Project Russia and the Future of Western Democracy with Jason Pack
In this episode, we dive into geopolitical tensions, focusing on Russia’s influence on global politics and its ideological underpinnings. David Troy and Jason Pack from the Disorder Podcast discuss Russian nationalism, the continuity of Soviet-era tactics, and the extensive influence of Project Russia. The conversation also delves into the intersections with Western ideologies and strategies to combat disinformation, as well as the peculiar connection between Russian Cosmism and contemporary tech culture.
The Disorder Podcast - https://linktr.ee/disorderpod
00:00Â Introduction and Overview
00:51Â Conversation with Jason Pack Begins
02:18Â Russian Nationalism and Historical Context
03:40Â Post-Soviet Russia and the KGB's Influence
10:27Â Challenges of Democratization in Russia
18:24Â Project Russia: Ideological Framework
26:18Â Western Misunderstandings of Russian Motivations
29:10Â The Essence of Project Russia
30:06Â Bannon's Vision and Russian Interests
30:30Â China's Role in the Ukraine War
31:52Â Introduction to Russian Cosmism
32:40Â The Origins and Ideas of Russian Cosmism
34:32Â Cosmism's Influence on Modern Tech
37:51Â Libertarian Ideologies and Russian Cosmism
40:51Â Trump's Actions and Russian Interests
42:50Â Chaos in Tariff Policies
45:56Â Strengthening Democracy in the West
52:48Â Engaging Global South Democracies
53:49Â Conclusion and Future Vision
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57:05
The Nerd Reich with Gil Duran
Journalist and political communications specialist Gil Duran joins Dave for a discussion of The Network State, the latest in a long line of Libertarian Exit ideologies. Based on the ideas of people like Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinavasan, and Curtis Yarvin, the movement ultimately aims to dismantle the American government in favor of a network of federated states, all competing for citizens. The ideology has found a home in the second Trump administration and is gaining momentum quickly. Dave and Gil discuss what it is, where it came from, and how to go about stopping its spread.
Interview starts at 02:47
00:00Â Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:05Â Exploring the Network State Concept
02:47Â Mainstream Media's Reluctance
03:40Â Historical Context and Silicon Valley's Influence
04:42Â Local Politics and Billionaire Influence
05:22Â Acceleration of Network State Ideologies
07:54Â Freedom Cities and Corporate Dystopias
11:59Â Exit vs. Voice: Libertarian Ideals
17:36Â Cultish Movements and Apocalyptic Visions
22:48Â Autocracy Inc. and Global Implications
33:12Â Bitcoin and Right-Wing Politics
34:02Â Network State and Democracy
34:29Â Media and Political Awareness
35:37Â Democrats and Cryptocurrency
43:51Â Technocracy and Historical Parallels
51:43Â Substack vs. Ghost Platform
55:00Â Future Political Landscape
01:02:45Â Grassroots Movements and Conclusion
Links:
https://thenerdreich.com
https://x.com/gilduran76
https://theframelab.org
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1:09:30
Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil
Donald Trump wasn't the first presidential candidate to be groomed by the KGB to advance Russian interests. That dubious honor belongs to Henry A. Wallace, who ran for president in 1948.
Dave interviews Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss his latest book, 'The World That Wasn't, Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century.' The conversation explores Wallace's intriguing political and personal life, his contributions as Agriculture Secretary under FDR, his mystical beliefs, and his controversial political career. The discussion includes the impact of Wallace's policies, his interactions with and influence from historical figures like Nicholas Roerich, and his eventual fall from political grace leading up to the 1944 Democratic Convention. The guest also draws parallels between Wallace's complex legacy and contemporary political narratives, including potential influences on modern American politics.
Links:
https://america2.news/donald-trump-isnt-the-first-presidential-candidate-groomed-by-the-kgb/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/genuine-case-collusion?ref=america2.news
https://www.cfr.org/expert/benn-steil
https://x.com/bennsteil
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/nyregion/nyc-911-calls-riverside-drive.html
https://www.roerich.org/
Interview begins at 02:47.
00:00Â Introduction and Guest Background
00:20Â Henry Wallace: A Counterfactual History
02:27Â Henry Wallace's Early Life and Agricultural Innovations
06:39Â Wallace's Mystical Pursuits and Political Controversies
12:39Â Wallace's Political Ideologies and Economic Views
23:25Â Wallace's Vice Presidency and Political Challenges
29:06Â Wallace's Diplomatic Missions and Downfall
33:51Â Manipulating Visits: The Russian Blueprint
34:30Â The DNC's Maneuvering for a New VP
37:47Â The 1944 Democratic Convention Chaos
41:02Â Wallace's Downfall and Truman's Rise
45:50Â Wallace's Post-VP Career and Conflicts
48:43Â Wallace's 1948 Presidential Run and Communist Ties
54:40Â Parallels Between Wallace and Trump
58:38Â The Masonic Dollar Bill Redesign
01:00:49Â Conclusion and Future Prospects
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1:06:31
Money, Lies, and God with Katherine Stewart
Dave interviews Katherine Stewart about her new book 'Money, Lies, and God,' which explores extremist movements in the United States, particularly focusing on the rise of anti-democratic sentiment and Christian nationalism. Katherine shares her background in reporting over the past 16 years and discusses how she began investigating these movements after a 'Good News Club' appeared at her daughter's school. She categorizes the key players in these movements into 'funders,' 'thinkers,' and 'foot soldiers' and discusses how their interactions threaten the foundations of American democracy. The interview also touches on the disinformation campaigns, the international dimension of these extremist networks, and the importance of engaging in local politics and voting to sustain democracy.
00:00Â Introduction and Book Overview
00:19Â Katherine's Background and Initial Interest
00:38Â The Good News Club and Its Impact
02:57Â Researching the Legal Advocacy Groups
04:03Â The Larger Agenda and War on Public Education
04:59Â Categorizing the Networks: Funders, Thinkers, and Foot Soldiers
07:45Â Christian Nationalism and Its Political Machine
12:51Â The Role of Spirit Warriors and Spiritual Warfare
16:56Â Influence of Thinkers: Leo Strauss and Carl Schmitt
22:02Â The Concept of a Red Caesar
31:24Â Global Reactionary Movements and Religious Nationalism
37:38Â The Role of Funders and Money in Politics
42:19Â Pro-Democracy Initiatives and Individual Actions
46:38Â Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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50:17
Russia's Third Empire with Dina Khapaeva
Dave interviews Dina Khapaeva, Russian culture expert at Georgia Tech, about the book "Third Empire: Russia as it ought to be," written by Mikhail Yuriev, one of the authors of Project Russia, which we have also covered in the last two episodes.
Dina specializes in Russian historical memory and contemporary issues. She provides an in-depth background on her research and her personal history, including her family's experience with Stalinist terror. The discussion focuses on the troubling, far-right ideologies that have been shaping Russia's political strategy, particularly explored through the lens of Mikhail Yuryev's novel 'Third Empire, The Russia That Ought To Be' and the Project Russia texts. Dr. Penkrmanova explains how these narratives, rooted in neo-Eurasianist ideology and medieval Russian history, inform Putin's geopolitics and expansionist aims. The conversation also touches on the implications of these ideologies for Western policymakers and the political landscape, emphasizing the urgent need to recognize and respond to these Russian ambitions.
The Utopian Russian Novel that Predicted Putin's War Plan, March 26, 2022
The West Doesn't Realize How Much Danger It's In, August 24, 2022
Putin's Dark Ages, 2023
Dina Khapaeva website
00:00Â Introduction and Guest Background
00:17Â Early Career and Shift to Sociology
01:00Â Focus on Historical Memory
02:24Â Current Role at Georgia Tech
02:59Â Discussion on Mikhail Yuryev's Book
03:49Â Yuryev's Influence and Political Connections
07:05Â Fortress Russia and Far-Right Ideology
10:18Â Neo-Eurasianism and Western Perception
19:57Â Summary of 'Third Empire' Plot
23:07Â Implications of Yuryev's Vision
32:04Â The Devastation of War: Casualties and Destruction
32:58Â Russian Ideology: Antichrist and Apocalypse
33:42Â Western Perception and Putin's Strategy
34:34Â The Primakov Doctrine and Nuclear Threats
38:14Â Yuriev's Vision: A New Social Order
45:58Â The Role of Memory Politics in Russia
51:49Â Yuriev's Influence in the United States
57:21Â The Patriarchal Society and Gender Issues
01:00:41Â The Urgency of Recognizing the Russian Threat
01:03:10Â Conclusion: The Future of Russia and Global Implications