The hottest Military Substack posts right now

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America's empire of jocks versus the old-style empire of nerds

Matthew's Notebook • 98 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Military Foreign Relations Intelligence History
  1. American adventurers have shifted from learning dead languages to extreme sports and custom guns.
  2. Modern-day U.S. special forces represent a shift from covert to overt military rule in the American empire.
  3. The old British imperial administration produced intellectually curious and ruthless figures, contrasting with the contemporary American style.

Mercenaries as lean recruitment: lessons from the Toyota Production System

The Outpost • 98 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
💾 History Military
  1. The Toyota Production System focused on Just In Time (JIT) manufacturing to match production with demand and reduce waste.
  2. Japan's mid-century economic challenges led to innovations in manufacturing practices and efficiency.
  3. Using mercenaries for military functions can promote efficiency and control of power, akin to the transition to 'lean recruitment' in industries like Toyota.

The War on Terror and the everyday infrastructure of oblivion

Wars Of Future Past • 98 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Terrorism Conflict Security Military Violence
  1. Cars, which are part of our daily lives, can also be turned into deadly weapons like car bombs.
  2. The book 'Buda's Wagon' delves into the history and evolution of car bombs, showing how they have been used as tools of asymmetrical warfare.
  3. The use of car bombs highlights the intersection of everyday technologies with violent intentions, shaping the tactics of conflicts and the consequences of warfare.

The Lords of Chaos

The Chris Hedges Report • 307 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Foreign Policy War Crimes Global Influence
  1. The politicians and media figures behind military debacles in the Middle East should be held accountable for their actions.
  2. The Iraq war and its aftermath led to immense suffering, atrocities, and billions of dollars wasted.
  3. There is a need for a national reckoning to address the consequences of permanent war and to hold those responsible accountable.
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THE SEALS AND THE DHOW

Seymour Hersh • 94 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military Intelligence Middle East Conflict Secrecy
  1. A Navy SEAL mission in the Gulf of Aden went wrong, resulting in two deaths and one critical injury due to a risky boarding attempt on a dhow suspected of carrying weaponry.
  2. The decision to proceed with the mission in rough seas, despite safety concerns, led to tragedy and prompted questions about the reasoning behind it.
  3. The outcome of the mission revealed outdated cargo not matching the initial intelligence, sparking criticism and calls for accountability within the SEAL community.

America is unlikely to defeat a peer opponent

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Economy Election Policy Parties
  1. America is struggling to maintain hegemony due to shifts in military production potential favoring autocratic powers.
  2. Building up military power would strain government finances, potentially leading to higher deficits and inflation.
  3. To revive capabilities like the Arsenal of Democracy, a political dispensation supporting non-financial production needs to replace the current focus on shareholder wealth under the Reagan dispensation.

Belarus Security Update – 29 January – 04 February 2024

Ukraine Conflict Monitor • 39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Military Relations Agreements
  1. The posture of the Belarusian Armed Forces did not change last week.
  2. There were no significant developments affecting the military-political situation in Belarus in the past seven days.
  3. Belarusian military officers were involved in bilateral agreements with Russia, and the focus domestically was on the new Belarusian Military Doctrine.

Lost Over Dunkirk

Military Aviation Videos • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
💾 History Military Aviation WWII Propaganda
  1. The story recounts the heroic adventures of Spitfire Ace Gordon Olive, showcasing his skill and bravery during the Battle of Britain.
  2. Gordon Olive's recount of chasing and bringing down a Messerschmitt 111 with his Spitfire highlights the plane's effectiveness and the intensity of aerial combat during WWII.
  3. Despite facing dangerous situations, Olive's quick thinking and skill as a pilot allowed him to escape and continue fighting, showcasing the courage and resilience of military aviators.

Ukrainians sink another valuable Russian warship

Phillips’s Newsletter • 87 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Ukraine Russia Military
  1. Ukrainians have successfully hit and sunk multiple valuable Russian warships in recent months, showcasing potential technological advancements or weaknesses in the Russian Navy.
  2. The reliability of Ukrainian claims regarding attacks on large Russian warships have been largely accurate, with visible evidence backing their actions.
  3. The recent sinking of the Russian Ropucha Class landing vessel, Caesar Kunikov, marks the third such incident within the span of seven months, indicating a consistent trend.

Links for 2023-04-20

Axis of Ordinary • 78 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Policy Military Energy Health
  1. LLM cognitive architectures are advancing AI development with natural language alignment.
  2. US AI policy suggestions are being explored in 12 tentative ideas.
  3. New methods like DINOv2 for training computer vision models are gaining traction with self-supervised learning.

In the Shadow of Stumbling Colossus

Devlin’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Military Training Wars Tactics Soviet Union
  1. The Cult of Victory related to WW2 had negative impacts on Russia, promoting bad military practices and authoritarianism.
  2. The Soviet Invasion of Manchuria wasn't a great military operation and doesn't exemplify operational art excellence.
  3. Soviet tactical training in WW2 was consistently poor, affecting the army's readiness and performance.

Pakistan coup regime bans Imran Khan, dissidents killed, as US eyes China ties, Israel normalization

Geopolitical Economy Report • 139 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Conflict Diplomacy Geopolitics Military
  1. Pakistan's military-dominated regime, with US backing, banned former PM Imran Khan from office causing protests.
  2. The US is pressuring Pakistan to weaken ties with China, arm Ukraine, and recognize Israel, following the coup.
  3. The unelected coup regime in Pakistan is seeking a strategic partnership with the US, potentially softening relations with China.

Glory, Glory What a Hell of a Way To Die

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
💾 History Military WWII
  1. The Battle of the Bulge was a significant event in history where American soldiers showed remarkable resilience and determination.
  2. Amid harsh conditions, the soldiers fought bravely and unitedly for each other rather than personal glory.
  3. Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's response of 'NUTS!' exemplifies the defiant spirit and resolve of the Allied forces during the battle.

How Ukraine, a country without a navy, destroyed 25+ Russian warships

Back To Sifar • 19 HN points • 21 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Military Conflict Warfare Geopolitics
  1. Despite lacking a navy, Ukraine employed innovative tactics and modern technology to destroy over 25 Russian warships.
  2. Cost-effective weapons like anti-tank guided missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and anti-ship/cruise missiles were crucial in Ukraine's naval victories.
  3. The use of drones also played a significant role in Ukraine's successful attacks on the Russian Black Sea fleet, changing the dynamics of modern warfare.

Belarus Security Update – 15 – 21 January 2024

Ukraine Conflict Monitor • 39 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Belarus Military Security Russia Ukraine
  1. The posture of the Belarusian Armed Forces remained unchanged over the past week.
  2. Military-political developments in Belarus focused on upcoming strategic military documents like the military doctrine and national security concept.
  3. Belarusian military officials had active engagements, including readiness inspections, international meetings, and training events.

Going to the Movies...with the Pentagon

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Military Hollywood Propaganda Media Entertainment
  1. Popular culture often simplifies military conflicts, portraying them as good guys versus bad guys, neglecting moral complexities and political decisions.
  2. The Pentagon has a significant influence on Hollywood, collaborating with movie makers to shape the portrayal of the U.S. military in films.
  3. The military's entertainment office employs tactics that aim to manufacture consent and influence public perception through relationships with the entertainment industry.

Breathtaking Resolve

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 01 Mar 22
🌍 World Politics Conflict Military International relations Crisis History
  1. Vitalii Skakun volunteered to help his country by placing explosives on a bridge to stop Russian troops. He showed incredible bravery in a dangerous situation.
  2. In his final moments, he made a significant sacrifice for his nation, putting others before his own safety.
  3. This act of courage highlights the lengths people will go to defend their homeland during a crisis.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 27.11.2024

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Diplomacy Elections Public Opinion
  1. NATO countries have been avoiding diplomatic talks with Russia despite ongoing violence and deaths. This decision has been presented to the public as morally justifiable, but it could have helped reduce conflict and potentially led to peace.
  2. Politicians and media have created a narrative where diplomacy is seen as betrayal and continuing the war is viewed as virtuous. This setup has led to a long conflict aimed at weakening Russia by prolonging the war, even at the cost of Ukrainian lives.
  3. There is growing discontent among the Ukrainian population regarding the war, and many do not support continuing to fight. The harsh reality is leading to calls for peace and negotiations, but those advocating for this are often criticized or labeled negative terms.

The Top Gun Effect: Why Hollywood Movies Matter to the U.S. Military

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Entertainment Propaganda Spending Education
  1. The U.S. military sees Hollywood movies as a way to educate the public about warfare and shape public perception of the military.
  2. Movies like "Top Gun" have influenced recruitment and public image of the military by portraying it in a positive light.
  3. There is a significant financial and societal impact to the U.S. military's involvement in Hollywood movies, revealing the influence of entertainment on public perception and funding.

Ukraine's Counter-Offensive: Setting Expectations

Comment is Freed • 138 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Military Conflict Strategy Diplomacy Alliance
  1. Putin's determination to avoid loss in the war has had heavy consequences for both Ukraine and Russia.
  2. The success of Ukraine's offensive relies on their armed forces liberating territory to have a significant impact on Putin's positions.
  3. Ukraine faces challenges in their offensive due to Russian formidable defenses, coordination issues, and the need for caution in military progress assessments.

Supreme Command: Its not a Celebrity Contest

Phillips’s Newsletter • 70 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military Leadership History Conflict
  1. General Zaluzhny was relieved of his military command in Ukraine, leading to speculation about the reasons behind it.
  2. There were tensions between President Zelensky and General Zaluzhny, with reports of Zaluzhny's imminent replacement circulating.
  3. The situation with General Zaluzhny reflects historical dynamics of leadership and command changes during times of crisis.

Is the All-Volunteer US Military in Crisis?

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military National Security Recruitment Budget Defense Strategy
  1. The US All-Volunteer Military Force might not be in crisis despite concerns raised in the media
  2. There is a need for a critical evaluation of military recruitment goals and priorities to ensure the best use of resources
  3. The low percentage of young Americans interested in pursuing a military career can be viewed positively as a sign of valuing peace over conflict

"One Fine Son of a Bitch"

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Military Conflict Authority
  1. Gen. George Patton had a knack for intuitive leadership, known as 'coup d’oeil,' allowing him to swiftly assess situations and make decisions.
  2. Patton, despite his rough exterior, showed humility and openness to learning from his mistakes, which endeared him to his soldiers and fostered loyalty.
  3. Patton valued competence over personal relationships, surrounding himself with individuals who could perform well, even if they disagreed with him.

The Rainy Day Problem

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Funding Leadership Investigative Reporting Government
  1. The Air Force's lack of planning has left Airmen and families in uncertainty and chaos due to funding shortfalls.
  2. The 'Rainy Day Problem' highlights how organizations, like the Air Force, must plan to protect their stakeholders from foreseeable issues.
  3. Failure to address the funding shortfall swiftly and improve planning could lead to erosion of trust within the Air Force and impact readiness.