The hottest Europe Substack posts right now

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Bernard-Henri Lévy: Europe Must Unite or Die

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 992 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Europe U.S. Relations Security Military International Affairs
  1. Europe needs to become more self-reliant since the U.S. can no longer be counted on for support. This means taking responsibility for their own security and not relying on American assistance.
  2. There's a sense of urgency for European nations to unite in response to challenges like the conflict in Ukraine. If they don't come together, they're likely to face further aggression from Russia.
  3. Currently, Europe lacks a solid plan for long-term security and support for Ukraine, which shows a weakness in their response to current threats. More decisive actions are needed to prepare for the future.

Luther and the Spark of the Reformation

Papyrus Rampant • 178 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💾 History Religion Education Politics 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.

Germany and the EU Abandon Reason and Risk Collapse

Glenn’s Substack • 839 implied HN points • 09 Sep 24
🌍 World Politics Europe Ukraine NATO Diplomacy Conflict
  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.

A language family of one, a land beyond conquest

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 657 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💾 History Genetics Language Europe Anthropology
  1. The Basque language, Euskara, is unique as it is the only surviving indigenous non-Indo-European language in Europe. This makes it a fascinating subject of study, as it has no known relatives.
  2. Basques have a distinct genetic profile, with a high frequency of RH-negative blood type. This unusual trait contributes to theories about their origins and historical isolation in Europe.
  3. Recent genetic research suggests that the Basques may not be the oldest inhabitants of Europe as previously thought, but instead, they are descended from human populations that lived before the introduction of agriculture.

Putin's Perfect Spy

Diane Francis • 939 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage Russia Europe Politics Scandal
  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.
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Trump & Hegseth Shock on Ukraine

John’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trump Ukraine Foreign Policy Defense Europe
  1. Trump and Hegseth are proposing major changes to the US policy on Ukraine. They believe this could reshape how the US interacts with Europe.
  2. Hegseth mentioned that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO soon. This reflects a shift in the US's approach to European alliances.
  3. Trump suggested that there might be potential talks with Putin about ending the conflict in Ukraine. This indicates a desire for negotiation rather than continued involvement.

World roundup: February 8 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 766 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Europe Middle East Asia Africa Americas
  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 Middle East Israel-Palestine Yemen Asia Pakistan Philippines Africa Nigeria Europe Russia Ukraine Americas United States
  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: February 6 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 707 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  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

Age of Invention: The Second Soul, Part I

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1281 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💾 History Europe Taxes Geography Society
  1. Salt was a crucial product in the past, impacting agriculture, food preservation, and even the economy of various regions.
  2. The control and taxation of salt played a significant role in the rise and fall of empires and states, showcasing the power dynamics associated with this essential commodity.
  3. Different geographical factors influenced the success of salt taxes, with regions like north-west Europe reaping the most rewards from this practice.

Chartbook 251: In the beginning was Napoleon

Chartbook • 1945 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
💾 History Europe Warfare Economy Global
  1. Napoleon's era of warfare was on a larger scale and more organized than previous conflicts in Europe.
  2. The Napoleonic wars had a significant impact on the economies of France, Britain, and the wider world, affecting trade and prices globally.
  3. Napoleon's ambitions and successes led to massive counter-acting forces, reshaping European power dynamics and economy, with Britain emerging as a financial and naval powerhouse.

Unmasking Russia

Unmasking Russia • 707 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Russia Democracy Intelligence Human Rights 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 Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  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.

World roundup: January 6-7 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  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 25 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 648 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  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: January 27-28 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 609 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  1. Historical events from January 27-28 include the end of the Siege of Leningrad, the liberation of Auschwitz, and the signing of the Paris Peace Accords ending the Vietnam War.
  2. Current events highlight progress towards a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, amidst allegations, challenges, and potential changes in aid strategies.
  3. On the international scene, actions range from ISIS claims in Turkey, militia clashes in Syria and South Sudan, electoral situations in Finland and Venezuela, to potential aid package blocks in Hungary by Prime Minister Orbán.

World roundup: January 9 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 687 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  1. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is trying to convince Israeli leaders to stop killing Palestinian civilians, improve humanitarian situation in Gaza, and plan for a post-conflict scenario.
  2. US military carried out an airstrike in Iraq to foil a rocket attack on Ayn al-Asad airbase.
  3. Ecuador is facing a security crisis with violent incidents, including hostage situations, escalating across the country.

Reform and Development of Global Governance; Xi meets Venezuelan President; EU to probe PRC EV subsidies; Apple and Tesla risks; No property tax on agenda

Sinocism • 904 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Global Governance China Europe United States Venezuela
  1. China proposes reforms for global governance, highlighting global security, sustainable development, human rights, and strengthening the U.N.
  2. China upgrades relations with Venezuela to a strategic partnership, signing cooperation deals related to the Belt and Road Initiative.
  3. The EU launches an investigation into potential subsidies for Chinese electric vehicles, which could impact German interests.

World roundup: October 31 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 727 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  1. Israeli air strikes in Gaza led to civilian casualties, raising questions about proportionality and civilian protection in conflict zones.
  2. Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles at Israel, raising concerns about escalating regional conflicts and involvement of other countries.
  3. UN reports show the dire need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, highlighting the impact of conflict on civilian populations and infrastructure.

World roundup: October 26 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 668 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  1. UN Secretary-General formed a new panel for AI concerns and a conference for rainforest protection was held in Congo.
  2. Israeli military conducted significant raids in northern Gaza, leading to numerous casualties and destruction.
  3. US announced new military aid for Ukraine and a secret US military operation in Lebanon is putting American personnel at risk.

World roundup: October 24 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 668 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East Asia Africa Europe Americas
  1. A study suggests significant glacier melting in western Antarctica is likely unavoidable due to warming ocean water.
  2. Issues in the Israel-Palestine conflict continue, with Gazan casualties increasing and international calls for a ceasefire facing opposition.
  3. The Biden administration accuses Iran of facilitating recent attacks on US military personnel in Iraq and Syria, leading to increased surveillance activities.

The Ski Trail Ratings Edition

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Skiing Europe
  1. Ski trail ratings were standardized in 1964 due to pressure from insurance and Walt Disney was involved in creating the colors and shapes used today
  2. Trail ratings are subjective and vary between resorts, with ratings based on factors like vertical grade, obstacles, grooming, and more
  3. Ski trail ratings differ between regions like the West/Rockies and East Coast in the US, and between Europe and the US, impacting how difficult trails may feel

Beyond the Pale: Irish cultural uniqueness past Rome's reach

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 463 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💾 History Europe Genetics
  1. Irish cultural uniqueness is deeply rooted in their historical resistance to aligning with Roman norms, particularly in the realm of religion and organization.
  2. The genetic analysis shows that the Irish share close genetic ties with the British populations, highlighting their shared ancestry and debunking the notion of a significant genetic difference between them.
  3. The distinctiveness of Irish culture, including practices like polygyny, and their gradual integration of Christianity at their own pace, sets them apart in the European context.

France's Macron opposes US cold war on China, wants independent Europe - but is it just rhetoric?

Geopolitical Economy Report • 458 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Europe United States China Trade
  1. France's Macron advocates for Europe's independence from the US to avoid being mere followers, emphasizing the need for strategic autonomy.
  2. Macron's warnings about not becoming vassals to the US are influenced by the economic importance of China as the EU's top trading partner.
  3. The failure of previous efforts, like the INSTEX mechanism, to challenge US dominance highlights the challenges Macron faces in altering Europe's foreign policy towards China.

Ukraine's neoliberalism on steroids, Europe’s economic suicide

Geopolitical Economy Report • 458 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🌍 World Politics Europe Russia Neoliberalism Industrial Policy Trade
  1. The conflict in Ukraine reflects aggressive neoliberal reforms and Europe's self-destructive policies.
  2. Wars are fought not just with arms, but also with economic strategies. The underlying geopolitical economy is complex.
  3. Russia is focused on turning military victory in Ukraine into a new economic order, challenging Western imperialism and promoting a multipolar world.

Decouple or de-risk? The United States and Europe are converging on China

Inside-Out, political commentary from Philip Stephens • 334 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics China United States Europe Alliances Geopolitics
  1. The United States and Europe are aligning on their approach towards China.
  2. Both regions are moving towards a stance that balances economic interests with strategic concerns.
  3. There is a growing recognition that American and European interests are interconnected and mutually dependent.