The hottest World Politics Substack posts right now

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Pause for the cause

Energy Flux • 176 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Markets Energy security Geopolitics
  1. The Biden administration's decision to pause LNG export approvals has many implications for European energy security.
  2. Global gas markets are reacting to Biden's 'pause' on US LNG export approvals.
  3. The post discusses various angles related to the impact of the LNG export pause and its connection to the decarbonisation agenda.

How exit bans are harming China’s push to welcome foreign business

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 353 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Human Rights China U.S. Relations
  1. China's exit bans are worrying foreign executives considering travel to the mainland.
  2. Exit bans can be arbitrarily applied and can violate international laws and human rights.
  3. The expansive use of exit bans may deter overseas business deals and harm China's reputation for foreign investment.

Ukraine Conflict Monitor - 17 June – 23 June 2023 (Weekly update)

Ukraine Conflict Monitor • 353 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Ukraine conflict Russian military
  1. Ukrainian forces had minimal gains in the southern region, and the counteroffensive momentum has slowed down.
  2. Reports of an operational pause in the southern direction are unlikely as rotations of attacks continue on a regular basis.
  3. Russian artillery and ground units returned to previously occupied positions, with limited missile and drone attacks reported.

Die Fürstenstadt

kamilkazani • 353 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Economy Soviet Union
  1. Under the Soviet centrally planned economy, cities were assigned 'supply categories' which determined the amount of food available on shelves.
  2. Provincial Soviet cities of lower supply categories sometimes had no food on shelves and had to rely on scraps from higher status cities or grow their own food.
  3. There was a significant shadow economy in the USSR where people could obtain food through means like buying from growers or thieves.
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TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 353 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Russia China Propaganda Economics Conflict
  1. The author uses their newsletter as a form of therapy to deal with anxiety and discomfort.
  2. The author reflects on the positive response to their Twitter threads and news analysis, while also considering potential biases in their thinking.
  3. The author recommends reading investigative reports on Russian propaganda, military-industrial control, and Western companies' involvement in Russia to understand the political landscape better.

Will America Abandon the Kurds—Again?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Middle East Security Issues Diplomacy Human Rights
  1. The Kurds in Syria are worried about a possible invasion by Turkish-backed forces and feel betrayed by the lack of support from the U.S.
  2. Despite efforts to negotiate with Turkey, Kurdish leaders believe all diplomatic talks have failed, leaving them in a desperate situation.
  3. Kurdish leaders have reached out to the U.S. for help, emphasizing their role as loyal allies and pleading for protection against the looming threat.

The Arctic is the next frontier in the new cold war

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Indigenous Peoples
  1. The Arctic is rapidly becoming a militarized zone of power politics in the new cold war, contested by major global powers like the US, Europe, Russia, and China.
  2. Climate change impacting the Arctic is altering global trade routes and has sparked geopolitical competition over navigation rights and resource exploitation.
  3. The rights and voices of Indigenous peoples in the Arctic, like the Inuit and Sami, are crucial in the political dynamics of the region, especially in light of growing tensions and resource interests.

Lions and Lambs

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 11 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Elections Macroeconomics Monetary Policy Exchange rates Capital flows Religious politics
  1. Milei’s shock-therapy disinflation has stalled and even reversed, forcing a shift to slower, reserve-building policies; now the government must juggle a painful tradeoff between lowering inflation, rebuilding reserves, and keeping growth.
  2. Sustainable reserve accumulation is the linchpin for stability — without reserves confidence collapses, capital flight resumes, and the country risks sudden funding stops; relying on foreign borrowing or a hoped-for export/FDI boom is risky given big upcoming dollar debt needs and large private dollar holdings.
  3. A major evangelical presidential surge looks unlikely in the short run because Milei’s economic project both competes for the same support and hasn’t produced the large-scale displacement that typically fuels pentecostal political power, though long-term economic dislocation could change that dynamic.

Russia's Game of Thrones

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics National Security Conflict Studies Political Power Regime Change
  1. Putin's rule in Russia is marked by extreme paranoia and violence, with rival factions forming amid fears of losing power. Assassination and other brutal tactics are used to silence opposition.
  2. A variety of illegal armed groups are emerging, each with their own goals, some wanting to overthrow Putin and others preparing for chaos after his rule. This shows a deep divide among the elite and a potential shift in power.
  3. Political dynamics in Russia are changing, with increasing challenges to Putin's authority. Historical patterns suggest that if he loses a war or power, he could be replaced through backdoor negotiations or even force.

The truth about the Jews

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1710 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Middle East International relations Peace Geopolitics
  1. Jewish friends feel disconnected and hurt when others don't reach out or show support during difficult times
  2. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict brings complexities and challenges, making it hard to find a clear path to peace
  3. The struggle for safety and peace continues for Jews, highlighting the historical and ongoing challenges they face

Ukraine's Zelensky sends love letter to US corporations, promising 'big business' for Wall Street

Geopolitical Economy Report • 438 implied HN points • 25 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Neoliberalism Foreign Relations Corporate Influence Economic Policy International Trade
  1. Ukrainian president Zelensky is actively seeking investment from US corporations like BlackRock, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs, encouraging them to do business in Ukraine.
  2. Zelensky's government has implemented aggressive anti-worker policies, limiting union rights and encouraging a pro-corporate environment.
  3. Western governments and corporations are planning aggressive neoliberal reforms for Ukraine, aiming to privatize and deregulate industries with the help of powerful entities like BlackRock.

Ukraine’s Strategic Drone Offensive Against Russian Energy: Part One

Glen’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 26 May 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Strategy Conflict analysis Energy security Geopolitics
  1. Ukraine is using long-range drones to attack Russian oil refineries and energy facilities. This is a new strategy that disrupts Russia's economy and war efforts.
  2. These drone strikes have significantly reduced Russian oil production, leading to increased fuel prices and supply shortages in Russia. It's estimated that Ukrainian attacks have cut Russian oil production by about 14%.
  3. By targeting specific energy infrastructure rather than ports, Ukraine aims to hurt Russia's ability to refine oil, causing deeper economic issues without triggering a spike in global oil prices.

World Policing or World Perfecting?

In My Tribe • 637 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Military Strategy Global Governance International relations Regional conflicts
  1. Policing the world can be necessary sometimes, like ensuring safe navigation and commerce. However, trying to forcefully change other countries' systems usually leads to problems.
  2. Past U.S. actions in the Middle East often focused too much on perfection, like trying to build democracies instead of just maintaining order. This overreaching has had high costs without much benefit.
  3. America should find a balance between policing and staying less involved globally. While policing might not be ideal, it's often better than allowing worse alternatives like unchecked aggression from other nations.

Whither China 5: No, China is not competing with India for Wall Street's attention.

Chartbook • 1316 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Globalization Investment Trade Geopolitics Economy
  1. Wall Street is pulling billions from China's economy and shifting focus to India, creating a significant change in global markets.
  2. Financial flows in China show a trade surplus, with global investors moving away from China and towards India.
  3. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into China has drastically decreased since 2022, reflecting investor concerns about geopolitics and domestic policies.

Nói chuyện tại Hội đồng Lý luận TW

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 898 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Cybersecurity National Security Policy International relations Government
  1. Attending unexpected events can lead to valuable opportunities and insights.
  2. Being open to new experiences can help overcome initial hesitations and lead to positive outcomes.
  3. Engaging with diverse audiences and sharing valuable perspectives can foster mutual respect and meaningful conversations.

Exaggerating China's military spending, St. Louis Fed breaks all statistical rules with misleading graph

Geopolitical Economy Report • 438 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Military Statistics Propaganda US-China Relations
  1. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published a misleading graph suggesting China spends more on military than the US, but in reality, the US military budget is three times larger.
  2. The graph's depiction of military expenditure by different countries was misleading due to the use of separate axes for China and the US, creating a false impression.
  3. China's military spending, when looked at accurately, is much smaller than the US when considering GDP percentage, per capita measurement, and even in comparison to other top spenders.

Economists Radhika Desai & Michael Hudson explain multipolarity, decline of US hegemony

Geopolitical Economy Report • 458 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Financial system
  1. Economists discussed how the rise of a multipolar world and the decline of US hegemony are shaping global affairs.
  2. They highlighted the differences in financial systems between the US and China, emphasizing China's public utility approach to finance.
  3. The conversation touched on the importance of creating an international bank to oversee reserves and promote infrastructure development across countries.

Weekend Update #144: The Triumph Of Ukrainian Civil Society (And The Degradation Of Ours)

Phillips’s Newsletter • 158 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Civil Society Corruption Military Strategy Geopolitics
  1. Ukrainian civil society is powerful and has shown resilience, especially by opposing government actions that threaten anti-corruption agencies. This unity indicates a strong desire for a better future.
  2. Recent ranged attacks by Ukraine on Russian logistics suggest a more aggressive military strategy, but it's unclear if they can maintain this momentum over time.
  3. Criticism of leaders, like Zelensky, doesn't weaken the democratic efforts in Ukraine; rather, it strengthens them by holding officials accountable and pushing for a transparent government.

NATO: Fight "Fire with Fire"

Diane Francis • 759 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Strategy Geopolitics Conflict analysis Defense Policy
  1. NATO needs to increase military support for Ukraine quickly to match Russia's aggression. Ukraine requires more tanks, fighter jets, and long-range rockets to effectively counter Putin's forces.
  2. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is unlikely to end with negotiations. A decisive victory for Ukraine is necessary to ensure peace and the removal of Putin's threat.
  3. To avoid a stalemate, the West must fully commit to supporting Ukraine's military efforts. This includes supplying advanced weapons and making clear announcements of support to boost morale and deter Russia.

On conflict and peacebuilding in African states

An Africanist Perspective • 376 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Peacebuilding Mercenaries
  1. Preventing conflicts in African states involves more than just promoting democracy and good governance; a deeper understanding of complex factors like identity, power dynamics, and economic incentives is crucial.
  2. African states' weakness and susceptibility to conflicts stem from historical and structural factors, like the maintenance of colonial borders and lack of incentives for strong state-building.
  3. To reduce conflict likelihood, African states should focus on improving rural governance, addressing international dimensions, localizing conflicts, and avoiding the use of mercenaries.

The Struggle to be Solidarity Nation

Holodoxa • 179 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Israel Cultural Practices Youth Programs Military Service National Identity
  1. Israel's national solidarity is explored in 'The Genius of Israel,' suggesting a unique ability to balance tradition and modernity, individualism and collectivism.
  2. Key social institutions like the kibbutz, youth movements (gibush), the military (IDF), and mechina programs play a crucial role in shaping Israel's collective identity and resilience.
  3. Israel's success in economic growth, demographic health, and social cohesion is attributed to the balance between individual and collective forces, with the IDF serving as both a defense mechanism and a training ground for intergroup collaboration.

Kabuki Theater with Iran & Russia

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Geopolitics Middle East Nuclear Weapons Diplomacy Security
  1. Talks between the US and Iran are unlikely to yield a real agreement because the core dispute — the US demanding Iran give up enrichment while Iran refuses — is basically irreconcilable.
  2. The negotiations often look like Kabuki theater: performative, ritualized talks that routinely go nowhere, much like past US–Russia negotiations.
  3. Even if a deal were reached, Israel would likely still see Iran as a target and pressure would remain for action, so the US would probably continue policies that target Iran as well.

Chartbook 270: How Russia makes missiles - an important report from Rhodus Intelligence

Chartbook • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military Manufacturing Imports Sanctions
  1. The war in Ukraine showcases Russia's significant advantage in missile production compared to Europe and the US.
  2. Russia's ability to sustain high levels of missile output is linked to its strategic importation of advanced CNC machines, particularly from the West and China.
  3. The Rhodus Intelligence report reveals the complex dynamics of Russia's military production surge, showcasing the importance of machine tools and imports in modern missile manufacturing.

No Way to Win in Iran

John’s Substack • 10 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Security Diplomacy Military Strategy Middle East US Policy
  1. The United States currently has no good military option against Iran, and launching a full-scale attack would be strategically unwise even though it remains possible.
  2. Israel has carried out major strikes on Iran both independently and with U.S. involvement, but it now appears reluctant to join a U.S.-only campaign.
  3. Israeli leaders pushed different U.S. presidents to act—failing with one and succeeding with another—suggesting political maneuvering where one side may be getting played.

From street strategists to establishment pundits

Pekingnology • 33 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics China Geopolitics Social media Censorship Propaganda Public Opinion Nationalism
  1. Both lowbrow "street strategists" and polished establishment pundits sell the same simplified, conspiratorial view of geopolitics—one shouts for mass audiences while the other dresses the same instincts in elite language.
  2. Attention-driven platforms, limited public access to deep knowledge, and selective moderation create a self-reinforcing feedback loop that rewards sensational, easy-to-digest narratives and builds closed communities.
  3. Banning a single influencer won’t fix the problem: demand and the ecosystem produce replacements, and over time these simplified narratives can reshape mainstream opinion and nudge policy.

Our Civilizational Trajectory and the Dangers of a Single Story

Pluriversal Planet • 216 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Colonialism Hegemony Resistance Narratives Globalism
  1. The unfolding tragedy of Gaza reveals the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future civilizations.
  2. Colonialism manifests through genocide, ecocide, and epistemicide, supported by neoliberal capitalism.
  3. Emergent narratives from voices suppressed by the hegemony offer seeds of hope for a pluriversal future beyond homogeneity.

Top Links 651 Is China Trump-proof? The global growth of the welfare state. Disintegrating Sudan & "Broadcasting the Barricades".

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Globalization Sovereignty International relations Conflict
  1. China may be able to withstand challenges posed by the U.S., but the implications are worth exploring.
  2. There is a noticeable trend of more countries enhancing their welfare systems around the world.
  3. The situation in Sudan is deteriorating, highlighting the importance of public awareness and activism.

Chartbook: Whither China? Part II - Posen v. Pettis or "authoritarian impasse" v. "structural dead-end"

Chartbook • 1859 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics China Global Trade Economic Analysis
  1. Different interpretations exist regarding China's economic problems, with one side emphasizing authoritarian impasse and the other focusing on structural issues.
  2. The authoritarian impasse view highlights an inevitable downfall of authoritarian regimes, while the structural analysis points to socio-economic inequality as the root cause of China's economic challenges.
  3. The solutions proposed by each side differ, with one advocating for regime change and the other suggesting a shift towards a more inclusive growth model.

A Janus-Faced Administration

Policy Tensor • 334 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Diplomacy Global Conflicts International relations
  1. The Biden administration is combining dovish domestic policies with a muscular foreign policy, particularly against Russia and China.
  2. The Inflation Reduction Act includes significant tax credits for energy transition and corporate investments, aiming to drive a sustainable energy shift.
  3. The administration's approach in foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and China, is raising questions about the effectiveness of the strategy and potential risks in escalating tensions.

Top Links 650 Why Europe and India are still buying Russian energy. Friedman and Schwartz disaggregated. Cuba in Africa and the decline of the all-nighter.

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Energy Politics Geopolitics European Politics
  1. Europe and India continue to purchase Russian energy because it remains cheap and reliable. This reliance is significant even amidst global tensions.
  2. The discussion includes analysis from Friedman and Schwartz, providing insights into different perspectives regarding energy purchases.
  3. There are broader topics addressed, like Cuba's role in Africa and cultural shifts such as the decline of late-night activities, suggesting a variety of social dynamics at play.