losers, victory for Elam and YouTuber

Guest: Chris Blattman, economist, political scientist, and Ramalee E. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago. Sources:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

Guest: Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a postdoctoral fellow in Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. Source material:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

Guests: Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness; And Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Sources:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

The war in Ukraine has reached a pivotal moment. After months of an apparent stalling on the frontlines, Russia has recently made a series of critical breakthroughs.Now the race is on for Kyiv to get newly approved military aid to the front line before Russian forces attack Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv.The 60 billion dollar bill passed in America's congress at the end of April allows for Ukraine to push back against Russian forces and prepare to mount an offensive next year.But a gap in the supply of missiles has left Kyiv dangerously exposed and huge questions remain about how Ukraine's President will act next. So, on this week's Inquiry, we're asking ‘Has US military aid come in time for President Zelensky?'Contributors:Gustav Gressel, senior policy fellow with the Wider Europe Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations' Berlin office. Max Bergmann, Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in the US. Dr Marina Miron, post-doctoral researcher in the War Studies Department and an honorary researcher at the Centre for Military Ethics and the Department of Defence Studies, Kings College, London. Professor Olga Onuch, Professor (Chair) in Comparative and Ukrainian Politics at the University of Manchester, UK.Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Lorna Reader Researcher: Matt Toulson Production Co-ordinator: Liam MorreyImage credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters via BBC Images

O Conselho Europeu, que decorre esta semana, é marcado sobretudo por questões relacionadas com políticas externas e de forma muito particular com o apoio da Europa à Ucrânia. Na quinta-feira, o chanceler alemão, Olaf Scholz, disse que os lucros dos activos russos deveriam ser utilizados para comprar armas para Kiev. Mas até que ponto está a opinião pública convencida do regresso da guerra ao continente europeu? Nesta quinta-feira, Max Bergmann, na revista Foreign Affairs, diz que a NATO precisa de ser mais Europeia. “Está a surgir um consenso em ambos os lados do Atlântico de que os europeus devem assumir a responsabilidade pela sua própria segurança”, escreve. Que papel pode desempenhar a Alemanha neste processo? Siga o podcast Diplomatas e receba cada episódio logo de manhã no Spotify, na Apple Podcasts ou noutras aplicações para podcasts.​ Conheça os podcasts do PÚBLICO em publico.pt/podcasts. Tem uma ideia ou sugestão? Envie um email para podcasts@publico.pt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the two years since the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has tried to cut off Russia's access to microchips and other technology that helps its war effort. But Moscow has proven resilient — and continues to circumvent trade restrictions with the help of its neighbors. On POLITICO Tech, Max Bergmann from the Center for Strategic and International Studies explains how Russia is pulling it off and what more the Biden administration can do.

As Western leaders gathered in Munich this weekend for the Munich Security Conference, warnings about Russian President Putin's possible next moves were mixed with Europe's growing concerns that it could soon be abandoned by the United States as aid to Ukraine is stalled in Congress and former President Trump casts doubts on America's commitment to NATO. Max Bergmann, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), joins Thanos Davelis to look at these concerns and explore whether European defense has now become a necessity.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Europe's security elite braces for Trump, searches for backup plansAs Putin Threatens, Despair and Hedging in EuropeCan Europe defend itself without America?Greece to prioritize strengthening relations with India, says PMGreece is India's gateway to Europe, PM saysGreek farmers join tractor protest in front of parliament for second day

Max Bergmann joins the show to discuss the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine, the need to pass defense aid for Ukraine and other allies, and NATO's critical role in countering Russian aggression. Daniella and Colin also talk about former President Donald Trump's efforts to pause his 2020 election case and special counsel Robert Hur's report on President Joe Biden.

CSIS' Max Bergmann joins the podcast to discuss U.S. funding for Ukraine and its implications

On this week's episode, tune into a conversation Max had on October 24, 2023 with CSIS Senior Associate non-resident fellows, Michael Kimmage and Hanna Notte. Hanna, based in Berlin, is an expert on Russian foreign policy, the Middle East, and arms control and nonproliferation. While Hanna was in DC, she sat down with Max and Michael to discuss Russia's strategy towards the Global South in the wake of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Learn More: "Putin is Getting What He Wants," by Hanna Notte (The New York Times) "How Russia Globalized the War in Ukraine," by Michael Kimmage and Hanna Notte (Foreign Affairs) "Russia's Axis of the Sanctioned," by Hanna Notte (Foreign Affairs) "The Age of Great-Power Distraction" by Michael Kimmage and Hanna Notte (Foreign Affairs) "Seller's Remorse: The Challenges Facing Russia's Arms Exports," by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, Tina Dolbaia, and Nick Fenton (CSIS)

This conversation was recorded as a CSIS event on September 18, 2023. Max sat down with Lisa Aronsson, John Deni, and Paul Schwartz, to examine how sanctions-induced limits on Russia's defense industrial capacity have been impacting, and will continue to impact, Russia's ability to wage war on Ukraine, counter NATO, and remain a major actor in global arms sales. The panelists discussed the findings of recent reports they authored for CSIS, which are included in the show notes below. Learn More: "A War of Attrition: Assessing the Impact of Equipment Shortages on Russian Military Operations in Ukraine," by Paul Schwartz | CSIS "Agile and Adaptable: U.S. and NATO Approaches to Russia's Short-Term Military Potential," by Lisa Aronsson, John R. Deni, and Hanna Notte | CSIS "Seller's Remorse: The Challenges Facing Russia's Arms Exports," by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, Tina Dolbaia, and Nick Fenton | CSIS Please click here to read an analysis by the New York Times on the findings of "Seller's Remorse."

CSIS's Max Bergmann joins the podcast to discuss congressional funding for Ukraine and what it means for Ukraine's war against Russia.