The hottest Geopolitics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

An Uncomfortable, But Justified, War

QTRā€™s Fringe Finance ā€¢ 58 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. A coordinated strike was justified as a way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to degrade the leadership and military capabilities that posed long-term regional threats.
  2. War is tragic and should be rare, but a limited, targeted use of force to stop an existential threat is different from open-ended regime change; credible deterrence sometimes requires decisive action.
  3. Critics who insist diplomacy alone will suffice overlook how nuclear programs advance without coercive measures, and foreign policy choices are made at the national level rather than by local officials.

Weekend Update #170: Russian Advances Are Slower Than The Battle Of The Somme

Phillipsā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 274 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Russia is suffering extremely high casualties while gaining very little territory, so its offensive is grinding forward at a slow and costly pace.
  2. Russiaā€™s economy and technological base are weak and losing steam, making it hard for Moscow to sustain a successful long-term war effort.
  3. The U.S. presidentā€™s public closeness to Putin and optimistic portrayal of talks is giving Russia political cover, undermining tougher action and feeding Ukrainian mistrust.

Some final China thoughts, a short political rant, and my upcoming England walk

Chris Arnade Walks the World ā€¢ 1355 implied HN points ā€¢ 15 Nov 25
šŸ Travel Geopolitics
  1. Traveling to China is smoother and more rewarding than most people think. You can use a simple transit visa to explore major cities without much hassle.
  2. China wants visitors and the people are friendly and helpful. Tourists are a rare sight, making your experience feel special and engaging.
  3. Understanding China is key to grasping modern global dynamics. The country's unique political system offers a different perspective that is important to explore.

Niall Ferguson: The Beginning of the End of the Ukraine-Russia War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 1080 implied HN points ā€¢ 26 Nov 25
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. proposed a 28-point peace plan with a Thanksgiving deadline that is informal and being revised as talks continue.
  2. Negotiations have involved leaked documents, meetings in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, and many outside parties, while both sides keep fighting to gain leverage.
  3. Both Ukraine and Russia now need a respite from war, so this initiative may have a better chance of working than skeptics think.

Who profits from a world without cash?

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness ā€¢ 297 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Jan 26
šŸ”® Crypto Geopolitics
  1. Cash protects privacy, resilience in crises, and everyday budgeting for low-income and informal economies; losing cash hands more power to banks and platforms and makes payments easier to surveil or censor.
  2. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and dollar-backed stablecoins concentrate monetary control and can be used as geopolitical tools, while Bitcoin and other decentralised options offer a different, less controllable model.
  3. Digital payments are consolidating into a few powerful firms, threatening small-scale peer-to-peer trade and individual autonomy, which is driving interest in preserving or reviving analog money as a form of resistance.
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Spoils of War?

Doomberg ā€¢ 382 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. A Pro Tier presentation called "Spoils of War? The Oil & Gas Potential of Venezuela" focuses on Venezuela's oil and gas resources and stresses their strategic importance, noting the timing is relevant because of recent events there.
  2. Venezuela's role in Trump's agenda has been highlighted as important, with attention to that connection going back to before his inauguration.
  3. The detailed analysis is behind a paywall and available only to Pro subscribers, requiring an upgrade or sign-in to access the full presentation.

Oil Flips A Shit: First Trade Ideas For Monday

QTRā€™s Fringe Finance ā€¢ 29 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Mar 26
šŸ’° Finance Geopolitics
  1. Oil prices jumped into triple digits near $119 after a Middle East escalation, output cuts, and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of a sudden or prolonged supply shock.
  2. Policymakers are considering releases from strategic petroleum reserves to calm markets, which could blunt the price shock but underscores the seriousness of the global macro risk.
  3. The oil spike is already weighing on global equities and boosting volatility, creating fast-moving trading opportunities but also higher downside risk for markets.

Weekend Update #169: A Corruption Riddle Solved

Phillipsā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 327 implied HN points ā€¢ 25 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The Board of Peace is built so its chairman has near-total control over large sums with little oversight, creating a clear risk that seized or donated funds could be funneled to the chair for personal or political use.
  2. Zelensky used his Davos speech to warn that the United States under Trump cannot be relied on, urging Europe to stop waiting for America, build its own strength, and recognize Ukraineā€™s central role in European security.
  3. Ukraineā€™s 2026 military plan aims to inflict very heavy Russian casualtiesā€”targeting up to 50,000 per monthā€”while reducing Ukrainian losses through tighter management, precision operations, and intelligence-driven tactics.

Big Trouble Ahead in Iran

Johnā€™s Substack ā€¢ 49 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The United States was pulled into the Iran war largely because of Israeli influence, and Iran did not pose a direct threat to the US.
  2. For the US and Israel to truly 'win' they'd need to remove Iran's leaders and install a government that answers to them, which is very unlikely.
  3. Iran only needs to survive politically to succeed; even heavy military damage won't matter if the regime endures or is replaced by a government that won't kowtow to the US and Israel.

The Iranian Blood on Trump's (and Biden's) Hands

Nonzero Newsletter ā€¢ 395 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Trumpā€™s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the harsh sanctions that followed, combined with Bidenā€™s limited reversals, helped strengthen Iranian hardliners, deepen economic suffering, and contributed to deadly repression of protesters.
  2. Economic sanctions tend to backfire: they hurt ordinary people, fuel corruption and black markets, empower military elites like the Revolutionary Guards, and are both morally troubling and strategically counterproductive as a tool to induce regime change.
  3. Recent domestic events show political and media falloutā€”Trumpā€™s vocal defense of the Renee Good shooting has lowered his approval ratings, and leadership changes at major outlets (e.g., Bari Weiss and potential Ellison influence) could shift how news organizations cover conflicts like Iran.

IS TRUMP A LIABILITY IN HIS OWN WAR?

Seymour Hersh ā€¢ 45 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. His public remarks have revealed sensitive intelligence and likely put covert contacts inside Iran at risk, prompting searches and reprisals.
  2. Talking about bringing the Kurds into the fight could ignite ethnic conflict, since armed Kurdish groups seek autonomy and are already massed near borders.
  3. US intelligence officials worry that the presidentā€™s loose talk and poor judgment are undermining coordinated military and covert operations against Iran.

Top Links 976 AI investment surges. China in Saudi Arabia. Coffee under stress & looking back at Avalon Hill.

Chartbook ā€¢ 386 implied HN points ā€¢ 08 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Geopolitics
  1. AI and tech investment are surging, with tech spending approaching about 5% of the US economy. This shift makes tech a major driver of growth and corporate investment.
  2. China is deepening its presence in Saudi Arabia, expanding economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. That growing relationship has notable implications for global energy and geopolitics.
  3. The coffee sector is under stress, facing pressures that threaten production and markets. Thereā€™s also a renewed interest in looking back at Avalon Hill as part of cultural or historical reflection.

Lawrence Wongā€™s Words, Heard in Stereo

Pekingnology ā€¢ 135 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Small states need to be masters of their own destiny, relying on resilience, social cohesion, and a clear commitment to selfā€‘defence rather than size alone.
  2. Historical memories and greatā€‘power narratives strongly shape regional reactions, so remarks about Japan or China can be amplified and interpreted through emotional, national lenses.
  3. Practiced diplomatic balance matters: staying principled and flexible lets a small country avoid dependency or unnecessary antagonism while navigating rising Chinaā€“Japan tensions.

What Will the Future Look Like in the ā€˜New World Order?ā€™ (w/ John Mearsheimer) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report ā€¢ 174 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. A U.S. leader who favors unilateral use of military and economic power and dismisses international institutions and allies can dismantle the postā€‘war rulesā€‘based order and leave the country isolated.
  2. The world has shifted from unipolarity to multipolarity with China as a formidable great power, making East Asia the primary strategic flashpoint and increasing the risk of dangerous crises despite deep economic ties.
  3. Eroding the rule of law at home and gutting softā€‘power tools while doubling down on fossilā€‘fuel economics will weaken U.S. influence, harm longā€‘term competitiveness, and raise the chances of domestic authoritarianism or reckless foreign adventures.

Top Links 973 The risks of meat. ā€œTPP Zalău in demolitionā€. EDF chic. Non-random intricacies.

Chartbook ā€¢ 400 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Jan 26
šŸ“° News Geopolitics
  1. The meat supply chain is seen as a ticking time bomb, with mounting risks that could threaten food security and stability.
  2. Photography of the TPP Zalău demolition highlights industrial transformation and the visible decline of old infrastructure.
  3. There is a focus on energy-sector aesthetics and on uncovering complex, non-random patterns that shape systems and outcomes.

A Ukrainian Victory Strategy

Phillipsā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 169 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Ukrainians are actively thinking through a strategic, nuanced plan for how to achieve victory.
  2. Some Western reporting, including recent Wall Street Journal pieces, misrepresents or misunderstands that strategy and promotes misleading narratives like claims about sending the youngest people to the front.
  3. There is a substantive Ukrainian strategic discussion underway that is more complex than many Western observers appreciate.

You Listen to Israel, You Lose

Johnā€™s Substack ā€¢ 18 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The US and Israel appear to have no clear strategy or exit plan for the war with Iran, which makes winning unlikely and escalation more dangerous.
  2. The US president made a serious mistake by following Israeli leadership instead of heeding military and intelligence warnings.
  3. Pro-Israel lobbying and Israeli influence steered US policy toward war rather than listening to the National Intelligence Council and other officials.

On Strategists and Strategies

Comment is Freed ā€¢ 73 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. A taste for strategy came from political engagement and the desire to champion a side, especially the challenge of persuading people who are indifferent or hostile.
  2. The 1960s generation felt it could drive big social change, with civil rights, antiā€‘war and student movements creating a strong belief in transformative politics.
  3. Studying the social sciences gave tools to understand society and government, and reading about rebels showed that many idealistic movements fail, stressing the importance of practical, realistic strategy.

What War With Iran Means For Markets Monday

QTRā€™s Fringe Finance ā€¢ 56 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Feb 26
šŸ’° Finance Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. and Israel have launched coordinated major strikes on Iran, including attacks in Tehran, and Iran has already retaliated with missiles and drones toward Israel and regional targets.
  2. Heavy, lastā€‘minute options and gold/silver buying suggest some traders were positioned ahead of the attacks, meaning order flow signaled the event before it was public.
  3. The situation has disrupted regional airspace and could push markets two ways: a wider escalation that spurs volatility, safeā€‘haven flows and commodity shocks, or a more contained conflict that lets markets stabilize.

Who Is Detaching Whom?

Phillipsā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 119 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The biggest mistake in US foreign policy is treating American military power as proof of overall competence or wisdom.
  2. Decades of US military dominance led allies, especially in Europe, to defer intellectually and stop thinking for themselves.
  3. Military strength gave the US undeserved credibility in non-military areas, producing bad judgments and a gap between perceived and actual competence.

New Issue Of JOHNSTONE: Secretary Of Perpetual War

Caitlinā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 754 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Dec 25
šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø U.S. Politics Geopolitics
  1. The US military is portrayed as a Department of Perpetual War that rarely defends the country and instead uses pretexts like ā€œnarco terroristsā€ to justify aggressive interventions and alleged extrajudicial killings, with a recent scandal and mocking meme exposing that hypocrisy.
  2. The newsletter attacks institutions like the empire, mainstream media, AI companies, and capitalism for making things worse and eroding truth. It also criticizes Israeli policies and warns that peopleā€™s mental sovereignty is under threat.
  3. Readers are urged not to wait for leaders to save humanity but to resist imperialism and take responsibility for change. The publication is reader-funded, freely shareable, and collects many essays on geopolitics, AI, and social critique.

The Taiwan posts

Noahpinion ā€¢ 9706 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Jan 25
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Taiwan has a unique culture that combines influences from both Chinese and Japanese traditions. It's famous for its delicious food and vibrant nightlife, making it a fun place to visit.
  2. Taiwan's public health system is highly effective, demonstrated by how well they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. They used strict measures and technology to keep their population safe.
  3. Taiwan is a progressive society, leading in areas like gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. It's known for being tolerant and open-minded, setting an example in a region often dominated by conservatism.

Putin's Third Front

Diane Francis ā€¢ 739 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Jun 24
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Putin opened a new front in his conflicts by forming a security agreement with North Korea. This relationship is meant to counteract Western influence.
  2. The agreement between Russia and North Korea has worried several countries in the region, including China, Japan, and South Korea. South Korea's president criticized it as a dangerous move.
  3. The partnership raises tensions since both countries have histories of war, and it could lead to an arms race in the region.

Trump Heads to Davos to Take Greenland

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 287 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Europeans are unusually alarmed by the idea of the U.S. moving to take Greenland, fearing it could signal a broader breakdown in the international order and inspire other territorial grabs.
  2. There is a practical logic to the move: the U.S. worries Europe canā€™t defend the Arctic as ice melts and new routes open to China and Russia.
  3. Breaking the U.S.-Europe alliance would mainly help rivals like China, Russia, and Iran, and Europe is likely to back down when faced with threats such as a catastrophic trade war.

An Epoch of Great Changes Is upon Us

imetatronink ā€¢ 3871 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Jan 24
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Russia is predicted to win the war in Ukraine and become more powerful.
  2. The US military hasn't won a war since WW2 and is weakened compared to major adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran.
  3. The conflict in Ukraine is expected to accelerate the decline of the American Empire and the credibility of NATO and the EU.

The future of AI, work, and the world

Granted ā€¢ 4751 implied HN points ā€¢ 15 Dec 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Geopolitics
  1. Encourage a love for learning in kids rather than pushing for practical majors. Liberal arts education is about expanding minds, not just building careers.
  2. Gain diverse perspectives to broaden your mind. Explore topics like AI, global geopolitics, and work happiness.
  3. Question the status quo in education and work. Focus on asking the right questions, embracing ambiguity, and challenging common myths.

Weekly Top Picks #111: Davos Edition

The Algorithmic Bridge ā€¢ 244 implied HN points ā€¢ 26 Jan 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Geopolitics
  1. The newsletter is back with a tighter format: news will be organized into seven fixed categories so each item becomes part of a clearer, ongoing story. The writer plans to keep some room for surprises but wants more order and relevance.
  2. AI is reshaping power and wealth because advanced models need massive compute and electricity, which creates winners and losers and fuels geopolitical fights over chips and access. Big product claims from companies (devices, robotaxis) are plentiful but deserve healthy skepticism.
  3. The social impacts of AI are urgent and mixed: there are real worries about job displacement, serious safety problems like models acting as suicide coaches, and cultural shifts as AI takes over work thatā€™s centered on language.

Hitler's Avatar

Diane Francis ā€¢ 2078 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Apr 24
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Czech President Petr Pavel believes that Europe is in danger of war again, much like it was before World War II. He wants to support Ukraine to prevent further conflict.
  2. Pavel has organized the delivery of a lot of ammunition to Ukraine quickly because he thinks if Ukraine loses, Europe will also be at risk.
  3. European leaders are starting to take the threat from Russia seriously and are discussing actions they might need to take to prepare for possible conflict. Pavel advises readiness, not fear, regarding the situation.

Out of Gas

Doomberg ā€¢ 7896 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Feb 25
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Britain has faced a major decline in its global power and status over the years, driven by poor decisions by its leaders. This decline shows that just having a historic role doesn't mean a country is still significant today.
  2. Currently, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is trying to boost Britain's image by aiming to make it an AI superpower. However, investors are uncertain because of the country's bigger issues, especially in energy.
  3. The UK is struggling with low gas storage and high demand for energy, which makes its ambition for AI seem unrealistic. Without reliable and cheap energy, the goal to succeed in technology will be hard to achieve.

Top Links 961 Zero-sum economics. Trump's family network. India's coal addiction. Mobiles and stables.

Chartbook ā€¢ 457 implied HN points ā€¢ 24 Dec 25
šŸŒ International Geopolitics
  1. Per-capita economic growth in the West has slowed to under 1% a year since the financial crisis, feeding a sense that economic gains are limited and competition feels zero-sum.
  2. Trumpā€™s family network plays a large role in politics and business, highlighting questions about influence and nepotism.
  3. Indiaā€™s heavy reliance on coal continues, making it harder to cut emissions and shift toward cleaner energy sources.

Greenland, sine ira et studio

eugyppius: a plague chronicle ā€¢ 145 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. Trump's push for Greenland is rooted in real strategic concerns about the Arctic and in his doubts about NATO; when he questions the alliance he leans toward seeking more direct U.S. control over key territory.
  2. Denmark and other European states are effectively unable to sell Greenland because of constitutional limits and postā€‘colonial political commitments, so the idea of an easy transfer of sovereignty is unrealistic.
  3. The U.S. presence in Europe functions like an informal empire that gives Washington influence and economic benefits, and Trump's strategy mixes pressure on NATO with efforts to cultivate friendly populist parties to sideline the EU ā€” a move that risks political blowback in Europe.

Is this the End of the Pax Americana? Niall Ferguson Is Live from Davos.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 250 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. People are openly questioning whether the United States still leads the global order, which suggests American dominance may be weakening.
  2. Public disputes among Western allies reveal real fractures in their relationships, not just routine policy differences.
  3. This feels like a rupture rather than a smooth power shift, leaving the future of Western unity and the rules-based world order uncertain.

Israel Has Its War

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger ā€¢ 60 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. and Israel have entered a wide-scale Middle East war, with missile strikes and attacks reported across the Gulf and on multiple bases and countries.
  2. Israel appears to have pushed U.S. leadership into attacking Iran, with the U.S. strike reportedly planned months in advance and the attack date set weeks beforehand.
  3. Iran has retaliated and warned it has far stronger weapons to follow, and reported targeting of the Ayatollah and IRGC leaders raises the risk that hardliners could take control and dramatically escalate the conflict.

Fortress Democracy

Diane Francis ā€¢ 879 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Jun 24
šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø U.S. Politics Geopolitics
  1. The 80th anniversary of D-Day shifted global relations, with a strong focus on supporting Ukraine against Russia.
  2. Biden apologized to Ukraine for military aid delays, highlighting Americaā€™s commitment to their defense.
  3. Upcoming G7 and NATO meetings may lead to significant actions like seizing Russian assets and increasing security guarantees for Ukraine.

Our Sixty Days of Nuclear Chicken Have Begun

TK News by Matt Taibbi ā€¢ 10440 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Nov 24
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The situation in Ukraine is getting riskier as peace talks are expected after Trump's inauguration. This is causing both Russia and the U.S. to escalate their military actions.
  2. Recent attacks involving U.S.-made ATACMS missiles have heightened tensions and alarmed Russian media. They are worried about this being a significant moment in history.
  3. There's a growing fear that we might be approaching a major conflict, with some comparing it to the dangers of the Cuban Missile Crisis. A nuclear response from Russia is now more likely, raising serious concerns.

Russian Unreality and American Weakness

Thinking about... ā€¢ 711 implied HN points ā€¢ 24 Nov 25
šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡ø U.S. Politics Geopolitics
  1. A recent 'peace plan' regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war seems more focused on benefiting a few powerful individuals rather than actually achieving peace, showing a lack of true American diplomacy.
  2. The document claims to address Ukraine's sovereignty but actually undermines it, making demands that benefit Russia while ignoring its aggressive actions in the war.
  3. Key proposals in the plan reflect Russian interests, such as limiting Ukraine's military and preventing it from joining NATO, raising concerns about the overall intention to weaken Ukraine rather than support it.

Is the 'New World Order' Really New? (w/ Yanis Varoufakis) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report ā€¢ 185 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics Geopolitics
  1. The "Board of Peace" is a private, imperial-style project that sidelines the United Nations and hands reconstruction and security to wealthy actors, which can enable continued displacement and suppression of the local population.
  2. The approach splits up multilateral unity by negotiating with countries one-by-one, forcing allies into silence or uneasy autonomy so they canā€™t jointly challenge abuses.
  3. This is less a brand-new system than a revival of corporate-colonial tactics that weakens international law and institutions while empowering authoritarian tools and financial tricks, risking long-term instability.

2025, in summary

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness ā€¢ 382 implied HN points ā€¢ 29 Dec 25
šŸ’¼ Business Geopolitics
  1. Big tech's automation drive has merged with reactionary politics, aligning corporate power with nationalist and deregulation agendas.
  2. Corporate commitments to diversity and sustainability were largely performative, as many firms dropped those promises under political pressure, revealing those values as aesthetic rather than structural.
  3. Generative AI is industrialising human creativity, making cultural production feel factoryā€‘farmed and eroding the authenticity of creative works, while builders and firms are chiefly serving shareholders and power.