The hottest Defense Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Pete Hegseth’s Islam Problem

Nonzero Newsletter • 508 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Pete Hegseth has controversial views on Islam, suggesting it is a continuous threat to the West, which could impact his role in defense if appointed.
  2. His lack of managerial experience raises concerns about his capabilities to lead the military effectively.
  3. Hegseth's views might worsen tensions with Muslim-majority countries and influence how U.S. foreign policy is shaped, especially regarding military actions.

Roadmap: Defense Tech

Next Big Teng • 137 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Defense
  1. Defense tech landscape is evolving, and startups are now collaborating with the DOD.
  2. Government contracts are key for defense tech startups, offering revenue and validation.
  3. Innovation in AI/ML, data infrastructure, cybersecurity, vertical solutions, and autonomous systems are driving the defense technology industry.

Made in Venezuela: Iranian Drones

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Iran has helped Venezuela build local drone production and assembly lines so Venezuelan forces can operate Iranian designs like the Mohajer-6, including armed reconnaissance and guided munitions.
  2. That cooperation turns Venezuela into a Latin American manufacturing node for Iran’s regional network, expanding Tehran’s influence and putting advanced surveillance and strike drones into the Western Hemisphere.
  3. The partnership exemplifies a sanctions‑resistant, distributed weapons-production model that the U.S. is trying to counter with sanctions, and it suggests more proxy drone factories could appear in allied states.
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How the Cold War with China (and Wars Elsewhere) are Changing American Cities

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Defense
  1. Globalization's decline and the cold war with China are reshaping American cities by leading to major onshoring of jobs, particularly in defense and technology.
  2. The production of semiconductors is crucial for national security and winning future cold wars, as they power modern technology and defense systems.
  3. Former manufacturing hubs like Phoenix, Columbus, and St. Louis are well-positioned to benefit from investments in industries like semiconductors and expanded military spending.

Trap Check

MatchQuarters • 255 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. The Chiefs' success formula in the modern game includes having a great QB, elite offense, and a middle-of-the-road defense that produces timely turnovers.
  2. The Chiefs have drafted strategically, with over half of their starters and eight of their 11 defensive starters drafted within the past three years.
  3. Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been successful in creating a defense that leverages talent and uses MOFO coverages to play a bend-don't-break style.

NATO’s New Defence Spending Pledge Is a Distraction

Phillips’s Newsletter • 144 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. NATO's new defense spending pledge may distract from what really matters: actually improving military capabilities. It's important for countries to focus on building effective defense systems rather than just meeting spending targets.
  2. European nations need to work together and make smart investments in defense rather than buying the same equipment individually. Coordinated efforts can lead to better outcomes and more efficient use of resources.
  3. The EU is increasingly supporting Ukraine, treating it like a member state in defense matters. This shows a shift in European responsibilities and a growing focus on autonomy in defense capabilities.

Top Links 646 Defense tech. The Trump tower in Belgrade. Time-biased and space-biased media. The global gender crisis & the book DuBois could not finish.

Chartbook • 286 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. There is ongoing discussion about defense technology and its impacts on society. People are exploring how tech shapes our safety and security.
  2. The mention of the Trump tower in Belgrade shows that events and places linked to political figures continue to draw attention. The tower serves as a symbol of larger political themes.
  3. The global gender crisis highlights ongoing issues related to equality. It suggests a need for deeper conversations and solutions around gender disparities.

Weekend Listening: Should America Continue to Aid Ukraine?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 894 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The costs of the war between Russia and Ukraine have been extremely high, with many casualties and significant financial support from the U.S.
  2. Public opinion in America has shifted over the past two years, with a majority now opposing additional funding to support Ukraine.
  3. Debates center around the importance of America's role in Ukraine, the effectiveness of aid packages, and the state of the war in Ukraine.

How Stupid Do They Think We Are?

startupdreams • 317 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. There are reports of drones flying over New Jersey, and Congress is concerned, but no one knows what they are. It seems surprising that such mysterious drones could evade radar and air defenses.
  2. A Congressman claimed that these drones might be launched from an Iranian 'mothership,' which seems hard to believe. It raises questions about the technology and motives behind this claim.
  3. Many people feel skeptical and frustrated by the government's explanations, suggesting this situation resembles previous misleading claims that led to unnecessary conflicts.

Thoughts on Defending the Pistol Spread

MatchQuarters • 196 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. High school football shifted from power football to spread offenses like the Air Raid to accommodate smaller athletes.
  2. Defensive strategies needed to adapt to the spread offenses that maximize space and create lag in defensive scheme reactions.
  3. Modern defenses had to adjust to the changing offensive landscape with concepts like Zone Read and defending against Air Raid schemes.

Leaked Pentagon Document Claims Russian Hacktivists Breached Canadian Gas Pipeline Company

Zero Day • 1283 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. A leaked Pentagon document suggests Russian hacktivists breached a Canadian gas pipeline company, with the ability to cause an explosion and instructions from the FSB.
  2. The hackers claimed to have caused damage to the Canadian facility, including increasing valve pressure and disabling alarms, aiming to impact income, not cause loss of life.
  3. US authorities are investigating the authenticity of the leak, which included several documents about Russia's war plans and intelligence on various countries.

Indiana Johannes and Raiders of the Lost ANC PART II - Iran, China, Russia, SA, and USA Policy

Who is Robert Malone • 6 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. South Africa’s ruling party has traded its moral posturing for geopolitical convenience by aligning with Iran, Russia, China, and Islamist groups, which is damaging trust with Western allies.
  2. China and Russia are expanding military and economic influence in Africa while South Africa’s navy and defense forces are underfunded and vulnerable to foreign involvement and potential privatization.
  3. The United States is shifting its Africa policy to prioritize security, trade, and limiting rival influence, using legal, trade, and legislative tools to pressure countries it sees as threats to national security, including South Africa.

The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR): Week 18 Update (Final Rankings)

Trench Warfare • 119 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. The 2023 True Sack Rate (TSR) metric differentiates sacks into four categories to evaluate pass-rush production accurately.
  2. The TSR provides valuable insights into how players earn sacks based on skill, technique, and circumstances.
  3. TSR results and rankings for edge rushers are available, including top performers in various efficiency metrics.

The Jets' STAB tag in Quarters coverage

MatchQuarters • 157 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Cover 3 is common in NFL but use of Quarters coverage is increasing due to offensive adjustments.
  2. More NFL teams are utilizing Quarters coverage to counter running QBs and Spread/RPO schemes.
  3. Robert Saleh has significantly increased Quarters coverage usage with the New York Jets.

Illinois Penny Package vs. Michigan ('22)

MatchQuarters • 157 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. Illinois football team improved from a tough season in 2020 to being 3rd in defensive FEI in 2022
  2. They utilized a unique defensive system featuring a five-man front and excessive use of Cover 1
  3. Their defense finished 4th overall in EPA/play, excelling against both the pass and the run

The Lions' Stubbie/Special Cut-up from Week 1

MatchQuarters • 157 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. The Detroit Lions used a popular Trips coverage called Stubbie to surprise the Chiefs in Week 1.
  2. Stubbie, while having Cover 2 elements, is more related to Quarters than Cover 2 due to the locked CB on #1 WR.
  3. The Lions' decision to switch to Quarters as their base coverage in Week 1 paid off, with the use of Stubbie helping them effectively defend against the Chiefs.

Rain Check!

MatchQuarters • 157 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Defense
  1. MatchQuarters analyzes Bill Belichick's favorite pressure
  2. Combining pressure with a base look can amplify its effectiveness
  3. Read pressure utilizes the offense's protection scheme against them

One and Done Fails (Once Again) With Airpower

Phillips’s Newsletter • 80 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Airpower requires time and careful planning to be effective. Just doing a quick bombing and saying it was a victory doesn't mean it worked.
  2. Claims of completely destroying Iran's nuclear program were likely exaggerated. Real progress takes consistent effort and assessment.
  3. History shows that quick military actions often do not lead to lasting results. It's important to consider how air campaigns are conducted.

Applied Digital, Defense Semiconductors, and 1998

Mule’s Musings • 96 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Defense
  1. Applied Digital focuses on combining technology with government projects. This partnership can lead to innovation and improved efficiency in services.
  2. Defense semiconductors are crucial for national security. They help in developing advanced technologies used in defense systems.
  3. Understanding the history of technology and its applications, like in 1998, gives insight into current trends and future developments. Learning from the past is important for progress.

What if NATO became a world government?

The Novelleist • 380 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. NATO serves as a defense pact among countries, fostering collective security.
  2. For NATO to act effectively as a global government, member countries must uphold their defense spending commitments.
  3. In a scenario where NATO evolves into a world government, it could potentially facilitate global peace by pooling resources and deterring aggression.

Cruel Britannia

Diane Francis • 419 implied HN points • 06 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The Queen's Jubilee marks a significant moment for Britain, highlighting the country's ongoing identity crisis after Brexit. Many worry about what will happen when Queen Elizabeth is no longer around.
  2. Britain's focus on defense and military agreements underscores a shift away from trade deals. The country is trying to maintain its global standing through military cooperation rather than economic partnerships.
  3. The economic impacts of Brexit are increasingly evident, with many British people feeling negatively about the decision. There are significant labor shortages and exports are declining, raising concerns for the future.

Die Linke is back

Comment is Freed • 113 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Die Linke made a surprising comeback in the recent German elections, gaining more votes than expected. This shows that there is still a significant interest in their policies despite their historical challenges.
  2. The new German government will need to figure out how to increase defense spending without going against the debt rules. This could be tricky and may require support from parties like Die Linke, which traditionally opposes higher military budgets.
  3. There is a growing realization in Germany about the need for strong defense capabilities, especially after changes in U.S. foreign policy. This might lead to unusual alliances in politics as different parties look for solutions.

Imperial And China

Surfing the Future • 39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Geopolitical trends will impact the sustainability revolution, causing controversy as the sector grows.
  2. China's focus on solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and EVs is reshaping the sustainability sector's priorities.
  3. Collaboration between scientists and companies linked to China's military is now raising concerns compared to the past.

Russia after the war

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Russia still earns a lot from oil and can keep fighting, but oil revenues are sliding and inflation is well above target, putting serious strain on public finances and ordinary people.
  2. Defence spending takes up a huge share of the budget, so when the war ends the country will either face mass job losses as the military-industrial complex is shut down or be tempted to find new conflicts to keep it running.
  3. Private businesses took on lots of loans during the sanctions, so a post-war inflation spike and central-bank rate hikes could trigger widespread loan defaults and a financial crisis.

Biden's State of the World

Diane Francis • 459 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The end of the post-war order is marked by recent global events. The U.S. is stepping back from leading the free world due to challenges from figures like Putin.
  2. Biden has been effective in bringing NATO and European countries together. However, it's seen that the responsibility for the conflict primarily lies with Europe.
  3. European nations are criticized for not having a strong military response. There's an emphasis on the lack of a unified army to confront these issues.

Driving A Tank Through Our Climate Budget

Surfing the Future • 39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Cutting climate spending to boost defense budgets can have negative consequences on addressing the climate and sustainability agenda.
  2. There is a growing concern about new levels of conflict fueled by cyberwarfare and genetic weapons, requiring more engagement with military and intelligence sectors.
  3. Future conflicts could harm the planet directly and shift focus away from crucial efforts to combat climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #123

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 116 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Defense
  1. E11 Bio is using a creative way to map the brain by injecting viruses that label neurons. This could help us understand the brain better and develop new treatments for neurological issues.
  2. A new study shows deep brain stimulation can help restore walking in people with spinal cord injuries. This method could lead to better recovery options for those with movement difficulties.
  3. Meta is looking to use nuclear energy to power its operations. This move shows a commitment to sustainable energy and could set a trend for other tech companies to follow.

Making Sense of The Après-Ukraine.

Trying to Understand the World • 7 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. You can’t easily draw universal lessons from Ukraine because the war’s context is unique, political, and many lessons won’t be practical or agreed on.
  2. Logistics, ammunition and sheer numbers often matter more than individual platforms: large stocks, resupply and integrated command let forces fight for years, and massed missiles or drones can overwhelm defenses.
  3. Drones and new technologies are important but conditional — defenses will adapt, the West will adopt them slowly and unevenly, and these tools will create unexpected civilian, criminal, and military uses.

Kishida May Raise Corporate Taxes, Part II

Japan Economy Watch • 139 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. The Kishida administration is considering raising corporate taxes to double defense spending, which could impact pro-entrepreneur tax breaks.
  2. There is uncertainty around how different government entities, like METI and the Prime Minister's Office, will negotiate on tax policies amidst concerns and objectives.
  3. Japanese corporations have a significant surplus in cash and securities, leading to questions about the necessity and use of low taxes and potential changes in government deficits.

OSD 305: Drones are the frontier of the Second Amendment

Open Source Defense • 87 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. Drones are becoming important tools for personal defense, just like guns once did. They can do more than just be weapons; they can also gather information and communicate.
  2. Drones are more advanced than traditional firearms because they can work together as a team. This teamwork can make people's defenses much stronger than just using guns alone.
  3. Current laws and regulations limit how we can use drones. If rules were less restrictive, drones could be much more useful, potentially reshaping what it means to have the right to defend ourselves.

US Authorizes (limited) Long-Range Strike

Phillips’s Newsletter • 102 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense
  1. The Biden Administration has allowed Ukraine to use US long-range strike systems, which is a significant approval after many months of conflict.
  2. President Zelensky emphasized that actions, not announcements, will define their response, implying that military actions will soon take place.
  3. There are still many unanswered questions about this decision, and its impact may depend on future developments and limitations imposed on Ukraine.

Vlad's bluff

Diane Francis • 319 implied HN points • 10 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Dr. Andrei Illarionov believes that the current crisis is mainly a bluff, influenced by the Western media.
  2. Negotiations are starting between Russia and the U.S. regarding the situation in Ukraine.
  3. The media's role in shaping the narrative around the crisis is significant and often underreported.

The Six Big Questions of 2025

Phillips’s Newsletter • 81 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Defense
  1. Ukraine is increasing its long-range weapons to target Russia more effectively. This means they are ready for deeper strikes, which could change the dynamics of the conflict.
  2. The focus will be on military production from both sides in 2025. This could determine who has the upper hand in the ongoing war.
  3. There are key questions that need answers to understand how the war will unfold in 2025. These questions are critical for predicting the future events in the conflict.

Thematics for 2026

Subsack • 4 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
💰 Finance Defense
  1. AI and its infrastructure are the central investment theme, with big-model companies, chips, and a huge jump in storage demand (RAM and disk) driving a tech supercycle.
  2. Government action and geopolitics are reshaping markets, as strategic funding, regulation, and supply‑chain moves boost defence, rare earths, nuclear, and give crypto/stablecoins clearer legitimacy.
  3. Portfolios are being rebalanced for 2026: new themes like storage, drones, LNG, robotics and space are being added while travel, luxury, gambling and clean energy are being trimmed; pharma, crypto and precious metals stay as key hedges.