Narativ with Zev Shalev (Audio)

Narativ with Zev Shalev (Audio)

Uncover the hidden forces shaping our world. Zev applies his skills gained as a journalist and news executive for 30 years to give viewers and listeners an unparalleled view of events changing our world.  Narativ is Where Truth Lives.

  1. Elon Musk's Coup

    22/12/2024

    Elon Musk's Coup

    Musk's unprecedented reach into Congress to scrap a budget bill is America's first look at what authoritarian rule under Donald Trump and Musk will look like. This week, Elon Musk's unprecedented intervention in America's budget process exposed what our investigations have warned about: the emergence of an unelected power center with direct ties to the Kremlin. For months, we've documented how Vladimir Putin's influence operation successfully installed what amounts to a shadow presidency in the United States. The evidence is now impossible to ignore: We revealed direct communications between Musk and Putin beginning in 2021, intensifying during the Twitter purchase in 2022 We exposed Musk's connections to Sergiy Kiriyenko, Putin's propaganda chief We documented how Russian oligarch-linked venture funding helped enable the Twitter acquisition We tracked Musk's political evolution in perfect alignment with these Kremlin contacts We proved Musk amplified content from Russia's Social Design Agency Shadow President But this week's power play over the federal budget demonstrates something even more concerning: Musk now wields unprecedented control over executive policy, legislative priorities, and information flow through X/Twitter - all while maintaining his position at SpaceX and other strategic companies. Center for European Policy Analysis Senior Fellow Olga Lautman explains why this matters: "Who is our president? Trump occasionally puts out messages on social media, but it seems Musk is driving the car." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    52min
  2. The Appeaser

    09/12/2024

    The Appeaser

    Donald Trump is Backing Putin and Selling Out Ukrainians. My guest is Volodymyr Dubovyk, a Senior Fellow at CEPA. In South Korea this week, the specter of authoritarianism briefly materialized when Prime Minister Yoon declared martial law. Although it lasted only hours, Yoon may have felt encouraged by the incoming Trump administration. While democratic forces prevailed in South Korea this time, Ukraine's situation is very different. In Kyiv, we witnessed something previously unthinkable: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has steadfastly maintained Ukraine's right to complete territorial integrity since Russia's invasion, appeared to blink against Putin. Zelenskyy's new apparent openness to the temporary Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory marks a dramatic shift in position—one that reveals both the mounting pressure on Ukraine's military and democracy and the growing recognition of the evaporating Western resolve. The Trump administration is stumbling over itself in floating peace proposals that align with Russian interests, even before potentially taking office. They even dispatched their new advisor to the Kremlin, only to be dismissed by Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov. However, this dismissal wasn't a rejection of diplomacy but a calculated message. Why rush to negotiate when military realities and global dynamics increasingly favor Russian objectives?  It seems unavoidable that we will march into 2025 in a manner reminiscent of how the world marched into Munich in 1938.  Just as Chamberlain convinced himself that sacrificing part of Czechoslovakia might satisfy Hitler's ambitions, we are watching the potential next U.S. administration craft peace proposals that would effectively validate Putin's territorial conquests. Get used to it, folks—we're witnessing a seismic shift in the global democratic order. It’s the first time we've sacrificed the principles of territorial integrity and democratic self-determination, which are the cornerstones of the post-World War II international system. These principles are being reconsidered in real time. So yes, elections have consequences, and these developments do not make one feel very good. However, there is a lesson in the events that just happened in South Korea: it took a unanimous vote of parliament and some street protests, but martial law only lasted six hours, and now Yoon faces impeachment.  Putin may feel emboldened by recent events and by Zelenskyy's apparent concession, but he is still facing the resolve of the Ukrainian people. When people stand up to these paper strongmen, they are often defeated. When the rule of law is maintained, strongmen will back down. When the American people apply pressure—publicly and through the media—we too can urge Donald Trump to protect the people of Ukraine and never surrender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    27min
  3. How Russia Made Trump President

    25/11/2024

    How Russia Made Trump President

    READ MORE OF OLGA LAUTMAN’S WORK AT HER SUBSTACK. This revealing episode deconstructs the sophisticated Russian influence operation that delivered Trump's 2024 victory. While conventional wisdom suggests Harris lost due to poor messaging and economic concerns, our investigation exposes a military-grade information warfare campaign orchestrated by the Kremlin and executed through Elon Musk's media empire. Expert guest Olga Lautman explains how Russia spent over $45 billion building an "information laundering machine" that weaponized X/Twitter and right-wing media to divide American voters systematically. The operation included a sophisticated $45 million psychological warfare campaign targeting specific demographics with contradictory messages, coordinated bomb threats in Georgia, and strategic algorithm manipulation. Most chillingly, Putin's likely successor, Nikolai Patrushev, issued what amounts to a mafia-style threat, declaring Trump has "obligations to fulfill" after receiving Russian help. We explore what these obligations likely entail: a $2 trillion "shock therapy" economic plan designed to destabilize America, withdraw from global leadership, and enable Russian expansion. As Germany prepares for potential war and Russia eyes further territorial gains, we examine how America faces its greatest crisis since the Civil War. This wasn't just election interference—it was a carefully orchestrated operation to capture American democracy itself. With expert insight from Lautman, we discuss what to expect in the coming months and how Americans can resist as their country faces unprecedented challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53min
  4. Breaking: Putin aide confirms "Trump has obligations to fulfill" for Russian election help.

    18/11/2024

    Breaking: Putin aide confirms "Trump has obligations to fulfill" for Russian election help.

    "To achieve success in the election, Donald Trump relied on certain forces to which he has corresponding obligations. And as a responsible person, he will be obliged to fulfill them." These chilling words, delivered by Nikolai Patrushev—Putin's likely successor and former head of the FSB—confirm what our three-year investigation has uncovered: a sophisticated Russian influence operation with Elon Musk at its center, designed to deliver both the presidency and America's future to Vladimir Putin.The Web of Influence Our investigation reveals three interconnected operations: The Platform Play: Musk's $44 billion acquisition of Twitter (now X) wasn't just a business deal—it was a strategic takeover of America's digital town square. By 2024, algorithm changes amplified extremist content while Russian propaganda flowed freely. The Money Trail: Russian oligarch families facilitated the X purchase, creating a direct line between the Kremlin and America's most influential social platform. The Policy Puppet: Musk's daily presence at Mar-a-Lago isn't coincidental. He's orchestrating a $2 trillion "shock therapy" economic plan that economists warn could devastate the American economy—exactly as similar measures did in Argentina. Eight years ago, I wrote "The Russia House," detailing Russian influence in Trump's first administration. Many called it impossible. Now, Putin's top security official openly declares that the President-elect has "obligations that must be fulfilled." This isn't just another story about Russian interference. It's about the systematic dismantling of American democracy through economic warfare, information manipulation, and direct control of government operations. When I wrote The Russia House eight years ago, it was a warning. Tonight's story is different. This isn't about what might happen—it's about what is happening right now, in plain sight, and what will happen if these plans are allowed to proceed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    21min
  5. How Trump Won?

    12/11/2024

    How Trump Won?

    The Trump Campaign attracted some Black, Hispanic, and Jewish voters, says Carl Allen, author of "The Polls Weren't Wrong." Trump's path to victory in 2024 wasn't through his base alone—it was through precision targeting of key demographic groups that traditionally lean Democratic. The margins were razor-thin, but the strategy was effective. The Math  Trump started with his rock-solid 47-48% base. They needed new voters outside of their base. They targeted demographics in traditional democratic demos.  - Young Black men: Support doubled from 15% to 30% - Hispanic men: Achieved majority support - Jewish voters: Showed increased support amid Gaza conflict "Trump didn't overwhelmingly win these groups," Allen explains. "He squeezed an extra 2-3% here and there. But 2% of a small group, plus 2% of another small group—it adds up." The Perception Game Perhaps most striking was how Trump won the economic narrative. Despite often vague policy proposals ("concepts of a plan," as Allen puts it), Trump successfully conveyed a simple message: he's better for jobs and wallets. "We're reaching this point where perception outweighs policy," Allen notes. "The perception of a candidate's position is far more important than their actual policies." The Democratic Dilemma The interview reveals a sobering reality: Democratic policies on abortion, minimum wage, and economics poll well individually. Yet the party struggled to translate this into electoral victory. In Wisconsin and Michigan, the final margins tell the story: - Trump: ~49.5% - Harris: Just under 49% Pennsylvania saw Trump just over 50%, Harris at 48.5%. Looking Forward The data suggests this wasn't just an Electoral College victory—Trump appears positioned to win the popular vote for the first time since 2004. It's a watershed moment that demands Democratic soul-searching about messaging and voter outreach. As Allen observes: "Traditional media is fading in importance... authentically reaching people, that's where podcasts have an advantage over things like commercials and mainstream cable news appearances." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    35min
  6. Elon Musk's $2 Trillion "Shock Therapy" Plan Revealed

    07/11/2024

    Elon Musk's $2 Trillion "Shock Therapy" Plan Revealed

    This week, Elon Musk confirmed his support for implementing $2 trillion in federal budget cuts, which he describes as necessary "shock therapy" for the U.S. economy. Musk laid out his vision at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally, stating, "Your money is being wasted. We'll get the government off your back and out of your pocketbook". When asked directly about the economic impact of these cuts, Musk responded, "Sounds about right," to the prediction of severe market disruption and economic contraction. The proposed $2 trillion reduction represents nearly one-third of the current $6.13 trillion federal budget. Trump has indicated that he would appoint Musk to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to implement these cuts. The Wall Street Journal reported that throughout this period, Musk maintained regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his first deputy, Sergei Kerienko, since late 2022. The economic model for these cuts appears to mirror the "shock therapy" policies implemented in Argentina under Javier Milei, which has led to: - Inflation at 230% - Unemployment rising from 12% to 18% - Poverty increasing from 42% to 53% Musk has become Trump's most prominent financial backer through his America PAC, contributing $118 million of his own money. This level of financial support, combined with his proposed role overseeing budget cuts, would give him unprecedented influence over both fiscal policy and public discourse through his ownership of X/Twitter. The proposed cuts would require significant reductions to core government services, including Medicare and Social Security, and eliminating multiple federal agencies. While critics argue this would cause severe economic disruption, Musk maintains these measures are necessary for long-term prosperity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    20min
4,7
de 5
289 avaliações

Sobre

Uncover the hidden forces shaping our world. Zev applies his skills gained as a journalist and news executive for 30 years to give viewers and listeners an unparalleled view of events changing our world.  Narativ is Where Truth Lives.

Mais de Narativ

Você também pode gostar de

Para ouvir episódios explícitos, inicie sessão.

Fique por dentro deste podcast

Inicie sessão ou crie uma conta para seguir podcasts, salvar episódios e receber as atualizações mais recentes.

Selecionar um país ou região

África, Oriente Médio e Índia

Ásia‑Pacífico

Europa

América Latina e Caribe

Estados Unidos e Canadá