The hottest Foreign affairs Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

How Long Will Trump’s Winning Streak Last? Plus…

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 969 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policies Foreign affairs Political Commentary
  1. Trump is currently experiencing a good streak in his presidency, with successful policies and international agreements. However, politics can quickly change, so he needs to stay prepared for challenges ahead.
  2. Understanding Trump's foreign policy approach, he focuses on protecting American interests without being overly involved globally. He prefers allies who can defend themselves instead of relying too much on the U.S.
  3. Socialism is popular among some young people today, but it's important to recognize the potential downsides. Real-life experiences, like long waits at government offices, can highlight the inefficiencies of a government-run system.

Zelensky’s hostility to peace triggers White House meltdown

Aaron Mate • 700 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign affairs Diplomacy Military Aid International Conflict
  1. Zelensky showed anger towards US leaders when they suggested negotiating peace with Russia. He insisted there would be no compromises, showing a strong unwillingness to consider diplomacy.
  2. Zelensky has made misleading statements about his interactions with Putin, claiming agreements were ignored when in fact there were some exchanges. This raises questions about his commitment to peace.
  3. The recent conflict between Zelensky and US leaders indicates a shift in US support. There's a growing concern that Zelensky's approach may not be beneficial and could impact the future of Ukraine's relations with the US.

George Dubya Trump Seeks Regime Change In Iran

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1583 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Foreign affairs Political Commentary
  1. Trump is talking about changing the government in Iran, which he claims is necessary for making the country great again. He uses a catchy phrase to appeal to his supporters.
  2. His comments didn't match what his own administration said earlier about not wanting regime change in Iran. This shows a disconnect between his words and official policy.
  3. Trump's message seems to link traditional war strategies with his current political style, trying to gain support from both populists and traditional war supporters.

Showdown in Londontown

Taipology • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade Relations Economic strategy Foreign affairs
  1. The recent US-China trade talks in London focused less on tariffs and more on non-tariff issues, especially China's control over rare earth element exports. This is important because these materials are crucial for many American industries.
  2. China seems to be playing the long game in these negotiations, preferring to avoid direct conflict and maintain stability while still holding significant bargaining power with rare earths.
  3. Despite the talk of winners and losers in the trade talks, the outcome is still unclear. Both sides might have made concessions, but it's uncertain what those were, leaving a lot of speculation.

TGIF: Mar-a-Gaza

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4971 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Foreign affairs Public Opinion
  1. Trump has proposed a controversial plan to take over the Gaza Strip for real estate development, aiming to create a luxurious area reminiscent of the Riviera.
  2. Musk's DOGE team is shaking up government spending, looking closely at agencies like USAID, which has ties to political funding and previous controversial figures.
  3. There are concerns about the influence and past actions of individuals within the DOGE initiative, highlighting potential issues with government reform efforts.
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The Plan To Ethnically Cleanse Gaza Didn't Start With Trump

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1816 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Domestic Policy Foreign affairs Political Ideology Civil Rights Government Accountability
  1. The idea of removing Palestinians from Gaza isn't new and didn't start with Trump. It's been a long-standing plan that has roots going back decades.
  2. Many politicians and media outlets are pushing the narrative that this plan is a new concept, which is misleading and ignores its historical context.
  3. Democrats seem to be more focused on their feelings about political leadership than actually addressing the ongoing issues. Their actions during the Biden presidency highlight that they are not truly opposed to the injustices happening.

1st call between Marco Rubio and Wang Yi

Pekingnology • 181 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diplomacy China relations Foreign affairs Political Analysis
  1. Marco Rubio and Wang Yi had their first phone call, but the U.S. State Department mistakenly identified Wang's job title. This confusion happened even under the previous administration, showing it’s a common mix-up.
  2. In the official summary from China about their call, there was an unexpected mention of the U.S. wanting a peaceful resolution for Taiwan. This is unusual and may be a slip because it contradicts China's stance on the issue.
  3. Wang Yi gave Rubio a veiled warning to behave himself during their conversation, highlighting the tension in their relationship given Rubio's past criticisms of China.

The US is no longer our ally

Erik Examines • 179 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Foreign affairs Conflict Studies
  1. The US is seen by some as no longer being a reliable ally, with divisions in its political landscape affecting international relationships. This raises concerns about how the US approaches foreign policy and engages with other countries.
  2. There's a belief that the US government is siding with far-right movements in Europe and challenging democratic norms. This shift is viewed as a significant change from past US leadership which was more aligned with traditional allies.
  3. Historical parallels are drawn to past aggressive actions by leaders, showing a worry that current US politics might lead to similar conflicts. Many people prefer to cling to the familiar, but change is coming whether they like it or not.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 30.01.2025

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Policy Foreign affairs Election Issues Public Opinion Defense Strategy
  1. China is currently leading the USA in 57 out of 64 critical technologies, a significant shift from just three areas in 2007. This change highlights China's advancements in fields like AI, drone technology, and solar energy.
  2. The USA is transferring Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine, marking a notable military support move for Ukraine. This decision comes after Israel phased out its use of the Patriot system.
  3. There is a growing critique of Western media for oversimplifying global events into sensational headlines. This calls for a new media approach that accurately reflects diverse voices and experiences from around the world.

Gloom & Doom with the Judge

John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Judicial Foreign affairs Government Elections Political Commentary
  1. The conversation emphasized the serious issues in the Middle East and Ukraine. It highlighted how these conflicts continue to affect global politics.
  2. There was a focus on what former President Trump might do regarding these conflicts in the future. This creates uncertainty about how U.S. foreign policy could change.
  3. Overall, the talk maintained a gloomy tone while trying to provide insights. The aim was to inform listeners about the current state of world affairs.

What just happened in British Columbia?

Pieter’s Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Anti-Semitism Foreign affairs Election
  1. A Jewish provincial minister in British Columbia got fired for comments made on a Zoom call about the early days of Israel, leading to political turmoil.
  2. The government's strong pro-Israel stance faced challenges from radical activists within the party with anti-Semitic sentiments.
  3. The incident highlighted the pressure faced by Jews in public spaces and the complexities of addressing Middle East politics in local government.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 04.01.2025

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Domestic Policy Foreign affairs Political Analysis Election Issues Government Accountability
  1. Norsk bistand is seen as harmful and ineffective, with calls for it to end as it allegedly supports corrupt organizations and elites worldwide.
  2. Apple's recent lawsuit settlement of $95 million reveals concerns over privacy, as users believe their private conversations were recorded without consent through Siri.
  3. Syria's education system is undergoing significant changes, with new reforms aimed at aligning the curriculum with an Islamic perspective, erasing parts of its secular history.

February 6, 2025

Letters from an American • 21 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Immigration Disinformation Government Foreign affairs
  1. The U.S. government is using misleading tactics, like altering old press releases to create a false impression of mass deportations. This manipulation affects public perception of immigration policies.
  2. Disinformation is rampant, with political leaders making false claims to maintain power and their followers often believing these lies. This creates a divide in how people view facts and reality.
  3. Changes in government policies under the current administration may weaken U.S. national security and support foreign interests, particularly allowing other countries to take advantage in global dealings.

American politicians are "honoring" Navalny by brazenly misrepresenting his views

Michael Tracey • 102 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Bipartisanship Foreign affairs Legislation Government
  1. American politicians have been misrepresenting Alexei Navalny's views to push for increased military aid to Ukraine after his death
  2. Navalny did not support flooding Ukraine with US weapons, and his widow expressed exhaustion and disappointment with the ongoing conflict
  3. The bipartisan exploitation of Navalny's death for political gain highlights the disregard for his true beliefs and widow's statements

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 31.12.2024

steigan.no • 4 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Domestic Policy Foreign affairs Media Criticism Corruption Human Rights
  1. USAID played a controversial role in facilitating the rise of militant groups in Syria, creating confusion about their status as terrorists while supporting them indirectly.
  2. The push for wind energy in Northern Norway is facing challenges due to changing energy demands and project delays, leading some companies to withdraw their investments.
  3. Corruption in Ukraine has become a major concern, especially regarding the misuse of Western aid while officials indulge in luxury, raising questions about accountability.

Finnish news recap, week 18: Zelensky in Finland edition

Ahpocalypse Now • 78 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Government International relations Military Aid Foreign affairs
  1. Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Finland and met with its leaders and other Nordic leaders.
  2. Finland announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine and discussed facilitating Ukraine's NATO accession.
  3. Internal governmental negotiations in Finland involved different political parties, including discussions on state-funded broadcasting corporation and program independence.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 07.11.2024

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Foreign affairs Government Healthcare
  1. Setting a limit on government support could stop floating wind farms in Norway. This is because it creates uncertainty for banks about financing projects.
  2. Floating wind energy in Norway is facing high costs, and some experts predict it could reach up to 250 billion kroner for full development. This raises questions about its financial viability.
  3. The European political landscape is shifting, and there's a need for Europe to rethink its approach to global affairs, especially regarding relationships with the US and Russia.

Finnish News Recap, Week 26: Nazi Drama Continues edition

Ahpocalypse Now • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Government International relations Policies Foreign affairs Political Events
  1. Controversial Finnish Minister resigned due to Nazi joke scandal and controversial comments, facing backlash internationally
  2. Festival in Finland revoked VIP tickets of a party MP for transphobic comments, sparking debate on culture wars and cancel culture
  3. Other Finns Party ministers under scrutiny for past hostile comments, as Pride March in Helsinki draws large crowd and Joe Biden plans visit to Finland

Mr. Sima Nan goes to the U.S. Embassy

Pekingnology • 60 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Geopolitics Public Relations International relations Foreign affairs
  1. Sima Nan, known as a critic of the U.S., attended an Independence Day event at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, indicating unusual non-governmental interactions between China and the U.S.
  2. The enthusiastic defense and publicizing of the event by Sima Nan may help reduce the taboo around attending such events at the U.S. embassy, bringing unusual attention and normalization.
  3. The diplomat who invited Sima Nan likely earned praise for public diplomacy for bridging divides and facilitating interactions between individuals with differing ideologies.

February 5, 2024

Letters from an American • 11 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Parties Foreign affairs Election Security
  1. The national security supplemental bill included funding for military, security, and humanitarian aid but faced opposition from MAGA Republicans who focused on the border issue.
  2. The bill was primarily aimed at funding Ukraine's war against Russia's invasion, highlighting the importance of supporting Ukraine for US national security.
  3. The Republican party's actions in blocking the bill, despite demanding specific policies within it, were criticized as irresponsible and could have detrimental consequences.