The hottest Foreign Policy Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

January 11, 2026

Letters from an American • 29 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The Justice Department has not released the Jeffrey Epstein FBI files even though a law required their release by December 19, and lawmakers are seeking a special master to compel disclosure.
  2. The administration has taken aggressive unilateral actions abroad—seizing Venezuela’s leader, declaring a national emergency to control Venezuelan oil revenue, and threatening Greenland—which alarmed allies, confused oil companies, and prompted Congress to push back.
  3. Critics warn the administration is weaponizing federal institutions, from pressing criminal probes into Fed Chair Jerome Powell to deploying thousands of federal agents and labeling victims as terrorists, and bipartisan lawmakers are moving to defend institutional independence.

January 7, 2026

Letters from an American • 32 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. A federal ICE agent shot and killed a volunteer legal observer as she drove away, and multiple videos show the shooting contradicts official claims. Local leaders, witnesses, and elected officials are demanding a full investigation and accountability.
  2. The administration deployed thousands of federal agents to Minneapolis in a high-profile immigration operation that escalated tensions and seemed aimed at spectacle; officials used inflammatory rhetoric and false narratives to defend the operation, prompting strong public and political pushback.
  3. At the same time, the administration moved on major financial and policy fronts: seeking legal fees in Georgia, the Trump family’s crypto firm applied for a U.S. banking license, officials planned to seize Venezuelan oil revenues into offshore accounts, and the president pushed for a dramatic increase in the military budget.

Gaza’s Hunger Games

The Chris Hedges Report • 316 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Starvation is being used as a weapon against Palestinians. This tactic aims to destroy their ability to sustain themselves and force them to leave their homes.
  2. People are facing extreme dangers while trying to access food. Many risk their lives to reach aid hubs, often facing gunfire and trampling in desperate crowds.
  3. The current situation in Gaza is pushing people into a state of extreme dependence and humiliation, as aid is tightly controlled and often withheld.

Health not War

Charles Eisenstein • 4 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Support the War Powers Resolution to restore Congress’s authority and stop the war with Iran.
  2. War wastes trillions, damages the nation’s infrastructure and moral standing, and undermines public health, so money and effort should be redirected to rebuild health, infrastructure, and prosperity at home.
  3. People should sign and share the petition and pressure representatives—especially those tied to the Make America Healthy Again movement—to take a public stand for peace and refuse warmaking.
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Nobody Who Gets Gaza Wrong Is Worth Listening To

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2048 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Understanding the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fundamental, and ignoring the clear atrocities in Gaza is unacceptable.
  2. Gaza serves as a pivotal point for awakening anti-imperialist sentiments, leading to greater questioning of Western foreign policies and propaganda.
  3. Challenging mainstream narratives and seeking diverse information sources are crucial to avoid falling into manipulated consent for unethical actions by those in power.

Why the U.S. China Hawks are Hurting the U.S.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 236 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Banning tech exports to China might seem like a smart move, but it actually helps them push their own technology forward.
  2. China is making big strides in semiconductor technology, like creating graphene-based devices that are much faster and more efficient.
  3. American companies are missing out on huge investment opportunities because of strict policies against collaborating with Chinese firms.

The Fight to Define ‘America First’ Foreign Policy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 695 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Dan Caldwell is important in shaping America's foreign policy, especially under Trump. He believes the U.S. should reduce its military presence around the world.
  2. Some Republicans worry that Caldwell's views could harm America's global role. They think the idea of strength in foreign policy is being redefined.
  3. Caldwell's rising influence might give him a big say in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. This could change how the U.S. handles important international issues.

Sunday Strip: More King's Rallies - in progress:

Who is Robert Malone • 34 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Many liberals and Democratic activists publicly protested Nicolás Maduro's capture, a reaction critics call hypocritical and potentially damaging to the Democratic Party's standing.
  2. Millions of Venezuelans and migrants celebrated Maduro's removal after years of economic collapse and food shortages that caused widespread suffering and weight loss.
  3. Venezuela's ties to China, Russia, and Iran created a strategic foothold for U.S. adversaries, and some believe a Trump-Rubio approach could turn Maduro's fall into a recovery opportunity despite remaining risks and contested lawmaker reactions.

The View from France

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 55 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Europe increasingly fears the United States may not defend it and now treats American envoys more like outside actors than reliable allies.
  2. Russia is openly menacing Europe while warmly courting U.S. businessmen in Moscow, a tactic meant to divide Europeans and undermine deterrence.
  3. European militaries are under-resourced and would need years to rebuild, and for now Ukraine’s resistance is seen as the primary barrier preventing a wider Russian attack.

What Would Trump's Future Foreign Policy Look Like?

Eunomia • 294 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Continuity in U.S. foreign policy under a second Trump administration should not be seen as positive.
  2. Trump's foreign policy record was mostly characterized by continuity with existing policies.
  3. Despite being labeled a 'disruptor,' Trump's foreign policy was not drastically different from traditional Republican stances.

'World War 3 has already started' between US and Russia/China, argues French scholar

Geopolitical Economy Report • 697 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. French scholar Emmanuel Todd argues that World War III has begun between the US and Russia/China due to the Ukraine proxy war.
  2. Todd points out that Russia's resilience against Western sanctions challenges the American imperial system and its hold on Europe.
  3. Todd criticizes the overreliance on GDP as a metric, highlighting the adaptive capacity of the Russian economy due to a significant role for the state compared to the US neoliberal economic model.

Why Greenland?

Thinking about... • 686 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Trump's interest in territories like Greenland isn't about Americans' needs, but rather about his desire for power and stability for himself. This creates serious risks for international relations and could enable aggressive actions from other countries.
  2. The focus on imperialism, like talk of controlling Greenland, may be a distraction from Trump's own leadership failures and the ineptitude of his nominees for key government roles. It’s a way to keep media attention away from serious issues.
  3. Threatening to invade or control resources in other countries, like Canada or Greenland, could actually harm America’s relationships. It's better to maintain alliances and trade fairly than to threaten or invade, especially in a world facing climate challenges.

Is a Peace Deal in Ukraine Possible?

John’s Substack • 7 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Two experts debated whether a peace agreement over the Ukraine war is possible, presenting sharply opposing views.
  2. One side argued a negotiated peace with Europe, Ukraine, and the US could be reached, while the other said no deal is possible and the war will be decided on the battlefield, ending in an armistice that creates a frozen conflict.
  3. The event measured audience opinion with a pre- and post-debate poll to see if views shifted, but the poll results were not disclosed.

The chokepoint behind America’s AI boom

Definite Optimism • 44 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. China controls the vast majority of rare-earth refining and high-performance magnet production, creating a strategic choke point for advanced tech supply chains.
  2. The US AI boom and recent economic growth depend heavily on these critical minerals, and Chinese export controls exposed how vulnerable the US and its allies are, forcing urgent policy shifts.
  3. Addressing this requires a large, sustained industrial push to rebuild mining, refining, and manufacturing capacity in the West — a one-day summit or small measures won’t be enough.

On Palestine And The Worthlessness Of The Western Liberal

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1862 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza is often paired with support for Israel's right to exist, despite its genocidal history.
  2. The idea of a Jewish ethnostate in historic Palestine without tyranny and abuse is contradictory; it would require a complete overhaul of Israel's systems.
  3. Many liberals want to maintain the status quo with a facade of justice, but lack a real push for actual change on various issues.

Get U.S. Troops Out of Syria Now

Eunomia • 511 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. U.S. troops don't belong in Syria and Congress never approved their mission.
  2. Keeping troops in Syria serves no policy purpose and puts them at risk for no reason.
  3. Members of Congress avoid debating wars and resist ending them, neglecting their duty.

January 8, 2026

Letters from an American • 28 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Federal immigration agents shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, and the administration and allied media quickly pushed a self‑defense narrative while the FBI cut off state investigators, raising serious concerns about a cover‑up and an unfair probe.
  2. The president is acting more like an authoritarian, openly claiming his personal morality is the only limit on his power, planning grand White House renovations, and threatening unilateral moves like rebranding tariffs or invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy troops.
  3. Institutions and some Republicans are pushing back: courts have flagged unlawful Trump appointments, lawmakers advanced votes to restore health subsidies and limit war powers, and calls for independent oversight and public protests continue.

Call of Duty as a lens into American foreign policy from 2003-2025

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 298 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The Call of Duty series is the most popular video game franchise, showcasing a realistic combat simulator that reflects American military history and identity over the years.
  2. Unlike other games that focus on fantasy or abstract puzzles, Call of Duty aims to recreate real-world conflicts and the emotions tied to them.
  3. Each installment often mirrors contemporary geopolitical issues, making it a unique lens through which we can analyze America's view on foreign policy and military engagements.

Antony Blinken, Undertaker for the Empire

History's Parrot • 294 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Antony Blinken is facing challenges as the Secretary of State during the decline of the Empire.
  2. Blinken's actions have ignited conflicts with countries like Russia and are worsening the situation in the Middle East.
  3. The narrative suggests that the Empire is in trouble, and Blinken's role is criticized as contributing to its demise.

John Bolton: Why America Needs Greenland

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 709 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The idea of the U.S. buying Greenland isn't new, and Trump has talked about it several times, suggesting it's important for national security.
  2. Greenland has historical ties to U.S. security interests, especially since World War II, when it helped protect against threats in the North Atlantic.
  3. Ambassador John Bolton believes there's a strong case for the U.S. to pursue this acquisition, although he thinks Trump's approach has complicated things.

Shah Shah a Come Come

Wrong Side of History • 284 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Iran's current regime is using old plans from the Shah's time for their nuclear program, but it hasn't achieved much yet. Many Iranians still feel a sense of nationalism despite their discontent with the government.
  2. There's a notion that society's challenges should be addressed with stability in government rather than just pushing for democracy. A monarchist approach could offer long-term solutions instead.
  3. London has a mix of wealth and poverty, and many people are leaving for other areas in search of opportunities. This shift is changing the cultural landscape, making London feel less connected to the rest of the UK.

Oscar Winners Who Don't Speak Out On Gaza This Weekend Will Be Complicit In Genocide

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1792 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Every Hollywood celebrity should use their platform to condemn their government's actions, especially in cases of genocide.
  2. Supporting an active genocide should not be a political party's mainstream position; such parties should not exist.
  3. Trying to change mainstream political parties from within often results in individuals being changed by the party's corrupt objectives, rather than the party being reformed.

New Issue Of JOHNSTONE: When Journalists Are Your Enemy, Truth Is Not Your Friend

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 628 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Journalists can sometimes face severe consequences for questioning powerful figures, as shown by the removal of journalist Sam Husseini during a press conference.
  2. There's a growing concern over censorship and the treatment of journalists, especially those who report on sensitive topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  3. The impact of wars and conflicts can be felt worldwide, tying into broader issues such as homelessness and societal well-being.

The United Nations Colonized Palestine

JoeWrote • 67 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Israel has repeatedly violated ceasefires, resulting in many civilian casualties, while the situation for Palestinians remains extremely dangerous.
  2. The recent U.N. resolution backed a plan that essentially allows foreign oversight and control over Gaza without recognizing Palestinian rights or statehood.
  3. The ongoing discourse around the two-state solution often ignores the reality of Palestinian suffering and appears to favor maintaining the status quo rather than promoting genuine peace.

DeSantis and America's Intervention Addiction

Eunomia • 491 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Many republicans are addicted to military intervention, as shown by growing enthusiasm for a military option in Mexico.
  2. Aggressive policies like military interventions in Mexico are likely to backfire and harm relationships with other countries.
  3. Proposals for military action in Mexico are concerning and should not be dismissed as mere campaign tactics.

How to Make A Fortune on Regime Change!

The Corbett Report • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Prediction markets let people bet real money on geopolitical events and can sometimes pay out large sums to those who predict correctly.
  2. These markets create strong incentives for insider trading, misinformation, and even for powerful actors to manipulate events to profit.
  3. Because of the moral, legal, and security risks — especially with high-profile backers involved — lawmakers and regulators are moving to restrict or oversee these platforms.

Weekend Update #141: Trump vs Biden: A Laughable Comparison

Phillips’s Newsletter • 257 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Trump's actions and policies have hurt Ukraine, making their situation worse against Russia. He has not effectively supported Ukraine, unlike Biden who provided significant military aid.
  2. Comparing Trump's potential aid to Ukraine with Biden's past support is unfair. Biden has funneled billions into Ukraine, while Trump has clawed back substantial aid.
  3. Recent media coverage may promote Russian narratives, ignoring their war crimes. It's important to recognize the reality of the situation rather than filtered perspectives.

What Will Trump Do About Iran?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 681 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Iran's position has changed significantly, with its chances of becoming a nuclear state reduced greatly over the past year.
  2. Groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which once seemed strong, are now facing pressure and even agreeing to ceasefires.
  3. The new president has a chance to take action against Iran and its allies, but it's uncertain if he will seize this opportunity.

Taiwan separatists lose key ally, Honduras recognizes China - just 12 small countries remain

Geopolitical Economy Report • 478 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Honduras has shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, leaving just 12 small countries supporting Taiwan separatists
  2. The majority of the global population resides in countries recognizing the People's Republic of China while Taiwan is acknowledged officially only by a handful of countries
  3. The decision by Honduras to break ties with Taiwan and embrace China is largely driven by economic factors, especially China's offered assistance in dealing with Honduras' significant economic challenges

Trump's Tariffs and those Goddamned Freeloading Europeans

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 218 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. The United States acts like an imperial power, and it doesn't really do nice things for other countries for free. Its goal is to keep Europe dependent to maintain control.
  2. European nations are more connected through the EU and military alliances to avoid conflict and promote cooperation, but this dependence means they struggle to develop their own independent foreign policies.
  3. Trump's push for Europe to spend more on defense reflects a bigger shift where the U.S. might start pulling back from Europe, making the future relationship more complicated and possibly less favorable for Europe.