Sam Freedman

New post: Today we have the second part of our very candid interview with Tony Radakin, who ran the UK armed forced 2021-2025. He talks about how we got into a mess over defence spending, why John Healey resigned, and how to fix military procurement. samf.substack.com/p/whitehall-...

"Of all the books I have ever reviewed that purported to offer a serious thesis, this is without question the most deranged. If you are seeking a Christmas present for someone you really don’t like, give them a copy."

The difference in the speed between our procurement process to buy weapons for Ukraine and our own weapons, is extraordinary...

Please God get rid of Netanyahu. I know the alternative isn't great but it's better than more of him with Ben Gvir and Smotrich.

So many interesting nuggets like this on the weeks before Russia's invasion when the UK was trying to assess their plans to defend themselves.

"If you’re really worried about Russia’s hybrid activity, then don’t go down into a defensive crouch. Use your power to keep Russia at bay, whilst strengthening resilience in your society." - Admiral Sir Tony Radakin

So many interesting nuggets like this on the weeks before Russia's invasion when the UK was trying to assess their plans to defend themselves.

6 states have counted at least 90% of precincts: —Distrito Federal: Bolsonaro +8.6% (R1: B+13) —Tocatins: Bolsonaro +3% (R1: B+7) —Paraíba: Lula +36% (R1: L+28) —Mato Grosso do Sul: Bolsonaro +19.6% (R1: B+24) —Espírito Santo: Bolsonaro +12.2% (R1: B+17) —Paraná: Bolsonaro +25.2% (R1: B+29)

Bosnian Serb secessionist leader Dodik secured U.S. sanctions relief in October 2025 but in 2026 he appears to have lost his two chief patrons: Orban and Vucic. Even with his SNSD’s re-election weeks ago in Bosnia, this is a disastrous turn of events for the Banja Luka regime.

This week on the substack... I wrote about the European radical right in power, and what that tells us about how a Marine Le Pen presidency would play out. samf.substack.com/p/the-strait...

As excellent as you’d expect from this source. Lots of drive-by humour. The bottom line is Trump admires Putin, wants to exploit the business opportunities in Russia, but has thrown away his leverage to end the conflict because no one now trusts him. samf.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...

Daisy is so good at writing clearly and engagingly about policy.

Thinking about the practicalities - the four freedoms make sense as a package because the movement of goods and services are facilitated by movement of capital and labour. And countries have different endowments and comparative advantages, so there needs to be benefits for all.

New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social Trump has again intervened in the Ukraine war on the wrong side. How much difference is it making? What can Europe and Ukraine do to counteract? samf.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...

"When asked where this agreement had come from, Trump admitted that he had made it up. It was entirely in his head, which is where so many of his great diplomatic triumphs appear to occur." @ldfreedman.bsky.social

It would be nice if the most powerful man in the world wasn't a delusional lunatic.

Not sure why Europe hasn't upped the pressure on Putin by saying that Russia's frozen assets will be used to fund Ukraine in stages until a ceasefire holds. Yes there are legal problems, but European security surely trumps them.

Essential reading as always.

New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social Trump has again intervened in the Ukraine war on the wrong side. How much difference is it making? What can Europe and Ukraine do to counteract? samf.substack.com/p/ukraine-wi...

Now that's what I call a lede. ftav.substack.com/p/of-spacex-...

Oil hits $115 a barrel for the first time since May, adding to the economic strain just 11 days before critical midterm elections that may turn in part on affordability. @iankmsmith.ft.com @urbandirt.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/8948...