The hottest Foreign Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The Genocide in Gaza and Its Enablers

Eunomia • 334 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide International relations Human Rights Foreign Policy Diplomacy
  1. Biden's response to the war in Gaza shows the consequences of giving another state unlimited support.
  2. Many Democrats believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, yet Western governments are hesitant to act on this evidence.
  3. Public confidence in Biden's ability to handle international crises is low, especially after his support for Israel during the Gaza conflict.

The Four Horsemen of Gaza’s Apocalypse

The Chris Hedges Report • 310 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Middle East Military Genocide
  1. Biden's policies towards Israel and the Middle East are influenced by advisors with a skewed view of the Muslim world.
  2. Biden and his inner circle are criticized for being incompetent and misguided in their approach to international affairs.
  3. The Biden administration's strategies in the Middle East ignore realities on the ground, perpetuating suffering and risking escalation.

Blinken Is Failing the Test

Eunomia • 353 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Foreign Policy
  1. The idea of Blinken providing a reassuring projection of American leadership is not credible.
  2. Morale in the State Department is low under Blinken compared to previous administrations.
  3. State Department experts are being ignored as Biden and Blinken drive U.S. policy in a negative direction.
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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.

After Trump says he "would not protect" NATO allies that do not meet spending targets, German politicians who for years have failed to meet these targets have an entitled sad

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 204 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics NATO Foreign Policy
  1. Trump expressed impatience with NATO members like Germany who don't meet spending targets, causing backlash from German politicians.
  2. There's skepticism around the real purpose and benefits of NATO, with some questioning the alliance's role in preventing wars.
  3. Trump's NATO comments sparked strong reactions globally, highlighting the complex dynamics of international alliances and security.

This Is What You Should Absolutely Not Be Doing Right Now

Discourse Blog • 805 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Humanitarian Crisis Media Criticism
  1. Avoid dishing out heartless condescension to others who may not fully support Joe Biden at this time.
  2. In moments of crisis, identify what actions are harmful and not beneficial to the situation.
  3. Be cautious of your words and actions, especially during difficult times like the humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Gaza.

Saturday Commentary and Review #151

Fisted by Foucault • 311 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Genocide Foreign Policy Alliances
  1. A crisis of competency is looming due to the erosion of meritocracy in decision-making processes, particularly in the US, impacting institutions like the FAA.
  2. The UK's subordinate role to the USA, known as 'Atlanticism' and the 'Special Relationship,' raises questions about the country's autonomy and benefits from the alliance.
  3. The case of Israel facing genocide allegations at The Hague highlights global divisions in support, with countries like the US and Germany rejecting the accusations while others, mainly from the Islamic world, show solidarity.

Why does the US support Israel? A geopolitical analysis with economist Michael Hudson

Geopolitical Economy Report • 617 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Middle East International relations Foreign Policy Global Economy
  1. US support for Israel is primarily driven by geopolitical strategies and control over the Middle East region.
  2. The US sees Israel as a military base to exert control over oil reserves in the Middle East and maintain dominance in the global economy.
  3. Historical parallels can be drawn between the Crusades and current US strategies in the Middle East, indicating power struggles for oil resources and global control.

The Yemen Strikes Are Mindless Do-Somethingism in Action

Eunomia • 275 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Yemen Military Action Conflict Middle East Foreign Policy
  1. There's always a choice when deciding whether to use force or not, and usually, there are better options than resorting to force.
  2. The U.S. won't likely compel Houthi compliance through force; attacking Iranian targets would worsen the conflict.
  3. Taking military action that you expect will make things worse is both stupid and wrong.

REVIEW: Curtis Ellis's Posthumous 'Pandemonium' Book is a Must Read for Chinese Communist Party Skeptics.

Raheem Kassam's Substack • 1985 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Politicians Economic Impact
  1. Curtis Ellis's posthumous book 'Pandemonium' is essential for understanding the Chinese Communist Party.
  2. The book blames America's foreign policy for its relationship with the CCP.
  3. It sheds light on how the CCP manipulates its targets into unwittingly supporting its agenda.

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.

Is the NSC Unwell?

ChinaTalk • 207 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics National Security Foreign Policy Bureaucracy
  1. The organizational design of the NSC leads to crushing burdens for midlevel and senior staffers.
  2. Working in government is demanding and takes a toll on health, thus requiring a steady influx of talent.
  3. National security decisions require trust-building among various stakeholders and can be uniquely challenging due to high stakes and limited bandwidth.

Trump or Biden: Who is Best for China?

Sinification • 176 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China US Foreign Policy Diplomacy Alliances
  1. A second term for Biden may mean a more stable relationship with China, but also potential challenges like increased competition and pressure on Chinese scientific innovation.
  2. A second term for Trump could ease external strategic pressure faced by China, but it might lead to a tougher stance on China and increased complexity in economic and security rivalry.
  3. The Trump administration's policies might reduce some external strategic pressure on China, create more space for international alliances, and exert less pressure on China in the ideological field compared to the Democrats.

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

Phillips’s Newsletter • 125 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

Politburo meeting, no announcement of Third Plenum; Li Shangfu missing from study session; Evergrande chairman under "control"; TikTok

Sinocism • 766 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics International relations Economic Policy Government Foreign Policy Social Impact
  1. The Politburo meeting did not announce the dates for the Third Plenum, raising speculation about possible delays or disagreements.
  2. During the Politburo Study Session on WTO reform, key officials were absent, indicating potential areas of concern.
  3. Evergrande's chairman being placed under police surveillance raises doubts about the company's ability to avoid liquidation, impacting other struggling real estate firms.

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

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.

The weird alliance between Matt Gaetz and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (it's a good thing)

Bad News • 1218 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Foreign Policy Bipartisanship National Security Military Intervention
  1. Matt Gaetz and the Congressional Progressive Caucus formed an unlikely alliance on war policies.
  2. There was a significant bipartisan effect on voting for war resolutions.
  3. The presence of U.S. troops in Syria impacts the future of the Kurdish autonomous region.

Biden's Cluster Munitions Blunder

Eunomia • 884 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Human Rights Military International Law Allies
  1. Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate and pose a threat to civilians long after a war ends.
  2. Providing cluster munitions to Ukraine may lead to more harm than good, as they can maim and kill civilians and soldiers.
  3. Exporting cluster munitions contradicts previous condemnations of their use, creating political problems and potential hypocrisy.

In Africa, Russia is playing the West like a fiddle

An Africanist Perspective • 573 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global South Sovereignty Foreign Policy International relations
  1. Russia's influence in Africa is hyped up in Western media compared to its actual economic and military ties with African states.
  2. African states respond to Russia based on their specific interests and not as puppets, often driven by the desire to access resources at lower costs, especially amidst economic constraints.
  3. African nations should be cautious not to overly rely on Russia militarily or economically, aiming to prioritize domestic sovereignty and economic growth by carefully considering policy decisions and avoid getting deeply entwined with Russia.

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.

Jia Qingguo calls on Beijing to relax control to encourage non-govt efforts to tell China's story

Pekingnology • 56 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics China International relations Foreign Policy Communication
  1. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes the importance of telling China's story well to enhance international communication; there's a need for improvement as some countries show a decline in positive views toward China.
  2. Challenges in telling China's story abroad include misconceptions that it's solely the government's responsibility, restrictions on non-govt interactions, and lack of incentives for leaders in foreign affairs.
  3. Recommendations to address these challenges include raising awareness about public participation, reducing restrictions on exchanges, and encouraging retired officials to engage in foreign activities.

What I Learned about how the U.S. Handled the Run-Up to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Drezner’s World • 845 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Intelligence Sanctions National Security Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. believed Putin invaded Ukraine due to perceptions of Russian weakness, not U.S. weakness.
  2. Intelligence was used effectively by the Biden administration to persuade allies and delay Russia's invasion.
  3. Biden officials concluded that pre-emptive sanctions wouldn't have deterred Russia and focused on seizing oligarchs' assets to highlight corruption.

Weekend Update #64: Crunch Time in Washington

Phillips’s Newsletter • 109 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy
  1. Washington is facing a critical moment in decision-making regarding aid for Ukraine amidst political tensions and pressure from Trump
  2. UK Conservatives' support for Ukraine is being questioned for being more performative than substantial, especially with Boris Johnson endorsing Trump
  3. Ukraine's adoption of 'Active Defense' strategy is gaining attention, with western officials attempting to influence Ukraine's military approach

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson

Krystal Kyle & Friends • 786 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Interview Presidential Candidate Foreign Policy
  1. Krystal and Kyle interviewed Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson.
  2. The interview covered topics like foreign policy, establishment opposition, and media treatment.
  3. Marianne Williamson discussed her strategy against Biden and Trump, her pitch to 'normie' Democrats, and how this run is different from her previous one.