The hottest Military Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Don't Intervene in Yemen

Eunomia • 432 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Attacking the Houthis in Yemen would be a risky and counterproductive move.
  2. Supporting the Yemeni government may not be a wise decision due to its lack of legitimacy and internal divisions.
  3. The focus should be on ending the war in Gaza and not escalating conflicts in Yemen.

China report excoriates 'US hegemony', war crimes, CIA coups, 400 foreign interventions

Geopolitical Economy Report • 777 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The Chinese government criticized US hegemony and its destructive impacts around the world.
  2. China highlighted the US history of violence and expansion through military means, including hundreds of interventions and wars since independence.
  3. The report also addressed the economic, technological, and cultural aspects of US hegemony, pointing out coercive tactics and manipulation in various fields.

January 30, 2024: Russian Digest

Unmasking Russia • 353 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. CIA director emphasizes the importance of providing aid to Ukraine to prevent a historic mistake
  2. Russia has been secretly sending oil supplies to Europe through Turkey, bypassing sanctions
  3. EU countries are determined to pass a 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, even if Hungary's support is lacking
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Service Academy Majors/Minors

Points And Figures • 879 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Service academies are meant to train future military officers, and their classes should reflect that mission. This means focusing on skills and knowledge relevant to defense rather than other topics.
  2. There has been pushback against classes like 'Diversity and Inclusion Studies' in military academies, which some view as unnecessary or indoctrination rather than practical education.
  3. Life at service academies is very different from civilian college experiences, with strict rules and a heavy emphasis on discipline and military training.

Vignettes: War #3

Myth Pilot • 628 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🌐 International Military
  1. Captain Price transformed a struggling company into a top-performing unit through rigorous training and leadership.
  2. Captain Price conducted unauthorized missions on deployment, sparking a major investigation.
  3. There were rumors that Captain Price's missions involved search patterns and interrogations, hinting at a secretive agenda.

January 12, 2026

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Defense and Navy departments, arguing that the censure and threats to reduce his retirement rank illegally retaliate against protected congressional speech and violate the Constitution and federal law. He asked the court to block those actions to preserve congressional oversight and an apolitical military.
  2. Hegseth, a politically appointed defense secretary with limited command experience, formally censured Kelly after Kelly and other veteran lawmakers urged service members to refuse illegal orders. The president and allies amplified calls to punish the lawmakers, including violent rhetoric and threats.
  3. Reporters say U.S. forces used an aircraft disguised to look like a civilian plane in attacks on boats, which may constitute perfidy and violate the law of war. The law of war explicitly forbids feigning civilian status to carry out attacks, raising serious legal and ethical concerns about those strikes.

A Midrats January Free For All

CDR Salamander • 314 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  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.

US admits weather pushed Chinese balloon off course, US shot down hobbyists' $12 balloon in $2M missile attack

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. US officials acknowledged the Chinese balloon they shot down was likely blown off course by unexpected weather.
  2. The US Air Force spent roughly $2 million using missiles to destroy a $12 hobbyist balloon, causing unnecessary expenditure.
  3. US intelligence officials later admitted that the Chinese balloon may have been diverted off course by weather, leading to a potential misunderstanding and an unnecessary military response.

Ukraine's D-Day

Diane Francis • 779 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukraine is using a quiet and strategic approach for their counteroffensive, making small but significant moves to weaken Russia's defenses. They're targeting various fronts, both on land and in the air, to reclaim their territory.
  2. Recent psychological operations from Ukraine aim to spread fear in Russia, including hacking broadcasts to disrupt communications and mimic official announcements. This tactic is intended to create panic among Russian citizens and disrupt military operations.
  3. Criticism of Russia's military leadership is growing, with some insiders suggesting that their troops are not effectively trained and are fleeing from battle. This unrest hints at possible future instability within Russia's political structure.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 550 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The Kremlin is escalating its military call-up process by digitizing and tightening rules for serving military notices.
  2. Russian citizens are expressing dissatisfaction with the new measures, but resistance or protests are not yet widespread.
  3. Academic research is shedding light on the role of financial service providers in maintaining networks of Russian kleptocratic capital.

Microsoft's whitepaper for the U.S. Army's 'fighting google' and integration with Maven through Project Convergence

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 691 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Microsoft is working with the U.S. Army to integrate augmented reality technology into military operations, focusing on a project called IVAS. This technology aims to give soldiers enhanced situational awareness on the battlefield.
  2. There have been complications with the IVAS technology, including issues like discomfort for users, which led to funding cuts from Congress. The Army is exploring better alternatives for combat effectiveness.
  3. Microsoft is involved in a competitive environment with other tech companies like Anduril and Palantir for military contracts. These partnerships and innovations are crucial for enhancing the capabilities needed in modern warfare.

The Fight to Define ‘America First’ Foreign Policy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 695 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Dan Caldwell is important in shaping America's foreign policy, especially under Trump. He believes the U.S. should reduce its military presence around the world.
  2. Some Republicans worry that Caldwell's views could harm America's global role. They think the idea of strength in foreign policy is being redefined.
  3. Caldwell's rising influence might give him a big say in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. This could change how the U.S. handles important international issues.

Poland's Alarm

Diane Francis • 919 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Poland is increasing its military to protect against Russian threats, wanting to lead Europe in security efforts. This shows Poland's strong belief in standing up to aggressors.
  2. European leaders need to pay attention to warnings about rising threats from Russia and China. If they ignore these problems, it could lead to bigger issues for the whole continent.
  3. There is a need for unity among European countries to ensure their security. Smaller nations are stepping up while larger ones like Germany and France may not be doing enough.

Washington finds his calling

A User's Guide to History • 255 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💾 History Military
  1. George Washington showed early signs of leadership and military skill when he led a small militia group to victory in battle.
  2. Washington had a natural inclination for soldiering, always feeling alive in moments of danger and battle.
  3. Throughout his life, Washington maintained his courage and charm even in the face of enemy fire, showing his leadership qualities and bravery.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 530 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The focus of the newsletter is on analyzing current events in Russia, particularly related to figures like Evgeny Prigozhin and Igor Girkin.
  2. The author discusses the Kremlin's approach to solving economic challenges, such as tax laws for non-resident citizens and interest rate hikes by the Central Bank.
  3. There is a comparison made between the analysis methods of the CIA Director and the author, emphasizing the importance of understanding immediate responses over relying solely on past patterns.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 255 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💾 History Military
  1. Over one million American men served in Europe during World War I.
  2. The sacrifice of American troops in both World War I and II were enormous.
  3. Defending democracy has historically come at a high price, including the loss of many lives.

Stars, Stripes, and Satellites

Case Closed • 275 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Military
  1. The US military heavily relies on space technology for various purposes like intelligence, surveillance, and communications.
  2. Due to evolving threats and outdated technology, the US government established the Space Development Agency (SDA), with a significant budget increase and focus on commercial partnerships.
  3. The SDA is deploying a new military satellite constellation quickly, offering a substantial $30B+ contracting opportunity for satellite manufacturers and leading to potential growth in the commercial space industry.

Call of Duty as a lens into American foreign policy from 2003-2025

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 298 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The Call of Duty series is the most popular video game franchise, showcasing a realistic combat simulator that reflects American military history and identity over the years.
  2. Unlike other games that focus on fantasy or abstract puzzles, Call of Duty aims to recreate real-world conflicts and the emotions tied to them.
  3. Each installment often mirrors contemporary geopolitical issues, making it a unique lens through which we can analyze America's view on foreign policy and military engagements.

It's Now or Never

Séamus Malekafzali • 495 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Hezbollah and other allies in the Axis of Resistance faced a major test of their purpose amidst conflict in Gaza and Israel.
  2. Significant escalation in tensions was seen with the involvement of various groups and nations, including threats of military action from the Houthis.
  3. The absence of a prompt response from Nasrallah raised questions and anticipation of further actions from Hezbollah.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #33

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Military
  1. Boom Supersonic is working on a new jet that can fly really fast, like the Concorde. They aim to take people from London to Miami in under five hours, but they have some challenges to overcome.
  2. A new project by DARPA shows that one person can control many robots at once. This could change how we do things in the military and other industries by making robot teamwork easier.
  3. The Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa might reopen by 2028. This is part of a trend to bring back nuclear energy as it can provide clean and reliable power, especially with rising energy needs.

Iran Will Strike Back Hard

John’s Substack • 16 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Peace talks over Ukraine are mostly kabuki theater, and the conflict is likely to be settled on the battlefield.
  2. A US attack on Iran seems doubtful because military force can’t reliably produce regime change, and Iran could retaliate in ways that would be hugely costly for Israel, the US, and the global economy.
  3. There’s real uncertainty about what the US will do next, especially under Trump, and that uncertainty ties into a bigger question about whether the US is entering a Cold War 2.0 with China and Russia.

The Black Sea is now the center of gravity for the Ukraine War

Glen’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The Black Sea is becoming a key focus in the Ukraine War, especially regarding Crimea. Ukrainian forces aim to weaken Russian military presence in this area.
  2. Ukraine’s naval strategy has been effective, causing significant losses to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Recent military actions have forced Russia to retreat and protect their ships more closely.
  3. Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasizes the importance of isolating Crimea to reduce attacks on Ukraine. Gaining control in the Black Sea is seen as crucial for the country's defense.

Why does the Ancient Technology Matter?

kamilkazani • 412 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Military
  1. Strategic thinking often overlooks the significance of ancient technology in military production chains.
  2. Ancient technology can create major bottlenecks in military production due to path dependency and market fluctuations.
  3. Major military powers like the US, Russia, and China may be stuck with small, monopolistic suppliers that are key bottlenecks in their military production chains.

Bowling with Bowe Bergdahl on Bragg

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 275 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The event took place on the day before a pre-trial hearing at Fort Bragg for the Bowe Bergdahl trial.
  2. There was a festive atmosphere at Fort Bragg, with paratroopers, families, and press attending a Christmas/holiday concert.
  3. Significant costs were incurred for the legal proceedings of Bergdahl's case, estimated to be in the millions of dollars.

Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries was just re-enabled

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 610 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries is back online. This means people can again view some important government contract information without logging in.
  2. The General Services Administration has not explained why Other Transaction Agreements are missing from the USASpending.gov website. This lack of information makes it harder to understand government spending.
  3. There are concerns that the U.S. government's efforts for transparency in military contracts are not keeping up with their advanced technology plans. More openness is needed to build trust in how funds are used.

i-SOON: Kicking off the Year of the Dragon with Good Luck … or Not

Natto Thoughts • 199 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The leaked documents provide valuable insights into the business culture and practices of China's hacker-for-hire industry, showing the importance of connections and relationships in the pursuit of profits.
  2. The relationship between i-SOON and Chengdu 404 is complex, involving not just business partnerships but also competition, bid rigging, and sharing of tools and vulnerabilities.
  3. i-SOON's business struggles illustrate that the commercial hacking industry in China is profit-driven and reliant on navigating relationships and government policies to secure contracts and business opportunities.

"Israel is heading towards street battles between the far right and families of hostages"

Informer • 235 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Israel's political class is preparing for early elections as unity in politics fades.
  2. The tension in Israel is escalating as families of hostages demand their return over the war objective of 'destroying Hamas'.
  3. Recent incidents and realizations are exposing the truth behind the war in Israel, leading to potential street battles and difficult political decisions.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 471 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. NATO was not ready to offer membership to Ukraine at the recent summit in Vilnius.
  2. Putin's focus is on maintaining power in Russia, not achieving gains abroad.
  3. Recent events with Prigozhin and military officers in Russia highlight internal tensions and dissent.