Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #VatnikSoup
Most recents (24)
In today's #vatniksoup, voted by you, I'll introduce a Russian politician and president, Vladimir Putin. He's best-known for turning Russia into a totalitarian state, and for waging war in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Ukraine.
Grab a coffee, this one's long.
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Grab a coffee, this one's long.
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Putin's family was molded and devastated by WW2 (or The Great Patriotic War as they call it in Russia) - his younger brother died of starvation in 1942, during the siege of Leningrad, his father served in the destruction battalion of the NKVD.
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His grandmother was killed by the Germans in 1941 and two of his uncles disappeared on the Eastern Front. Georgian Woman called Vera Putina claimed that she Vladimir was her son, but this was denied by the Kremlin. Putina died on 31 May 2023.
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In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American politician, media personality and businessman, Donald Trump. He's best-known for serving as the 45th president of the US, and for promoting pro-Kremlin viewpoints regarding Putin and the Russo-Ukrainian war.
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After becoming the president of his father's real estate ventures in early 70s, he started expanding its operations aggressively by building hotels, casinos and whatnot. Trump's businesses have been involved in over 4000 legal actions,and he's filed for bankruptcy six times.
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While studying in college during the Vietnam War era, Trump deferred draft four times. After his graduation, he was diagnosed with bone spurs, thus avoiding going to the war. This diagnosis allegedly made by a podiatrist, Dr. Larry Braunstein, who rented his office from...
3/23
3/23
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a clickbait, fake news show called Redacted (@TheRedactedInc) hosted by Natali (@natalimorris) and Clayton Morris (@ClaytonMorris). The Morris' are best-known for their pro-Kremlin conspiracy theories related to Russo-Ukrainian War.
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Clayton started his journalism career as a co-host at the Daily Buzz and Good Day Philadelphia, and started co-hosting Fox & Friends Weekend on Fox News Channel in 2008, where he focused on consumer technology. In 2017 he announced his retirement from TV, saying that he...
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...wanted to focus on real estate business. Natali also has background in tech journalism, and she's worked for outlets like CBS, CNET, Wired, Variety and TechCrunch.
Before departing from Fox, Clayton had already launched several websites to make a quick and easy buck.
3/24
Before departing from Fox, Clayton had already launched several websites to make a quick and easy buck.
3/24
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a French politician and member of the European Parliament, Thierry Mariani (@ThierryMARIANI). He's best-known for his pro-Kremlin politics and antics on social media, and for promoting business with authoritarian regimes.
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Mariani has been serving as a French MEP since 2019. He previously served as Minister in charge of Transport in 2010-2012. He ran for the European Parliament from Marine Le Pen's National Rally party.
Thierry's married to Irina Chaikhoullina, a native of Yekaterinburg.
2/23
Thierry's married to Irina Chaikhoullina, a native of Yekaterinburg.
2/23
According to gossip-y Livejournal blog post from 2015, they met in 2005, fell in love and got married in 2006 after Thierry got rid of his then-wife and children.
3/23
3/23
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Ukrainian-Canadian political scientist, Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski). He's best-known for exaggerating the role of far-right and neo-Nazi involvement in the Ukrainian politics and in the Russo-Ukrainian War.
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Katchanovski received his PhD from the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.Even though his his h-index is measly 21, his academic record is pretty remarkable; among other feats,he's worked as a visiting researcher at the Davis Center for...
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...Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.
Ivan is all about them "far-right elements" in Ukraine. His main narrative is that there is a small but powerful bloc of far-right actors who are integrated into the Ukrainian Army and are tolerated by President...
3/22
Ivan is all about them "far-right elements" in Ukraine. His main narrative is that there is a small but powerful bloc of far-right actors who are integrated into the Ukrainian Army and are tolerated by President...
3/22
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Swiss conspiracy theorist and author, Daniele Ganser (@DanieleGanser). He's best-known for his CIA/NATO conspiracy theories, for his rabid anti-Americanism, and for his support for Kremlin in the Russo-Ukrainian War.
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Ganser's background is in academia, getting his doctorate from the University of Basel in 2001. His thesis focused on the secret armies in Europe after WW2. His previous topic on the global battle for oil wasn't accepted due to it being too "unscientific".
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In 2004 he turned his thesis topic into a book called NATO's Secret Armies. The book claimed that the clandestine "stay-behind" army called Gladio orchestrated false flag terrorist attacks in Italy against civilians, and that these attacks were supported by NATO and the CIA.
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I think you could regard recent attention on the #NAFOWorks list and #vatnikSoup threads as recognition of the threat that NAFO poses to industrialized disinfo.
It's about data; it's an important differentiator between NAFO and other leaderless movements.
This is how it works -
It's about data; it's an important differentiator between NAFO and other leaderless movements.
This is how it works -
So, Robert & Romero '17 studied "retention and performance of 4,317 articles in the WikiProject Film community".
In organizations, size correlates inversely with performance past a certain point; at N number of people, N+1 starts to diminish performance, not increase it.
In organizations, size correlates inversely with performance past a certain point; at N number of people, N+1 starts to diminish performance, not increase it.
Classic example of this? LinkedIn.
LinkedIn has 15,800 employees running what is nigh-unto the spammiest social network ever created (Parler & Gab give it a run for its money, to be fair).
It's like an annoying recruiter who lines up crappy temp jobs, except in app form.
LinkedIn has 15,800 employees running what is nigh-unto the spammiest social network ever created (Parler & Gab give it a run for its money, to be fair).
It's like an annoying recruiter who lines up crappy temp jobs, except in app form.
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American social media grifter and supplements salesman, Scottson "Ayden" Sterritt (@squatsons). He's best-known for his extensive experience in geopolitics, bodybuilding and military strategy, and for his strong support for Russia.
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Before starting to simp for Putin, Scottson was involved in the bodybuilding scene. His vast knowledge on geopolitics and military issues stems from his education at the prestigious Cibola High School.
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In addition to grifting online, Sterritt has had another source of income: he sells protein powders, shakes, and such. As you can see from the photo (and the receding hairline) below, he's found the perfect, natural way of bodybuilding with the help of @MnmProlabs ...
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I would suspect we will see more and more of this; in the coming months ... pro-Kremlin accounts updating their usernames, bios and header images to pro-RFK jr related propaganda.
They follow all the pro-Kremlin influencers that you would expect ....
Just about every one of these pro-Kremlin influencers shown in the previous tweet has their own #vatniksoup entry by the excellent #OSINT and #Disinfo researcher @P_Kallioniemi
In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Indonesian activist, politician, and tankie, Budiman Sudjatmiko (@budimandjatmiko).
He's best known his participation in the Indonesian Communist Party and spewing peepotalking remarks favouring Putin's dictatorial regime.
1/24
He's best known his participation in the Indonesian Communist Party and spewing peepotalking remarks favouring Putin's dictatorial regime.
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Budiman started his activist career when he was in secondary school in the midst of the dictatorial regime of Soeharto.
He dropped out of uni in the 1990s to focus on activism, in which he founded the People's Democratic Party in 1996 and led anti-Soeharto rallies.
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He dropped out of uni in the 1990s to focus on activism, in which he founded the People's Democratic Party in 1996 and led anti-Soeharto rallies.
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Meanwhile, during that time, Indonesian forces created a chart explaining that "Budiman's party is connected with the Philippines' New People's Army with backing from Amnesty International and the Australian Labor Party".
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3/24
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an Australian LARPer and political commentator, Simeon "Aussie Cossack" Boikov. He's best-known for rallying neo-Nazi groups to pro-Kremlin demonstrations, for assaulting the elderly, and for hiding in the Russian consulate in Sydney.
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Boikov's father was a Russian Orthodox priest, and by his words he's always considered to be more Russian than Australian. After turning 18, he moved to Moscow to "study" in the Sretensky Monastery. The monastery is just stone's throw away from FSB headquarters, and it is..
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...widely considered to be an arm of Russia's intelligence services. Boikov himself has confirmed this, when he stated that "One might say that while I was studying there I was, well, we must not say recruited, right? Basically, I fell under the influence of right thinking..
3/23
3/23
In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce a former Indonesian ambassador to Russia and Kremlin mouthpiece, Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi.
He is best known for his pro-Russia peepotalking remarks and his encouragement of sanctions evasion in buying Russian jets.
1/21
He is best known for his pro-Russia peepotalking remarks and his encouragement of sanctions evasion in buying Russian jets.
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During the 1990s and 2000s, Supriyadi served in a couple of Indonesian diplomatic posts at Australia and the UAE.
Meanwhile, he also served in various positions at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then from 2016-20, he became Indonesia's ambassador to Russia.
2/21
Meanwhile, he also served in various positions at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then from 2016-20, he became Indonesia's ambassador to Russia.
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However, there was one time in 2002 when Indonesia refused to renew the work visa of Lindsay Murdoch, which was condemned as the "first prohibition of a foreign journo in the post-Soeharo era".
Supriyandi denied that Jakarta's move vs Murdoch would hurt press freedoms.
3/21
Supriyandi denied that Jakarta's move vs Murdoch would hurt press freedoms.
3/21
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Canadian psychologist, author and media commentator, Jordan Peterson (@jordanbpeterson). He's best-known for his battle against the "woke culture",and for his strong support for Putin's "Christian values" and Russia's war in Ukraine.
1/26
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Peterson was supposed to become a lawyer, but switched to political science after reading George Orwell's autobiography. He first studied political science, but eventually migrated into psychology studies. He worked in academia and in clinical practice since 2018, ...
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..after which he published and promoted his bestselling book, 12 Rules for Life, a guidebook for young men on how to clean up their rooms.
He also launched a YouTube channel, which soon became extremely popular - by May 2018 he was earning over 80 000 USD per month from...
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He also launched a YouTube channel, which soon became extremely popular - by May 2018 he was earning over 80 000 USD per month from...
3/26
In today's #dailysoup, I'll introduce Filipino professor, politician, and pro-Kremlin adviser, Clarita Carlos.
Her pro-Russia and pro-China peepotalking are known to pave the way to her "Philippines-should-remain-neutral" advices to my country's president.
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Her pro-Russia and pro-China peepotalking are known to pave the way to her "Philippines-should-remain-neutral" advices to my country's president.
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Carlos served as a political science and international relations professor at the University of the Philippines until recently. She also served in the same position at the Ateneo de Manila University and San Beda University.
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Carlos was known to serve as Marcos Jr.'s NSA for a short time. However, she left the position, with her claiming that "she was ousted", while Marcos Jr. claimed that "there was no ouster".
Carlos is praised by other Filipino vatniks like Anna Malindog-Uy.
3/25
Carlos is praised by other Filipino vatniks like Anna Malindog-Uy.
3/25
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a US& German political cultists, Lyndon LaRouche and Helga Zepp-LaRouche. They're best-known for running the far-right, cult-like LaRouche movement, and for promoting conspiracy theories as well as pro-Kremlin and pro-CCP narratives.
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Most of the ideas of Helga come from her late husband, Lyndon LaRouche. Initially, LaRouche movement was inspired by Trotskyist/Marxist ideas, opposing private ownership and such, but in the late 1970s these ideas were abandoned. As often happens with radical, cult-like...
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...movements, Lyndon started promoting the Leninist idea of the intellectuals (including himself, of course) being the "vanguard" that helps the working class to develop their consciousness as their leading role in the society.
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🧵This is Pekka Kallioniemi, the Finn behind the #vatniksoup series, something in between the Myrotvorets and english tabloids.
Pekka is a postdoctorate fellow at Tampere University, Finland whose specialty includes ... social media, propaganda and disinformation (sic)
Pekka is a postdoctorate fellow at Tampere University, Finland whose specialty includes ... social media, propaganda and disinformation (sic)
Pekka has created +/- 200 🧵 on people he associates with Russia who are
- professional journalists guilty of providing balance on the conflict
- "pro-Russian" accounts whose only sin is to be tired of the Russophobia/ Western hegemony
- Peace activists (stop the bloodshed)
- professional journalists guilty of providing balance on the conflict
- "pro-Russian" accounts whose only sin is to be tired of the Russophobia/ Western hegemony
- Peace activists (stop the bloodshed)
His "entries" aren't without flaws and errors but they're not supposed to be accurate. They espoused the tabloid format aimed at triggering reactions or upsetting the subject. To this effect, he doesn't hide his chauvinism and bigotry, smearing his subjects.
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American podcaster, RT columnist and former political aide, Tara Reade (@ReadeAlexandra). She's best-known for her allegation about Joe Biden sexually assaulting her, and for supporting Putin and Russia's genocidal war in Ukraine.
1/22
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Reade rose to popularity in Mar 2020, when she alleged that Joe Biden had sexually assaulted her in 1993 while she was working as his staff assistant. After a thorough investigation by various journalists, it was discovered that her story was full of holes and she even...
2/22
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...lied under oath. In addition, according to Associated Press, "Over the years, Reade spoke favorably about working for Biden." CNN reported that Reade had "praised Biden on social media on numerous occasions". Incidentally, these allegations came out just before...
3/22
3/22
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a British musician and activist, Roger Waters (@rogerwaters). He's best-known for his involvement in Pink Floyd, and for his love for the totalitarian regimes and their lies around the world.
1/26
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It actually pains me to brew this soup, as Waters' music, especially the album titled Animals, has been among my favorites for a very long time.
But one should never meet their heroes, they say, so here goes.
2/26
But one should never meet their heroes, they say, so here goes.
2/26
As with many pro-Kremlin propagandists, Waters has been heavily involved in support of Palestine in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He's supported an international campaign, BDS, that boycotts Israel. He visited the Israeli West Bank barrier for the first time in 2006.
3/26
3/26
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Malaysian conspiracy theorist, journalist and social media addict, Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray). He's best-known for his online attention-seeking activities, for his anti-Ukraine stance, and for simping @elonmusk and other techbros.
1/24
1/24
Ian's online history goes way back. During the early 2010s, he was a moderator on Reddit, moderating some of its biggest subreddits. He was eventually banned for paid promotions he hadn't disclosed to the site. He was also working as a games journalist, working for sites...
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...like Gameranx, The Guardian and Ars Technica. When some of his older chat logs were leaked, they showed his edgelord-y behavior where he praised one Adolf Hitler. He apologized but blamed everything on the "toxic gaming community."
He also SWATted a fellow YouTuber.
3/24
He also SWATted a fellow YouTuber.
3/24
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Russian propagandist and blogger, Nina "Nina Byzantina" Kouprianova (@NinaByzantina). She's best-known for her full support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for marrying neo-Nazis, and for translating fascist philosophers.
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Kouprianova was born in Moscow in the late 80s, when the collapse of the USSR was just around the corner. She's blamed Jeffrey Sachs, Boris Yeltsin and Bill Clinton for ruining Russia in the 90s,neatly forgetting the involvement of oligarchs & various criminal organizations.
2/20
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Nina met Richard Spencer, an American neo-Nazi, conspiracy theorist and general clown, back in 2009. He outright refuses to talk about Richard's tendencies to drift towards far-right policies. Richard was already at this point at the deep end - he was fired from...
3/20
3/20
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a Portuguese Major General and TV commentator, Agostinho Costa. He's best-known for his terrible, pro-Kremlin analysis on the Russo-Ukrainian War on @cnnportugal.
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Costa joined the Military Academy in 1977 and finished his training in 1982. His work history in the Portuguese Army is remarkable, and before retiring in 2021, he worked as a EUROFOR Chief of Staff, head of the GNR, and as vice president of Eurodefense Portugal.
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Like so many generals after retiring, he became an analyst and was invited by CNN Portugal to comment on the Russo-Ukrainian War. But his analysis had two big problems: he was 1) biased towards Russia, and 2) almost always wrong in his predictions.
3/22
3/22
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American politician and political commentator, Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard). She's best-known for blaming absolutely everything on the US Democrats and NATO, and for being a fan of totalitarian regimes like Russia and Syria.
1/19
1/19
Tulsi was raised up in accordance with the teachings of the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), a religious group described as secretive and abusive cult. Former member has described SIF as "virulently homophobic, often anti-Islamic and misogynist" where its founder,...
2/19
2/19
Chris Butler, is "considered to be akin to a God". Gabbard became politically active at a relatively young age, and she was elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives when she was 21. She was in a field medical unit and was deployed to Iraq between 2004 and 2005 and...
3/19
3/19
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce a propaganda film Ukraine on Fire and its two main creators,Igor Lopatonok (@lopatonok) & Oliver Stone (@TheOliverStone). It's best-known for falsely claiming the 2014 Revolution of Dignity to be a US/far-right-orchestrated coup d'état.
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There seems to be two driving forces in this documentary: director Lopatonok's love for Russia and his hate for Ukraine, and Stone's love for Putin and hate for the CIA.
At the beginning of the film, Lopatonok and Stone present Ukraine as a "treacherous country" that...
2/22
At the beginning of the film, Lopatonok and Stone present Ukraine as a "treacherous country" that...
2/22
..."switches sides" on a whim. It also represents the Western Ukraine as brutal, nationalist Banderites who preyed on Jews and Polish people. What it forgets to mention was that the Ukrainians were between a rock and hard place, when they basically had to choose between...
3/22
3/22
In today's #vatniksoup, I'm going to talk about MICE. Not the rodent, but an acronym that originates from CIA recruitment strategy used in espionage. MICE explains the main motivators for covert and also overt action, and it stands for Money, Ideology, Compromise and Ego.
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Whereas CIA Staff Historian Randy Burkett has stated that MICE has "outlived its usefulness" in counterintelligence, it seems to still apply quite well to those who are recruited to spread online propaganda. When doing research and deep dives on individuals who are...
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... producing and promoting pro-Kremlin viewpoints, one can quickly find connections between the people and these four motivators. Naturally, these motivators can also overlap. One example from counterespionage is the case of Earl Edwin Pitts, who had been an FBI agent...
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