The hottest Bilateral Relations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics
Pekingnology • 75 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
  1. China has signaled it welcomes and expects President Trump’s upcoming visit and wants both sides to make thorough preparations.
  2. Wang Yi urged mutual respect, managing differences, and removing unnecessary distractions so the two countries can pursue win‑win cooperation and keep relations stable.
  3. There are concerns that summit planning — particularly on the U.S. side — is inadequate, which worries Beijing and could undermine the visit’s outcomes.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 602 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
  1. American security relies on Israeli experience, technology, and close collaboration because those contributions make the United States safer.
  2. There is a sharp divide in conservative circles, with some saying Israel is an ally and others calling it a liability that drags the U.S. into wars.
  3. Critics ask what the U.S. gets from the relationship, but the practical defense benefits of partnering with Israel are presented as clear reasons to maintain it.
Pekingnology • 109 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
  1. China and the U.S. agreed to keep up dialogue and practical cooperation, with Xi saying both sides should move forward with equality, respect, and mutual benefit. He also stressed Taiwan is the core issue and urged the U.S. to be very prudent about arms sales to Taiwan.
  2. China and Russia reaffirmed a deep strategic partnership, pledging closer economic, energy, cultural, and security cooperation and tighter coordination in forums like the UN, BRICS, and SCO. Both leaders emphasized mutual support for each other’s sovereignty and plans to expand people-to-people and educational ties.
  3. Both conversations were tied to 2026 priorities—China’s new Five-Year Plan and major summit hosting—and framed around managing global turbulence, building trust step by step, and maintaining strategic stability and orderly global governance.
Pekingnology • 56 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
  1. The current U.S. approach puts tariffs at the center while deliberately avoiding the sharpest political flashpoints and publicly offering cooperation.
  2. That mix has created a rare opening for steadier ties — suspended tariff actions, resumed talks, planned leader visits, and possible cooperation on practical issues like AI risks, ceasefires, and trade.
  3. The stability is fragile because Congress, U.S. bureaucrats, allies, and Taiwan-related incidents could quickly reignite tensions, so crisis-management channels, downplaying ideology, and focused cooperation are urgently needed.
Pekingnology • 169 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
  1. Ryan Chen's January U.S. trip is a rare chance for a low-risk, high-reach, de-politicised media moment that could be staged as a short, tightly managed meet-and-greet.
  2. Chen's persona deliberately avoids policy and mainstream outlets have already profiled him, which lowers the chance the encounter would become a serious diplomatic symbol.
  3. A playful, photo-ready meeting could humanize U.S.-China narratives and generate the short clips and headlines Trump values, so organizers would gain outsized attention for little strategic cost.
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Diane Francis • 879 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
  1. The US and China are trying to improve their relationship to avoid conflicts and create rules for their economic competition. Both countries want to cooperate for their own benefits.
  2. China's economy is struggling, while the US is doing better, leading China to change its approach, especially after distancing itself from Russia. This change shows China's focus on economic connections over military alliances.
  3. During the summit, the leaders emphasized the importance of communication and addressing shared concerns. This effort aims to ease tensions and strengthen their crucial trading relationship.
Who is Robert Malone • 9 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
  1. South African officials raided a U.S.-linked refugee processing center on a symbolic Afrikaner holiday, appearing to target and intimidate Afrikaner applicants and disrupt a U.S. resettlement program, which deepened tensions with the United States.
  2. The U.S. administration set clear preconditions for normalizing relations—like treating farm attacks as a priority, condemning violent anti-white rhetoric, protecting property rights, and exempting U.S. entities from race-based rules—and effectively sidelined South Africa at the G20, signaling a major diplomatic rift.
  3. South Africa is portrayed as facing severe domestic crises—widespread crime and syndicates, corruption, shrinking economic standing, and contested land expropriations—that are undermining institutions and driving social and political instability.
Vietnam Weekly • 98 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
  1. Vietnam is in a debate over its market economy label by the US Commerce Department.
  2. Vietnamese labor exports are growing significantly, impacting both the economy and international relations.
  3. Táşżt time in Vietnam is colorful and vibrant with flower vendors all around.
John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
  1. The proposed trade deal appears to have terms that could be disadvantageous for India given the limited public details.
  2. Trump's unpredictability creates a real risk that he could reverse course and treat India poorly again, adding political uncertainty.
  3. Closer economic ties will make India more dependent on the US and give the US greater leverage, which could be risky even though both countries want a strong economic and security partnership.
Phillips’s Newsletter • 188 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
  1. The war is affecting many countries globally, not just in Europe. Attacks on infrastructure show how serious the situation has become.
  2. North Korean soldiers are facing heavy casualties fighting in Ukraine, which raises concerns about their future and the support they might be getting from Russia.
  3. Russia's military actions are impacting its relationship with other countries. In one incident, Russian forces shot down an Azerbaijani passenger plane, highlighting their unstable control in the region.
Pekingnology • 94 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
  1. Xi and Biden talked about keeping a stable and cooperative relationship between China and the U.S. They agreed that communication is key to avoid conflicts.
  2. Both leaders emphasized the importance of respecting each other's positions and avoiding actions that could escalate tensions, especially regarding Taiwan.
  3. They highlighted working together on global challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence, showing that cooperation benefits everyone.
Pekingnology • 71 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
  1. China and Japan are improving their relationship after years of tension. High-level meetings between their leaders are helping to foster better communication and understanding.
  2. There is a focus on youth exchanges and cultural connections to strengthen friendship between the two countries. Schools and local events can play a big part in bringing people together.
  3. China has made travel easier by removing visa requirements for Japanese citizens, and Japan is also easing its visa rules for Chinese visitors. This will encourage more tourism and personal connections between the nations.
Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
  1. Trump invited Xi to his upcoming inauguration, marking a unique diplomatic gesture. It's not common for a U.S. president to invite a foreign leader to their inauguration.
  2. China is considering whether or not to attend. They might choose to send a representative instead of Xi himself to avoid potential risks and uncertainties.
  3. If China decides to accept the invitation, it could strengthen their relationship with the U.S. while also showing commitment to peaceful cooperation between the countries.
Diane Francis • 219 implied HN points • 25 Oct 21
  1. The U.S. promises to defend Taiwan, but there's skepticism about whether that support will actually happen.
  2. President Biden's commitment to Ukraine is also doubted by Putin, who believes he can protect Russia's interests.
  3. Both Taiwan and Ukraine are seen as targets by bigger powers, highlighting the risks in global politics.
Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
  1. If Trump wins the election, he might raise tariffs on Chinese goods but could still seek cooperation on other global issues. This means there may be both challenges and chances for negotiation.
  2. If Harris wins, she will likely continue the Biden administration's approach, which emphasizes competition with China while avoiding major conflicts. This could lead to a stable but competitive relationship.
  3. No matter who wins, there’s room for the U.S. and China to collaborate on big global problems like climate change and peace initiatives. Finding common ground will be crucial for both countries moving forward.
Pekingnology • 49 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
  1. China is trying to improve its relationships with Japan, Britain, and Israel. They want to start fresh and strengthen cooperation in various areas.
  2. India has made progress with China by reaching an agreement on their long-standing border issues. This could help ease tensions between the two countries after years of conflict.
  3. The recent diplomatic talks indicate a shift in the way these countries engage with China, focusing on mutual respect and cooperation to address challenges together.
Geopolitical Economy Report • 99 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
  1. Democrats and Republicans share about 95% of the same imperialist and capitalist policies, despite contrasting rhetoric.
  2. Biden's presidency has not significantly diverged from Trump's policies, maintaining actions like sanctions on Cuba and war in Yemen.
  3. The US government, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, prioritizes corporate interests over public well-being, leading to a dysfunctional regime.
C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 30 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
  1. Trump often uses aggressive negotiation tactics, but these tactics might not work well with Canada. Canada has strong trade routes and options if the U.S. threatens tariffs.
  2. If a 25% tariff were imposed, Canada could adapt by selling goods elsewhere, and it would likely damage U.S. industries more than Canadian ones.
  3. There are existing treaties ensuring the free flow of people and trade between the U.S. and Canada. The idea of a border crisis is not as big of an issue as it's made out to be.
Michelle Rempel Garner • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
  1. The Canadian Prime Minister and his party are trying to shift the focus from a foreign election interference scandal.
  2. Upcoming events like American President Biden's visit and the federal budget presentation are seen as attempts to change the political narrative.
  3. Challenges like the need for significant policy wins, economic problems, and potential spoilers from various fronts may hinder the Liberals' efforts to alter the political channel.