The hottest Diplomacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The Genocide in Gaza and Its Enablers

Eunomia β€’ 334 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide International relations Human Rights Foreign Policy Diplomacy
  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.

The Future of AI Diplomacy: Can The State Department Grok AI?

ChinaTalk β€’ 133 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Diplomacy Transparency Government National Security Data Analysis
  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.
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"Israel is heading towards street battles between the far right and families of hostages"

Informer β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Conflicts Governance Diplomacy Military Human Rights
  1. Israel's political class is preparing for early elections as unity in politics fades.
  2. The tension in Israel is escalating as families of hostages demand their return over the war objective of 'destroying Hamas'.
  3. Recent incidents and realizations are exposing the truth behind the war in Israel, leading to potential street battles and difficult political decisions.

Shunning Putin’s call for talks, Biden seeks $61 billion to 'future-proof' Ukraine war

Aaron Mate β€’ 167 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Ukraine White House
  1. Biden seeks $61 billion to 'future-proof' Ukraine war instead of engaging in diplomacy with Putin
  2. The White House and bipartisan lawmakers favor a prolonged proxy war in Ukraine over talks with Moscow
  3. The decision to reject Putin's call for talks signals a focus on militarization and financial investment in the conflict

Trump or Biden: Who is Best for China?

Sinification β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China US Foreign Policy Diplomacy Alliances
  1. A second term for Biden may mean a more stable relationship with China, but also potential challenges like increased competition and pressure on Chinese scientific innovation.
  2. A second term for Trump could ease external strategic pressure faced by China, but it might lead to a tougher stance on China and increased complexity in economic and security rivalry.
  3. The Trump administration's policies might reduce some external strategic pressure on China, create more space for international alliances, and exert less pressure on China in the ideological field compared to the Democrats.

The United States should decouple it’s West Africa policy from France

An Africanist Perspective β€’ 1128 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Foreign Relations Diplomacy
  1. Decoupling the United States' West Africa policy from France could benefit both sides by strengthening relations and providing mutual economic and geopolitical advantages.
  2. The rise in anti-French sentiment in Africa could lead to a wider anti-West sentiment, potentially impacting America's standing in the region and relationships with individual African countries.
  3. Public opinion in African states is becoming increasingly important in shaping foreign policy decisions, highlighting the need for major global powers to have capable allies and engage meaningfully with the region.

China deepens ties with Venezuela, challenging US 'hegemonic mindset'

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 837 implied HN points β€’ 16 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Foreign Relations International Organizations Geopolitics Global Economy
  1. China and Venezuela have deepened their strategic partnership, challenging the hegemonic mindset and sanctions imposed by the US.
  2. Venezuela has significant economic potential due to its vast oil and gas reserves, attracting interest from China as a reliable energy partner.
  3. The growing alliance between Venezuela and China symbolizes a shift towards South-South cooperation, emphasizing mutual development and multipolarity in today's global landscape.

Chinese balloon was not spying, US gov't admits months after manufactured crisis

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 797 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Cold War Surveillance National Security
  1. The US government admitted that the Chinese balloon incident was not related to spying, but likely due to strong winds, debunking the initial accusations.
  2. The media and US government exaggerated the situation, using it to create a Cold War-like propaganda against China, though evidence later proved otherwise.
  3. Despite the claims of surveillance capabilities, subsequent analysis showed that the balloon's sensors were never activated over US territory, making the entire scandal a manufactured crisis.

Nagorno-Karabakh update: September 21 2023

Foreign Exchanges β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Ceasefire Diplomacy Atrocities International relations
  1. A new status quo in the south Caucasus region is emerging following recent events in Nagorno-Karabakh.
  2. A ceasefire has been declared between Azerbaijan and Karabakh, with Karabakh authorities agreeing to disarm their defense forces and remove Armenian military forces.
  3. Concerns about potential ethnic cleansing and the implications for Armenia's diplomatic relationships are key issues arising from the situation.

Wallerstein Constant

kamilkazani β€’ 334 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics History Geopolitics Warfare Diplomacy
  1. The siege of Mariupol was a significant tragedy in 2022, shedding light on the city's complex history and industrial importance.
  2. Crimean Khanate had a unique political structure, different from the Ottoman Empire, with elements of a military democracy.
  3. Crimean Khanate was ethnically diverse, hosting various groups and languages, and eventually succumbed to Russian influence in the 18th century.

Burkina Faso's new president condemns imperialism, quotes Che Guevara, allies with Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 857 implied HN points β€’ 03 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Nationalism Anti-Imperialism Alliances Diplomacy
  1. Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim TraorΓ© takes a strong stand against imperialism and neocolonialism, inspired by revolutionary leaders like Thomas Sankara and Che Guevara.
  2. The new government in Burkina Faso has forged alliances with countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba, aiming to break free from Western dominance and historical colonial ties.
  3. Prime Minister Tambèla's visits to Venezuela and Nicaragua showcase Burkina Faso's efforts to strengthen ties with Latin American revolutionary movements, building on historical solidarity and shared struggles.

On America's structural inability to effectively compete with China in Africa

An Africanist Perspective β€’ 1345 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Africa USA China Foreign Aid Diplomacy
  1. The US faces challenges competing with China in Africa due to ineffective policy tools and institutions.
  2. America's focus on humanitarian aid and public health through USAID limits its ability to compete effectively with China in infrastructure and commercial projects in Africa.
  3. The structural and institutional biases within American foreign policy result in a lack of attention to African priorities, hindering the ability to effectively engage with the continent.

Campaign to Stop Killer Robots fired its government relations manager to protect relationship with Austria, says former employee

All-Source Intelligence Fusion β€’ 361 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Activism Human Rights Diplomacy Conflict resolution
  1. The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots fired a government relations manager over comments about Israel's actions in Gaza.
  2. The firing occurred just before a significant vote by the United Nations General Assembly on autonomous weapons.
  3. There were conflicts of interest and controversy surrounding the termination, including involvement of Austria and Palestine.

How close is war with Iran?

Bad News β€’ 1159 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Iran U.S. Israel Middle East Diplomacy
  1. The prospect of war with Iran is increasing, especially with recent comments from U.S. Ambassador to Israel and new military operations.
  2. The U.S. and Israel are collaborating on military exercises and contingency plans against Iran, indicating a serious military posture.
  3. The U.S. military's Support Sentry plan shows a strategic framework for potential military action against Iran, with consequences beyond war.

Adjudicating War is Hard

Pieter’s Newsletter β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International Law Human Rights War Crimes Diplomacy
  1. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings can have complex outcomes with both parties claiming victories.
  2. The ICJ provides a platform for countries to address atrocities and grievances, even if compliance and effectiveness can be limited.
  3. Legal actions against countries for war crimes can have political motivations and use the ICJ as a tool, even if actual compliance is questionable.

Three Different Articles on the War Between Israel and Hamas

Fisted by Foucault β€’ 104 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Conflict Diplomacy Geopolitics
  1. The article discusses South Africa's personal connection to defending Palestine and its efforts at the International Court of Justice, seeking to address the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  2. Germany's commitment to Israel's security as a 'reason of state' is explored, reflecting on the historical context and political decisions made by Angela Merkel.
  3. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's take on the Gaza conflict and his perspective on the root cause behind the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Responding to criticisms, and the Senate "national security" bill

Michael Tracey β€’ 71 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics War Diplomacy National Security Military Spending
  1. The war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant disaster with high casualties and impacts on Russia and US relations.
  2. The Senate passed a large 'national security' bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the prioritization of war expenditures.
  3. There seems to be a lack of realistic and articulate strategies in resolving the war, with many stakeholders barreling forward with attritional warfare.

2023 Weekly Discussion Thread #6: Wang Yi in Europe; US-China; Struggle ζ–—δΊ‰; Bao Fan; Football and Semiconductors corruption

Sinocism β€’ 963 implied HN points β€’ 17 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Relations Security International Agreements
  1. Consider the implications of the US-China balloon incident and potential Biden-Xi phone call or Blinken-Wang Yi meeting.
  2. Reflect on how the visit of US deputy assistant secretary of defense for China to Taiwan will be viewed by PRC policymakers.
  3. Analyze what Wang Yi may achieve at the Munich Security Conference and during his visit to Russia.

US woos India's far-right PM Modi to help wage new cold war on China

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 737 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Diplomacy Foreign Relations International Organizations Global Economy
  1. The US is seeking India's help in forming an alliance against China, even though India's Prime Minister Modi has links to far-right Hindu-supremacist groups.
  2. Modi's BJP party and regime in India have a history of inciting violence against minorities and undermining left-wing activism.
  3. The US aims to use India to weaken the BRICS bloc and isolate China and Russia, with efforts to sway India away from its traditional non-aligned foreign policy.

What exactly is South Africa getting from its diplomatic dalliance with Russia and other BRICS states?

An Africanist Perspective β€’ 692 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Geopolitics International relations Foreign Policy
  1. South Africa's exclusion from the G7 Summit suggests a decline in its global influence and ability to engage as a middle power.
  2. Historically, South Africa missed opportunities to establish itself as a key player in Africa, affecting its ability to leverage regional influence.
  3. To enhance its geopolitical position, South Africa can focus on building strong continental partnerships, particularly in sectors like trade, security, and climate issues.

BRICS or NATO? G20 or G77? Summits debate rapidly changing world order

Geopolitical Economy Report β€’ 279 implied HN points β€’ 24 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Global Economy Diplomacy United Nations
  1. The changing world order is reflected in the rapid pace of international summits like BRICS, G20, G77, and the UN General Assembly.
  2. Russia's pivot towards the Far East, specifically in Vladivostok, showcases a strong focus on development and economic collaboration with Asian countries.
  3. De-dollarization and the use of e-currencies, such as blockchain mechanisms, are potential avenues for creating alternative payment systems within the global majority.

Why doesn't the USA use its power to influence its weakest and neediest allies?

Demodexio β€’ 132 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Corruption Alliances Conflict Diplomacy
  1. USA government agencies often compete with each other, hindering effective foreign policy.
  2. Corruption in nominal allies undermines USA efforts, highlighting the need for harmony among agencies.
  3. Establishing a single point of contact with allies can prevent allies from playing different USA agencies against each other.