The hottest Europe Substack posts right now

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Top Links 1041 Don't blame data centers. A new type of euro crisis. Running out of missiles & the Confucius Institute on how to stop your colleague flirting with your husband.

Chartbook • 557 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Retail electricity prices have risen faster than inflation, but growing data centre power use isn’t the main culprit people blame it for.
  2. Europe is facing a new kind of euro crisis that looks different from past debt shocks and brings fresh political and economic stresses.
  3. There are worrying signs of military supply strain, like running low on missiles, while unexpected soft‑power actors are even offering practical advice on everyday social conflicts.

Sweden Is Letting Gangs Get Away with Murder

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 700 implied HN points • 18 Mar 26
🌐 International Europe
  1. Sweden prides itself on strong children's rights, having banned corporal punishment decades ago and incorporated the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into its law.
  2. Despite that record, violent gangs in mainly immigrant neighborhoods are grooming children to commit serious crimes.
  3. Critics argue that child-protection laws plus weak enforcement are leaving gaps the gangs exploit, making it harder to stop youth violence and hold offenders accountable.

Chartbook 437 Unseasonal war (2): Europe, gas & yet another February war. Aka, "oops ... we did it again!"

Chartbook • 1859 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Energy use is strongly seasonal — winter heating drains gas stocks, so a war or supply shock at the end of February hits when reserves are at their lowest.
  2. Europe entered 2026 with unusually low gas storage and still relies on Russian pipelines and global LNG markets, so disruptions like a Strait of Hormuz shutdown or halted Qatari exports can push prices up across the whole market.
  3. Doubling down on gas-fired capacity increases dependence, while rapidly expanding solar and battery storage is a smarter, now-feasible way to replace significant gas supplies.

Luther and the Spark of the Reformation

Papyrus Rampant • 178 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💾 History Europe
  1. Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, which wasn't meant to start a movement but turned out to spark the Protestant Reformation.
  2. He challenged the sale of indulgences, emphasizing that faith in God, not money, is what saves people from sin.
  3. Luther's actions led to a push for education and Bible translation, helping more people understand their faith and read scripture in their own language.

Weekend Update #176: Ukraine Is Showing Its Value, Particularly For Europe

Phillips’s Newsletter • 368 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Ukraine has become a fast-growing military tech hub, producing cost-effective anti-drone systems, mid-range strike drones, and other innovations that can quickly help allies and should be central to Europe’s defense future.
  2. Recent U.S. moves—downplaying Russia’s role in arming Iran and easing oil sanctions—have effectively boosted Russian revenue and helped Moscow project power that endangers U.S. and allied forces.
  3. Hungary’s seizure of Ukrainian gold and its ties to Putin show that some European states are actively undermining Ukraine and European unity, underscoring the need for Europe to back Ukraine and fix its political structures.
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Hits and Misses

Doomberg • 8386 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Growing subscribers and smart product launches create real momentum, letting organizations pursue bigger projects like books and successful sister publications.
  2. Energy and geopolitical forecasts tended to be accurate—especially around Venezuela and oil/gas market dynamics—but expectations of rapid federal spending cuts failed because political will was absent.
  3. Honest postmortems on hits and misses improve analysis, and offering exclusive content to paying subscribers helps retention and growth.

Germany and the EU Abandon Reason and Risk Collapse

Glenn’s Substack • 839 implied HN points • 09 Sep 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Germany and the EU need to rethink their approach to the Ukraine crisis or they might end up in serious trouble together. Changes are necessary to avoid breaking apart.
  2. Some experts believe NATO made mistakes that helped to spark the Ukraine war and that these mistakes are causing more issues for Europe now.
  3. There's growing concern about political violence and less freedom of speech in Germany. New political movements are also rising, which the current government does not approve of.

The long-term political consequences of Mr. Putin

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 2053 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The war severed long-standing economic and cultural ties between Russia and Europe, hurting trade and intellectual exchange; Russia’s pivot to Asia and the Global South may blunt some of the economic pain.
  2. NATO has moved closer to Russia’s borders and Western states have frozen or seized large Russian assets, weakening Russia’s security position and national wealth.
  3. The conflict has forged a strong Ukrainian national identity and deep anti‑Russian sentiment, making genuine reconciliation unlikely for many years.

cats with stats: safety in the east

bad cattitude • 207 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🌐 International Europe
  1. Warsaw and Poland look meaningfully safer than comparable Western European cities and countries, with a custom crime composite ranking Warsaw well below Paris, London, and several other capitals.
  2. A city’s overall immigrant share correlates with higher crime on the composite index, and that relationship is statistically significant, though Zurich is a notable outlier with high immigration but low crime.
  3. The percentage of immigrants from non‑European origins explains much more of the variation — the regression against non‑European immigrant share gives a very high R² (~0.87) and a very low p‑value (~0.0003) — but the result comes with methodological caveats and some imputed values.

Brothers in the love of God

Wrong Side of History • 527 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Europe has a long, shared identity that can bind many different peoples together, rooted historically in Christianity and later in a broader Western civilisation.
  2. Parts of the political Right may turn pro-European by seeing a united continent as a cultural fortress against powerful external rivals like the US and China and against rapid cultural change.
  3. Perceived weakness and outside threats are driving a newer, more defensive pan‑European sentiment focused on cultural survival and immigration control, which differs from the EU’s liberal human‑rights focus.

Chartbook 419 The old new Cold War is dead. Long live the new old Cold War: The political logic of Trumpian strategy.

Chartbook • 1702 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The 2025 National Security Strategy moves away from an ideological "new Cold War" with China and Russia and instead emphasizes economic competition with China and bargaining over spheres of influence with Russia.
  2. The administration treats Europe as an ideological battleground, actively courting the European far right and framing European culture wars as the same struggle as in the U.S., a stance that risks fragmenting pro-American support in Europe.
  3. This approach echoes old Cold War-style U.S. interference in European politics, but with a twist: MAGA rejects the traditional Atlanticist liberal consensus and lacks consolidated hegemony at home or abroad, making the strategy unstable and risky.

Niall Ferguson: The Truth About Trump's National Security Strategy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2198 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. A national security strategy is a written roadmap and not automatically a binding doctrine, so it shouldn’t be treated as the final word on policy.
  2. The document criticizes European allies for low defense spending and economic decline, warning their societies face serious risks.
  3. It frames U.S. policy around preserving American primacy, prioritizing national strength and openly calling out allies’ shortcomings.

The Worst Argument Possible

Phillips’s Newsletter • 356 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Europe can and should defend itself without depending on the United States. Saying otherwise becomes a self-fulfilling excuse that delays needed change.
  2. Assuming the U.S. will always come to Europe’s rescue—especially under leaders who may not be committed—is dangerous and misleading; claiming helplessness can make allied support less likely and misinform citizens.
  3. Europe has the economic and demographic capacity to build credible defenses and threats like Russia are smaller than often portrayed; the real barrier is political will and a mindset among leaders unwilling to admit and fix past failures.

Weekend Update #172: Is Ukraine Causing More Russian Losses Than Putin Can Replace?

Phillips’s Newsletter • 291 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Recent data suggest Russia lost more troops than it could replace in Dec 2025–Jan 2026, creating roughly a 25% shortfall; if that trend holds or Ukraine raises the pressure, Russian advances could stall.
  2. A major Western speech at Munich omitted any mention of Russia or Ukraine and emphasized seeking a negotiated end acceptable to Moscow, highlighting how many European leaders still rely on US support and have not built a strong, independent European defence pillar.
  3. A senior Ukrainian strategist says durable peace is impossible while Putin sets the terms, so Ukraine should aim for a long, stable positional stalemate that blocks Russian gains, minimizes rear terror, and increases pressure on the Kremlin.

A Continent Isolated

Wrong Side of History • 408 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Europe is exposed and lacks the military and economic muscle to deter bullying from powers like the United States, which may force a painful rethink and push the continent toward greater self-reliance or unity.
  2. The right is realigning: some nationalist movements may become pro‑European and civic/multiracial, while others move toward white‑identitarian politics, and how they answer questions of identity will determine future conservative governance.
  3. Liberalism is under strain as intelligent people skew liberal for partly self-selecting reasons, and elites may struggle to defend liberal values while cultural and technological trends—like smartphone distraction and falling youth employment—erode social cohesion.

Trump’s Best Friend in Europe May Lose His Election

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 217 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Viktor Orbán has built a right‑wing supermajority and ruled for years, but his hold on power looks vulnerable and opponents could beat him in the April election.
  2. PĂŠter Magyar and his Tisza party have been doing grassroots relief like delivering firewood and shovels in poor villages, showing they can fill gaps left by the government and gain political momentum.
  3. OrbĂĄn is a key European ally of Donald Trump, so his potential defeat would have implications beyond Hungary and could reshape international political alignments.

The Capitals of the G7 Countries, Ranked

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 424 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🏝 Travel Europe
  1. Tokyo ranks highest because it isn’t flashy but everything works, feels convenient, and is full of small delightful spots that make it livable.
  2. London and Paris stand out in different ways: London exceeded expectations with energy and variety, while Paris largely matched expectations but came with moments of culture shock.
  3. Personal memories and small incidents strongly shape these rankings — school trips, mix-ups or fines, and repetitive experiences color how each capital is remembered, and lesser-discussed places like Strasbourg can be pleasant surprises.

Putin's Perfect Spy

Diane Francis • 939 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. A major scam involving Wirecard became a big spying scandal connecting Russia to Europe. A man named Jan Marsalek was at the center of this scheme.
  2. Marsalek used his position at Wirecard to sell secrets and financial data to Russia, while also committing fraud.
  3. He reportedly worked with intelligence officials and Russian operatives to spy on citizens and plan harmful operations.

Weekend Update #163: Ukraine Goes From Collapsing to Liberating Kupyansk

Phillips’s Newsletter • 326 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Ukraine’s recent push around Kupyansk shows it isn’t collapsing and can still mount quick, effective local counterattacks to blunt Russian advances.
  2. The current U.S. diplomatic approach appears to seek Russia’s reintegration without real penalties and to pressure Ukraine into concessions, creating a lopsided negotiation that favors Moscow.
  3. European reaction is shifting: many leaders are wary of the U.S. posture and the EU has moved to freeze Russian assets, indicating growing independent support for Ukraine.

Weekend Update #162: The Best Week Since November 5, 2024

Phillips’s Newsletter • 270 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The US has shifted toward accommodating Russia and is no longer committed to strongly defending Ukraine or European security. That shift suggests the US would accept a weaker, territorially reduced Ukrainian state.
  2. The Tomahawk episode was a deliberate public tease that made people believe the US would give Ukraine long-range strike weapons, but it was never a realistic policy and served to mislead European and Ukrainian leaders. That false hope distracted Europeans from mobilizing their own urgent support.
  3. Russia is conducting mass drone and missile attacks that cause major power outages while Ukraine struggles with limited air defenses and heavy fighting around places like Pokrovsk. European states need to urgently provide anti-air systems and long-range capabilities because US support is unreliable.

Trump Was Working With Putin The Entire Time

Phillips’s Newsletter • 332 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Europe
  1. Trump and Putin have secretly worked together on a plan regarding Ukraine, which leaves Ukraine out of the negotiations.
  2. European countries are also excluded from these discussions and could face pressure to accept the deal once it is proposed.
  3. This partnership between Trump and Putin could lead to significant consequences for Ukraine and Europe, pushing them towards an unwanted agreement.

The Ukraine War

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 9 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The war is a large-scale, brutal conflict whose outcome will shape the global order, revealing Russian imperial ambitions and weaknesses in European and U.S. strategic responses.
  2. Ukraine has shown unexpected resilience and societal mobilization. The fighting has become attritional and adaptive, challenging pre-2022 assumptions about how modern wars unfold.
  3. A focused symposium with Vladislav Davidzon stresses preparation: participants must complete a short mandatory reading list and engage with pointed study questions to have a serious, informed discussion about the war’s character and likely end states.

World roundup: February 8 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 766 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Global temperatures have been rising, nearing the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold set in the Paris Climate Agreement.
  2. Ceasefire hopes in Israel-Palestine appear to be fading, with increased military focus and potential for a ground invasion in Gaza.
  3. Political tensions and armed conflicts in various African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

World roundup: February 3-4 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The United States conducted airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and Syria, resulting in casualties and tension with the governments of those countries.
  2. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas is considering a ceasefire proposal while the Israeli military expands its operations in Gaza.
  3. President Macky Sall of Senegal postponed the country's presidential election, sparking protests and concerns about a potential self coup.

World roundup: January 20-21 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 845 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The official death toll in Gaza surpasses 25,000 with no indication of conflict resolution in sight.
  2. US military conducts strikes in Yemen leading to plans for a sustained military campaign.
  3. Taiwanese citizens express decreasing faith in the United States amidst concerns over military aid.

World roundup: January 30 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Ceasefire negotiations ongoing between Hamas and Israeli government, but proposal faces challenges
  2. Saudi Arabia's Aramco abandons goal to increase oil production capacity, reasons unclear
  3. US considering retaliatory actions for drone strike that killed soldiers in Jordan, tensions with Iran rising

AMA Tuesday

David Friedman’s Substack • 80 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🏝 Travel Europe
  1. An AMA is being held and readers are invited to post questions in the comment thread.
  2. The host plans to answer as many of the submitted questions as possible.
  3. The host will be at Libertycon in Madrid April 24–26 and is planning a two‑week speaking trip in Europe, so people can request talks while the schedule is arranged.

World roundup: February 6 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 707 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal in Gaza, but concerns remain about the potential for a complete derailment of the peace talks
  2. Colombian government and ELN rebels extend ceasefire for six months, with agreements to halt kidnapping and recruit underage individuals
  3. US Senate confirms Kurt Campbell as the new deputy secretary of state, showing the administration's focus on China as a primary foreign policy concern

The First Step

Phillips’s Newsletter • 149 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Europe has stopped thinking strategically for itself after decades of relying on the United States, leaving its ability to plan and defend its interests weakened.
  2. This dependence, often called strategic infantilization, felt comfortable because the US provided security, but it is now risky as real threats are emerging.
  3. Governments and institutions across Europe are finally being forced to relearn strategic thinking and ask hard questions about using their own resources to protect their interests.

Unmasking Russia

Unmasking Russia • 707 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. The newsletter 'Unmasking Russia' focuses on uncovering Russia's operations against democracies and human rights crimes.
  2. Expect weekly original content, curated news on Ukraine and Russia, and translations of investigations from 'Unmasking Russia'.
  3. For further support, readers can upgrade to a paid subscription to help the author continue their research and advocacy efforts.

World roundup: January 11 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. South Africa has brought genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice, seeking to halt the assault on Gaza.
  2. The Israeli government's response to the South African filing indicates they understand the significance of a potential ruling demanding a halt to their military campaign.
  3. US and UK have carried out strikes against Houthi-linked targets in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The Trump Russian Oil Sanctions Con Is Collapsing

Phillips’s Newsletter • 138 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Europe
  1. Trump’s oil sanctions on Russia were largely a bluff and are now unraveling, showing they aren’t as powerful or effective as they were made out to be.
  2. Mainstream media and commentators amplified the deceptive story about those sanctions and have largely stayed silent instead of admitting they helped spread it.
  3. The situation highlights how establishment institutions often protect those in power and suggests Europeans should be cautious about following official American guidance without scrutiny.

World roundup: January 15-16 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 746 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Reports of renewed fighting in northern Gaza between Israeli forces and Palestinians
  2. US targeting Houthi anti-ship missiles in Yemen, leading to concerns about escalation
  3. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declares South Korea as the primary enemy and halts pursuit of Korean reunification

World roundup: January 6-7 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. This weekend in history had notable events like a joint attack on French Guiana, Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons, and the start of the Bataan Death March.
  2. The situation in Israel-Palestine continues to worsen, with talks of further military operations, humanitarian crises, and diplomatic tensions.
  3. There is escalating conflict in regions like Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen, with concerns about airstrikes, military actions, and potential regional wars.

World roundup: January 18 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 727 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Israeli military advances in Gaza amid high Palestinian casualties and humanitarian crisis
  2. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects US pressure for Gaza ceasefire and Palestinian statehood
  3. Pakistani military retaliates against Iran with missile strike on Baluch separatist groups

World roundup: January 23 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 668 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Israeli military operations in Gaza resulted in significant civilian casualties and backlash
  2. US carried out airstrikes in Iraq in response to previous attacks on US personnel
  3. Growing tensions in Somalia as the Somali president seeks support amidst regional conflicts

World roundup: January 25 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 648 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Negotiations in Israel-Palestine are facing challenges due to leaked recordings and mediation issues with Qatar and Egypt.
  2. Gaza is experiencing a severe risk of malnutrition, with aid agencies struggling to provide for the population.
  3. Mali's ruling junta has announced the scrapping of a 2015 peace deal with separatist rebels in a move involving Algeria.

World roundup: February 1 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 609 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Europe
  1. Hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza are on the rise, though there are significant details still unsettled.
  2. US and UK considering recognizing a Palestinian state, but the nature of this recognition remains unclear.
  3. Iran is pulling its Revolutionary Guard personnel out of Syria amidst growing tensions with the US over recent drone strikes.