The hottest Sanctions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

DisInformation Chronicle Podcast with State Undersecretary Sarah Rogers

The DisInformation Chronicle • 200 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The State Department has used visa revocations against five people accused of censoring, demonetizing, or suppressing American viewpoints, signaling a new tool to push back on foreign censorship.
  2. The conversation covered wide free-speech concerns across the U.S. and Europe — including fact-checking, debanking, censorship trends, and how diplomacy can respond to information control.
  3. The podcast will publish interview clips, invite listener suggestions and guests, and encourages subscriptions as it follows next steps and evolving norms for free speech.

Weekend Update #167: Lets Be Honest, We Are Taking Advantage Of The Ukrainians

Phillips’s Newsletter • 288 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Western allies are effectively relying on Ukrainians to bear huge human and material costs while providing relatively small aid, and ordinary people are enduring brutal hardships like cold, power loss, and frontline danger.
  2. The Graham–Blumenthal sanctions push looks like political theater: the Senate can act without White House sign-off and the president already claims wide sanction powers, so public promises don’t guarantee real punishment of Russia.
  3. Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are making a difference but their impact is limited by Chinese purchases and uneven Western support, and there is a tense debate about whether to escalate attacks on Russian cities if more help doesn’t arrive.

Is The Chip War Already Lost?

Doomberg • 5608 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  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.

The politicization of U.S. legal and financial warfare

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 427 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. The U.S. increasingly uses legal and financial tools—sanctions, terrorist designations, indictments, and bounties—paired with military and diplomatic moves to pressure foreign governments and groups. These actions function as a form of statecraft aimed at crippling or delegitimizing opponents.
  2. The Venezuela examples show those tactics can be politicized and evidence-light: labels like “Cartel of the Suns” and claims about Tren de Aragua rely on contested intelligence, guilty pleas from opponents, and disputed narratives that feed regime-change aims.
  3. There is a long-standing ecosystem—DEA Special Operations, joint operations with foreign intelligence like Mossad, spyware and data firms, and private contractors—that gathers financial and communications intel to enable sanctions and arrests; it is powerful but vulnerable to political pressure, overreach, and reputational blowback.

Weekend Update #165: Why the Pantomime?

Phillips’s Newsletter • 262 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The US appears to be running a two-track diplomacy by publicly negotiating with Ukraine while privately coordinating with Russia, which can string Ukraine along and give Moscow more time to prosecute the war.
  2. The Anchorage summit has become an informal framework that both the US and Russia cite as the baseline for any deal, and that framework seems to narrow options in ways that pressure Ukraine to concede territory like the Donbas.
  3. Western cruise missiles have proven useful in striking Russian infrastructure, but longer‑range systems like Taurus and Tomahawk would be more effective, and withholding them limits Ukraine’s ability to hit high‑value targets.
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In which the Trump administration imposes visa sanctions on five very precious hate speech complainers and the EU has a big impotent retarded sad

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 251 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The U.S. imposed visa bans on several European figures involved in enforcing online hate-speech rules and the EU’s Digital Services Act, framing the moves as retaliation against digital censorship.
  2. European leaders angrily condemned the bans and hinted at retaliatory steps, but these measures are largely symbolic and risk creating a cycle of mutual victimhood that sustains the dispute rather than resolving it.
  3. To really pressure these organisations would require tougher economic steps like cutting funding or freezing assets, but removing a few NGOs wouldn’t end broader online censorship because the legal and political system enabling it runs much deeper.

How Trump’s Boat Strikes Could Lead to Full-Scale War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 338 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. If you threaten to topple a dictator, you better not be bluffing. Military threats can quickly escalate into full-scale war.
  2. Venezuela under Maduro faces sanctions, economic collapse, repression, and Cuban-backed militia support. Still, back-channel talks suggest he might accept stepping down in exchange for immunity.
  3. The U.S. sending military assets near Venezuela mirrors the lead-up to the 1989 Panama invasion. That posture raises the real risk that boat strikes or other actions could trigger direct intervention.

February 24, 2026

Letters from an American • 28 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Ukraine resisted and adapted instead of collapsing, mobilizing civilians and growing its military while innovating with drones and other technologies to keep fighting.
  2. U.S. policy shifted from strong support and coordinated sanctions under Biden to a more Russia-friendly stance under Trump, which disrupted funding, diplomacy, and aid and helped shift momentum on the battlefield.
  3. The war has reshaped global politics and economies: sanctions and allied support initially weakened Russia, Europe is moving toward greater self-reliance, but the conflict remains unresolved and has caused heavy civilian suffering.

Weekend Update #163: Ukraine Goes From Collapsing to Liberating Kupyansk

Phillips’s Newsletter • 326 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Ukraine’s recent push around Kupyansk shows it isn’t collapsing and can still mount quick, effective local counterattacks to blunt Russian advances.
  2. The current U.S. diplomatic approach appears to seek Russia’s reintegration without real penalties and to pressure Ukraine into concessions, creating a lopsided negotiation that favors Moscow.
  3. European reaction is shifting: many leaders are wary of the U.S. posture and the EU has moved to freeze Russian assets, indicating growing independent support for Ukraine.

Weekend Update #164: Ukraine Is Winning The War At Sea

Phillips’s Newsletter • 246 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Ukraine is winning the war at sea: unmanned naval drones have damaged a Russian Kilo submarine in Novorossiysk and struck distant shadow-fleet tankers, degrading the Black Sea Fleet and threatening Russia’s oil shipments.
  2. Europe split over funding Ukraine: the EU chose guaranteed loans (about €90bn) instead of seizing frozen Russian assets, a compromise that buys time but raises doubts about European willingness to fully confront Russia.
  3. U.S. policy appears to be easing toward Russia: the Trump administration quietly removed sanctions on some foreign firms and U.S. exports to countries linked to Russia rose, suggesting Washington may be undermining broader sanctions pressure.

Bust Sanctions Busters

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  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.

All eyes on Iran

Taipology • 88 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The protests are largely driven by economic collapse — a plunging currency and sudden subsidy cuts left many Iranians bankrupt, so the unrest is as much about bread-and-butter issues as anything else.
  2. There are two very different narratives: one paints mainly peaceful protesters being crushed, while other on-the-ground reports show violent attacks, possible foreign meddling, and widely shared images that are often misattributed or misleading.
  3. Toppling the regime could make things worse given regional history, and the domestic opposition currently lacks a clear, credible plan to seize and govern power, so caution and high standards of evidence are needed before backing outside intervention.

Peace Through Profit: The Problem with Steve Witkoff’s Ukraine Strategy

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 222 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. A prominent U.S. dealmaker is promoting a "peace through profit" plan that aims to end the war by turning Russia and Ukraine into business partners.
  2. He argues that shared economic gains and interdependence would create incentives for lasting peace because everyone would benefit.
  3. Critics warn this approach may be naive since Putin’s inner circle could have different motives and secretive ties with Russian elites might undermine or corrupt any deal.

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

Michael Shellenberger • 1019 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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.

The Trump Russian Oil Sanctions Con Is Collapsing

Phillips’s Newsletter • 138 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. Trump’s oil sanctions on Russia were largely a bluff and are now unraveling, showing they aren’t as powerful or effective as they were made out to be.
  2. Mainstream media and commentators amplified the deceptive story about those sanctions and have largely stayed silent instead of admitting they helped spread it.
  3. The situation highlights how establishment institutions often protect those in power and suggests Europeans should be cautious about following official American guidance without scrutiny.

Biden's Dangerous Yemen Blunder Is Already Backfiring

Eunomia • 727 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics 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 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

The Peter Principle

Doomberg • 7754 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. First law of power: never outshine the master in a hierarchical structure.
  2. Success in a career may not necessarily come from a prestigious background.
  3. Sanctions on Russia's exports failed due to overlooking the impact of price changes on commodities.

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 Sanctions
  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.

Iran has fallen*

Unreported Truths • 55 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The Iranian government has lost its legitimacy by using mass violence against unarmed protestors, making it effectively a "zombie" state that survives only by force.
  2. Nationwide protests met with brutal repression, internet blackouts, and graphic evidence of killings have produced thousands of deaths and a crisis whose short-term outcome depends on whether security leaders or foreign powers choose to intervene.
  3. Longstanding economic mismanagement, corruption, and prior security failures weakened the regime, and external actions that embarrassed or damaged its capabilities helped accelerate the current uprising.

Trump Is A Whiny Little Chicken Hawk.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 36 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Donald Trump is accused of secretly directing Ukrainian strikes, even attempts on Putin, and using US military and diplomatic channels to shape Western responses at the UN.
  2. Russia's Oreshnik missile is described as a game-changing conventional weapon that can surgically hit military targets, undermining nuclear deterrence and outpacing Western defenses.
  3. The West is portrayed as escalating the conflict with proxies, sanctions, and nuclear saber-rattling while repeating historical patterns of aggression, and the writer argues this approach is dangerous and that Trump must be removed to avoid disaster.

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 Sanctions
  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.

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
  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 Sanctions
  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.

The Tag Team Fails in Iran

John’s Substack • 28 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The US and Israel ran a coordinated campaign — sanctions, covert agents, Starlink support, and plans for military action — intended to produce regime change in Iran. That effort failed when Iran suppressed the protests and cut off the communications that sustained them.
  2. Western and Israeli media presented the protests as mainly an internal popular uprising and downplayed foreign interference, which helped legitimize the campaign and shape public perception. This framing obscured the reported role of outside backing and violent agitators.
  3. The 12-Day war and the US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites did not deliver a clear, lasting victory for Israel or the US, and Iran still retains missile capabilities and the ability to rebuild parts of its nuclear program. The failed campaign may increase Iran’s incentive to seek a stronger deterrent.

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 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
  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.

PUTIN’S LONG WAR

Seymour Hersh • 26 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The war has now lasted longer than Russia’s fight against Nazi Germany and is causing serious economic harm at home, with businesses closing and shops struggling under international sanctions.
  2. Western intelligence and some senior military figures are frustrated and puzzled that the leader refuses to end the war despite mounting domestic problems and military restlessness.
  3. Growing economic strain and political unrest are sparking talk of possible leadership change, since continued conflict could lead to economic chaos and demands for new rulers.

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 Sanctions
  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 Sanctions
  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 Sanctions
  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.

TL;DRussia Weekend Roundup

TL;DRussia • 491 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Ukraine's spring/summer counter-offensive is sparking debates about potential consequences for Russia.
  2. Western analysis falls short in understanding the complexities of decision-making in Russia.
  3. Sanctions are impacting Russia's economy, leading to new challenges and responses.

End the Senseless Economic War on Venezuela

Eunomia • 432 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. House Democrats are urging the Biden administration to ease sanctions on Venezuela to alleviate economic crisis.
  2. Critics argue that continuing economic hardship on an entire population is immoral and unworthy.
  3. There is growing recognition of the undeniable failure and cruelty of the current Venezuela policy.

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 Sanctions
  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.

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 Sanctions
  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

A New Dark Age

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Operation Absolute Resolve marks a turn away from the old international order toward blunt, resource-driven imperialism that sidesteps legal and congressional limits.
  2. The United States and its oil companies have long dominated Venezuela’s resources, and Chávez’s redistribution of oil revenue dramatically cut poverty and inequality.
  3. U.S. strategy shifted from coup support to harsh sanctions and economic strangulation that harmed civilians, showing bipartisan continuity and culminating in recent military moves that flout diplomatic norms.