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"Today's misinformation is always tomorrow's truth. It's always the government who wants to censor people who are critical of the government." "Europe is trying to police everyone and shake down American tech companies, which is exactly what the digital markets act looked like. That is what's at stake here, and that is not how our First Amendment works." "Everything our government here in The United States told us about COVID turned out to be false. If you criticize any of the things they initially told you, you had to be censored." "When Elon bought Twitter, now it's a place where the first amendment and free speech are right where they need to be." "The spillover effect it can have on, American content being seen by European users." "The answer to stupid speech, bad speech, and wrong speech is more speech." "the hallmark of Western culture is free expression." "There were 12,183 arrests for offensive post online." "Global Alliance for Responsible Media." "Disinformation governance board."

- The conversation opens with a discussion of escalating dynamics in the Ukraine conflict as a new year begins, focusing on how the rules of war have shifted over the past four years, including the depth of NATO involvement and when actions cross into direct war. The speakers note that political leadership has largely been exempt from the war, but Russia has had opportunities to strike Ukrainian leaders that have been avoided, raising questions about future targets and the diplomatic path. - Speaker 1 argues that the political leadership has indeed been outside the war, and that voices inside Russia are growing more critical. They challenge the Western portrayal of Vladimir Putin as a dictator, suggesting Putin has restrained destruction that could hit the West, and asserting that the West and Zelenskyy have grown comfortable with exemptions. They warn that continued escalation could lead to a nuclear conflict with Europe at risk due to its geographic compactness, citing the potential fallout from attacks on American nuclear bases and the broader geopolitical consequences. - The discussion moves to the potential consequences of Western strikes on energy infrastructure and frontline energy targets, including refineries and civilian vessels. The speakers examine how Russia might respond if its assets are attacked at sea or in the Black Sea, and the possibility of Russia forcing Ukraine to lose access to the Black Sea through strategic military actions. The analysis includes a few provocative specifics: British and European actors allegedly orchestrating or enabling attacks, the role of third-country-flagged ships, and the idea that reflagging to Russian flags could be treated as an act of war by Russia. - The dialogue delves into the operational dynamics of the Mediterranean and Black Sea theatres, noting incidents such as sunflowers and other oil cargo damage, the Caspian transit company's facilities, and the implications for Turkish oil revenue and Western economies. The speakers argue that Western powers are drawing in broader international actors and that the war could expand beyond Ukraine, potentially dragging in NATO ships and submarines in a conflict at sea. They warn that if escalation continues, it could trigger a broader, more destructive war in Europe. - The conversation shifts to the likely trajectory of the battlefield, with Speaker 1 offering a grim assessment: the Donbas front and the Zaporozhye region are nearing collapse for Ukrainian forces, with Russian forces dominating missile and drone capabilities and outmaneuvering on three axes. The analysis suggests that within two to three months, upper-river-front areas, including the Zaporozhzhia and surrounding Donbas fronts, could be fully compromised, leaving only a few large urban pockets. The absence of civilian protection and the encirclement of cities would accelerate Ukrainian withdrawals and surrender, while Russia could enhance pressure on remaining fronts, including Donbas and Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnieper regions, as weather and terrain favor Russian movements. - The speakers discuss the impact of collapsing command posts and morale, likening the abandonment of Gudai Poia to a sign of impending broader collapse, with open terrain making Ukrainian forces vulnerable to rapid Russian breakthroughs. They suggest that strategic fortifications will be overwhelmed as the front line collapses and supply lines are severed, with a predicted sequence of encirclements and city sieges. - The US role is analyzed as both a negotiator and strategist, with the assertion that the United States has long led the proxy dimension of the conflict and continues to influence targeting and weapons delivery. The discussion questions the coherence of US policy under Trump versus Biden, arguing the conflict remains a US-led enterprise despite attempts to reframe or outsources it. The speakers describe the US as hedging its bets through ongoing military support, budgets, and intelligence cooperation, while insisting that Ukraine remains a core objective of US hegemony. - A critical examination of European Union leadership follows, with strong claims that the EU is increasingly tyrannical and undemocratic, sanctioning dissidents andSuppressing speech. The dialogue condemns the deplatforming of individuals and argues that the EU’s leadership has undermined diplomacy and negotiated peace, instead pushing toward a broader confrontation with Russia. The speakers suggest that several European countries and elites are pursuing escalating policies to maintain power, even at the risk of deepening European instability and economic collapse. - The conversation ends with reflections on broader historical patterns, invoking Kennan’s warnings about NATO expansion and the risk of Russian backlash, and noting the potential for the EU to fracture under pressure. The participants acknowledge the risk of a wider conflict that could redefine global power and economic structures, while expressing concern about censorship, deplatforming, and the erosion of diplomacy as barriers to resolving the crisis. They conclude with a cautious note to prepare for worst-case scenarios and hope for, but not rely on, better circumstances in the near term.

The speaker claims Germany has a profitable "hate speech persecution" industry targeting citizens for online posts. Police raids occur for minor offenses, like a €600 fine for a poop emoji. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has filed over 800 criminal reports. Germany makes the most legal demands for user data from X within the EU. The German justice system uses AI surveillance to prosecute benign offenses. A law change in 2021 allows harsher punishment for insulting politicians. The company Soldan, described as a "hate crime persecution mafia," scans posts using AI, files thousands of criminal complaints monthly, and shares profits with politicians, with legal costs borne by taxpayers. Hate Aid, funded by the German government, also works to criminalize hate speech and wants to sue X to allow doxxing. The speaker urges support for free speech and fighting against tyranny.

Germany's defense relies on American taxpayers, and we still have many troops stationed there. But will Americans keep footing the bill if you're jailed in Germany for a tweet? I doubt it. To our European friends: friendship means sharing values. But jailing people for wanting border security, rejecting election results, or silencing those you fear? That's not shared values.

Europe has changed dramatically, and there is no freedom of speech anymore. Pavlov, the head of Telegram, was removed from his airplane in France. Thierry Breton, chairman of the European Commission, allegedly threatened Elon Musk with criminal and civil prosecution if he interviewed Donald Trump live on X spaces. Brazil censored Twitter and other social media sites three weeks ago. This rise of censorship and totalitarianism is occurring worldwide. The only hope to prevent that in the U.S. is Donald Trump; otherwise, this is what will happen if Kamala gets in.

It's great to be back in Germany, a place I've always loved. My heart goes out to Munich after yesterday's attack; we're thinking of you and praying for you. We're here to talk about security, but the biggest threat to Europe isn't external, it's internal. It's the retreat from our shared values. We see European courts canceling elections and officials threatening to do the same. We need to live our democratic values, not just talk about them. I worry when I see the EU wanting to shut down social media or countries like Sweden punishing people for offending religious groups, or the UK prosecuting silent prayer. The Trump administration will defend your right to speak your mind. Don't be afraid of your own voters. Listen to them, even when you disagree. That's the magic of democracy.

Elon Musk's call to support the AFD in Germany is not due to ignorance of the party's implications; it serves a strategic purpose. By backing those who weaken Europe, Musk aligns with interests that oppose regulatory measures limiting their power. It's crucial to impose checks on such power to protect democracy. No business model should undermine democratic values. Europe must leverage its strength as the largest single market to counter those who seek to weaken it. We should not compromise with those who threaten our stability; instead, we must respond with strength. --- Elon Musk's call to support the AFD in Germany is not due to ignorance of the party's implications; it serves a strategic purpose. By backing those who weaken Europe, Musk aligns with interests that oppose regulatory measures limiting their power. It's crucial to impose checks on such power to protect democracy. No business model should undermine democratic values. Europe must leverage its strength as the largest single market to counter those who seek to weaken it. We should not compromise with those who threaten our stability; instead, we must respond with strength.

I disagree with the assertion that free speech was used to conduct the Nazi genocide. The genocide was carried out by an authoritarian regime that hated Jews and minorities; there was no free speech in Nazi Germany. The point of the speech in question was that there is an erosion of free speech and intolerance for opposing points of view within Europe. This is eroding the values that bind us together in this transatlantic union. Allies and partners should be able to speak frankly to one another in open forums without being offended. Many foreign ministers may not have agreed with the speech, but they continued to engage with us on issues that unite us. This forum is meant to invite people to give speeches, not to be a chorus where everyone is saying the same thing.

A member of the European Parliament from France wants the Statue of Liberty returned because they believe the U.S. no longer represents its values. In response, it was asserted that President Trump will not send the Statue of Liberty back to France. Furthermore, it was claimed that the French should be grateful to the U.S., because the U.S. is the reason they are not speaking German.

Glenn opens by noting a year has passed since Jeffrey Sachs urged Europe to adopt a realistic foreign policy that understands Russia, Europe, and the United States, and to avoid being invaded by the U.S.—even suggesting Trump could land troops in Greenland. Glenn asks how to read the current situation, including Davos and Europe’s anger at U.S. hostility, and the revived emphasis on international law. Jeffrey Sachs responds with a version of the “ride on the back of a tiger” metaphor from Kennedy, arguing Europeans forgot that the United States is an imperial power that has acted brazenly and brutally for about twenty years. He lists U.S. actions: invasions, regime changes, and reckless interference in Ukraine, and U.S. complicity in Israel’s wars across Africa and the Middle East, along with involvement in overthrowing Ukraine’s Yanukovych and other interventions. He claims Europeans were silent or complicit as the United States bombed Iran, kidnapped its president, and pursued Greenland, calling the Greenland push a grotesque power grab by Trump. He asserts New York Times recognition of U.S. imperial tendencies and says Europe’s naivete and hypocrisy are evident. He states: “The United States is thuggish, imperialistic, reckless, and that The U. S. Has left a large swath of the world in misery. Europe has been mostly compliant or complicit.” He urges Europeans to understand what the United States is about, to stop Russophobia, and to keep lines of communication with Russia open; he argues Europe’s Russophobia made it boxed in with little diplomacy with Russia or the U.S. Glenn adds that Europe’s stance mirrors a Cold War-like unity against Russia, but that the current reality differs: the U.S. does not view Russia as its main adversary, and Russophobia deepens Europe’s dependence on the U.S. Glenn notes mixed reactions at Davos, including Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney signaling a shift away from a rules-based order that privileges the West, and Macron’s private message to Trump seeking a cooperative stance on Syria, Iran, and Greenland. He remarks that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised NATO while Trump hinted that the real enemy is within NATO, highlighting the chaos. He asks if this signals a decline of the U.S. empire or NATO. Sachs discusses Carney's stance as significant: Carney’s trip to China and a dialogue with Beijing indicating diversification with China, including a Canadian-Chinese investment plan. He credits Carney with being a rare straightforward statesman and notes instability ahead. Trump’s Davos retreat from threats (notably Greenland) may have been influenced by stock-market declines, according to Sachs’ theory. He mentions a possible European concession about U.S. sovereignty over parts of Greenland, though he doubts any negotiation has been meaningful. He cites Scott Bessent’s Fox Business interview as revealing: sanctions on Iran are a form of economic statecraft designed to crush the Iranian economy, with Iran’s currency collapse and bank failures cited as evidence; Sachs condemns this as a violation of international law and UN Charter, and calls Bessent’s pride in wielding currency-destabilization as alarming. He points to sanctions against Cuba and a broader pattern of “thuggish gangster behavior” by the U.S., noting Europeans’ silence on Iran and other regimes until it backfires on them. Sachs argues Europe’s Russophobia is self-destructive, and he emphasizes that diplomacy remains possible if Germany, France, and Italy adopt a rational approach. He criticizes Germany for duplicity in NATO enlargement and Minsk II, blaming Merkel for dropped commitments, and notes that Italy shows less Russophobia and could shift toward diplomacy. He believes Central Europe and some leaders (e.g., Orban, Czech and Slovak figures) favor diplomacy, but German leadership has been weak. He stresses that Europe must avoid dismemberment and choose diplomacy with Russia, warning that continued war policy will leave Europe isolated. He closes with optimism that there remains a path forward if key European powers act differently. Glenn thanks Sachs for the discussion and ends.

We've seen police raids against citizens suspected of posting anti-feminist comments online, framed as combating misogyny. I must address the US Vice President's speech. Our motto in the Bundeswehr is "We fight for your right to be against us," and it represents our democracy. The Vice President questioned this democracy, not just in Germany, but across Europe, likening Europe's condition to authoritarian regimes. Early Tuesday morning, we accompanied state police as they raided an apartment in Northwest Germany. Six armed officers searched the suspect's home, seizing his laptop and cell phone. Prosecutors allege these electronics were used to post a racist cartoon online. Simultaneously, over 50 similar raids occurred across Germany, part of a coordinated effort to curb online hate speech.

It's great to be back in Germany. Our thoughts are with Munich after yesterday's attack. We're here to discuss security, but the biggest threat to Europe is internal: a retreat from shared values with the U.S. We see European courts canceling elections and officials threatening to do the same. We must live our democratic values, unlike those who censored dissidents during the Cold War. I see threats to free speech across Europe, including the UK, where silent prayer near abortion clinics is criminalized. The Trump administration will defend your right to speak freely. If your democracy can be destroyed by a few digital ads, it wasn't strong to begin with. We must engage in dialogue with all political leaders, even those with whom we disagree. Dismissing voters or shutting down media destroys democracy. We must address mass migration, a pressing challenge resulting from conscious political decisions. Don't be afraid to embrace what your people tell you, even when it's surprising.

The persecution of Trump reveals the corruption of the American political system, showing they have no right to teach democracy. It's a political attack on a rival, exposing their internal problems to the world.

The speaker argues that the European Union, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization should be abolished. They claim there are numerous European “x” accounts aiming to provoke Western Europeans to go to war with Russia because Western funding for Ukraine is dwindling, and they say these actors want to attack Russia regardless of US backing. A self-proclaimed “Gunther” is featured as a controversial figure who says he’s part of NATO, but the speaker notes that NATO publicly denies knowing him and that Gunther formed his own NGOs without funding. The speaker highlights Gunther’s post: Europeans will never be slaves. In response, the speaker asks why Gunther would arrest people for telling the truth online and trying to enslave them in a digital prison; they claim Gunther is misrepresenting online repression and compare digital punishment to real torture. The speaker cites a German police investigation of a Gab user who called a female politician fat, emphasizing the use of the term fat as quoted in the post. They challenge Gunther by asking if the photo shows a Victoria’s Secret model, implying a discrepancy between appearances and claims, and label Gunther as aligning with “the EU’s bitches” and lacking sovereignty. They accuse Hungary of being fined a million dollars a day for not accepting “undesirables,” asserting EU law requires such intake and that white Europeans are urged to fight against Russia while others (described in demeaning terms) contribute less. The speaker argues that Western Europe is dependent on the United States, stating that the US is the biggest financier of NATO and possesses the most powerful military, and that Europeans would be abandoned without US support. They remark that Gunther’s post demonstrates this dependence, noting Gunther’s post about Trump wanting to win and withdraw the US Navy from European seas, which would leave Europe exposed to Russia and Iran. The speaker mocks Gunther’s attempt to lead a European naval force and requests continued US Navy presence for a decade to help. Overall, the speaker frames a narrative of European subservience to the United States, critiques of EU sovereignty, and hostility toward Western multinational institutions, while repeatedly referencing Gunther as a focal figure in these exchanges.

The United States is in a state of decline, with no clear identity. Monuments are being defaced and destroyed, erasing our heritage. In Germany, Olaf Schulz is using the pretext of preparing for a fight with Russia to suppress opposition within the country. Similar fates await other Western governments, as their populations have had enough and will replace them with new leaders who are not like the current ones.

In Europe, we lack the First Amendment, limiting our ability to freely criticize the government or certain groups. Tomorrow, my friend Raisa Blomestang stands trial in the Netherlands for allegedly offending a group while criticizing the government's mass migration policies. This reflects a politically motivated judiciary that targets right-wing politicians, as seen with others like Geert Wilders. I can't attend the trial due to health reasons, but I want to raise awareness about the situation in Europe. Raisa's case highlights the risks of expressing dissenting opinions, especially regarding immigration policies. I encourage everyone to support her and remember how fortunate those in America are to have the freedom of speech that we do not enjoy in Europe.

Innovation and creativity cannot be forced, much like thoughts and beliefs. Looking at Europe, it's concerning to see actions like EU commissars threatening to shut down social media for "hateful content," police raids for "anti-feminist" comments, and the conviction of a Christian activist for Quran burnings. Even more alarming is the UK, where a man was charged for silently praying near an abortion clinic, and Scotland warned citizens that private prayer within their homes could be illegal. Free speech is retreating across Europe. Ironically, the loudest voices for censorship sometimes come from my own country. The prior administration bullied social media companies to censor "misinformation," like the lab leak theory of the coronavirus. In Washington, under Donald Trump's leadership, we will defend your right to speak freely, even if we disagree with your views.

I recall that an EU official sent Elon Musk a threatening letter, suggesting he'd be arrested if he platforms Donald Trump, who may be the next US president. America should insist that if NATO wants our continued support, it must respect American values, especially free speech. It's crazy to support a military alliance that isn't pro-free speech. We can support NATO and promote free speech, but American power comes with expectations. European allies should share our values, particularly regarding basic principles like free speech. I wouldn't impose our values on just any country, but European nations should align with American values, especially on fundamental issues like free speech.

The future of Western civilization is in the balance. In Europe, political opposition is being jailed and free speech is under assault. Republicans and conservatives believe the fundamental values and tenants of Western civilization that the country has been built on are under assault. The November election was the beginning of the pushback on that assault, but it's not over.

**Speaker 2 (Michael Shellenberger):** Many of us were shocked by Vance's speech, but I think it's long overdue. Americans deeply value freedom of speech, and we question our alliance when European judges try to censor our speech and social media platforms. America is tired of being the world's police officer, and our patience is tested when Europe seems to turn against enlightenment values like free speech. The only solution to misinformation is accurate information through free debate. **Speaker 3 (Natalie Tucci):** I don't believe there has been an erosion of free speech in Europe, and I don't think what we heard from the US Vice President has much to do with free speech. Vance's rhetoric sounds like the Russian playbook, turning arguments about democracy on their head. His meeting with Alice Weidel suggests election interference and support for far-right parties, which could end liberal democracy and European integration.

One country that concerns me is Germany. Historically, in the early 20th century, Germany went to war against the world, which was unexpected and surprisingly close. About 30 years later, Germany chose to go to war again, this time with a notorious leader at the helm. You would think the world would respond by saying to Germany, "You can’t keep attacking the world and expect to remain a country."

Living in a country you support is important. Some Americans hate their country but benefit from it. It's easy to criticize systems like capitalism or support ideologies like Islam when not living in those environments. The US has attracted immigrants for its freedom, not because it's a white supremacist nation. If freedom is lost, the US may resemble countries with oppressive governments.

Europe is the cradle of Western civilization, and the cultural and religious bonds between it and the U.S. will last beyond political disagreements. However, Europe is at risk of civilizational suicide. Many European countries are unable or unwilling to control their borders, but they are starting to push back, which is good. They are also starting to limit the free speech of their own citizens, even as those citizens protest against border issues. Europe needs to respect its own people and sovereignty, something America can't do for them. If a country like Germany takes in millions of immigrants who are culturally incompatible, Germany will have killed itself. The speaker loves Germany and wants it to thrive.

It's dangerous when the US administration views you as an enemy. Liberalism once meant freedom, but now it opposes it. We're allies with the US but are treated worse than Russia. NATO's strategy to provoke war with Russia is bad; we can't beat them. Using the justice system against political opponents is a communist tactic, unimaginable in Hungary. Ukraine isn't winning; it's a lie. They'll run out of soldiers before Russia does. The US misunderstands Russia; their priority is keeping the country together, not freedom. Killing Putin could lead to anarchy. Sending Western troops to Ukraine would trigger World War III. The Nord Stream attack showed a lack of sovereignty. Peace is needed immediately; call back Trump, whose foreign policy was the best in decades.