The hottest Substack posts of Michael Tracey

And their main takeaways
101 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
  1. The rush to ban TikTok by the National Security State was orchestrated quietly and with limited public exposure, showing a deliberate avoidance of public scrutiny.
  2. The push to ban TikTok largely centered around concerns about its alleged promotion of anti-Semitism and sympathy for Hamas, particularly during the Israel/Gaza conflict.
  3. The legislative bill to ban TikTok gained support from influential figures who highlighted the platform's perceived role in spreading anti-Semitic content and aligning with foreign adversaries, despite criticisms and objections against the bill.
121 implied HN points β€’ 24 Feb 24
  1. The best indicator of what Trump would do as president were his actions during his first term, not hypothetical versions of him invented by different groups.
  2. Despite claims by David Frum that Trump would undermine NATO and favor Russia, the reality was quite the opposite - Trump actually increased sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine with lethal assistance, and expanded NATO.
  3. Misconceptions about Trump's relationship with Russia persisted, even though Putin publicly preferred Biden over Trump due to unsuccessful attempts to improve relations during the Trump Administration.
102 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
  1. American politicians have been misrepresenting Alexei Navalny's views to push for increased military aid to Ukraine after his death
  2. Navalny did not support flooding Ukraine with US weapons, and his widow expressed exhaustion and disappointment with the ongoing conflict
  3. The bipartisan exploitation of Navalny's death for political gain highlights the disregard for his true beliefs and widow's statements
111 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 24
  1. The idea that Trump will undermine NATO conflicts with his actual actions while in office, such as expanding NATO and increasing funding for it, showing a more supportive stance towards the alliance.
  2. Focusing on Trump's actual policy record is more factual and rational than getting caught up in his campaign rhetoric or social media posts, helping provide a clearer picture of his presidency.
  3. Despite common assumptions, Trump's support for American hegemony, including through NATO, does not align with the belief that he would dismantle the alliance, as evidenced by his actions and policies.
122 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. The ongoing war in Ukraine is seen as a huge disaster, and there are concerns about the support for Putin and his actions that led to this conflict.
  2. There has been a noticeable shift from simply understanding Russia's grievances to actively endorsing and supporting them, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
  3. Criticism is voiced against the exaltation of Putin and the belief that his invasion of Ukraine was morally justified, with a call for a critical view of all parties involved in the conflict.
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73 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
  1. The Michigan primary results suggest that Joe Biden's general election prospects may be unfavorable in 2024.
  2. Past primary performances of candidates like Obama have often hinted at trends in subsequent general election outcomes.
  3. Decreases in Democratic primary turnout and Biden's atrophying support in key states could indicate a challenging re-election path for Biden against Trump.
71 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
  1. The war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant disaster with high casualties and impacts on Russia and US relations.
  2. The Senate passed a large 'national security' bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the prioritization of war expenditures.
  3. There seems to be a lack of realistic and articulate strategies in resolving the war, with many stakeholders barreling forward with attritional warfare.