Ukraine War Update BUMPER NEWS: Geopolitical News 3b - US, Disinfo, & Rogan
Table of Contents 📖
"If you've got a nominee that's now saying he's not going to drink because he needs to be on call the whole time, then you know that he knows that he's got a drinking problem and you're going to put him into... Anyway, it's all highly controversial."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-01:04⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to another ATP Geopolitics video, a continuation of the Geopolitical News series, focusing on the US. He apologises for the length of recent videos, attributing it to the high volume of news, and jokingly implores everyone to calm down and have a cup of tea.
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US & EU response to Potential Trump Withdrawal from Ukraine Loan Agreement
🎦 01:06-02:07⏩
Jonathan discusses a report from the Kyiv Independent stating that the EU is prepared to compensate if the US withdraws from the $50 billion loan agreement with Ukraine. He expresses concern over the possibility of Trump pulling out of the agreement, viewing it as a move that would solely benefit Russia and further highlighting the concerning nature of Trump's regime. He notes that the EU is considering using frozen Russian assets to cover the loan if the US withdraws.
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Tulsi Gabbard's DNI Nomination Raises Concerns
🎦 02:07-03:07⏩
Jonathan discusses Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for Director of National Intelligence, sharing a report from The Hill in which an anonymous aide expresses concern that she might be compromised, even going as far as to say that some members of Congress believe she is a Russian asset. Despite the concerning nature of her nomination, Jonathan notes that individuals like Pete Hegseth pose a greater threat, overshadowing Gabbard's lack of suitability for the position.
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FBI Disrupts Russian AI Bot Farm Spreading Disinformation
🎦 03:08-05:06⏩
Jonathan reports on the FBI, in collaboration with international partners, disrupting a Ukraine-based AI bot farm spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda. He highlights the prevalence of such AI entities on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), urging viewers to avoid engaging with accounts using terms like "US Patriot" as they are often Russian trolls or bots. He delves into the specifics of the operation, noting that the bot farm was developed by Russia's RT news network and operated by Moscow's federal security service. Using US-based servers and AI-generated personas of various nationalities, the bot farm spread disinformation targeting the US, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Ukraine, and Israel. Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray are quoted, highlighting the significance of disrupting this AI-driven propaganda campaign.
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Brian Kilmeade's Surprisingly Insightful Interview with Jack Keane on Ukraine War
🎦 05:06-13:10⏩
Jonathan shifts focus to the role of US media in the information war surrounding Ukraine. He acknowledges his dislike for Fox News and Brian Kilmeade in particular, but unexpectedly praises Kilmeade's knowledge of the Ukraine war and his stance in support of Ukraine. He highlights Kilmeade's radio interview with Jack Keane, a Fox News senior strategic analyst, describing it as insightful and on point. Jonathan plays several excerpts from the interview where Keane asserts that Putin is the sole obstacle to peace, refuting the notion that the US or Ukraine are prolonging the conflict. Keane emphasizes the need for the incoming US administration (Trump's) to recognize Putin's intentions and leverage Ukraine's strengthening position to secure a favourable outcome in any potential negotiations. Jonathan expresses appreciation for Kilmeade's stance and his positive remarks about Zelensky, noting the rarity of such commentary in certain media circles.
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Hungary's Pro-Russian Stance and Pressure on Trump Administration
🎦 13:10-14:17⏩
Jonathan contrasts Kilmeade's perspective with the actions of Hungary, reporting on their pressure on the Trump administration to quickly end the war in Ukraine. He cites Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto's claims that peace "has never seemed so close" and their efforts to realize Trump's goal of ending the war. Jonathan views these efforts with skepticism, believing Hungary's interest lies in resuming economic ties with Russia.
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Tucker Carlson's Pro-Kremlin Alignment and Potential Assad Interview
🎦 14:18-16:05⏩
Jonathan criticizes Tucker Carlson's pro-Russian stance, calling him a "mouthpiece of Putin." He mentions Carlson's recent interview with Sergei Lavrov and reports on rumors circulating on Russian Telegram channels suggesting that Carlson might have also interviewed Bashar al-Assad during his visit to Moscow, further highlighting Carlson's alignment with figures condemned by the West.
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Joe Rogan's Problematic Platforming of Mike Benz and Disinformation
🎦 16:06-20:41⏩
Jonathan expresses disappointment with Joe Rogan for interviewing Mike Benz, a conservative figure with alleged alt-right ties, on the topic of Ukraine. He criticizes Rogan for not inviting a Ukrainian expert or Zelensky himself, instead choosing to platform someone spreading disinformation about the country. Jonathan labels Benz a "bad guy" and criticizes Rogan for amplifying his views. He shares several tweets from individuals like Timothy Ash and Christian Porras condemning the interview and criticizing Rogan and Elon Musk for promoting Russian propaganda. Jonathan further analyzes the interview by referencing Dr. Ian Garner's fact-checking efforts, exposing the falsehoods propagated by Benz regarding the 2014 Maidan protests and the annexation of Crimea. He highlights the dangers of such narratives and criticizes the tendency to conflate unrelated events to create a misleading narrative, a tactic commonly used by propagandists.
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The Role of Western Media in Amplifying Russian Propaganda and Normalizing Authoritarianism
🎦 20:42-26:11⏩
Jonathan reads excerpts from an article by Olga Lautman titled "Why Western media must do better against Russian propaganda and Trump’s authoritarianism." He underscores Lautman's argument that Russia excels at manipulating narratives and Western media often unwittingly amplifies Kremlin propaganda by reporting bombastic claims and threats without sufficient context or skepticism. He draws parallels between the media's handling of Russian and Trump's rhetoric, arguing that while the former evokes widespread alarm, the latter is often dismissed as mere bluster, creating a dangerous normalization of authoritarian behavior. He stresses the need for journalists to scrutinize their sources, provide context, and avoid sensationalism, especially when dealing with information that aligns with Kremlin or Trump agendas. He criticizes the "both-sides-ism" approach to reporting on threats to democracy and urges the media to fulfill its responsibility to inform the public accurately and hold those in power accountable.
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Lex Friedman's Upcoming Putin Interview Criticized for Legitimizing Russian Narratives
🎦 26:12-27:10⏩
Jonathan mentions Lex Fridman's upcoming interview with Putin, drawing criticism for its potential to legitimize Russian narratives. He argues that interviewing Putin, especially in the current context, provides a platform for his propaganda and normalizes his regime's actions.
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Pete Hegseth's Controversial Nomination for Secretary of Defense and Potential Replacement by Ron DeSantis
🎦 27:11-29:17⏩
Jonathan moves on to Pete Hegseth's controversial nomination for Secretary of Defense, highlighting the historical context of the Senate rejecting a Cabinet nominee in 1989. He lists several scandals surrounding Hegseth, including infidelity, alleged sexual assault, and alcohol abuse. He mentions the possibility of Ron DeSantis replacing Hegseth as the nominee, acknowledging that while not ideal, it would be a better alternative. He underscores the importance of the Secretary of Defense position for Ukraine, expressing concern that neither Hegseth nor DeSantis are particularly supportive of the country.
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Kash Patel's Hypocrisy on Free Speech and Potential for Retribution under Trump Administration
🎦 29:19-30:49⏩
Jonathan discusses the nomination of Kash Patel as FBI Director, raising concerns about his stance on free speech. He highlights the irony of Patel advocating for free speech while simultaneously using legal threats to silence critics, citing his attempts to sue Olivia Troy, a former Trump administration official who has been critical of Trump. Jonathan views this as a sign of potential retribution and an abuse of power under the upcoming Trump administration. He criticizes the focus on such matters while major threats to American national security, like those posed by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, remain unaddressed.
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Elon Musk and Tesla's Autopilot System Under Investigation
🎦 30:51-32:32⏩
Jonathan briefly touches upon Elon Musk and Tesla, mentioning ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice, SEC, and FCC into the company's Autopilot technology following several accidents. He suggests that the Trump administration might drop these investigations, further alluding to potential corruption and abuse of power. He criticizes the focus on such matters, stating that they distract from addressing pressing international security challenges.
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Wrap up
🎦 32:35-33:01⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching, acknowledging the need to split the video into two parts due to the overwhelming amount of content. He reiterates his goal of reaching 50,139 subscribers by January 2nd and encourages viewers to subscribe.
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