The hottest Diplomacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 10613 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 24
  1. US troops suffered fatalities in strikes, highlighting escalation tensions.
  2. Confusion arises about the location of the troop fatalities, raising questions about US involvement in the region.
  3. Potential for a major conflict or withdrawal in the Middle East, with significant implications for the US and global economy.
The North Star with Shaun King β€’ 4599 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. Shaun King was banned from Instagram for thanking Yemen for trying to stop the genocide of Palestinians.
  2. Meta's decision sets a dangerous precedent by deleting Shaun King's account and preventing any appeal.
  3. Shaun King stands by his support for Yemen and Palestine despite the unjust ban from Instagram.
Richard Hanania's Newsletter β€’ 1877 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
  1. US foreign policy successes are often less visible than failures, making it important to acknowledge both aspects
  2. American military presence in South Korea has helped maintain peace by deterring North Korean aggression
  3. Engaging in discussions with hostile regimes, like North Korea, can provide valuable insights into their intentions
Richard Hanania's Newsletter β€’ 3096 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Most Palestinians hold extreme views on the conflict with Israel, hindering the possibility of peace.
  2. For peace to be achievable, Palestinian society needs to be less hostile towards Jews and able to prevent extremists from derailing negotiations.
  3. Israel must be confident in the stability of a new Palestinian state and its ability to address internal opposition to ensure lasting peace.
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Webworm with David Farrier β€’ 3930 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. The author reflects on feelings of nervousness and limbo at the US Embassy in New Zealand for a visa appointment.
  2. America is portrayed as a country facing challenges and disparities, leading to reflections on its future.
  3. Living in America brings chaos but also a sense of contentment, with the author finding inspiration for stories from the environment.
Points And Figures β€’ 932 implied HN points β€’ 10 Mar 24
  1. The bombing of German cities during WWII had a significant impact on post-war Germany, changing behaviors and diminishing the desire for another war.
  2. A large majority of Palestinians desire the erasure of Israel from the international map, similar to the sentiment among German citizens under Hitler in the 1940s.
  3. Complete and total war on terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah is seen as necessary for the peace of Israel and the world, rather than proposing humanitarian aid or two-state solutions.
Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 1116 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
  1. The era of Western dominance has ended, according to the EU foreign-policy chief. Europe should not see the world as 'the West against the Rest'.
  2. Global geopolitical tensions could push Europe into a bleak future. Europe must improve relations with the Global South to avoid becoming geopolitically irrelevant.
  3. In international forums like the UN, Europe often aligns with the US against the majority of countries from the Global South. This shows a stark division in voting patterns.
Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie β€’ 2240 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 24
  1. Yemen's unification posed a threat to Iran due to close ties with the US and Saudi Arabia.
  2. The Biden Administration reversed the terrorist designation for the Houthi, leading to increased attacks and conflicts.
  3. Weak responses from the Biden Administration to Iran's aggressions signal American weakness.
Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey β€’ 785 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
  1. Iran has a significant Jewish population that contradicts claims of genocidal intentions against Jews by the Tehran government.
  2. Iranian Jews enjoy freedom to practice their faith and live peacefully, even though they face limitations in certain aspects of society.
  3. The Iranian government's rhetoric often involves strong language against Israel as a political entity, but it does not necessarily translate to genocidal threats towards Jewish people.
The Pillar β€’ 1906 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. The Nicaraguan regime freed Bishop Rolando José Álvarez and expelled him from the country after he was sentenced to 26 years in prison along with other priests and seminarians.
  2. The release was secured through diplomacy involving Vatican agreements, leading to the deportation of numerous clerics, including Bishop Álvarez and others from various dioceses.
  3. The deportation represents the third major expulsion of Nicaraguan priests within a year, contributing to a significant exodus of priests from the country and potentially challenging the Church's presence in Nicaragua.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 667 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
  1. Nations are considering a Pandemic Agreement to enhance preparedness and response to disease outbreaks, focusing on science advice for a new international science advisory committee.
  2. Implementing a new science advisory committee to oversee genetic research and supervision of pandemic potential pathogens across various settings is challenging due to current political and diplomatic hurdles.
  3. The politicization of science diplomacy poses risks like compromising scientific integrity, creating 'policy-based evidence,' and jeopardizing the independence of expert advisory mechanisms, showing the need for stronger institutions where science intersects with politics.
The Column β€’ 1690 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
  1. White House acknowledges no military solution to Hamas despite supporting military actions
  2. Questioning the rationale behind ongoing violence in Gaza despite unrealistic goals
  3. Criticism on the futility of US policies based on mass death and the need for accountability
Drezner’s World β€’ 943 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. Europe faced challenges in making foreign policy decisions due to internal disagreements, but eventually reached an agreement by employing strong tactics.
  2. The European Union managed to secure financial support for Ukraine despite obstacles from Hungary by applying pressure and using negotiation strategies effectively.
  3. The United States encountered difficulties in passing aid packages for Ukraine as negotiations were linked to immigration policies, ultimately leading to a stalled process and uncertain outcomes.
ChinaTalk β€’ 370 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
  1. The partnership between Russia and China may not be as strong as it seems, with a 75% chance of it collapsing due to differing views on separatism.
  2. China and Russia have different perspectives on separatism, with China focusing on maintaining territorial unity while Russia supports separatist movements in neighboring regions.
  3. The stability of the alliance between China and Russia is questionable, and smart diplomatic maneuvering by democracies can help exploit the ideological cracks between these two powerful autocracies.
Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 7802 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jul 23
  1. Zelensky may be planning a falseflag at the ZNPP to galvanize NATO members before the summit.
  2. Western MSM articles are discussing the potential fallout from a disaster at the Ukrainian nuclear plant.
  3. There are concerns about Russian forces massing around Kharkiv for a potential counterattack.
Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 7468 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
  1. Ukraine struggles to make significant advances against Russia, facing setbacks and casualties in its offensives.
  2. Western partners are pushing Ukraine towards negotiations for conflict resolution over air cover and supplies issues.
  3. Russia maintains overwhelming pressure on all frontlines, awaiting potential further escalation next year with more troops mobilized.
Striking 13 β€’ 1577 implied HN points β€’ 15 Dec 23
  1. The European Union navigated complex political challenges with a mix of negotiation and compromise, showcasing the effectiveness of careful diplomacy over populism.
  2. The European Union's core principle of uniting economies to prevent war is facing challenges from rising populism, border control issues, and shifts in global trade dynamics.
  3. The recent events surrounding Ukraine's EU membership aspirations highlight the importance of the European Union's approach to politics, emphasizing peace, compromise, and true freedom.
Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge β€’ 7409 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jun 23
  1. Putin held a press conference with top Russian correspondents for a candid Q&A about the war.
  2. During the chat, Putin made interesting admissions about deficiencies in the Russian army and production of modern systems.
  3. Putin hinted at Russia's future plans in Ukraine, mentioning that they will depend on the situation and outcome of Ukraine's counter-offensive.
Foreign Exchanges β€’ 569 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 24
  1. On February 7, 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed by 12 European Community member states, deepening European integration and contributing to the formation of the European Union.
  2. In Israel-Palestine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's ceasefire proposal and expressed the intention to continue military actions until achieving 'absolute victory'.
  3. On February 7, 1497, Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola conducted the notorious 'Bonfire of the Vanities' in Florence, burning thousands of luxury items, including books.
Eunomia β€’ 668 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
  1. The Biden administration's decision to re-designate the Houthis as terrorist group is causing harm to the people of Yemen.
  2. The re-designation undermines efforts to prevent famine in Yemen and could strengthen the Houthis' power.
  3. Re-listing the Houthis as terrorists risks reigniting conflict and will have severe consequences for innocent Yemenis.
The Liberal Patriot β€’ 511 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
  1. Human rights in Gulf states shouldn't just be criticized, but strategically approached through sports diplomacy.
  2. The US should strengthen its ties between sports diplomacy and human rights to promote liberal values.
  3. Encouraging human rights through sports in Gulf countries can lead to substantive change and advancements in the region.
Unmasking Russia β€’ 334 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
  1. The son of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev managed to cope with sanctions by receiving help from the family of the Norwegian ambassador, who provided ships for his work on the Arctic shelf.
  2. Nikolai Patrushev, a former FSB director and influential figure in Russia, has family members involved in important business dealings related to offshore projects in the Arctic.
  3. Connections between the son of the Norwegian ambassador to Russia and Andrey Patrushev are revealed in business transactions involving companies related to the Arctic shelf and oil and gas fields.
Speaking Security β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Biden is bombing Yemen in response to attacks by the Houthi movement disrupting global shipping.
  2. An easy solution to the crisis would be for Biden to end Israel's military offensive with a single phone call.
  3. The ongoing bombings in Yemen by the US-backed coalition and Biden's actions are deemed cruel and ineffective.
ChinaTalk β€’ 133 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
  1. AI can enhance diplomacy by streamlining bureaucratic tasks, providing accurate data for negotiations, and improving analysis processes.
  2. Risk management in the State Department varies for different tasks: while tasks like HR and IT services can run faster to match the private sector, activities like foreign assistance and passport services require a higher burden due to their public impact.
  3. Strategic use of transparency can be a strength for the U.S. in diplomacy, as seen in the Biden administration's doctrine. Leveraging transparency internally and externally can have strategic advantages over closed societies.
Eunomia β€’ 334 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Biden's response to the war in Gaza shows the consequences of giving another state unlimited support.
  2. Many Democrats believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, yet Western governments are hesitant to act on this evidence.
  3. Public confidence in Biden's ability to handle international crises is low, especially after his support for Israel during the Gaza conflict.