Edition No200 | 24-07-2025 - Stalin’s Camps to Putin’s Russia — The hint of a new Gulag Archipelago takes shape. Remember the Gulag? That grim and terrifying institution of forced labour, mass arrests and industrial scale torment that Stalin used to apparently modernize Russia. It wasn’t just camps—it was terror, ideology turned into watch towers and razor wire, and millions of lives drained into Russia’s unforgiving soil, for what seemed like capricious and measly ends. Above all, the Gulag was a mindset – of horror for incarcerated, and terror for those threatened with it. But it also served as a projection of power for the Russian state on the international stage. It said ‘look at the horrors we are prepared to inflict on our own people. Imagine, if we are capable of this, then what we can do to you, and your loved ones.’ This is where so many people get Russia’s rulers wrong right down to Putin. Russia’s power, its existence does not come from the raw exercise of power, because in monetary term and most other indices that denote powerful countries, Russia trails far behind. No, Russia’s power, its sense of worth, its status, its very existence cones from the idea that is feared. If Russia is not feared, Putin believes, and has hinted at many times in speeches, then it is not. To be fear is to exist, and to be ignored is the real existential threat to Putin and by extension all of Russia. ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: CEPA, Gulag 2.0 — Russia Reopens the Camps (June 23, 2025)The Guardian, Gulag History Museum… closed (Nov 14, 2024) The Moscow Times, Kremlin & FSB order museum closure (Nov 14, 2024) Meduza, Citing ‘fire safety violations’… museum shutters (Nov 15, 2024)The Art Newspaper, Battle for memory at Russia's Gulag Museum (Mar 5, 2025) Barents Observer, FSB wants its own pre-trial detention centres (Feb 28, 2025) Meduza, The End of a Life Cycle (Jan 15, 2025) Wikipedia, Gulag Museum, Solovki prison campThe Guardian, Skobov sentenced to 16 years (Mar 21, 2025)Vox, Kara‑Murza's experience (Dec 1, 2024)Memorial (society) Wikipedia entry----------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/----------

Alya Shandra is Editor-in-chief at Euro Maidan Press. She has a background in environmental science and NGOs. During the Euromaidan revolution Alya Shandra launched an indy-media outlet called Euromaidan Press, and that project was fuelled by her interest in how to help Ukraine permanently move beyond being a post-communist post-colony country and evolve into becoming a free and democratic society that tackles corruption and nepotism. ----------DESCRIPTION:Ukraine Anti-Corruption Protests and Zelensky's Crisis: A Deep Dive with Alya Shandra from Euro Maidan PressIn this episode, we delve into the escalating scandal in Ukraine surrounding President Zelenskyy's controversial anti-corruption law, which triggered massive protests. Alya Shandra, Editor in Chief at Euro Maidan Press, provides insights into the background of the protests, their significance, and the pivotal role of anti-corruption agencies like the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. We explore the societal impact of these protests, the historical context of Ukraine's political evolution, and discuss Zelenskyy's surprise response to the rising public unrest. Join us for an in-depth discussion on the fight against corruption in Ukraine amid an ongoing war.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Scandal in Ukraine00:13 Interview with Alya Shandra: Background and Insights01:10 Zelenskyy's Unexpected Protests01:59 Understanding the Anti-Corruption Law03:38 The Role of Anti-Corruption Agencies05:36 Public Reaction and Protests08:17 International Implications and EU Integration12:29 Zelenskyy's Leadership and Challenges18:19 The Future of Ukraine's Democracy35:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts----------LINKS:https://euromaidanpress.com/author/alya/https://x.com/alyashandrahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alya-shandra-5b1a68b/ ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Edition No199 | 23-07-2025 - The gates of the financial level crossing are coming down, but the Russian banking system is still stuck on the tracks, like the idiot driver that ignores the signals and bells and thinks they can cross in time. The express train of sanctions and consequences is careening down the tracks. Get ready for the troubled Russian banking sector to be turned to scrap by the impact, a pile of fiscal junk, entirely because of Putin’s reckless and senseless decisions. Russia’s economy is about to implode—and the silence on its banking system is deafening. Russian banks are teetering, bailouts are rumoured, and the Kremlin is quietly crafting laws to lock down the narrative. Why now? Because the war, sanctions, and mounting debt have created a financial tinderbox—and Ukraine’s lighting matches.----------DESCRIPTION:The Imminent Collapse of Russia's Banking SystemIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the unfolding banking crisis in Russia. The financial instability is being exacerbated by sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, leading to a significant strain on the system. Notably, several top Russian banks are quietly discussing emergency bailouts, and there's growing internal panic over rising bad loans and delinquency rates. The Kremlin is implementing laws to suppress information and control the narrative, even as the economy faces a potential collapse. We explore how high interest rates, inflation, and declining revenues are contributing to this financial turmoil, and why comprehensive sanctions by Western allies are crucial to forcing Putin's wartime economy to its breaking point.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:23 The Russian Banking Crisis Unfolds01:26 Emergency Bailouts and Hidden Debts02:40 Rising Bad Loans and Economic Warnings04:53 Sanctions and Global Isolation05:46 Censorship and Economic Control07:26 Conclusion: The Path Forward----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/russian-banks-will-fall-the-question-is-how-hard-a89912 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/russian-banks-have-discussed-seeking-bailouts-within-next-year https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/russias-economy-is-a-ticking-time-bomb/ https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russias-oil-and-banks-after-robert-fico-lifts-his-veto https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/17/russias-largest-banks-exploring-bailouts-as-bad-loans-grow-bloomberg-a89862 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-18/eu-backs-revised-russia-oil-price-cap-and-new-russia-sanctions https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-debt-bank-bailout-bad-loans-rates-ukraine-war-2025-7 https://uatv.ua/en/comprehensive-isolation-of-russia-s-financial-sector-is-gaining-momentum-the-governor-of-the-national-bank-of-ukraine/ https://kyivindependent.com/russias-systematically-important-banks-discussing-bailout-within-next-year-07-2025/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/russian-banks-fear-debt-crisis-is-coming-as-war-strains-economy https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/oman-tightens-banking-restrictions-on-russian-firms-vedomosti-a89918 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2085142/russia-economy-loan-defaults-vtb-bank https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/17/russian-banks-prepare-bailout-putins-war-hammers-economy/ ----------

Edition No198 | 23-07-2025 - In this episode, we take a hard, unsparing look at the Russian military’s transformation, or lack of it—and the West’s slow, uncertain response, at times pessimistic and laden with panic, at others complacent and bloated by hubris and overconfidence. Drawing on the analysis of John Foreman CBE and Edward Lucas of The Times, this episode insights from Bob Seely’s new book ‘The New Total War’. It explores three years of hard lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield, to ask: Is Russia preparing for perpetual war—and are we prepared to stop it?Russian Military Reform – Crude, Bloody, But Learning Dangerously and Unexpectedly Fast. John Foreman CBE, former British defence attaché in Moscow, pulls no punches: "Russia’s approach to war is not efficient in a Western sense—its waste is staggering—but it can still be effective." (NEST Centre, July 2025). Despite early humiliations—the failed dash to Kyiv, the retreat from Kherson, and the mauling at Vuhledar—Russia has adapted. Foreman notes: “Mass and firepower, not finesse, remain the defining principles.” The focus is not on minimizing casualties but on ensuring throughput: of shells, drones, prisoners, and bodies, for meat-wave assaults.----------DESCRIPTION:Russia's Military Transformation: Adapting for Perpetual ConflictIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the critical question of whether Russia's military can change and adapt amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Drawing on insights from experts like John Foreman, CBE, and Edward Lucas, and referencing Bob Seeley's new book "The New Total War".----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Ukraine's Independence00:16 Support and Engagement: How You Can Help00:34 Analyzing Russia's Military Transformation00:52 Insights from Experts: John Foreman and Edward Lucas01:14 Russia's Military Reform and Adaptation03:12 Ukraine's Agility vs. Russia's Mass06:29 The West's Response and Strategic Challenges06:56 Russia's Drone Warfare and Industrial Scale Production08:46 Information Warfare: Russia's Hybrid Campaigns10:08 Conclusion: The Perpetual War Machine----------SOURCES: https://nestcentre.org/military-lessons/ https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/wake-up-west-russia-war-donald-trump-5kscn3w32----------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/----------

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce - Scandal in Ukraine and the US - we break down what's happening.----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Tom Keatinge is the founding Director of the Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI. According to The Economist, Tom Keatinge is one of a small group of '‘White collar vigilantes and poachers-turned-gamekeepers’. Tom’s research focuses on matters at the intersection of finance and security, including the use of finance as a tool of intelligence and disruption. He has a Master’s in Intelligence and International Security from King’s College London, where his research focused on the effectiveness of the global counter-terror finance regime. Prior to joining RUSI in 2014, he was an investment banker for 20 years at J.P. Morgan.----------LINKS: https://www.rusi.org/people/keatingehttps://x.com/keatingetomhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-keatinge-9812444/ https://icct.nl/people/tom-keatingehttps://www.tomkeatinge.net/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube’s algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Edition No197 | 22-07-2025 - Putin is tightening the digital noose in Russia, as the crackdown on the internet intensifies. We explore What It Signals in this episode. The Kremlin isn’t just at war with Ukraine — it’s at war with its own population, and the internet itself. Connectivity blackouts are plaguing regions of Russia, and now spyware is being installed on every internet capable device. The Victory Day disconnections of internet coverage were just a foretaste of the censorship and control that is rapidly approaching. The edges are emerging of what promises to be a terrifying blueprint for new a “digital gulag.” But this isn’t just about censorship. It’s about what Russia might be preparing for next — why the regime has such a sense of urgency to gain control of the Russian internet, and what that means for Ukraine and for the rest of us.----------DESCRIPTION:Putin's Digital Gulag: Why Russia is Shutting Down its InternetIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into Vladimir Putin's aggressive efforts to control and restrict internet access in Russia. We explore the Kremlin's increasing crackdown on digital freedom and what it means for Russia's population, the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and potential geopolitical ramifications. Key points include the intensification of censorship, the spread of spyware on consumer devices, and the Kremlin's urgency to isolate the Russian internet by autumn 2025. We also discuss possible reasons behind this rapid digital suppression including further mobilization, preparing for war with NATO, economic collapse, or autocratic whims. Discover how these unprecedented moves might signify a strategy to escalate the war or manage looming internal and external crises.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Putin's Attempt to Break the Internet00:30 The Digital Noose Tightens01:26 The Big Digital Squeeze03:00 Technical Details of the Crackdown04:24 Spyware and the Digital Gulag05:52 Hypotheses Behind the Crackdown10:10 The Autumn Trap: Why Now?11:39 Conclusion: The Global Implications----------SOURCES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx3hF3Yk2rYhttps://jamestown.org/program/russia-ramps-up-internet-censorship/https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-cut-internet-access-victory-day-ukraine-drone-strikes-putin-2025-5https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/putin-moscow-whatsapp-ban-plan-max-app-launch-b789tt6tshttps://united24media.com/latest-news/putins-new-orders-could-reshape-russian-internet-heres-whats-next-10019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-kremlin-instagram-atms-ukraine-b2791385.htmlhttps://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/07/07/mapping-russia-s-internet-blackoutshttps://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/01/russia-to-disconnect-foreigners-who-have-not-submitted-biometric-data-from-mobile-internet-a89635https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/17/russia-internet-censorship/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56473https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-03/russian-internet-outages-soar-as-kremlin-boosts-wartime-controls----------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/----------

Today’s episode is dedicated to the recent NATO Summit to discuss potential outcomes for Ukraine as well as the ongoing Russian invasion. What discussions took place behind closed doors, what is the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, and why was the role of Ukraine downgraded compared to last year’s summit. Is there now a risk of countries like the US normalising relations with the pariah terror state, Russia? ----------Mark Temnycky is a Ukrainian American freelance journalist, based just outside of New York City, and is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Centre. He has covered Eastern European affairs and energy security matters for seven years, with articles published in The New York Times, Forbes, Daily Mail, EUobserver, Kyiv Post, Atlantic Council, Wilson Centre, and other US and European news outlets and think tanks. ----------DESCRIPTION:Analyzing the 2025 NATO Summit: Ukraine, Defense Spending, and Trump's InfluenceIn this episode, we delve into the outcomes of the recent NATO summit, focusing on the discussions surrounding Ukraine and the ongoing Russian invasion. We explore the Western perspective on Ukrainian victory, the downgrading of Ukraine's role at this year's summit, and the potential risks of normalizing relations with Russia. The conversation includes the implications of increased defense spending targets, the emphasis on burden sharing among NATO members, and the strategic significance of providing continuous aid to Ukraine. Join us as Mark and Tim discuss these pressing issues with Nicki, a Ukrainian American freelance journalist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to NATO Summit and Key Topics01:48 NATO Summit Dynamics and Trump's Influence04:33 NATO's Defense Spending and Burden Sharing08:31 Ukraine's Role and NATO's Strategic Shifts16:53 Challenges in Defense Spending and Strategic Goals22:05 NATO's Collective Security and Article 527:01 Ukraine's Struggle and Western Support31:50 Summit Outcomes and Future Implications----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktemnycky/https://x.com/mtemnyckyhttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/mark-temnycky/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/mark-temnyckyhttps://kyivindependent.com/author/mark-temnycky/https://www.fpri.org/contributor/mark-temnycky/https://bylinetimes.com/author/mtemnycky/https://cepa.org/author/mark-temnycky/----------ARTICLES:https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-sees-mixed-results-2025-nato-summit-opinion-2092722 ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

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

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