The hottest Iran Substack posts right now

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Chickens in the Middle East [i]

Black Mountain Analysis • 2397 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Main actors in the Middle East are engaging in a high-stakes game of conflict and negotiation.
  2. Iran controls the Axis of Resistance, a strategic plan involving specialized forces across the region.
  3. Tensions are escalating, with potential for severe consequences if conflicts in the Middle East worsen.

Khamenei's dead!

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 13 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The post claims Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has died and is being treated as a breaking story with updates promised throughout the day.
  2. Coverage of this news has sidelined another urgent story about Anthropic and the Defense Department, and more developments are expected tomorrow.
  3. The update appears on Substack with paid subscription options but also offers a free post, and readers are encouraged to bookmark the page for follow-up updates.
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Tower 22's White Swan

CDR Salamander • 1297 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Iranian proxies conducted a successful attack at 'Tower 22' base in NE Jordan near the borders of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria.
  2. Over 170 attacks on US forces in the area by Iranian proxies have occurred, leading to casualties and injuries.
  3. There is a need for a strategic response to deter Iranian proxies and prevent escalation in the region.

First US Deaths in the 2024 Counter-Piracy Campaign

CDR Salamander • 1257 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Two Navy SEALs lost in a ship-boarding operation near Somalia while searching for suspected Iranian weapons
  2. The Gulf of Aden is a significant body of water where attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea occur
  3. There is concern about escalating tensions and the need to intercept ships transporting weapons to prevent attacks

Iran is not Iraq

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 1035 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Iran has a much larger population than Iraq, with almost 90 million people, making it a significant nation in terms of demographic power.
  2. The historical roots of Iran as a nation-state are much deeper than those of Iraq, linking back to ancient civilizations and diverse ethnic groups that continue to shape its culture today.
  3. The future of Iran could see major changes, especially if the current regime collapses, but the nation itself is likely to endure due to its strong historical foundations.

Revolution in Iran : Now and Then

Comment is Freed • 78 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Mass protests in Iran mirror the 1979 revolution, with widespread anger at a repressive, corrupt leadership and calls for the clerical rulers to step down.
  2. The current regime is more determined and willing to use violent repression than the Shah’s was, so the outcome of the uprising is uncertain and expectations should be cautious.
  3. Economic chaos and mismanagement are a key vulnerability for the regime that could make it more fragile despite its greater repressive capacity.

Do The Iranians Already Have Nucs?

AND Magazine • 786 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Iran may already have nuclear weapons and be finalizing their delivery capability.
  2. Experts warn that Iran has reached a nuclear threshold state.
  3. The development of Iranian missiles could indicate advancements in their nuclear program.

Chaos In Iran

Theory Matters • 5 implied HN points • 10 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Iran’s government is a fragile, hollowed-out authoritarian system facing deep domestic pressure from economic collapse, drought, and recurring mass protests, and it lacks broad legitimacy.
  2. Military strikes or targeted killings risk backfiring by creating martyrs, uniting elites, and sparking wider chaos, and airpower alone is unlikely to produce stable democratic change without a clear plan.
  3. There are no easy answers: past interventions show forced regime change is costly and unpredictable, so policymakers should act with caution and prioritize long-term, non-military strategies.

Just How Revisionist is China?

Drezner’s World • 609 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The global economic order is unraveling based on data from sources like Uppsala Conflict Data Program and Global Peace Index.
  2. China, Russia, and Iran are involved in global conflicts, but China seems to have more complex preferences and constraints on its revisionism.
  3. China is publicly rejecting U.S. pressure while privately pressuring Iran, showing limits to their revisionism.

How close is war with Iran?

Bad News • 1159 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The prospect of war with Iran is increasing, especially with recent comments from U.S. Ambassador to Israel and new military operations.
  2. The U.S. and Israel are collaborating on military exercises and contingency plans against Iran, indicating a serious military posture.
  3. The U.S. military's Support Sentry plan shows a strategic framework for potential military action against Iran, with consequences beyond war.

BREAKING: The war in Yemen is ending

Bad News • 1061 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The war in Yemen is ending with Saudi Arabia capitulating to reasonable Houthi demands.
  2. China played a role in brokering the peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
  3. The Saudi move to end the war in Yemen suggests a shift in focus towards protecting Saudi territory and economic development, diverging from U.S. interests.

Talking With Elephants.

News Items • 491 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Only a third of Americans are willing to accept the results of the 2024 US election regardless of the outcome.
  2. AI-powered fake-detection software struggles to keep up with improving AI technology.
  3. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is leading efforts to create artificial general intelligence (AGI).

World roundup: October 28-29 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 766 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Israel's military operations in Gaza have intensified, focusing on destroying tunnels, amidst heavy fighting with Hamas.
  2. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is described as intolerable by the International Red Cross due to devastating consequences on civilians.
  3. Various global protests show support for Gaza, while tensions rise between Israel and Turkey over Erdogan's comments on Israel's actions.

World roundup: October 21-22 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in a high number of casualties and intense bombing, leading to a significant death toll.
  2. There is uncertainty about a potential ground invasion by Israel in Gaza, with pressure on both sides to negotiate or escalate the situation.
  3. The far-right Swiss People's Party saw a rise in support in Switzerland's federal election, while in Argentina, the presidential election is headed to a runoff between Sergio Massa and Javier Milei.

EI Podcast: Who are Hizballah and what is the resistance axis?

Palestine is Still the Issue • 452 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Israel's genocidal war in Gaza could escalate into a regional conflict involving Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran.
  2. The resistance axis, led by groups like Hizballah, has been striking back against attacks by Israel and its allies.
  3. Amal Saad highlights that Hizballah is a key player in the resistance axis and dispels misconceptions about their relationship with Iran.

World roundup: February 2 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 373 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The US military has started retaliation for a recent drone strike, targeting Iranian-linked groups in Syria and Iraq.
  2. Historical facts about The Hama Massacre and the Battle of Stalingrad on February 2.
  3. Access to full post archives requires a subscription, but there is also a 7-day free trial available.

China Isn't Going to Bail Out Biden

Eunomia • 353 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. China is not going to bail out Biden.
  2. The U.S. is asking China for something they couldn't deliver even if they wanted to try.
  3. The administration turning to China for help shows an odd decision considering their stance on Chinese power.

The Tag Team Fails in Iran

John’s Substack • 28 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The US and Israel ran a coordinated campaign — sanctions, covert agents, Starlink support, and plans for military action — intended to produce regime change in Iran. That effort failed when Iran suppressed the protests and cut off the communications that sustained them.
  2. Western and Israeli media presented the protests as mainly an internal popular uprising and downplayed foreign interference, which helped legitimize the campaign and shape public perception. This framing obscured the reported role of outside backing and violent agitators.
  3. The 12-Day war and the US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites did not deliver a clear, lasting victory for Israel or the US, and Iran still retains missile capabilities and the ability to rebuild parts of its nuclear program. The failed campaign may increase Iran’s incentive to seek a stronger deterrent.

World roundup: October 14-15 2023

Foreign Exchanges • 628 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The Israeli army is poised to enter Gaza amidst a relentless bombardment with high death tolls on both sides.
  2. The Biden administration has influenced the easing of the Israeli siege to allow water back into Gaza, although comprehensive aid efforts are still hindered.
  3. In Ecuador, the presidential election resulted in a victory for Daniel Noboa over leftist candidate Luisa González, which could have significant implications.

A Midrats January Free For All

CDR Salamander • 314 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Mark & Sal discuss what's happening in the national security world in January 2024.
  2. Topics include Iranian proxies causing military losses and American needs for inventive ideas.
  3. The discussion touches on Iran and America, focusing on a range of events and challenges.

The UN’s Terrorism Teachers

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2109 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The United States and other nations have halted funding for UNRWA due to accusations of staff involvement in attacks, supported by evidence provided by organizations like UN Watch.
  2. There are concerns about the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in northern Israel, potentially surpassing the intensity of the current conflict with Hamas.
  3. There are conflicting policies in the U.S. government regarding Iran, with diplomatic efforts for a nuclear deal while military tensions rise in regions like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

February 6, 2024: Russian Digest

Unmasking Russia • 196 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Ukraine is creating a military force dedicated to drones to enhance its defense capabilities against Russia.
  2. Russia may be assisting North Korea with access to international banking networks in exchange for weapons, which could impact global security.
  3. Russian influence on European politics is under investigation, uncovering potential corruption with the funding of political parties.

The Inevitable: Counter Attacks

Pieter’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. US and UK forces attacked Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen due to disruptions to maritime traffic
  2. Houthis are supported by Iran and are targeting international ships to pressure the US on Israel support
  3. There is a risk of escalation in the Middle East, involving Iran, US, UK, and Saudi Arabia

The Trigger of Everything.

News Items • 216 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The world is facing erratic water cycles due to climate change, with extreme flooding and drought becoming more common.
  2. An attack by Hamas militants on Israel has the potential to escalate into a wider conflict in the Middle East, impacting regional power dynamics.
  3. The conflict between Israel and Hamas poses challenges for President Biden's reelection campaign, complicating the geopolitical outlook in the Middle East.

The Iran Playbook

John’s Substack • 9 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The US and Israel are trying to upend Iran’s regime and severely weaken the country using their usual playbook of pressure and covert operations.
  2. That strategy has largely failed, and recent events exposed confusion about whether Israel or the US would launch an attack and why Washington ultimately held back from bombing.
  3. Gulf states are increasingly seeing the US–Israel partnership as the bigger threat to regional stability, and destroying Iran would likely embolden reckless policies and make the region less stable.

How the US created the “Iran-backed Houthis”

Nonzero Newsletter • 677 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. The US involvement in Yemen against the Houthis may have been based on misleading narratives.
  2. Artificial intelligence is advancing and could lead to job displacement for both low-skill and high-skill workers.
  3. China's population decline could be linked to unintended consequences of their one-child policy, affecting women's views on childbirth.

ARE WE STILL FIGHTING IRAN?

Seymour Hersh • 17 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Iran
  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.

Pakistan’s Imran Khan compares his ouster to CIA coup in Iran, criticizes Western colonialism

Geopolitical Economy Report • 219 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Imran Khan compared his ouster to a CIA coup in Iran, highlighting similarities in patterns of removal of governments.
  2. Khan emphasized the importance of sovereignty for countries, criticizing reliance on aid, foreign loans, and organizations like the IMF.
  3. He criticized Western colonialism, pointing out how it led to ruling elites in developing countries placing themselves above the law and engaging in corruption.

Israel, Hamas, and Biden’s failed foreign policy

Nonzero Newsletter • 609 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Iran
  1. Hamas attacked Israel to disrupt its relations with Arab states and derail normalization efforts.
  2. US foreign policy lacked cognitive empathy, failing to consider how actions would be viewed by Iran, Palestinians, and Hamas.
  3. There was a risk of increased violence due to the Trump-Biden Arab-Israel normalization drive, impacting the Middle East region.