The hottest Economic Sanctions Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

Lessons of the Ukraine War

David Friedman’s Substack • 467 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Ukraine proved to be much stronger than expected, surprising many who thought Russia would easily win.
  2. Russia also showed unexpected resilience, maintaining its economy and military strength despite ongoing sanctions and war costs.
  3. Drones became key weapons in the conflict, showing that advanced technology from NATO countries wasn't as decisive as thought.

Trump’s “help” offers Iranians far more pain

Aaron Mate • 106 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Trump's 'help' to Iranians looks like threats of bombing and harsher economic pressure, not lifting sanctions, which would deepen suffering and raise costs more broadly.
  2. Longstanding US sanctions have crippled Iran's economy, shrinking the middle class and driving people into poverty, which helped spark the current protests over basic hardship and mismanagement.
  3. US and Israeli policy appears aimed at exploiting unrest to justify further military action and influence, risking more violence and leaving ordinary Iranians to absorb the pain.

America’s Nuclear Industry Is So Back

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 751 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. The U.S. nuclear industry previously struggled due to slow government innovation and heavy reliance on Russian uranium for fuel.
  2. After the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. realized its dependence on Russian uranium and announced a ban effective in 2028.
  3. The government is now seeking private companies to help create a domestic supply chain for enriched uranium, offering billions in contracts for this effort.

Mug Moscow Now

Diane Francis • 1059 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Western countries have frozen over $300 billion in Russian assets since the invasion of Ukraine. Some propose using this money to help fund Ukraine's defense and recovery.
  2. While some countries like Belgium are trying to find ways to access these funds, overall efforts have faced obstacles and legal concerns. The belief that Russia would compensate Ukraine after the war is unrealistic.
  3. Enforcing tougher sanctions on Russia, especially on its oil and gas exports, is vital to limit its ability to finance the war. Immediate action is needed to support Ukraine effectively.

Chartbook 345 A "house of cards"? Russia's war economy in 2025.

Chartbook • 1659 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Russia's war economy appears strong on the surface but has significant underlying weaknesses, making it fragile. This could mean trouble for its long-term stability.
  2. High inflation and rising interest rates are putting pressure on the Russian economy, leading to financial instability. Many key sectors are struggling as costs soar.
  3. While sanctions affect Russia, the country still manages to generate substantial revenue from oil and gas exports. This suggests its financial situation may not be as dire as some predict.
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Russia Collapses

Diane Francis • 1199 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Many Russians are living in poverty due to the long-lasting war and its effects on the economy. People are struggling with basic needs like heat, water, and jobs.
  2. Putin is not being truthful about the state of the Russian economy. Western sanctions are hurting it badly, and many businesses have shut down as capital is leaving the country.
  3. Russia's energy trade is in trouble because of price caps and Europe moving away from Russian oil and gas. This is leading to a significant drop in state revenues and economic decline.

Putin Must Pay

Diane Francis • 639 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. There are serious concerns about funding for Ukraine as some American lawmakers are against sending more money. This shows that support for Ukraine is facing challenges both in the U.S. and Europe.
  2. There is a push for confiscating Russian assets, estimated at hundreds of billions, to help fund Ukraine's reconstruction. Many believe Russia should be held accountable for the costs of the war it started.
  3. Legal frameworks are being discussed in various countries to enable the seizure of Russian assets, but action is needed urgently to support Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression.

Frogs, liverwurst & spaghetti

Diane Francis • 439 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Europe is facing serious problems with energy, food, and cost of living due to the war in Ukraine. Countries like France, Germany, and Italy are realizing they must work together to support Ukraine and their citizens.
  2. Rising prices and energy shortages are causing anger among voters across Europe. These issues are becoming important topics in upcoming elections and are making it harder for leaders to govern.
  3. To solve their problems, European countries need to find alternative energy sources and help Ukraine more. It's crucial for them to increase military support to fight back against Russian aggression.

The US-China Chip War is Escalating

Apricitas Economics • 80 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Semiconductor chips are critical to global supply chains and geopolitical tensions, with the US intensifying efforts to boost domestic manufacturing while imposing sanctions on China.
  2. China is significantly increasing imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to fortify its chip industry, even amidst trade disputes and sanctions.
  3. Despite efforts to restrict China's access to advanced chips and equipment, there are challenges faced by the US in fully controlling the semiconductor trade and maintaining successful sanctions.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 07.08.2025

steigan.no • 3 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Trump is raising tariffs on India, which might push India closer to China. Modi's visit to China shows an effort to strengthen ties despite US pressure.
  2. Michael Hudson talks about how China is creating a new financial system that challenges US dominance. This could help many countries break free from what's called American financial colonialism.
  3. There's a growing concern about how Western media influences public opinion, often pushing narratives that support NATO and its actions. This control affects what people believe about global conflicts.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 07.10.2024

steigan.no • 9 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. The Norwegian Oil Fund isn't performing as well as many think. Its returns, when measured in gold rather than currency, indicate a significant loss since 1998.
  2. Recent geopolitical tensions could lead to a meeting between US President Biden and Russian President Putin, especially with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East affecting US-Israel relations.
  3. Burkina Faso is planning to withdraw mining permits from foreign companies to increase its own gold production and retain more wealth in the country.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 03.02.2025

steigan.no • 4 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. If the US goes ahead with a missile defense program ordered by Trump, Russia might expand its nuclear arsenal. This could lead to increased tensions between the two countries.
  2. Trump has temporarily halted US foreign aid, affecting many organizations and causing uncertainty within groups that rely on this funding for their operations.
  3. There is a strong possibility of a trade war between the US and EU, with Trump confirming he plans to impose tariffs on EU goods, which could impact economies on both sides.

Geopolitical decoupling and commodity prices

Klement on Investing • 6 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Geopolitical tensions between the West, China, and Russia are leading to concerns about supply chain decoupling and rising commodity prices.
  2. Global supply chains are vulnerable, especially for critical raw materials like rare earth metals, impacting industrial production.
  3. An IMF research paper highlights the sensitivity of commodity prices to trade disruptions, showing potential surpluses and shortages in different regions.

Intelligence Digest - 2024-01-14

Hill Bill • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Economic Sanctions
  1. Venezuela is discontinuing its Petro cryptocurrency that was intended to combat US sanctions.
  2. Russia and Brazil have seen a surge in trade despite Western sanctions.
  3. The EU's Margrethe Vestager has warned tech giants to adhere strictly to the new EU regulations on digital markets.