The hottest Intelligence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Leaked Pentagon Document Claims Russian Hacktivists Breached Canadian Gas Pipeline Company

Zero Day • 1283 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence
  1. A leaked Pentagon document suggests Russian hacktivists breached a Canadian gas pipeline company, with the ability to cause an explosion and instructions from the FSB.
  2. The hackers claimed to have caused damage to the Canadian facility, including increasing valve pressure and disabling alarms, aiming to impact income, not cause loss of life.
  3. US authorities are investigating the authenticity of the leak, which included several documents about Russia's war plans and intelligence on various countries.

Iran, China and America's Great Game

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 110 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Iran plays a key role in global politics, especially in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Control over Iran could impact trade routes and influence in the region.
  2. The U.S. and Israel have shared interests in destabilizing Iran, believing it will benefit their strategic goals. They aim to prevent Iran from becoming a strong ally of competitors like China and Russia.
  3. There are plans to create division within Iran, breaking it down into smaller ethnic regions. This strategy is part of a larger effort to reshape power dynamics in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Against Full Scale IQ Fetishism

sebjenseb • 176 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Intelligence
  1. Intelligence and FSIQ are not the same, but often closely correlate.
  2. Success is influenced by intelligence, but also impacted by luck, personality, and specific cognitive abilities.
  3. Quality as an intellectual is not solely dependent on intelligence, but also on traits like drive, prioritizing truth, tackling controversial issues, and connections to communities.

EQ > IQ

Vectors of Mind • 176 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🔬 Science Intelligence
  1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is argued to be more fundamental to human evolution and the 'Good Life' than Intelligence Quotient (IQ), despite being harder to measure.
  2. Traits exist both as idealized forms and measurable approximations through psychological instruments like surveys, but the accuracy of these measurements is limited.
  3. The General Factor of Personality (GFP) is emphasized as a more fundamental concept than the general factor of intelligence (g), with language reflecting its importance and complexity.

Data Warfare

How the Hell • 110 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Offensive data operations are being considered as a strategy against China. This means using information tactics to weaken their tech progress.
  2. The military industry is cautious about discussing these strategies openly. They think the ideas are good but worry about public talks.
  3. These operations aim to disrupt and slow down China's advancements in AI, which could have big implications for global technology competition.
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Fort Meade's new contract monitoring Twitter

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 854 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Defense Information Systems Agency has a new $2.5 million social media surveillance contract with Dataminr.
  2. Dataminr, associated with Twitter, has been careful to avoid the 'surveillance' label and instead presents itself as an 'alerting' platform.
  3. Despite past commitments, Dataminr continues to provide access to social media data for surveillance purposes.

ARE WE STILL FIGHTING IRAN?

Seymour Hersh • 17 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Intelligence
  1. The U.S. and Israel carried out major covert strikes and targeted assassinations that severely damaged Iran’s nuclear sites and military infrastructure.
  2. Iran has not launched a large-scale retaliation, but the country faces serious economic, social, and infrastructure strains that some U.S. officials say could spark a crisis or revolution.
  3. Israeli leaders believe Iran is rebuilding its defenses, and the mismatch in assessments raises the risk that another confrontation is looming.

The ICA: Obama's Legacy

The Reactionary • 71 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The Intelligence Community had 'low confidence' in claiming that Russia was behind the leaking of DNC data before the official assessment was made.
  2. There were issues with how intelligence was gathered and presented, including suppressed evidence and questionable sources relied upon by FBI officials.
  3. A meeting was held at the White House, led by Obama officials, to create a narrative around Russian interference right before Trump took office.

Leaked details of new collaboration between U.S. and Australian intelligence, by way of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 630 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence
  1. Leaked details reveal collaboration between U.S. and Australian intelligence officials and tech industry executives.
  2. The workshop focused on 'human-machine teaming' for AI policy in defense and intelligence sectors.
  3. The event involved key figures from major tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Scale AI, and Palantir.

Tulsi Gabbard confirmed; Trump threatens Gaza ceasefire

Aaron Mate • 148 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Tulsi Gabbard is now in charge of US intelligence, despite previous criticisms about her views on intelligence. It's a surprising turn of events for someone who often went against mainstream narratives.
  2. Trump is putting pressure on the ceasefire deal in Gaza, which could have significant implications for the region. His stance may affect ongoing peace efforts.
  3. The discussion includes perspectives from various commentators, highlighting different views on these political developments. It's important to hear differing opinions for a better understanding of the situation.

Bogus Documents fueled the Russia Hoax

The Reactionary • 58 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. New documents show that some claims about Russian interference in the 2016 election might not be trustworthy. These documents were said to be based on unreliable sources.
  2. The Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) concluded that Russia helped Trump win, but it used questionable evidence to support this claim. Critics say the information was manipulated.
  3. There were various interpretations of key claims about Russia's motives, indicating that the intelligence may not be as clear-cut as once thought.

CIA “Cooked The Intelligence” To Hide That Russia Favored Clinton, Not Trump In 2016, Sources Say

Public • 456 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. CIA allegedly manipulated intelligence to hide that Russia favored Clinton over Trump in the 2016 election
  2. The Trump-Russia scandal was based on a report that inaccurately painted Trump as a puppet of Putin
  3. The Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) released in 2017 falsely claimed that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump

A novel take on group differences in test scores. Part I

America in Crisis • 119 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🔬 Science Intelligence
  1. Culture plays a crucial role in group differences in test scores and IQ measurements, alongside genetics and environment.
  2. IQ scores are influenced by both genetic and cultural components, with culturally-loaded tests showing higher heritability.
  3. Over time, group differences in IQ can be attributed more to the cultural component rather than the genetic one, with national IQ averages possibly rising with economic growth.

The Curious Case of Austin Tice

The Dossier • 167 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Austin Tice is a U.S. Marine and journalist who went missing in Syria over 12 years ago, and the last evidence of him being alive was a video from 2012.
  2. The Biden Administration believes he is alive, but there is little public evidence to support this claim, creating confusion about his situation.
  3. Despite efforts from various U.S. administrations, clear information about Tice's whereabouts or condition remains elusive, and many hope for answers as the conflict in Syria evolves.

Sunday Brunch for March 17

Xavi Benjamin • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The TikTok ban poses serious concerns about government overreach and its impact on freedom of speech and internet control.
  2. There is a need for transparency and discussion about fast-tracked bills that could affect the American people, especially in areas like universal healthcare.
  3. Being informed about potential government actions and their implications is crucial for advocating for policies that align with individual beliefs and values.

O Shocks

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 51 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. We're living in a time of big surprises that challenge what we believe to be true. These 'O Shocks' make many people rethink their understanding of reality.
  2. Many major news stories and scandals seem to disappear just as quickly as they appear. This creates confusion about what is really happening behind the scenes in our governments and institutions.
  3. Recent events show that things we thought were settled, like scientific truths and political narratives, are being questioned. This can make it hard for people to trust what they know.

America's empire of jocks versus the old-style empire of nerds

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. American adventurers have shifted from learning dead languages to extreme sports and custom guns.
  2. Modern-day U.S. special forces represent a shift from covert to overt military rule in the American empire.
  3. The old British imperial administration produced intellectually curious and ruthless figures, contrasting with the contemporary American style.

What Noam Chomsky gets wrong about AI

ML Powered • 98 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Intelligence
  1. Machine learning models like ChatGPT can be as efficient or even more efficient than the human brain in certain tasks.
  2. Measuring intelligence of machine learning models based solely on the ability to apply the scientific method is unrealistic.
  3. Modern language models like ChatGPT can understand and parse phrases with ease, contradicting claims of their failure in understanding language.

US Military Contractors Used Counterterrorism Tactics Against The American People, New Documents Show

Public • 435 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. US military contractors used counterterrorism tactics against the American people
  2. Tactics included psychological operations, debanking, and changing social media platforms' Terms of Service
  3. The Censorship Industrial Complex waged influence operations using offensive methods like disinformation campaigns and debanking

The machines will never be our overlords

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Intelligence
  1. Intelligence is whatever helps people achieve their human goals, so it’s judged by how well it serves human purposes.
  2. Machines won’t become our overlords; power will still be exercised by other humans who use intelligence as a tool.
  3. In today’s society the main human aim is accumulating and preserving material wealth, followed by the desire to enjoy that wealth for as long as possible.

Spain's spy agency backed 2017 'ISIS' attacks to 'scare' Catalonia before independence referendum

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Intelligence
  1. Spain's spy agency allegedly supported 2017 'ISIS' attacks in Catalonia to intimidate the region before an independence referendum
  2. The terror attacks caused 16 deaths and over 150 injuries, with the leader of the terror cell being a longtime informant for Spain's National Intelligence Center (CNI)
  3. There is ongoing debate on whether the CNI directly orchestrated the attacks, but evidence suggests the agency facilitated them to create a sense of threat for Catalonia

Israel, the NSA, Plastic Brains and the Pathologically Rich

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 65 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The NSA shares raw intelligence data with Israel, including personal information about American citizens, without removing their details first. This reveals serious privacy concerns about how intelligence is handled.
  2. Israel is known to actively spy on the U.S., raising questions about trust between allied nations. Reports suggest that Israel has even engaged in espionage against the U.S.
  3. A small group of extremely wealthy people, labeled 'superbillionaires', has amassed a staggering combined wealth of $3.3 trillion. This highlights the growing wealth gap in the world.

The World According to Trump (w/ Col. Lawrence Wilkerson) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 150 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. Trump might go back to being president and that could change how the U.S. deals with global issues. His actions could affect the situation in places like Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran.
  2. Wilkerson believes Trump doesn't really want to start wars but has a strong loyalty to Israel. This makes it tricky because any support for Israel could lead to conflicts, especially with Iran.
  3. Both Trump and Biden might lead the U.S. to support harsh policies in the Middle East, which could worsen the lives of people there, particularly in places like Gaza.

Definitions have consequences

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Intelligence
  1. Definitions can have significant consequences, especially when redefined in academic contexts.
  2. The term 'artificial general intelligence' can be misleading due to unclear definitions of 'intelligence' and 'general'.
  3. Understanding the consequences of how terms are defined is crucial in avoiding misunderstandings and panic.

American Conversations: Senator Mark Warner

Letters from an American • 8 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The House Speaker skipped a Gang of Eight meeting to work on healthcare. That move raises concern about putting partisan or domestic priorities ahead of national security oversight.
  2. The Gang of Eight is made up of top leaders from both parties and the intelligence committees, and it receives classified briefings so Congress can oversee national security.
  3. Senator Mark Warner emphasizes that nonpartisan intelligence reports are crucial and warns that U.S. governmental systems are under strain during the Trump administration.

The GPT-4 Generation: Why Are the Best AI Models Equally Intelligent?

The Algorithmic Bridge • 233 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Intelligence
  1. Top AI models like GPT-4, Gemini Ultra, and Claude 3 Opus are at a similar level of intelligence, despite differences in personality and behavior.
  2. Different AI models can display unique behaviors due to factors like prompts, prompting techniques, and system prompts set by AI companies.
  3. Deeper layers of AI models, such as variations in training, architecture, and data, contribute to the differences in behavior and performance among models.

Uploading Our Brains. A Reality Check.

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🔬 Science Intelligence
  1. Uploading our brains is a concept being explored, but its feasibility is uncertain. The journey may lead to advancements in treating brain-related diseases like dementia.
  2. Culture heavily influences the acceptance of new technologies like brain uploading. It challenges fundamental beliefs about human identity and the soul.
  3. The evolution towards technologies like brain uploading and AI reflects a shift towards augmenting cognitive abilities, marking an era of the Cognitive Age.

THE BURIAL PLAN

Seymour Hersh • 35 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The US and Israel have been focused on destroying Iran's enriched uranium at the Fordo nuclear site. They see it as a crucial objective for national security.
  2. Recent satellite images show significant damage at the Fordo complex, indicating that an airstrike might have occurred.
  3. The location of the Fordo facility is very remote, which makes it challenging to access and target effectively. This has raised questions about the methods used to carry out such an operation.

Russians Accused of Doctoring Leaked Western Documents on Ukraine War

The Newsguy -- Steve Herman • 58 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence
  1. Classified U.S. and NATO planning documents about the Ukraine war were leaked online and suspected of being altered by Russians.
  2. The leaked documents show altered casualty numbers to manipulate public opinion, especially in Russia.
  3. There are claims that the leaked documents were part of a propaganda operation by either side to mislead and gain advantage.

The Durham Report

The Reactionary • 380 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence
  1. The Durham Report reveals FBI misconduct in investigating Trump-Russia collusion narrative.
  2. Crossfire Hurricane investigation was initiated without proper vetting and contained derogatory remarks by FBI staff.
  3. The FBI showed bias in handling investigations related to Hillary Clinton and Trump campaigns.

AI Safety: A Technical & Ethnographic Overview

jonstokes.com • 391 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Intelligence
  1. The AI safety debate involves technical details about AI systems like GPT-4 and cultural dynamics around the issue.
  2. The discussion includes concerns about regulating and measuring AI capabilities, as well as the divisions and allegiances within different groups.
  3. Some groups, like the Intelligence Deniers, have strong beliefs about AI being a scam and hold firm against AI progress, leading to potential divisions among AI safety proponents.