The hottest Defense Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

Behavioural Geopolitics: What it means for the coming years

Klement on Investing • 7 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Very powerful countries tend to feel more threatened and become more hawkish, which leads them to intervene militarily and economically even against weaker rivals.
  2. When checks on government power are weak, leaders can use state actions to benefit allies and big companies, increasing corruption and privileging private interests over the public good.
  3. Encouraging allies to rearm can make them more independent and confident, which may create new rivalries and strain old alliances, and could prompt deals or conflicts over strategic assets like semiconductors and Taiwan.

When the Old-Timers Go Marching In (Part 1) [i]

Black Mountain Analysis • 569 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌐 International Defense
  1. The article discusses the use of old air defense missile systems in recent wars, highlighting their continued relevance and effectiveness despite their age.
  2. Various countries have modernized the 2K12 Kub (SA-6) system, improving detection range, reliability, and engagement capabilities to extend the system's service life.
  3. In conflicts like the Yemen civil war, the 2K12 system has been utilized, showcasing potential for ambushing and targeting coalition aircraft with modified IR-homing missiles.
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Is a Foreign Adversary Flying Drones over New Jersey?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1303 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. There have been strange reports of large drones flying over critical places in New Jersey. Residents are confused and want to know where these drones are coming from.
  2. A congressman suggested that an Iranian mothership is behind the drone sightings, but this claim was quickly denied by the Pentagon. They said there is no evidence of such a mothership.
  3. Local and state officials are struggling to provide clear answers about the drones. Despite concerns, the Pentagon states that there has been no threat to military installations.

top 5 reading links for 2025

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 64 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
💼 Business Defense
  1. Big-picture data and history reveal where success and talent cluster, so studying patterns can show who wins prizes and where modern geniuses hide.
  2. Private tech is reshaping defense and security, and building 21st-century military or AI systems brings practical bottlenecks like energy, logistics, and policy into focus.
  3. Everyday business and social skills matter: many data businesses aren’t ideal VC targets, venture firms often ignore their own advice, and simple moves like the right intro, hosting great dinners, or focused job hunting make a big difference.

Observations: Auburn 82, Ole Miss 59

The Auburn Observer • 432 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Auburn basketball team is having fun and showing great teamwork on both offense and defense
  2. Auburn's close-knit team spirit and camaraderie is evident in their celebrations and support for each other
  3. Auburn's elite defense is a major factor in their success, holding opponents to low scores and showcasing strong defensive skills

The Ball Screen Coverage Spectrum

Hoop Vision • 452 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Guarding the ball screen is a crucial decision for coaches in basketball.
  2. Teams have different approaches to defending the ball screen, falling on a spectrum.
  3. Success in basketball can be influenced by defensive strategies like being aggressive or sagging off the ball handler.

Observations: Auburn 93, LSU 78

The Auburn Observer • 393 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Auburn basketball is winning consistently and by double digits in a season with many upsets among ranked teams.
  2. Auburn's defense creating havoc is a key factor in their recent success, with steals leading to significant points off turnovers.
  3. Coach Bruce Pearl remains modest about the team's success, recognizing areas for improvement despite strong performances.

An Argument For Tariffs

Points And Figures • 746 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Tariffs can hurt consumers because they end up paying higher prices. Even if some believe they help local businesses, they can actually make those businesses less competitive.
  2. In some cases, tariffs might be necessary to protect industries that are important for national security, like drone technology. This can help the country stay strong in a competitive world.
  3. Big companies can create advantages that make it hard for others to compete. If countries like China dominate certain industries, tariffs may be needed to keep a fair playing field.

Friday mailbag: Quarterback ideas abound

Purple Insider • 353 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Attributes to look for in a rookie quarterback include production, arm talent, toughness, leadership skills, and athleticism.
  2. When considering changes to the coaching staff, focus may be on positions like running backs coach based on past performances.
  3. Signing a veteran quarterback can still lead a team to a Super Bowl, as proven by recent veteran QBs who competed in the Super Bowl.

Debate: Should the U.S. Intervene in Iran?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 352 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The U.S. is debating whether to intervene in Iran to stop its nuclear program, especially after Israel's recent actions. It's a big decision for President Trump, who needs to consider if Iran is a real threat.
  2. There are two main views on this issue: one group believes the U.S. should stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts, while the other supports military action to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
  3. Israeli leaders argue that Iran's threat is not just a regional issue but affects global security, including the U.S. This raises questions about America's role in international conflicts.

CIA-adjacent VC community convenes in Boston during ice storm

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 691 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. A group of former CIA members and venture capitalists met in Boston to discuss new tech ideas for military and safety purposes. They talked about big topics like cybersecurity and defense technology.
  2. One interesting pitch was about using micro nuclear reactors to power U.S. military bases. They also discussed how these reactors could be involved in cryptocurrency mining.
  3. The importance of developing U.S. technology to stay competitive against countries like China was a hot topic. Everyone agreed that the U.S. must innovate to keep up.

Stacking the Back: A lesson from the Rams.

MatchQuarters • 334 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. The Los Angeles Rams improved their defense by diversifying their defensive coverages.
  2. The Rams' focus on developing talent internally rather than making high draft picks has paid off.
  3. Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris made impactful strategic decisions that helped the Rams shut down opponents' key offensive weapons.

The Short Roll

Hoop Vision • 275 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Kansas used the short roll effectively to beat Houston
  2. Kentucky struggled defensively, not just on ball screens
  3. Houston's defense didn't perform well against the short roll strategy

Observations: Auburn 14, Cal 10

The Auburn Observer • 550 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Auburn's defense was the hero, saving their struggling offense in a crucial win
  2. Auburn won despite a messy offensive performance, showcasing resilience and determination
  3. Auburn's defense stepped up with an impressive performance, despite facing health challenges

The View from France

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 55 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Europe increasingly fears the United States may not defend it and now treats American envoys more like outside actors than reliable allies.
  2. Russia is openly menacing Europe while warmly courting U.S. businessmen in Moscow, a tactic meant to divide Europeans and undermine deterrence.
  3. European militaries are under-resourced and would need years to rebuild, and for now Ukraine’s resistance is seen as the primary barrier preventing a wider Russian attack.

The chokepoint behind America’s AI boom

Definite Optimism • 44 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. China controls the vast majority of rare-earth refining and high-performance magnet production, creating a strategic choke point for advanced tech supply chains.
  2. The US AI boom and recent economic growth depend heavily on these critical minerals, and Chinese export controls exposed how vulnerable the US and its allies are, forcing urgent policy shifts.
  3. Addressing this requires a large, sustained industrial push to rebuild mining, refining, and manufacturing capacity in the West — a one-day summit or small measures won’t be enough.

Sacking the Tide

MatchQuarters • 314 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Alabama's weak offensive line struggled with sacks in multiple games
  2. Michigan's defensive strategy heavily relied on pressure against Alabama's weak O-line
  3. Defensive coordinators like Minter adapt schemes to create attacking concepts that are simple for players

Weekend Listening: The Real Team America

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2026 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. There is growing concern over potential conflicts involving the U.S., China, Russia, and other nations, which could escalate into a global war.
  2. Many Americans, including influential figures like business leaders and journalists, are investing in innovative defense technologies to strengthen national security.
  3. Innovation in software is seen as crucial for modern defense, enabling the development of advanced weapon systems and vehicles with AI and autonomous capabilities.

NFL Thoughts: A Contrarian Theory on Who the NFL's Best Player is and a Reader Dumps on Justin Herbert

House of Strauss • 23 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Derek Stingley Jr. may be the NFL’s most impactful player because quarterbacks often avoid his side of the field. His coverage stats — a very low completion rate and tiny passer rating when targeted — suggest elite, game-changing disruption.
  2. Cornerbacks are widely undervalued and losing a starting corner can cause a big defensive drop-off, so truly elite corners can provide outsized team advantage. That lack of public and analytic attention may hide how important the position is.
  3. Justin Herbert is a very good quarterback but not clearly elite; repeated OC changes, persistent injuries, and middling advanced metrics indicate he hasn’t taken the next step. Blaming only the organization for his shortcomings is becoming a weaker explanation.

It Profits a Nation Nothing to Give Its Soul for the Whole World . . . But for Greenland?

Gideon's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The push to "own" Greenland revives a long-standing American interest, but openly threatening an allied country to get it is unprecedented and alarming.
  2. The United States already has broad military access to Greenland, so trying to acquire it outright looks unnecessary and risks seriously damaging ties with Denmark and other European allies.
  3. The president’s unpredictable theatrics could either spur Europe to rearm and become more strategically independent—which might be beneficial—or alienate allies and push them toward rivals like China, with dangerous long-term costs.

An Unprecedented Act

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 412 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a significant UFO legislation: the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act of 2023.
  2. The legislation contains detailed definitions of terms like 'legacy programs', 'non-human intelligence', and 'unidentified anomalous phenomena'.
  3. The bill explores the potential use of eminent domain to recover UFO technology and biological materials from private entities, sparking controversy.

Pentagon confirms erasure of Project Maven-related contract records

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 712 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The Pentagon deleted public records of a $200 million AI surveillance contract called Project Maven, raising concerns about transparency.
  2. They justified this erasure by citing national security rules that allow withholding information from public databases.
  3. Some agencies, like the CIA, are exempt from certain federal procurement regulations, making it unclear how broadly these rules are applied.

"Daddy" Just Accelerated The Killing Of Ukrainians

Phillips’s Newsletter • 230 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Trump's recent meeting with Zelensky raised false hopes for Ukraine's aid, but it led to disappointments. Many believed he would help, but actions showed otherwise.
  2. The U.S. is cutting crucial military aid to Ukraine, which makes it harder for them to defend against Russian attacks. This decision could lead to more Ukrainian casualties.
  3. Europe could pressure the U.S. to provide more support for Ukraine by only buying American weapons if they are also sent to Ukraine. This requires confidence and strategy from European leaders.

Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 607 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Pete Hegseth wants to change the Pentagon's culture to focus more on military effectiveness and less on political correctness. He believes this will improve how the military operates.
  2. He frequently uses the term 'warfighters' to describe the type of soldiers he aims to support. This suggests he sees them as effective combatants rather than just bureaucratic figures.
  3. Hegseth has publicly supported soldiers who have been accused or convicted of war crimes, which raises concerns among some of his Republican supporters about the implications of his leadership style.

Top Links 602 Vibe cession born out. America's Hindenburg moment. The CIA's shadow banking & why guns are different.

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The term 'vibe cession' suggests a cool down in economic enthusiasm. This means people may be feeling less optimistic about the economy.
  2. America's 'Hindenburg moment' refers to a serious crisis or failure. It's a warning sign that something big could go wrong.
  3. The CIA's involvement in shadow banking shows the different ways money can be used, especially when it comes to guns and security. This has implications for how we view finance and power.

🛰 The story of the US Space Force: A Quick Q&A with … defense policy analyst Todd Harrison

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The US Space Force is essential because the number of satellites in space is rapidly increasing, and protecting them is crucial for both national security and economic reasons.
  2. The Space Force not only tracks and defends military satellites but also faces various forms of attacks, especially cyber threats, requiring strategies to counter these non-kinetic challenges.
  3. Future roles of the Space Force may include protecting commercial space interests, similar to how the Navy protects maritime commerce, as space becomes increasingly important for global trade and security.

Georgia's Defensive Philosophy

MatchQuarters • 314 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Georgia's defensive philosophy focuses on controlling the line of scrimmage with elite talent and coaching.
  2. Despite losing key players to the NFL Draft, Georgia's defense remained strong and dominant in the 2022 season.
  3. Smart's defensive strategy emphasizes stopping the run with minimal defenders to achieve efficiency and success on the field.

Let the Real Games Begin

Knicks Film School • 694 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. The Knicks are heading into the postseason with a pair of losses and uncertainties about Julius Randle's availability.
  2. Luka Doncic may want out of the Mavericks, and Kyrie Irving skipped his exit meeting, adding to the drama in Big D.
  3. Donovan Mitchell's pull-up 3-point shooting will be a key factor in the upcoming series between the Knicks and the Cavs.