The hottest World Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Links 542 King coal. How Europe is still buying Russian gas. Big money is not speaking up for Harris & the Empresa de China.

Chartbook β€’ 329 implied HN points β€’ 26 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Energy Policy Economics Geopolitics Environmental Issues
  1. Europe is still buying Russian gas despite the ongoing conflict, showing a complicated relationship with energy sources.
  2. Global coal consumption has hit record highs due to rising electricity demand around the world.
  3. There seems to be a lack of support from major investors for politicians like Harris and companies like Empresa de China.

US launched 251 military interventions since 1991, and 469 since 1798

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 378 implied HN points β€’ 13 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Political History Geopolitics
  1. The US conducted 469 military interventions since 1798, with 251 occurring after 1991.
  2. The Congressional Research Service's report classifies only 11 US interventions as formal declarations of war out of the total 469.
  3. The data excludes covert actions, special operations, and domestic deployments, reflecting conservative estimates.

The Peace that Guarantees War

The Cosmopolitan Globalist β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 23 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Security Foreign Policy War NATO Russia Ukraine
  1. The draft peace is actually a capitulation that would force Ukraine to cede territory, demilitarize, and forego NATO membership, giving Russia the time and space to rebuild its military.
  2. Because Russia has repeatedly broken agreements, rewarding it with recognition, sanctions relief, and economic reintegration would likely embolden further aggression across Europe and beyond.
  3. Implementing this plan would destroy U.S. credibility and split its allies, making future large-scale conflicts β€” possibly involving Americans and even nuclear risks β€” far more likely, and domestic political indifference makes that outcome easier to achieve.

It’s Time To Save Civilization From The Pathocratic State

Public β€’ 766 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Media Control Authoritarianism Totalitarianism Disinformation
  1. The media and political establishment are seen as a greater threat to democracy than populist movements.
  2. The term 'pathocracy' is used to describe leadership positions filled with narcissists and psychopaths.
  3. Governments and mainstream establishments have engaged in manipulative and authoritarian actions over the years.
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Top Links 553 Wrangling over lithography machines. Thai coups. Power plays in Vietnam & the collapsing Lao state.

Chartbook β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 06 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Southeast Asia Conflict Studies Political Systems
  1. There is ongoing competition and negotiation regarding lithography machines, which are crucial for semiconductor manufacturing. This shows how technology is tied to global power dynamics.
  2. Recent political changes, like coups in Thailand, highlight instability in the region. Such events can shift the balance of power and affect international relations.
  3. Vietnam's power struggles and the crisis in Laos indicate significant challenges in governance and stability in Southeast Asia. These issues impact the lives of many people in these countries.

Kazakhstan Defies Vlad

Diane Francis β€’ 679 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Central Asia Diplomacy Energy Politics
  1. Kazakhstan is standing up to Russia and has openly criticized Putin's actions in Ukraine. This shows that Kazakhstan wants to assert its independence and build better ties with other countries.
  2. Kazakhstan is rich in resources like oil and uranium and is making plans to export its resources to Europe without relying on Russia. They are working on new pipelines to connect to European markets.
  3. The Kazakh leader has been reforming the country and moving closer to allies like Turkey and China. This shift could help Kazakhstan become a key player in Central Asia and beyond.

How prosperous is Greece?

The Greek Analyst β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 29 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Growth
  1. The Legatum Prosperity Index measures prosperity across wealth, education, health, well-being, and quality of life, providing valuable insights into a country's prosperity levels.
  2. Greece's prosperity levels have been continuously improving in the past 5 years, reaching an all-time high in 2023 and currently ranking 40th globally.
  3. Across all 12 prosperity pillars, Greece has shown improvement, moving up from all-time lows and improving its rankings in 9 out of 12 pillars between 2019 and 2023.

A Tale of Two Boats

Pen>Sword β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Refugees Media Coverage Inequality Humanitarian Crisis
  1. Mainstream media often prioritizes coverage of wealthy individuals over stories of marginalized groups like refugees
  2. The tale of two boats highlights the stark differences in attention and rescue efforts based on the socioeconomic status of the individuals involved
  3. Media coverage and societal value of human life are often disproportionately distributed

A Brutal Invasion: Hidden Values and Two 20-Year Anniversaries

Humanities in Revolt β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 09 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics War Media Leaders Ethics Iraq
  1. Different language and judgmental terms are used in the media when reporting on civilian casualties of different events, showcasing potential biases and hidden values.
  2. The media coverage on the victims of the September 11 attacks differs significantly from the reporting on victims of the Iraq War, revealing inconsistencies in how humanizing language is applied.
  3. There is a call for more honest and inclusive reporting in the news media and political discourse about the events of the Iraq War, urging for a broader and objective portrayal of facts and perspectives.

Latin America's plan to challenge US dollar with new currency and 'regional financial architecture'

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 02 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics US Hegemony
  1. Latin America is planning to challenge the US dollar dominance by creating a new regional currency and financial architecture, aiming to reduce dependency on the dollar and IMF.
  2. The proposed regional currency called 'Sur' could transform the landscape as the US dollar is currently used in 96% of trade transactions in the Americas.
  3. The combined economies of Latin America make up nearly half the size of the US economy, showcasing significant potential for growth and economic independence if unified.

Powerful, but within the orbit of the empire

Global Inequality and More 3.0 β€’ 724 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Global order Hegemony Foreign Policy
  1. Subimperial powers have significant influence in their area while serving the imperial system.
  2. Australia exemplifies a subimperial power, aligning with the United States post-World War II.
  3. The global order includes subimperial, hegemonic, and vassal states, with economic incentives and strategic roles at play.

Star Wars

Diane Francis β€’ 519 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Affairs Geopolitics Cyber Warfare
  1. Space has become very important in modern warfare, with satellites playing key roles in communications and intelligence gathering. Countries like the US, Russia, and China are investing heavily in their space capabilities.
  2. Russia threatened to target satellites like Elon Musk's Starlink that help Ukraine in its war effort, showing how conflicts are reaching into outer space. The US warned that attacks on these satellites would bring consequences.
  3. There is concern about the increasing weaponization of space. While full-blown space battles are unlikely soon, countries are developing technologies that could allow them to act aggressively in space.

Israel’s Forever War

Comment is Freed β€’ 77 implied HN points β€’ 06 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Conflict Studies Diplomacy Peace process
  1. Israel's need for peace with the Palestinians is crucial, especially after decades of conflict. Various leaders have tried to address this issue, but lasting solutions have proven hard to achieve.
  2. The recognition of a Palestinian state is becoming more accepted internationally, reflecting a desire for resolution in the region. However, the path to achieving this remains uncertain.
  3. Current Israeli leadership is at risk of increasing isolation, as they avoid negotiations with Palestinians. Without dialogue, finding a stable solution will be very difficult.

The Justice of Bukele?

Bet On It β€’ 674 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Law Justice Authoritarianism Human Rights Corruption
  1. Nayib Bukele's policies in El Salvador have significantly reduced the murder rate, but come at a cost of widespread jailing and lack of fair trials.
  2. The debate on Bukele's justice system involves utilitarian calculations which weigh saving lives against infringing on rights, highlighting moral pluralism.
  3. The emphasis on the importance of trials in a justice system is viewed primarily from an epistemic standpoint, weighing the trade-offs of accuracy and potential errors.

War in our time

Taipology β€’ 69 implied HN points β€’ 09 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics Conflict Diplomacy International relations War Studies Geopolitics
  1. There are two views of the war in Ukraine: one from the western media, which portrays Ukrainian bravery, and the harsh reality on the ground, where Ukrainians are facing heavy losses without enough support.
  2. The situation for Ukrainian forces is dire, as they often find themselves in areas where retreat is impossible and many are losing their lives in these tense situations.
  3. Negotiation might be the best option for Ukraine since the current strategies seem unsustainable, and the country faces challenges in maintaining support and resources against a more populous adversary.

Shipping Costs Rise Amid Global Tension

The Sunday Morning Post β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Trade Routes Military Conflicts Humanitarian Crisis Global Economy
  1. Shipping costs have significantly increased due to disruptions in global trade routes, impacting the U.S. economy and potentially leading to inflation.
  2. The conflict in the Red Sea, led by Houthi attacks, has forced ships to take longer routes, costing more in time and money.
  3. The U.S. involvement in the conflict with the Houthis raises concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East and potential long-term military campaigns.

The day the world should have changed

The Raven β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Nuclear Weapons International relations Military Spending
  1. Humanity missed the opportunity to shift away from power-based relations on the day of the Trinity test in 1945.
  2. Efforts for international nuclear control failed post-Trinity test, leading to modern nuclear threats and arms races.
  3. Creating a peaceful world requires moving beyond power dynamics to empathy and compassion in all aspects of society.

India & Energy

Life in the 21st Century β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics India Energy US Europe China
  1. India's population is the same size as China's, making up 35% of the global population.
  2. India's energy usage per capita is 7% of the United States, showing a huge gap in lifestyle and energy consumption.
  3. India's development model should not follow the West, requiring a new approach to 'development' for the entire world.

China accuses the US of developing weapons targeting the Chinese race

Wenhao’s news blog β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics National Security Conspiracy Theories International relations
  1. China accuses the US of developing genetically engineered weapons targeting specific races, including Chinese, European, and Middle Eastern
  2. The accusation is based on an old Chinese state media article from 20 years ago, not recent revelations by the Wall Street Journal as claimed
  3. Activist Tong Zeng has been linking various events, such as the SARS outbreak and Covid-19 pandemic, to alleged US biological warfare activities

Civilization and Its Distrusts

Earthly Fortunes β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 01 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Trust AI Impact Psychological Warfare Democracy
  1. Generative AI tools can be used as weapons to spread untruths and break the foundations of trust in society.
  2. Untruth campaigns have historically led to the downfall of nations, like the story of Guatemala in 1954.
  3. Trust is the foundation of society, and defending it from the constant barrage of untruths is crucial to prevent societal breakdown.

Why has Latin American female employment risen in the absence of growth?

The Great Gender Divergence β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Employment Social Change Cultural Shifts Media influence
  1. Latin American female employment has increased despite economic stagnation, challenging conventional wisdom.
  2. Latin America's unique situation suggests that women's desire to work may increase with rising opportunity costs.
  3. Social and economic factors like hyper-inflation and individualism may play a significant role in driving female employment in Latin America.

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Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Conflicts Diplomacy Leadership
  1. China is intensifying military preparations to potentially attack Taiwan, raising concerns internationally.
  2. It is important for Taiwan's future leaders to avoid policies or actions seen as promoting independence to prevent conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
  3. Reaching a new consensus between China and the U.S. on the Taiwan issue is crucial to avoid war and dispel the shadow of conflict.

China’s new premier Li Qiang appeared to have pushed all the right buttons to project a pro-business and pragmatic governing style.

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics China Leadership Economy Diplomacy
  1. Li Qiang emphasized focus on reviving the economy in the next five years, reassuring the private sector and promising to improve the entrepreneurship environment.
  2. Li Qiang made it clear that his role is to execute plans set out by President Xi Jinping, showing a change from past premier styles.
  3. Li Qiang maintained a sharp focus on reviving the economy during his press conference, dedicating less time to international relations and emphasizing the importance of field research.

Picturing HCMC's Future

Vietnam Weekly β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 03 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Legislation Economic Development
  1. Resolution 98 aims to address various issues in Ho Chi Minh City, including infrastructure, housing market, climate risks, and urban management.
  2. City leaders are looking to overcome previous failures and boost economic development with Resolution 98.
  3. Specific mechanisms like increased salaries and the BOT model for traffic projects are part of the action plan for implementing Resolution 98.

Sovereign Individuals detected in Argentina?

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Government International Law Sovereignty Activism Civil Liberties
  1. A couple and their children in Argentina refused to show ID, claiming to be 'citizens of the world'.
  2. They faced legal consequences for not following national laws and ended up in a situation involving federal authorities.
  3. The incident raises questions about personal sovereignty and the balance between individual freedom and state regulations.

Political Science

Life in the 21st Century β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics Political Science Democracy Science Technology History
  1. Science and politics are intertwined, and there is a need to integrate scientific understanding into political decision-making.
  2. Democracy is about taking action and beginning something new, with every citizen playing a role in decision-making and implementation.
  3. The power to act in modern politics has shifted towards scientists and technologists, highlighting the importance of understanding the influence of science and technology in political systems.

The Greek Airbnb Discussion

The Greek Analyst β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Regulation
  1. Engaging the public in discussions about regulations (like Airbnb) can lead to more widely accepted decisions.
  2. Using tools like Polis for public deliberation can help identify shared values and preferences among large groups of people.
  3. Citizen participation and transparency in decision-making processes can bridge differences and focus on common goals.

What Should We Do About Ukraine?

Gideon's Substack β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 26 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Conflict analysis Diplomacy Geopolitics
  1. The recent peace proposal for Ukraine has sparked division, with some seeing it as a surrender and others as a necessary step to save Ukraine from losing the war entirely.
  2. There’s a belief that Ukraine’s independence is crucial not just for them, but also for European countries worried about Russia's power and ambitions.
  3. The ability to form a united and strong European defense against Russia is uncertain, especially with the rise of populist governments, leaving the future of both Ukraine and Europe in a precarious position.

The Weirdest Air Campaign In History

Phillips’s Newsletter β€’ 102 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict International relations Military Strategy Geopolitics Diplomacy
  1. The air campaign between Israel and the US against Iran is unusual and raises many questions. It shows how complex military actions can be.
  2. Donald Trump's involvement changed the focus of the campaign, which might have helped Iran in some unexpected ways. His actions shifted the narrative.
  3. A ceasefire has been reached, but it leaves us wondering about the true impact and future of the conflict. It might take a long time to understand what really happened.

Natural Gas Between Russia and Europe

Doomberg β€’ 231 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Energy International relations Conflict Economic Policy
  1. Natural gas is a key issue in the relationship between Russia and Europe. This topic has a long history and is very relevant today.
  2. The geopolitical situation is changing rapidly, which affects how countries interact regarding energy resources.
  3. Looking ahead, it's important to understand the current gas crisis to anticipate future developments in energy supply and security.