Pax Americana: Episode 3 Recap

Thank you to everyone who tuned in to our latest episode of Pax Americana!Julie Roginsky and I delved into some of the biggest Russia-related developments this week and how they intersect with the U.S. and Europe. If you missed it, here’s a recap of what we covered: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 Beast This is just the beginning. Each week on Pax Americana, we’ll expose Russia’s playbook and its dangerous intersections with U.S. politics. We’ll break down:* Updates on Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine* Russia’s latest news and moves* The latest on Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics in the U.S. and Europe* Sanctions, corruption, and Kremlin networks* Disinformation and malign influence operations* Tactics that Trump is using in the U.S. mirroring Russia’s system—politicizing law enforcement; attacking the press, universities, protesters, and opposition— and turning institutions into tools to consolidate power.Don’t forget to subscribe to Julie’s Substack for amazing insights!* Tune in each week as we go beyond the headlines, delivering the unsanitized truth and exposing Russia’s playbook in real-time. From Ukraine to Washington, we’ll break down how Russia’s tactics—oligarchy, disinformation, propaganda, political repression, and institutional capture—are being mirrored in the U.S. and what it means for the future of America.📅 Join us this Thursday at 11 AM ET on Substack Live!If there’s something you want us to cover, send us your questions and insights! Drop your questions, and we’ll break it down live.Thanks for reading Unmasking Russia! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Unmasking Russia at olgalautman.substack.com/subscribe