The hottest International relations Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

Israel: Beyond Deterrence

Comment is Freed • 185 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Israel's strategy is based on deterrence, showcasing ability to fight to avoid wars
  2. Deterrence in Israel involves both denial and punishment against adversaries like Hamas and Hezbollah
  3. Deterrence tactics vary between neighbors like Hezbollah and Hamas, with differing levels of effectiveness

Failure in the Sahel

Comment is Freed • 68 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The Sahel region is experiencing deep instability due to power struggles among armed groups and ineffective governance. This has left many communities feeling unsafe and seeking protection on their own.
  2. Russia has been stepping in where France failed, offering military support to various Sahel countries. However, their tactics have led to increased violence and civilian casualties.
  3. External interventions often struggle when host governments lack commitment and support from their people. Success in the Sahel would require better governance and stability rather than just military force.

Russia must not have Ukraine's Fortress Line

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 14 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. If Ukraine gives up its fortress cities, it risks losing its ability to defend itself from Russia. This would make Ukraine more vulnerable to invasion.
  2. History shows that making deals with aggressive nations can lead to disaster, like the Munich Agreement with Hitler. A similar situation could happen with Ukraine if it compromises with Russia.
  3. Supporting Ukraine is crucial for Europe's security because if Ukraine falls, Russia could invade other parts of Europe. NATO needs Ukraine as a strong military ally to help protect against future threats.

Trump’s “Peace” Is Just Surrender—And That’s the Point

Erik Examines • 44 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Peace can sometimes just mean giving in, not really achieving justice. For example, pushing a nation to surrender isn't true peace.
  2. History shows that trying to maintain peace through submission can lead to larger problems later, like during World War II. It's important to stand up against aggressors instead of giving in.
  3. Being a strong nation comes with responsibility. If the U.S. turns to harsh tactics, it could be a threat to global safety, and we should be cautious about how power is used.

Biden's Bamboo Curtain

Diane Francis • 259 implied HN points • 20 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. The agreement between the US, UK, and Australia to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines is a strong strategy to counter China's aggressive actions in the region. This partnership aims to ensure safer shipping routes in the East and South China Seas.
  2. China is unhappy about this submarine deal as it sees it as a threat to its influence in Asia. The deal has also caused tensions with France, which lost a previous submarine contract with Australia.
  3. The involvement of more countries in military alliances like the Quad shows a collective effort to respond to China's actions. This helps strengthen defense capabilities and creates a united front in the region.
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War Games and Nuclear Weapons: A Modest Proposal

Phillips’s Newsletter • 61 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. War games involving nuclear weapons should reflect real-life consequences so players appreciate the seriousness of their actions. This means making it personal, such as considering how decisions could affect family and friends.
  2. Current war games often feel detached from reality, as players can drop bombs and then return to their normal lives without any real stakes. This disconnect makes players less aware of the real-world implications of their choices.
  3. Introducing more realistic scenarios in war games could lead to deeper understanding and conversation about the impact of nuclear warfare, making it a topic people take more seriously.

Clearpill yourself on Gaza

Gray Mirror • 178 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The ethical way to handle a civilian in a war zone is to get them out of the war zone.
  2. Policy derived from genuine concern is more moral than policy influenced by popular narratives.
  3. Turn off your feelings and focus on practical, ethical solutions when addressing complex geopolitical issues.

Answering your questions

Comment is Freed • 64 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. The Republican party seems to have shifted away from traditional establishment figures, with MAGA and Trump influencing their direction. Future candidates may be more conventional but still lean to the right.
  2. Democrats are facing challenges with key voter demographics, especially Latino men, and they might need to nominate someone who can connect with these groups in future elections.
  3. Both the US and UK are dealing with the implications of Trump's influence on politics, particularly regarding relationships with Europe and international cooperation.

Agency Capture – Biden Allocated $1.2 Billion To The United Nations Relief And Works Agency (UNRWA). It's Laced With Terrorist Extremists.

OpenTheBooks Substack • 143 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Biden allocated $1.2 billion in Palestinian aid to UNRWA, a UN agency linked with terrorist extremists.
  2. President Trump had previously cut U.S. aid to UNRWA to zero due to concerns about funding terrorism.
  3. The United States has been the largest funder of UNRWA since its founding in 1948, providing over one-third of its budget.

Israel Is Field-Testing Autonomous Weapons, Cops and Pre-Crime News, Congressional Trading Fun

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 55 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Israel is using autonomous weapons that can operate without human control. This raises concerns about accountability for their actions.
  2. Weapons tested on Palestinians are being developed for global markets, increasing demand for Israeli military technology.
  3. There are troubling ties between police actions and corporate interests, highlighting how law enforcement can be used to serve business goals.

Israel did it

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 22 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Israel conducted a successful military operation against Iran, causing significant damage without reported casualties on their side.
  2. The author initially underestimated the situation, thinking the threat of an attack was exaggerated and almost sent a newsletter dismissing it.
  3. This event highlights the unpredictability of military actions and the importance of staying informed about rapidly changing news.

The Unreal Threat from Venezuela

John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Venezuela is often seen as a bigger threat than it actually is. Many people may overestimate its power and influence.
  2. The situation in Ukraine is complex and involves many historical factors. It's important to consider these factors when understanding the conflict.
  3. China's rise is changing global politics in significant ways. Countries need to pay attention to how this affects international relations.

Luftwaffe brass hold unsecure online Webex meeting about using Taurus missiles to blow up the Kerch Bridge, are shocked when Russia Today publish the full audio recording of their spitball session

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 130 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📰 News International relations
  1. Luftwaffe brass held an unsecure online Webex meeting regarding using Taurus missiles to potentially target the Kerch Bridge, which was later leaked by Russia Today, causing a major security scandal.
  2. The controversy revolved around the challenge of secretly providing military assistance to Ukraine without direct German involvement, highlighting the complexity of international military cooperation and the need for discretion.
  3. Despite discussions on arming Ukraine with Taurus missiles, there were concerns over their effectiveness, the need for training the Ukrainians, and doubts about how much impact these missiles could have on the war.

Loose Lips, Loose Cannon

Diane Francis • 239 implied HN points • 30 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. General Milley faced criticism for making secret calls to China to prevent war threats during Trump's presidency. He believed it was necessary to calm fears about US intentions.
  2. Milley reassured political leaders and the military about the controls in place for launching nuclear weapons, indicating a serious concern about Trump's behavior during that time.
  3. Despite the controversies, Milley emphasized his loyalty to the country and commitment to civilian control over the military, highlighting the importance of military independence from politics.

Taiwan's former parliamentary speaker proposes "separate jurisdictions, one sovereignty"

Pekingnology • 56 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. A former Taiwanese leader suggests that Taiwan and mainland China can have separate governments but still share one sovereignty. He believes this could lead to better relations and peace.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of understanding each side's history and respecting each other's ways of life. This mutual respect is key to resolving tensions.
  3. The leader calls for more communication and collaboration between the two sides. He thinks that building trust can help improve the situation and create a brighter future.

Xi at Trump's inauguration? China likely still weighing options

Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Trump invited Xi to his upcoming inauguration, marking a unique diplomatic gesture. It's not common for a U.S. president to invite a foreign leader to their inauguration.
  2. China is considering whether or not to attend. They might choose to send a representative instead of Xi himself to avoid potential risks and uncertainties.
  3. If China decides to accept the invitation, it could strengthen their relationship with the U.S. while also showing commitment to peaceful cooperation between the countries.

Wang Yi meets Allison, Merz, Kallas, Baerbock, Werthein, Rutte, Scholz, Barro, Albares, & Sa'ar in Munich

Pekingnology • 41 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, met with several key European leaders at the Munich Security Conference, discussing China's role in global issues and emphasizing the importance of multilateralism.
  2. Wang mentioned that China aims to strengthen its relations with Europe and support peace talks, particularly regarding the Ukraine crisis, highlighting mutual benefits and stability.
  3. The meetings reflected China's intention to foster cooperation and understanding with various countries, aiming for a peaceful multipolar world while reinforcing its foreign policy principles.

It's time to call this World War III

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 56 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The current situation is being compared to World War III, with serious threats to global peace. We need to recognize this and act to stop aggressors like Russia.
  2. Strength is crucial in dealing with Putin. History shows that he responds only to a strong defense, and if we show weakness, it could lead to bigger conflicts.
  3. The war in Ukraine affects not just Europe but also global security. If we abandon Ukraine, it could encourage other aggressor nations like China and Russia to pursue their goals, risking further instability.

Revisiting the Thucydides Trap

Gideon's Substack • 42 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. America's current strategy against China may be pushing us closer to conflict, even if it makes logical sense. Each action taken against China can lead to more tension and responses from them.
  2. The idea of America being the top power is becoming less certain. Other countries might start to prefer working with China, which could weaken America's alliances and influence.
  3. Instead of trying to stay the dominant power, America might benefit from fostering relationships based on shared interests. This could lead to a more complex but stable global balance, instead of constant competition.

America's Fatal Flaw

Diane Francis • 259 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. There's a debate within the U.S. government about how to deal with Russia. Some think we should be tougher, while others seem to want to be more lenient, which could lead to more Russian aggression.
  2. The current U.S. strategy toward Russia is seen as weak. Past actions, like backtracking on sanctions, made Russia feel empowered and might encourage further bad behavior.
  3. America's foreign policy is struggling to understand Russia's true nature. Unlike during the Cold War, today's leaders often lack the expertise or experience to effectively counter Russian threats.

Syria Proves To The World, The US Is The Terrorist We Should Be Hunting!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 48 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. The U.S. has been involved in foreign conflicts and actions that some believe are driven by self-interest rather than genuine efforts to combat terrorism.
  2. There are claims that terrorist groups like ISIS have ties to U.S. operations, suggesting a complicated relationship rather than straightforward opposition.
  3. Critics argue that the U.S. government's actions have caused suffering worldwide and question its moral authority to judge other nations.

The 2nd Anniversary Post

Comment is Freed • 138 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The subscription price will be going up soon, so it's a good idea to sign up now to lock in the current rate.
  2. In 2024, there will be a lot of focus on politics and elections on both sides of the Atlantic.
  3. The content will cover a variety of topics like policy issues, polling techniques, and global elections, with guest interviews to provide diverse perspectives.

Inside the mythical NATO-sabotaging version of Trump hallucinated by David Frum

Michael Tracey • 121 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. The best indicator of what Trump would do as president were his actions during his first term, not hypothetical versions of him invented by different groups.
  2. Despite claims by David Frum that Trump would undermine NATO and favor Russia, the reality was quite the opposite - Trump actually increased sanctions on Russia, supported Ukraine with lethal assistance, and expanded NATO.
  3. Misconceptions about Trump's relationship with Russia persisted, even though Putin publicly preferred Biden over Trump due to unsuccessful attempts to improve relations during the Trump Administration.

Germany and Genocide

John’s Substack • 38 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Germany has a strong stance against supporting extremist political parties like the AfD, but there's a contradiction in its actions regarding international issues.
  2. The German government's support of Israel in the Gaza conflict raises questions about its commitment to free speech and protests within Germany.
  3. This situation highlights the ongoing debate about the values that different countries uphold and how they apply them in various contexts.

Two Stories About Jews

Cremieux Recueil • 157 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
💾 History International relations
  1. In history, different perceptions of power dynamics between nations can have significant impacts.
  2. Individual actions can have unexpected consequences, like how one American banker's support affected perceptions of Jews.
  3. Acts of kindness and bravery, like those of Chiune Sugihara during WWII, can have far-reaching positive impacts.

Beijing Reiterates Readiness to Resume Mainland Tourists to Taiwan

Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Beijing wants to let its tourists visit Taiwan again, despite military tensions. They're ready to make this happen if Taipei lifts its ban on group tours.
  2. Taiwan's tourism industry is pushing its government to allow group tours to mainland China, but the government blames Beijing for the current restrictions.
  3. Both sides are blaming each other for the obstacles to tourism, but they both seem interested in resuming travel and improving relations.

Scraping the Barrel: Attrition and Cannibalization

Big Serge Thought • 12 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Ukraine is in a tough spot in the war, facing serious losses and a manpower crisis. Fewer soldiers are available to defend key areas, leading to a weakened front.
  2. The military strategies are backfiring as Ukraine tries to expand its army instead of just replacing lost soldiers. This creates gaps in defense and increases vulnerability to attacks.
  3. Constant pressure from Russian forces is pushing Ukraine into a defensive position. As they deal with multiple threats, their ability to fight back effectively is diminishing.

Israel/Gaza: Retrospect and Prospect

Comment is Freed • 130 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The conflict between Israel and Hamas remains unresolved, with challenges in reaching lasting peace deals.
  2. There are divisions within the Israeli government on how to handle the situation, including differing views on the future of Gaza and the Palestinian Authority's role.
  3. Efforts from external parties, like the US, Europeans, and Arab states, are crucial in addressing the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict and finding potential solutions.

The Sequence Chat: The One Area in Which China can Dominate the US in the AI Race

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology International relations
  1. China has a unique advantage in robotics due to its strong supply chain and manufacturing capabilities. This gives them an edge over the US in producing and developing robots.
  2. The US and China are in a competitive race in the field of robotics and AI technology. It's important to understand both countries' strengths and weaknesses.
  3. Robots will become a bigger part of daily life for future generations. This makes the race in robotics crucial for both countries.

Russia’s Total Victory Over NATO Part 3

Autodidact Obsessions • 4 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Ukraine is claiming to produce many missiles, but the actual data doesn't support that, with few reports of successful attacks on Russia.
  2. Russia is reportedly outproducing NATO in arms manufacturing across various categories, hinting at a potential long-term advantage.
  3. The casualty figures from both sides are disputed, with many suggesting higher Ukrainian losses than reported, leading to questions about the veracity of the numbers we've seen in the media.

Russia’s Total Victory Over NATO Part 1

Autodidact Obsessions • 4 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Russia has a strong industrial production capability, ranking high globally, especially in arms manufacturing. This strength is a key factor in their ongoing war efforts.
  2. Despite having a smaller economy than many nations, Russia's resources like oil and gas contribute significant value, which complicates its economic comparisons with larger countries.
  3. Russian manufacturing is thought to be underestimated when using dollar value metrics. Using purchasing power parity may show that Russia's industrial capacity is stronger than it appears at first glance.

Why power makes leaders see threats everywhere

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 23 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. When leaders or states gain more power they often start seeing even weaker competitors as threats.
  2. That growing fear can push them to take preventive actions, like foreign interventions, which outsiders may view as illogical.
  3. Behavioural geopolitics shows this power‑fear dynamic helps explain modern big‑power behavior and challenges the idea that great powers always act the same way.

Jihadistan

Diane Francis • 219 implied HN points • 26 Aug 21
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The situation in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal could lead to more civil wars and a new home for terrorists, making Pakistan very vulnerable.
  2. Pakistan has a long history of harboring terrorists and is facing its own internal issues, which puts the region at greater risk.
  3. The Taliban's rise may increase challenges for Pakistan, India, and Iran, creating new tensions and potential conflicts in the area.

IMBW Reporter Paula Fox May Have Helped Write Trump's Russia/Ukraine "Peace Plan"

I Might Be Wrong • 4 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. There's a rumor that a journalist, Paula Fox, might have helped write a peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine conflict that's seen as pro-Russia. This has led to lots of people talking and analyzing the plan's language.
  2. Paula strongly denies the claims of her involvement and insists she was at a tech conference instead. It seems her unique writing style is drawing some speculation about her connection to the plan.
  3. Some people are criticizing the accusations against Paula, arguing they may be fueled by xenophobia or unfair assumptions about her background. They believe it's important to focus on the plan itself rather than making quick judgments about her.

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
  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.

Israel's Strategic Crisis

Comment is Freed • 147 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Israel is facing a strategic crisis due to challenges in Gaza and changing government dynamics.
  2. The possibility of a land war in Gaza presents significant challenges and concerns for Israel's government.
  3. Efforts are being made diplomatically, with a focus on humanitarian aid, ceasefire, and long-term political solutions in Gaza.