Pax Americana: Episode 3

Thank you to everyone who joined Olga Lautman and me for today’s episode of Pax Americana. We covered so much ground in just over an hour — much of it hiding in plain sight but completely ignored by legacy media. I invite you to watch the whole show above if you missed it live. Courtesy of Olga, here are the show notes:Show Notes* Ukrainian children — Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the State Department preserved a critical database documenting the mass kidnappings of Ukrainian children by Russia—data lawmakers feared was deleted after Trump defunded the Yale-led program tracking the kidnappings. Russia has kidnapped over 21,000 Ukrainian children in an act of genocide. Thank you to everyone for speaking out and pressuring Congress. Source: New York Times* The Bonkers Putin to Pentagon Pipeline — Pete Hegseth’s use of the Russian term “near abroad” in Pentagon strategy reflects the growing influence of authoritarian-aligned think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, which has deepened ties with Orbán’s pro-Kremlin regime in Hungary. The language — and the policy — highlight a broader shift by Trump and his cronies toward aligning with Putin’s worldview and undermining Western alliances and democracies.* Kirill Dmitriev: Putin’s Messenger Arrives In Washington — Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s most trusted financial operator and messenger, has quietly arrived in Washington. Not in disgrace. But with a special temporary sanctions waiver, personally approved by Trump, so he could waltz into the White House under the guise of "ceasefire talks."* Influencer Paid by Russia Added to White House Press Pool — Tim Pool, a right-wing YouTuber who took Russian money to spread propaganda and disinformation about Ukraine and the 2024 election, has been added to Trump’s White House press pool. Source: Daily BeastJoin us every Thursday at 11 AM as we delve into our nation’s foreign policy and how it is being influenced by the Kremlin. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit saltypolitics.substack.com/subscribe