The hottest World Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Free Press Investigations Get Results

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2735 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Gaza Conflict Foreign influence Academic Freedom
  1. DEI initiatives are being scaled back and in some cases shut down in various states, leading to significant reform efforts in higher education
  2. An imam in Gaza who was kidnapped by Hamas was successfully released due to public pressure and challenges to Hamas' legitimacy
  3. A New York City school apologized for removing Israel from a map, sparking discussions on bias, hate, antisemitism, and foreign influence in education

Night Falls in Venezuela

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 918 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Democracy Elections Latin America Authoritarianism
  1. Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in for a third term as president of Venezuela, despite accusations of a stolen election. Many Venezuelans protested, but the government responded with prison sentences for opponents.
  2. María Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure, was briefly released from detention, sparking some hope for change. However, the overall situation remains dark and uncertain.
  3. Recent protests against Maduro were weaker compared to previous years, and important opposition leaders like Edmundo González Urrutia are still in exile. This gives a gloomy outlook for the future of democracy in Venezuela.

West sabotaged Ukraine peace deal with Russia, admit Zelensky official and Germany's ex leader

Geopolitical Economy Report • 498 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Ukraine Russia NATO
  1. Russia wanted a peace deal with Ukraine in March 2022, but NATO countries sabotaged it
  2. The US government prevented peace in Gaza and Ukraine by vetoing resolutions and sending weapons
  3. Multiple sources, including Germany's ex-leader and a top Ukrainian official, confirm the US role in sabotaging peace talks

Expel Russia from UN

Diane Francis • 1099 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🌍 World Politics International Law Geopolitics Global Governance Security Council Conflict resolution
  1. Russia should not be on the UN Security Council because it is acting like a dictator and has committed war crimes. This is similar to putting a criminal in charge of the police.
  2. The UN Security Council has not been able to do its job because of Russia's veto power. A country that causes problems shouldn't have the ability to stop solutions.
  3. Countries like Ukraine and India deserve a permanent seat on the Security Council because of their significant contributions to the world. The UN should be reformed to reflect current realities and not be held back by a single nation.
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Ukraine and Goliath

Diane Francis • 999 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Strategy Conflict resolution Geopolitics Diplomacy
  1. Ukraine is gaining international support by meeting with world leaders. This has helped them secure financial aid and military resources to strengthen their fight.
  2. The battle in Bakhmut has exposed weaknesses in Russia's military. While it has been costly, it has delayed Russian advances and boosted Ukraine's strategic planning.
  3. Ukraine is preparing to improve its air force with advanced jets and defense systems. This will help protect its skies and enhance its military capabilities against Russia.

Dossier Center Investigation: Through diplomatic channels

Unmasking Russia • 334 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Sanctions Business Arctic Corruption
  1. The son of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev managed to cope with sanctions by receiving help from the family of the Norwegian ambassador, who provided ships for his work on the Arctic shelf.
  2. Nikolai Patrushev, a former FSB director and influential figure in Russia, has family members involved in important business dealings related to offshore projects in the Arctic.
  3. Connections between the son of the Norwegian ambassador to Russia and Andrey Patrushev are revealed in business transactions involving companies related to the Arctic shelf and oil and gas fields.

Beyond Growth: A Strategy for Tackling Power. My speech to the EU Conference

System Change • 668 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Models Climate change Monetary Policy Authoritarianism International Finance
  1. The Money Interest holds real power over the planet and must be challenged by focusing on monetary policy.
  2. The economic model discussed highlights the need to shift focus from attacking the 99% for consumption to holding the 1% accountable for overproduction.
  3. To mobilize the majority for change, we must shine a light on the finance sector, educate ourselves on monetary policy, and focus on challenging the 1% instead of the 99%.

Gaza: Where Is Hezbollah?

Kevin’s Newsletter • 589 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East Resistance Conflict Palestine Israel
  1. The Axis of Resistance, led by Hezbollah and others, is monitoring the situation in Gaza closely.
  2. Hezbollah is maintaining its presence and readiness on the Lebanese border, influencing and supporting the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.
  3. Hezbollah's ultimate goal is the liberation of Palestine, and decisions are strategically planned to achieve this in the most effective way.

Russia's Global Genocide

Diane Francis • 999 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Conflict International relations Human Rights
  1. Putin's war in Ukraine is described as a genocide that threatens food supplies for millions around the world. His actions have severely impacted agriculture in Ukraine, which is known as the 'breadbasket' of Europe.
  2. Landmines and destruction from the war have made farming extremely dangerous and led to a significant drop in crop yields. Experts say it will take years to repair the damage and restore Ukraine's agricultural productivity.
  3. The ongoing conflict is causing a global food crisis, with many people facing hunger and food insecurity. Countries, especially in Africa, are feeling the effects, as they rely heavily on grain exports from Ukraine.

Are War Crimes and Ranged Fires The Future Of War?

Phillips’s Newsletter • 117 implied HN points • 07 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics War Crimes Military Strategy International relations State Sovereignty Conflict Studies
  1. The future of war may involve increased use of long-range weapons, making clear battlefields less relevant.
  2. Countries seem to be more willing to commit war crimes while using these weapons, showing a troubling trend.
  3. This shift in warfare is visible from major countries like the USA and Russia and might lead to more targeting of non-combatants.

Six lessons from the 2024 election

Comment is Freed • 77 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Elections Political strategy Public Opinion Polling Media Political parties
  1. Campaign drama and memorable moments are often overvalued and don’t usually shift polls or decide elections. Polls are often stable for long periods, so single events rarely change the outcome.
  2. When votes do move, it’s frequently because of issue-driven polarization (like Brexit) rather than a leader suddenly winning new supporters, so apparent gains may not be a lasting realignment. Parties risk mismatch if their policies don’t fit the new voters they attract.
  3. Avoiding election myths requires careful, data-driven analysis and new thinking about a more fragmented electorate; media and campaign strategies should adapt to changes in polling and coverage.

The Scramble for French Africa

Diane Francis • 659 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Colonial History Military Affairs
  1. Recent military coups in former French colonies, like Gabon and Niger, reflect growing instability as local governments lose support and seek new alliances. This situation is often fueled by foreign powers, especially China and Russia, looking to expand their influence.
  2. France's past colonial actions led to many African countries facing issues like dictatorship and lack of democracy, which has contributed to current unrest. Many African nations feel abandoned by France, leading to a rejection of French military assistance.
  3. As countries like China and Russia gain power in Africa, France is struggling to keep its influence. New leadership may not guarantee democracy, but there is a hope for fair elections and rights, though many see these coups as just swapping one corrupt leader for another.

A Bound Prisoner's Unbowed Humanity

Humanities in Revolt • 319 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ethics Humanity Occupation
  1. The viral image of an Israeli soldier standing over a bound Palestinian raises questions about the concepts of heroism, martyrdom, and the treatment of prisoners.
  2. The response to the image sparks discussion on the practices of the Israeli military, ethical considerations, and the portrayal of the prisoner's humanity.
  3. The post delves into the ideologies of heroism, martyrdom, and Judaism, emphasizing the importance of valuing human life and dignity over the glorification of force and domination.

BRICS Bank de-dollarizing, promises 30% of loans in local currencies, new chief Dilma Rousseff says

Geopolitical Economy Report • 657 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics BRICS De-dollarization Global South Foreign Exchange
  1. The BRICS New Development Bank is moving away from the US dollar and intends to provide 30% of loans in local currencies to member countries.
  2. The initiative to de-dollarize loans is seen as a step towards helping member countries avoid exchange rate risks and finance shortages that can hinder long-term investments.
  3. There is a push within BRICS, led by figures like Dilma Rousseff and Lula da Silva, to challenge US dollar dominance in global financial transactions and promote fairer systems of monetary exchange.

Brazil's Lula travels to China and calls to end US dollar dominance

Geopolitical Economy Report • 657 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Economic Cooperation International Trade Global Development
  1. Brazil's President Lula da Silva visited China to deepen strategic partnerships and challenge US dollar dominance by signing cooperation agreements, focusing on trading in local currencies.
  2. China is Brazil's largest trading partner, with significant trade surpluses, and both countries have seen substantial growth in bilateral trade over the years.
  3. Political coups in Brazil, backed by the US, led to economic downturns, but under Lula and Dilma, the country advanced, lifting millions out of poverty and shaping key economic relationships.

The Tag Team Fails in Iran

John’s Substack • 28 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Iran Middle East Regime Change Foreign Policy Sanctions Intelligence
  1. The US and Israel ran a coordinated campaign — sanctions, covert agents, Starlink support, and plans for military action — intended to produce regime change in Iran. That effort failed when Iran suppressed the protests and cut off the communications that sustained them.
  2. Western and Israeli media presented the protests as mainly an internal popular uprising and downplayed foreign interference, which helped legitimize the campaign and shape public perception. This framing obscured the reported role of outside backing and violent agitators.
  3. The 12-Day war and the US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites did not deliver a clear, lasting victory for Israel or the US, and Iran still retains missile capabilities and the ability to rebuild parts of its nuclear program. The failed campaign may increase Iran’s incentive to seek a stronger deterrent.

The New York Times simps for nationalism abroad

Yasha Levine • 648 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Nationalism Russia Democracy International relations
  1. The New York Times is accused of projecting nationalist ideas onto foreign countries while not supporting nationalism domestically.
  2. The writer critiques the idea that Russia needs to be broken up for democracy to flourish, highlighting the implication that a multi-ethnic country is seen as illegitimate.
  3. The essay discusses the importance of homogeneity in a nation-state, contrasting it with the diversity of multi-ethnic societies.

The Nadezhdin Phenomenon

Russian Dissent • 353 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Russian Politics Elections Opposition Political trends
  1. A new opposition candidate in Russia is gaining significant public attention and support, challenging the established political landscape.
  2. The emergence of Boris Nadezhdin as a popular presidential candidate reflects deeper political trends and divisions within the Russian government.
  3. Nadezhdin's campaign, focused on anti-war sentiments and democratic changes, is resonating with a growing number of Russian citizens, sparking civic activity and potentially impacting the legitimacy of upcoming elections.

World roundup: September 12 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 648 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Syria Iraq Lebanon Japan Sudan Russia Ukraine Mexico United States
  1. Syrian Democratic Forces faced resistance in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province despite claiming control
  2. Iraq relocating Iranian Kurdish opposition to comply with agreement, amid threat of Iranian attacks
  3. Japanese government appoints active duty official to defense attache in Taiwan, potentially escalating tensions with China

World roundup: October 14-15 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 628 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Israel-Palestine Syria Iraq Lebanon Iran
  1. The Israeli army is poised to enter Gaza amidst a relentless bombardment with high death tolls on both sides.
  2. The Biden administration has influenced the easing of the Israeli siege to allow water back into Gaza, although comprehensive aid efforts are still hindered.
  3. In Ecuador, the presidential election resulted in a victory for Daniel Noboa over leftist candidate Luisa González, which could have significant implications.

There is an urgent need to unlock labor productivity in African economies

An Africanist Perspective • 613 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Development Debt crisis Trade
  1. African economies are facing a decline in growth rates due to reliance on commodity exports and insufficient wage job creation, with potential negative implications for the future.
  2. Policymakers must find a delicate balance to prevent liquidity crises from turning into solvency crises, focus on revitalizing economic dynamism in major economies like Nigeria and South Africa, and prioritize intra-Africa trade for economic growth.
  3. The decline in labor productivity in African countries is a significant challenge, requiring urgent attention and structural reforms to promote domestic commercial revolutions and create more jobs.

Trump boasts he wanted to take Venezuela's oil after overthrowing its government

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions
  1. Former US President Donald Trump openly expressed his desire to control Venezuela's oil reserves, showing a clear motive behind the 2019 US coup attempt.
  2. The Trump administration's focus on Venezuela's oil resources was evident from various high-ranking officials' statements and actions, aiming to exploit the country's natural wealth.
  3. Venezuelan officials reacted strongly to Trump's statements, condemning them as evidence of US intentions to exploit their country's resources and urging for international legal action.

Sanctions 'undermine hegemony of dollar', US Treasury admits

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Geopolitics Global Economy International relations Humanitarian Issues
  1. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged that unilateral sanctions could weaken the dominance of the dollar.
  2. Sanctions have caused millions of deaths around the world, with examples like Iraq and Venezuela.
  3. Yellen implied that US plans involve using some of Russia's seized foreign exchange reserves to fund Ukraine reconstruction, which could have geopolitical implications.

Criminals welcome as US recruits foreign proxies to wage 'irregular war' on adversaries

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🌍 World Politics Proxy warfare Military operations International relations Foreign Policy Human Rights
  1. The US military recruits foreign fighters as proxies for irregular warfare but does not vet them for past atrocities.
  2. Special Operations Command plays a significant role in secretive shadow wars across the globe.
  3. US special operations forces have been active in the majority of countries worldwide, focusing heavily on irregular warfare.