13 chapters across the catalog
Nord Stream Sabotage and Ukrainian Colonel Roman Chervinsky
The Washington Post and Der Spiegel release a joint investigation identifying Ukrainian Colonel Roman Chervinsky as the coordinator of the Nord Stream pipeline bombing. The report claims Chervinsky managed logistics for a team that used a sailboat to plant explosives. The hosts interpret this sudden media consensus as a signal that the West is preparing to end support for the Ukraine war.
Nord Stream Sabotage Investigation, Potential Ukraine Military Coup
German media outlets Der Spiegel and ZDF report that investigators are increasingly convinced the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage is linked to a Ukrainian commando unit. While the reports suggest President Volodymyr Zelensky was likely not involved, the evidence points to a high-ranking Ukrainian commander. This development has led to speculation regarding a potential military coup in Ukraine as the counter-offensive struggles and internal tensions rise.
Der Spiegel reports on the failure of Germany's "Energiewende" energy transition, noting that 160 billion euros have been spent with poor results. The article highlights a lack of centralized planning and the premature abandonment of nuclear power following the Fukushima disaster, leading to high costs and an unstable power grid.
German BND Spying on International Journalists
*Der Spiegel* reported that the German foreign intelligence service (BND) has been spying on at least 50 media organizations and journalists, including the BBC, since 1999. The surveillance included monitoring telephone numbers, faxes, and emails. The hosts express surprise that journalists are not more diligent about encryption and security given the long history of state surveillance.
Edward Snowden Interview, Dutch Intelligence Surveillance
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster Nieuwsuur, Edward Snowden characterized the Netherlands as the "surveillance kings of Europe." He claimed that while the Dutch services are technically subordinate to the NSA, they are valued for their geographic access to undersea cables. Snowden also noted that the CIA holds a higher level of respect and fear for French counterintelligence services.
Der Spiegel NSA Report, Garage Door Interference
A Der Spiegel article co-authored by Jacob Applebaum claims the NSA's antennas in San Antonio interfered with local garage door openers. The hosts debunk the framing of this story, explaining that the interference was caused by the Department of Defense's Land Mobile Radio system operating on a frequency that garage door manufacturers were previously warned to vacate. They cite this as an example of sensationalized journalism.
French Phone Record Interception, EU No-Spy Deal
Reports from Der Spiegel allege the NSA targeted Angela Merkel's phone since 2002 and intercepted millions of French phone records. European leaders are now demanding a "no-spy deal" similar to the Five Eyes agreement and threatening fines for U.S. companies that fail to protect European privacy.
Smartphone Tapping, San Francisco Warning System and Outro
Der Spiegel reports that the NSA can tap into iPhones, Androids, and Blackberries, leading to the new moniker "slave trackers" for smartphones. The episode concludes with a recording of San Francisco's outdoor warning system, which conducts tests in English and Chinese. Hosts Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off, reminding listeners to support the show via value-for-value donations.
China-Russia Naval Exercises and Glenn Greenwald's Reporting
China and Russia are conducting joint naval exercises off the coast of Vladivostok, involving 18 ships and live-fire drills. This "show of strength" is largely ignored by Western media despite its Cold War implications. Meanwhile, Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras continue to release NSA-related documents through international outlets like Der Spiegel.
The hosts examine a Der Spiegel report titled "The German Dream," which details the influx of southern European workers from Greece, Spain, and Italy into Germany. They question the validity of the report's claim that these migrants are finding high-level marketing management jobs. The term "gastarbeiter" (guest worker) is discussed in the context of the modern European economy.
The German Green Party is highlighting the presence of carcinogenic phthalates in sex toys as a consumer protection issue. According to Der Spiegel, these plasticizers are linked to hormone imbalances, diabetes, and infertility. The hosts mock the story as a desperate PR stunt by the Green Party to gain traction by linking sexual health to their environmental agenda.
Julian Assange, Mainstream Media Publishing Groups
Analysis of an interview with Julian Assange reveals his reliance on an "initial publishing group" consisting of The Guardian, The New York Times, and Der Spiegel. Assange describes these mainstream outlets as his editorial partners, which the hosts argue contradicts the image of WikiLeaks as a raw data whistleblower.
Riga Blonde Weekend, Latvian Economic Crisis Spirits
Over 500 blonde women paraded through Riga, Latvia, for a "Blonde Weekend" event intended to boost national morale during the economic downturn. The participants wore pink and white and were accompanied by lapdogs in matching outfits. The hosts review photos of the event and compare the cultural reception of such parades to those in San Francisco.
