STRIKE THE TRUTH

On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the European theatre, I think it’s important to pause and reflect—not just on the sacrifices made by those who lived through it and died for our freedom, but also on the lessons we can still draw from that dark chapter in history. This post was partly inspired by how often I hear people compare today’s world to 1939, just before the outbreak of the war. And while we’re not living through the same exact circumstances, there are worrying echoes that are hard to ignore. Number 1: THE DANGERS OF TOTALITARIANISM AND UNCHECKED POWERS World War II showed us just how dangerous unchecked authoritarianism can be. Leaders like Hitler and Mussolini rose to power by playing on fear, exploiting national pain, and slowly eroding democratic systems from the inside. They controlled the media, silenced opposition, and used violence to push their ideologies. The result? A world plunged into conflict, and horrors we vowed never to repeat. Now, I’m not ...

On Friday, 9th May 2025, Russia marks 80 years since the end of World War II and the defeat of Nazism—a date of profound national pride. For many Russians, the anniversary holds extra weight this year, as the Kremlin frames its war in Ukraine as a continuation of that same fight—against so-called "Ukrainian Nazis" on Ukraine’s eastern front. A claim that’s patently false, yet apparently sufficient to justify the staggering loss of nearly a million Russian soldiers to date. In this post, we’ll dig into some key questions surrounding Russia’s Victory Day parade: Should Ukraine respect Putin’s proposed ceasefire? And will the so-called Axis of Evil leaders actually show up? The most watched guest of all—China’s Xi Jinping, who plans to make it an official visit, along with signing several bilateral agreements.  UKRAINE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANYONE'S SAFETY Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear: Ukraine offers no guarantees of safety to anyone attending the M...

This is a revised repost from our widely read blog, focusing on the growing threat of disinformation. We break down what it is, the forms it takes, and the strategic goals behind its use. We highlight how assertive powers like Russia and China deploy disinformation as a cheap, effective weapon in hybrid warfare—undermining Western societies from within. WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF DISINFORMATION? Disinformation is false or misleading information spread deliberately to deceive. Unlike misinformation—which is shared unintentionally—disinformation is crafted to manipulate public opinion, sow discord, or undermine trust in institutions, often as part of hybrid warfare. It spreads through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, as well as traditional media. Tactics range from fake articles and doctored images to misleading statements by public figures. During elections, for instance, disinformation may target candidates with false allegations. Globally, it can distort narrativ...