Thinking about... $6 / month

The Substack 'Thinking about...' explores geopolitical tensions, contemporary conflicts, and historical contexts, with a focus on Russia's internal politics, the war in Ukraine, and the implications for global politics. It critically analyses power dynamics, legal issues, and human rights while also touching on cultural and historical insights.

Geopolitical conflicts Russian internal politics Ukraine war and its global implications Power dynamics and state exploitation Legal and human rights issues Cultural and historical contexts

The hottest Substack posts of Thinking about...

And their main takeaways

The Berlin Wall Never Fell

455 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
💾 History Cold War Communism
  1. The Berlin Wall did not actually fall; it remains a symbol rather than an event. People rushed to cross it in 1989, but the wall itself stayed standing.
  2. The story around the wall simplifies a complex history. It ignores the important protests and the teamwork that helped end communist rule in Eastern Europe.
  3. Thinking the wall fell suggests freedom just happens without effort. True change comes from people cooperating and working together towards freedom.

The Russian Bomb Threats

286 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Foreign interference Voting Rights Public Policy
  1. Russia has tried to disrupt American elections by sending bomb threats to polling places, which is a serious issue that must be addressed.
  2. The threats affected multiple states, causing chaos and potentially scaring voters away from the polls.
  3. To ensure fairness, there should be an extension of voting for areas impacted, showing that such intimidation won't change the outcome and protecting democracy in the future.

The Polling Cave

180 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Media Public Opinion Political Behavior
  1. Polls can create a false sense of reality during elections. They focus mainly on candidates instead of the important policies that affect our lives.
  2. The media often exaggerates the significance of polls, making us feel anxious about close races. In reality, polls just indicate possibilities, not certainties.
  3. It's important to engage with the real world and vote, rather than getting stuck in the 'polling cave.' Our actions can lead to meaningful change outside of the shadows created by polls.

The Power We Have

349 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Authoritarianism Public Sentiment
  1. We have the power to influence our future through voting. Every vote matters and can help stop negative outcomes.
  2. Trump's tactics aim to scare and demoralize the majority. It's important to stay hopeful and not let fear take over.
  3. Voting can bring positive change and open doors to a brighter future. Participating in elections is a small but powerful act.

Democracy in Ohio

163 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Rights Democracy Legislation Partisanship
  1. Ohio voters have a chance to support democracy by voting yes on Issue 1, which aims to stop gerrymandering and promote fair electoral maps. This means that everyone’s vote will carry more weight.
  2. Gerrymandering creates unfair electoral districts that favor those already in power, leading to a lack of real competition in elections. This frustration can make people feel like their votes don't matter.
  3. Opponents of Issue 1 are using confusing and misleading language to trick voters into thinking the measure is bad. It's important for voters to understand the truth to ensure fair representation in Ohio.
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Rallies at Madison Square Garden

226 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigning Nationalism Populism Political Discourse
  1. Rallies at Madison Square Garden connect different historical moments and speeches, showing how certain themes persist over time. It's interesting to see how language and sentiments can echo across different eras.
  2. Some rhetoric from rallies today closely resembles that used in the past, especially concerning race and identity. This highlights ongoing divisions and fears within society.
  3. The content shared reflects deep-seated beliefs and attitudes that can be divisive and harmful. It's crucial to be aware of such narratives as they can influence public opinion and politics.

Twelve Million Deportations

366 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Legislation Law enforcement Political strategy
  1. A plan to deport twelve million undocumented people would drastically change American society, leading to increased violence and a culture where people might betray their neighbors.
  2. This mass deportation would break up many families, impacting about twenty million people, and lead to children losing their parents.
  3. The attempt to deport so many people could create widespread fear and change the role of law enforcement, making it less about safety and more about targeting specific groups.

From the Storm to the Stormtroopers

288 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fascism Climate change Disinformation Government Democracy
  1. Disinformation can turn people against their government, making it hard to respond to real crises like climate change. It's easier for some leaders to create enemies than to solve problems.
  2. When people lose faith in democracy, they'll look to a strong leader instead of the law. This can lead to a dangerous kind of politics where personal favors replace justice.
  3. As climate change worsens, politicians may blame people from other countries instead of their own policies. This creates more division and conflict among people.

Freedom and safety

172 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections International relations Civic engagement
  1. Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and defending democracy, helping to maintain global stability. Their courage allows other countries to focus on their own issues while they bear the burden of the fight.
  2. Supporting Ukraine through donations or by voting for pro-Ukrainian candidates is crucial. Even small contributions can make a big difference in helping them feel safer and more secure.
  3. Democracy is about cooperating and caring for others, not just arguing for our own beliefs. By working together and helping one another, we can all create a world where everyone has more freedom.

Get Out the Vote for Ukraine

121 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Foreign Policy Activism International relations
  1. Voting in the upcoming US election is important for supporting democracy in Ukraine. The choices made in America can affect Ukraine's future and its struggle against the Russian invasion.
  2. Ukrainian resistance is seen as a key sign of democratic strength in the current decade. Their fight has allowed others, including Americans, to recover from crises and participate in democratic processes.
  3. The livestream event with Liev Schreiber aims to raise awareness about Ukraine and encourage people to vote. Schreiber’s involvement brings more attention to the Ukrainian situation and the need for democratic participation.

In the Midwest, Pre-Election, On Freedom

87 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Freedom Public Engagement Democracy Political Events
  1. The author is doing multiple events in the Midwest, including in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois, to promote their book 'On Freedom'.
  2. They encourage people to attend these discussions and Q&A sessions, emphasizing a welcoming atmosphere.
  3. There are also options for virtual attendance for some events, making it accessible for more people to participate.

Beware the Weak Man

538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Leadership Democracy Republicans Fear
  1. Identify weak men by their actions, like avoiding real issues and spreading fear rather than facing challenges head-on
  2. Weak men consume the energy of others, pushing for inaction, spread fear, and normalize fear in institutions, leading to harmful consequences
  3. Courage is essential in times of crisis, like supporting Ukraine and democracy, and standing up against the weak men who drive a politics of fear

The apocalypse we choose

350 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Democracy International relations Geopolitics Foreign Policy
  1. Mike Johnson's actions as Speaker of the House are enabling Russian aggression in Ukraine and risking turning the world towards tyranny
  2. Ukrainian resistance is crucial in halting genocide and preventing nuclear proliferation
  3. American assistance to Ukraine is essential in supporting democracy, preventing catastrophe, and maintaining global stability

Putin's genocidal myth

361 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Historical revisionism Geopolitics Nationalism Genocide Soviet Union Historical revisionism
  1. Putin's narrative about eternal Russia leads to war, genocide, and fascism.
  2. Putin's selective view of history distorts facts and justifies aggressive actions like invading neighbors and committing genocide.
  3. Putin's attempt to rewrite history to fit his narrative is dangerous and leads to a distorted view of the past that justifies atrocities.

On Tyranny

311 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Leadership Authoritarianism Activism Freedom
  1. Authoritarian power is often given willingly by individuals, don't comply in advance.
  2. Defend institutions that uphold decency and democracy by actively supporting them.
  3. Be vigilant against the rise of one-party states and fight to uphold democratic principles and multiple-party systems.

Bad Arguments and Good Historians

253 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Constitution Presidency Supreme Court Historians
  1. The President of the United States is considered an officer of the United States under the Constitution
  2. Disqualifications under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment apply instantly, without requiring a conviction or special law from Congress
  3. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment is not limited to the 1860s and was created to prevent future insurrections

Law or Fear

208 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Supreme Court Constitution Presidency Insurrection
  1. The Supreme Court is considering Trump's disqualification based on an insurrection and violation of oath.
  2. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment sets qualifications for presidential office, including not being an oath-breaking insurrectionist.
  3. Choosing between law and fear is highlighted in the context of enforcing constitutional principles like Section 3.

Good News on Safe Skies

173 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Ukraine Support Documentary
  1. A fundraiser successfully raised $1.9 million to install a passive drone-detection system in Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure and save lives.
  2. The fundraiser reached its goal to fund 5,000 sensors for protection in eight Ukrainian regions, with installation planned in the coming weeks.
  3. Support is still needed to reach the goal of installing 12,000 total sensors to protect the entire country, and there are other fundraisers available for additional support.

Prigozhin's March on Moscow

412 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics War Propaganda Regime Fascism Resistance
  1. Putin is not as popular as assumed, with signs of apathy and readiness for a new exploitative regime among Russians.
  2. Prigozhin posed a threat to Putin by leveraging similar tactics and assets, showcasing the extractive nature of the Russian state.
  3. Prigozhin's mutiny exposed truths about the war, shedding light on the internal divisions and potential future power struggles within Russia.

Live discussion today

65 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📰 News
  1. Live discussion with Timothy Snyder happening today at 1:30-2:15 PM
  2. It's a written exchange, not a Zoom session
  3. Live discussions will be held monthly

Missiles over Kyiv

170 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🌍 World Politics War Ukraine Russia Propaganda Fascism
  1. Russian attacks on Kyiv are an act of terrorism aiming at civilians and infrastructure.
  2. Ukrainian self-defense through air-defense systems is crucial in this conflict.
  3. Russian propaganda distorts the reality of their actions, promoting fascism as a form of politics.

Explosion over the Kremlin

149 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Russia Ukraine War Crimes Propaganda Military
  1. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for an explosion over the Kremlin without evidence, raising doubts about their claims.
  2. The staged incident at the Kremlin could be a Russian ploy to justify war crimes and rally public support for the war in Ukraine.
  3. Canceling parades commemorating the victory of the Red Army may have been an underlying motive for staging the attack at the Kremlin.

Nuclear war!

177 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
  1. Nuclear war talk profits media and plays into victimhood narratives.
  2. Supporting Ukraine decreases the risk of nuclear war by countering nuclear blackmail, proliferation, and potential confrontations.
  3. The use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine is strategically and symbolically damaging for Russia.

Note to subscribers

36 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎙 Podcasts Episodes Subscribers
  1. Paid subscribers have access to exclusive content like archived essays and live threads.
  2. Podcasts of essays will be released in the next couple of weeks.
  3. The next live thread with Timothy Snyder will be on February 8th.

Putin's legal troubles

112 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics War Crimes Security Council United Nations
  1. Several countries are preparing for a special tribunal for the crime of aggression by Putin.
  2. A report documented war crimes committed by Russian authorities in Ukraine, including torture and sexual violence.
  3. An arrest warrant was issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, focusing on the abduction of children from Ukraine.