The Battle All Around Us: Inside the 2024 Russia-Ukraine Information War

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2024 has begun a new phase of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and this time it is all about information. Today's video is about the manipulation of that information space in the context of lines on maps theory. Information wars presuppose that there is some underlying truth about the world, and each side is trying to convince the other that its own perception is correct and the rival's is wrong. We will cover how Ukraine's 2023 offensive fits into this and the long list of unsolved mysteries that are keeping the information war clouded.
0:00 The Information War of 2024
1:32 Outline
2:36 Information and War, Featuring Lines on Maps
6:01 The Impact of Ukraine's 2023 Offensive
9:31 ATACMS
10:40 Ukraine's Dnipro Crossing
11:34 Russian Offensives
13:33 The Russian Presidential Election
15:03 Russian Mobilization
16:49 F-16s
18:13 Russia's Economy
22:00 The U.S. Presidential Election
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Media licensed under CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/...
By Rosavtodor.ru:
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By Kremlin.ru:
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By Mil.ru:
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[@Gametheory101]

Play Conflict of Nations for FREE on PC or Mobile: 💥 con.onelink.me/kZW6/xafozrzq Receive 13K GOLD & 1 month premium subscription, only available for the next 30 days! Thanks again to CoN for their sponsorship!

[@ztac_dex]

get that dough

[@injest1928]

Man's gotta support his lines on maps addiction somehow

[@Toe_Merchant]

It's jarring seeing a professor hawking a crappy mobile game, but I respect that hustle and I do like lines on maps

[@talideon]

Could be worse: at least it's not Raid Shadow Legends...

[@tmoosy]

@3:05 martial not military

[@officernealy]

I'm amazed at the double standard in regards to acceptable loses on both sides. Russia can regularly lose sheer volumes of men & equipment trying to take relatively unimportant villages that would be viewed as unacceptable to any other nation yet they're allowed to quietly walk away from those failures. When Ukraine stumbles its counter-offensive; however, it's suddenly the most over it has ever been & now we simply have to hold Ukraine down while we let Russia have their way with them.

[@peterclarke3020]

Yes - That narrative best suits Russia, and fits Russian propaganda…

[@richardarriaga6271]

To be fair, dictatorships have nearly unlimited tolerance for casualties.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

​@@richardarriaga6271That didn't work with the Argentine junta when the Falklands war happened...

[@yujidevelle]

Russia has far more military fit men than Ukraine does no?

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@theotherohlourdespadua1131 Yes, well, when you play politics by other means, other means affect your political position. Given the basic failure of Moscow to keep the lights on and the heat running in the depths of winter outside Moscow, Putin may possibly discover what General Galtieri could have taught him. OTH, the Argentines made no gains after the 1st 48 hours and beyond that suffered nothing but casualties and losses. Even as they sunk RN ships (having lost their flagship), they lost jets and once the British landed, every move the Argentines made was backwards. Russia has, at least, managed to win some battles, gain a lot of ground and still manages to hold some of it.

[@kylenetherwood8734]

Putin liking his eggs scrambled is the first time I've predicted anything in this war correctly

[@mrmuyagi9907]

I'm very proud of you

[@CAPSLOCKPUNDIT]

The whole drama around it has honestly left me a bit shell shocked.

[@vregile]

I predicted all of em in the same basket. Good for you brother

[@uku4171]

​@@vregilelol

[@Uretard2121]

I need to know the answer it is crucial. How does put like his eggs . Putin favorite way he like his egggs is key here

[@judithbradford9130]

The OBVIOUS impossibility of pulling off combined arms operaiions WITHOUT AIR POWER has been driving me up a wall

[@peterclarke3020]

While being forced to wait long enough for arms support that Russia is able to build the largest mine fields ever.

[@nathanrohde3292]

Try to not overrate your own knowledge competencies, but when a media outlet brings on experts that are less knowledgable then an enthusiastic amateur you have the question the skills and standpoint of the editorial team of said outlet.

[@mickkelly6389]

Yes train troops to fight with spears, then don't give them any spears?

[@neilwilson5785]

And with a shortage of 155mm shells on top. Infuriating.

[@Benjamin-mq6hu]

@@josephmarchand1176 that is simply not the case, in English anyways. Just read the first sentence of the Wikipedia article on combined arms.

[@Flight_of_Icarus]

It will indeed be a cold day in hell I ever call Twitter "X", so I didn't even notice the "mistake" until you pointed it out

[@andersgrassman6583]

That attempt at a name change is a serious marketing disaster. Would Elon also change the name of Coca Cola, if he bought it?

[@tartrazine5]

Even a decade from now when you're trying to explain your digital coupon to the bored teenager behind the cash register who was in kindergarten when the name changed?

[@Jazzisa311]

I call it eithr Twitter or Xitter

[@Flight_of_Icarus]

@@tartrazine5 Elon is going to run that website into the ground far sooner than that.

[@mrsalwaysright6478]

The fact that we get free videos on KZbin by William Spaniel is truly a gift: keeping the education and knowledge alive. 👏👏👏 May I also remind you the fact that our Native American population in our motherland, the Continent of America before the European Colonizers arrived, was around 15 millions, while the European population in their motherland, the Continent of Europe was around 25 millions. Today, Native American population is 15 million, while the European population, in the Continents of America + Europe, is a staggering TWO BILLION! A shocking sad truth. 😔 In my humble opinion, it's about time to decolonize the Colonized lands, and return it to rightful owners Native American people. Notorious global cardinal crimes the Christian West has committed, and benefited a great deals, such as Slavery & Colonialism had long been over, why on earth is notorious Colonization still lingering on, may I ask? 😔

[@neilwilson5785]

Why Putin loves eggs so much: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vJi6WYjsZ3l8k

[@sam08g16]

I agree, this is top quality content and we are very lucky to get it for free!

[@77thTrombone]

And the egg puns. They cracked me up 🐣❗️

[@janitorizamped]

Native Americans didn't own the land they lived on. There is literally nobody to give the land back to, even if that was a reasonable thing to do.

[@77thTrombone]

@janitorizamped actually they did, in their own way. Not with the property law we know, but occupation of a region on a tribal basis. I reads a history book that related how a tribe would sell it's land to Euro settlers, except the land sold was that of another tribe.

[@scstraus]

You should never apologize for calling it Twitter!

[@Ladle69]

You should only apologize for taking it seriously.

[@michaeltischuk7972]

Twatter is a better name for it.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Home of and owned by twits. (Obviously it is one social media location I've never explored)

[@msimon6808]

@@michaeltischuk7972 Xitter.

[@mickkelly6389]

Musk is a bellend

[@algizmo7079]

The puns at about 21 mins are eggsquisite

[@thomasjohnson2862]

I thought they went too far - you don’t want to over-egg the pudding

[@algizmo7079]

@@thomasjohnson2862 Always appreciate eggsactitude when scrambling spellings for a yolk! Badoom...tish

[@ss-pq6fx]

Eggsactly.

[@troublej1035]

Good timing considering what just happened in belgorod, it seems nowadays that whoever puts their perspective out first gets all the media attention even if its wrong and the counter perspective gets nothing even when its true

[@user-cw5wt1qq6j]

Yes, and this is dangerous.

[@Gametheory101]

Yeah, it's a crazy coincidence. Wish I could have included it, but I filmed this one two days ago.

[@nvelsen1975]

Absolutely nothing happened in Belgorod! Nothing at all! Putin is in 500% control of the country and if you disagree you should keep it to yourself if you know what's good for you. 😉

[@user-zn7rg4uu3c]

what happened in belgorod?

[@FernandoGutierrez-ub1lt]

​@@user-zn7rg4uu3c rebellion

[@shermoore1693]

Seeing as it has been confirmed that the Russian military plane shot down this morning was travelling FROM Belgorod towards Moscow. If they had POWs on board they would have been travelling towards one of the border towns where all the prisoner exchanges have been done. Why would they take Ukrainian POWs to Moscow? or any other city in the north? Also, some of the people listed as POWs on the bombed flight were exchanged months ago.

[@bubbles190]

No need to speculate, look at the crash site. Theres nobody there.

[@delavan9141]

Too bad this video wasn't a deep dive into discussing such aspects of the information war. It wasn't about the information war AT ALL, despite the click-bait title.

[@jorr1334]

Plus the exchange site is too close for a plane trip of any size.

[@Username83101]

Too bad you don't have a book about the war in Ukraine, if so you'd probably have mentioned it at the end of the video. Maybe you should consider writing one!

[@seanbrown701]

The book was a great read. Well done.

[@Badco1948]

A few recent developments need to be included in the mix. Apparently Ukraine can reach out with drones a long, long way (1000KM). That puts 90% of Russian refineries within drone range, plus all of Russia's warm water ports. Most of Russia's oil infrastructure is now vulnerable, as well as most of Russia's defense/industrial complex and command centers.

[@msimon6808]

Might also be Russian opposition forces.

[@Gametheory101]

This was the last thing I cut from the video! I might do something just on that topic later---ironically, when there is more information about what is happening.

[@timtrewyn453]

And with no US aid conditions restraining their conduct, Ukraine is more free to conduct strikes in Russia. I don't know that Mike Johnson sees what a two-edged sword his game is. The oil industry seems to have a pretty clear understanding of how to set back Russian oil production for a long time, i.e. stop the flow and arctic wells freeze and need years to repair. I noticed the price of gas went back up.

[@attilamarics3374]

@@msimon6808 They dont exist.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

Given Russia is such a big country, has problems on it self anyway, a "shortage" of air defense, while getting attacked far away from the border (we don't really know what Ukraine is capable of in terms of effectivity), it might become a big factor attacking facilities deep into Russian mainland. It causes not only disruptions in the supply chain, production of military goods and effects the export sector it also "wakes up" the Russians themselves. What ever they may think of it, it will bring some turmoil.

[@blahmooblah789]

Wellllll loookie heerrrere William Spaniel has an ad sponsor. Good to see someone besides us recognizes good content. Great work William, I’m glad you’re getting some support for these amazing videos! I really look forward to every new video, you’re one of my favorites on KZbin!

[@injest1928]

It's kinda surreal having a video discussing war as a serious matter and as a tragedy, with an ad for a war-is-fun type game. But then again life is like that, I hate that we have these pointless wars but then I'll play combat games because, like most people, especially men, I have a love-hate relationship with violence.

[@snomcultist189]

Sponsors recognise popular content, which just means that we like it a lot

[@GojoGunning]

Some Chinese bot sending this dude an email to promote their shifty scam game really says a lot you’re right

[@blahmooblah789]

These comments are fascinating! 🤩

[@stop_bringing_me_up_in_goo167]

These comments ARE fascinating

[@mattbowdenuh]

You definitely hit the nail on the head with the F16s. You can't do a NATO combined arms offensive without air power. No NATO country would ever operate any offensive without air superiority. The issue is that for something like 1 hour of flight, you need 20-30 manhours of maintenance with all the parts and logistics required for the F16, so it's technically possible, but just very difficult in the conditions that Ukraine finds itself.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

There are more obstacles laying in providing Ukraine with f16 than non insiders know. I doubt that the f16, after being delivered, will fly effectively soon.

[@devilin100]

@@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl My foremost though is: Does a single person in Ukraine know how to fly a F16?, Probably but I bet their all DCS nerds, not fighter pilots. I don't really know how long it would take to retrain a pilot but I bet its more than 6 months. Jet fuel is also in a massive shortage, two refineries in Canada had to be converted over to try and keep up with demands. Possible they just can't guarantee a secure stockpile and generally militaries buy fuel as it get ordered so they can't just borrow some extra.

[@1mol831]

@@devilin100 there has to be at least some, Ukraine is actually a medium, almost large sized country

[@devilin100]

@@1mol831 Top 40/219 or whatever the number of countries is at this point. I'd call that the bottom side of large sized as a top 20%. Not a lot of classically powerful nations under 150% of its population. For what that's worth, maybe that's where large starts, at 60million or so. Either way. Its the only reason I can see why all the allies pledging stuff they knew how to use would not just hand them over. While earlier they were getting older Soviet stuff they knew how to use given to them in way of equipment, jets and helos included, and western stuff we could train them on in weeks if they came knowing how to do their job already. According to the big list: Bulgaria and Czechs gave them 24 su-25s and 6 mig 23s alone. Plus a dozen mig 29s from Poland. Slovakia not far behind with a dozen jets, seems they were NFG but got arts elsewhere. Macedonia just sees to have given them anything and everything Soviet made. Where or not Ukraine wanted it and just dumped it on the boarder. Belgium pretty much said we can train your guys and you can have those 16 F16s when we no longer need them. Netherlands said pretty much what my hypothesis entails. Have them when you can use them and some are staying here for training new piolets. Imagine using them means as a squadron at least. Anything less is a single jet that can be picked off.

[@Balls_on_Chin]

babe wake up, it’s lines on maps

[@jamstagerable]

I'm up, I'm up, don't start watching without me!

[@roamingthevoid2208]

Towards the end of the video the amount of dad jokes grew eggs-pun-entially.

[@andrewharrison8436]

Ouch!

[@davidhrominchuk8294]

Eggzactly...😂

[@NeoZondix]

This is a bomb-shell

[@Korra228]

Holy shit that's a good one

[@airplanemaniacgaming7877]

I could *BLAM!* you for that dad joke. And also for the Star of Chaos.

[@averagewhiteguy2]

Discussing the November elections makes me think how sad it is that it's likely this war will continue long enough for it... It probably will, but it's just sad that this has been going on for so damn long.

[@msimon6808]

Putin's "Historical Russia" speech explains how long the war will last. Until the Soviet Reunion is complete. (Or Russia can't field an army).

[@provokedfob]

Well, technically it hasn't been going for that long. 3 years is pretty short (compared to other wars)

[@shtehfaw]

There goes my headcanon of Putin throwing a plate at Prigozhin and yelling I SAID OVER EASY!

[@Emanon...]

"Hear all, trust nothing" - Ferengi rule of acquisition

[@Tallgeese12]

Considering how Putin went all-in on a quick invasion of Ukraine without any good backup, I think Putin prefers his eggs all in one basket 😛

[@richdobbs6595]

I think you omit a possible military reason for maintaining a bridgehead across from Kherson city, even if it can't succeed. Even if the UAF forces are being chewed up, it could be triggering Russia to engage forces that are suffering greater material and manpower losses than Ukraine, and not draw down forces in these sectors. Given that Ukrainian artillery is on high ground in an area with good logistics, this is one of those places that might be effective to use their shells.

[@timtrewyn453]

Yes. Kherson is the furthest, highest cost part of Russian logistics. It's the perfect place for Ukraine to put on pressure.

[@wingedvictory8694]

Yes! And in krynky russia lost 5 times more than ukraine according to footage and calculations

[@PakBallandSami]

Note: Russians in the Russian and international communities vilified Ukrainians both before and during the country's annexation of Crimea and its incursion into Donetsk and Luhansk through AstroTurf uprisings. Advocates for social justice received texts on January 21 informing them that they had been "registered as participants in the mass disturbances." Although two of the cell service providers denied sending the messages, they were controlled by Russian businesses. Experts recommended involving state actors in

[@Nik_Airball]

I ❤Russia

[@ArtisZ]

​@@Nik_Airballrussia doesn't give a f about you. 😢

[@delavan9141]

This is the kind of deep dive info I had hoped this video was going to reveal, given its clickbait title.

[@smoadia85]

​@Nik_Airball why are you still not the Z army? Please sign up, they're offering plenty of rubles for you.

[@jkarra2334]

​@@Nik_Airball😂

[@racegrooves]

The eggstra puns at the end were a nice bonus!

[@Sir_Godz]

i was having an eggsitencial crisis over it

[@meikgeik]

Can I buy a degree in "lines on maps" if I've watched all of your videos? I think it'd be funny to have a small plaque/framed degree on my wall for "Lines on Maps." Seriously: I genuinely feel like you have increased my grasp on international politics 10x what it was before. I went to college and did fine, but something about your teaching style clicks with me, and I understand things I have struggled to grasp in the past. Thank you for doing these videos!

[@jonhelmer8591]

"I'm rain" is a classic.

[@judithcampbell1705]

What gets me is how trump is even allowed to run with just under 100 federal charges on him. Personally, I think he's insane! Thank you 💛 William for your excellent analysis. Much appreciated Sir.

[@Kden420]

Unfortunately, a large chunk of the US and EU population is insane! Actually, most of humanity is completely insane!

[@bumblingbureaucrat6110]

But he hasn't been convicted of any of them yet and his impeachment hearing failed. I don't like Trump either but what's truly ridiculous is this blatantly political attempt to stop him from running. Why don't they put the same effort into arresting Elizabeth Warren and all the other political figures who are obviously insider trading? It's a complete sham and they're just giving so much more ammo to his sympathizers.

[@baneofbanes]

@@bumblingbureaucrat6110impeachment hearings are entirely political.

[@sabarsherzad]

Probably the first time in my life to be stoked to see an ad sponsor lol you deserve it man! Keep these great videos coming!

[@avranjones9980]

I would retort that combined arms doctrine doesn't require air power. Combined arms is the Integration of different combat units such as the use of infantry and tanks. Air assets can also be used but it's not required to be called combined arms.

[@Grz349]

It’s a vital part of all @combined armed” operations since WW1 if not during WW1 when the concept was really developed.

[@Destroyer_V0]

@@Grz349 Factually incorrect. Combined arms happened in the age of sail, combining the marine landing parties with shore bombardments from warships. Using cavalry, infantry and archers in a battle at the same time, is also combined arms much the same way a modern army is set up.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

True. And the value of assets changes as technology changes. Both the US & Russia have been slow to adapt.

[@todo9633]

"Mobilization" is just a word. There absolutely has been mass forced drafting going on, the lack of an official decree to that end is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

[@algizmo7079]

I have heard that Stalin used to say "To make an omelette, eggs must be broken." His later remarks that "to cut down trees, chips must fly," indicates that eggs must have been a problem in his experience too. Trouble comes when you seek 'omelette with chips'. One ingredient is unobtanium the other not suited to purpose. ; )

[@msimon6808]

One ingredient is unobtanium the other not suited to purpose. ; ) ;-)

[@bearcubdaycare]

I wonder if Ukraine is willing to accept any line on map except full recovery of its territory, at least back to the start of the current conflict, if it views anything less as leading inevitably to another Russian invasion. Russia has stated that it'll get its objectives bit by bit if necessary, as evidenced by a previous war with Finland. So, any Russian gains could be seen as reinforcing that, and just being fulfillment and validation of Russia's strategy, strengthening Putin.

[@SukacitaYeremia]

I feel that watching the first part of this video is a lot easier because I've watched a few of your International Relations 101 playlist. Especially the part where fighting a war means accumulating losses that might not be worth what is expected to be gained, and how that can be quantified using the lines on maps

[@Emanon...]

It's shameful how Europe and the US have half-assed their support. Essentially giving Ukraine a false hope for victory and allowing them to sacrifice many more lives than if they otherwise would have. "Fight till the last Ukrainian" shouldn't be a sentence heard from American Politicians.

[@clementimani116]

Ur a clown

[@user-hu2rj3pi4b]

Sound stupid

[@user-hu2rj3pi4b]

The people that liked are Also delusional

[@ipnorospo3000]

Look at Kremlin Junior, gonna cry?

[@Emanon...]

@@ipnorospo3000 What the fuck are you talking about? Are you having a stroke or something?

[@benjaminhansen5023]

2:43 Thanks for your always clear, understandable, pragmatic definitions 👍

[@greysessentials8937]

I just yolo guessed scrambled but nailed it😂😂 From here in anchorage Alaska keep up the eggcelent work!

[@alchemist_x79]

"...and speaking of things that we do not need to focus on..." I almost spit my drink out at your dunk on Tiny D. Bravo.

[@asan1050]

William Spaniel Thank you for posting.

[@yurilytviak9066]

Ukraine ,along with people like Ben Hodges were expecting a less joking quantity and quality of equipment and had something reasonable been forthcoming, better outcomes could have more likely happened.

[@GojiMet86]

Makes me real upset the US was gung-ho on failed invasions and wars in Asia and the Middle East, but suddenly becoming the thrifty miser Scrooge when a European power was invaded by Russia.

[@neutralevil1917]

Oh, Ben Hodges... The man who predicted "Russia will cease its active war within 10 days. It lacks three things: time, manpower and ammunition". He predicted it 2 years ago. On air

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@GojiMet86 And who in the Middle East and Central Asia has nukes and and exclave sitting between NATO nations? The calculus was based on the Kaliningrad wargames. Now that Finland has acceded to NATO and Sweden will follow, Putin can't use Kaliningrad to threaten escalation. Unfortunately certain childish Congresspeople who weren't there for the Cold War haven't got the memo and are still following the Kremlin's line.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@neutralevil1917 If had the manpower and ammunition it would have ended the war two years ago. It didn't, it doesn't. It had to go beg North flippin' Korea for ammo. It hasn't got the tanks it claimed it had, it hasn't got the army it claimed it had, it hasn't got the money it thought it had and now it doesn't have the navy it had.

[@dougcoombes8497]

And you don't think it had anything to do with the literally thousands of miles of trenches and other fortifications and millions of miles Russia has spread all across southern Ukraine. Manned by hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers. Ukraine got massive support from the west, no one understood just how extensive the Russian defensive positions actually were until the AFU tried to break through them in 2023. Russian offensive capabilities may be lacking, they are still skilled at defence. And any Ukrainian strategy must take this into account.

[@noyopacific]

Always a pleasure. Thanks for the video William !

[@oxxysaurus]

Your egg puns are great cracked me up.

[@TSEEMOD_618]

9:37 The WWE motto hehehe 😅 Indeed you are the most hidden greatest pro wrestling fan alive ❤

[@jorgecaballerocastillo2435]

I am pleased with the lines on maps of this video. Also, the add was well made and very funny!

[@kuunoooo7293]

They where theoretical lines ? I dont see any support or bias init ?

[@chronus4421]

Great video, thanks!

[@pimpampet7053]

Great video William. Thank you

[@louisnaidu9140]

Thank you for a very informative video with good comparisons.

[@jerramygipson6560]

Some of the best analysis out there!

[@delavan9141]

It was a simple re-cap of well-worn territory, nothing new here. He just put his particular spin on it.

[@Tundraviper41]

The biggest thing is that while many people in the U.S believe Ukraine is losing because they are not making any significant gains. yet at the Same Time Putins Russia throughout this Winter has not made any significant Victory's either, many of their Major objectives have not been successful and has been Extremely costly for the Russian Army. The fact that since the 2024 began Ukraine for now is still holding Strong and holding Back Major city offensives with the lack of weekly continual military U.S Aid. The Fact Ukraine has been keeping Czar Putins Army at bay for This long given the numerous Meat Assaults by Putins Army is testament to "Just because you are not on the Offensive, does not mean you can't get a victory while on the Defensive".

[@GafferBob]

Loved all the bad puns 🤣 Also loved the great video 👍

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Well said! Thx.

[@jonesy279]

Your onslaught of egg puns slayed me 😂❤

[@AdeptAnalytic]

Appreciate it

[@leakycheese]

Relived to see William didn’t poach any of his egg puns.

[@LeCharles07]

Omg. The egg puns killed me.

[@dennistate5953]

Loving that so often in addition to your truth You preach in iambic pentameter

[@Johnnylemoni]

i have been watching this guy for some time and i have to say i fricking love this guy and his videos

[@gkcamden9050]

Eggcellent analysis.

[@LesOubliesQuebec]

I love the Starcraft référence with the Zerg call

[@Franchise-infoCa]

William, what simulations -not game theoretic models- support your lines on a map calculations? Thanks.

[@mattpotter8725]

Eggsellent egg puns!!! I have to congratulate you on that!!! 👏👏👏

[@Sir_Godz]

they were great yokes

[@seneca983]

2:45 I don't think the idea of an information war necessarily implies that the underlying truth is known even privately. Both sides might want to shape the public's beliefs about that truth even if they themselves don't know it or are at least not very sure about it.

[@SheerSniper7]

My guess on the eggs is 'hard boiled' or any form that keeps the whole shell on. Much harder to poison that way.

[@LuizGuillermoFA]

I didn't expect to laugh at breakfast jokes in a geopolitical video! Lines on maps/10

[@theconqueringram5295]

This is a difficult war. Slava Ukraine!

[@Navigator2166]

Absolutely Egg-cellent Puns!👍 🇺🇸💯🇺🇦

[@simonyu8838]

The eggs thing interests me to no end. While it's an (over) easy source of humor, we shouldn't forget that in the US we've had similarly timed egg price increases linked to bird flu outbreaks. Thankfully this year's was nowhere near as bad as the other year where they sometimes went up to $6 USD for a dozen bog standard eggs but the other week I specifically cited egg prices as a reason I didn't do a French buttercream frosting for a cake I baked. More seriously, eggs are one of the cheapest sources of protein and can make a big difference in nutrition for people on a limited budget (to the point where it's been a political issue at times in India about incorporating eggs into school meals in poorer areas that then gets push back from Brahmin caste Hindu and Jain politicians who are strict vegetarians). Having multiple bird flu outbreaks hitting egg producing nations has to really squeeze people more dependent on them and few things make people unhappy with how their lives are going as an insecure food supply.

[@martynshaw884]

Loved the egg humor!

[@aidanlua8462]

SO true!

[@DifficultNerd]

finally a video with lines on maps

[@louiscarullo6034]

You milked those yolks enough to make a meringue and a hollandaise. At the same time. As a father I approve

[@genechaas7369]

wait, did you say EGGCELLENT! ? Thank you William. Good briefing.

[@mcchaderson]

The egg jokes cracked me up

[@Grumpyoldman037]

Oh, you and your lines!

[@scene2much]

The overrepresented card hand image is a missed opportunity. There should have been an 'Old Maid' in it.

[@HoopsKevinski-2]

0:08 #SpecialMilitaryOp was not the initial declaration. It was... Training exercise.

[@hurricanemeridian8712]

The egg puns really got me

[@AugustoNizzoMcIntosh]

I want your voice in the commentaries of ww3 xD

[@Thepuffingyank]

I feel you are just EGGING us on 😂

[@MissyGail4eva]

Happy Hump Day! 🐫

[@kitcarpo4745]

Eggcellent!

[@mandranmagelan9430]

Eggcellent! :-)

[@DanielSandhu-jo4jj]

My god the egg puns are on another level

[@thehellezell]

I was not prepared for these egg puns.

[@treycollins9222]

I very much enjoyed all the egg puns!

[@markwalters4525]

Instantly I thought Hard Boiled, but his performance to this stage suggests Runny in the Middle.

[@mrdraw2087]

Eggcellent video.

[@mpersand6499]

Regarding Putin's egg preference, my money is on a pint of raw eggs like an 80s action movie training montage

[@brendanmeckler7761]

the egg segment just kept going, im impressed

[@techtitanuk5609]

You do love lines

[@bigfudge2031]

Putin is even lying about how many eggs he could eat. His ego is really that fragile.

[@horvathsogranfume658]

i came for the geopolitical analysis, i stayed for the egg puns

[@generaltiberiusxx2884]

You should do one about North Korea South Korea. I think that would be a good idea about the possibility of a war or something

[@LeCharles07]

10 eggs? Putin is basically Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.

[@VanderlayLux]

The egg section is gold. Fabergé gold.

[@archibald-yc5le]

Thank you for your work, William, strong analysis! One correction: you keep showing a photo 14:04 with pro-Kremlin Victory-Day-themed rally Бессмертный полк (rus. "Immortal regiment") while talking about opposition protests

[@Gametheory101]

Oh, I know. Putin is in the photo of you look close enough. The problem is that there aren’t very many free-use photos of people marching on the streets in Moscow. :)

[@baltulielkungsgunarsmiezis9714]

I knew it was going to be scrambled egs, old people in eastern Europe normally eat them like that.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Thank you deity of choice for dropping me in the Antipodes.

[@Jondiceful]

I wasn't counting, but surely this video set your new personal best record for the number of puns. While I am certain that none of them were intended, you managed to lay quite a few egg-related puns. I just hope that there will be more of those puns in later episodes, and that you did not put all your eggs in one basket. 😜

[@trueriver1950]

Unlike the Brits who put all their asks into one Brexit 😉

[@WandererJester]

There are issues with polling on the Us side of things that to my understanding hasn’t been resolved since prior to 2020. IE: people under the age of 45 will not pick up the phone to be polled.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Polling’s gotten a lot harder in the last decade for everyone in the US.

[@beriogelir779]

I’m over 60 and if I don’t recognize your number I won’t answer, leave a message and I MIGHT(usually not) reply!

[@beriogelir779]

I’m over 60 and if I don’t recognize your number I won’t answer, leave a message and I MIGHT(usually not) reply!

[@thetawaves247]

Did you AI generate the audio of your sponsor portion?

[@hybbfr727]

Eggcellent video

[@RaYMannSuperFLY]

EGGsellent video!