The hottest Middle East Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Syria after Assad

In My Tribe • 577 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Syria isn't ready for democracy yet. The country lacks the necessary conditions and institutions to support a democratic system.
  2. After Assad's fall, the rebel groups may struggle to unite due to their different ethnic and political backgrounds. Their divisions could lead to conflict among themselves.
  3. Syria has significant strategic importance to neighboring countries like Turkey, Iran, and Israel. These powers may influence Syria's future to protect their own interests.

4 Nov Weekly Wrap

Syncretica • 334 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. China's growth model faces challenges with overproduction and protectionism.
  2. Support for climate action strong, but transmission infrastructure remains a concern.
  3. Oil markets affected by China's stockpiling limits and weak imports.

Weaponizing Antisemitism in Australia to Protect Israel

John’s Substack • 12 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Israel's prime minister publicly blamed Australia's prime minister for the Bondi Beach massacre, saying recognition of a Palestinian state had fueled antisemitism and endangered Australian Jews.
  2. Those accusations are presented as false, with no clear evidence that Australia's leadership or society is broadly antisemitic or that recognizing a Palestinian state caused the attack.
  3. The attackers appear more likely motivated by ISIS ideology or by the Gaza war and local ties to an Israeli-linked group rather than classical antisemitism, so their exact motive remains uncertain.

Will America Abandon the Kurds—Again?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The Kurds in Syria are worried about a possible invasion by Turkish-backed forces and feel betrayed by the lack of support from the U.S.
  2. Despite efforts to negotiate with Turkey, Kurdish leaders believe all diplomatic talks have failed, leaving them in a desperate situation.
  3. Kurdish leaders have reached out to the U.S. for help, emphasizing their role as loyal allies and pleading for protection against the looming threat.
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Kabuki Theater with Iran & Russia

John’s Substack • 8 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Talks between the US and Iran are unlikely to yield a real agreement because the core dispute — the US demanding Iran give up enrichment while Iran refuses — is basically irreconcilable.
  2. The negotiations often look like Kabuki theater: performative, ritualized talks that routinely go nowhere, much like past US–Russia negotiations.
  3. Even if a deal were reached, Israel would likely still see Iran as a target and pressure would remain for action, so the US would probably continue policies that target Iran as well.

No Way to Win in Iran

John’s Substack • 10 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The United States currently has no good military option against Iran, and launching a full-scale attack would be strategically unwise even though it remains possible.
  2. Israel has carried out major strikes on Iran both independently and with U.S. involvement, but it now appears reluctant to join a U.S.-only campaign.
  3. Israeli leaders pushed different U.S. presidents to act—failing with one and succeeding with another—suggesting political maneuvering where one side may be getting played.

Surprised ?

Pieter’s Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Iran's engagement with the US signifies escalating tensions and the need for a measured response.
  2. UN's history of corruption and collaboration with Hamas sheds light on the need for reform.
  3. Global anti-Israel sentiment has deep roots and poses ongoing challenges for peace.

On Gaza

Kvetch • 147 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The conflict between Israel and Gaza has deep historical roots and complex dynamics, with hostility from both sides persisting for decades.
  2. Terms like 'genocide' and 'ethnic cleansing' can be misleading and distract from the actual situation on the ground; context and outcomes matter more.
  3. There is a need for a new approach to resolve the conflict because past efforts have often led to greater violence and suffering.

WATCH: Inside Assad’s ‘Human Slaughterhouse’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 477 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Sednaya prison is known for its extreme brutality and has become a symbol of the Assad regime's terror. Many Syrians are now searching for their loved ones who were imprisoned there.
  2. Survivor testimonies reveal horrific practices, like executions and inhumane treatment of prisoners. One former inmate describes hearing names called out before people were taken away never to return.
  3. Exclusive footage from inside Sednaya highlights the dark conditions and the emotional impact on those who survived and their families. The prison is often referred to as a human slaughterhouse.

Why Doesn't Matt Taibbi Want to Talk About Gaza?

KERFUFFLE • 213 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Matt Taibbi used to write confidently about the Israel-Palestine conflict, but now he avoids discussing it. It’s unclear why his stance on the topic has changed over the years.
  2. The ongoing violence and issues in the region remain serious, with the situation described as complicated but rooted in historical conflicts.
  3. People can learn from various sources, even if the source isn’t an expert, suggesting that sharing knowledge might be valuable regardless of one’s background.

Thirteen Thoughts on Saddam Hussein

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1097 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💾 History Middle East
  1. Saddam Hussein was a remarkable figure who rose to power through hard work and intelligence, despite his brutal actions.
  2. Saddam's past as a teenager foreshadowed his future behavior as a leader, showing the impact of his upbringing on his decisions.
  3. The Middle East faced limited ideological paths, with Saddam's choices influenced by this environment and his conspiratorial worldview.

They Tortured Him for Years. Now They Rule Syria.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 454 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The new rulers of Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have a history of violence and were once the captors of a journalist who endured severe torture at their hands.
  2. The group claims to have changed for the better and promises not to persecute anyone, but many are skeptical about their true intentions.
  3. Despite the regime's fall being celebrated by many, there are concerns about the brutal tactics of the rebel forces that now hold power.

RTF lecture invitation with Gordon McCormick - 1979: A Polarized Persia (Jan. 28 at 2pm ET)

Matt Ehret's Insights • 157 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Live lecture on January 28 at 2pm Eastern Time with Gordon McCormick about Anglo-American intelligence in the Middle East and the 1979 Iranian revolution
  2. Presentation will focus on the historical influence of Anglo-American intelligence in Iran
  3. Event organized by the Rising Tide Foundation and requires paid subscription to access

Statements on a Time in Limbo

theconnector • 137 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The Middle East and the US are at a critical point between peace and war, democracy and dictatorship.
  2. Key figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Antony Blinken present contrasting views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
  3. An analysis of recent statements from various groups sheds light on the complexities of the current political landscape.

Everything You Need To Know About the U.S. / Israeli War With Iran (w/ Alastair Crooke) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 142 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The conflict between Israel, Iran, and the U.S. isn't finished yet, and future actions will deeply affect the Middle East and global economy.
  2. Israel's surprise attacks were planned carefully, using technology and strategies that can't easily be repeated, while Iran’s military readiness is now heightened.
  3. The U.S. and its allies face challenges in their approach to Iran, as aggressive tactics may push Iran towards developing nuclear weapons, contrary to their intentions.

The Inevitable: Counter Attacks

Pieter’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  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 Trump Plan to Wreck Iran

John’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The U.S. has been using heavy sanctions to deliberately cripple Iran’s economy, and the Trump team intensified those efforts after taking office.
  2. The strategy is to apply “maximum pressure” so ordinary Iranians suffer enough to rise up and overthrow their government.
  3. U.S. officials, including the Treasury Secretary, have openly acknowledged that causing widespread hardship to provoke regime change is the aim.

Two Months

Pieter’s Newsletter • 219 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The prediction of unspeakable sexual violence in a major news event.
  2. Hostages being considered collateral damage in a conflict scenario.
  3. The belief that a Palestinian state in Gaza is no longer viable due to recent events and political implications.

Commentator

Castalia • 239 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. In wartime, moral judgments become blurred as both sides commit terrible acts, making it difficult to assign blame and remember the suffering of civilians on all sides.
  2. The conflict in Israel/Palestine has led to a division in Western civic life, with people increasingly polarized in their views, often overlooking the human toll of the violence.
  3. Global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlight a world fragmented by power struggles and shifting alliances, suggesting a troubling trend toward realpolitik over humanitarian concerns.

"It's Not Great Power Politics. It's Old-Style Imperialism"

John’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. U.S. actions toward countries like Venezuela and Iran look more like old-style imperialism than normal great-power politics.
  2. Toppling Venezuela is politically and logistically far easier for the U.S. than trying to overthrow Iran, which would be much harder to achieve.
  3. Having the military ability to seize territory doesn’t mean you can easily force regime change in a resilient, complex state, so policymakers should recognize those limits.

US Foreign Policy Marches On

John’s Substack • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The conversation centered on how Trump’s foreign policy could reshape international institutions and international law.
  2. Major conflicts like Gaza, tensions with Iran, and the war in Ukraine were discussed as pressing foreign policy challenges.
  3. There was a clear sense of concern or pessimism about the current state of US foreign policy and the global crises it faces.

What's Left to Say?

Unpopular Front • 132 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Trump's foreign policy is mostly just reacting to events, with no clear strategy. This makes it hard to achieve any long-term goals.
  2. The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu may lead to dangerous outcomes, like conflicts in the Middle East and destabilization for the U.S.
  3. There's a risk that ongoing tensions and conflicts will push countries to seek nuclear weapons for security, making the world a more dangerous place.

Starvation and Profiteering in Gaza (w/ Francesca Albanese) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 128 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The situation in Gaza is extremely dire, with many people facing starvation and suffering due to a siege imposed by Israel. Francesca Albanese emphasizes that other nations must recognize their duty under international law to aid Palestine and break the siege.
  2. Albanese points out that there are powerful corporations benefiting from the ongoing occupation and humanitarian crisis in Palestine. She is preparing a report that will reveal how these companies profit from the suffering of the Palestinian people.
  3. The global community is beginning to unite in awareness and support for Palestine, particularly among countries in the Global South. There is a growing recognition of the historical injustices of colonialism and calls for accountability and action against those who profit from these injustices.

The Trigger of Everything.

News Items • 216 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  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 Captagon Edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Syria has turned to producing Captagon, a powerful amphetamine, as a primary way to sustain its economy under heavy sanctions. This drug trade is now crucial for the country's finances.
  2. The Captagon business is very profitable, with low production costs and high selling prices in the Middle East. It brings in billions of dollars each year, making it one of Syria's top exports.
  3. The spread of Captagon is causing serious problems for neighboring countries, like rising addiction rates and increased smuggling. This has led to tensions and stricter border controls in those areas.

Trump and the Iran War: perhaps the most openly telegraphed event of all time

Michael Tracey • 132 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Trump has been focused on Iran for a long time, starting when he began trying to enter the Republican Party. He often spoke against the Iran Nuclear Deal and made it a key point during his 2016 presidential campaign.
  2. His approach included heavy sanctions and threats of military action, forming a 'Maximum Pressure' policy aimed at destabilizing Iran's government. He even authorized a significant attack on an Iranian general, escalating tensions further.
  3. In the 2024 campaign, Trump maintained his aggressive stance on Iran, claiming a need for more military action and pushing for a strong alliance with Israel against Iran. His policies appeared to disregard any diplomatic solutions.

Biden and Netanyahu’s endless war for US-Israeli supremacy

Aaron Mate • 392 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The US and Israeli governments are working together to maintain their power in the Middle East. They support actions that weaken groups like Hezbollah and Iran to keep control.
  2. Recent conflicts, like the violence in Gaza and Lebanon, are being used by Israel to push forward aggressive policies. The US backs Israel's military actions, seeing it as a way to reshape the region.
  3. There are signs of internal disagreement within the US government about the strategy in the Middle East. Some officials worry that the current approach could lead to more overall conflict.

Trying to Wreck Iran and Failing

John’s Substack • 10 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The US and Israel have been central in stoking protests in Iran with the aim of breaking the country apart rather than just forcing regime change, and that campaign has failed.
  2. Ukraine is in desperate straits: millions are evading mobilization, hundreds of thousands are AWOL, Russian drone and missile strikes are inflicting heavy damage, and even Kyiv residents are being urged to leave.
  3. The discussion also highlighted other geopolitical flashpoints like Greenland and Venezuela, suggesting wider international instability beyond Iran and Ukraine.

In Syria dirty war, “our side” has won

Aaron Mate • 311 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The US led a campaign to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, funding and training various groups, including those with ties to Al Qaeda. This involvement has led to significant changes in Syria's political landscape.
  2. After over a decade of conflict, a group once part of Al Qaeda has now taken over in Syria, raising concerns about their intentions and the future for minority groups in the country.
  3. The aftermath of this regime change has left Syria in devastation, with many people suffering from the consequences of both Assad's rule and the conflicts fueled by outside powers.

Israel Assassination Backfires (and Other Mideast Updates)

Nonzero Newsletter • 384 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Israel's assassination of a Hamas leader led to a more radical leadership taking over, resulting in a rise in suicide attacks against Israel again.
  2. Kamala Harris called Iran the biggest threat to the U.S., which some experts worry could lead to more conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
  3. Geoffrey Hinton, known as the 'Godfather of AI,' recently won a Nobel Prize for his work in AI, highlighting concerns about uncontrolled AI development.

Into the Bunker

Pieter’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Evidence shows Hamas using a hospital for combat operations, posing moral questions about multinational organizations' awareness and response.
  2. Amidst tragedy, some premature babies were evacuated to safety in Egypt from the crisis at the al-Shifa hospital.
  3. Issues of sexual abuse, rape, and denial tied to October 7 attacks highlight the complexities involved in dealing with Hamas, with discussions of potential hostage deals and extreme determination to end the conflict.

The Consequences Of Israel's Hegemony

The Weekly Dish • 107 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The two-state solution for Israel and Palestine is no longer a viable option. The current situation seems to solidify the dominance of one group over the other.
  2. Settlement expansions in contested areas are increasing rapidly. This growth can lead to more tensions and conflicts between communities.
  3. The ongoing struggles in the region show the importance of dialogue and resolution. Without proper communication, the cycle of violence may continue.

The Shared Mythological History of Israel and the US (w/ Joan Scott) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 128 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The histories of Israel and the US are deeply intertwined, often using shared myths to justify actions and policies, especially in relation to the Palestinians. This connection shapes how both nations view themselves as exceptional.
  2. The Holocaust plays a significant role in Israeli identity and the justification of its policies, creating a narrative that frames criticism as dangerous, echoing fears of historical victimization.
  3. Popular culture, like books and movies, has a powerful influence on shaping public perception of Israel and the Palestinians, often leading to biased narratives that ignore or simplify the complexities of the conflict.

The Iran Playbook

John’s Substack • 9 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  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.

Will Trump’s Election Unleash Bibi?

Nonzero Newsletter • 327 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Netanyahu is excited about Trump's re-election, hoping for a better relationship after past tensions. He believes this could strengthen the US-Israel alliance.
  2. There are concerns that Netanyahu might use Trump's win to escalate actions against Iran's nuclear program. Reports suggest he has plans for increased military action now that Trump is back in office.
  3. Israeli officials think Trump's administration will be more supportive than Biden's when it comes to military strategies, especially regarding Iran. They see a big difference in how each president handles Israel's goals.

The Deadliness Of Israel's Dead End

The Weekly Dish • 80 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Civilian suffering in conflict zones often increases as military actions escalate. It's important to think about the human cost of such actions.
  2. Finding balance in conflict resolution can be difficult, especially when trying to defeat groups like Hamas. A focus solely on military strength may not be effective.
  3. Addressing the needs of civilians caught in conflict is essential. Starvation and lack of resources can worsen the situation for everyone involved.