The hottest Alliances Substack posts right now

Russia's economy may face more sanctions due to warning from its central bank governor, Elvira Nabiullina.
Japan announced sanctions against three senior Hamas members, freezing assets and imposing restrictions.
Ukraine ends 2023 disappointed by stalemate with Russia and anxious about aid from allies amidst ongoing war.

Putin explains the trigger for the Ukraine war was the coup in Ukraine causing conflict to start.
Putin criticizes NATO expansion eastward, stating it goes against earlier agreements and creates threats.
Putin calls for negotiations in Ukraine, expresses willingness to talk, and emphasizes the need for a peaceful settlement.

Countries should rethink their long-term alliances, especially with superpowers like the US. History shows that relying on a superpower can lead to unexpected consequences.
Smaller nations may be more trustworthy than larger ones. They depend on cooperation, making it less likely for them to act aggressively towards neighbors.
It's risky for countries to let superpowers control important things like military or food supplies. Instead, smaller countries should team up with each other for better security.

Unpredictable, contradictory policy decisions have eroded U.S. credibility, making allies doubt commitments and giving adversaries room to exploit American inconsistency.
A small, sustained U.S. presence in northeast Syria and Iraq helps prevent the return of ISIS and protects local partners, but withdrawing forces without a clear, resourced strategy risks instability and undoing hard-won gains.
Long-term competition with China and managing threats like Iran require stronger alliances and more investment in diplomacy; cutting diplomatic resources and acting unilaterally weakens U.S. power.