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Israel's Genocidal Intentions Have Been Obvious This Whole Time

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2370 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Many people are starting to believe that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. This realization is overdue and based on observable facts.
  2. The aggressive actions taken against the people in Gaza suggest an intention to eliminate them completely. It raises questions about the long-term consequences of such violence.
  3. Statements from leaders indicate that the current actions are aimed at removing all Palestinians from Gaza. This pattern of behavior shows a clear disregard for the lives of innocent people.

Stop Giving Israeli Officials A Media Platform To Spout Lies

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2132 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Media should stop giving a platform to officials who spread false information, especially in cases of serious issues like genocide. It's important to prioritize truth over false narratives.
  2. The ongoing conflict should not justify allowing misleading statements from those perpetuating violence. Giving recognition to harmful claims only fuels further misinformation.
  3. The response to such lies should shift towards holding those making them accountable, rather than coddling them. Society should shame those spreading falsehoods instead of accepting their narratives as valid.

Tulsi Gabbard Is A Warmongering Asshole

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3208 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Tulsi Gabbard has changed her stance on Iran, now aligning with Trump despite previously criticizing his policies. This suggests she's prioritizing her political ambitions over her past beliefs.
  2. Gabbard's comments about Iran being close to making nuclear weapons contradict earlier intelligence assessments. This raises questions about her honesty and motivations.
  3. Many feel betrayed by Gabbard, believing she misled people about her anti-war views to gain support. Her actions now seem like a betrayal of those who truly want peace.

Israelis Understand That Trump Can End The Nightmare In Gaza. Americans Should Know This Too.

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2067 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Many Israelis believe that Trump has the power to stop the violence in Gaza. They are actively asking him to use that power to bring peace.
  2. A lot of Americans might not realize how much influence the U.S. president has over foreign conflicts, especially in Gaza. It's not just a matter of Israel's war; the U.S. can help end it.
  3. Israeli officials recognize that their military actions depend heavily on U.S. support, meaning that a change in U.S. policy could greatly impact the situation in Gaza.

Poll and open thread on the Iran war

Unreported Truths • 44 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. U.S. forces eliminated Iran's top leaders and the opening days of the conflict have gone well from a military standpoint, though four American troops were killed.
  2. Iran so far seems unable to defend itself or mount meaningful counterattacks, and stocks rose as investors bet the war won't disrupt oil supplies or trigger a recession.
  3. The situation is only a few days old and highly uncertain, so a public poll and an open discussion are being offered to gather readers' views; the poll is open to all while comments are for subscribers.
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Never Forget The Lies They Told About Gaza. Never Forgive Them.

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1969 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. IDF records show that a large majority, over 80%, of those killed in Gaza are civilians, and this number may be higher due to unreported casualties.
  2. Efforts to downplay or deny the suffering in Gaza, like claiming low civilian casualty rates or that starvation isn't happening, have been debunked by independent reports.
  3. The destruction of Palestinian olive trees highlights the ongoing impact on Palestinian identity and livelihood, resembling historical acts of colonial oppression.

A Victory Strategy For Ukraine

Phillips’s Newsletter • 180 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Make "victory" the clear, explicit objective for Ukraine because the words leaders use shape strategy, morale, and public expectations.
  2. Recent shifts in U.S. politics and messaging have emphasized Russian strength and possible Ukrainian collapse, and that defeatist narrative weakens support and pushes toward concessions.
  3. Ukraine needs clear, concrete victory goals tied to military and diplomatic plans; ambiguity and defeatism erode its negotiating leverage and chances of a favorable outcome.

Top Links 949 The rubble of Gaza. African Brazil. Drunken Lectures and Pasolini on the flattening of Italy by consumerism.

Chartbook • 472 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Gaza has faced significant destruction, with much of the funding for this devastation coming from U.S. taxes.
  2. There is a focus on the cultural and social impact of consumerism in Italy, highlighting the negative effects it has on society.
  3. The connections between Africa and Brazil show unique historical influences and cultural ties that are worth exploring.

Zionism Is What It Does

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1979 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Zionism is not just about Jewish self-determination; it has led to actions like genocide, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing in reality. It’s important to see what it truly represents today.
  2. Many people used to support Israel but are now distancing themselves due to its actions, which have contradicted the values they believe in.
  3. Some supporters of Israel have faith-based reasons for their stance, making rational debate difficult because their beliefs don’t rely on facts or evidence.

TGIF: Monitoring the Situation

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3116 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. There is an ongoing war between Israel and Iran, with significant military actions being taken by both sides. This conflict is real and escalating, not just rhetoric.
  2. Discussions in the U.S. about race and gender are getting heated, especially with debates involving public figures like Whoopi Goldberg. These conversations show different perspectives on what it means to face inequality.
  3. Maintaining independent journalism is costly, highlighting the need for support from readers. It's important to recognize the financial challenges that come with providing investigative news.

A Farewell To Arms Supplies.

Trying to Understand the World • 8 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Strategy must start with a clear, unambiguous end-state you can measure, because without a defined goal you can't know what plans or resources are needed.
  2. Operational plans have to show how actions will actually produce political outcomes and must be grounded in a realistic understanding of the target society; wishful assumptions (like crude modernization theory or expecting “people like us” to take over) usually fail.
  3. War is fundamentally attritional and asymmetric: victory depends on preserving the specific capabilities tied to your objectives, and logistical, industrial and political limits can defeat even a technologically superior power.

The US Treats Israeli Pedophiles Nicer Than Wounded Palestinian Kids

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1969 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The US has blocked medical treatment for wounded Palestinian children while allowing Israeli citizens accused of severe crimes to return home more easily. This highlights serious issues with how different groups are treated.
  2. There are claims that starving sick children in Gaza is somehow justified because they had pre-existing conditions, which is seen as a desperate way to downplay humanitarian concerns.
  3. Despite ongoing violence and turmoil, there is still significant public interest and outcry about the situation in Gaza, indicating that people are not easily forgetting these issues.

March 1, 2026

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The U.S.-led offensive has already killed and wounded American service members, and major combat operations are ongoing.
  2. The administration appears unclear about its objectives and the intelligence basis for the strikes, offering conflicting claims and openly hoping the attacks will spark an Iranian uprising without a clear plan for what comes next.
  3. The conflict is widening across the region—Israel, Iran, and Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah are exchanging strikes—and global oil flows and markets are being disrupted as a result.

The 2025 NonZero Awards

Nonzero Newsletter • 372 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The U.S. escalated military strikes and adopted more warlike language, while governments broadened labels like “terrorist” and “WMD,” creating legal and moral concerns about how force is justified.
  2. AI developments produced worrying behavior from large language models that hinted at unexpected agency and also a flood of low-quality “AI slop,” underscoring urgent alignment and governance problems.
  3. New surveillance and weapons technologies blurred ethical lines—tiny sensor-equipped insects and autonomous systems show how commercial tech can become military tools, and political PR moves made accountability harder.

Weekend Update #167: Lets Be Honest, We Are Taking Advantage Of The Ukrainians

Phillips’s Newsletter • 288 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Western allies are effectively relying on Ukrainians to bear huge human and material costs while providing relatively small aid, and ordinary people are enduring brutal hardships like cold, power loss, and frontline danger.
  2. The Graham–Blumenthal sanctions push looks like political theater: the Senate can act without White House sign-off and the president already claims wide sanction powers, so public promises don’t guarantee real punishment of Russia.
  3. Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are making a difference but their impact is limited by Chinese purchases and uneven Western support, and there is a tense debate about whether to escalate attacks on Russian cities if more help doesn’t arrive.

Stuck In Another Disastrous Middle East War: Ron Paul

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 29 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The U.S. launched a surprise, pre-planned strike on Iran during ongoing negotiations, killing top leaders and undermining trust in diplomacy.
  2. The attack backfired quickly: Iran retaliated, U.S. service members and equipment were lost, bases and embassies were attacked, and the conflict risks becoming a costly, prolonged war.
  3. The advocated solution is to end the intervention now by returning U.S. bases to their host countries, bringing troops home, and respecting that Congress — not foreign leaders — should decide on war.

What Is The AOC Doctrine?

JoeWrote • 76 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The AOC doctrine collapses the wall between domestic and foreign policy. It says imperial practices abroad boomerang home and that a working-class, class-based internationalism is needed to block rising authoritarianism.
  2. It calls for shifting resources from military spending into domestic investments like health and science research, green energy, and stronger safety nets to strengthen national security and compete with rivals without escalating conflict.
  3. The approach has limits: there are gaps on policy specifics (e.g., Taiwan, how to apply Leahy laws), criticism for engaging establishment institutions, and questions about whether it tackles the deeper structural roots of global imperialism.

After Iraq There's No Excuse For Buying The War Lies About Iran

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3017 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. People shouldn't believe in war lies, especially after the evidence from Iraq. We have more information now, and it's important to think critically about what we're told.
  2. The conflict with Iran isn't just about nuclear weapons; it's really about control and power in the region. These reasons are often hidden behind official narratives.
  3. The situation in Gaza is closely tied to larger conflicts and could escalate into a bigger war. It's crucial to pay attention to these issues because they affect many lives.

February 28, 2026

Letters from an American • 31 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The U.S. and Israel carried out a major strike on Iran that killed top leaders and many civilians, and Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and U.S. bases across the region.
  2. The president justified the assault as preventing a nuclear Iran and promoting freedom, but intelligence indicated no imminent nuclear threat and the stated reasons were vague and possibly politically driven to distract or rally support.
  3. The attack sidestepped Congress and raised constitutional and international-law concerns, risked wider regional escalation, and proceeded despite low public support, signaling a troubling erosion of democratic accountability.

Trump Has Bombed Iran. What Happens Next Is His Fault.

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2896 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The U.S. military has bombed Iranian nuclear sites, which puts American troops in danger of retaliation. This could escalate into a full-scale war.
  2. Iran warned that they would attack U.S. bases in response to the bombings. If U.S. troops are harmed, it will not be the fault of Iran but the fault of those who made the decision to attack.
  3. The situation could have been avoided if previous diplomatic agreements with Iran were honored. Instead, actions taken have led to a potential crisis that could worsen.

The Art of the Pardon. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 384 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. President Trump has dramatically expanded clemency in his second term, and the pardon process increasingly benefits people with wealth or close ties to the administration.
  2. J.D. Vance is urging the MAGA movement to drop purity tests and broaden its base, a deliberate strategy that risks embracing people who flirt with conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
  3. There’s a growing alarm about generational economic strain, with expensive entitlements that funnel money from younger people to retirees being called “Total Boomer Luxury Communism” and argued to be unsustainable.

How MI6 works

Comment is Freed • 153 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. MI6’s core job is still to find people inside hostile states or groups and persuade them to work as sources.
  2. Recruitment has changed a lot — it used to be informal, like a tap on the shoulder at university, and the organisation’s workplaces have shifted too.
  3. Technology and AI now help intelligence officers search and filter candidates much faster, replacing many manual, paper-based methods.

SBSQ #28: Was Tim Walz gonna lose?

Silver Bulletin • 288 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Tim Walz abruptly ended his bid for a third term amid a public benefits fraud scandal.
  2. The U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s president probably won’t shift domestic politics much, since voters usually react to foreign actions only when Americans are directly attacked or many troops are deployed.
  3. Polling that shows the action as unpopular should be treated cautiously, and Democrats’ reluctance to criticize may reflect old fears of appearing weak rather than a clear electoral danger.

Screwed!

John’s Substack • 14 implied HN points • 10 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The war is going badly for Israel and the United States, with no easy military or political victory in sight.
  2. Ending the war would require big concessions to Iran that seem politically impossible for President Trump, so further escalation is likely and Iran can counter‑escalate.
  3. The only likely quick end would come if the conflict seriously threatens the global economy and forces a halt, but how that would unfold is uncertain.

when "the system" becomes "the enemy"

bad cattitude • 243 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Force, not legal niceties, often decides outcomes — systems and international law only matter when someone has the power and will to enforce them.
  2. When institutions become captured or corrupt, people lose faith and may stop defending the system, which encourages extra‑legal efforts to overturn it and risks authoritarian backlashes.
  3. Sharp unilateral actions reveal the weakness of transnational institutions and can reshape global balance by exposing rivals as unable or unwilling to stop decisive moves.

The Base Is Done with MAGA. It Wants America First.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 468 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Longtime Trump supporters in places like Georgia are feeling betrayed and have lost faith in him.
  2. Their disillusionment centers on his stance toward Israel and his resistance to releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, which they see as proof he’s become a sellout.
  3. As a result, parts of the conservative base are shifting away from MAGA and demanding a tougher "America First", anti-establishment agenda.

If It's To Be War With Iran, Let It Be The War That Nobody Comes To

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2854 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. If the US goes to war with Iran, many soldiers might die for no good reason. It's not about freedom, but about decisions made by powerful people.
  2. Joining the military in this situation could lead to suffering without purpose, so it's better to avoid it if possible.
  3. Wars can often be pointless, and it's sad to think about fighting and dying for reasons that are not really justified.

At the Junction of F and U

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 4333 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The junction of F and U is both a physical location in small-town America and a spiritual place in our hearts, symbolizing moments of deep grief and reflection.
  2. Political decisions, like U.S. aid to Israel, can have morally complicated consequences and raise questions of justice, with innocent civilians often caught in the middle of conflicts.
  3. History and personal experiences shape perceptions of war and loss, highlighting the interconnectedness of past events, current policies, and individual emotions.

Conservatism’s Path Not Taken

Persuasion • 2731 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Conservatism has two main competing ideologies: Fusionism and National Conservatism.
  2. National Conservatives risk bureaucratic tyranny and extremism, while Fusionists have economic successes but cause societal divisions.
  3. Humanist Conservatism offers a moderate, inclusive, and community-focused alternative to the existing conservative schools.

Alternate Reality Israel, And Other Reader Questions

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1797 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Some people support Israel but don't agree with its actions, thinking of a 'better' version of it. But that version doesn't exist because real Israel involves serious issues like violence and injustice.
  2. Many Ukrainians want peace and an end to the conflict, yet their leader's actions might go against their wishes. This situation shows how politics can conflict with the people's needs.
  3. There's hope in the younger generation who are more aware and engaged with the world. They are finding new ways to express themselves and push for change, showing potential for a brighter future.

Trump Is Deadly Serious About Assimilating Greenland

Phillips’s Newsletter • 227 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Trump is serious about assimilating Greenland and has made it a central goal of his policy agenda, not just a passing comment.
  2. He is pressuring European countries to support the effort and has threatened economic measures like tariffs or sanctions against those who don’t comply.
  3. Greenland is framed as strategically vital because of its Arctic location, resources, and control over North Atlantic routes, which makes the move attractive from a great-power, security perspective.

Weekend Update #166: The Russian Strategy Would Normally Be Seen As A Failure

Phillips’s Newsletter • 309 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Russia’s 2025 campaign won under 1% of Ukrainian territory but at very high casualty and resource cost, making it effectively a strategy of failure unless outside support changes the balance.
  2. Zelensky’s appointment of Kyrylo Budanov as chief of staff signals a move toward a tougher, long-term war posture and may strengthen his political and military hand.
  3. Trump’s quick acceptance of a Kremlin claim about an attack on Putin’s palace, followed by a face-saving retweet, revealed how easily he can be influenced by Russian narratives and how PR maneuvers can obscure that reality.

What If Trump Wants Goliath to Win?

Thinking about... • 481 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The David and Goliath metaphor is often used to describe Ukraine's fight against Russia, but it can lead to misconceptions about the actual situation on the ground. People sometimes view Ukraine as powerless, which influences how negotiations are approached.
  2. Many in the West, including leaders, may unconsciously favor Goliath because they don't like seeing the smaller, weaker side, Ukraine, succeed. This bias can affect how aid and support are given to Ukraine.
  3. It's crucial to recognize that Ukraine is more than just an underdog; they are capable and strong in their fight against a much larger opponent. This understanding is key to supporting them effectively against Russian aggression.

The Fictional Mental Illness That Only Affects Enemies Of The Western Empire

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2631 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. There is a narrative that makes it seem like only enemies of the West are irrational or crazy. This story portrays them as dangerous just because they oppose the US.
  2. In reality, the US and its allies are often the ones causing conflicts, while countries labeled as 'crazy' are reacting to aggression. This power dynamic is often overlooked.
  3. People who challenge this mainstream view may find themselves dismissed as conspiracy theorists, even though questioning these narratives is important for understanding global issues.

The Trump "Tell"

Phillips’s Newsletter • 173 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. A "tell" is an unconscious physical or behavioral cue people repeat that reveals their true position or intentions.
  2. Donald Trump has a consistent, discernible tell that indicates when an issue doesn't matter to him.
  3. Noticing that tell can be used to predict real-world actions, such as his likely stance toward Putin or cuts to aid for Ukraine.

Israel's Depravity Will Always Find New Ways To Shock You

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2142 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Israeli forces are reportedly targeting specific body parts of civilians in Gaza. This shocking practice highlights the ongoing violence and suffering in the region.
  2. There are claims that Israel is destroying Gaza's healthcare system under the pretense of fighting terrorism. Many believe this is a way to enable further violence against the population.
  3. Public figures, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are facing backlash for their support or funding of Israel despite growing opposition to violence against Palestinians. People are calling for more consistent support for human rights.

Iran Shows Us Why The US And Israel Should Not Be Allowed To Have Nukes

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2589 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Iran's actions show that it can exercise restraint even when attacked, while the US and Israel are often seen as aggressive. This raises questions about who should really have nuclear weapons.
  2. There are no solid proof that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, yet the US actions might push Iran to consider it as a defense strategy.
  3. Diplomatic agreements like the Iran nuclear deal were working well until they were scrapped, leading to more tension instead of peaceful resolutions.

We Are, Of Course, Being Lied To About Iran

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2747 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. There are many lies surrounding the conflict between Iran and Israel, specifically regarding Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program. People should question these claims because historical evidence shows Iran has not been building nuclear weapons.
  2. Some officials are spreading false narratives to justify military actions against Iran. It's important to look for substantial evidence before believing such claims.
  3. Past experiences show that governments and media often lie to gain public support for wars. It's crucial to remain skeptical and demand clear evidence about these situations.

Israel Supporters Will Be Despised For The Rest of Their Lives

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2621 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Supporting Israel will likely lead to long-lasting negative views from others. Many believe that those who backed harmful actions won't easily escape their past.
  2. Activism against violence in Gaza is sometimes labeled as terrorism, showing a troubling trend in how society views peace efforts.
  3. Critics argue that Western media skews perceptions of Iran, making it harder to understand its actual actions and intent in international politics.

Odds and Ends (6)

David Friedman’s Substack • 215 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. A federal prosecutor aligned with the shooter’s political allies and the shaky self‑defense facts make a murder conviction unlikely, but a civil wrongful‑death suit could still hold him financially and reveal more about what happened.
  2. Airdropping large numbers of firearms and ammo into Iran is proposed as a low‑cost, no‑boots‑on‑the‑ground way to empower protesters, changing the risk calculus for government violence.
  3. Practical small ideas: estimate neighborhood religiosity by comparing nativity to Santa lawn displays, log household trips to evaluate and optimize house layouts, and Tesla could boost revenue and adoption by licensing its self‑driving software to other automakers on a subscription basis.