The hottest International relations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Europe's Gathering Storm

Diane Francis • 959 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. French President Macron suggests that Europe might need to send troops to Ukraine to help. He believes if Russia wins, it would threaten the security of neighboring countries.
  2. British Prime Minister Sunak agrees, warning that Putin's aggression could extend beyond Poland if not stopped.
  3. There is a growing urgency in Europe now that America is delaying weapon support. Experts are saying NATO may need to send soldiers to avoid a major defeat.

In for a Pound

imetatronink • 2908 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The article discusses the concept of 'In for a penny, in for a pound,' emphasizing finishing what was started.
  2. It critiques the idea of partitioning Ukraine between NATO and Russia as geopolitically incoherent.
  3. Putin's resolve in achieving his stated objectives in the Ukraine conflict is highlighted.

My Letter To Australian MP Mark Dreyfus About Gaza

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1979 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Witnessing the aftermath of violence in Gaza can be shocking and heartbreaking. It's important to acknowledge the suffering of others, especially innocent children.
  2. The dream of carrying a fragile child illustrates the deep emotional impact of witnessing tragedy. These images can haunt us and motivate us to act.
  3. We must urge our leaders to take action against the ongoing crisis. Raising our voices for change is crucial, and we are not alone in wanting this to stop.

The Empire of Profit and its Status Quo

Sarcastosaurus • 2083 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  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.

Commentator

Castalia • 639 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The situation in Gaza is extremely dire, with a collapsed economy and high unemployment. Reporting restrictions make it hard to fully understand the devastation there.
  2. In Ukraine, the conflict seems to be at a breaking point, with varying reports about military actions. The U.S. is now allowing Ukraine to respond to attacks in Russia, marking a significant escalation.
  3. Sudan faces a severe humanitarian crisis, yet it's largely ignored in the media. Thousands are being killed and displaced, reminiscent of past atrocities, but international intervention seems unlikely.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Forced to flee but nowhere to go

New Means • 2024 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics 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.

Ukraine War, 11 February 2024

Sarcastosaurus • 1985 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  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.

Russia Unravels

Diane Francis • 1398 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Russia is facing serious internal problems, including increased terror attacks and ethnic tensions, which threaten its stability. Many groups, especially in Turkic regions, are unhappy and seeking independence.
  2. The Russian government is trying to blame Ukraine for issues like recent terrorist attacks, instead of addressing the real discontent among its people and ethnic groups. This blame game is a strategy to rally support for the war in Ukraine.
  3. Putin's regime is dealing with high casualties from the war, leading to protests and desertions among soldiers. This growing unrest indicates that Russia's grip on power is weakening, and the country is heading towards significant changes.

They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1627 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Viral photos from Gaza showing starving children may not tell the whole story. Many of the kids in these images have serious health issues like cystic fibrosis and rickets.
  2. A recent case highlighted by The Free Press involved an 18-month-old boy presented as a symbol of hunger. His health conditions were downplayed in reports.
  3. Several other similar images shared by major media lacked context about the children's medical backgrounds, creating a misleading narrative about starvation in Gaza.

Andrew Roberts: Trump’s Churchillian Choice at Fordow

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2531 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Dictators often make real threats, so it's important to take them seriously. History shows that when people ignore these threats, it can lead to severe consequences.
  2. Winston Churchill faced a tough decision during World War II about the French fleet. He chose to sink it to prevent it from being used by the enemy, showing that sometimes tough choices are necessary for safety.
  3. Leadership can require hard and ruthless choices during critical moments. These actions can redirect the course of events to ensure a safer future.

Israel's Own Actions Invalidate All Pro-Israel Arguments

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2551 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Israel's actions contradict arguments supporting its existence and policies. Many believe that a Jewish homeland leads to violence and injustice, and this is visible today.
  2. There is a growing stance that there's no reason to support Israel's current actions or status. Critics argue that Israel's policies are rooted in systemic issues that need to change.
  3. Ending the apartheid state and establishing equal rights for Palestinians is seen as a logical solution. Many call for reparations to address historical injustices.

Putin Chess

Diane Francis • 819 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. French President Macron is ready to send troops to support Ukraine if they ask for help. This shows strong support for Ukraine against Russia.
  2. Britain is allowing Ukraine to use British weapons to attack Russian targets, which raises the stakes in the conflict.
  3. Putin is threatening to use nuclear weapons as a scare tactic after facing setbacks in battle, and leaders like Zelensky want to keep pressure on him to prevent this threat.

Shaun King Banned from Instagram

Pen>Sword • 2675 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  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.

Haviv Rettig Gur: Israel’s Winning One War While It Loses Another

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1799 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Israel is currently engaged in multiple types of conflict in Gaza, including military, humanitarian, and information battles. These conflicts are all closely linked.
  2. There is a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with widespread hunger, and Israel has paused fighting to help distribute aid. However, they've faced criticism for not explaining the crisis well.
  3. Despite showing great effort in previous conflicts, Israel's leadership is struggling to present a clear strategy in Gaza, leading to confusion and criticism.

The Two-State Solution Sham, And Other Reader Questions

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1634 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. The two-state solution for Palestine is seen by some as unrealistic. Many believe that true freedom for Palestinians cannot happen unless there is major change in how Israel operates.
  2. Self-care is important for those fighting difficult causes. Engaging in practices like inner work and having supportive relationships can help maintain mental health.
  3. There is rising optimism among people about social change. Even if things feel bad now, many believe that awareness and activism are growing stronger, leading to better outcomes in the future.

US State Department Spokeswoman Says Israel Is Greater Than America

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2360 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. A U.S. State Department spokeswoman claimed Israel is a better country than America, which raised some eyebrows about U.S. foreign policy priorities.
  2. There are concerns that many political leaders prioritize Israel over American interests, and this is seen as problematic by some people.
  3. Debates around U.S. involvement in Israel and Iran reveal deeper issues about how foreign policy decisions impact everyday Americans.

Sky News Smears Greta Thunberg As A Nazi To Justify IDF Attack

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2589 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Greta Thunberg and others were on a ship aiming to deliver aid to Gaza when they were attacked by Israeli forces. This incident highlights the risks faced by those trying to help in conflict zones.
  2. A Sky News anchor suggested that Thunberg's past criticisms of Israel and accusations against her were reasons to justify the attack. This reflects how criticism of Israel can lead to serious backlash and dangerous situations.
  3. The article argues that support for Israel often relies on false narratives and a lack of moral reasoning, making it difficult to have honest conversations about the conflict and humanitarian issues.

Indefensible

Doomberg • 7229 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🕹 Technology International relations
  1. Taiwan has become a key player in the global semiconductor industry, producing a significant portion of the world's chips. This makes its technology sector very important to the global economy.
  2. Taiwan struggles with energy supply, having faced numerous power outages in recent years. This energy crunch raises concerns about its ability to support its semiconductor manufacturing.
  3. The island's history and political situation with China create additional stress. If tensions rise, Taiwan's energy vulnerabilities could be exploited, impacting its manufacturing capabilities.

When the Devil Is Your Own

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 3854 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. The article explores the horrifying connections between historical events like 9/11 and the more recent 10/7, highlighting themes like corrupt governments, civilian casualties, censorship, and calls for war.
  2. It delves into the notion of collective obligation over collective guilt, emphasizing the importance of truth, morality, and never disregarding another's humanity.
  3. The piece raises concerns about empathy being rationed and retracted based on biases in the context of conflict, urging for a more compassionate and inclusive approach towards understanding global issues.

Public Choice Links, 12/11/2025

In My Tribe • 334 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Having many veto points makes it easy for projects to be blocked and reduces building. Eliminating even one veto point can meaningfully increase development and deliver more affordable housing.
  2. Rent control tends to help a lucky few but shrinks the overall housing supply and doesn’t make housing more affordable for society as a whole. Policies that restrict supply while subsidizing demand push prices up.
  3. EU institutions and incentives reward making laws, so bureaucrats and politicians are pushed to produce lots of regulation regardless of social costs. That creates agenda control, opaque deal‑making, and weak accountability, pointing to fixes like unanimity rules, sunset clauses, cost‑benefit tests, and greater transparency.

October Surprise

Doomberg • 7068 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Iran launched a significant missile attack on Israel that successfully hit multiple military bases, which surprised many observers.
  2. This attack is causing a lot of concern in the energy markets, as there are fears Israel might retaliate by targeting Iranian oil facilities, potentially disrupting global oil supplies.
  3. Interestingly, the potential for major escalation seems lower now, as the situation might lead to a steady state of tensions rather than outright conflict.

Bombs Rain Down—and a Divided Israel Unites Behind the War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2388 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Israelis are feeling a loss of hope that outside help will come to save them, and they realize they have to rely on themselves in this tough time.
  2. The sound of war has completely changed the atmosphere in Israel, where once peaceful nights are now filled with the noise of jets and missile attacks.
  3. Families are having to find safety together during air raids, which shows how the conflict is impacting daily life for everyone involved.

Israel Attacked: Pushing Back on Right Wing Disinfo

The Message Box • 3793 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Fast-moving events are fertile ground for disinformation, especially when shared without context or confirmation.
  2. The claim that the U.S. funded the attack in Iran is false; the unfrozen funds were for humanitarian assistance only.
  3. Claims circulating that U.S. weapons were used in the attack are also false; the photo shared is from 2021 in Afghanistan, not Israel.

Top Links 946 Gas price shock in America. Russia's Congo pipeline. High-voltage & FIFA's peace prize.

Chartbook • 357 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Gas prices in the US are rising sharply, creating challenges for many people. This situation is partly due to high exports of natural gas from the country.
  2. The increased gas prices are creating pressure on political leaders, especially affecting Trump's position. Rising costs of living can lead to public dissatisfaction.
  3. Overall, the issue of soaring gas prices highlights broader global energy dynamics. It's important to understand how local prices can be influenced by international markets.

Gas Gobbler

Doomberg • 5947 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Turkey is trying to become the main hub for natural gas in Europe. They want to take advantage of the energy crisis and their strategic location.
  2. The recent election in Georgia shows a struggle between pro-Russian and pro-European forces. The results have raised questions about interference and democracy.
  3. The energy routes in this region are very important. They connect different countries and are crucial for Turkey's goals and influence over Europe's energy supply.

The Palau Says No Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1568 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Palau, a small island nation, recently rejected a U.S. request to take in asylum seekers. This bold move highlights their struggle between maintaining sovereignty and relying on the U.S. for support.
  2. The rejection is significant because it raises concerns about what further demands the U.S. might make in the future. Palau wants to avoid setting a precedent that could lead to more pressure on their limited resources.
  3. Palau's decision comes at a crucial time, as it directly impacts funding for their environmental and conservation efforts. By standing firm, they send a strong message about their priorities and independence.

Lessons of the Ukraine War

David Friedman’s Substack • 467 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Ukraine proved to be much stronger than expected, surprising many who thought Russia would easily win.
  2. Russia also showed unexpected resilience, maintaining its economy and military strength despite ongoing sanctions and war costs.
  3. Drones became key weapons in the conflict, showing that advanced technology from NATO countries wasn't as decisive as thought.

The Paris AI Anti-Safety Summit

Don't Worry About the Vase • 4390 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology International relations
  1. The recent Paris AI Summit shifted focus away from safety and risk management, favoring economic opportunities instead. Many leaders downplayed potential dangers of advanced AI.
  2. International cooperation on AI safety has weakened, with past agreements being ignored. This leaves little room for developing effective safety regulations as AI technologies rapidly evolve.
  3. The emphasis on voluntary commitments from companies may not be enough to ensure safety. Experts believe a more structured regulatory framework is needed to address serious risks associated with AI.

Chartbook 389: Europe's zombie armies. Or how to spend $3.1 trillion and have precious little to show for it.

Chartbook • 2246 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. European countries have spent $3.1 trillion on defense over a decade, but they seem to have little effectiveness to show for it. This raises questions on how well the money has been utilized.
  2. Despite having many soldiers, the European military forces are fragmented and not effectively organized, which dilutes their combat power and efficiency.
  3. The focus on salaries and personnel has led to underinvestment in essential military equipment and capabilities, leaving Europe unprepared for modern defense challenges.

What is "Anti-European" and what are the Costs of our Manichean Mindset?

Glenn’s Substack • 419 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Open discussion about complex issues, like the war in Ukraine, is important. Without it, we can't find real solutions.
  2. Different countries have various views on what 'Europe' means, affecting how they see issues like democracy and values.
  3. The media often simplifies conflicts into good vs. evil, which can stop meaningful debate and compromise from happening.

I Once Thought Europeans Lived as Well as Americans. Not Anymore.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1720 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Living standards in America are believed to be 20 to 30 percent higher than in Western Europe. This includes things like better access to conveniences.
  2. More Europeans die from heat-related issues due to less air-conditioning compared to Americans who die from gun violence. This highlights some dangerous bureaucratic restrictions in Europe.
  3. Many European countries have strict regulations on installing air-conditioning units, making it difficult for people to stay cool during heatwaves.

How to Negotiate with Russia

Thinking about... • 433 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🌍 World Politics International relations
  1. Don't make concessions without clear benefits. It's unfair to give up things for others without getting something back.
  2. It's crucial to listen to Ukrainians in negotiations. Their voices matter because they're the ones affected by this conflict.
  3. A lasting peace needs to help rebuild Ukraine. If it doesn't address recovery, it's less likely to hold and lead to real stability.

Cancelling "Controversial" Scholars

Glenn’s Substack • 439 implied HN points • 16 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations
  1. Labeling someone as 'controversial' can shut down meaningful debate. It's important to have open discussions, especially about difficult topics like international conflicts.
  2. Censorship often happens under the guise of protecting moral values, but it can prevent us from understanding the full picture. People need to hear all sides of an argument to make informed decisions.
  3. Understanding the other party's perspective in conflicts is crucial for peace. Instead of dividing ourselves, we should look for ways to engage and resolve issues together.