In this powerful episode of Why We Fight, we speak with award-winning Pakistani investigative journalist Taha Siddiqui, who survived an attempted abduction by Pakistan’s military and now lives in exile in Paris. From exposing military human rights abuses to running The Dissident Club, a bar for global exiles and freedom fighters, Siddiqui shares how authoritarian regimes weaponise identity, faith and fear to silence dissent.We discuss:• How the Pakistani military suppresses press freedom and democracy• The rise of transnational repression targeting dissidents abroad• Why exile has made his journalism more impactful, not less• His acclaimed graphic novel memoir, The Dissident Club found here or in good bookstores everywhere. • How Western democracies must protect, rather than compromise, their valuesThis episode is a fascinating conversation about courage, resistance and the global fight for freedom.Let me know what you think in the comments below!Enjoy!This work is entirely self funded, if you enjoy it please consider supporting me with a small donation or becoming a paid subscriber on my SubStack, Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee. Every little helps me continue to tell these vital stories.Support my work:https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullispatreon.com/DictatorsvDemocratsDiscord: https://discord.gg/qnYb8K9aThankyou and remember: Democracy is Non-NegotiableSupport the show
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5 - The Norwegian Volunteer: Freddie Steimler
In this episode of Why We Fight we’re speaking with Freddie SteimlerA 27 year veteran of Norway’s military, he now serves again as a volunteer bringing vital vehicles and equipment into Ukraine for the charity Bergen Hjelper Ukraina.We explore how a children’s theatre in Norway came to support Ukraine, and reflect on his wartime experience to assess how much warfare has changed — and how Russia’s war crimes undermine it both militarily and morally.Paid subscribers can listen to the full episode here now!Full release to all my other wonderful supporters is set for Friday 6th June.This work is entirely self funded, if you enjoy it please consider supporting me with a small donation or becoming a paid subscriber. Every little helps me continue to tell these vital stories.Support my work: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullisDiscord: https://discord.gg/qnYb8K9aDictators v Democrats: https://tamullis.substack.com/Thankyou and remember: Democracy is Non-Negotiable. Support the show
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4 - The British Scientist - Dr Alex Fergusson
In this episode of Why We Fight we’re speaking with Dr Alex Fergusson. He’s a British boffin in the highest and best tradition. A PhD in materials science from Imperial College London, he initially founded a green tech company: FAC Techonology. When Russia invaded Ukraine, he refocused his efforts on arming the Ukrainian military with the best drones he could design. We talk about his experience of repression in the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, what makes a good drone for the Ukrainian military and, of course, why he believes Democracy is worth fighting for. Paid subscribers can listen to the full episode here now! Full release to all my other wonderful supporters is set for Friday 30th May. This work is entirely self funded, if you enjoy it please consider supporting me with a small donation or becoming a paid subscriber on my SubStack. Every little helps me continue to tell these vital stories. Support my work: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullisDiscord: https://discord.gg/qnYb8K9aDictators v Democrats: https://tamullis.substack.com/Thankyou and remember: Democracy is Non-Negotiable. Support the show
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3 - The Irish Journalist - Caolan Robertson
In our third episode of ‘Why We Fight’ I am privileged to be talking with the filmmaker Caolan Robertson. His films on Russia’s illegal and imperialist invasion of Ukraine have reached millions worldwide and he represents a new, young and vibrant type of conflict correspondent. We talk about how to combat disinformation, the fear you need to keep hold of when reporting war and what government needs to do to fight Russian psy-war efforts. Support my work: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullisDiscord: https://discord.gg/qnYb8K9aDictators v Democrats: https://tamullis.substack.com/Patreon: AwaitsSupport the show
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2 - The Serbian Protestor - Tamara
In this episode of Why We Fight, I am speaking with Tamara, a woman protesting against Aleksandar Vucic’s corrupt and undemocratic government in Serbia. She is one of many protesting in the wake of a tragedy at a railway station in Novi Sad last year in which 16 people died. She speaks about feeling democracy slip away, about how corruption effects daily life and what she wants Serbia’s future to look like. Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullisJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/vsTNKRvyPatreon: Awaits approvalSupport the show
A 'Dictators v Democrats' program https://tamullis.substack.com/ Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/tamullisPatreon: patreon.com/DictatorsvDemocratsJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/vsTNKRvyDemocracy is at war. We can see the forces rallied against it: autocratic states like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, techno-aristocrats, religious fundamentalists and populist demagogues. From the trenches of Ukraine to the halls of power in the US, democratic, free values are under determined assault. But, there are those who resist. In 'Why We Fight' we talk to those who claim to be defending democracy; that's everyone from soldiers, protestors, activists, religious leaders, industrialists and politicians. We find out who they are, what drove them to take up the struggle, what their work is and why their idea of democracy is worth fighting for.
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