The hottest Sanctions Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

EU Travel Ban On Three Journalists Is Flagrant Violation Of Human Rights

Michael Shellenberger • 1019 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🌍 World Politics Human Rights Sanctions Freedom of Speech International relations Media censorship
  1. The EU has banned three journalists from entering its countries, claiming they spread pro-Russian propaganda. This action raises serious concerns about freedom of speech.
  2. Banning journalists and freezing their bank accounts seems extreme and threatens press freedom. It could set a dangerous precedent for how countries deal with dissenting voices.
  3. Many people believe it's important to allow diverse opinions, even those supporting foreign nations, as long as they don't involve illegal activities. Censorship could harm democracy and peaceful activism.

Fab Whack-A-Mole: Chinese Companies are Evading U.S. Sanctions

SemiAnalysis • 10102 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions National Security Trade policy International relations
  1. Chinese companies, particularly Huawei, are successfully finding loopholes to avoid U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductor technology. This allows them to enhance their domestic chip production capabilities.
  2. The current U.S. sanctions have not significantly harmed Western wafer fabrication equipment suppliers; in fact, these companies have been thriving during the period of restrictions.
  3. Future U.S. export controls need to be stricter and updated regularly to effectively combat the evasion strategies used by Chinese firms, ensuring that national security interests are maintained.

Is The Chip War Already Lost?

Doomberg • 5608 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Trade Relations Geopolitics Sanctions Technology Policy
  1. The U.S. has tightened sanctions on China, particularly in the semiconductor industry, to weaken its tech growth. This move aims to limit China's access to advanced chip manufacturing technology.
  2. In response, China has imposed its own export restrictions, targeting materials critical for the tech industry in the U.S. This indicates that both countries are in an escalating trade war.
  3. China's efforts to develop its own semiconductor capabilities are showing significant progress, raising concerns about its growing self-sufficiency in this critical industry.

Weekend Update #116: One Day Until A New World: Case Study on Sanctions

Phillips’s Newsletter • 163 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Elections International relations War Strategy Sanctions
  1. Sanctions against Russia have toughened recently, making it harder for them to sell oil and damaging their economy. This could weaken their war efforts.
  2. Ukraine's attacks against Russia are increasing in frequency and coordination. They are successfully hitting key targets, which may give them an advantage.
  3. The war seems to be a race to see which side can keep fighting longer. While Ukraine fears running out of support, Russia is also showing signs of weakening, especially if Western aid continues.

US helps Syria’s ruling Al Qaeda offshoot while punishing its people

Aaron Mate • 261 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Military Strategy Human Rights Sanctions Counterterrorism
  1. The US labeled Syria's Al Qaeda group as terrorists but still supported them. This support continued even though the US also imposed sanctions that hurt ordinary Syrian people.
  2. Recently, the US has recognized a new Syrian government linked to Al Qaeda while continuing to impose harsh sanctions on civilians. This creates a confusing situation where the US is helping militant leaders instead of the Syrian population.
  3. As the US expands its presence in Syria and keeps sanctions, they acknowledge the damage done to ordinary Syrians. Many are now calling for these sanctions to be lifted to help rebuild the country's economy.
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The Captagon Edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Sanctions Middle East
  1. Syria has turned to producing Captagon, a powerful amphetamine, as a primary way to sustain its economy under heavy sanctions. This drug trade is now crucial for the country's finances.
  2. The Captagon business is very profitable, with low production costs and high selling prices in the Middle East. It brings in billions of dollars each year, making it one of Syria's top exports.
  3. The spread of Captagon is causing serious problems for neighboring countries, like rising addiction rates and increased smuggling. This has led to tensions and stricter border controls in those areas.

Bust Sanctions Busters

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions Foreign Policy Economic Policy Legislation International relations
  1. Russia is using loopholes to avoid sanctions, making it harder to punish their economy. The West needs to tighten these sanctions and go after those helping Russia evade them.
  2. The U.S. is starting to take action against foreign banks that help Russia, focusing on countries like China and Turkey. This is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
  3. There is a push to confiscate $300 billion in Russian assets frozen after the invasion. Europe needs to come together to support these efforts to apply more pressure on Putin.

Odds and Ends #44: The New Statesman still needs fixing

Odds and Ends of History • 670 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Transportation Sanctions Public Policy
  1. The New Statesman needs a new strategy because its current direction isn’t working, especially with recent management changes. It's suggested that they should find a fresh approach to regain readers' interest.
  2. Channel Tunnel news indicates new train operators could start here, which means more travel choices for people. However, the slow process for getting these services running is frustrating.
  3. The Sekforde pub is facing NIMBY threats due to possible new licensing rules that could limit outdoor seating. It's highlighted that such pubs are important for social interaction and community events.

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

Chartbook • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Military Manufacturing Imports Sanctions
  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.

Biden's Dangerous Yemen Blunder Is Already Backfiring

Eunomia • 727 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Yemen Military Action Conflict Sanctions
  1. Attacking the Houthis in Yemen with threats and airstrikes is not stopping attacks on shipping and may escalate the situation.
  2. The U.S. designation of the Houthis as terrorists could further empower them politically and increase their popularity.
  3. The U.S. often relies on force and sanctions in international issues, but addressing the war in Gaza may be a more effective solution.

How to win a war

kamilkazani • 923 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics War Alliances Sanctions
  1. Russia's military production could lead to victory in a war if not addressed
  2. Betting against US allies may alter global perceptions and US political influence
  3. Metalworking is crucial for weapon production and heavily reliant on Western imports

West votes against democracy, human rights, cultural diversity at UN; promotes mercenaries, sanctions

Geopolitical Economy Report • 797 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Human Rights Sanctions Democracy Mercenaries
  1. The West voted against promoting democracy, human rights, and cultural diversity at the United Nations while supporting mercenaries and sanctions.
  2. In a UN session, resolutions condemning unilateral coercive measures (sanctions), promoting a democratic international order, and respecting human rights and cultural diversity were passed despite opposition.
  3. Another resolution condemned the use of mercenaries to violate human rights and impede peoples' right to self-determination, passing with majority support.

Western sanctions failing: EU imports more Russian gas, China beats US tech war

Geopolitical Economy Report • 916 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Western sanctions are backfiring as EU is importing Russian gas at record levels and China advances in tech despite US restrictions.
  2. Sanctions are seen as a key weapon in the new Cold War, but not all countries are equally affected - smaller nations suffer more than industrial giants like China and Russia.
  3. Despite US and EU sanctions, Europe is importing record amounts of Russian natural gas and China is excelling in high-tech chip production, showcasing the limitations and unintended consequences of sanctions.

What I Learned about how the U.S. Handled the Run-Up to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Drezner’s World • 845 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Intelligence Sanctions National Security Geopolitics
  1. The U.S. believed Putin invaded Ukraine due to perceptions of Russian weakness, not U.S. weakness.
  2. Intelligence was used effectively by the Biden administration to persuade allies and delay Russia's invasion.
  3. Biden officials concluded that pre-emptive sanctions wouldn't have deterred Russia and focused on seizing oligarchs' assets to highlight corruption.

How North Korean Workers Tricked U.S. Companies into Hiring Them and Secretly Funneled Their Earnings into Weapons Programs

Zero Day • 1344 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics North Korea Money Laundering Sanctions
  1. North Korean IT workers tricked US companies into hiring them to secretly funnel money to North Korean weapons programs.
  2. They used elaborate methods to conceal their identities, such as fake profiles, stolen documents, and VPNs.
  3. The FBI discovered the scheme, seized funds, and warned that North Korean activity is still ongoing.

West vs the rest: World opposes sanctions, only US & Europe support them

Geopolitical Economy Report • 677 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions International Law Human Rights
  1. The UN Human Rights Council voted overwhelmingly to condemn sanctions, with only the US, UK, EU member states, Georgia, and Ukraine expressing support for unilateral coercive measures.
  2. Sanctions, violating international law, have a negative impact on human rights, especially affecting vulnerable populations like women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
  3. Global opposition against sanctions, with the majority of UN member states standing against unilateral coercive measures, demonstrates a clear West versus the rest divide in international relations.

Dossier Center Investigation: Through diplomatic channels

Unmasking Russia • 334 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Sanctions Business Corruption
  1. The son of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev managed to cope with sanctions by receiving help from the family of the Norwegian ambassador, who provided ships for his work on the Arctic shelf.
  2. Nikolai Patrushev, a former FSB director and influential figure in Russia, has family members involved in important business dealings related to offshore projects in the Arctic.
  3. Connections between the son of the Norwegian ambassador to Russia and Andrey Patrushev are revealed in business transactions involving companies related to the Arctic shelf and oil and gas fields.

How Does Russia Make Missiles?

kamilkazani • 353 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌐 International Sanctions
  1. Russian military production relies on the ability to outproduce enemies on the factory floor.
  2. Long range missiles play a crucial role in Russia's nuclear deterrent strategy.
  3. Precision machining is a key chokepoint in the Russian war industry.

Trump boasts he wanted to take Venezuela's oil after overthrowing its government

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions
  1. Former US President Donald Trump openly expressed his desire to control Venezuela's oil reserves, showing a clear motive behind the 2019 US coup attempt.
  2. The Trump administration's focus on Venezuela's oil resources was evident from various high-ranking officials' statements and actions, aiming to exploit the country's natural wealth.
  3. Venezuelan officials reacted strongly to Trump's statements, condemning them as evidence of US intentions to exploit their country's resources and urging for international legal action.

Sanctions 'undermine hegemony of dollar', US Treasury admits

Geopolitical Economy Report • 637 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Geopolitics Global Economy International relations Humanitarian Issues
  1. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged that unilateral sanctions could weaken the dominance of the dollar.
  2. Sanctions have caused millions of deaths around the world, with examples like Iraq and Venezuela.
  3. Yellen implied that US plans involve using some of Russia's seized foreign exchange reserves to fund Ukraine reconstruction, which could have geopolitical implications.

Europe pays more for banned Russian oil, resold by India - as EU wages fall

Geopolitical Economy Report • 538 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions Energy Inflation Wages
  1. Europe is indirectly purchasing Russian oil through India at higher prices despite sanctions, contributing to de-dollarization and falling wages.
  2. Russian oil exports to Asia, particularly China and India, have increased significantly due to Western sanctions, shifting away from Europe.
  3. Real wages in the EU have fallen by 6.5% from 2020 to 2022 due to rising energy costs and a severe cost-of-living crisis, impacting poorer households the most.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 530 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Russia Economy Military Sanctions Ukraine
  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.

Dossier Center Translation: The British business of a new member of the Security Council

Unmasking Russia • 255 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Security Council Sanctions International relations
  1. Gennady Krasnikov is a member of the Russian Security Council without any sanctions imposed, but his family's business connections could potentially lead to complications.
  2. Krasnikov's wife owns a stake in a major Russian insurer through a British company connected to high-ranking security officials.
  3. Membership in the Security Council can prompt international sanctions, as seen with other members, making Krasnikov's position vulnerable.

The Insider: What a beauty these colors are! Tikkurila, Dulux, and Pinotex, contrary to statements, did not curtail their business in Russia

Unmasking Russia • 196 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia European Union Sanctions Ukraine International relations
  1. Tikkurila and AkzoNobel did not reduce their business in Russia, despite public statements
  2. Tikkurila continues to operate in Russia, importing foreign components and participating in local events
  3. AkzoNobel still sells paints in Russia and faces sanctions risks for receiving sanctioned components

Washington's $300 billion dilemma

The Dossier • 303 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Foreign Relations Sanctions Economic Policy Global Economy International Law
  1. Western powers imposed sanctions on Russia by freezing $300 billion of Russian assets in the US and Europe, aiming to weaken the Russian economy, but the impact on the Russian war effort has been limited.
  2. The idea of seizing Russia's frozen $300 billion stash is being considered by the Biden Administration and Congress as a punitive measure, but legalizing such action through Congress is required.
  3. Seizing the $300 billion would be an unprecedented event with potential far-reaching consequences, including implications on the U.S. dollar's status as a global reserve currency and market signals about its stability.

The De-Kastri Mystery

Navigating Russia • 176 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Russia Oil trade Risk Analysis
  1. The breakdown in Sakhalin-India oil trade likely stemmed from elevated risk perception in the shadow trade.
  2. Increased enforcement efforts could shrink the shadow fleet, impacting Russian oil revenues.
  3. Speculation suggests India demanding price-cap compliance led to the failed deliveries, causing distress for Russian oil exporters.

Are Sanctions Working?

Diane Francis • 579 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions Economic Policy Foreign Relations International Law War Strategy
  1. Sanctions against Russia have hurt its economy but not enough to stop its war efforts. Russia's GDP might even be doing okay compared to countries that imposed the sanctions.
  2. Many Russian individuals and companies have found ways to dodge sanctions. While some assets are frozen, actual confiscations that would hurt the oligarchs have been limited.
  3. Energy sanctions are starting to take effect, with Russia's oil revenues dropping significantly. If these trends continue, it could weaken Russia's ability to sustain its war efforts.

How Western sanctions blow back, hurting Europe, deepening Asian integration

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 11 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Europe Asia Trade Global Finance
  1. Western sanctions against Russia led to increased trade with Asia but devastated Europe's economy
  2. Sanctions typically have a low success rate in changing the behavior of targeted states
  3. Sanctions can backfire and lead to unintended consequences like Russia's increased self-sufficiency and deepening Asian integration

IMPORTANT: Tornado Cash Added To US Sanctions - $437 Million Blocked

DeFi Education • 919 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Regulation Sanctions DeFi Compliance
  1. Tornado Cash has been added to the U.S. sanctions list, meaning it is illegal for U.S. citizens to engage with it in any way. This includes financial transactions or even visiting its website.
  2. Any assets held in Tornado Cash since the addition to the sanctions are considered 'tainted' and cannot be redeemed. This puts liquidity providers at risk of losing money.
  3. There are legal risks for U.S.-based Ethereum miners and exchanges that deal with Tornado Cash transactions, leading to increased compliance costs and possible changes in business operations.

UN experts: US sanctions violate Iranians' human rights

Geopolitical Economy Report • 318 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Human Rights International Law Sanctions United Nations Global impact
  1. United Nations experts criticize US government sanctions for violating human rights of Iranians, emphasizing the negative impact on the right to a clean and healthy environment.
  2. UN special rapporteurs condemned US sanctions on Iran, stating they impede various rights such as health, life, education, and an adequate standard of living.
  3. US sanctions on Iran are called out for contradicting US claims to support environmental rights and pose obstacles that prevent Iranians from accessing their fundamental rights.

Dangerous Waters

Navigating Russia • 157 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Russia Oil trade
  1. Recent OFAC sanctions have targeted Russian shadow tankers, causing increased risk and potential blocking orders for many vessels.
  2. Moscow's shadow trade faces higher freight rates, deeper price discounts, and more exposure to price cap restrictions.
  3. The Kremlin's oversight of ties to U.S.-based services has led to sanctions blunders and raised risk levels for all participants in the shadow trade.

Europe and US meet with Venezuela's real President Maduro - desperate for lower oil prices, their coup attempt falters

Geopolitical Economy Report • 338 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Diplomacy Sanctions Regime Change
  1. France's President Macron, US's John Kerry, and Portugal's PM met with Venezuela's President Maduro to discuss lowering oil prices, despite past coup attempts.
  2. The West, including the US, France, and Portugal, is seeking alternatives to Russian oil as the EU faces a deadline to cut off imports and cope with high energy costs.
  3. Western powers, after years of trying to overthrow Venezuela's government, are now engaging in friendly dialogue with President Maduro due to economic interests and the need to reduce oil prices.

87% of world doesn't support West's new cold war on Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 338 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Global South Multilateralism Neutrality Sanctions
  1. 87% of the world does not support the West's new cold war on Russia.
  2. New multilateral institutions like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS are gaining importance for countries in the Global South.
  3. There's a shift in the global financial landscape with a decline in US dollar hegemony and countries exploring alternatives like bilateral currency swaps.