2026-01-30 | UPDATES #120 | FBI raid on Georgia’s Fulton County elections hub — ballots seized, intelligence chief on scene, and why critics say this is about elections in 2026 not those of 2020. This is one of those stories that should be wall-to-wall — because it goes to the bloodstream of democracy: elections, and an absolute rupture of normal practice with regards to an historic ballot. This week, the FBI executed a search warrant at Fulton County’s Election Hub and Operations Centre in Union City, Georgia, and hauled away hundreds of boxes of 2020 election materials — including ballots and election records. (Reuters)The fear is this is being done, not to find evidence of fraud, but to manufacture and plant evidence of this. Here’s the part that should shock you: Tulsi Gabbard — the Director of National Intelligence — was physically present at the scene. (Reuters)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Reuters (Jan 28, 2026) — FBI executes search warrant at Fulton County election facilityhttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-executing-search-warrant-election-office-georgia-related-2020-vote-fox-news-2026-01-28/ABC News (Jan 29, 2026) — FBI Director Kash Patel claims probable cause; warrant scope; Warner/Himes letter; Gabbard presence - https://abcnews.go.com/US/fulton-county-official-slams-trump-administration-fbis-seizure/story?id=129670285Associated Press (Jan 30, 2026) — FBI seizure of Georgia ballots; details of what was taken; Gabbard presence - https://apnews.com/article/87300edb3ea86961c69132e6a2dfd6e8Reuters (Jan 29, 2026) — Democrats demand explanation for DNI Tulsi Gabbard at raidhttps://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/democrats-ask-top-us-spy-explain-presence-fbi-raid-election-facility-2026-01-29/ACLU (Jan 29, 2026) — ACLU and ACLU of Georgia response; “no legitimate law enforcement purpose”; midterm fears - https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-and-aclu-of-georgia-respond-to-fbi-raid-on-fulton-county-elections-facility----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - 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/extras----------

Peter Apps is a British global affairs and defence commentator, journalist, and author best known for his work as a Reuters global defence columnist and commentator on international security, geopolitics, and conflict. He writes a regular bi-weekly column for Thomson Reuters, focusing on national security, geopolitical tensions, defence policy, and the evolving nature of conflict around the world. Apps has authored several books, including Deterring Armageddon: A Biography of NATO, and his upcoming work The Next World War explores the emerging era of great-power conflict, with significant attention to the war in Ukraine and its implications for global security. ----------LINKS:https://pete-apps.com/https://x.com/PeteAppshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peterapps/https://tedxlondon.com/speaker/peter-apps/----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur first live events this year in Lviv and Kyiv 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. We may add more venues to the program, depending on the success of the fundraising campaign. 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----------DESCRIPTION: The Next World War: A Deep Dive with Peter AppsIn this episode, Peter Apps, a British global affairs and defense commentator, journalist, and author, discusses his latest book, 'The Next World War,' which explores the emerging era of great power conflict with a focus on the war in Ukraine and its global implications. Apps talks about the evolving nature of international security, geopolitical tensions, and defense policies. He also delves into the similarities and differences between potential future conflicts and past world wars, the role of major global powers like China and Russia, and the challenges of maintaining global peace. The conversation touches upon the significant impact of the Ukraine war, the strategic importance of deterrence, and the potential for upcoming conflicts in various global hotspots.----------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.org----------

2026-01-30 | UPDATES #119 | Two Americans dead in Minneapolis after encounters with federal immigration agents. A city on edge. Courts warning the administration to stop violating orders. Republicans — even MAGA Republicans — demanding investigations. And inside Trump world? The wheels are coming off. Finger-pointing, retreats, and the sound of people backing away from the cliff edge they ran towards. But will Trump’s TACO on his own domestic programme of lawless authoritarianism go into reverse, or will this simply be seen as a minor rebranding issue? ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: Reuters — Trump warns Minneapolis mayor is “playing with fire”; Homan takes over, Bovino sidelined.Reuters — Expert critique of narrative control around Minneapolis encounters.Axios — Who’s in hot water; quotes from Noem and Miller; judge orders ICE chief to appear. Washington Post — GOP anxiety and erosion of support for tactics; conservative media backlash.AP — “No Kings” protests planned; backlash framed as anti-authoritarian mobilization. The Guardian — Biden condemnation; reporting on DHS claims vs. video controversy. Reuters (context) — Gun-rights political risk in Pretti case.Al Jazeera (via Reuters/Ipsos) — Immigration approval rating datapoint (39%). ACLU — Project 2025 framing and rule-of-law concerns. ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - 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/extras----------

Livestream with Yuri Rashkin----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 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?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------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----------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/-----------

2026-01-29 | UPDATES #118 | Russia’s advance slows to a nine-month low — signs of an army crisis, and why major 2026 offensives may be running out of road. Today is day 1,435 of Russia’s full-scale invasion. That’s not a milestone, but an inditement of political failure and industrial-scale human waste. The “unstoppable Russian offensive” narrative is hitting a wall. This fact stunned me last week, that the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany lasted 1,418 days. This war has now outlasted that — with nothing like the strategic gains, and with Russia’s army moving in distance measured in meters, not kilometers.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: UK Parliament Hansard (Jan 29, 2026) — “Today is 1,435 days…” CSIS report (PDF): Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine (published Jan 27, 2026) Business Insider (Jan 29, 2026) summarizing CSIS pace comparisons Associated Press (via AP News, Jan 28, 2026) on CSIS casualty estimatesThe Guardian (Jan 28, 2026) on casualty totals approaching 2m ISW / Critical Threats (Jan 27, 2026) — Donetsk timeline; “lies and exaggerations”; observed vs claimed gains Russia Matters — War Report Card (Jan 28, 2026) territory gained metrics Euromaidan Press (Jan 28, 2026) — nine-month low pace claim (km²/day) Ukraine President’s site (Jan 26, 2026) — drones destroying “more than 80%” of enemy targetsDefense News (Jan 28, 2026) — drone share of destroyed targets CSIS LinkedIn post (last 48h) — “extraordinary price for minimal gains” framing Kyiv Post (Jan 29, 2026) — false “captured” claims and battlefield risk (Kupyansk) ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - 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/extras----------

2026-01-29 | UPDATES #117 | Today, Europe just fired a legal warning shot across the bow of Russia’s “shadow fleet” — the aging, murky armada that keeps Putin’s oil money flowing, and increasingly turns the Baltic into a grey-zone battlefield. But stern words and legal warnings have never intimidated Putin before, in fact, he takes these as a sign of weakness, unless they are accompanied by action. Fourteen European coastal states say the basics of maritime safety are being shredded — by GNSS jamming, AIS manipulation, and sanctions-evading tankers that treat international rules like optional extras. And the subtext is clear: we’re done letting this fleet ghost through chokepoints uncontested. What did Europe announce? Are they claiming jurisdiction over the waters, or over the grey fleet? What are the conditions for interception? And does this make confrontation more likely? How far would Putin go to keep this economic lifeline going? ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: UK Government (26 Jan 2026) — “The growing risks to maritime safety” (open letter; signatories; UNCLOS Art 92; SOLAS/AIS/LRIT requirements) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-growing-risks-to-maritime-safety/the-growing-risks-to-maritime-safetyFinnish Government / Ministry of Transport and Communications (26 Jan 2026) — Press release on the joint letter and GNSS interference - https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1410829/itameren-ja-pohjanmeren-rantavaltiot-gnss-hairinta-on-lisannyt-merenkulun-turvallisuusriskeja-1Denmark — Danish Maritime Authority (Jan 2026) — Notice referencing the open letterhttps://www.dma.dk/news/2026/january/coastal-states-warn-of-threats-to-maritime-safety-in-the-baltic-and-north-sea-regionERR (Estonia) (Jan 2026) — Summary of the warning and signatorieshttps://news.err.ee/1609924184/all-vessels-are-at-risk-14-countries-warn-shadow-fleet-vessels-to-follow-rulesMaritime Executive (26 Jan 2026) — Reporting and technical context on GNSS/AIS and the letterhttps://maritime-executive.com/article/european-nations-warn-shadow-fleet-shipowners-to-play-by-the-rulesgCaptain (Jan 2026) — Coverage framing the enforcement shift and compliance frameworkhttps://gcaptain.com/europe-signals-new-phase-in-shadow-fleet-enforcement/Insurance Journal (27 Jan 2026) — Coverage of the 14-nation warninghttps://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2026/01/27/855788.htmAtlantic Council (22 Jan 2026) — Analysis: shadow fleet as hybrid tool; argues for stronger interpretation/enforcement - https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/the-us-is-taking-action-against-russias-shadow-fleet-in-the-baltic-sea-europe-should-follow-suit/Emmanuel Macron on X (Jan 2026) — Public statement on French Navy boarding of a sanctioned tanker - https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/2014341199507706242----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - 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/extras----------

2026-01-28 | UPDATES #116 | Is Russia’s imperial phase ending — and is Putin speeding up the collapse? Russia is waging a 21st-century war with an 18th-century imperial mindset, and dark ages political system. Empires, when they start bleeding out, don’t usually stop the haemorrhaging of strength by throwing themselves militarily on their neighbours’ territory. Is Russia’s imperial phase ending — and is Putin accelerating the collapse? Serhii Plokhy, the Ukrainian Harvard historian argues that Russia’s attempt to preserve its empire through war follows a historical pattern of overreach and collapse (United24). Is Russia’s imperial phase finally reaching its limits — and is Putin’s attempt to “save the empire” destroying it in real-time?----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES: UNITED24 Media — “Putin’s Plan to Save the Empire Is Destroying It—A Harvard Historian on Russia’s Fate” (Jan 19, 2026; updated Jan 23, 2026).Ukrainian World Congress — “Plokhy: The battle for minds is part of the war” (Jan 14, 2026; citing Ukrainska Pravda interview).Tymofiy Mylovanov (LinkedIn) — reaction summarizing Plokhy’s collapse triggers and Russia’s exhaustion dynamic (posted Jan 2026). Ukrainian World Congress — “Serhii Plokhy on Russia’s aggression: This is war of empire’s collapse” (May 13, 2024; background framing on imperial logic).----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2026 - 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/extras----------

Its freeing cold in Ukraine - Deadly cold by intention. Russia is trying to make Ukraine uninhabitable. But friends of Ukraine, like DW Phillips are helping to fight back. His organization Ukraine Story is on a mission to bring Generators to Ukraine. Link for DW's Generator Mission with the Ukraine Story Foundation:UkraineStory.org/donatePassword: powertothepeopleOne million in Kyiv alone are without energy. Millions of others are navigating -27C temperatures as the war criminal in the Kremlin continues efforts to destroy the Ukrainian spirit by neutralizing the energy infrastructure and making its cities uninhabitable. Please help their campaign! ----------DW Phillips is a documentary filmmaker and constitutional attorney with Ukraine Story, a nonprofit foundation for journalism and documentary reporting in Ukraine. He and his documentary team have been filming conducting interviews in Ukraine with victims of Russian atrocities, and reporting stories of courage, defiance and perseverance of the Ukrainian people. He has reported on Russian atrocities in Bucha, and is presently working on issues of Kremlin disinformation campaigns in the American Right, religious liberty in Ukraine and the KGB domination of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orrhodox Church. ----------LINKS:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dw-p-59111859/https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineStory----------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/----------DESCRIPTION:Defending Rule of Law: DW Phillips on Western Civilization's Paradigm ShiftIn this episode, filmmaker, journalist, and constitutional attorney DW Phillips discusses critical issues surrounding overreach and illegality in the modern geopolitical landscape. The conversation delves into the paradigm shift from Western civilization founded on the rule of law to a 'gangster philosophy' where power trumps legality. DW Phillips examines the interconnectedness of events from Davos to Minneapolis to Kyiv and discusses the implications for international law, U.S. foreign policy, and domestic governance. The episode also covers the constitutional crises exacerbated by the Trump administration, the disintegration of international alliances like NATO, and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Phillips outlines his efforts to deliver critical supplies to Ukraine and underscores the importance of support for independent journalism and activism.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to DW Phillips00:20 The Overreach and Illegality Discussion Begins02:24 The Paradigm Shift in Western Civilization04:10 The Irony of Trump's Influence06:28 Historical Continuity and Modern Disruption10:41 The Importance of International Law16:07 Domestic Implications of Current Policies22:08 The Presumption of Guilt and Its Consequences24:52 Winning Against the DOJ and FBI25:31 The Role of Attorneys and Legal System26:13 Political Loyalty vs. Rule of Law27:20 US vs. UK Legal Systems28:32 Executive Overreach and the 10th Amendment29:06 Trump's Unconstitutional Tariffs31:39 Russia's Influence and Greenland39:38 Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine42:46 Supporting Ukraine: How You Can Help----------