In this eye-opening episode, Zev Shalev exposes how Donald Trump's campaign is unleashing a familiar torrent of disinformation, eerily reminiscent of 2016. Shalev meticulously dissects the current state of the 2024 U.S. presidential race, revealing how Trump's strategy of flooding social media with falsehoods is once again tightening the polls in crucial swing states.

At the core of Shalev's analysis is Trump's unconventional campaign approach, which prioritizes a relentless stream of disinformation over traditional political messaging. The recent Butler, Pennsylvania rally serves as a stark example, with Shalev highlighting how Twitter, under Elon Musk's ownership, has become the primary conduit for this information deluge.

Shalev doesn't just outline the problem; he offers a roadmap for countering it. He scrutinizes the Harris campaign's response to Trump's tactics, drawing parallels to the Clinton campaign's struggles in 2016. His breakdown of Trump's "3% theory" provides crucial insight into why this flood of disinformation could be devastatingly effective, even if the majority recognizes it as false.

As the clock ticks down to election day, Shalev poses a critical question: Are we prepared to stem this tide of disinformation, or are we heading for another shocking upset? His urgent recommendations for combating this onslaught in the final weeks of the campaign are both practical and necessary.

"We're witnessing a repeat of 2016's disinformation playbook, but on steroids," Shalev warns. "Every tweet, every rally, every online interaction is part of this strategy. We have mere weeks to change the narrative." Tune in to hear Shalev's full analysis and his thoughts on whether we can avoid falling into the same traps that caught us off guard eight years ago.

Don't miss our upcoming episode where we'll dive deeper into the mechanics of this disinformation campaign and explore cutting-edge strategies to counter it. In the age of AI and evolving social media landscapes, Zev Shalev's insights are more crucial than ever.

In the latest episode of Narativ, host Zev Shalev and guest Dean Blundell deliver a chilling wake-up call to Canadians about the dire state of their democracy. The conversation paints a disturbing picture of a nation teetering on the edge of autocracy, with foreign interference and media corruption threatening to unravel the very fabric of Canadian society.

Blundell doesn't mince words as he exposes the rot at the core of Canada's media landscape. He reveals how outlets like Rebel News operate as little more than paid advocacy groups, pushing propaganda that aligns with Russian interests and far-right ideologies. The recent Supreme Court ruling confirming Rebel News produces less than 1% of actual news content is just the tip of the iceberg.

But the threat goes beyond biased media. The episode uncovers the alarming influence of foreign actors, particularly Russia, in Canadian politics. From co-opting influential individuals to running sophisticated disinformation campaigns, these efforts aim to polarize public opinion and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Even more shocking is the revelation that Canadian taxpayer money has been used to fund Russian propaganda films.

The urgency of the situation becomes clear as Shalev and Blundell discuss the upcoming election. They warn that Canadians face a stark choice between character and corruption, with the very soul of the nation hanging in the balance. The potential for a Pierre Poilievre-led government, coupled with the possibility of a Trump presidency in the US, paints a grim picture for North American democracy.

Time is running out for Canadians to wake up to these threats. This episode of Narativ serves as a crucial call to action, urging citizens to engage critically with the information they consume and to fight for the preservation of their democratic values. The future of Canada hangs in the balance, and every voice matters in this battle against creeping authoritarianism.

In this critical episode, geopolitical expert Rick Petree helps us unpack the escalating Middle East crisis and its potential to spark a wider conflict.

Key points:

Israel's ground offensive into Lebanon marks a significant escalation, with tanks crossing the border and airstrikes hitting Beirut's suburbs.

The humanitarian toll is staggering: nearly a million Lebanese displaced and rising casualties. Syrian refugees are even returning to their war-torn homeland, deeming it safer than Lebanon.

Israel's recent intelligence coup - assassinating Hassan Nasrallah and eliminating Hezbollah's top brass - has reshaped the battlefield but risks severe retaliation.

Netanyahu's domestic support surges, but at what cost to democracy?

Iran issues threats but hesitates to engage directly. Reports of Ayatollah Khamenei's relocation underscore the regime's vulnerability.

Shifting regional alliances: Saudi Arabia and Jordan's evolving stances hint at a new geopolitical landscape.

The Palestinian question is being reimagined, with new visions for Gaza's future emerging.

Petree's key insight: "Events move fast in this part of the world," and "Israel has really scored a coup here."

As the Middle East teeters on the brink, stay tuned for our ongoing coverage of this rapidly evolving crisis. 

Narativ has obtained exclusive details of President Volodymyr Zelensky's "Victory Plan" for Ukraine—a bold strategy to defeat Russia within months. This plan, targeting the war's end before 2025, could reshape Eastern Europe's geopolitical landscape.

To unpack the plan's implications, we spoke with Ambassador Kurt Volker, former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations and current Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). With over 35 years of foreign policy experience, Volker offers unique insights into this critical development.

In our exclusive interview, Volker broke down the plan's four-pronged strategy: military, diplomatic, political, and economic. He explained how this comprehensive approach could force a Russian retreat by making defeat seem inevitable to Putin's regime.

Notably, Volker discussed the plan's more controversial aspects, including potential long-range strikes inside Russia. This move would significantly shift the conflict's nature and could impact international support for Ukraine's war effort.

According to Volker, the timing is crucial. With winter approaching and the U.S. presidential election on the horizon, Ukraine sees a narrow window to decisively change the war's course.

This Narativ exclusive offers more than breaking news—it provides insight into potentially history-making decisions unfolding in real-time. 

In a groundbreaking exposé, Narativ's special Canada edition, hosted by Zev Shalev with guest Dean Blundell, unveiled disturbing parallels between the rise of authoritarianism in the U.S. and emerging threats to Canadian democracy.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, has emerged as the standard-bearer for what some are calling "Maple MAGA" - a Canadian iteration of the populist movement seen in the United States. With his party leading in the polls, Poilievre stands on the brink of potentially becoming Canada's next Prime Minister.

This prospect raises alarming questions about the future of Canadian democracy. As Zev Shalev noted, "Poilievre's rise mirrors the playbook we've seen in other democracies that have slid towards authoritarianism. The parallels with figures like Viktor Orbán in Hungary are hard to ignore."

While the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is in a very precarious position if an authoritarian-leaning government takes power. "History shows us that public broadcasters often become prime targets for leaders seeking to control the narrative," Dean Blundell emphasized. "If Poilievre wins, the CBC could face a fate similar to public media in Hungary or Poland."

Adding to concerns, Poilievre has refused to submit to a top-secret security clearance check - an unprecedented move for a potential prime minister. This stance becomes even more critical as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has lost its crucial partnership with the New Democratic Party (NDP), putting the current government in a precarious position.

Recent polls showing Poilievre's Conservatives with a significant lead amplify worries about a potential leadership change without proper security vetting.

Compounding these internal challenges, a recent U.S. Department of Justice indictment has unveiled a massive $10 million Russian disinformation operation targeting both Canada and the United States. This operation, involving Canadian actors, highlights significant vulnerabilities in Canada's defenses against foreign influence.

The indictment implicates Tenet Media, a conservative outlet founded by Canadian influencer Lauren Chen, as a potential front for pro-Kremlin propaganda. This revelation underscores the sophisticated nature of foreign interference in Canadian politics.

The convergence of these events – Poilievre's rise as the face of Maple MAGA, his refusal of security clearance, political instability, and foreign disinformation campaigns – paints a troubling picture of Canadian democracy at a critical juncture.

"What we're seeing in Canada eerily echoes the early stages of democratic erosion we witnessed south of the border," Shalev warned. "The potential threats to institutions like the CBC may not be overt yet, but the groundwork is being laid."

The Narativ Canada special edition serves as a wake-up call, urging Canadians to remain vigilant about the potential for both domestic and foreign interference in their political processes. As this story unfolds, Narativ promises to stay at the forefront, providing in-depth analysis and uncovering the hidden connections that could reshape Canadian democracy.

The future of Canada's democratic institutions may well depend on how its citizens respond to these emerging challenges, particularly as they approach a potentially transformative election.

In a bombshell revelation, Narativ has obtained leaked documents from Russian intelligence services that directly implicate Elon Musk and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in amplifying Kremlin-created propaganda. The confidential files, originating from Russia's 'Social Design Agency' (SDA), provide unprecedented insight into Moscow's ongoing efforts to manipulate U.S. public opinion and policy.

According to the documents, the SDA operates under the direct supervision of Vladimir Putin's inner circle. Its primary mission is to create and disseminate content designed to influence U.S. policy on Ukraine and sow discord among the American public.

Meeting minutes reveal that Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), shared a meme created by Russian operatives featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The document states: 

"The meme with the image of Volodymyr Zelensky, created by 'ASD', was shared by X and its owner - billionaire Elon Musk - on the social network." 

This meme, designed to weaken America's support for Ukraine, reached an estimated 95 million users.

Marjorie Taylor Greene pushed a wholly fabricated narrative about Ukrainian child human trafficking.

The leaks also show that Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene amplified a wholly fabricated story about Ukrainian child trafficking. One report notes the operation's success: "The new team made a fake theft of children. Americans seriously published. Success!"

A video presentation obtained by Narativ features Ilya Gambashidze, head of the SDA, explaining the agency's methods. Wearing a hoodie emblazoned with "Russian ideological troops" and "commander of special forces" patches, Gambashidze outlines their three-pronged approach: monitoring, analytics, and creative content production.

These revelations come amid growing concern about Russian influence in U.S. media and politics. Last week, documents surfaced linking Russia Today to Russian intelligence services and identifying 600 U.S.-based paid influencers as Russian agents.

Narativ's host, Zev Shalev, emphasized the urgency of addressing this threat to American democracy. Guest expert Olga Lautman, host of the Kremlin Files podcast, called for stricter measures against those spreading Russian propaganda, echoing recent comments by Hillary Clinton suggesting potential civil or criminal charges for Americans engaged in such activities.

As this story develops, it becomes increasingly clear that Russia's web of influence extends far beyond what many Americans realize. The implications for U.S. democracy and national security are profound and demand immediate attention from policymakers and the public alike.

Narativ will continue to investigate this story. Check back for updates.

The leaks from the SDA were first obtained by the German outlets Sueddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR.

West Palm Beach, FL - What was initially reported as a potential assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club has now raised more questions than answers, according to a Narativ investigation.

On September 15, 2024, chaos erupted at Trump International Golf Club when a man allegedly opened fire near the course where the former president was playing. Trump was unharmed in the incident.

The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested after a high-speed chase. Routh, a North Carolina native who relocated to Hawaii in 2018, has a complex background that includes a 2002 felony conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction.

However, discrepancies in the official narrative have emerged. Court documents place Routh at the golf course at 1:00 AM, hours before Trump's reportedly last-minute decision to play golf. This timing has raised questions about how Routh knew to be there.

The weapon allegedly used, an SKS-style rifle with an obliterated serial number, is not commonly sold in Florida, adding another layer of mystery to the incident.

Months before the event, social media posts warned about Routh's alleged misrepresentation of ties to international military organizations. One user, claiming to be a former International Legion member, stated Routh was "misrepresenting himself and lying to many people" about connections to Ukrainian forces.

The incident occurs against the backdrop of a tight presidential race. Recent polls show Vice President Kamala Harris with a narrow 0.2 percentage point lead in battleground states, while former President Trump leads in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona. Pennsylvania, with its crucial 19 electoral votes, is currently tied.

Local law enforcement and federal agencies are continuing their investigation into the incident. The Department of Justice has notably avoided using the term "assassination attempt" in its statements, referring instead to "firearms charges related to an incident."

As the investigation unfolds, many questions remain unanswered. How did Routh obtain the weapon? What were his true intentions? And why was he at the golf course hours before Trump arrived?

Narativ will continue to follow this developing story as more information becomes available.

Narativ Live discusses the US Department of Justice's recent indictments against a Russian influence network targeting the 2024 US elections. Notable right-wing influencers Tim Pool and Benny Johnson are implicated in a $10 million operation orchestrated by RT (formerly Russia Today) employees. The DOJ also addresses the Doppelganger campaign, which involved creating fake news websites to spread Russian propaganda. Concurrently, there has been significant global news, including the banning of Elon Musk's social network X in Brazil and the arrest of Telegram's CEO in France. Additionally, breaking news reports highlight a horrendous terrorist attack at a concert hall in Russia claimed by ISIS. The episode delves into the ramifications of these developments and how they shape global narratives.

00:00 Introduction and Breaking News

00:31 Russian Influence Network Exposed

01:23 The Doppelganger Campaign

02:31 Indictments and Seizures

02:53 Elon Musk and Social Media Bans

04:24 Moscow Concert Hall Attack

05:54 ISIS Claims Responsibility

06:09 Benny Johnson's Propaganda

16:08 Tim Pool's Transformation

28:36 Operation Doppelganger Details

29:43 Putin's Election Influence

35:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this explosive episode of Narativ, Zev Shalev uncovers the dark underbelly of social media giants and their ties to Russian oligarchs and organized crime. Focusing on Telegram founder Pavel Durov's recent arrest, we explore the intricate web of connections that link some of the world's most popular platforms to Kremlin interests and criminal enterprises.

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

05:23 - Pavel Durov's arrest and the shattered exile myth

15:47 - Telegram's hidden connections to Russian money

28:12 - Social media platforms as facilitators of organized crime

39:55 - Interview with William Echikson, tech policy expert

59:30 - The Russian nexus: Zuckerberg, Musk, and beyond

1:12:18 - Implications for the 2024 elections and global politics

1:25:45 - Conclusion and call to action

1. Pavel Durov visited Russia over 50 times between 2015-2021, contradicting his exile narrative.

2. Telegram's payment system is linked to Digital Sky Technologies (DST), a firm with Kremlin ties.

3. Major platforms like Facebook and Twitter (X) have significant connections to Russian oligarch money.

4. These platforms have become tools for organized crime, facilitating everything from drug trafficking to terrorism.

5. Durov's arrest in France marks a potential shift towards holding tech leaders accountable.

William Echikson - Non-resident Senior Fellow with the Digital Innovation Initiative at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)

In this special episode, we analyze Kamala Harris's groundbreaking acceptance speech as the first woman of color to be nominated for President by a major U.S. party. We explore the personal, political, and historical dimensions of this pivotal moment in American history.

1. Harris's personal journey from daughter of immigrants to Presidential nominee

2. Her vision for America's future and key policy proposals

3. Addressing current challenges, including the pandemic and economic recovery

4. Historical significance of her nomination

5. Rebuttals to the current administration and contrasts in leadership style

- [00:00] Introduction and context of the speech

- [05:00] Harris's opening remarks and personal story

- [15:00] Key policy proposals and vision for America

- [25:00] Addressing current national challenges

- [35:00] Historical significance of her nomination

- [45:00] Contrasts with Trump

- [55:00] Closing remarks and call to action

• "Simply put, they are out of their minds."

- Harris's use of personal narrative to connect with voters

- The balance between policy specifics and broader vision

- Rhetorical strategies and their effectiveness

- Body language and delivery analysis

- Comparisons to other historic nomination speeches

Share your thoughts on Harris's speech and its potential impact on the 2024 election. Join the conversation in our comments section or on social media using #HarrisAccepts.

Narativ returns to regular programming.