The hottest Diplomacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

The Power Of Absent Things.

Trying to Understand the World • 6 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Understanding the history, symbolism, and previous political decisions is crucial to analyzing current political statements and actions.
  2. Political decisions and actions are heavily influenced by a complex accumulation of past statements, commitments, and decisions, creating constraints on present actions and limiting future possibilities.
  3. In times of crisis, decision-makers often operate in a state of confusion, following preset narratives and sedimented beliefs, unable to adapt to changing circumstances or consider alternative policies.

Did Joe Biden Promise Israel Gaza, If Israel Went Along With Biden's Ruse, To Coat Tail Ukraine Funding On Israeli Emergency Funding?

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 6 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The Biden administration may have promised Gaza to Israel in exchange for cooperation on emergency funding for Ukraine.
  2. Netanyahu was allegedly promised Gaza by Biden in exchange for Israeli forces standing down, leading to minimal resistance from Hamas.
  3. Biden's involvement is criticized as complicit in genocide in Ukraine and Gaza, with a call for his accountability.

Ukraine's Only Hope: Diplomacy + Neutrality

John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Ukraine's best hope lies in pursuing diplomacy and maintaining neutrality.
  2. The importance of discussing the future of the Ukraine war and strategizing for the benefit of Ukraine and the West.
  3. Engagement in 'The Deep Dive' conversation with Lt. Colonel Danny Davis to elaborate on the Ukraine war's direction and strategies for the future.

Quand ça s’arrêtera en Ukraine, qui éteindra les lumières?

Trying to Understand the World • 1 implied HN point • 23 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Ending a war involves distinct steps, like ceasefires or treaties, and all parties must genuinely want to stop fighting for it to work.
  2. Negotiations can be tricky because different groups might have different reasons for agreeing to talk, and misunderstandings can lead to more conflict.
  3. Successful agreements need to reflect the actual situation on the ground and have buy-in from all involved, or they might fall apart quickly.
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Dealing With Foreigners ...

Trying to Understand the World • 4 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Dealing with foreigners is more complex than it seems, involving various relationships and dimensions beyond traditional foreign policy.
  2. Government relations between states involve expertise from different departments and experts are crucial in negotiations and technical matters.
  3. International relations are influenced by a multitude of factors, including domestic politics and media, leading to intricate and often unpredictable outcomes.

Intelligence Digest - 2024-01-05

Hill Bill • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The US is urging the UN Security Council to take urgent action against Yemen's Houthi rebels for attacking ships in the Red Sea.
  2. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the global community is closely monitoring key events on day 680 of the conflict.
  3. 2024 could mark a significant shift as Huawei might surpass Apple in the mobile operating system race in China, with HarmonyOS gaining traction.

Why does the USA defer to Russia?

Demodexio • 0 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The USA's reluctance to seek victory in Ukraine may stem from bureaucratic inertia.
  2. Historically, many US officials were invested in building a friendship with Russia.
  3. The State Department's career officials' dedication to the idea of US-Russia partnership hinders the willingness to confront Russia.

A new era of American greatness is dawning

Demodexio • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The USA is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth compared to other developed nations.
  2. America's historical success can be attributed to factors like military conquest, expanding the monetary economy, and governance structures.
  3. Questions remain about the impact of immigration, debt, and women's empowerment on the future prosperity of the USA.

The 'H' Terror Triad

Dana’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Iran-backed proxy groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi's are causing disruptions in the Middle East.
  2. International efforts are being made to combat attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.
  3. The connection between terrorism in the Middle East also involves Russia's interactions with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

It's Raining on Putin’s Victory Day Parade

Natto Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Events in May 2023 show challenges faced by Putin's government, from military setbacks to potential cyber attacks amid subdued Victory Day celebrations.
  2. Putin's need for a victory by May 9 adds pressure on domestic and international fronts, with fears of a civil war among Russian factions.
  3. Cyber attacks could be a tool for Putin to project strength, given historical instances of Russian hackers conducting cyber operations around Victory Day to disrupt adversary countries.

Thư ngỏ Tôi và Sứ quán

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 19
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Many Vietnamese communities abroad face challenges with corruption and inefficiency in their country's embassies and consulates.
  2. Despite encountering difficulties with diplomatic missions, Vietnamese individuals in Silicon Valley are regarded as talented and brilliant by the US government and top tech companies.
  3. Efforts have been made to address issues with Vietnamese diplomatic missions, with suggestions for increased transparency, accountability, and professionalism within these establishments.

Động đất ở VN

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 08
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Online discussions can often devolve into personal attacks and arguments rather than focusing on the main topic.
  2. Herd mentality can influence group behavior, leading individuals to conform to the majority opinion even if it may not be rational.
  3. Preconceived biases and historical events can significantly impact how individuals perceive and interact with people from different backgrounds.

Your own wikileak cable

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 10
🎭️ Culture Diplomacy
  1. The game 'Diplomacy' is special because winning relies more on negotiation than just strategy on the board. You have to really work with others to succeed.
  2. Playing the game online brings a new level of intrigue because all conversations happen through messages, making it feel more secretive and strategic.
  3. The online format allows for longer times between moves, which encourages deeper conversations and planning among players, enhancing the overall experience.

Strategic depth

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Strategic depth is about having enough space and time to protect important things, like a country or our personal values. This helps us withstand attacks from outside forces.
  2. Companies with high profit margins can survive tough times longer. It's important to know how much risk we can handle daily, similar to the Kelly Criterion in betting.
  3. Strategic intensity means being very observant and smart in decision-making. It's about reading situations well and knowing when to take risks or simplify things in a game.

Paris, may day

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. It's important to look beyond simple East-West thinking in global politics. Understanding different perspectives can help us see how countries interact in more complex ways.
  2. Economic challenges like inflation are affecting families all over the world. We need to think about how these factors impact our lives and what we can do to prepare for them.
  3. Valuation can be tricky and depends on many factors, including geography and culture. It's interesting to consider how we might value things differently in various contexts.

YourINT SITREP (16 OCT 2024)

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. There's a lot of tension in international relations, especially with leaders like Trump and Putin, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
  2. Cyber threats are rising, with countries like Russia and China increasingly using cybercriminals to target the U.S. and its allies.
  3. Concerns about terrorism remain high, as groups like ISIS continue to plot attacks, while governments are stepping up military actions against them.

YourINT SITREP (11 OCT 2024)

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Tensions in the Middle East are rising, especially with closer ties being formed between Russia and Iran.
  2. Ukraine faces significant pressure on the battlefield, and now North Koreans are reportedly deployed with Russian troops there.
  3. The growth of AI is raising concerns about increasing online radicalization and its impacts on security.

YourINT SITREP (07 OCT 2024)

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Viktor Bout, known for arms trading, is back in the business after gaining notoriety as Putin's 'Merchant of Death'.
  2. The anniversary of the October 7 attack in Israel shows that many Israelis want to focus on bringing back hostages instead of just fighting Hamas.
  3. China is looking for reasons to provoke Taiwan and escalate tensions in the region, raising concerns for its security.

L'Étrange défaite: Réalité et réalisme

Trying to Understand the World • 0 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Many Western leaders struggle to understand the situation in Ukraine, often ignoring the harsh realities on the ground. This disconnect leads to ineffective decision-making and a lack of realistic strategies.
  2. Current political leaders lack the necessary skills to manage complex crises, as they often focus more on internal politics than on effective crisis management. Their inability to formulate clear strategies makes it difficult to navigate conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
  3. The Western approach often relies on assumptions and unrealistic hopes, believing that military support will lead to quick victories. This mindset prevents them from grasping the complexities of warfare and the real objectives behind military actions.

Dreams of Justice: F.W. de Klerk on Nelson Mandela and South Africa

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The end of the Cold War and the Soviet withdrawal from proxy conflicts created a rare political opening that made negotiated settlement and the dismantling of apartheid possible.
  2. Dismantling an unjust system required both moral conviction and pragmatic, courageous leadership that seized the strategic moment to negotiate a new, inclusive constitution.
  3. Long-term peace needs strong constitutional protections and institutions to guard minority rights and check majoritarianism, because without them corruption, 'big man' politics, and incomplete reconciliation can reverse progress.

State of Israel: Michael Oren on Israel as a World Power

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Israel is less isolated and is increasingly seen as a global power, building new partnerships across Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, India, China, and among Sunni Arab states. Its strengths in water, cyber, defense, and other technologies, plus shared security concerns about Iran, are driving this realignment.
  2. The traditional two-state solution looks less realistic to many Israelis, given past withdrawals that led to more violence and the reality of autonomous Palestinian areas today. A more practical approach may be regional, informal understandings and step-by-step arrangements rather than formal, Western-style peace treaties.
  3. Israel faces serious challenges from delegitimization, rising anti-Semitism, and limited diplomatic resources, so it needs to invest more in public diplomacy and maintain broad international support. It also must carefully manage complex ties with the US, China, and Russia and address deep internal social divides while staying cautiously optimistic.

Good Actor: Forest Whitaker talks about his plan to deconflict the world

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌐 International Diplomacy
  1. He turned his public platform into action by founding and leading a nonprofit that focuses on resolving conflicts and promoting peace around the world.
  2. He believes young global citizens are the most important force for ending and preventing armed conflict and that investing in youth is essential.
  3. His approach to "deconflicting the world" emphasizes peace and development work that addresses root causes and builds local capacity for lasting stability.

The General: Ehud Barak on Israel, the Palestinians, and the Middle East

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. The gravest existential threat is internal: government policies that expand isolated settlements and weaken democratic checks risk turning the country into a non‑Jewish or non‑democratic state.
  2. A secure two‑state outcome is technically compatible with Israel’s security and is more achievable if pursued now with U.S. backing and cooperation from moderate Arab states; waiting only narrows Israel’s options.
  3. Iran remains a long‑term nuclear risk but its breakout timeline has been delayed, so Israel should use this window to build regional and U.S. coordination and treat military strikes as a last resort.

Swords to Ploughshares: Jody Williams on Landmines and Killer Robots

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Small, well-coordinated civil society campaigns can change global norms and push governments to adopt bans by sharing information, applying sustained pressure, and working with sympathetic states.
  2. Fully autonomous weapons that can select and kill targets without human control create grave moral, legal, and security risks, so they should be tightly restricted or banned before they are widely deployed.
  3. Activism is simply taking action: individuals have a responsibility to speak up and act on injustices, and lasting progress needs allies who do more than stay quiet.

The Great Displacement: David Miliband on the Global Refugee Crisis

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. People commonly confuse refugees with general immigration, and that confusion—combined with large numbers and economic anxiety—fuels political backlash.
  2. The core solutions are political: restart peacemaking, give long-term support to countries hosting refugees, and wealthy nations should resettle more people as an act of solidarity.
  3. Integration must be managed fairly and realistically; forcing assimilation doesn’t work, and embracing plural identities helps diverse communities succeed.

🔅 Nigerian Election: Will the young Obi-dients take it?

baobabnewsletter • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Nigeria's upcoming election is drawing attention to young voters and their potential impact on the political landscape.
  2. Peter Obi, a third-party candidate, is gaining traction among young voters by promising change and job opportunities.
  3. Over 9.5 million new voters, predominantly under 35, have been added to the voter register, potentially affecting the election outcome.

French Connection: An Interview with Manuel Valls

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. Europe is at a crossroads: Brexit, east–west tensions, migration, terrorism, and euro instability threaten the project and require renewed political will and a strong entente between France and Germany to keep the EU together.
  2. Centrist, reformist leadership can bridge left and right and push needed economic and social reforms, but it must pair pro-growth policies with strong security and measures to reduce inequality to block the rise of populism.
  3. Rising Islamist radicalization and anti‑Semitism are long‑term threats that must be fought on multiple fronts — security, prison policy, schools, and investment in poor neighborhoods — while upholding secularism and successful integration.

YourINT SITREP (14 APR 2023)

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy
  1. FBI arrested a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman for leaking classified documents.
  2. Russian intelligence is attempting to infiltrate gaming communities, according to Microsoft president.
  3. International tensions are at play, with actions like Poland re-exporting military equipment to Ukraine and China vowing not to provide weapons in the Ukraine conflict.