Geopolitical Economy Report

The Geopolitical Economy Report provides analysis and journalism on global financial, political, and military affairs, with a focus on the dynamics of geopolitical conflicts, the critique of Western hegemony, the exploration of new power centers like China, and the impact of economic policies on worldwide inequality.

Geopolitical Conflicts Western Hegemony Economic Inequality Military Affairs Global South International Relations US Foreign Policy China's Rise Media and Propaganda Sanctions and Economic Policies

The hottest Substack posts of Geopolitical Economy Report

And their main takeaways

BRICS or NATO? G20 or G77? Summits debate rapidly changing world order

279 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Global Economy Diplomacy United Nations
  1. The changing world order is reflected in the rapid pace of international summits like BRICS, G20, G77, and the UN General Assembly.
  2. Russia's pivot towards the Far East, specifically in Vladivostok, showcases a strong focus on development and economic collaboration with Asian countries.
  3. De-dollarization and the use of e-currencies, such as blockchain mechanisms, are potential avenues for creating alternative payment systems within the global majority.

British empire killed 165 million Indians in 40 years: How colonialism inspired fascism

398 implied HN points • 14 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Colonialism Genocide Economics Fascism Imperialism
  1. British colonialism in India under the British empire caused the deaths of at least 100 million Indians in just 40 years from 1880 to 1920, and the theft of trillions of dollars in wealth.
  2. European empires' genocidal acts inspired fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, leading to similar genocidal crimes within their own territories.
  3. The British empire, along with causing the deaths of millions of Indians, also drained an estimated $45 trillion of wealth from India between 1765 and 1938, significantly impeding the country's growth and development.

Did the debt ceiling deal really save the US from bankruptcy?

259 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
💰 Finance Debt Inflation Banking Economy Reserves
  1. The US's debt situation is a small part of the global debt puzzle, with rising interest rates creating challenges not only for the US but also for poorer countries dependent on dollar debt.
  2. The debt deal exacerbates the unproductive nature of debt as it has been used to replace income for individuals and constrain companies from expansion and investment in productive capacity.
  3. The financial system will face challenges including declining value of US treasuries impacting banking system resilience, inflation persisting, and US dollar losing hegemony due to rising debt and market liquidity issues.

Inside Latin America's new currency plan, with Ecuador's presidential candidate Andrés Arauz

279 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Security Economic Development Social Impact
  1. Latin America is attempting to create a new regional currency to challenge the existing US dollar-based system, aiming for a more balanced international monetary system.
  2. Ecuadorian economist and former presidential candidate Andrés Arauz advocates for a clearing and settlement bank that can facilitate transactions without concern for US sanctions.
  3. There is a push for regional integration mechanisms in Latin America, with the goal of creating large geopolitical blocs to allow for balanced planetary governance and more effective monetary systems.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

End of Juan Guaidó: US-appointed Venezuelan coup leader ousted by ex allies

318 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Venezuela US government
  1. Juan Guaidó, appointed by the US as the 'interim president' of Venezuela from 2019 to 2022, was ousted by his former right-wing allies.
  2. The US government under both Trump and Biden formally recognized Guaidó until he was removed from his position by Venezuela's opposition-controlled 'National Assembly' in December 2022.
  3. The end of Guaidó marks the conclusion of nearly four years of US-led coup attempts against Venezuela's leftist Chavista government, which continued to be recognized by the United Nations.

Russia dropping US dollar for Chinese yuan - and fast

338 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Russia China De-dollarization
  1. Russia's central bank is shifting from the US dollar to Chinese yuan to counter Western sanctions, with yuan's share of trading in Moscow rapidly increasing.
  2. Geopolitical tensions and economic conflicts are prompting countries like Russia, China, and Iran to de-dollarize and diversify their foreign reserves from the US dollar.
  3. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns of a decline in US dollar dominance, as the use of Chinese yuan in global central bank reserves rises and Western sanctions spur shifts to alternative currencies.

UN experts: US sanctions violate Iranians' human rights

318 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Human Rights International Law Sanctions United Nations Global impact
  1. United Nations experts criticize US government sanctions for violating human rights of Iranians, emphasizing the negative impact on the right to a clean and healthy environment.
  2. UN special rapporteurs condemned US sanctions on Iran, stating they impede various rights such as health, life, education, and an adequate standard of living.
  3. US sanctions on Iran are called out for contradicting US claims to support environmental rights and pose obstacles that prevent Iranians from accessing their fundamental rights.

China 'counters US dollar hegemony' with gold reserves, Argentina yuan currency swap deal

299 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics De-dollarization International relations Global Economy
  1. China is increasing its gold reserves and signing yuan currency swap deals with countries like Argentina to counter US dollar dominance and promote the use of the renminbi.
  2. Central banks worldwide are diversifying their reserves away from the US dollar, with increased interest in investing in the renminbi to move towards a multipolar currency system.
  3. Argentina is strengthening ties with China through currency swap deals, enhancing economic integration with Brazil, and exploring the creation of a sovereign Latin American currency for regional trade.

Latin America rejects coup in Peru, while US supports unelected regime killing protesters

318 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Latin America US Coup
  1. Latin America and the Caribbean countries condemn the coup in Peru and support President Pedro Castillo against the unelected regime.
  2. The US, along with right-wing governments, stands with the coup regime in Peru that has resorted to violence against protesters and suspended civil liberties.
  3. Peru's US-backed coup regime has faced strong opposition and condemnation from Latin American and Caribbean nations like Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, and Honduras.

German military preparing for potential war with Russia, leaked internal report reveals

338 implied HN points • 26 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Military Germany Russia NATO European Union
  1. Germany is preparing for a potential war with Russia by boosting its military budget and planning to become the world's third-biggest military spender.
  2. The re-militarization of Germany involves bipartisan support, with both the current government and opposition contributing to a €100 billion 'special defense fund.'
  3. Germany has increased its military presence in NATO, deploying troops in Lithuania and participating in military exercises, aligning with the escalating tensions in the proxy war with Russia.

In fiery UN speech, Honduras condemns colonialism, neoliberalism, coups, corporate exploitation

418 implied HN points • 26 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Colonialism Neoliberalism United Nations
  1. Honduras' President denounces colonialism, neoliberalism, coups, and corporate exploitation at the UN, advocating for multipolarity and an end to economic dictatorship.
  2. The Honduran leader highlights the country's struggle against US-backed coups, violence, and the impact of odious debt, emphasizing the need to reject austerity policies.
  3. Xiomara Castro presents ambitious plans for transforming Honduras, focusing on tax evasion crackdown, education reform, food sovereignty, and de-privatization of public services.

Europe and US meet with Venezuela's real President Maduro - desperate for lower oil prices, their coup attempt falters

338 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Sanctions Regime Change
  1. France's President Macron, US's John Kerry, and Portugal's PM met with Venezuela's President Maduro to discuss lowering oil prices, despite past coup attempts.
  2. The West, including the US, France, and Portugal, is seeking alternatives to Russian oil as the EU faces a deadline to cut off imports and cope with high energy costs.
  3. Western powers, after years of trying to overthrow Venezuela's government, are now engaging in friendly dialogue with President Maduro due to economic interests and the need to reduce oil prices.

The United States has many political prisoners. Here’s a list

458 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Whistleblowers Women
  1. The United States government has a history of using incarceration as a tool to suppress dissent and advance the interests of economic elites.
  2. The list of political prisoners in the United States includes national security whistleblowers, foreign diplomats, activists, and revolutionaries fighting against national oppression.
  3. There are also political prisoners who never received fair trials, including many non-white individuals, and those who have been targeted for their environmental, anti-war, or anti-patriarchal activism.

New York Times’ ridiculous attack on me exposes its deceitful propaganda tactics

637 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
🌍 World Politics Propaganda US government Independent Journalism Information Warfare
  1. The New York Times published a smear piece attacking an independent journalist, Benjamin Norton, without giving him a chance to comment, revealing a history of false propaganda tactics.
  2. The article dismissed factual statements about the US-sponsored coup in Ukraine as 'conspiracy theory,' despite evidence of US government involvement in coups worldwide.
  3. Prominent voices like University of Chicago Professor John Mearsheimer have acknowledged the US government's role in starting the war in Ukraine, while mainstream media attempts to dismiss these truths as 'conspiracy theories.'

Peru rises up after coup against elected President Pedro Castillo

279 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Election Protest Coup Constitution Media bias
  1. Peru's elected left-wing President Pedro Castillo was overthrown in a coup by the right-wing-controlled congress, leading to widespread protests and demands for a new constitution.
  2. The political system in Peru has long been dominated by racist elites, and the coup against Castillo was part of ongoing attempts by the far-right elements to destabilize his government.
  3. The demand for a new constitution through a constituent assembly is a key focus of the protests, aiming to address longstanding issues of exclusion, ethnic discrimination, and economic control present in the current constitution.

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

279 implied HN points • 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.

87% of world doesn't support West's new cold war on Russia

338 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global South Multilateralism Neutrality Sanctions
  1. 87% of the world does not support the West's new cold war on Russia.
  2. New multilateral institutions like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS are gaining importance for countries in the Global South.
  3. There's a shift in the global financial landscape with a decline in US dollar hegemony and countries exploring alternatives like bilateral currency swaps.

UN expert: 'Outrageous' Western sanctions are 'suffocating' Syria, may be crimes against humanity

279 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Humanitarian Crisis Middle East International Law
  1. The UN expert condemned Western sanctions on Syria as 'outrageous' and harmful, possibly amounting to crimes against humanity.
  2. Sanctions have led to drastic economic downturn in Syria, with 90% living below the poverty line and essential goods becoming scarce.
  3. The impact of sanctions extends to critical areas such as healthcare, education, and basic services like water and electricity, putting the Syrian population in life-threatening conditions.

Corruption exposed: US meddled in Ecuador's election, using Julian Assange as bargaining chip

279 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics US government Corruption Julian Assange
  1. The US interfered in Ecuador's 2017 presidential election by orchestrating a disinformation campaign against the leftist Correístas and supporting a conservative banker in exchange for Julian Assange.
  2. Ecuador's ex energy minister was coerced by US federal agents into making false corruption accusations against Correa and Glas, and even against a US citizen, leading to unjust imprisonment.
  3. The scandal involving US interference in Ecuador's election goes beyond politics, involving corrupt practices with Miami-based oligarchs like the Isaías Brothers who fled Ecuador with stolen funds.

Imran Khan: Pakistan should be non-aligned in cold war, neutral over Ukraine, applauds China

219 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Neutrality Alliances International relations Foreign Policy
  1. Imran Khan advocates for Pakistan to be non-aligned in cold wars, neutral in proxy conflicts, and have good relations with multiple nations like China, Russia, and the US.
  2. Khan emphasizes the importance of Pakistan maintaining neutrality in global conflicts to protect its own interests, citing the negative impacts of taking sides.
  3. Khan praises China's remarkable anti-poverty efforts and stresses the necessity of not engaging in nuclear warfare to prevent catastrophic consequences.

Pakistan’s Imran Khan compares his ouster to CIA coup in Iran, criticizes Western colonialism

219 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Iran Sovereignty Colonialism Palestine
  1. Imran Khan compared his ouster to a CIA coup in Iran, highlighting similarities in patterns of removal of governments.
  2. Khan emphasized the importance of sovereignty for countries, criticizing reliance on aid, foreign loans, and organizations like the IMF.
  3. He criticized Western colonialism, pointing out how it led to ruling elites in developing countries placing themselves above the law and engaging in corruption.

In mind-blowingly hypocritical UN speech, Biden tries to rewrite history

318 implied HN points • 22 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics International Law Russia Ukraine US Foreign Policy
  1. In a UN speech, Biden criticized Russia for 'imperial ambitions' despite his own involvement in wars like Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan.
  2. Journalist Ben Norton fact-checked Biden's UN speech, highlighting the contradictions in his claims.
  3. The US has been involved in conflicts like the proxy war in Ukraine, with CIA training in Ukraine, showcasing complex international relations.

'Free Julian Assange!' say Latin America's leftist leaders: Lula, AMLO, Petro, Maduro, Ortega, Kirchner, Evo, Zelaya

219 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Latin America Journalism Human Rights Extradition Political Leaders
  1. Latin America's leftist leaders, including Lula and Maduro, are vocally demanding freedom for Julian Assange, highlighting a strong unified support for the persecuted journalist.
  2. These prominent figures emphasize Assange's journalistic contributions and expose concerns about his unfair imprisonment and risk of extradition to the US, where he faces severe charges.
  3. The movement reflects a broader global push for Assange's release, linking it to issues of press freedom, human rights, and government transparency.

Media regurgitates fake news from US spies, risking World War III with Russia

219 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Media Russia War NATO
  1. Top Western media outlets published false information about Russia attacking Poland based on an unsupported claim from a US intelligence official, potentially escalating tensions between nuclear superpowers.
  2. The Associated Press was a key actor in amplifying the unsubstantiated claim, leading to international repercussions that could result in military conflicts.
  3. This incident highlights the close relationship between mainstream media and US intelligence agencies, demonstrating how false narratives can be spread to serve political interests.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

318 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global Alliances 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.

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

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.

After nuking Japan, US gov't lied about radioactive fallout as civilians died

279 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics History War Crimes
  1. After dropping atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, US officials lied about the radioactive fallout and claimed there was no residue, despite evidence to the contrary.
  2. The US general overseeing the nuclear program told Congress that the aftermath of the bombings was 'a very pleasant way to die,' dismissing the suffering of Japanese civilians.
  3. Declassified documents revealed that top US government officials, including Gen. Leslie R. Groves, misled the public about the true impact of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

US gov't creates Ministry of Truth run by cold warrior who smears independent media as 'Russian disinformation'

358 implied HN points • 30 Apr 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Media Censorship Foreign Policy Civil Liberties
  1. The US government created a Ministry of Truth led by a censorial cold warrior to combat 'Russian disinformation' and target independent media outlets.
  2. The DHS, infamous for violating civil liberties, established a Disinformation Governance Board overseen by an anti-Russia information warrior, Nina Jankowicz.
  3. Despite past criticism, Democrats now support rebranding the Bush-era DHS, giving it power over freedom of speech, and using it to escalate the new cold war on Russia and China.

Inside Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution: 43 years resisting imperialism

279 implied HN points • 23 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Imperialism Socialism Anti-Imperialism Latin America
  1. The Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua emphasizes social programs, popular participation, and anti-imperialism.
  2. There is strong grassroots support for the Sandinista Front in Nicaragua, with President Ortega enjoying high approval ratings.
  3. Nicaragua has built solid infrastructure and provided security and social programs under the Sandinista government, receiving positive feedback from its citizens.

CIA's 'Havana Syndrome' conspiracy implodes: Here are media's worst fake news stories

438 implied HN points • 23 Jan 22
📰 News Conspiracy Theories US government Health Issues
  1. The CIA's 'Havana Syndrome' conspiracy has been deemed mass hysteria, with no evidence of foreign attacks on US spies or diplomats.
  2. Major corporate media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, and BBC, spread the bogus conspiracy theory without verification.
  3. The extensive coverage reveals a pattern of mainstream media promoting baseless accusations against US adversaries to advance political agendas.

'War on drugs has failed': At UN, Colombia condemns 'addiction to money and oil'

219 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Peace Climate Justice Capitalism
  1. Colombia's President declared 'The war on drugs has failed,' pointing out that drug addiction is a social issue linked to capitalism's 'addiction to money and oil.'
  2. Gustavo Petro emphasized that peace with the planet is necessary for peace between nations, condemning the Global North for its treatment of refugees and migrants.
  3. Petro warned that the focus on profit and irrational power is leading to environmental destruction and climate disaster, calling for an end to the war on drugs and all conflicts.

The US war over Ukraine is a phase in the West’s hybrid war on Russia

358 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations US-Russia relations NATO Sanctions
  1. The US war over Ukraine is part of the West's larger hybrid war on Russia, focusing on countries that don't align with the US empire economically.
  2. US hybrid wars aim to slow its economic and military decline, as well as halt China's rise as a global economic power.
  3. Washington's pressures on European allies aim to curb their ties with China and maintain dominance, showcased in the NATO alliance and 'rules-based international order'.

Economist Michael Hudson explains inflation crisis and Fed's secretive $4.5 trillion bank bailout

438 implied HN points • 08 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Foreign Policy Diplomacy International relations Global Economics
  1. Economist Michael Hudson explains the global inflation crisis, pointing out the flaws in how inflation is measured in the US
  2. The Federal Reserve's $4.5 trillion bank bailout violated regulations and was directed towards big banks such as JP Morgan Chase and Citibank
  3. China and Russia are working on creating independent financial systems to reduce reliance on the US-controlled financial system