The MAGA movement presents itself as anti-establishment, but with Donald Trump as president, it is the establishment. A look back at what counterculture once meant in democratic society - including the lives of Jerry Rubin, Allen Ginsberg and Eldridge Cleaver.

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In the current stage of emerging great power competition, influence is eveything. When it comes to influencing a targeted society, there are multiple paths: some overt, some more subtle and nuanced.

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There has been a surge of foreign interference aimed at the US during the presidential campaign between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Foreign powers such as Russia, China, Iran seed bad information into the domesitic information flow of democracies in order to exploit real life emotions, shape perceptions, and where possible, influence outcomes on the ground.

Host: Chris Zappone

Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk)

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay.

Guest: Jed Willard

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Amid the current clash in geopolitical narrative, former Australian diplomat and analyst Kyle Wilson discusses the history and culture of Russia, imperialism and the right to self-determination of smaller countries.

Host: Chris Zappone

Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk)

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay.

Guest: Peter Tesch

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The US Department of Justice reveals an influence campaign run through Russia’s international propaganda arm, RT. The US also seizes 32 internet domains used in the "Doppelganger" disinfo campaign: https://coldwardaily.com/2024/09/23/us-doj-doppelganger-indictment-all-277-pages/

ANU professor Matt Sussex discusses the larger impacts.

Host: Chris Zappone

Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk)

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay.

Guest: Matt Sussex

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The US accuses RT, Russia's propaganda outlet, of conducting influence operations, cyber activities, and even fund-raising. Peter Tesch, Australia's former ambassador to Russia, discusses the impact RT has on democracies.

Host: Chris Zappone

Executive Producers: Rob Ranieri (Ranieri & Co.) & Caroline Winter (PodTalk)

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Space Ambient Sci-Fi” by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay.

Guest: Peter Tesch

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After the election, society is altered with many people left angry and distrustful of each other. Russian subversion is aimed against both left and right. Hints about Trump’s collusion with Russia abound, terrifying one half of the country and infuriating the other.

Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone

Executive Producer: Greg Muller

Consulting Producer: Richard Baker

Production Manager: Nick Randall

Sound Design: Marty Peralta

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records.

Special thanks to Taisiya Payne, Jeff Megahan, Slava Grigoriev 

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With a shared understanding of the presidential campaign shattered, information chaos reigns. Into the narrative vacuum, fantasies replace realities and Donald Trump is elected president.

Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone

Executive Producer: Greg Muller

Consulting Producer: Richard Baker

Production Manager: Nick Randall

Sound Design: Marty Peralta

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records.

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An enormous noise is generated online, turning Malcolm Nance’s attention from terrorism to bots, trolling, Russian hacks and leaks. The chaos targets Democrats, Republican candidates in the primaries, and journalists, disrupting the media’s ability to report on Trump.

Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone

Executive Producer: Greg Muller

Consulting Producer: Richard Baker

Production Manager: Nick Randall

Sound Design: Marty Peralta

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records.

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In Arkansas, Andy Rosebrook notices how Russian state media insinuates itself into America’s news flow, sowing the seeds of distrust and polarisation. From a distance, Russians figure out how to mobilize a Texas community around a conspiracy fear.

Story written and narrated by: Chris Zappone

Executive Producer: Greg Muller

Consulting Producer: Richard Baker

Production Manager: Nick Randall

Sound Design: Marty Peralta

Credits/Contributors: The opening theme is “Rainbow Death Revisited” by Votaries courtesy of Wharf Cat Records.

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