The hottest World Politics Substack posts right now

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Tang Shiping on The New Landscape of International Political Economy and Economic Development of the Global South

Pekingnology • 71 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Economic Development Global South Political Economy
  1. Countries in the Global South have gained more confidence and can now take charge of their own development. They have learned that they cannot just follow Western advice, as they need to find solutions that work specifically for them.
  2. New technologies like mobile communication and artificial intelligence can improve the economy for all sectors. These tools can help countries adopt better practices in agriculture, manufacturing, and other areas, even with limited resources.
  3. The ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China is reshaping global trade dynamics. Countries in the Global South need to navigate between these two powers effectively to leverage opportunities and avoid being caught in conflicts.

The West Wimps Out

Diane Francis • 699 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Conflict Studies Foreign Policy Security Studies
  1. Russia attacked Ukraine after a long period of threats. It shows that waiting for sanctions isn't enough to deter aggression.
  2. The friends of Ukraine did not step in to help when needed. This highlights the criticism of how the West responds to threats.
  3. Strong responses, like military support, are necessary to confront aggressors. Simply issuing threats won't protect allies effectively.

10 Ways to Think About China

European Straits • 11 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Political Economy Statecraft Foreign Policy National Security Energy Development Technology
  1. China prioritizes survival and national strength over pure economic efficiency, putting control, unity, and stability first to avoid past humiliations.
  2. The country developed pragmatically, using step-by-step experiments—agrarian reform, special economic zones, and directed finance—to grow industry quickly while keeping political control.
  3. China’s vast scale reshapes everything it does and, coupled with rapid electrification, gives it unique power to experiment, scale industries, and influence the global economy.

US gov't body plots to break up Russia in name of 'decolonization'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 25 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Decolonization Regime Change Imperialism
  1. The US government's Helsinki Commission held a Congressional briefing to discuss breaking up Russia in the name of decolonization.
  2. Participants at the briefing proposed supporting separatist movements within Russia and advocated for the independence of regions like Chechnya, Tatarstan, Dagestan, and Circassia.
  3. The briefing reflects a trend of using left-wing rhetoric to advance imperial interests by the US government, similar to other instances where progressive themes have been co-opted for political motives.
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Rats Jump Ship

Diane Francis • 679 implied HN points • 10 Mar 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Military Strategy Conflict resolution Diplomacy
  1. No agreement was reached in the meeting between Ukraine and Russia, which was a disappointment. This shows that tensions are still high and negotiations are tough.
  2. Russia seems to have the advantage in this situation, as they are demanding complete surrender from Ukraine. This makes it harder for Ukraine to negotiate a better outcome.
  3. Turkey is trying to help by being a mediator, but the outcome of the talks doesn't look promising given the circumstances. It's a complicated situation for everyone involved.

What is a Mother?

The Abbey of Misrule • 483 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Cultural Progressive Neoliberalism Feminism
  1. Ireland's constitution of 1937 marked a significant shift towards independence, neutrality, and revival of Irish culture and language.
  2. The evolution of Ireland from a traditional Catholic society to a more progressive, globalized state has led to significant changes in laws and societal values.
  3. Proposed changes to the Irish constitution highlight a shift towards progressive ideals, with a focus on removing traditional gender roles and promoting individual rights over familial structures.

Mexico's President AMLO demands freedom for Julian Assange, 'prisoner of conscience' and 'best journalist of our time'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 22 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Human Rights Journalism
  1. Mexico's President AMLO is demanding freedom for Julian Assange, calling him the 'prisoner of conscience' and the 'best journalist of our time.'
  2. President AMLO condemned US hypocrisy in the treatment of Assange, questioning principles like democracy and freedom of expression.
  3. AMLO reiterated his commitment to pressuring US President Joe Biden to release Assange, despite Amnesty International's reluctance to call Assange a prisoner of conscience.

Words Of No Power.

Trying to Understand the World • 5 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International Law Foreign Policy Arms Control Diplomacy Human Rights Geopolitics
  1. Words and treaties usually record what states already do, they don’t by themselves make things happen; for a text to matter it needs either real enforcement or broad shared support.
  2. International agreements are limited and often vague: they bind only signatories, can be withdrawn, and their meaning is shaped by politics and interpretation, not pure legal logic.
  3. Expecting documents alone to solve hard political problems is wishful thinking; real outcomes depend on evidence, practical capacity, and the political will to act, not just on nice words on paper.

01/12/24 - We haven’t been paid in 3 months, and the teachers are still working anyways.

Moly’s Substack • 78 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics China Education Society Culture Government
  1. Some teachers in a Chinese school haven't been paid for 3 months but continue to work.
  2. A village in Guizhou, China, resisted government measures to take over their graveyard, leading to a clash with police.
  3. A workplace scandal unfolds involving a colleague's relationship with her supervisor and subsequent consequences.

Stopping the Slaughter

Diane Francis • 419 implied HN points • 03 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Military conflict Diplomacy Nuclear policy
  1. Putin and Zelensky both seem unwilling to negotiate, even as the war continues to escalate with more conflict on the ground.
  2. Both Russia and Ukraine want to achieve better positions before any talks, which makes it hard to find common ground for peace.
  3. The situation could lead to risky outcomes, including the potential use of nuclear weapons, so finding a resolution is very important.

A Year of Ukrainian "Collapse" Narratives:

Phillips’s Newsletter • 152 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Conflict International relations Military Media Narratives
  1. Many media stories claimed that Ukraine was about to collapse during the war, painting a very negative picture of their situation.
  2. These repeated negative narratives can be harmful, influencing people's perceptions and possibly decisions regarding support for Ukraine.
  3. Despite the media's alarming predictions, Ukraine has continued to resist and fight back against Russian advances.

Two too many atrocities,...how many more?

History's Parrot • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Journalism Narratives Truth Empathy
  1. The importance of sharing critical insights and information from independent journalists like Alastair Crooke to combat lies and tyrannies.
  2. The impact of 'win narratives' on empathy, active listening, and communication between states, as highlighted by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
  3. The necessity to reflect on existence and societal decay in current times of turmoil and assault on societal pillars.

At UN, Bolivia presents revolutionary 14-point socialist program to transform world

Geopolitical Economy Report • 259 implied HN points • 01 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Socialism UN Globalization Peace Human Rights
  1. Bolivia's President proposed a 14-point socialist program at the UN to address issues like world peace, health care, and food sovereignty.
  2. The program included calls to substitute weapons manufacturing with compensation for the poor and to prioritize universal health care systems.
  3. The President also addressed the need to rebuild economic capacities in countries hurt by capitalism, like promoting debt relief and balancing trade relations.

Nicaragua's President Ortega: US/EU waging war to stop multipolar world

Geopolitical Economy Report • 318 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global Alliances Economic Warfare Hegemony History
  1. Nicaragua's President Ortega accuses US and EU of waging wars to block a multipolar world.
  2. Ortega quotes Che Guevara, stating that imperialism is untrustworthy and dialogues with Washington are like dealing with the devil.
  3. Ortega emphasizes the historical context of imperialism, highlighting the oppressive and violent behaviors of the US and European powers.

Arab Regimes and the Betrayal of Palestine (w/ Farah El-Sharif) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 159 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Geopolitics Conflict Studies Human Rights
  1. Many Muslim leaders prioritize their relationships with Western powers over their own people, leading to betrayal, especially regarding Palestine. This often results in silence or complicity in the face of violence against their communities.
  2. The oppression faced by Muslim communities is deeply tied to colonial and imperial actions, which continues to create divisions and reap devastation across the region. The struggle in Gaza highlights the extent of this systemic injustice.
  3. Young Muslims are seeking strong, moral leadership that stands for justice and integrity. They feel disillusioned by leaders who fail to uphold these values, and they are inspired to look to historical figures who embodied true resistance.

Germany announces wide-ranging plans to restrict the speech, travel and economic activity of political dissidents, in order to better control the "thought and speech patterns" of its own people

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 493 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government Censorship Political Opposition Surveillance Democracy
  1. Germany is implementing wide-ranging measures to restrict speech, travel, and economic activity of political dissidents to control the thought patterns of its people.
  2. The political establishment in Germany is using strategies to maintain power, including targeting opposition groups like Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
  3. The government in Germany is expanding its control over dissent by planning to use various tools like financial investigations, travel restrictions, and internet censorship to combat right-wing extremism.

A new kind of world order. Not order as a final state but ordering as a process.

World Game • 8 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global Governance Great powers Diplomacy Security Economic Order
  1. The Western or American-led global order seems to be declining, but it’s unclear what will replace it.
  2. A Chinese world order isn’t a foregone conclusion, since even Chinese authorities don’t seem to believe in imposing one single model.
  3. We’re moving into an era of radical skepticism and pluralism where there won’t be a single unified order — instead, ordering will be an ongoing process.

The Butcher of Bucha

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
🌍 World Politics War Crimes International relations Geopolitics Conflict Human Rights
  1. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has led to reports of war crimes and a humanitarian crisis. Mass graves and executed civilians highlight the brutal impact of this conflict.
  2. Historical comparisons are drawn between Putin's actions and past genocides by Stalin and Hitler. The ideology behind these actions is rooted in a desire for control and dominance over Ukraine.
  3. Immediate and strong international action is necessary to stop the ongoing atrocities in Ukraine. Experts warn that failure to confront Putin could lead to further aggression against other countries.

Living in a Multipolar World

John’s Substack • 7 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Great powers Security Foreign Policy Global order
  1. The world is shifting from a unipolar order to a multipolar one, which brings back intense rivalry among major powers.
  2. With at least three great powers, security competition will become more dangerous and unpredictable.
  3. This transition has serious consequences for international stability and makes managing conflicts harder.

In neocolonial rant, EU says Europe is 'garden' superior to rest of world's barbaric 'jungle'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 239 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Global South Cold War
  1. The speech by EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell highlighted a colonialist mentality still present in Europe, with him portraying Europe as a 'garden' that must civilize the 'jungle' of the rest of the world.
  2. Borrell hinted at the EU's involvement in a new cold war, aiming for regime change in Russia to create a 'post-Putin Russia' that aligns with Western interests.
  3. Borrell expressed disappointment at 'too many' countries abstaining in a UN vote against Russia and made strong remarks about the potential of nuclear war in the conflict, stating the Russian Army would face annihilation.

Under the fog of war, Ukraine cancels its 2024 presidential elections

The Dossier • 477 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government Elections Totalitarianism Dictatorship
  1. Ukraine canceled its 2024 presidential elections under the cover of war and extended Martial Law, transforming into a totalitarian dictatorship.
  2. The Ukrainian government's actions have led to the removal of opposition parties, the ban of non-state media, and increased centralized power, eroding democratic principles.
  3. An adviser critical of Zelensky faced a criminal investigation, and all dissent from the pro-war narrative leads to scrutiny or worse, showing the severe restrictions on freedom of speech and political opposition in Ukraine.

Why Can't We Solve the Arab-Israeli Conflict?

Fake Noûs • 483 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The Arab-Israeli conflict has been ongoing for decades and has garnered significant attention, especially after specific events.
  2. Following the October 7 attacks, there seems to be an increased level of sympathy for the cause of Hamas from left-leaning observers in the West.
  3. The post requires a paid subscription to access additional content.

From Genocide to the Brave New Multipolar World

History's Parrot • 78 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide Neoliberalism History Empires Societal collapse
  1. Societies are facing collapse due to neglect, betrayal, and the concentration of power and money in the hands of a few.
  2. Neoliberalism leads to societal destruction, alienation from humanistic values, and exploitation by power elites.
  3. Genocides are not sudden events but are set in motion by societal collapses, liberal sellouts, excessive greed, and the breakdown of empathy and common sense.

JJM vs John Bolton on Venezuela

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Foreign Policy US Policy Latin America Diplomacy Security International Law
  1. The discussion centered on a reported U.S. plan to abduct Venezuela’s president, raising clear legal and ethical concerns.
  2. Two commentators tackled the same issues but reached sharply different conclusions about whether such an operation would be justified or wise.
  3. The exchange shows that U.S. intervention in Venezuela deeply divides expert opinion and fuels a broader debate over foreign policy and interventionism.

Germany's Wrongdoing

Diane Francis • 659 implied HN points • 27 Feb 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Diplomacy Conflict Studies Security
  1. Germany has a history of making poor choices that negatively impact global affairs. This includes decisions from the previous century that still resonate today.
  2. The country has been criticized for not confronting or holding Russia accountable for its actions. Many believe this attitude shows a lack of strength.
  3. Germany's choice to depend heavily on Russian energy sources has raised concerns, especially during times of geopolitical tension. This dependency is seen as a risky move for the future.

Weekend Update #113: This War is Truly Global

Phillips’s Newsletter • 188 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict International relations Global Security Military Affairs Bilateral Relations
  1. The war is affecting many countries globally, not just in Europe. Attacks on infrastructure show how serious the situation has become.
  2. North Korean soldiers are facing heavy casualties fighting in Ukraine, which raises concerns about their future and the support they might be getting from Russia.
  3. Russia's military actions are impacting its relationship with other countries. In one incident, Russian forces shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane, highlighting their unstable control in the region.

"Putin has a very thin skin..."

Comment is Freed • 58 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics National Security Defense Policy Conflict Studies
  1. Having external reviewers in a defense review process can provide fresh and honest perspectives, which might lead to more innovative solutions. It's better than just relying on internal opinions.
  2. Securing more funding for defense is crucial, and it's important to project future financial needs to avoid making tough cuts later. Having clear budgets helps planning and capability development.
  3. Feeling pressure from various departments is common, especially when trying to implement significant changes. It's essential to navigate these dynamics carefully to achieve the best outcomes.

No Country Has a "Right to Exist"

Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey • 595 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Israel-Palestine conflict Governance Human Rights Political Systems Propaganda
  1. No country inherently has a 'right to exist', they require permission from the governed to exist.
  2. The concept of states having a 'right to exist' is false, as history shows political arrangements change over time.
  3. States, from Israel to Ukraine, can only justly exist if they have the consent of those they govern.

Made-in-China Mess

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics China Pandemic Protests Vaccination Economy Leadership
  1. China's strict zero-Covid policies have led to widespread public protests as people become frustrated with ongoing lockdowns and health care failures.
  2. The country's vaccination efforts have lagged behind other nations, resulting in a higher number of Covid cases and deaths compared to places like India and the U.S.
  3. There are major economic consequences for China, including factory disruptions and a tarnished global reputation, prompting some businesses to consider relocating.

Capitalism unchained

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 830 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Capitalism Democracy Authoritarianism Socialism Fascism
  1. Democracy does not necessarily come with capitalism and may even be destroyed by it.
  2. Unbridled capitalism leads to social instability empowering right-wing parties.
  3. Success of Western capitalism in mid-20th century was influenced by pressure from Soviet Union and left-wing parties, which led to a period against normal capitalist tendencies.