The hottest Military Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

What's a prez to do? Polk and Mexico

A User's Guide to History • 275 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. James Polk was a president focused on territorial expansion and was successful in acquiring Texas and Oregon from Mexico.
  2. Polk used strategic military maneuvers to provoke Mexico into a war, ultimately leading to the acquisition of California and New Mexico.
  3. The Mexican-American War, despite facing criticism for its motives, resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States.

🎇💥 Strike on Iran shows why US doesn't want to lose the AI race

Faster, Please! • 274 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Keeping up with technology is crucial now. Being behind can mean falling behind in significant areas like defense.
  2. Advanced military tech, like stealth jets and AI, gave a major edge in recent conflicts. This shows how important new tech is in today's warfare.
  3. As AI gets smarter, it could create an even bigger gap in military capabilities. This has people worried about who will lead in future tech.

Sensing Our Way In The World

Wars Of Future Past • 452 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔬 Science Military
  1. Sensors in medical care can be prone to error, especially with newborns.
  2. Sensor error can have serious consequences, as seen in military incidents.
  3. It's important to recognize and account for the potential flaws in sensing machines.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 255 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💾 History Military
  1. Bill Perkins's passion for filmmaking led him to become a Marine combat photographer during the Vietnam War.
  2. Bill Perkins's bravery and sacrifice in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first combat photographer to receive this honor.
  3. The enduring impact of war is highlighted by the stories of Bill Perkins and Robert Capa, showcasing the price of freedom and the personal toll of conflicts like the Vietnam War.

Westerners Have An Absolutely Psychotic View Of Airstrikes

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1853 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Many Westerners have a distorted view of airstrikes, believing them to be more civilized and humane than other forms of killing.
  2. There is a discrepancy in the language used by media to describe attacks based on whether they are done 'remotely' or close up.
  3. The use of military explosives in bombings causes immense suffering and should not be seen as less brutal or vicious just because they are carried out from a distance.
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A Tale of Two Peters

Gideon's Substack • 54 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Hegseth and Beinart both think that being powerful means being unethical, which is not true. Power can be used responsibly without sacrificing ethics.
  2. Making unethical decisions in the military can drive away good, honorable people, ultimately weakening the military itself. Honor and ethics are vital for a strong and effective military.
  3. Beinart's recent actions show a dangerous trend where individuals abandon their own judgment to follow group think, which can harm their personal power and effectiveness.

Life after Twitter

lawrence’s Substack • 499 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The author is moving away from Twitter to focus on writing about various subjects like Tesla, energy policy, music, and more.
  2. The author expresses discontent with current political situations and ideologies, rooting for individual freedom and less government interference.
  3. There is a strong support for aiding Ukraine in its fight for freedom against Russia and the author advocates for US intervention to weaken Russia and send a message to China.

Ukraine 9

Sour Milk • 255 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukraine has suffered significant losses in soldiers and citizens, with America spending billions on a war with unclear objectives.
  2. Blackrock and other powerful entities stand to benefit financially from the conflict in Ukraine, while soldiers on the frontlines face a bleak reality.
  3. The appointment of wealthy individuals like Penny Pritzker and corporate entities like Blackrock for Ukraine's reconstruction raises concerns about ulterior motives and the future of the nation.

Photo of the Day -- weekend

Photo of the Day • 255 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
💾 History Military
  1. The post showcases historical images with interesting stories behind them.
  2. The images capture moments from different eras, like WWII and the Civil War.
  3. The photos offer a glimpse into various aspects of past societies and events.

So They're Experimenting With Military Robots In Gaza Now

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1550 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Military operations are used to test new war machinery, putting human lives at risk for the benefit of empire managers and the military-industrial complex.
  2. Gaza is being used as a testing ground for military robots and autonomous weapons systems, raising concerns about dehumanization and widespread killing.
  3. The practice of using conflict zones like Gaza, Ukraine, and Africa as testing grounds for new weapons and technology is common, allowing for improvements and profit in the global arms industry.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 216 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Black residents of Nashville had advice for FDR during World War II.
  2. There was a call for equality and opportunities for Black Americans in the military during the war.
  3. The military's racial discrimination policies changed over time, ending segregation and allowing for integration of all races.

Is the US Stronger than China?

Policy Tensor • 412 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. In 1999, the US had a large superiority over other major powers, but by 2023, China has become a strong global power.
  2. The traditional metrics like GDP may not accurately reflect a country's military strength or war-making capabilities.
  3. Industrial production capacity is a crucial factor in determining a country's ability to sustain military efforts and shows China's significant growth and potential dominance.

The Week in Review: Feb 3-9, 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 196 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' ceasefire proposal, allowing attacks to continue.
  2. The US conducted drone strikes on Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria, with more strikes this week.
  3. International events include Zelensky sacking a military commander, protests in Haiti, and postponed elections in Senegal.

Battle of the Bulge Episode 6: Patton’s Army on the Move

Letters from an American • 6 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
💾 History Military
  1. Personal family connections to soldiers in Patton’s Third Army make the Battle of the Bulge feel immediate, and revisiting the story helps the pieces of the history fall into place.
  2. Patton’s Third Army was a decisive, mobile force whose movements around Bastogne helped shift the momentum of the Battle of the Bulge.
  3. There is real concern that recent political stances at international forums could undermine the post–World War II alliances and the safeguards meant to prevent a return to such large-scale conflicts.

Land Grab.

News Items • 216 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Former President Trump won the New Hampshire primary, leading in GOP base support
  2. Despite consecutive defeats, Nikki Haley vows to continue fighting for the Republican nomination
  3. President Biden dominated New Hampshire Democratic primary without being on the ballot

Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 607 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Pete Hegseth wants to change the Pentagon's culture to focus more on military effectiveness and less on political correctness. He believes this will improve how the military operates.
  2. He frequently uses the term 'warfighters' to describe the type of soldiers he aims to support. This suggests he sees them as effective combatants rather than just bureaucratic figures.
  3. Hegseth has publicly supported soldiers who have been accused or convicted of war crimes, which raises concerns among some of his Republican supporters about the implications of his leadership style.

The next year of AI target analysis

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 467 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Military
  1. AI is being used to improve how military targets are tracked and analyzed. This means we could see continuous updates on things like tanks, instead of just occasional snapshots.
  2. Companies like Anthropic and Google are investing big in AI for defense purposes. They're aiming to compete with others, like OpenAI, for military contracts and capabilities.
  3. The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is working on integrating AI systems to enhance their intelligence efforts, but it's facing some challenges with existing technologies.

Stocks; Xi Thought; Nukes

Sinocism • 176 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Stock market in China dropped sharply but recovered after regulatory intervention and state buying.
  2. Xi Jinping Thought campaign has ended, but uncertainty remains about its impact on cadres.
  3. Ousted PLA officials faced removal for 'serious violations of discipline and law', with more detentions occurring.

Dictators for a Day

Thinking about... • 542 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Attempts at military dictatorship can happen in democracies, as shown by Yoon in South Korea. This situation is a warning for other democratic countries, including the United States.
  2. The response of lawmakers and citizens is crucial when a leader tries to take control. South Korean lawmakers and the public united against Yoon's martial law, showing strong resistance to authoritarianism.
  3. It's important for citizens to be aware and proactive about protecting their democracy. Collective action can help prevent a slide into dictatorship, so everyone needs to stay informed and ready to speak up.

Exaggerating China's military spending, St. Louis Fed breaks all statistical rules with misleading graph

Geopolitical Economy Report • 438 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published a misleading graph suggesting China spends more on military than the US, but in reality, the US military budget is three times larger.
  2. The graph's depiction of military expenditure by different countries was misleading due to the use of separate axes for China and the US, creating a false impression.
  3. China's military spending, when looked at accurately, is much smaller than the US when considering GDP percentage, per capita measurement, and even in comparison to other top spenders.

December 23, 2025

Letters from an American • 27 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
💾 History Military
  1. The Santa-tracking tradition began in 1955 when a child's misdial reached a military commander, and officials used the story to showcase Cold War-era air defense.
  2. NORAD was formed in the late 1950s and has expanded from continental air defense into broader aerospace, intelligence, and environmental monitoring while keeping the Santa-tracking ritual as a public-facing demonstration.
  3. Each Christmas Eve over a thousand military and civilian volunteers handle more than 100,000 calls, turning high-tech defense systems into a friendly, cross-border tradition that delights children and highlights U.S.–Canadian cooperation.

To push war on Iran, Trump sides with Israel over US intel

Aaron Mate • 215 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Trump is ignoring the U.S. intelligence reports saying Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapons program. This raises concerns about the reliability of information in decisions about war.
  2. By siding with Israel, Trump seems to be prioritizing their interests over American intelligence findings. This could lead to a risky situation.
  3. The push for war may not be based on accurate information, highlighting the importance of questioning motives behind foreign policy.

Chartbook 270: How Russia makes missiles - an important report from Rhodus Intelligence

Chartbook • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The war in Ukraine showcases Russia's significant advantage in missile production compared to Europe and the US.
  2. Russia's ability to sustain high levels of missile output is linked to its strategic importation of advanced CNC machines, particularly from the West and China.
  3. The Rhodus Intelligence report reveals the complex dynamics of Russia's military production surge, showcasing the importance of machine tools and imports in modern missile manufacturing.

The quiet integration of 'Project Maven' and the Pentagon's cloud with 'Minotaur' maritime border surveillance

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 590 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Project Maven is being integrated with the Minotaur Mission System to help border surveillance. This setup is used by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection.
  2. The Minotaur system combines different types of surveillance data, making it easier to detect illegal activities. It links sensors, cameras, and radar into one automated system.
  3. Amazon Web Services is involved in providing cloud support for Minotaur, highlighting the role of big tech in military surveillance programs.

Ukraine Conflict Monitor - 5 June - 11 June 2023 (Weekly update)

Ukraine Conflict Monitor • 334 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukrainians launched a counteroffensive spanning Zaporizhihia and Donetsk Oblasts, liberating over 60 sq km of territory
  2. Russian attacks in Kharkiv and Luhansk Oblasts had no frontline changes; Ukrainian counterattacks were limited but successful
  3. Challenges faced by Ukrainians in terms of losses, air defense capabilities, and the need to maintain momentum in the ongoing counteroffensive

Is there still life in the Military Revolution?

Economic History Research • 334 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💾 History Military
  1. Military competition in early modern Europe led to the development of expensive technologies and tactics for warfare.
  2. The 'military revolution' thesis argues that military innovations drove state formation and European imperial success.
  3. Critiques of the 'military revolution' thesis point out inaccuracies in details, but still acknowledge the significance of the evolution of military technology and political organization.

The US Keeps Bombing People While Saying It Doesn't Want To Fight

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1285 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The US officials claim they are not at war with groups but keep bombing them in the Middle East.
  2. The Biden administration and US officials engage in contradictory behavior by denouncing conflicts while supporting aggressive military actions.
  3. The US demonstrates double standards by surrounding China with military presence while interpreting China's actions as aggressive, highlighting hypocrisy in global power dynamics.

Updated figures: US aid to Ukraine

Speaking Security • 334 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. At least $137 billion in aid has been sent to Ukraine since February 25, 2022, with two-thirds being military aid.
  2. The structure and volume of US aid suggests a trend towards endless war in Ukraine.
  3. Access to accurate data on civilian deaths, military losses, and aid totals could challenge misleading narratives about the costs of war.

🛰 The story of the US Space Force: A Quick Q&A with … defense policy analyst Todd Harrison

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. The US Space Force is essential because the number of satellites in space is rapidly increasing, and protecting them is crucial for both national security and economic reasons.
  2. The Space Force not only tracks and defends military satellites but also faces various forms of attacks, especially cyber threats, requiring strategies to counter these non-kinetic challenges.
  3. Future roles of the Space Force may include protecting commercial space interests, similar to how the Navy protects maritime commerce, as space becomes increasingly important for global trade and security.

Photo of the Day -- weekend

Photo of the Day • 176 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💾 History Military
  1. The post includes a collection of historical photos from different time periods.
  2. The photos capture moments from various significant events like aerial exhibitions, war operations, and space exploration.
  3. The content also features quotes and interesting historical trivia.

Never Excuse as Stupidity

Anarchonomicon • 314 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
💾 History Military
  1. Admiral John Byng was executed for 'failing to do his utmost' in a battle, sparking controversy and outrage
  2. Byng's execution was seen as a politically motivated act that led to significant public and elite backlash
  3. The Royal Navy's success and dominance in history was attributed to the skill and ruthlessness of its officers, despite facing immense challenges

The Gift of Defeat

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 29 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Russia’s problem is structural, not just one leader. Its state is built like an empire that legitimizes itself through conquest and then denies responsibility.
  2. The Federation rules by coercion: it erases cultures, disproportionately conscripts people from ethnic regions, and uses force to keep internal colonies weak. Imperial tools like forced resettlement and mass mobilization dissolve minority communities.
  3. The Free World should back a clear Ukrainian victory aimed at destroying Russia’s imperial capacity, not merely humbling a leader. Only defeat that ends occupation and forces a reckoning can create space for security, freedom for neighbors, and possible moral and political renewal inside Russia.

CIA and NATO are waging sabotage attacks inside Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 418 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. The CIA, with support from a European NATO ally, is conducting sabotage attacks within Russia, including attacks on infrastructure like railways, bridges, and military facilities.
  2. Evidence suggests the CIA has been involved in a proxy war in Ukraine, providing training and military support to Ukrainian forces since 2015.
  3. There's a risk of the proxy war escalating into a direct conflict between the US and Russia, with potential for serious consequences.

Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day • 157 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
💾 History Military
  1. Francis the US Army Mule 08KO served tirelessly under tough conditions in various Asian struggles.
  2. Mules were used to transport supplies in wars despite the military shifting to mechanized vehicles.
  3. Rescued mules played a crucial role in transporting supplies and aiding wounded soldiers during the Korean War.

Ukraine's Superiority

Diane Francis • 779 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Ukraine struggled a lot during World War II and played a huge role in fighting against Hitler, but this is often ignored by Russia. This history shows how strong and resilient Ukrainians are.
  2. Despite being outnumbered, Ukraine has shown strong strategic abilities in defending against Russia. Their quick adaptations helped them gain the support of NATO and other allies.
  3. Even with tough conditions, Ukrainians remain determined and united, wanting to achieve victory. Their focus is on rebuilding and joining the European Union, showing their hope for the future.

Don't Equate The Violence Of The Oppressor With The Violence Of The Oppressed

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1010 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military
  1. Don't equate the violence of the oppressor with the violence of the oppressed. The oppressor is the ultimate source of violence from both sides.
  2. The oppressor has moral responsibility for both their violence and the violence of the oppressed. Ending oppression will lead to a cessation of violence.
  3. The focus should be on demanding the oppressor to stop being violent and oppressive, as they are the cause of the violence. The violence of the oppressor is a cause, while the violence of the oppressed is an effect.

Top Links 564 Who, actually, works for the government? Trump and world trade. Leaving Illinois and the agony of Haiti.

Chartbook • 457 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military
  1. Only a small portion, about 2%, of the US workforce is employed by the federal government. It's interesting to see how few people actually work directly for the government.
  2. If half of the federal workers were fired, a big chunk of those remaining would be in military or security-related jobs. This shows how much of the federal workforce is tied to defense.
  3. The discussion about government jobs and employment raises important questions about efficiency and how the system is structured. It's worth thinking about what that means for America.