The hottest International relations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Bad Weather

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6949 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Middle East Conflict International relations Political Extremism Human Rights
  1. The author reflects on the unpredictability of storms and the feeling of imminent apocalypses in the midst of bad weather.
  2. There is a discussion about political figures and international affairs, focusing on the potential consequences and implications of their actions.
  3. The narrative transitions between personal reflections, societal observations, and historical analogies, all within the context of turbulent weather and its implications.

CIA, Ukraine Exchange Pre-Divorce Propaganda

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8743 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Espionage International relations Conflict
  1. The New York Times exposé revealed extensive details about the CIA-Ukraine relationship, including the presence of secret spy bases along the Russian border.
  2. Officials often emphasize the need to protect 'sources and methods' for national security, yet the Times published a wealth of detailed information about CIA operations.
  3. The public disclosure of such classified details raises questions about the future of the CIA-Ukraine alliance and the potential for a breakup.

Do poor countries need a new development strategy?

Noahpinion • 10647 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Development Industrialization Economic Growth Globalization International relations
  1. The debate over development strategies for poor countries is evolving, with a shift towards focusing on green energy and non-traded services rather than traditional manufacturing and exports.
  2. Authors like Dani Rodrik and Joseph Stiglitz argue that poorer countries may face challenges in industrialization due to factors like reduced global demand for manufactured goods and increased automation.
  3. Successful growth stories of countries like Bangladesh challenge the notion that industrialization is no longer a viable development strategy for poor nations, emphasizing the importance of traditional methods for economic progress.
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Breaking The Iron Triangle of Elite Hate

Welcome to Absurdistan • 6132 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Government Protests Economic Impact Media influence International relations
  1. Canada's Liberal Party, in power for a century, is projected to lose to Conservatives.
  2. The government funded NGO, CAHN, was found to drive bureaucratic action by labelling opposition as hate.
  3. Trudeau's invocation of the Emergencies Act based on fabricated intelligence led to backlash against his leadership.

The bottomless financial insanity of the Rwanda scheme

Striking 13 • 2515 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Government Finance Policy International relations Economics
  1. The UK's Rwanda scheme is shown to be financially insane, with exorbitant costs and no real impact, according to a recent report.
  2. The Home Office's approach to the scheme is criticized for its irrationality, waste of money, and failure to address the asylum backlog effectively.
  3. Comparison with the costs of a functioning asylum system highlights the extreme financial inefficiency and lack of logic in the Rwanda scheme.

The Democrats Praying for an Open Convention

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1683 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidential Election International relations Mental health Therapy
  1. Speculation about Michelle Obama entering the presidential race as an alternative to Joe Biden is circulating, but Michelle Obama has repeated she will not be running for president.
  2. Concerns are rising among Democratic insiders about President Biden's declining faculties and the need for a possible replacement before the next election.
  3. There's a complex dynamic between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, but a change in Israeli leadership may have to come from within, not due to external pressures.

The most epic (and literal) gaslighting of all time

The Crucial Years • 1903 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Energy Legislation Economy International relations
  1. Exxon prioritizes profit over renewable energy, stating wind and solar power don't offer sufficient returns for shareholders.
  2. Exxon's history of deceit and denial regarding climate change has hindered progress for decades.
  3. The need for government intervention to address the climate crisis is highlighted, as market profits often impede meaningful solutions.

Worrying About TikTok During An Active Genocide

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1532 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Genocide Invasion Human Rights International relations
  1. Benjamin Netanyahu's defiance against Biden's 'red line' highlights the questionable enforcement of policies.
  2. Footage of Israeli soldiers' actions in Gaza raises concerns about societal issues and atrocities.
  3. Focusing on trivial matters like TikTok during a humanitarian crisis like a genocide is a distraction from more significant issues.

Saying "Hamas Just Needs To Surrender" Is Saying "We'll Kill Kids Until We Get What We Want"

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1625 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Humanitarian Aid Genocide International relations Military Actions
  1. Saying 'Hamas Just Needs To Surrender' equates to endorsing killing children until demands are met.
  2. The US and Israel view civilian casualties in Gaza as Hamas's fault for not yielding to military demands.
  3. US aid to Gaza is used as leverage to pressure Hamas, supporting the starvation and coercion of Gazan civilians.

Israel Supporters Are Some Of The Worst People In The World

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2230 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Conflict Human Rights International relations War
  1. Some Israel supporters display extreme vitriol and disregard for human suffering, justifying monstrous acts against innocent children in Gaza.
  2. The behavior of these specific Israel supporters is seen as shockingly disturbing, leading to accusations of immorality and dishonesty.
  3. The negative behavior highlighted is not exclusive to Israelis or Jews, but extends to various ideological groups, illustrating a troubling trend of unwavering support for violent actions in Gaza.

Control the Food and You Control The World

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 3282 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Governance Human Rights International relations Conflict Security
  1. Political leaders have used artificial food shortages to control populations throughout history.
  2. Famines like The Holodomor in Ukraine and Sri Lanka's recent crisis highlight intentional starvation tactics by governments.
  3. Support your local farmer, decentralize, and resist illegitimate government actions to combat globalist population control efforts.

Red Dawn in the desert

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3184 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Militarism International relations
  1. The film 'Red Dawn' reflects the current guerrilla warfare being fought against the US in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Jordan.
  2. The attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria are linked to tensions in the Middle East, especially the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
  3. US military presence in Iraq and Syria is facing backlash from locals and even the countries they aim to defend, leading to calls for better protection for troops.

Coleman Hughes on the New Racism

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2517 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Leadership International relations
  1. Coleman Hughes advocates for a return to color-blind ideals in addressing race issues, which contrasts with current prominent black intellectuals.
  2. President Biden is facing concerns about his age and capability to run for a second term, with a high percentage perceiving him as too old for the role.
  3. There are proposals for encouraging newer and better Palestinian leadership, especially in Gaza, by ensuring reconstruction aid is channeled effectively and used to empower a new elite.

Christ of the Ozarks

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5172 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Conflict Humanitarian Crisis Propaganda International relations
  1. Christ of the Ozarks is the tallest Jesus statue in the USA, standing at 67 feet tall in Arkansas.
  2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where Christ of the Ozarks is located, has a unique blend of evangelical and LGBTQ communities coexisting for decades.
  3. The partnership between the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs and Israeli backers has brought controversial elements like Israeli bomb shelters to the religious complex, sparking discussions on politics, hate speech, and ideologies.

Guatemala Just Ran January 6th In Reverse

Persuasion • 3852 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Democracy Corruption Protests International relations Political Movements
  1. Guatemala recently experienced a successful pro-democracy movement against a corrupt political establishment.
  2. A largely-indigenous grassroots movement mobilized to demand respect for their votes and succeeded in getting the new president sworn in.
  3. The international community largely overlooked Guatemala's impressive defense of democracy, pointing to various reasons like lack of attention and conflicting support from different political factions.

‘Western dominance has ended’, EU foreign-policy chief admits, warning of ‘West against the Rest’ geopolitics

Geopolitical Economy Report • 1116 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Diplomacy International relations Global South UN
  1. The era of Western dominance has ended, according to the EU foreign-policy chief. Europe should not see the world as 'the West against the Rest'.
  2. Global geopolitical tensions could push Europe into a bleak future. Europe must improve relations with the Global South to avoid becoming geopolitically irrelevant.
  3. In international forums like the UN, Europe often aligns with the US against the majority of countries from the Global South. This shows a stark division in voting patterns.

The Empire of Profit and its Status Quo

Sarcastosaurus • 2083 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Governance Conflict resolution International relations Oligarchy
  1. The modern Western societies are controlled by a small group of ultra-wealthy individuals, who prioritize profit above all else, shaping politics and economies to serve their interests.
  2. The Western arms industry has significantly decreased since the Cold War, relying on outsourcing and prioritizing profits over large-scale production, hindering the ability to ramp up arms production in times of need.
  3. Building up a new arms industry would challenge the current profit-focused system, potentially requiring state-owned enterprises and a shift away from prioritizing profit, which goes against the current status quo.

US sends Israel 100+ weapons shipments. Most Americans oppose it - but Biden ignores them.

Geopolitical Economy Report • 916 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Israel US Genocide Humanitarian International relations
  1. Polls show that a majority of North Americans oppose the US sending weapons to Israel, but the Biden administration has sent over 100 arms shipments regardless.
  2. 52% of North Americans want to end US weapons shipments to Israel, with majority opposition from voters who didn't support Trump, Biden voters, and young Democrats.
  3. UN experts have accused Israel of carrying out genocide, while areas in Gaza face starvation and dire humanitarian crises amid the conflict.

Ukraine War, 11 February 2024

Sarcastosaurus • 1985 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Military International relations Defense Government
  1. The West's failure to supply enough artillery ammunition to Ukraine has led to Russian advances with adapted assault tactics, exploiting their advantage in resources.
  2. General Syrsky assumed command of ZSU in Kyiv, taking steps like rushing reserves to Avidiivka and making strategic appointments.
  3. The situation in Avidiivka is critical, with intense air strikes by the Russian Air-Space Force supporting a ground attack, putting Ukrainian positions at risk.

Forced to flee but nowhere to go

New Means • 2024 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conflict Humanitarian Aid Activism International relations
  1. Palestinians in Gaza are facing a crisis of being forced to flee with nowhere to go, as they are cornered against the Rafah crossing without escape routes available.
  2. Efforts are being made to evacuate over a million people from Rafah, but the challenge lies in finding a safe destination for the displaced individuals.
  3. International actions and involvement are crucial to prevent potential ethnic cleansing or genocide in Gaza, with supporting organizations and advocating for a ceasefire as immediate actions to take.

Speaker Mike Johnson fails his first test.

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8333 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation International relations Election Government Political Analysis
  1. House Republicans proposed cutting IRS funding for Israel aid, showing poor leadership skills.
  2. Democrats and Senate likely to oppose the bill, challenging Speaker Mike Johnson's legislative efforts.
  3. Demanding IRS cuts for aid packages is seen as insulting and Republicans are criticized for playing political games.

Ignore What Western Officials Say About Israel; Watch Their Actions Instead

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1667 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Israel Gaza US Policy International relations Government actions
  1. It's important to focus on the actions of Western officials regarding Israel, rather than their words.
  2. Many officials express concern publicly about Israel's actions, but their lack of concrete actions speaks volumes.
  3. By observing the actual movements of money, weapons, and resources, one can uncover the true intentions of officials.

The Znachki Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1327 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Global Conflicts
  1. Commemorative pins like 'znachki' from the Soviet era reflected hope for prosperity and open exchange of ideas across borders
  2. Certain 'znachki' symbolized optimism for peace and collaboration, contrasting with current geopolitical tensions
  3. The collection of 'znachki' serves as a wistful reminder of past hopes for Russia's future and the ongoing need for change

Andrew Potter: The West's slow betrayal of our inconvenient Ukrainian friends

The Line • 1375 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Global Conflict International relations Human Rights Geopolitics
  1. The West has not fully embraced Ukraine's fight as its own, despite rhetoric from NATO.
  2. Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, even without strong Western support.
  3. There is growing opposition within conservative groups towards supporting Ukraine, affecting decisions and aid.

Five Things Liberals Say To Avoid Taking A Real Position On Gaza

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1606 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Ideology Conflict Humanitarianism International relations
  1. Liberals often use emotional expressions like 'It's heartbreaking!' to avoid taking a real political stand on Gaza.
  2. The 'It's complicated!' excuse is often used by liberals to downplay the clear oppression happening in Gaza.
  3. Many liberals deflect criticism of their support for Israel's actions in Gaza by bringing up 'BUT TRUMP!' or expressing vague hopes for peace without committing to actionable solutions.

Chartbook 258 War, peace and the return of history in 2023

Chartbook • 2532 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Violence Conflict Globalization International relations
  1. In 2023, there was a surge in violence globally, with factors like weak state power and new rivalries fueling conflicts.
  2. Poor-country conflicts are influenced by global forces, but the impact on the larger picture is limited.
  3. The world is facing a historical shift with conflicts like the Israel-Palestine dispute challenging traditional models of geopolitical alignment.

A China-Russia-Iran-North Korea Box of Evil Boxing In Joe Biden

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 1729 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitical Tensions Global Conflicts International relations Authoritarian Regimes Military Strategy
  1. A group of countries might be plotting to weaken America by attacking its allies and draining its resources.
  2. The plot involves various tactics like creating distracting fronts, hindering military responses, and destabilizing elections.
  3. The end goal seems to be to weaken America's global presence and influence.

Shaun King Banned from Instagram

Pen>Sword • 2675 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Human Rights International relations Activism
  1. Shaun King was banned from Instagram for his advocacy for Gaza, sparking concerns about silencing voices speaking up for critical causes.
  2. King's removal from Instagram reveals the power of digital platforms in shaping public narratives and movements, emphasizing the importance of individuals like King as symbols.
  3. The incident serves as a warning to the public, especially youth, that speaking up on controversial issues like Palestine could lead to suppression by social media platforms.

The Politicization of Science Diplomacy

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 667 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Health International relations Geopolitics Diplomacy
  1. Nations are considering a Pandemic Agreement to enhance preparedness and response to disease outbreaks, focusing on science advice for a new international science advisory committee.
  2. Implementing a new science advisory committee to oversee genetic research and supervision of pandemic potential pathogens across various settings is challenging due to current political and diplomatic hurdles.
  3. The politicization of science diplomacy poses risks like compromising scientific integrity, creating 'policy-based evidence,' and jeopardizing the independence of expert advisory mechanisms, showing the need for stronger institutions where science intersects with politics.