The hottest Foreign Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

🌐 The Global Eye

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 3 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Global Issues Geopolitics Foreign Policy
  1. The content includes a variety of news items, but this edition had more from the Americas and none from Africa. It's important to get a balanced view from different regions.
  2. Timing is crucial when sharing news; waiting too long can result in missing out on major stories that break unexpectedly.
  3. A subscription offers access to more in-depth discussions and archives, which can be valuable for keeping up with global news.

Revolution in Syria

Gideon's Substack • 11 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Foreign Policy International relations Geopolitics Civil War
  1. The situation in Syria is changing rapidly, and it caught many by surprise. The collapse of the al-Assad regime could lead to new dynamics in the region.
  2. Turkey may benefit the most from the new regime in Syria, gaining control over the northern areas and possibly reducing Iran's influence. However, it's unclear what Turkey plans to do next.
  3. The role of outside powers, especially Russia and the U.S., will be crucial moving forward. They need to understand the complex situation instead of thinking their actions alone caused these changes.

Imran Khan: Pakistan should be non-aligned in cold war, neutral over Ukraine, applauds China

Geopolitical Economy Report • 219 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Neutrality Alliances International relations Foreign Policy
  1. Imran Khan advocates for Pakistan to be non-aligned in cold wars, neutral in proxy conflicts, and have good relations with multiple nations like China, Russia, and the US.
  2. Khan emphasizes the importance of Pakistan maintaining neutrality in global conflicts to protect its own interests, citing the negative impacts of taking sides.
  3. Khan praises China's remarkable anti-poverty efforts and stresses the necessity of not engaging in nuclear warfare to prevent catastrophic consequences.

The U.S. loves sending secretive "objects" into other countries

Matthew's Notebook • 157 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Military Global relations National Security Foreign Policy Crisis Management
  1. The U.S. has a history of sending secretive objects into other countries that can lead to serious international crises.
  2. American responses to foreign intrusions may sometimes be perceived as overreactions by experts.
  3. Reflection on U.S. actions towards weaker nations is necessary, especially in the context of past incidents like the Cuban missile crisis and recent tensions with Iran and China.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Lessons from the Ultimate China Watcher: László Ladány

ChinaTalk • 415 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics China US Relations Media Landscape Communist Party Foreign Policy
  1. China watching methodology by Ladány emphasizes understanding CCP through Chinese-language sources.
  2. US media must improve by decoupling from biased reporting and analyzing China's primary source material.
  3. Improving US-China relations requires analyzing Chinese-language sources, fostering Mandarin expertise, and engaging with CCP narratives.

Invading Iraq: A Bipartisan Tragedy

Humanities in Revolt • 179 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Figures Military Actions Foreign Policy
  1. The Iraq War was launched based on the belief that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, a belief that was later proven false.
  2. Political leaders from both parties, including Joe Biden, played significant roles in supporting the Iraq War, despite its costly consequences.
  3. The economic costs of the Iraq War were extremely high, reaching trillions of dollars, while the war led to thousands of deaths and injuries, destabilizing the Middle East.

🌎 GLOBAL EYES

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 4 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Geopolitics Conflict Studies Foreign Policy Global Issues
  1. There are technical issues with Quiz B that some readers have experienced. The author is trying to understand the errors and how to fix them.
  2. New subscribers are welcomed and appreciated like special guests. The author wants to ensure they have a great experience.
  3. There is curiosity about reader engagement with the quizzes, and the author is questioning whether readers understood the instructions properly.

We Are All Ukrainians

Diane Francis • 1278 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Affairs Human Rights International relations Political Conflict
  1. Ukraine has been fighting to stay independent from Russia since 1991, facing ongoing military threats and challenges. Despite being poorer than many European nations, Ukraine has built a strong military to defend itself against Russia.
  2. Russia's aggression, including the annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Eastern Ukraine, has caused immense hardship. Thousands have died, and millions have been displaced due to the conflict.
  3. The situation with Ukraine and opposition leader Navalny highlights Russia as a significant threat to democracy. Many believe that strong actions and sanctions are necessary to contain Russia's influence and protect countries like Ukraine.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 03.01.2025

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense Foreign Policy Elections Military Human Rights
  1. Former UK defense chief Sir Nicholas Carter mentioned that Western militaries learned from Israel's military operations, particularly highlighting the ongoing violence in Gaza.
  2. In South Korea, police attempted to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol, making headlines due to his alleged corruption and failed coup attempts.
  3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made controversial claims that Bill Gates and WHO have used vaccines to sterilize women in Africa without their consent.

Questions from a Reader

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Political parties Elections Military Social movements
  1. The U.S. has a long history of military interventions that have often led to negative consequences, like instability and suffering in other countries. We need to focus on partnership, not domination.
  2. While both major political parties have their flaws, the current leadership is seen as less dangerous compared to Trump. The importance of having sane leadership in these uncertain times cannot be overstated.
  3. There are big risks associated with Trump’s policies and potential rise back to power. It’s crucial to support leaders who maintain democratic norms and protect against extremism.

Is there nothing to be done? Are there no solutions at all? Are we really stuck in globalist mass-migrant climate freakout deindustrialisation rainbow hell world forever?

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 164 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Globalism Migration Democracy Liberalism Foreign Policy
  1. Mass migration due to lack of sensible border security measures
  2. Obsession with reducing industrial emissions impacts civilization
  3. Political elites prioritize global concerns over national interests

Young Voters Are Furious at Biden. That’s Nice.

American Dreaming • 215 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Polls Voting Youth Foreign Policy
  1. Critics argue that young voters are angry at Biden due to his support for Israel, but data shows this may not be impacting his re-election chances.
  2. Despite concerns about young progressive voters turning away from Biden, the data indicates that they are not a significant voting bloc and may not sway elections.
  3. Changing his stance on Israel/Palestine would not benefit Biden politically, as it could alienate reliable voters to cater to a smaller, less reliable group.

The West Wimps Out

Diane Francis • 699 implied HN points • 25 Feb 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Conflict Studies Foreign Policy Security Studies
  1. Russia attacked Ukraine after a long period of threats. It shows that waiting for sanctions isn't enough to deter aggression.
  2. The friends of Ukraine did not step in to help when needed. This highlights the criticism of how the West responds to threats.
  3. Strong responses, like military support, are necessary to confront aggressors. Simply issuing threats won't protect allies effectively.

Macron Maketh Not, A Good Bad Cop To Trump's New York Schmoozing Cop!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 6 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy International relations Government Conflict resolution Leadership
  1. Macron is struggling to support the U.S. in the Ukraine conflict, but it seems like he is losing his effectiveness as a leader.
  2. There is a growing public demand for peace talks and a need to stop the conflict, but the U.S. and its allies have limited power to influence Russia.
  3. Older political leaders may be out of touch with younger generations, leading to outdated ideas about foreign policy and military intervention.

Henry Huiyao Wang on What the U.S. Election Outcome Means for China

Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections International relations Trade policy Foreign Policy Bilateral Relations
  1. If Trump wins the election, he might raise tariffs on Chinese goods but could still seek cooperation on other global issues. This means there may be both challenges and chances for negotiation.
  2. If Harris wins, she will likely continue the Biden administration's approach, which emphasizes competition with China while avoiding major conflicts. This could lead to a stable but competitive relationship.
  3. No matter who wins, there’s room for the U.S. and China to collaborate on big global problems like climate change and peace initiatives. Finding common ground will be crucial for both countries moving forward.

Why the First Impeachment Matters

Can We Still Govern? • 157 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Impeachment Foreign Policy Congress Whistleblowers Accountability
  1. The first impeachment reveals how Trump thinks about public power and governs.
  2. Trump's actions during the first impeachment show he prioritizes personal interests in foreign policy and seeks to usurp Congressional power.
  3. In a second Trump administration, expect evasions of accountability, loyalty to political hacks, and attacks on career officials who do the right thing.

Weekend Update #69. Ukraine Does Better in South Carolina than Expected

Phillips’s Newsletter • 126 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Policy Aid Republican party Congress
  1. South Carolina primary shows divisions in Republican Party over Trump's stance on Ukraine
  2. Ukraine facing challenges with ammunition supply, leading to withdrawals from exposed positions
  3. Ukraine's success in deconstructing Russian air power is hindered by low anti-air ammunition and Russian losses in key aircraft

The United States should silently cheer over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a Chinese invasion of Taiwan

Bruce Fein's Pioneering Lyceum • 117 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Foreign Policy Colonialism Security
  1. Silently cheering over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could make the United States safer.
  2. History shows that colonial conquests often lead to economic burdens and revolts, making them not worth the effort.
  3. Powerful countries like the United States should be cautious about seeking colonial conquests, as they may not bring the intended benefits.

Muslim-American conservatives and the Palestinian question

Matthew's Notebook • 117 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political landscape Foreign Policy Partisan dynamics Election Strategies
  1. The rise of Muslim-American conservatives is influencing the politics of Israel and Palestine in the US.
  2. The U.S. political scene is seeing shifts in pro-Israel and pro-Palestine sentiments among Democrats and Republicans.
  3. As Arab and Muslim communities align with the Republican Party, tensions may arise regarding the approach to the Palestinian issue.

Sandbox Politics~Parliament is back!

History's Parrot • 58 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Neoliberalism Government Accountability Political parties Foreign Policy Democracy
  1. Governments must focus on addressing the underlying issues, not just the symptoms.
  2. Neoliberalism has marginalized governments in the West, leading to political redundancy and lack of accountability.
  3. Canada's political landscape is dominated by neoliberalism, resulting in a decline in democracy and the need for reform.

US gov't creates Ministry of Truth run by cold warrior who smears independent media as 'Russian disinformation'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 30 Apr 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Media Censorship Foreign Policy Civil Liberties
  1. The US government created a Ministry of Truth led by a censorial cold warrior to combat 'Russian disinformation' and target independent media outlets.
  2. The DHS, infamous for violating civil liberties, established a Disinformation Governance Board overseen by an anti-Russia information warrior, Nina Jankowicz.
  3. Despite past criticism, Democrats now support rebranding the Bush-era DHS, giving it power over freedom of speech, and using it to escalate the new cold war on Russia and China.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 09.01.2025

steigan.no • 4 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Affairs Diplomacy Political Commentary Conflict resolution
  1. Curt Muskos, who inspired the song 'Balladen om Olsson,' passed away recently. He was a symbol of working-class struggle in Sweden.
  2. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for major destruction in Palestinian cities, comparing them to Jabalia in Gaza, which has faced severe devastation.
  3. The Biden administration is planning a significant arms package for Ukraine before the new president, Donald Trump, takes office, aiming to speed up weapon transfers amid ongoing tensions.

Why Olaf Scholz is not a "peace Chancellor," why Ukraine still stands a good chance of getting their cruise missiles, and why the entire debate surrounding Taurus is such a riddle

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 109 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Aid Political Scandal Foreign Policy Alliances
  1. Olaf Scholz is not a 'peace Chancellor' as some perceive, with significant military aid to Ukraine, despite opposing certain weapons shipments. His low approval ratings and party struggle reflect the challenge he faces.
  2. The Taurus missile scandal in Germany has not conclusively hindered Ukraine's chances of acquiring cruise missiles. The leak has, however, intensified international pressure on Scholz to reconsider his stance.
  3. The debate surrounding the Taurus missile's significance has been plagued by the leak scandal, revealing security breaches and political consequences. The missile's effectiveness and the intense focus on it remain questionable.

Overcoming the underwhelming history of America's Africa Policy

An Africanist Perspective • 138 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Geopolitics International relations Diplomacy Global Affairs
  1. America's Africa Policy has been hindered by persistent bad habits and missed opportunities, such as neglecting to leverage connections with the large Black population for strategic alliances.
  2. There have been successes in US-Africa relations, like President George W. Bush's PEPFAR and various commercial initiatives, but the policy needs to prioritize state-building, support developmental agendas, and streamline objectives.
  3. To enhance US-Africa relations, it is crucial to align policy with African institutions, cultivate a strong domestic pro-Africa constituency, and acknowledge the region's significance in the global context.

The Finnish Presidential Election 2024 - a short overview

Ahpocalypse Now • 58 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Election Foreign Policy Candidates Presidency Ideologies
  1. The Finnish Presidential Election involves nine candidates and may go to a second round if no one gets over 50% of the votes.
  2. The President of Finland serves as a moral leader, unifying figure, and representative in high-level international meetings.
  3. The top contenders in the election include Jussi Halla-aho, Pekka Haavisto, and Alexander Stubb, each with unique backgrounds and potential outcomes.

Economist Michael Hudson explains inflation crisis and Fed's secretive $4.5 trillion bank bailout

Geopolitical Economy Report • 438 implied HN points • 08 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Foreign Policy Diplomacy International relations Global Economics
  1. Economist Michael Hudson explains the global inflation crisis, pointing out the flaws in how inflation is measured in the US
  2. The Federal Reserve's $4.5 trillion bank bailout violated regulations and was directed towards big banks such as JP Morgan Chase and Citibank
  3. China and Russia are working on creating independent financial systems to reduce reliance on the US-controlled financial system

The idea that Trump will undermine NATO conflicts with everything Trump actually did while he was in office

Michael Tracey • 111 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Defense International relations Presidency Media
  1. The idea that Trump will undermine NATO conflicts with his actual actions while in office, such as expanding NATO and increasing funding for it, showing a more supportive stance towards the alliance.
  2. Focusing on Trump's actual policy record is more factual and rational than getting caught up in his campaign rhetoric or social media posts, helping provide a clearer picture of his presidency.
  3. Despite common assumptions, Trump's support for American hegemony, including through NATO, does not align with the belief that he would dismantle the alliance, as evidenced by his actions and policies.

Commentator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Social Issues Public Health International relations
  1. Negotiations regarding the Ukraine war may soon become urgent as both sides face limits in achieving their military goals. This could lead to discussions on a potential compromise to end the conflict.
  2. The origins of COVID-19 remain controversial, with scientists previously pressuring each other to dismiss the lab-leak theory despite believing in its possibility. This reflects a larger issue of scientific communication and public discussion.
  3. The recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action challenges the Democratic Party's approach and calls for a reevaluation of values around fairness and merit in education, possibly paving the way for a new direction.

Senator Abourezk was Vietnam Syndrome, and Vietnam Syndrome was good

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Government Foreign Policy Social Issues Activism
  1. Senator James Abourezk embodied the spirit of self-criticism and reform after the Vietnam War.
  2. The interconnectedness of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal played a significant role in shaping American society during that era.
  3. Abourezk's advocacy for Arab-American rights and his diplomatic efforts internationally left a lasting impact on American politics.