Gill Bennett
@gillhistory.bsky.social
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Intelligence historian, music-lover
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
1 day ago
Despite intelligence dominance in the war with Iran, events suggest the US intelligence community is having little influence on White House decision-making. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Dan Lomas (
@sandbaggerone.bsky.social
) and
@mtsavill.bsky.social
.
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Missing Intelligence: The Trump Administration, Iran and the US Intelligence Community
Despite intelligence dominance in the war with Iran, events suggest the US intelligence community is having little influence on White House decision-making.
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/missing-intelligence-trump-administration-iran-and-us-intelligence-community
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Tim Dowse
2 days ago
Some wise and rather touching words to the House of Lords from the retiring Lord Hennessy. Paras 4-9 in particular are well worth reading.
www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=20...
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My Lords, listening to the noble...
Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 4:36 pm 18 May 2026
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2026-05-18a.180.0
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Nesta
2 days ago
Collective intelligence offers a powerful way to approach complex public challenges by bringing together citizens and experts. In a new blog, Kathy Peach explores how our Centre for Collective Intelligence can help strengthen the Casey Commission's work on adult social care.
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Why social care reform needs collective intelligence, not just talk
How deliberating with the public can get social reform unstuck
https://bit.ly/4nw3ppx
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Jolyon Maugham KC
2 days ago
If a political party has links to the US Christian Right - like Reform does - it's coming for abortion rights: plain as the nose on your face.
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Abortion is becoming a new front in Reform UK’s culture war
Following abortion decriminalisation, analysis from openDemocracy and the Fuller Project reveals the UK far right is pushing anti-abortion talking points into mainstream political debate.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/aabortion-reform-uk-politics-birth-decriminalization-farage/
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William D. James
3 days ago
Next up, I'll be talking about the book in London to
@csns-uk.bsky.social
, King's College London, at 12pm on 23 June. I imagine we’ll have plenty to talk about…Further details here:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/book-...
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Book Launch: 'Transatlantic Storms in Anglo-American Relations: How the Alliance Weathers Crises' with Dr William D. James | King's College London
With President Trump's designs on Greenland and disputes over the Iran War, many argue that the UK-US alliance - often dubbed
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/book-launch-transatlantic-storms-in-anglo-american-relations-how-the-alliance-weathers-crises-with-dr-william-d.-james
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
2 days ago
In Africa, the approach to security threats fails when it neglects to replace the social functions these armed groups perform in their regions. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Natascha Hryckow.
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The Peace and Security System has Three Functions. African States Need a Fourth
In Africa, the approach to security threats fails when it neglects to replace the social functions these armed groups perform in their regions.
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/peace-and-security-system-has-three-functions-african-states-need-fourth
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Gill Bennett
Filip Kovacevic
2 days ago
Beria's top secret report to Stalin dated Oct. 14, 1944, released by
kgbveikla.lt
last week, reveals how many anti-Soviet rebels were killed & captured by
#NKVD/#NKGB
from Feb. to Sept. 1944. Western Ukraine 38,087 (k) / 31,808 (c) Western Belarus 444 (k) / 927 (c) Lithuania 415 (k) / 1,635 (c)
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Ian Bond
3 days ago
Exactly. And she did nothing to stop Nord Stream. She may not be quite as compromised as Schröder, but her willingness to accommodate Russia makes her quite unsuitable to speak for the EU in current circumstances.
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Peter Ricketts
4 days ago
Here is a link to Lord Peter Hennessy’s speech. Worth watching!
parliamentlive.tv/Download/Ind...
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Tony Ingesson
4 days ago
Sweden is going to buy four French FDI frigates in one of the largest defense acquisition deals for Sweden ever:
www.dn.se/sverige/ett-...
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Ett steg närmare jätteaffären – fyra fregatter ska stärka Sveriges luftförsvar
På tisdagen meddelade regeringen att Sverige köper fyra fregatter av det franska företaget Naval Group.
https://www.dn.se/sverige/ett-steg-narmare-jatteaffaren-fyra-fregatter-ska-starka-sveriges-luftforsvar/
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Martin D.B. Brown
4 days ago
www.crisisgroup.org/qna/europe/r...
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Kaliningrad and the Suwalki Gap: Conflicting Threat Perceptions in the Baltic Sea Region | International Crisis Group
Both Russian and NATO member state militaries are shoring up defences near the Russian region of Kaliningrad. But as Crisis Group experts explain in this Q&A, the build-ups and other actions could exa...
https://www.crisisgroup.org/qna/europe/russia-europe/kaliningrad-and-suwalki-gap-conflicting-threat-perceptions-baltic-sea-region
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Peter Ricketts
4 days ago
Dave Musgrove and I explore here the stories in Peace Makers of how British diplomats helped win the war and shape the peace. And not just the men! Women played a vital and unsung role: as a remarkable 100 year old lady (who went with Eden to Yalta) recounted to me
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
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The peacemakers of WW2
Podcast Episode · HistoryExtra podcast · 17 May · 38min
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/historyextra-podcast/id256580326?i=1000767952097
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
5 days ago
'The use of proxies would help significantly scale attacks against underwater infrastructure in relatively shallow waters, as well as prepare cover positions for strategic sabotage at great depths while denying Russian sponsorship', writes Oleksandr V Danylyuk in the latest RUSI Commentary.
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Seabed War: Russia's Secretive Defence Units and Undersea Sabotage Architecture
Classified Russian government document revelations add to concerns that the adversarial nation's undersea threat is both acute and invested towards a further-reaching campaign.
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/seabed-war-russias-secretive-defence-units-and-undersea-sabotage-architecture
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Ian Betteridge
6 days ago
Can't say this enough, but Comment is Freed is the best subscription you can buy if you're interested in politics (and there are a lot of good ones about). Great analysis, which I don't always agree with, but which I know has a lot of depth.
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This is a fascinating article.
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5 days ago
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Sam Freedman
6 days ago
New post from
@ldfreedman.bsky.social
The narrative on the Ukraine war has shifted. There's still, though, an assumption that Putin can keep going because there won't be a decisive moment of defeat. But wars don't always work like that. (ÂŁ/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
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Putin and the Cliff-Edge Fallacy
Over the past few weeks there has been a definite shift in the narrative surrounding the Russo-Ukraine War.
https://open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/putin-and-the-cliff-edge-fallacy?r=72szy&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
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Gill Bennett
Hannah White
7 days ago
The UK is not ungovernable, and claiming that it is is a dereliction of responsibility. Government has serious deficiencies but we have also had a series of leaders who lack the skills to govern - my latest comment for
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/is-u...
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Is the UK ungovernable? | Institute for Government
Old problems and new challenges can be addressed by a government with the right ideas and commitment.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/is-uk-ungovernable
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I think Vernon Bogdanor writes the most sensible piece on the current political situation:
www.ft.com/content/6f81...
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Voters expect a prosperity our politicians cannot deliver
The markets will not allow the UK to borrow to maintain a standard of living that we have not earned
https://www.ft.com/content/6f81f991-7c09-46ea-8c88-18fc0436d0df
6 days ago
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Gill Bennett
Lawrence Freedman
6 days ago
Latest post looks at why Putin persist with a failed strategy against Ukraine, and why he needs Russia’s current, struggling offensive to succeed this year (£/free trial),
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/p...
?
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Putin and the Cliff-Edge Fallacy
Over the past few weeks there has been a definite shift in the narrative surrounding the Russo-Ukraine War.
https://open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/putin-and-the-cliff-edge-fallacy?r=15i4j0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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Gill Bennett
Sam Freedman
7 days ago
My post on why prime ministers keep failing. And three big things that the next PM can change that will make their job easier.
samf.substack.com/p/why-do-pri...
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Why do prime ministers keep failing?
So here we are again in another protracted leadership contest.
https://samf.substack.com/p/why-do-prime-ministers-keep-failing?r=72szy
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Gill Bennett
Jonathan Portes
7 days ago
If this isn't "designed to stir up hatred" against Jews, what is? Why are the Met not arresting them?
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Robert Saunders
8 days ago
It is astonishing* that Angela Rayner's tax affairs - in which the Standards Commissioner found her to have acted "in good faith", in an attempt to protect her disabled son - is STILL a bigger story than Farage trousering ÂŁ5 million in secret or Tice's taxes. *It's not astonishing, but should be.
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Gill Bennett
John Oxley
8 days ago
"I need the most on the nose statement of populism you have"
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Gill Bennett
Christabel Cooper
8 days ago
Labour should be clear about its values, while winning more transactional voters who don't share all Labour's values through governing well - particularly on the economy, public services and migration. Obviously that's easier said than done in the current economic and geopolitical environment.
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Gill Bennett
Sam Freedman
8 days ago
Two theories on our high prime ministerial turnover...
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Gill Bennett
Philip Stephens
8 days ago
All for what? Is Starmer a visionary, compelling pm? No Has government made mistakes? Yes Does it need more energy? Yes Are there other things it should be doing? Yes Has Britain been badly government since 2024? No Has it done some pretty good things? Yes Would the pretenders do better? I doubt it.
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Gill Bennett
Helene von Bismarck
9 days ago
I would urge every follower I have who is interested in the future of America to read this article.
@helenlewis.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
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The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet
A virulent form of misogyny has become the single most important force holding together the American right.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/06/conservative-masculinism-misogyny/686939/?gift=1ga2TvL-DbuHDQIcYF7oRwHKBGquDk5KukaWjIHgkJw&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
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Gill Bennett
Henry Mance
8 days ago
WHEN WILL THE MEDIA COVER THESE STORIES?
www.ft.com
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Gill Bennett
Tim Bale
10 days ago
"What is it about what their government has done or intends to do that can only be gotten rid of by getting rid of Keir Starmer? Unless they can answer that question, they should take a beat."
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Dumping Starmer won't reverse Labour's fortunes
MPs should ask themselves: what would replacing the PM actually achieve?
https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2026/05/dumping-starmer-wont-reverse-labours-fortunes
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
10 days ago
Do you work in the public sector and want to understand the role and impact of mis- and disinformation in extremism and radicalisation trends? Our recent webinar explored this very topic and you can now watch the recording from this insightful session.
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Recording: Mis-/Disinformation and Radicalisation: Public Sector Response
The webinar explores the role and impact of mis- and disinformation in extremism and radicalisation trends. It is aimed at public sector professionals in today's increasingly digitalised world.
https://www.rusi.org/research-event-recordings/recording-mis-disinformation-and-radicalisation-public-sector-response
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Gill Bennett
Shashank Joshi
10 days ago
An interesting lesson here about the advance & limits of battlefield transparency. In 1991 the US failed to hit a single Iraqi Scud missile, despite huge air/ground efforts. This time it hit a lot—but still only a fraction of the total. Sensing *over large areas* remains hard. From NYT report:
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Gill Bennett
Robert Saunders
11 days ago
There are few more important decisions in politics than who should lead the government. Changing PM mid-term is a completely normal part of parliamentary government. Yet Labour has a process that is almost structurally designed to produce dither, dysfunction, panic and blind decision-making.
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Gill Bennett
Ciaran Martin
10 days ago
Stunningly good on Claude mythos and the long term technical debt of the internet finally being called in
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Gill Bennett
Robert Saunders
11 days ago
Farage will always be a more convincing opponent of "the establishment" than a Labour minister. But he's an absurd opponent of tax dodgers, corrupt oligarchs, tech-bros, Trump, race-baiters, grifters & billionaires. He's in thrall to those people. So Labour needs to make THEM the dividing line...
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
11 days ago
The US and Iran now face an uncomfortable standoff as each seeks to outlast the economic and political fallout of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Join us online for our member exclusive webinar on 14 May where our panel of experts will discuss what the standoff means for global energy markets.
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Energy Security and the Strait of Hormuz: Strategic Implications
An expert panel will discuss the blockades of the Strait of Hormuz and its implications for energy markets.
https://my.rusi.org/events/energy-security-and-the-strait-of-hormuz-strategic-implications.html
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Gill Bennett
Stephen McGann
11 days ago
Some of the worst people in this country know exactly what they will do with a majority a quarter of that size, and they will not waste a moment doing it. The rest of us can only stand watching as you effectively hand it all over to them.
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Gill Bennett
Stephen McGann
11 days ago
The biggest majority in the modern era, and terrified of your own shadow for two years. It beggars belief. I've never known any govt. to have less to lose, and never known a greater need for political honesty than now. But, hey, best stay cautious. You don't want to become unpopular do you?
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Hetan Shah
12 days ago
Thought this was a model response from
@celiarichardson.bsky.social
to a pretty harsh article in the Spectator about the National Trust
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
12 days ago
How can the UK and other European countries balance public and private sector interests to achieve tech sovereignty? Join us on 20 May at 61 Whitehall to hear our distinguished panel of industry experts discuss this very question. A drinks and networking reception will be held after the event.
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The UK’s Role in European Tech Sovereignty
How can UK and other European countries balance public and private sector interests to achieve tech sovereignty?
https://my.rusi.org/events/the-uk-s-role-in-european-tech-sovereignty.html
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Gill Bennett
Lawrence Freedman
12 days ago
I've added a long update to my previous post on the exchange of proposals between US and Iran. The latest Iranian proposals shows how they have become more confident that Trump has boxed himself in and has no good options. (ÂŁ/free trial),
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
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Who will blink first? *Updated*
This was initially posted on 7 May when the Iranian response to the latest American proposal was unknown.
https://open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/who-will-blink-first-updated?r=15i4j0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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Gill Bennett
RUSI
12 days ago
In at least three areas Europe and China’s interests align that harm Russia: preventing Putin from war with NATO, Russian de-industrialisation, and safeguarding NATO. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Dr Justyna Szczudlik, Deputy Head of Research, Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM).
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No Matter How Bizarre it May Sound Europe May Cooperate with China Against Russia
In at least three areas Europe and China’s interests align that harm Russia: preventing Putin from war with NATO, Russian de-industrialisation, and safeguarding NATO.
https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/no-matter-how-bizarre-it-may-sound-europe-may-cooperate-china-against-russia
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Gill Bennett
Asheesh Kapur Siddique
13 days ago
It’s remarkable in this day and age to hear a politician anywhere say the following: “Support for a diverse, rigorous and accessible body of historical scholarship should be a much greater priority for democratic governments even at a time of stretched budgets.“
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Gill Bennett
John Sipher
13 days ago
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
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'Disposable spies': Poland records unprecedented number of Russian espionage cases
Warsaw has recorded an unprecedented number of hybrid attacks on its territory since 2024, Poland’s internal security service (ABW) said in a report published this week. Amateur spies once used by Rus...
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260509-disposable-spies-poland-records-unprecedented-number-of-russian-espionage-cases
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Gill Bennett
Palma Polyak
13 days ago
Truly historic & moving scenes from the inaugural session of the Hungarian Parliament. A children’s tambura band from a tiny village playing a folk song often described as the unofficial Roma anthem. MPs were tearing up & so were many more of us watching. After all those years of hate. 🎥
telex.hu
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Gill Bennett
Science Magazine
13 days ago
Breaking news: Indiana University plant microbiologist Roger Innes has been locked out of his laboratory by the school in response to a request by one of his federal funders. The move comes after Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs.
https://scim.ag/4tsDqRr
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After USDA request, Indiana plant biologist locked out of lab by school
Move comes after Roger Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs
https://scim.ag/4tsDqRr
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Gill Bennett
Martin D.B. Brown
13 days ago
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
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A Palestinian boy was shot dead. His death has no 'sociological consequences'
The Head of the IDF Central Command Has Effectively Ordered Troops to Shoot Stone-throwers on Sight – So Long as They Are Palestinian. Soldiers Are Following Through. Youssef Shtayyeh, 15, Was Shot De...
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/twilight-zone/2026-05-09/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/a-palestinian-boy-was-shot-dead-his-death-has-no-sociological-consequences/0000019e-0af8-d930-adde-bbfe6ab60000
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Gill Bennett
Sam Freedman
13 days ago
New post: "Seven things we learnt from the elections" We found out a lot about how multi-party politics is working in Britain over the last few days. I look at the implications for all the main parties + the broader challenges for our system. (ÂŁ/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/seven-thin...
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Seven things we learnt from the elections
Hopefully Comment is Freed readers will have felt a sense of familiarity as election results came in over Thursday night and Friday.
https://samf.substack.com/p/seven-things-we-learnt-from-the-elections?r=72szy
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Ulrike Franke
14 days ago
ICYMI, I did: “the discovery of the camera …provides the first concrete evidence of spying on key military supply and logistics routes in Germany. Security agencies and the Bundeswehr have long been warning that Russia is preparing for a possible military escalation against NATO.”
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Spionageverdacht: Bahnhof für Militärtransporte mit Kamera ausgespäht?
Der Fund einer Kamera am Bahnhof in Minden beschäftigt die Behörden. Laut WDR und NDR besteht der Verdacht, dass damit militärische Transporte für Sabotageaktionen ausspioniert werden sollten. Bei ein...
https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/spionage-verdacht-minden-durchsuchung-100.html
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Exactly. Plenty of time to prove they can't run local councils.
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15 days ago
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Lawrence Freedman
16 days ago
Trump’s chaotic messaging about a prospective peace deal and whether Epic Fury is really over continues. In this post I consider why a deal may be closer, because both sides need one, yet it remains elusive (£/free trial),
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
?
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Who will blink first?
There was a famous moment during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when news came through to President Kennedy and his advisors that the Soviet ships they feared were about to challenge the US blo...
https://open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/who-will-blink-first?r=15i4j0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
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