The hottest International Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top International Topics

Is Britain Giving Up on Jury Trials?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 338 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌐 International Legal Reform Criminal Justice Judiciary Government Policy Civil Liberties
  1. Britain plans to remove jury trials for criminal cases with guideline sentences under three years, so defendants would no longer be able to choose a jury.
  2. The change is being pushed to clear huge court backlogs and speed up justice, with officials arguing non-jury hearings will get cases resolved faster for victims and voters.
  3. Legal figures say this is a radical, historic shift made without a public mandate or consultation, and it raises serious concerns about fairness and the future of the jury system.

Who saw the Kung-fu Robots coming?

Taipology • 60 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🌐 International China Economy Technology Governance Real Estate Innovation
  1. China is moving from copying to genuine leadership in some advanced tech fields — the new agile humanoid robots show authoritarian systems can still innovate fast.
  2. China functions as an authoritarian developmental/bureaucratic state with constant tensions between reformers and conservatives, central and local governments, and rural and urban interests, which explains its shifting growth phases from countryside gains to city-led booms and then more balanced growth.
  3. Some big risks have shifted since 2016: the real-estate market proved to be a massive bubble that was popped by policy, and Xi’s mix of anti-corruption and industrial activism has reduced certain problems while concentrating political control and creating new uncertainties.

Why Chinese Elite Rùn to Japan

ChinaTalk • 1082 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🌐 International Immigration Diaspora Cultural Exchange Politics Economics
  1. Many Chinese people, including wealthy families and intellectuals, are moving to Japan for a better quality of life and more freedom to express themselves. They appreciate the cultural and community spaces available in places like Tokyo.
  2. Wealthy Chinese are finding creative ways to transfer money to Japan despite restrictions, often using underground banking networks. They enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in Japan, with good food and healthcare.
  3. Chinese families often choose Japan for their children’s education, as they believe the schooling system is less stressful and competitive than in China. This makes it a popular option for raising families.

I Don’t Want My Father to Be a Martyr Behind Bars

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 714 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🌐 International Human Rights Political Repression National Security Hong Kong China Democracy Legal system
  1. Jimmy Lai, a 78-year-old pro-democracy activist, was convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law and now faces life in prison.
  2. His daughter is grieving and pleads with authorities not to make him a “martyr behind bars,” while still hoping he will come home.
  3. The National Security Law is described as draconian and arbitrary, being used to crush dissent with very high conviction rates and harsh prison conditions like prolonged solitary confinement.

Open Borders and Remote Work

Bet On It • 161 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🌐 International Immigration Remote work Labor markets Migration policy Globalization
  1. Remote work reduces some need to move for jobs, but many roles still require physical presence or regular in-person collaboration, so relocation remains necessary for those jobs.
  2. Time zones and the need for synchronous overlap, plus legal and regulatory hassles like taxes, labor laws, and data rules, make hiring and coordinating across countries difficult and costly.
  3. Local language, culture, and in-person experience improve product quality and daily life, so remote work only slightly weakens the economic case for migration and doesn’t address other reasons people move.
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Top Links 961 Zero-sum economics. Trump's family network. India's coal addiction. Mobiles and stables.

Chartbook • 457 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🌐 International Global Economy Energy Climate Policy Geopolitics Technology
  1. Per-capita economic growth in the West has slowed to under 1% a year since the financial crisis, feeding a sense that economic gains are limited and competition feels zero-sum.
  2. Trump’s family network plays a large role in politics and business, highlighting questions about influence and nepotism.
  3. India’s heavy reliance on coal continues, making it harder to cut emissions and shift toward cleaner energy sources.

Top Links 951 Prime age workers scarcity. Italian alternate history. VW Doubling down on China & The Minimal Winning Coalition.

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌐 International Demographics Economics Industry Geopolitics Politics Labor History
  1. Prime-age workers are becoming scarce worldwide. The number of countries with shrinking working-age populations rose from 2 in 1980 to 50 today and could reach 77 by 2040.
  2. There is renewed interest in imagining alternate histories for Italy, exploring how different choices might have changed its political and social trajectory.
  3. Volkswagen is doubling down on China, signaling deeper business and manufacturing commitments there, and the concept of the "minimal winning coalition" highlights how narrow political alliances can determine policy outcomes.

A Tale of Two Protests

Heterodox STEM • 227 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🌐 International Middle East Protests Human Rights Authoritarianism Terrorism Diaspora Geopolitics
  1. Iranians are staging large, sustained protests despite harsh repression, showing a deep and long-standing popular resistance to theocratic rule.
  2. The regime prioritizes ideological aggression, proxy warfare, and antisemitic scapegoating over citizens’ welfare, leaving the economy and services in collapse.
  3. Abroad there’s a stark contrast: many in the West support Iranian freedom-seekers, while others engage in performative or pro-regime protest, especially among some young activists.

Top Links 964 Germany's little known-recession. China's connectors. Sudan's scale and slavery today.

Chartbook • 343 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🌐 International Geopolitics Global Economy Economic History Conflict Human Rights Infrastructure Trade
  1. Germany's early-2000s recession was a significant but underrated turning point that reshaped parts of Europe’s economic landscape.
  2. China's growing network of infrastructure and trade 'connectors' is reshaping global supply chains and increasing its geopolitical influence.
  3. Sudan is facing large-scale violence and abuses amounting to modern forms of slavery, creating a severe humanitarian and human-rights crisis.

Things Worth Remembering: ‘He Died Standing Up’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5634 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🌐 International Terrorism European Politics
  1. Ten years ago, a terrible attack happened at Charlie Hebdo, killing many people, including the editor. It was one of the worst attacks on free press in recent history.
  2. The world seemed to unite in support for the victims, but not everyone was truly in favor of defending free speech. Many participated in demonstrations but didn't stand up for the values that were attacked.
  3. The notion of freedom of speech is worth defending, even if it comes at a cost. True support for the press means standing firmly by the principles, not just holding pencils in solidarity.

When Scientific Observations Become Political Narrative

Heterodox STEM • 163 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🌐 International Middle East Israel-Palestine Armed Conflict Human Rights Science Policy
  1. Satellite imagery can reliably show what changed on the ground, but it cannot by itself determine intent, legal responsibility, or definitive causes, so reporting should not treat those contested judgments as facts.
  2. Understanding agricultural damage requires full context—past events, armed groups using civilian areas, border controls, and prior infrastructure loss all complicate any simple attribution of blame.
  3. Scientific outlets must separate observation from interpretation and advocacy to keep credibility, and they should correct or clarify pieces that present disputed narratives as settled truth.

Top Links 958 Burned-out doctors. UK deconvergence. The kola trade & "Good tank farms".

Chartbook • 286 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🌐 International Trade Global Health Macroeconomics Geopolitics Energy Agriculture
  1. A large international survey found high levels of physician burnout, with 43% of American doctors reporting they feel burned out.
  2. The roundup brings together diverse geopolitical and economic topics—like UK deconvergence, the kola trade, and industrial "tank farms"—alongside striking images and historical material.
  3. The content is a curated, subscription-supported collection that mixes free and paid posts to fund its continued publication.

Review: How Africa Works

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 31 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🌐 International Economic Development Industrial Policy Agriculture Trade policy Governance Demographics Foreign Aid
  1. Africa began with uniquely difficult endowments — low population density, weak education, concentrated landholding, and fragmented politics — and those constraints help explain its slower growth; as these preconditions improve, disciplined policies that combine land reform, export-focused industry, and directed investment could make a big difference.
  2. When smallholder farmers get secure tenure, inputs, training, and market access, productivity and poverty reduction follow reliably, making agricultural reform the clearest and most persuasive path to broad-based gains.
  3. Export-led manufacturing is a much harder route today because China dominates low-cost production, automation reduces labor intensity, and globalization has slowed, so services-led growth or other alternative paths may be more realistic for many African countries even if they produce lower-wage, lower-skill jobs.

Niall Ferguson Talks to Javier Milei

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1469 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🌐 International Politics Economy Leadership Culture Society
  1. Argentina is facing a huge economic challenge, but change is possible with strong leadership. Javier Milei, the president, aims to turn the situation around and make Argentina a freer country.
  2. Milei's approach includes drastic cuts to government spending, and he symbolizes this with a chainsaw. His leadership style is a mix of serious intellect and a connection to the people through humor and relatable actions.
  3. Despite progress, there are still political hurdles to overcome. Although Milei is optimistic about future reforms, he acknowledges that he needs to navigate the complexities of South American politics.

HOISTED FROM THE ARCHIVES: International Relations Has a "Mearsheimer" Problem

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 169 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🌐 International Geopolitics Foreign Policy Security Studies Great powers Soft Power Authoritarianism Diplomacy
  1. Some realist arguments (like Mearsheimer's) treat great-power aggression as inevitable. That way of thinking can shift blame away from leaders and make theoretical predictions sound like excuses for war crimes.
  2. Russia’s behavior is better explained by long-standing internal factors—autocracy, militarism, and leadership choices—rather than primarily by NATO expansion. Putin’s domestic politics push adventurism that is often counterproductive.
  3. In the modern world military conquest rarely produces durable control and tends to create lasting enemies. Lasting influence comes more from soft power and economic ties than from tanks and occupation.

The Costs of War at Sea

CDR Salamander • 1650 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌐 International Military Warfare History
  1. Large war at sea is inevitable and will have significant costs in terms of lives and resources.
  2. When war erupts, naval and air battles in the Pacific will be intense and potentially overwhelming.
  3. The historical context of war at sea highlights the challenging nature of such conflicts and the need for readiness and action.

Don't Negotiate with Terrorists

Heterodox STEM • 71 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌐 International Foreign Policy Geopolitics Terrorism Security Middle East Diplomacy
  1. Long negotiations with Iran have failed and allowed the regime to advance its nuclear program and carry out violent attacks. Treating such actors as negotiable partners has not produced security or reform.
  2. U.S. political leadership has been compromised by personal interests, corruption, and strategic deals, which leads to weak or inconsistent responses to threats. Those influences discourage decisive action even when national security is at stake.
  3. Many foreign-policy elites are guided by optimistic ideological models that downplay militant Islam and treat all conflicts as solvable by diplomacy. That worldview blinds policymakers to real risks and makes them stick with failing approaches instead of reassessing strategy.

The Short Age of China’s Long Change

Pekingnology • 252 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🌐 International China Modernization Cultural Change Societal Impact Economic Development
  1. China's current 'normal' life, like safe streets and weekends, is actually a recent change. These improvements happened in just a few decades, making them both special and fragile.
  2. Just like a country, people may struggle to keep up with fast changes. It takes time to really adjust and understand new ways of living and working.
  3. Many comforts we take for granted are not as old as we think. We need to appreciate these gains and be careful not to lose them.

Ghana's Concentration Camps For Witches

Grey Goose Chronicles • 1513 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🌐 International Culture Religion Gender Conflict Social Issues
  1. Witchcraft accusations and violence persist in African communities despite efforts to intervene and modernize.
  2. Ghana has concentration camps for accused witches, primarily housing older women who face persecution and violence.
  3. Efforts to close the witch camps have faced challenges, as the camps provide protection and livelihood for the residents.

Was Iran’s Nuclear Program ‘Obliterated’—or Just Set Back a Few Months?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 792 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🌐 International Nuclear policy Military Action Middle East Diplomatic Relations
  1. A report suggests that U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear program had only minor effects, raising questions about their overall impact.
  2. The strikes targeted key facilities associated with Iran's nuclear efforts, including offices linked to a prominent scientist.
  3. Experts and agencies are now trying to determine exactly how much progress Iran's nuclear program has lost due to these military actions.

EI live: Israel threatening Rafah

Palestine is Still the Issue • 589 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌐 International Palestine Gaza Activism Human Rights
  1. Join Electronic Intifada livestream for updates on Israeli actions in Gaza and Palestinian resistance.
  2. Today's lineup includes news round-up, activist Hazami Barmada, updates on BDS victories, and discussion on Israeli threats in Rafah.
  3. Broadcast covers latest Palestinian resistance videos from Gaza and the situation of displaced Palestinians in Rafah.

When the Old-Timers Go Marching In (Part 1) [i]

Black Mountain Analysis • 569 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌐 International Military Conflict Defense Modernization Alliance
  1. The article discusses the use of old air defense missile systems in recent wars, highlighting their continued relevance and effectiveness despite their age.
  2. Various countries have modernized the 2K12 Kub (SA-6) system, improving detection range, reliability, and engagement capabilities to extend the system's service life.
  3. In conflicts like the Yemen civil war, the 2K12 system has been utilized, showcasing potential for ambushing and targeting coalition aircraft with modified IR-homing missiles.

The Eternally, Irreplaceably Vulnerable: Aircraft Carrier at War - with Dr. John T. Kuehn on Midrats

CDR Salamander • 432 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌐 International Military History Naval Warfare
  1. Aircraft carriers are highly vulnerable due to their design and the nature of their operations.
  2. Aircraft carriers play a crucial role in projecting power and national will globally at sea.
  3. Proper utilization of aircraft carriers involves managing their limited resources effectively to maximize their value.

California’s Homegrown Serial-Killing Sicario

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 471 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌐 International Crime Drug Trafficking Organized Crime Murder Cartels
  1. El Mano Negra, a California hitman, shares details of his narco hits and cartel operations in the United States
  2. Martinez, a prolific killer, operated for years without capture but finally faced trial and received multiple life sentences
  3. Martinez's motives for murder ranged from 'honor killings' to serving drug traffickers, highlighting the dark reality of cartel violence in the US

What Ukraine Is Teaching Worcester, Massachusetts

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 278 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🌐 International Diplomacy Conflict Humanitarian Government Partnerships
  1. U.S. cities like Worcester are learning disaster relief strategies from Kherson, Ukraine, instead of just providing aid. This reverse exchange highlights valuable lessons in emergency management.
  2. The partnership between Kherson and Worcester has expanded beyond just emergency relief. They've started sharing knowledge in areas like healthcare and veteran services.
  3. Despite Kherson being in a war zone, the collaboration shows how cities can support each other creatively. Even in tough conditions, they find ways to share impactful solutions.

How Does Russia Make Missiles?

kamilkazani • 353 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌐 International Sanctions
  1. Russian military production relies on the ability to outproduce enemies on the factory floor.
  2. Long range missiles play a crucial role in Russia's nuclear deterrent strategy.
  3. Precision machining is a key chokepoint in the Russian war industry.

Vignettes: War #3

Myth Pilot • 628 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🌐 International War Military Investigation Operations
  1. Captain Price transformed a struggling company into a top-performing unit through rigorous training and leadership.
  2. Captain Price conducted unauthorized missions on deployment, sparking a major investigation.
  3. There were rumors that Captain Price's missions involved search patterns and interrogations, hinting at a secretive agenda.

Chechnya and Dagestan

kamilkazani • 412 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌐 International Government Power Society
  1. Chechnya and Dagestan are two regions in Russia with contrasting characteristics - Chechnya is monoethnic, while Dagestan is highly diverse.
  2. Chechnya has an absolutist regime led by Kadyrov, enforcing extreme compliance and limited displays of wealth, in contrast to Dagestan's anarchic oligarchy with wealthy officials.
  3. Despite Chechnya's tribalist society, the ruling group consists of individuals who have abandoned their kinship allegiances.

How To Understand the Provinces, Prefectures, Counties and Towns of China (Part 1)

Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones • 412 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🌐 International China Geography
  1. China's administrative structure includes province-level, prefecture-level, and county-level units.
  2. Prefecture-level units in China include prefecture-level cities, autonomous prefectures, and traditional prefectures.
  3. County-level units encompass districts, county-level cities, and counties, with varying urbanization levels.

Japan's "untouchables"

The Global Jigsaw • 238 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌐 International Society History Culture Discrimination Identity
  1. Japan has a marginalized group called Burakumin, similar to India's untouchables, with a history of discrimination and social exclusion.
  2. Japanese belief in racial purity and homogeneity is rooted in historical constructs and national identity myths.
  3. Despite efforts to eliminate discrimination, Burakumin still face societal stigma and prejudice in Japan, impacting aspects like marriage and social status.

International Agreements and Laws Shaping Space Exploration

Space Ambition • 119 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌐 International Commercial Space
  1. There is a growing need for clear rules about how to use and own resources in space. As more nations explore the moon, they need to figure out how to work together peacefully.
  2. The Artemis Accords are a new set of principles that promote cooperation and safety in lunar exploration. They aim to ensure that space use is transparent and peaceful, though some of their goals may conflict with older treaties.
  3. As private companies start to play a bigger role in space exploration, laws need to adapt to include these actors. Clear regulations will help guide how they operate and share the benefits of space exploration.

The UK’s trade after Brexit…

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🌐 International Trade Tariffs Economy Trade policy Imports Exports Supply Chains
  1. Tariffs and new paperwork between the UK and the EU sharply cut UK goods exports. Exports fell roughly 0.4% per month and about 40% cumulatively.
  2. Other countries redirected imports away from the UK, so EU total imports stayed stable while UK importers faced higher prices and lower supply and UK exporters were stranded.
  3. Even a large economy like the US can be bypassed, so broad US tariffs could similarly hurt American firms as trading partners find alternatives; services trade is much less affected by goods tariffs.

A Mentality To Build in Saudi Arabia

Christopher’s Newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🌐 International Society Development Culture Economy Innovation
  1. In Saudi Arabia, there is a mentality to build from the bottom up by locals with a great stake in outcomes.
  2. The focus is on talent being unleashed across cities and villages, with a commitment to change and progress.
  3. The shift towards a mentality to build is evident not just in big cities but also in small communities, emphasizing long-term commitment and involvement of locals.

Ruili: The most locked-down city in China

Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones • 235 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🌐 International China Pandemic Lockdowns Recovery Culture
  1. Ruili, China's most locked-down city, faced extensive lockdowns due to border cases from Myanmar.
  2. Ruili's economy heavily relies on the jade industry, but the extensive lockdowns impacted businesses and caused many to leave.
  3. Despite challenges, some locals like Xu show resilience and adaptability, with hopes for Ruili's recovery post-pandemic.

The Russian Draft Dodgers Who Fled to Paradise

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 366 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🌐 International Conflict Immigration Culture Travel Geopolitics
  1. Many Russians are escaping to places like Bali to avoid military drafts and the war. They enjoy a cheaper lifestyle and beautiful surroundings.
  2. Despite their new paradise, some locals in Bali are frustrated with Russian tourists due to bad behavior, which has them on edge.
  3. Not all Russians are focusing on leisure; some, like influencers, share their experiences and concerns about the changing community.