The hottest Military Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

Russians Accused of Doctoring Leaked Western Documents on Ukraine War

The Newsguy -- Steve Herman • 58 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military Propaganda Leaks Intelligence Conflict
  1. Classified U.S. and NATO planning documents about the Ukraine war were leaked online and suspected of being altered by Russians.
  2. The leaked documents show altered casualty numbers to manipulate public opinion, especially in Russia.
  3. There are claims that the leaked documents were part of a propaganda operation by either side to mislead and gain advantage.

«Большой брат» берется за оружие

Faridaily • 58 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military Digitalization Legislation Citizenship National Security
  1. The Russian government is implementing a significant military reform, involving a complex digital system to track and monitor military-eligible citizens.
  2. The reform aims to militarize society through strong enforcement of military service, with military gaining unprecedented power over citizens.
  3. The new law allows for electronic conscription notifications, restrictions on individuals avoiding military service, and cross-agency data sharing to enhance military registration.

Talibanistan

Diane Francis • 419 implied HN points • 16 Aug 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Terrorism Foreign Policy Military Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan shows that military actions alone can't solve complex political issues. After years of involvement, the Afghan government fell apart quickly without Western support.
  2. History shows that invading countries often leads to more problems, like the rise of terrorist groups. Similar mistakes made in Iraq created chaos and suffering that continue today.
  3. Effective ways to fight terrorism might be better funding for early warning systems and surveillance instead of waging wars. Wars rarely lead to peace and stability.

We Need a New Language to Discuss Air Power

Phillips’s Newsletter • 54 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌐 International Military Conflict
  1. Current language used to discuss air power may be insufficient in the context of modern warfare.
  2. There is a need for a new conceptual framework to engage with the evolving nature of air power tactics and strategies.
  3. Previous terms like air superiority, tactical airpower, and strategic airpower may not fully capture the complexities of contemporary air power discussions.

208: Idaho

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Adventure Culture Geography Military Personal narrative
  1. Felix, a former infantry soldier, is finding a new path after leaving the military due to health issues. He’s excited about a job opportunity at a nuclear waste facility that fits his skills and pays well.
  2. The training at Idaho National Laboratory is intense and hands-on, mixing real-life tactics with safety lessons. Felix stands out in the training because of his extensive military experience and leadership skills.
  3. The local culture in Idaho is shifting as many people move there from different states, affecting its politics and social conversations. There's a sense of change happening in the community, making it an interesting place.
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The Ultimate Airman

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Leadership History Aviation Veterans
  1. Robin Olds is considered one of the most iconic figures in American combat aviation, embodying the spirit of airpower.
  2. Olds' insightful letter to Major Schwalier highlights systemic issues within the Air Force, like loss of authority and leadership diluted by bureaucracy.
  3. Olds' legacy reminds us that a combination of intellectual reflection and warrior spirit is essential in military leadership, and many of the Air Force's issues have persisted over time.

Zero Waste

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Art Media History Military Environment
  1. Quilty was a charming and talkative general who shared engaging stories about his experiences, especially regarding 9/11.
  2. His wife, Joelle, had a very different perspective, reflecting on the impact of war and her life as a military spouse with honesty.
  3. Joelle emphasized the need to recognize the moral complexities of military life, revealing a desire to distance herself from that past.

AI and the Future of War (even in Ukraine)

Phillips’s Newsletter • 57 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI War Drones Military Innovation
  1. Uncrewed aircraft have significant operational and cost advantages over crewed aircraft, making them likely to dominate future warfare.
  2. Uncrewed aircraft can fly longer, make maneuvers that stress the human body, and be more flexible due to not needing to support human life onboard.
  3. The absence of human pilots reduces decision-making pressure, operational limitations, and costly training needs, giving a strategic advantage in warfare.

THE GENERAL WHO WOULD NOT BE SILENCED

Seymour Hersh • 48 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Intelligence Cold War Foreign Relations
  1. James C. Pfautz had a successful military career, flying combat missions in Vietnam and holding high-ranking positions in Air Force intelligence.
  2. Pfautz was known to push his staff hard, aiming for excellence in the intelligence work they produced.
  3. An intriguing story revolves around the 1983 shootdown of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 by a Soviet pilot, highlighting the critical question of whether the pilot knew he was targeting a commercial airliner.

A Top Secret Bunker and a Nobel Prize

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 179 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
💾 History Military Urban World War II Science
  1. A secret underground bunker at Pigeon Point in Seattle was built during World War II for secure radio communications. It was designed to be bomb-proof, which is pretty fascinating.
  2. After the war, the bunker was used for medical research, including cancer studies by Dr. E. Donnall Thomas. His work led to him winning a Nobel Prize for advancements in bone marrow transplants.
  3. Now, the area where the bunker once operated is part of a school and park, but the original underground facility still exists with no visible signs or entrances.

Grandad's Cash

backstory • 193 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
💾 History War Military Collectibles
  1. Grandfather's banknote from Germany was a significant memento from the war.
  2. Grandfather's wartime notebook revealed his experiences at the Battle of Cambrai.
  3. The banknote symbolized a topic he could discuss, unlike his war experiences.

Vlad's Rad

Diane Francis • 319 implied HN points • 02 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Espionage Intelligence Military Health Technology
  1. The Havana Syndrome is a mysterious illness affecting U.S. diplomats and spies, with symptoms linked to strange sounds and neurological damage. This has prompted an investigation by a CIA task force.
  2. Officials suspect that advanced microwave technology may be involved, but there’s still no clear evidence of how it works or who is responsible. This raises concerns about hybrid warfare tactics.
  3. Past incidents, like the attacks on diplomats in Cuba and China, indicate a pattern of targeting U.S. officials, leading experts to believe the attacks could qualify as acts of war.

Swarm Geopolitics: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: Hamas, Houthis, SMERSH, Spies, Ecuador and Organized Crime

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 55 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Espionage Military International relations
  1. Geopolitical conflicts are emerging globally and may be connected in a web of strategies.
  2. Russia and China are utilizing a clever swarm strategy to create problems for the US and NATO on multiple fronts.
  3. There are concerns about fake intelligence feeds and sophisticated cyberattacks influencing international events.

None of Us is As Dumb As All of Us

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bureaucracy Leadership Recognition Military Decision-making
  1. Processes, rules, and policies should not be substitutes for leadership. Bureaucracies lead to inefficiency and hindrance in decision-making.
  2. Bureaucracies treat customers and adversaries the same, making it difficult to get requests handled efficiently. They drown common sense and generate unnecessary rules and policies.
  3. Leaders should rely on their presence and values rather than creating new structures as substitutes. Avoid bureaucracy as much as possible, as it can turn against its creators.

What Right Looks Like

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Leadership Recognition Awards Service
  1. Recognition is a powerful motivator in organizations, lifting spirits and incentivizing people to contribute more.
  2. Effective leadership involves recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
  3. Leaders play a crucial role in shaping the culture of their organizations by what they choose to recognize and prioritize.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics War Military Government Leadership Organization
  1. Fast Communication Loops: In complex operations, keep communication channels direct and rapid to maintain agility and outpace competition.
  2. Don't Compound Mistakes: Avoid making a bad situation worse by questioning decisions and empowering individuals to prevent wasteful actions.
  3. Never Take Advantage of Your People: Ensure that organizational values are upheld to prevent disillusionment and maintain intrinsic motivation among team members.

The Importance of Composure and Perspective

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Military Perspective
  1. Maintaining composure and perspective is crucial in leadership roles to guide teams effectively through challenges.
  2. Creating unnecessary urgency and pressure can be detrimental to team performance and lead to compromises on core values.
  3. Leaders should prioritize staying calm and focused in challenging situations to reassure their teams and keep everyone thinking clearly.

Explosion over the Kremlin

Thinking about... • 149 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🌍 World Politics Russia Ukraine War Crimes Propaganda Military
  1. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for an explosion over the Kremlin without evidence, raising doubts about their claims.
  2. The staged incident at the Kremlin could be a Russian ploy to justify war crimes and rally public support for the war in Ukraine.
  3. Canceling parades commemorating the victory of the Red Army may have been an underlying motive for staging the attack at the Kremlin.

Loose Lips, Loose Cannon

Diane Francis • 239 implied HN points • 30 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Politics Government International relations Leadership
  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.

Still Bleeding Talent

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Leadership Retirement Talent Management
  1. Having centralized and coercive talent management systems can drive out top talent. It's crucial to create a talent market with incentives and agency for individuals.
  2. Military services, like the Army, need to address actual root causes of officer attrition such as lack of control over their futures, poor leadership, and excessive stress on family and relationships.
  3. Outdated talent management models within military services contribute to high attrition rates and lead to the rise of poor leaders. Reevaluating these models is essential for the services to reach their full potential.

AI governance frames

The Good blog • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Policy Innovation Security Economy Military
  1. AI governance can be viewed through different frames like product safety, innovation policy, and national security risk.
  2. Different approaches to AI governance include preventing competitive dynamics, addressing great power conflict, and improving consumer welfare.
  3. AI governance also encompasses considerations related to military technology, economic growth benefits, and political economy.

Pentagon is Combining Corporate Records and Social Media Surveillance to Guide Hacking and Influence Operations

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 101 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military Intelligence Surveillance Cyber Operations Information Warfare
  1. Pentagon is combining corporate records and social media surveillance for hacking and influence operations.
  2. Corporate surveillance firms were discussing providing bulk surveillance data for purposes like protecting the NATO brand.
  3. U.S. military and intelligence agencies are developing offensive information warfare industry using social media surveillance, corporate records analysis, and cellphone location-tracking.

Dereliction of Duty

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Housing Leadership Veterans Legislation
  1. Privatized military housing has led to neglect and substandard living conditions for military families, with reports of black mold, sewage, and pest infestations.
  2. The use of non-disclosure agreements by private landlords to silence complaints from military families about poor living conditions is unethical and unjust.
  3. The decision to privatize military housing has resulted in a lack of accountability and oversight, leaving servicemembers and their families vulnerable to exploitation.