The hottest World Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Top Links 378 Biden & the oil industry, from guns to butter, shrinking Korea, Pax Economica & bitcoin's mad power consumption

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Japan Resistance Communist Party Art
  1. The post discusses various topics including Biden's relationship with the oil industry, the concept of 'guns versus butter', the shrinking of Korea, Pax Economica, and the energy consumption of Bitcoin.
  2. There is a mention of resistance art in Japan, particularly focusing on the country's opposition to American influence after 1945 and the presence of a large Communist Party.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers, offering additional insights and content beyond what is available to the general audience.

The War Against Oil Gets Hot

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Renewable Energy Market Impact Political Influence
  1. Renewable energy costs have become competitive with coal-based energy and are continuing to decrease.
  2. The world's conflicts, funding, and wars are still heavily influenced by oil, leading to a literal war against oil.
  3. Recognizing the role of oil in global conflicts and actively engaging with the issue are crucial steps in overcoming the influence of oil.

al-Qaida-led Jihadis Enter Aleppo (Again)

Fisted by Foucault • 165 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Terrorism Middle East International relations Government
  1. al-Qaida-led fighters are attacking Aleppo and have already gained control of many towns. This is creating a serious problem for the Syrian government.
  2. The fighting has resulted in many casualties, including both combatants and civilians, with reports of air strikes causing deaths.
  3. The current regional tensions, especially with Hezbollah occupied in Lebanon, have left Syria vulnerable to these new attacks.

JJM vs. Kishore Mahbubani

John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics US-China Foreign Policy International relations Security Diplomacy
  1. John J. Mearsheimer and Kishore Mahbubani appeared together on Tom Switzer’s podcast "Switzerland" on December 21, 2025.
  2. They focused on the rise of China and debated how the United States should respond to that challenge.
  3. They also covered a range of other geopolitical issues, speaking as friends and intellectual rivals.
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Iran Update

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 5 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East Protests Human Rights Security Diplomacy International relations
  1. A nationwide wave of protests has spread to all provinces, starting in Tehran’s bazaar over a collapsing currency and rising food prices but quickly turning into broad anger at the clerical regime with people from many walks of life joining in.
  2. The government has moved to crush the unrest with brutal repression — dozens reported killed, thousands arrested, crackdowns in markets and hospitals, and a near-total internet blackout — highlighting a deep legitimacy crisis even without a single coherent leadership.
  3. International responses are mostly rhetorical warnings and condemnations while Iranian leaders insist protesters are foreign-backed; opposition figures have urged people onto the streets and parts of the financial sector appear sympathetic, but decisive outside action remains unclear.

Links for 2024-01-16

Axis of Ordinary • 58 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics AI Space Psychology Miscellaneous Politics Ukraine
  1. AI advancements include evaluating LLMs on protocol planning in biology and using multiple AI models for transparent robot plans.
  2. Space exploration discusses Titan's potential for human colonization and the unique properties of the Godel universe.
  3. Psychology insights cover diminished neural responses in autistic adults and the tendency of people to shun help in challenging situations.

Who is Sovereignty For?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics State Sovereignty Geopolitics International Law Human Rights Regime Change Political History
  1. Sovereignty means each state controls its own affairs and outsiders are expected not to interfere. That idea helped stop religious wars by allowing different beliefs to coexist under their own rules.
  2. Sovereignty can shield authoritarian rulers from outside intervention, creating a dilemma when citizens try to overthrow abusive regimes. Recent uprisings highlight the tension between popular demands for change and the norm of noninterference.
  3. Making sovereignty absolute reduced religiously motivated massacres but shifted conflict toward competition over territory and resources. In short, sovereignty brings order but can also legitimize bad governments and new forms of violence.

Siberia

Diane Francis • 539 implied HN points • 07 Feb 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Conflict Diplomacy Military Strategy
  1. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met during the Beijing Winter Olympics to discuss their stance against NATO's expansion. They are wary of NATO and want to strengthen their partnership.
  2. Their joint statement was long and detailed, showing they are serious about their alliance. However, Xi did not fully endorse everything Putin does.
  3. The meeting highlights the growing relationship between Russia and China, especially as both face challenges from the West. They aim to support each other in various ways.

Dynasty

The Global Jigsaw • 99 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Elections Democracy Geopolitics Youth
  1. Indonesia's upcoming elections in 2024 reveal a potential political dynasty forming under President Jokowi, despite his image as an anti-dynast.
  2. The removal of age requirements for presidential candidates in Indonesia and familial ties influencing political decisions raise questions about democratic norms.
  3. Lessons from Indonesia's political landscape, where dynastic politics persist, serve as a reminder to other nations, like India, to consider broader changes in political structures and power sharing.

Ukraine's Trojan Trucks

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 66 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Strategy Geopolitics Conflict resolution Defense Policy
  1. Ukraine executed a surprise drone attack deep inside Russia that damaged a significant part of its nuclear capabilities. This shows Ukraine's military skill and creativity.
  2. The success of this operation highlights gaps in Russia's defense and intelligence, suggesting it may struggle to maintain its military strength. This could change the balance of power in the region.
  3. The use of cheap drones against a nuclear power illustrates a new direction in warfare. It raises questions about traditional military strategies and defenses for all nations, including the U.S.

Mastermind: Gary Kasparov on the Global Leadership Vacuum

The Octavian Report • 8 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Foreign Policy Security Democracy Russia Europe Middle East Leadership
  1. There is a global leadership vacuum and short-term politics are weakening democracies and international institutions, which lets extremists and rivals gain influence.
  2. Authoritarian leaders operate like poker players, using secrecy, chaos, corruption, and tactical provocations to undermine NATO, the EU, and democratic norms instead of playing a transparent long-term game.
  3. The remedy is strong, early deterrence and renewed American-led moral and strategic leadership with long-term planning, because if leaders don’t act the vacuum will be filled by hostile actors.

Risky Business: Ian Bremmer on Political Risk, Russia, North Korea, and Trump

The Octavian Report • 8 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Security Foreign Policy Cybersecurity Middle East East Asia
  1. Political risk is now the primary global uncertainty, with higher chances of direct military clashes between major powers and a broader geopolitical slowdown.
  2. The current U.S. presidency increases unpredictability and erodes traditional guardrails, raising the risk of accidental conflicts while also making unusual diplomatic outcomes, like a deal with North Korea, more conceivable.
  3. Cyber attacks and other non-nuclear threats are growing and hard to deter or attribute, and the old rules-based global order is fragmenting into more regional, thematic, or multi-stakeholder systems.

US waging 'unilateral' economic and tech war to halt China's rise, DC insiders say openly

Geopolitical Economy Report • 179 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Economic Warfare US-China Relations
  1. US government is imposing aggressive sanctions on China to hinder its tech sector and economic growth, openly admitted by Washington policymakers and industry analysts.
  2. The Joe Biden administration has taken drastic measures such as blocking China from importing key tech components like semiconductors and supercomputer parts.
  3. There are concerns that the US unilateral actions, primarily framed as national security measures, could backfire and have negative impacts on US universities and global technology advancement.

China forgives 23 loans for 17 African countries, expands ‘win-win’ trade and infrastructure projects

Geopolitical Economy Report • 219 implied HN points • 25 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics China Africa Debt
  1. China has forgiven 23 loans for 17 African countries, showing a commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening collaboration with the continent.
  2. Western accusations of Chinese 'debt-trap diplomacy' in Africa are baseless, as China has a history of cancelling debt and restructuring loans, aiming for win-win results.
  3. The US has been pressuring African countries to cut ties with China and Russia, while experts debunk the myth of the Chinese 'debt trap' narrative.

Xmas Eve with The Judge

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Diplomacy Security Middle East Civil Liberties International Law
  1. Free speech is eroding across Western countries and that decline is presented as a serious threat to democratic life.
  2. There are signs of a renewed aggressive U.S. foreign policy — from talk of annexing Greenland to harsher actions in Cuba and Venezuela and risky naval moves that could provoke China.
  3. Tensions over Israel are growing both inside the Republican Party and between leaders, with claims like Trump being labeled the "first Jewish president" and pressure from Netanyahu to attack Iran raising the risk of new Middle East conflict.

The problem with American foreign policy

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Democracy Autocracy
  1. The concept of a coherent national interest in American foreign policy doesn't really apply to democracies.
  2. The shift in America's foreign policy approach over time reflects the influence of domestic politics and party dynamics.
  3. The lack of a unified American foreign policy strategy based on a consistent national interest poses challenges in global affairs and alliances.

From Hijab to Abaya Bans: Policing Muslim Girls' Bodies in France

Pen>Sword • 99 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Secularism Islamophobia Gender discrimination
  1. France has enacted laws banning Muslim girls from wearing abayas, forcing them to choose between religious observance and education.
  2. French Islamophobia disproportionately targets Muslim girls and women, reflecting fears of 'replacement' in the country.
  3. The policing of Muslim women's bodies in France extends to school checkpoints, with a lack of support from western feminists and women's organizations.

Polish Railway Sabotage on the Cheap

Natto Thoughts • 99 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Security Sabotage Tensions Espionage Elections
  1. Recent disruptions in Poland's train system raise concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructures.
  2. There is suspicion of amateurish sabotage involving the activation of emergency brakes on trains in Poland, highlighting system vulnerabilities.
  3. The incidents on Polish railroads underscore the importance of digital system transitions to enhance security and prevent potential threats.

Germany's Folly

Diane Francis • 539 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Energy Policy Nuclear Energy European Politics Geopolitics
  1. Germany is shutting down its nuclear plants, which is risky. This decision has made them rely more on energy from Russia.
  2. The move away from nuclear energy could harm Germany and Europe in the long run. It's raising concerns about energy security.
  3. This situation highlights the challenges of energy policy and its consequences on a country's independence and safety.

Biden admin seems to greenlight Israel bombing Iran

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Diplomacy Military Foreign Relations Nuclear Weapons
  1. The Biden administration is perceived to have given Israel the go-ahead to bomb Iran.
  2. The U.S. seems to have shifted away from peaceful negotiations with Iran towards supporting potential military actions against them.
  3. There are concerns about the lack of transparency and public input regarding potential military actions against Iran.

The apocalypse we choose

Thinking about... • 350 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Democracy International relations Geopolitics Foreign Policy
  1. Mike Johnson's actions as Speaker of the House are enabling Russian aggression in Ukraine and risking turning the world towards tyranny
  2. Ukrainian resistance is crucial in halting genocide and preventing nuclear proliferation
  3. American assistance to Ukraine is essential in supporting democracy, preventing catastrophe, and maintaining global stability

It's Journalistic Malpractice To Say Gazans Are Starving Without Saying Israel Is Starving Them

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 344 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Propaganda Middle East Conflict Media bias Humanitarian Crisis
  1. It is important for journalists to provide a balanced view when reporting on conflicts, such as mentioning both sides' roles in a situation.
  2. Media outlets can sometimes present news in a biased or propagandistic way, often omitting crucial information to shape the audience's perception.
  3. Control of major news platforms by wealthy individuals can lead to a media landscape that serves to maintain the status quo and downplay the wrongdoing of those in power.

The Great Big Nothingburger Reset

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Global Crisis Tyranny Propaganda Resistance Great Reset
  1. Being hypervigilant and expecting extreme crises may make us miss subtle, gradual tactics that could be used against us.
  2. The strategy of the opposition may shift from one big event to a series of smaller, ongoing crises to wear down resistance.
  3. To combat the potential 'Nothingburger Reset,' we must stay prepared for the unexpected, build resilience, and be vigilant against deception.

The War on Terror and the everyday infrastructure of oblivion

Wars Of Future Past • 98 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Terrorism Conflict Security Military Violence
  1. Cars, which are part of our daily lives, can also be turned into deadly weapons like car bombs.
  2. The book 'Buda's Wagon' delves into the history and evolution of car bombs, showing how they have been used as tools of asymmetrical warfare.
  3. The use of car bombs highlights the intersection of everyday technologies with violent intentions, shaping the tactics of conflicts and the consequences of warfare.

Reflections on Scotland's Political Culture(2/4)

The Joyous Struggle • 98 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Nationalism Brexit
  1. Scotland's political landscape is experiencing a period of transition and uncertainty after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation.
  2. Nationalism reflects the belief that nations exist and should govern themselves, playing a significant role in shaping political identities.
  3. The author discusses the complexities of British and Scottish cultural identities, questioning the future of the UK and advocating for a healthier connection between culture and politics.

我最新专栏的中文翻译：《王向偉真話中國》新政府新使命：需堅決遏制‘極左’思潮。

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 98 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics China Leadership Ideology International relations Economic Development
  1. The Chinese government needs to firmly control extreme left-wing ideologies to ensure economic development.
  2. Historical leadership transitions in China focused on economic development and pragmatism rather than ideological debates.
  3. Current challenges in China include economic recovery post-COVID and balancing international relations while curbing extreme nationalist ideologies.