177. Who Blew Up the Nord Stream Pipeline? (Ep 1)
Summary
Hosts Gordon Carrera and David McCloskey interview Wall Street Journal correspondent Bojan Panczewski about the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. They explore the geopolitical history of the project and detail how a Ukrainian intelligence unit, dubbed "the startup," planned and executed the sabotage. The episode highlights the operation's complexity, involving former Soviet-trained officers and potential CIA awareness, while examining the resulting international tensions and cover-ups.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The Nord Stream sabotage mystery and guest Bojan Panczewski
Sponsors: HP and NordVPN advertisements
Guest background: Bojan's reporting career and the book 'The Wonderful Nord Stream'
The Event: Details of the September 2022 pipeline explosions and seismic detection
Geopolitical Context: Germany-Russia relations, Wende, and the pipeline's strategic purpose
Key Figures: Putin, Matthias Warnig, and the Stasi connections
Ownership and Sanctions: Nord Stream 1 vs 2 and US political opposition
Sponsors: Cancer Research UK, Sally, and Indeed advertisements
The Operatives: Ukrainian 'The Startup' unit and their unconventional structure
Planning the Sabotage: Target selection, hybrid warfare, and internal Ukrainian politics
Execution and Approval: Zaluzhny's role and the green-lighting of the operation
Outro: First Citizens Bank ad and preview of Battleground Podcast
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