Comment is Freed

Comment is Freed, by Sam and Lawrence Freedman, focuses on providing in-depth analysis and commentary on global political events, policy analysis, and state affairs, with a significant focus on conflicts like the Russo-Ukraine War, tensions between Israel and Gaza, and Russian internal dynamics. It also explores election politics, strategies in conflicts, and broader geopolitical strategies.

Global Politics Policy Analysis Foreign Affairs Military Strategies Geopolitical Conflicts Election Politics Strategy and Tactics Government and Governance

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Election Round-Up: January

48 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. The YouGov MRP showed a Labour majority of 120, waking up Tory MPs and media to the scale of their challenges.
  2. MRPs like YouGov's use complex methods, taking large samples, breaking them down by demographics to make predictions but exact methodology is not fully transparent.
  3. There can be significant differences in predictions between MRPs from different pollsters due to methodology variations like handling undecided voters and accounting for tactical voting.

Answering your questions

46 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
  1. Subscribers sent in great questions to Sam and Lawrence Freedman.
  2. Lawrence discussed various topics like the impact of a Trump win on Ukraine, drones vs tanks, and the chances of a Russian collapse.
  3. Sam addressed topics such as priority setting for a new government, policies for growth, and the Tories' stance on the ECHR.

Send us your questions

45 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
  1. The substack is about a father and son discussing strategy, conflicts, and politics.
  2. They have over 34,500 readers in 159 countries.
  3. They are inviting paid subscribers to ask them questions for a future post.

Beware the Squirrel

43 implied HN points • 17 May 23
  1. The hype around AI has been ongoing for quite some time, not just a recent trend.
  2. AI's recent peak in popularity can be attributed to the ChatGPT breakthrough.
  3. The fear of AI causing human extinction is gaining traction, but may not be as true as some make it out to be.

Demystifying Macron’s foreign policy

39 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
  1. The 1956 Suez crisis influenced France's foreign policy approach.
  2. Macron emphasizes strong EU, multilateralism, and power balance in foreign policy.
  3. Macron's foreign policy style is characterized by frankness and provoking debate.
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Q+A: The Answers

37 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
  1. Sam Freedman answered questions on various topics like upcoming by-elections and how to get a job in Westminster.
  2. Lawrence Freedman discussed the impact of substack on his approach as an analyst and implications of a Russian loss.
  3. The format of Q+A sessions will continue for paid subscribers to manage questions and provide regular content.

Escaping North Korea

34 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
  1. The documentary 'Beyond Utopia' follows people trying to escape from North Korea with intense footage of their conditions.
  2. The film features Pastor Seungeun Kim and two attempted defections, showing both happy and sad outcomes.
  3. The filmmakers initially planned to focus on Hyeonseo Lee but changed the narrative to include the Roh family's dangerous journey.

Reconstruction at a time of war

31 implied HN points • 31 May 23
  1. Ukraine is asking for help to defend itself and recover from the destruction caused by the war
  2. The war has severely impacted Ukraine's economy and infrastructure, requiring support for businesses and social stability
  3. International cooperation is crucial for Ukraine's recovery, including addressing environmental threats, social challenges, and pursuing justice for war crimes

Does Artificial Intelligence Change the Nature of War?

24 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
  1. Artificial Intelligence is a multi-faceted debate with concerns about possibilities and dangers.
  2. AI can make a substantial impact in solving complex problems but relies on quality data and advanced technology.
  3. In military contexts, AI raises fears about machines making autonomous decisions but many scenarios are still theoretical.

Send Us Your Questions + A (Late) Summer Update

24 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
  1. Send your questions for the Q+A session with the father-son duo
  2. Updates on Lawrence's latest book and recent writings
  3. Sam's recent feature articles and podcast series

Could global energy markets become a weapon in the Hamas-Israel War?

24 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
  1. Global energy markets could be used as a weapon in conflicts like the Hamas-Israel War.
  2. Lessons from past conflicts show that disruptions in energy supply can have significant economic impacts.
  3. The outcome of the current conflict in Gaza could have varying effects on energy markets and global economy.

How bad does it need to get?

9 HN points • 14 Jun 23
  1. The NHS is facing a crisis with long wait times and increasing demand for treatment.
  2. There is a lack of physical capacity like hospital beds and diagnostic equipment to support increased activity in the NHS.
  3. Issues with staffing, including high turnover rates and lack of experienced personnel, are worsening the capacity problems in the healthcare system.