Silicon Bites Ep284 | 2026-01-13 | Power has been restored in Berlin after the longest blackout since World War Two. An extraordinary coincidence, or the dress rehearsal for something far more threatening? In this episode we try to imagine the inconceivable – a moment when Russia, in the depths of hubris, desperation and resentment – launches a full-scale hybrid war on the continent, unleashing Europe’s Hybrid Pearl Harbor. Was the attack on Berlin a dress rehearsal?Berlin went dark — tens of thousands of homes, freezing temperatures, and a city reminded that modern life depends on a handful of chokepoints – light, heat, food, transportation. Authorities say it was deliberate. The question is bigger than who lit the match – because those who are paying attention, will conclude that Russia was directly or indirectly behind it: but what does this tell us about Europe’s exposure to hybrid war — especially as Russia’s conventional war in Ukraine grinds, and Moscow looks for cheaper ways to impose pain, and to deter Europe from defending Ukraine, and even from defending themselves?----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------SOURCES:Reuters — Berlin blackout investigation and officials’ statements (Jan 4, 2026). Reuters — Power restoration and context on prior outages (Jan 7, 2026). Associated Press — Blackout scale, claim of responsibility, prosecutor takeover (Jan 2026).Washington Post — Infrastructure vulnerability analysis (Jan 10, 2026). Reuters — Suspected arson attack affecting ~50,000 households (Sept 9, 2025). Reuters — Dutch military intelligence warning on rising hybrid threat (Apr 22, 2025). EU Council/Consilium — EU statement condemning Russia’s persistent hybrid campaigns (Jul 18, 2025). European Commission / EEAS — von der Leyen speech text including “hybrid warfare” framing (Oct 8, 2025). Reuters — EU response framing and quotes from von der Leyen (Oct 8, 2025). Reuters — Lithuania: prosecutors accuse Russian military intelligence in IKEA arson case (Mar 17, 2025).Reuters — Poland railway sabotage case and response measures (Nov 24, 2025). Guardian / FT — Europol framing on criminal proxies and hybridized organized crime (Mar 18, 2025).European Parliament / Euronews / Defense News — GNSS/GPS interference reporting and policy attention (2025). RUSI — “Time for Putin’s 2026 Hybrid Escalation” (Dec 19, 2025). Reuters — Baltic maritime incident context (Dec 31, 2025). ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------