The hottest Military Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

A Bandit's Journal

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 275 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🌐 International Military
  1. The author shares raw and unedited journal entries from their time in Afghanistan in 2006.
  2. The author mentions the challenges and preparations involved in deploying to Afghanistan as a soldier.
  3. The author expresses gratitude to their subscribers and hints at future content related to Tom Clancy.

A Father's Day Salute

Bastiat's Window • 275 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
💾 History Military
  1. Lt. Harold Graboyes had unique experiences and stories from his time in the Army during World War II.
  2. Despite challenges and misunderstandings, Lt. Harold Graboyes remained loyal to the Army and valued the opportunities it provided him.
  3. Lt. Harold Graboyes was a brilliant individual with a deep love for learning, even though circumstances limited his formal education.
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November 29, 2025

Letters from an American • 33 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Allegations that the Defense Secretary ordered Special Operations to kill survivors of a strike have prompted promises of vigorous congressional oversight. Former JAGs say issuing or carrying out such orders would amount to war crimes and should be prosecuted.
  2. The president’s approval has fallen sharply and public support for aggressive actions like attacking Venezuela is weak. Polls also show the MAGA movement is fracturing, with many 2024 Trump voters distancing themselves from the label.
  3. Republican officials and institutions are increasingly pushing back against the White House, with members declining reelection, resisting pressure on redistricting, and governors from both parties opposing administration policies like offshore drilling. Businesses and some lawmakers are distancing themselves out of legal and reputational concerns.

German Militarism and the Virtues of Hypocrisy

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1048 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💾 History Military
  1. Otto von Bismarck's 'blood and iron' speech was a pivotal moment that shaped Prussia's history and led to Germany's unification.
  2. Jonathan Steinberg's biography offers insight into the politics and culture of 19th-century Germany through direct quotes from major figures like Bismarck.
  3. Despite impressive accomplishments during and after Bismarck's reign, Germany faced challenges including maintaining a powerful monarchy and conservative elite, which played a role in the tumultuous first half of the 20th century.

Zombie Nationalism

Reactionary Feminist • 23 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Western countries have largely lost the industrial capacity, skills, and social cohesion that once made mass wartime mobilisation possible, so calls to prepare for large-scale war face real material limits.
  2. Modern nationalism grew out of print-based, industrial-era societies that produced a shared, geographically rooted sense of belonging and made state-led mobilisation feasible, but that model has largely broken down.
  3. Digital media now create language-bound, transnational filter bubbles that decouple people from their geographic national interests, so institutions can demand readiness yet meet public indifference and limited practical ability to follow through.

Chartbook 224 The Wagner uprising and the centrifugal force of war.

Chartbook • 1616 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The Wagner group in Russia had a major impact on the world economy, particularly on energy markets.
  2. The dynamics of war show the complexity and rivalry within armed forces, particularly evident during conflicts like the Russian-Ukrainian war.
  3. The Wagner group's mutiny and Putin's response highlight the potential risks of power struggles and succession disputes in Russia, posing concerns for the future.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 157 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💾 History Military
  1. Some young men found World War II to be a significant turning point in their lives.
  2. The war provided new experiences and opportunities for men from different backgrounds.
  3. The war had both positive and negative impacts on relationships and society.

Privatizing the Iraq war

Speaking Security • 255 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. During the Iraq war, there were more US-funded contractors than US troops.
  2. The US spent over $155 billion on contractors in Iraq between 2003-2022.
  3. Contracts for the Iraq war were carried out not only in Iraq but also in nearby countries.

Offense not Defense

Diane Francis • 639 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Zelensky met with Biden and spoke to Congress, gaining support for Ukraine and pushing for more weapons to go on the offense against Russia. This move shows Ukraine's determination to regain control and not just defend.
  2. Despite Russia's threats and ongoing aggression, Zelensky believes a nuclear strike from Putin is unlikely, as it would endanger his own life. He focuses on the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people during tough times.
  3. Sanctions against Russia are working, and there's a strong belief among Ukrainians that they will win the war. They remain hopeful and supportive of each other, continuing their celebrations and traditions even amid adversity.

"But then I realized horses are just men-extenders"

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 394 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💾 History Military
  1. Horses played a key role in advancing human civilization by providing a new source of power for farming, transport, and warfare. They helped people accomplish tasks more efficiently and laid the groundwork for modern advancements.
  2. The relationship between humans and horses lasted for thousands of years and influenced societal structures, including the development of patriarchal societies. As horses were integrated into daily life, they changed the nature of work for men and women differently.
  3. Even though technology has replaced horses in many ways, their historical importance is profound. They were our first major means of boosting productivity and transforming the way humans lived and worked.

Competent Fascists Please The Military. Trump & Hegseth Pissed Them Off.

JoeWrote • 30 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Fascist leaders need the military to stay in power. They often try to build loyalty with military leaders to ensure their support.
  2. In the past, famous dictators linked military success to their regimes. This way, they could count on the army to help maintain control and carry out their orders.
  3. Currently, leaders like Trump struggle to gain military confidence. Their behavior can alienate military leaders instead of winning their support.

Significant Uncertainties.

News Items • 235 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Artificial intelligences are not considered conscious yet, but there is potential for self-awareness.
  2. An autonomous system called Swift has demonstrated success in drone racing at a human champion level.
  3. A new theory suggests that the brain may sort memories based on their usefulness for guiding future actions.

Back To New Jersey.

News Items • 235 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. U.S. Navy faces urgent need to embrace new technologies due to rising threat from China.
  2. Observing China closely reveals signs of a new national stagnation and restrictions.
  3. China shows signs of inward life twist, restricting various aspects like religious groups and independent writers.

December 1, 2025

Letters from an American • 27 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The president's odd late-night rants and refusal to fully disclose medical details—like what an MRI examined—have raised real worries about his mental and physical fitness for the job.
  2. A reported double-tap strike that killed survivors of a boat attack is being called a potential war crime, triggering bipartisan outrage and promises of congressional oversight while defense leaders downplay or shift blame.
  3. The administration has repeatedly placed unqualified people in key legal posts through questionable appointments, and courts have overturned several of those moves, revealing a pattern of trying to bypass legal rules.

November 24, 2025

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. A federal judge threw out the Comey and Letitia James indictments because the president’s appointment of an interim U.S. attorney was unlawful, which invalidated the prosecutor’s actions.
  2. The episode shows an attempt to use the Justice Department to pursue political enemies by replacing a reluctant prosecutor with a loyal appointee, raising concerns about abuse of prosecutorial power and threats to the rule of law.
  3. After the court losses, the administration escalated by threatening military-style responses against lawmakers who urged troops to refuse unlawful orders and publicly targeted Senator Mark Kelly, prompting sharp pushback and concern about intimidation.

November 28, 2025

Letters from an American • 28 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Senior envoys pushed a ‘peace’ plan that would accept Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian territory while sidelining U.S. diplomats and European and Ukrainian partners, and leaked calls suggest the plan closely matched Russian demands and could open big business opportunities.
  2. Immigration rhetoric has escalated into xenophobic, sweeping proposals — including mass deportations and stripping some naturalized citizens — with a shooting used to blame political opponents.
  3. National security institutions are being politicized and stretched into unusual roles, from military leaders conducting diplomacy to aggressive strikes that raise legal and war‑crime concerns, and controversial pardons that undermine oversight.

TGIF: Nutrition News

Unsettled Science • 818 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Military
  1. Ketogenic diet can help reduce alcohol cravings based on a small study, which also showed benefits in mice and humans.
  2. NIH is investing $190 million in short-term nutrition studies with questionable value, sparking concerns about meaningful data and focus.
  3. Weight-loss prescriptions among U.S. service members, along with rising obesity rates in military, raise questions about the effectiveness of current dietary guidelines and the impact on national security.

Lessons in Excellence from the Tuskegee Airmen

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 816 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The Tuskegee Airmen were groundbreaking African American military pilots who excelled in their roles despite facing discrimination. They proved their capabilities and earned numerous honors.
  2. Brigadier General Charles McGee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, exemplified resilience, excellence, and selflessness throughout his military career, becoming an inspirational figure.
  3. The Tuskegee Airmen's story reflects the importance of unity, hard work, and shared values in overcoming challenges. Their achievements emphasize the significance of traditional values and meritocracy.

Military Purges and Complacent Judges

Can We Still Govern? • 248 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The federal government is not too big; in fact, federal employment has declined over the years. Most government jobs support national security and public services that people rely on every day.
  2. Recent actions by the Trump administration have created a toxic work environment for federal employees, leading to fears and insecurity about job stability. This drastic change may hurt the public service we depend on.
  3. Judges need to pay more attention to the ongoing political changes and their impacts on federal jobs. They must act quickly to protect employees from unjust firings and make sure the legal system remains fair.

Admitting that Russia was provoked, Trump admin tells Ukraine war’s forbidden truth

Aaron Mate • 251 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Trump criticized Zelensky for not making a deal with Russia before the invasion, suggesting he had the chance to resolve the conflict sooner.
  2. Zelensky accused Trump of spreading false information while Trump pointed out uncomfortable truths about the war.
  3. As Trump looks to end the conflict, he’s moving away from the common narratives used to justify the ongoing fighting in Ukraine.

Biden’s FY2024 budget request

Speaking Security • 216 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Biden's FY2024 budget request includes $1.7 trillion in base discretionary spending.
  2. Two-thirds of Biden's proposed spending is for military, law enforcement, or prisons.
  3. The budget request outlines funding for Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and more.

How Will The Ukraine War End?

John’s Substack • 6 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukraine could collapse on the battlefield soon because Russia currently has the upper hand in forces, a favorable casualty-exchange ratio, and Western military support is dwindling.
  2. If Ukraine does not collapse, Russia may escalate massively to force an end to the war, and some Russian strategists are openly urging extreme measures.
  3. While the use of nuclear weapons is considered unlikely, desperate great powers can still take drastic risks — as shown by Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Purges and the PLA: Corruption in the Ranks

ChinaTalk • 874 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Corruption within the Chinese military has led to major purges, affecting Xi Jinping's military actions.
  2. Predicting Xi Jinping's actions regarding Taiwan is difficult due to his secretive nature and complex decision-making process.
  3. Taiwan needs to focus on enhancing its defense capabilities with a balance of investments in munitions, technology, and strategic planning.

German military preparing for potential war with Russia, leaked internal report reveals

Geopolitical Economy Report • 338 implied HN points • 26 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Germany is preparing for a potential war with Russia by boosting its military budget and planning to become the world's third-biggest military spender.
  2. The re-militarization of Germany involves bipartisan support, with both the current government and opposition contributing to a €100 billion 'special defense fund.'
  3. Germany has increased its military presence in NATO, deploying troops in Lithuania and participating in military exercises, aligning with the escalating tensions in the proxy war with Russia.

‘Bomb Iran’ Goes Bipartisan

Nonzero Newsletter • 293 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. There's a noticeable shift in political attitudes towards military action against Iran, with some Democrats now supporting the idea of a military strike, unlike in the past when they were against it.
  2. Using artificial intelligence in social media, like Meta did with AI-managed profiles, can backfire as users may find them creepy or untrustworthy.
  3. Foreign policy think tanks in the US are being heavily funded by military contractors and foreign governments, which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

The Battle for Pokrovsk

Comment is Freed • 77 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukraine needs to keep fighting until Russia realizes it can't win through military force or diplomacy. The stakes are high, and Ukraine is focused on building better defenses against attacks.
  2. Recent battles in Ukraine, especially around Pokrovsk, show just how chaotic the situation is. It's different from the usual expectations of fixed battle lines.
  3. Ukrainian forces are striking back at Russian oil refineries, disrupting their resources. They recently showcased a powerful new missile that can hit targets far away.

Win the War, Lose the Battle

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
💾 History Military
  1. Firing military commanders without clear explanations can have significant strategic consequences and impact an organization's long-term success.
  2. The responsible exercise of authority is crucial for the best interest of military organizations and the importance of transparency in such decisions.
  3. Unwarranted firings can not only destroy individual careers but also detrimentally affect the entire organization and potentially alter the course of history.

Trying to Wreck Iran and Failing

John’s Substack • 10 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Military
  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.

Naval Gazing

Joxley Writes • 117 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌐 International Military
  1. Prime Minister focuses on 'stopping the boats' as key strategy for improving his party's standing.
  2. Royal Navy showing signs of neglect with reports of ships being taken out of service and issues finding leadership.
  3. Under-investment and falling manpower contribute to Navy's struggles, raising concerns about Britain's global position.

Russia Context

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 196 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Both Putin and Prigozhin are surprisingly almost telling the truth about the situation in Russia.
  2. Russia is ruled by violent, competing clans with a history of authoritarian control.
  3. To deal with a neighbor like Russia, countries are creating barriers for protection.

SHARKTOPUS VS PTERACUDA

ANDREA CECCHI Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
💰 Finance Military
  1. The world's economic system is based on creating continuous debt to repay previous debt.
  2. War serves multiple purposes, including economic gain and destruction.
  3. Wars are often viewed as a 'racket,' benefiting certain entities at the expense of others.