The Mike Benz Dossier

Mapping the Censorship Industrial Complex
Version 1.0.0
Last Updated: January 6, 2024

Contents

Introduction

In How to Read a Book, the authors explain how to improve reading comprehension by first reviewing the Table of Contents and Index. This technique helps build a mental framework, allowing for a deeper understanding when you read the book cover to cover.

What if we applied a similar approach to podcasts and videos?

Some creators, like Mike Benz, have produced hundreds of hours of content. How can you invest just 20% of the effort to gain 80% of the insights?

This project is a labor of love for Mike Benz and his audience. Would you find it valuable if I expanded it to cover all his videos? How else could I make this resource more useful for your learning? For example, I could analyze additional videos, create a knowledge graph mapping key ideas and relationships, or even perform a social network analysis of Mike’s X community.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Methodology

Analysis consisted of:

  • Collect: Downloaded video and extracted audio.
  • Transcribe: Audio transcribed using Faster-Whisper, an open-source speech recognition model. Faster-whisper is up to 4 times faster than OpenAI's Whisper with the same accuracy.
  • Analyze: Transcripts analyzed using the Claude 3.5 language model to identify:
    • Named Entities: Twenty most mentioned people and organizations.
    • Terms: Twenty most mentioned, unique terms.

For this pilot, I experimented with different techniques. Most terms have simple definitions. Some are more comprehensive like disinformation, blob, hybrid warfare, etc.

Sources

This demo only covers three of Mike Benz's videos. It could be expanded to cover 60+ "Censorship Industry Annotated" videos and/or other videos with sufficient interest from the community.

TitleDatePlatform
Censorship Industry Annotated #60: The Rogan Experience Annotated, Part 112-4-24X
Censorship Industry Annotated #61: The Rogan Experience Annotated, Part 212-5-24X
Censorship Industry Annotated #62: The Rogan Experience Annotated, Part 312-9-24X

Named Entities

Top 10 People & Organizations

Donald Trump (78)
CIA (75)
State Department (68)
NATO (52)
Joe Rogan (45)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (32)
Elon Musk (28)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (28)
Pentagon (25)
USAID (22)

People

Politics > US Presidents > Contemporary
Donald TrumpMentioned ~78 times

A US president from 2016-2020 and a political candidate in 2024 who became central to debates about social media censorship

Trump won the election in 2016 and Brexit passed in 2016, they they took this anti-authoritarian toolkit
Media > Podcasters > Political Commentary
Joe RoganMentioned ~45 times

A podcast host who interviewed Mike Benz in a nearly 3-hour conversation about censorship

I did sort of just take that baton and runs with it. But this time I was really trying to be present to the moment
Politics > Foreign Leaders > Eastern Europe
Volodymyr ZelenskyyMentioned ~32 times

The President of Ukraine since 2019 who received strict guidelines from US-backed institutions

Zelensky knows that force because the only reason he occupies the power that he does is because that force ushered him in
Technology > Business Leaders > Social Media
Elon MuskMentioned ~28 times

The owner of X (formerly Twitter) who challenged established censorship infrastructure

Elon has been calling to shut this down
Intelligence > Government Officials > Homeland Security
Michael ChertoffMentioned ~15 times

A former head of DHS (2005-2009) who later became chairman of BAE Systems and involved in various think tanks

Michael Chertoff was also the interim head of the disinformation governance board when Nina Jankovic was fired
Academic > Foreign Policy Experts > Military Strategy
Mark GaleottiMentioned ~12 times

An academic who coined 'Gerasimov doctrine' and later admitted it was a misinterpretation of Russian statements

Mark Galeotti would write in 2018 'I'm sorry for creating the Gerasimov doctrine'
Politics > Diplomatic Officials > State Department
Victoria NulandMentioned ~12 times

A US Assistant Secretary of State who played a key role in Ukraine policy and the 2014 events in Ukraine

We literally had our Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, handing out cookies and water bottles to violent street protesters
Politics > Presidential Candidates > Foreign Policy
Hillary ClintonMentioned ~8 times

A former Secretary of State and presidential candidate who supported social media censorship initiatives

Hillary Clinton heralded the new EU Digital Services Act as a tool for cracking down on disinformation
Technology > Tech Policy > Social Media Influence
Jared CohenMentioned ~8 times

A former State Department official who started Google Jigsaw and introduced CIA to social media for regime change

Jared Cohen, who was the guy who introduced the Central Intelligence Agency to using social media for regime change
Politics > US Presidents > Digital Era
Barack ObamaMentioned ~7 times

A US president whose administration was involved in early social media censorship initiatives

Last week, both President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heralded the new EU Digital Services Act as a tool for cracking down on disinformation
Technology > Tech Investors > Social Media
Marc AndreessenMentioned ~6 times

A tech investor and Facebook board member who discussed censorship with Joe Rogan

Marc Andreessen talked with Rogan the day before about Laurel Canyon and the CIA in the music industry
Technology > Tech Entrepreneurs > Political Funding
Reed HoffmanMentioned ~6 times

A billionaire who funded various political operations

Reed Hoffman is who bankrolled the Eugene Carroll lawsuit against Donald Trump
Intelligence > Government Officials > Intelligence Leadership
Bill BurnsMentioned ~5 times

The CIA Director who wrote about intelligence partnerships with MI6

CIA chief Bill Burns, wrote in a joint op ed in the Financial Times
Politics > European Politicians > Populist Movement
Marine Le PenMentioned ~5 times

A French political leader mentioned in context of populist movements in Europe

Marine Le Pen almost did in France
Intelligence > Foreign Intelligence > British Intelligence
Richard MooreMentioned ~4 times

The head of MI6 who co-authored an op-ed with Bill Burns about intelligence partnerships

MI6 boss, Richard Moore, the head of British intelligence
Politics > Regional Conflicts > Militant Leaders
Mohammed al-JalaniMentioned ~4 times

A leader previously designated as a terrorist who later became involved in Syrian governance

Mohammed al-Jalani as an al-Qaeda figure in HTS that must be brought to justice
Politics > European Politicians > Populist Movement
Matteo SalviniMentioned ~4 times

An Italian political leader mentioned in context of populist movements

Trump did in the US, Bolsonaro did in Brazil, Matteo Salvini did in Italy
International Organizations > NATO Leadership > Strategic Communications
Mark RootMentioned ~4 times

A NATO Secretary General who followed Mike Benz on social media

Mark Root, who we've talked about several times before, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Legal > Special Investigations > Election Interference
Bob MuellerMentioned ~4 times

A special prosecutor who investigated Russian interference claims

As soon as Bob Mueller completely goofed his three-hour testimony
Technology > Academic Researchers > Internet Censorship
Alex StamosMentioned ~4 times

A founder of Stanford's internet observatory involved in censorship

Alex Stamos the founder of the Stanford Airnet Observatory

Organizations

Intelligence > Government Agencies > Covert Operations
CIAMentioned ~75 times

Central Intelligence Agency involved in both historical covert operations and modern information control efforts

The CIA at that point in the early 80s its name was dirt
Government > Diplomatic Institutions > Foreign Policy
State DepartmentMentioned ~68 times

US government department heavily involved in international censorship operations and influence campaigns

You're going to have the State Department argue that if we don't have this counter misinformation capacity
Military > International Alliances > Strategic Operations
NATOMentioned ~52 times

Military alliance that expanded into social media control and information operations

NATO must remain prepared for both conventional and hybrid threats from tanks to tweets
Government > Domestic Security > Information Control
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Mentioned ~28 times

US department involved in domestic information control

DHS governs critical infrastructure and elections are critical infrastructure
Military > US Armed Forces > Strategic Planning
PentagonMentioned ~25 times

US Department of Defense involved in social media control and information operations

The Pentagon was funding AI censorship technology
Government > International Development > Foreign Influence
USAIDMentioned ~22 times

US Agency for International Development involved in foreign influence operations

Funded by the US State Department, funded by US aid
Law Enforcement > Federal Agencies > Intelligence
FBIMentioned ~18 times

Federal law enforcement agency involved in domestic surveillance and information control

The FBI paid someone over $100,000 to become his best friend and text him to tear up Texas
Government > Information Operations > Censorship
Global Engagement CenterMentioned ~15 times

State Department center initially created to fight ISIS that evolved into broader censorship operations

The Global Engagement Center, which was really the first official censorship capacity in the US government
NGOs > Democracy Promotion > Foreign Influence
National Endowment for DemocracyMentioned ~12 times

Quasi-governmental organization funding foreign influence operations

The National Endowment for Democracy is one of the most pernicious forces in the entirety of the censorship industry
Technology > Social Media > Platforms
Twitter/XMentioned ~12 times

Social media platform, now owned by Elon Musk

Elon announced his acquisition of X in that same month
Technology > Internet Companies > Information Control
Google JigsawMentioned ~10 times

Google division involved in censorship technology

Google Jigsaw's CIA censorship AI generates a toxicity score
Media > International News > Influence Operations
Ukraine Crisis Media CenterMentioned ~10 times

Media organization funded by Western governments

The Ukraine Crisis Media Center, which is effectively a suite of media institutions in the area that are CIA conduits
Think Tanks > Foreign Policy > Strategic Analysis
Atlantic CouncilMentioned ~8 times

Think tank involved in censorship and foreign policy

The Atlantic Council who drove CISA's creation
Government > Cybersecurity > Infrastructure Protection
CISAMentioned ~8 times

DHS's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, involved in censorship

CISA, the cyber security and infrastructure security agency
Military > Non-State Actors > Regional Conflicts
HTSMentioned ~8 times

Syrian militant group that underwent rebranding

HTS is a merger. And any group that merges into it becomes part of al-Qaeda's Syrian network
Technology > Social Media > Platforms
FacebookMentioned ~8 times

Social media platform subject to censorship demands

They descended in a delegation on the private sector tech platforms, saying you will censor what we tell you to censor
International Organizations > Political Unions > Regulatory Bodies
European UnionMentioned ~8 times

Political and economic union involved in internet regulation

The EU Digital Services Act as a tool for cracking down on disinformation
Government > Information Operations > Censorship Initiatives
Disinformation Governance BoardMentioned ~6 times

DHS initiative that was later shuttered

When Nina Jankovic was fired this is brainchild in the first place and then when nina got fired Michael Chertoff became the head of it
Military > Contractors > Information Operations
GrafikaMentioned ~6 times

Pentagon contractor involved in censorship operations

Grafika's formerly partnered with the Department of Homeland Security as part of the Election Integrity Project
International Organizations > Financial Institutions > Global Economic Governance
International Monetary Fund (IMF)Mentioned ~5 times

International organization mentioned regarding global control mechanisms

Which would mean all of NATO would come undone, which would mean there's no enforcement arm for the IMF

Terms

Top 10 Terms

Disinformation (8)
Hybrid Warfare (7)
Populism (6)
Blob (6)
Cut-out (5)
Civil Society (5)
STRATCOM (4)
Soft Power Influence (4)
Regime Change (4)
Information Warfare (4)

Terms

Concepts > Information Control > Misinformation
DisinformationMentioned ~8 times

False or misleading information deliberately spread to deceive people. Disinformation is a term that has been strategically redefined by government agencies and institutions to justify censorship of unwanted speech, particularly after 2019. While originally used to describe foreign (especially Russian) influence operations, the term was expanded to include domestic speech that challenges institutional consensus. According to Benz, disinformation is not necessarily false information - rather, it can be truthful content that institutions deem threatening to their preferred narratives. The label of 'disinformation' serves as a pretext or predicate for censorship, allowing government agencies to target speech while maintaining apparent distance through NGOs and civil society organizations. Benz highlights how the concept evolved from a national security framework focused on foreign threats to a 'democracy protection' framework targeting domestic speech, particularly after the Mueller investigation ended in 2019. In practice, labeling something as 'disinformation' is less about factual accuracy and more about designating certain views, narratives or speakers as legitimate targets for suppression by what Benz calls the 'censorship industrial complex.'

Countering disinformation became a pretext for censorship
The Global Engagement Center was created to fight disinformation
Concepts > Military Strategy > Information Conflict
Hybrid WarfareMentioned ~7 times

Military strategy blending conventional tactics with non-military methods like information warfare. Hybrid warfare refers to military involvement in non-military civilian affairs, particularly the control of information and social media to influence elections and public opinion. According to Benz, the term 'hybrid' is deliberately used to obscure and legitimize military intrusion into civilian spheres - when you hear 'hybrid,' it signals military forces operating outside their traditional combat role. The concept emerged prominently after 2014 as NATO and Western military institutions shifted focus from conventional warfare (tanks, troops) to controlling information spaces and social media ('from tanks to tweets'). Benz emphasizes that hybrid warfare represents the military's expansion into controlling civilian discourse, particularly through censorship operations justified as countering disinformation. While presented as defensive measures against Russian influence, Benz argues these hybrid warfare capabilities were ultimately turned against domestic populations to control political outcomes. The term thus serves as bureaucratic cover for what Benz sees as military involvement in censorship and manipulation of civilian political discourse.

Hybrid means the military is doing non-military stuff, controlling civilian affairs
Hybrid warfare means social media and information operations by the military
When you hear hybrid threat, it means fuckery afoot. It means military doing stuff that's non-military. It means ops. It means the military intruding on your rights as a civilian when we're supposed to have a civilian run military.
Concepts > Political Movements > Anti-Establishment
PopulismMentioned ~6 times

Political approach appealing to ordinary people who feel disregarded by established elite groups

NATO's review said populism is a threat to democracy
Right-wing populist parties rising to power through social media
Concepts > Geopolitical Systems > Power Networks
BlobMentioned ~6 times

Interconnected network of foreign policy and national security establishments. The 'blob' appears to refer to a transnational network of foreign policy establishments, primarily centered around U.S. and U.K. interests, that works to extend and maintain global influence. It encompasses multiple institutional components including the CIA, State Department, USAID, DOD, and various 'tentacle' organizations that operate internationally. Rather than adhering to any single ideology, the blob is described as 'agnostic on ideology' - willing to work with diverse groups (from 'communists' to 'Nazis' to 'Islamic jihadist fundamentalists') to achieve its objectives. A key characteristic is its opposition to national sovereignty ('sovereigntism') and its promotion of 'democratic transition' - which Benz defines as moving countries from sovereign governance to blob-controlled governance. While the blob includes traditional government institutions, it extends beyond them to include elements of corporate power, international organizations, and what Benz calls the 'transatlantic foreign policy establishment.' According to his usage, the blob actively works to control information flow, engage in censorship operations, and manage public narratives, particularly around issues that might threaten its control or expose corruption in aligned governments.

The blob controls foreign policy across multiple institutions
Concepts > Intelligence Operations > Organizational Strategy
Cut-outMentioned ~5 times

Front organization used by intelligence agencies to obscure direct involvement. A 'cut out' appears to be an organization or institution that serves as a proxy or front for CIA and State Department operations while maintaining plausible deniability of direct government involvement. The clearest example repeatedly referenced is the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which Benz describes as being created in 1983 as a 'CIA cut out' because direct CIA involvement 'would look terrible.' Cut outs serve multiple functions: they can fund media outlets (like the Kiev Independent), conduct censorship operations, manage NGO activities, and influence civil society in target countries. They are characterized by their quasi-private status - typically receiving government funding but operating as seemingly independent organizations. Cut outs appear to form an interconnected network, with personnel moving freely between different cut out organizations (like NED, Carnegie Endowment, Freedom House) and government positions (State Department, USAID, CIA). The term essentially describes the organizational infrastructure that allows for 'covert operations masquerading as overt operations,' providing a layer of separation between official government agencies and their actual operations on the ground.

The National Endowment for Democracy is sort of posited as an NGO but it's got a very curious history... a CIA cut-out
These are not spyless coups, it's just that the democracy promotion NGOs are being directed by the spy agency
Concepts > Institutional Dynamics > Organizational Representation
Civil SocietyMentioned ~5 times

Organizations representing associations between state and private individuals. 'Civil Society' refers to ostensibly independent non-governmental organizations, media outlets, think tanks, and advocacy groups that are actually funded by and answerable to U.S. government institutions like the State Department, USAID, and CIA. While presented as grassroots or independent organizations representing citizen interests, these civil society groups function as an extension of U.S. government influence, requiring regular reporting to grant officers and congressional oversight committees. The term serves as bureaucratic cover for government-organized non-governmental organizations (GONGOs) that advance U.S. foreign policy objectives while maintaining plausible deniability of direct government involvement. Civil society organizations form a 'swarm army' that can be mobilized to create political pressure, shape public opinion, and even threaten 'political instability' if target governments don't comply with U.S. directives. In Ukraine for example, 70+ civil society organizations funded by U.S. government entities issued 'red lines' to control government policy while maintaining the appearance of domestic grassroots pressure rather than foreign control.

70 U.S.-funded NGOs posing as civil society organizations.
Civil society is the fake astroturf front of CIA ops shops... they are the back channels, they're the interlocutors, they are the messenger delivery system on behalf of the state department.
Concepts > Communication Strategy > Information Control
STRATCOMMentioned ~4 times

Strategic Communications, a cover term for controlling communications and information narrative. STRATCOM (Strategic Communications) is a deliberately deceptive bureaucratic term used to mask censorship operations by military and government institutions. According to Benz, when organizations don't want to openly admit to censorship activities, they rebrand them as 'strategic communications' or 'STRATCOM' since every agency already has legitimate communications departments. The term gained prominence after 2014 with NATO's STRATCOM center in Riga, Latvia, which Benz identifies as a key hub for developing censorship capabilities. He emphasizes that STRATCOM is basically a code word - when you see a State Department STRATCOM, USAID STRATCOM, DOD STRATCOM, NATO STRATCOM, or NGO STRATCOM, you're almost certainly looking at an internet censorship operation disguised with bureaucratic language. Benz points out that government agencies explicitly advised foreign partners to use the term 'strategic communications' instead of 'content moderation' or 'countering disinformation' to avoid public scrutiny.

When you see a State Department STRATCOM, a USAID STRATCOM, a DOD STRATCOM, you're dealing with an internet censorship institution.
NATO STRATCOM is what they call it strategic communications is a cover term and it means communications on social media... In the modern sense when you see a State Department STRATCOM... you're dealing with an internet censorship institution point blank period.
Concepts > International Relations > Influence Strategies
Soft Power InfluenceMentioned ~4 times

Non-military methods of exerting political and cultural influence. Soft power influence refers to control over foreign governments and populations through non-military means, primarily using funded media operations, NGOs, civil society groups, and educational institutions rather than direct force. This approach emerged prominently after 1948 when international rules began restricting territorial acquisition through military force, requiring more subtle methods of control. Soft power influence operations work by shaping public opinion, controlling information spaces, and creating networks of U.S.-funded institutions that can pressure governments while maintaining plausible deniability of direct U.S. involvement. The strategy relies heavily on what are presented as independent organizations but are actually funded through government grants and must report to U.S. agencies. These organizations form networks that can be mobilized to shape elections, influence policy decisions, and even threaten political instability if target governments don't comply with U.S. objectives. A significant aspect of soft power influence is its ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals while appearing to be the result of organic domestic movements or institutional consensus rather than direct foreign intervention. The approach emphasizes controlling narratives and information spaces rather than traditional military or economic coercion.

Using cultural and informational tools to shape political outcomes
Diplomatic methods of controlling narratives
We had the international rules-based order that was created in 1948... there was a prohibition in 1948 under the UN Declaration of Human Rights that you can't acquire territory by military force anymore and have it be respected by international law. So everything had to move to soft power influence. And so our military and our intelligence structure had to switch into primarily winning elections and winning hearts and minds rather than winning tank to tank combat.
Concepts > Geopolitical Strategy > Political Transformation
Regime ChangeMentioned ~4 times

Process of replacing a government, often covertly supported by foreign powers. Regime change refers to U.S. government efforts to overthrow foreign governments through a combination of overt and covert means, particularly using NGOs, civil society organizations, and media operations funded by agencies like USAID, the State Department, and CIA. Modern regime change operations typically avoid direct military intervention, instead relying on 'soft power' tools like funded media outlets, civil society groups, and orchestrated political instability. The strategy often involves controlling information spaces and media rather than traditional coup methods, though the ultimate goal remains replacing governments that don't align with U.S. interests. These operations work through seemingly independent organizations that are actually funded and directed by U.S. government agencies, allowing for plausible deniability while achieving strategic objectives. Operation Timber Sycamore in Syria represents one of the most expansive documented examples of such regime change efforts. A key characteristic of modern regime change operations is the use of 'democratic institutions' - NGOs, media outlets, and civil society groups funded by U.S. government entities - to create political pressure and instability in target countries while maintaining the appearance of organic, domestic movements rather than foreign intervention.

CIA operations for regime change in countries like Venezuela
Soft power methods of overthrowing governments
Concepts > Military Strategy > Information Conflict
Information WarfareMentioned ~4 times

Using information and communication technologies for political and strategic objectives

NATO's shift from tanks to tweets is a form of information warfare
Concepts > Military Doctrine > Conflict Strategy
Gerasimov DoctrineMentioned ~4 times

Concept of modern warfare focusing on non-military methods of conflict

The nature of war has changed to controlling information spaces
Gerasimov emphasized controlling the information environment
Concepts > Political Theory > National Sovereignty
SovereigntismMentioned ~3 times

Political concept arguing for preserving a nation's political independence

Wanting sovereign control over your own country is seen as a threat to democracy
Concepts > Psychological Control > Information Resilience
Psychological ResilienceMentioned ~3 times

Techniques to mentally prepare populations against certain information narratives

NATO's psychological resilience programs aim to control information spread
Concepts > Military Strategy > Psychological Influence
Psychological OperationsMentioned ~3 times

Military and intelligence techniques for manipulating perceptions and behaviors

Military strategies for influencing public opinion
Information warfare techniques
Concepts > Military Infrastructure > Communication Strategy
NATO Stratcom COEMentioned ~3 times

NATO's Strategic Communications Center of Excellence

NATO's specialized institution for information warfare
Center for controlling communication narratives
Concepts > Information Control > Narrative Management
Information Environment ShapingMentioned ~3 times

Strategic manipulation of information spaces

Military and intelligence efforts to control information flows
Techniques for managing public perception
Concepts > Information Control > Censorship Strategy
Foreign to Domestic SwitcherooMentioned ~3 times

Transitioning censorship rationale from foreign threats to domestic concerns

Switching from Russian disinformation to domestic disinformation as a censorship predicate
Concepts > Election Integrity > Information Monitoring
Election Integrity PartnershipMentioned ~3 times

Collaborative effort to monitor and control election-related information

Group working to flag and remove election-related 'misinformation'
Concepts > Psychological Control > Historical Parallels
Digital MKUltraMentioned ~3 times

Comparison of modern information control to historical CIA psychological manipulation programs

Censorship as a form of digital psychological manipulation
Concepts > Political Strategy > Institutional Influence
Consensus Building InstitutionsMentioned ~3 times

Organizations that shape political narratives and policy directions

Think tanks and policy groups that create political consensus
Institutions that guide political thinking

Index