The hottest Asia Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
Chartbook β€’ 457 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 26
  1. U.S. LNG exports have created a new decade in global gas trade, reshaping energy flows and geopolitical links from the Gulf (Hormuz) to Asian markets.
  2. Cuba is embracing solar power, marking a notable shift toward renewable energy and greater island energy resilience.
  3. There is renewed engagement with thinkers like Gramsci and Brecht, using their ideas about sex, production, and violence to rethink political and cultural conflicts.
Chartbook β€’ 572 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 26
  1. Nearly 70 percent of global coal consumption is now concentrated in China and India.
  2. The featured links focus on major geopolitical and cultural shifts, including pieces on Tobin’s race, Saudi Arabia changing course, and the authoritarian threat to golf.
  3. This is a curated digest of links, images, and recommended reading that mixes free and subscriber-only content supported by reader contributions.
Atlas of Wonders and Monsters β€’ 424 implied HN points β€’ 16 Dec 25
  1. Tokyo ranks highest because it isn’t flashy but everything works, feels convenient, and is full of small delightful spots that make it livable.
  2. London and Paris stand out in different ways: London exceeded expectations with energy and variety, while Paris largely matched expectations but came with moments of culture shock.
  3. Personal memories and small incidents strongly shape these rankings β€” school trips, mix-ups or fines, and repetitive experiences color how each capital is remembered, and lesser-discussed places like Strasbourg can be pleasant surprises.
The Asianometry Newsletter β€’ 2707 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 25
  1. The Asianometry Newsletter is now part of the Stratechery Plus bundle, so subscribers will have access to exclusive content like transcripts and audio feeds.
  2. Jon Yu, the creator of Asianometry, started his YouTube channel as a way to share his experiences in Asia, which has now evolved into a focus on technology and semiconductors.
  3. The semiconductor industry is complex and involves tightly-knit supplier relationships, with companies collaborating on process development while maintaining competition.
The Oswald Spengler Project β€’ 379 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 24
  1. Spengler's work on Ancient Asia was a significant focus of his, but much of it remains untranslated into English, limiting its accessibility.
  2. Spengler had a deep interest in cartography and envisioned a new approach to universal history through the interaction of civilizations, highlighted in his sketch 'Altasien'.
  3. Spengler's plans for a series of articles on prehistory, including 'Ancient Asia', were cut short by his premature death, leaving many of his works and ideas unfinished.
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Foreign Exchanges β€’ 766 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
  1. Global temperatures have been rising, nearing the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold set in the Paris Climate Agreement.
  2. Ceasefire hopes in Israel-Palestine appear to be fading, with increased military focus and potential for a ground invasion in Gaza.
  3. Political tensions and armed conflicts in various African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
  1. The United States conducted airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and Syria, resulting in casualties and tension with the governments of those countries.
  2. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas is considering a ceasefire proposal while the Israeli military expands its operations in Gaza.
  3. President Macky Sall of Senegal postponed the country's presidential election, sparking protests and concerns about a potential self coup.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 845 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. The official death toll in Gaza surpasses 25,000 with no indication of conflict resolution in sight.
  2. US military conducts strikes in Yemen leading to plans for a sustained military campaign.
  3. Taiwanese citizens express decreasing faith in the United States amidst concerns over military aid.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
  1. Ceasefire negotiations ongoing between Hamas and Israeli government, but proposal faces challenges
  2. Saudi Arabia's Aramco abandons goal to increase oil production capacity, reasons unclear
  3. US considering retaliatory actions for drone strike that killed soldiers in Jordan, tensions with Iran rising
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 707 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
  1. Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal in Gaza, but concerns remain about the potential for a complete derailment of the peace talks
  2. Colombian government and ELN rebels extend ceasefire for six months, with agreements to halt kidnapping and recruit underage individuals
  3. US Senate confirms Kurt Campbell as the new deputy secretary of state, showing the administration's focus on China as a primary foreign policy concern
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. South Africa has brought genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice, seeking to halt the assault on Gaza.
  2. The Israeli government's response to the South African filing indicates they understand the significance of a potential ruling demanding a halt to their military campaign.
  3. US and UK have carried out strikes against Houthi-linked targets in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 746 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
  1. Reports of renewed fighting in northern Gaza between Israeli forces and Palestinians
  2. US targeting Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen, leading to concerns about escalation
  3. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declares South Korea as the primary enemy and halts pursuit of Korean reunification
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 786 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 24
  1. This weekend in history had notable events like a joint attack on French Guiana, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, and the start of the Bataan Death March.
  2. The situation in Israel-Palestine continues to worsen, with talks of further military operations, humanitarian crises, and diplomatic tensions.
  3. There is escalating conflict in regions like Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, with concerns about airstrikes, military actions, and potential regional wars.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
  1. Israeli military advances in Gaza amid high Palestinian casualties and humanitarian crisis
  2. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects US pressure for Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian statehood
  3. Pakistani military retaliates against Iran with missile strike on Baluch separatist groups
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 668 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  1. Israeli military operations in Gaza resulted in significant civilian casualties and backlash
  2. US carried out airstrikes in Iraq in response to previous attacks on US personnel
  3. Growing tensions in Somalia as the Somali president seeks support amidst regional conflicts
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 648 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Negotiations in Israel-Palestine are facing challenges due to leaked recordings and mediation issues with Qatar and Egypt.
  2. Gaza is experiencing a severe risk of malnutrition, with aid agencies struggling to provide for the population.
  3. Mali's ruling junta has announced the scrapping of a 2015 peace deal with separatist rebels in a move involving Algeria.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 609 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  1. Hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza are on the rise, though there are significant details still unsettled.
  2. US and UK considering recognizing a Palestinian state, but the nature of this recognition remains unclear.
  3. Iran is pulling its Revolutionary Guard personnel out of Syria amidst growing tensions with the US over recent drone strikes.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 609 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. Historical events from January 27-28 include the end of the Siege of Leningrad, the liberation of Auschwitz, and the signing of the Paris Peace Accords ending the Vietnam War.
  2. Current events highlight progress towards a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, amidst allegations, challenges, and potential changes in aid strategies.
  3. On the international scene, actions range from ISIS claims in Turkey, militia clashes in Syria and South Sudan, electoral situations in Finland and Venezuela, to potential aid package blocks in Hungary by Prime Minister OrbΓ‘n.
AI Supremacy β€’ 569 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. China is advancing rapidly in Generative AI and is set to catch up with the U.S. by 2024.
  2. China is approving numerous large language models and enterprise applications in AI, showing its commitment to AI innovation.
  3. The tech competition between China and the U.S. intensifies as China aims to lead in Generative AI with a focus on AI regulation and product advancements.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 687 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 24
  1. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is trying to convince Israeli leaders to stop killing Palestinian civilians, improve humanitarian situation in Gaza, and plan for a post-conflict scenario.
  2. US military carried out an airstrike in Iraq to foil a rocket attack on Ayn al-Asad airbase.
  3. Ecuador is facing a security crisis with violent incidents, including hostage situations, escalating across the country.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 628 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 24
  1. Argentine rebel leader JosΓ© de San MartΓ­n led his army across the Andes Mountains into Chile in 1817, marking a milestone in Latin American independence movement.
  2. Roselle in New Jersey was the first community to be lit entirely with electric lighting via overhead wires in 1883, designed by Thomas Edison.
  3. Israeli tensions surfaced as cabinet member Gadi Eizenkot prioritized hostage recovery and suggested a ceasefire deal with Hamas, contrasting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach.
Tim Culpan’s Position β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 30 Aug 24
  1. The author recently left a long career at Bloomberg and started a Substack to stay connected with followers. They weren't expecting such a positive response with many signing up and offering financial support.
  2. The author values their audience and will focus on Asia's technology scene moving forward. They want to keep their readers engaged with honest and critical insights.
  3. The author is interested in feedback and has created a poll to understand what their audience wants. However, they hint they'll ultimately follow their own path regardless of the results.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 23
  1. Israeli air strikes in Gaza led to civilian casualties, raising questions about proportionality and civilian protection in conflict zones.
  2. Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles at Israel, raising concerns about escalating regional conflicts and involvement of other countries.
  3. UN reports show the dire need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, highlighting the impact of conflict on civilian populations and infrastructure.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 23
  1. Planetary carbon dioxide emissions are on track to hit a record high in 2023, worsening climate change.
  2. Governments are not investing enough in updating electrical grids to support renewable energy sources.
  3. Violence and attacks continue in the Israel-Palestine conflict, leading to high casualties and humanitarian concerns.