The Think Tank – Details, episodes & analysis

What happens in Moldova? Why was the election so close? How has Russia tried to hijack the elections in Moldova? Are Moldovan and Romanian languages different? What are the generational and regional differences in Moldova?

We talked to an actual Moldovan (they aren't that rare..) about this often overlooked country. Recorded in October 2024.

Recommended sources for further information:

Rise Moldova https://www.rise.md/english/

Vlad Lupan, on Twitter: @VladLupan 

Paula Erizanu @paulaerizanu 

Denis Dermenji https://www.rferl.org/author/denis-dermenji/bmvkqt

Victor's book recommendation: Playing the Moldovans at Tennis: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/994023.Playing_the_Moldovans_at_Tennis

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WE’RE BACK! Joe and Matt are joined by Dr. Judas Everett, a specialist in transitions from communism who lived in Moscow, Ukraine, and Poland. 

Did Ukraine’s counteroffensive fail?

Why is doom so popular now?

How is the war in the Middle East affecting Ukraine?

What do people misunderstand about Russia?

What are the differences with Ukraine’s and Russia’s transitions from communism?

What are the causes of the border protests in Central Eastern Europe? 

Why is Seymour Hersh still a thing? 

(Recorded on 6th of December, 2023) 

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Joe and Pingu are joined by Cormac Smith, outspoken supporter of Ukraine, formerly deputy director of communications for the UK, and with professional experience within Ukraine and working against disinformation. Also, Joe and Pingu discus useful idiots, poor journalism, and go off topic sometimes.

SUPPORT LIFE-LINE UKRAINE: https://www.lifeline-ukraine.org/

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In this very first live episode (well, the first part) Pingu seizes power in a glorious revolution. Replacing Joe then Matt.

Matt and Pingu learn the Konchar bridge was bombed while discussing sharkgate, agenda setting, and the quality of western journalism.

Later Joe and Pingu continue asking why is western journalism so bad. They also talk about what does waif in his underwear mean and Seymour Hersh' fall from grace. Prighozhin looms large and no one knows what's going on there.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-07-27/how-to-defeat-russia-s-black-sea-grain-blockade

https://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-account-overseen-by-former-navy-noncommissioned-officer-helped-spread-secrets-a4b5643b

DONATE: https://u24.gov.ua/

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Pekka Kallioniemi, researcher and creator of Soup Central and Vatnik Soup, gets in the guest gunner seat in this episode. They discuss everything from RFK, the reasons to fight disinformation with the truth, the issues of social media platforms as marketplaces of ideas, and the importance of taking a break. Also, Joe and Matt inadvertently predict the coup attempt that happened a day after recording, reflect on a year of being in NAFO, and the importance of showing visible support to Ukraine, even in the Post Office.

The Importance of Truth

Can Twitter Be a Marketplace of Ideas?

Lessons from Vatnik Soup

Why You Should Touch Grass

Prighozin Preamble

Fellaversary

Matt goes to the Post Office

LINKS:

https://twitter.com/P_Kallioniemi

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220805-what-is-longtermism-and-why-does-it-matter

https://twitter.com/freeonis_

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Episode 9: Matt and Joe catch up on the news, reflect on previous podcasts, and Joe debunks some myths about Ukraine

0-8:00 Catching up on the news

8:10-12:45 Recap of Ben and Paul

12:45-25:00 Cope, Boris Johnson, and Donald Trump

25:00-37:45 Debunking the "shelling of the Donbass"

37:50-49:30 Work and life in West Ukraine

LINKS:

https://u24.gov.ua/

Pingu's donation thread: https://twitter.com/TheSadPingu/status/1667515013928714240?s=20

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2023/25/marianna-in-conspiracyland

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Title: Episode 8- Winning the Discursive Battle: A Discussion With Benjamin Tallis

The Nova Kakhovka Dam

The connections between different disinfo peddlers

With Benjamin Tallis:

Joining NAFO and it's success among academics and politicians

What is Neoidealism?

What is the ideal relationship of EU and USA?

What Ben's book doing?

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In this episode, Joe and Matt discuss copium then welcome Paul Massaro (Helsinki Institute) on to discuss disinformation, democracy, fighting for democracy, providing more weapons to Ukraine, and learning from Ukrainians in the west's fight for democracy.

URGENT NEED FOR LIFEBOATS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT:

Russia's terroristic blowing of the Nova Khakvoka dam has unleashed ecocide and destruction in Kherson. Ukraine needs immediate and urgent humanitarian donations.

https://u24.gov.ua/lifeboat

https://www.help99.co/projects/lifeboats-fundraiser

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.