Information War

Liz Wahl
  • 4.3 (11)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Liz Wahl traces the roots and rise of modern political and religious extremists, conspiracy and disinformation movements aimed at breaking down democracy.

  1. 11/26/2024

    Will democracy survive another Trump presidency?

    Will democracy survive another Trump presidency? How do we navigate the post-truth era? In this episode, Liz Wahl speaks with Vlad Vexler, a Political Philosopher whose YouTube commentaries on Russian politics and Western democracy have garnered over 30 million views. Born in Soviet Moscow and emigrating to the West at age 9, Vlad brings a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing and a debilitating neurological condition he has lived with since his time as a research student at Oxford. They explore America's drift toward authoritarianism, the radicalization of young men by the populist right, Russian media's response to Trump, and the rise of oligarchy in the United States.

    35 min

  2. 06/02/2022

    Russia is Using Food and Energy as a Weapon Against the World

    A former member of Ukrainian Parliament and expert in energy security discusses how Russia is using food as a weapon. Ukraine grows enough food to feed 400 million people worldwide. Because of the war, crops won’t be planted and Russia has disrupted supply chains, possibly setting the conditions for a global food crisis. Liz and Jessikka speak to former member of Ukrainian Parliament, Ukrainian energy expert and environmental activist Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska about the war’s significance in the global battle between democracies and autocracies.

    18 min

  3. 05/12/2022

    Ukrainian Journalist on their Pulitzer Prize, Russia's Increasingly Nazi-like Rhetoric and War Crimes, and Disinformation Efforts to Influence Upcoming Elections in Democracies

    Liz and Jessikka speak to Ukrainian journalist Olga Tokariuk about the Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalists of Ukraine that continue to risk their lives despite being targeted for reporting the truth. As Ukraine officials say that Russia is forcibly deporting people from Mariupol and other areas in the country’s eastern region, they discuss how Russia is increasingly resembling Nazi-like behavior as it weaponizes the word Nazi to justify its war of aggression - from filtration camps to its rhetoric and accounts of a range of war crimes targeting civilians, women, and children. Also, Tokariuk uncovers how Russian disinformation infiltrates Western media sources and attempts underway to influence future elections in democracies.

    40 min

  4. 04/29/2022

    Renowned Finnish Intelligence Colonel on the KGB Information Warfare Playbook Russia is Using on Ukraine and the West

    Liz and Jessikka speak to a renowned former Finnish intelligence Colonel about the KGB-style psychological tactics of Russia's information warfare currently used against Ukraine and the West. They discuss how culture and language differences can help explain why Russia and the West have completely different world views when it comes to democracy and truth. Martti J. Kari is a former intelligence Colonel in the Finnish Defense Forces and teaches at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Watch Kari's popular lecture on Russian strategic culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF9KretXqJw&t=193s For more on the harrowing stories of those that have become targets of Putin's information war, buy Jessikka's book Putin's Trolls: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TR5RZJH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YPBRM9A4REN05YNTK0E5

    31 min

  5. 04/22/2022

    Russia Sanctions Canadians as Kremlin Propagandists Muse Over New Intercontinental Missiles Hitting the U.S.

    Russia test-launches a new intercontinental missile that it says could carry nuclear warheads, sending a warning to the U.S. and Europe. Propagandists on Russian TV reacted by musing over such a weapon wiping out Western cities. Meanwhile, Estonia’s Parliament accuses Russia of genocide and Russia sanctions Canadian journalists and politicians. Liz and Jessikka speak with Canadian journalist Marcus Kolga about being among those newly sanctioned by Russia and the Kremlin’s information war as Putin grows isolated and reckless.

    36 min

  6. 04/14/2022

    Finnish Author and Journalist Jessikka Aro on the Pro-Democracy Targets of Putin’s Trolls and Finland Joining NATO

    As President Biden calls Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a genocide, Russia repeats the lies and distortions that have become signature of its information war - calling the atrocities “fake” and “staged” and ordinary Ukrainian citizens "nazis." Putin’s lies and his systematic method of spreading them online, on television and through various proxies, has upended the lives of people daring to tell truths the autocrat wants to suppress. Finnish author and journalist Jessikka Aro uncovers the pro-Democracy targets of Putin's trolls and discusses Finland fast-tracking NATO membership. For more on the harrowing stories of those that have become targets of Putin's information war, buy Jessikka's book Putin's Trolls: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TR5RZJH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YPBRM9A4REN05YNTK0E5

    37 min

  7. 04/07/2022

    Information War: Russia Weaponizes Conspiracy Theories to Deny War Crimes in Bucha

    As civilians and journalists recount stories and evidence of war crimes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha - systematic, execution-style killing of civilians and mass graves, Russia has responded with denials and lies. The Russian Foreign Ministry has called the atrocities “staged” and claimed the bodies were “fake dead bodies.” Liz and Jessikka discuss Russia’s war crimes and the conspiracy theories used to deny the atrocities with Jakub Kalensky, a former journalist and expert on Russian hybrid warfare. Beyond Ukraine’s borders, they discuss alarming statistics that shed light on how Western audiences are persuaded by Russian propaganda.

    28 min

  8. 04/01/2022

    Tiktok’s Next Level Disinformation Problem

    Liz speaks with Alex Cadier, UK Managing Director of NewsGaurd, an organization that digitally combs the internet to rate news and websites. Their new report sheds light on the social media app Tiktok, and how it helps disinformation on the war in Ukraine go viral. They cover how the video platform can serve to undermine democracy and COVID vaccines, and new tools to combat the multi-billion dollar disinfo industry. How to Install Newsguard to help combat disinformation and promote reliable sources: https://www.newsguardtech.com/how-it-works/

    28 min
See All (20)

4.3
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Liz Wahl traces the roots and rise of modern political and religious extremists, conspiracy and disinformation movements aimed at breaking down democracy.

Information

  • Creator
    Liz Wahl
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Liz Wahl
  • Show Website
    Information War