The hottest Sanctions Substack posts right now

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Top World Politics Topics

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

Chartbook • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics 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.

The De-Kastri Mystery

Navigating Russia • 176 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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
  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.
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How Western sanctions blow back, hurting Europe, deepening Asian integration

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 11 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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

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 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.

The Trump Plan to Wreck Iran

John’s Substack • 11 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The U.S. has been using heavy sanctions to deliberately cripple Iran’s economy, and the Trump team intensified those efforts after taking office.
  2. The strategy is to apply “maximum pressure” so ordinary Iranians suffer enough to rise up and overthrow their government.
  3. U.S. officials, including the Treasury Secretary, have openly acknowledged that causing widespread hardship to provoke regime change is the aim.

Made in Venezuela: Iranian Drones

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Iran has helped Venezuela build local drone production and assembly lines so Venezuelan forces can operate Iranian designs like the Mohajer-6, including armed reconnaissance and guided munitions.
  2. That cooperation turns Venezuela into a Latin American manufacturing node for Iran’s regional network, expanding Tehran’s influence and putting advanced surveillance and strike drones into the Western Hemisphere.
  3. The partnership exemplifies a sanctions‑resistant, distributed weapons-production model that the U.S. is trying to counter with sanctions, and it suggests more proxy drone factories could appear in allied states.

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

DeFi Education • 919 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
đź”® Crypto Sanctions
  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.

Trump Is So Angry With Putin He Delayed Sanctions For 50 Days

Phillips’s Newsletter • 123 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. Trump was very upset with Putin for not taking peace talks seriously. He felt frustrated when Putin would agree to talks but continue to attack Ukraine.
  2. Despite his anger, Trump actually delayed sanctions against Putin for 50 days. This was surprising given his feelings.
  3. The decision to delay sanctions may have ended up helping Putin, rather than hurting him, which was likely not Trump's intention.

UN experts: US sanctions violate Iranians' human rights

Geopolitical Economy Report • 318 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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.

A COMPLICATED SETTLEMENT FOR UKRAINE?

Seymour Hersh • 21 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Russia and Ukraine are both under severe economic and military stress, and their leaders now appear willing to negotiate a settlement to end the war. Talks focus on a handful of major unresolved points that could determine each country’s future.
  2. US envoys are brokering a deal to release more than $250 billion in frozen Russian assets, with proposals that a new US-led entity would oversee reconstruction, take a large share of profits, and select contractors. The plan reportedly would keep reconstruction funds out of Russian hands.
  3. Career diplomats and officials, notably State Department planners and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, are driving the breakthrough while the US president is largely detached, and Putin is under growing domestic and military pressure that limits his options.

Dangerous Waters

Navigating Russia • 157 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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.

The Captagon Edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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.

There Was No Trump Pivot Towards Ukraine

Phillips’s Newsletter • 92 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. There has not been a genuine shift in Trump's support for Ukraine against Russia, despite claims. He has continued to show favor towards Putin instead.
  2. Promised sanctions against Russia were put off and may not have the intended impact. This raises concerns about real consequences for Putin's actions.
  3. Some experts and lawmakers mistakenly believed Trump had changed his stance, but recent actions suggest he is still protecting Russian interests.

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 Sanctions
  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.

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

Aaron Mate • 261 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  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.

What can Europe do?

Klement on Investing • 6 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The EU should push back firmly against U.S. threats because standing firm has proven more effective than appeasement.
  2. Europe has a wide range of tools it can use, from pausing trade talks and imposing tariffs to using tech rules, procurement preferences, anti-coercion measures, export taxes, and targeted fines, though some options risk short-term pain like higher inflation.
  3. If tensions escalated toward military annexation, the EU could take drastic steps such as limiting U.S. military presence, invoking mutual-defence mechanisms, restricting U.S. firms, and imposing sanctions and asset freezes.

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 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.

UN expert: 'Outrageous' Western sanctions are 'suffocating' Syria, may be crimes against humanity

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The UN expert condemned Western sanctions on Syria as 'outrageous' and harmful, possibly amounting to crimes against humanity.
  2. Sanctions have led to drastic economic downturn in Syria, with 90% living below the poverty line and essential goods becoming scarce.
  3. The impact of sanctions extends to critical areas such as healthcare, education, and basic services like water and electricity, putting the Syrian population in life-threatening conditions.

ARE WE STILL FIGHTING IRAN?

Seymour Hersh • 17 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The U.S. and Israel carried out major covert strikes and targeted assassinations that severely damaged Iran’s nuclear sites and military infrastructure.
  2. Iran has not launched a large-scale retaliation, but the country faces serious economic, social, and infrastructure strains that some U.S. officials say could spark a crisis or revolution.
  3. Israeli leaders believe Iran is rebuilding its defenses, and the mismatch in assessments raises the risk that another confrontation is looming.

To Russia With Malice

Diane Francis • 579 implied HN points • 18 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. McDonald's entry into Russia in 1990 symbolized a major shift, but its recent exit shows how far Russia has fallen. Many other companies are leaving too, leading to economic turmoil.
  2. Russia is experiencing serious economic problems due to sanctions and loss of educated citizens. As a result, the economy is shrinking, and many people are struggling with inflation and job losses.
  3. Despite short-term gains from energy exports, the long-term outlook for Russia is bleak. Many foreign investments are leaving, and the country is not well-equipped to handle these changes.

Notes on the News

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 14 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The EU is not a single sovereign state and can’t force unanimous foreign-policy decisions, so individual members and outside ties (like Hungary’s links to China) routinely block collective action.
  2. Pressuring China and India with secondary sanctions would be a form of financial warfare that would spark trade and payment-system splits, wreck key European export sectors, and Europe lacks the currency, insurance, and unified backing to survive that shock.
  3. A coordinated authoritarian project at home is weakening U.S. alliances and institutions, and broad social problems—poor education, rising inequality, and voter apathy—make the public more vulnerable to manipulation and democratic backsliding.

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 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.

Russia Is Becoming More North Korean

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 117 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Russia is being viewed as more of a pariah state by the West, with more sanctions applied to it than North Korea.
  2. Countries can deviate from the right path in history, as seen with Russia's shift in perception since 2008.
  3. Financial markets and living standards are indicators of a country's reality, with Western sanctions impacting Russia's economy.

The US war over Ukraine is a phase in the West’s hybrid war on Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The US war over Ukraine is part of the West's larger hybrid war on Russia, focusing on countries that don't align with the US empire economically.
  2. US hybrid wars aim to slow its economic and military decline, as well as halt China's rise as a global economic power.
  3. Washington's pressures on European allies aim to curb their ties with China and maintain dominance, showcased in the NATO alliance and 'rules-based international order'.

Why is US easing some sanctions on Venezuela? Economic blackmail, oil, Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 26 May 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The US is easing some sanctions on Venezuela mainly due to economic reasons such as the ban on Russian oil and the necessity to stabilize energy prices.
  2. The situation in Venezuela shows that many oppose US sanctions, regardless of their political affiliation, and the sanctions have had severe negative economic impacts on the country.
  3. The US strategy towards Venezuela aims to force economic concessions from the socialist government through hybrid warfare, rather than achieving regime change.

Is Sanctioning Russia Permissible?

Going Awol • 39 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The success of sanctions on Russia depends on their goal, such as hindering Putin's ability to fund his armed forces and increasing Ukraine's chances of winning.
  2. Sanctioning state officials involved in an unjust war is easier to justify compared to sanctions that harm innocent citizens.
  3. Imposing moderate economic sanctions on Russia, even if it harms innocent citizens, can be morally permissible if the goal is to prevent further harm and the burden is not excessively high.

Venezuela and Iran sign 20-year cooperation plan, Maduro pledges joint 'anti-imperialist struggle'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 259 implied HN points • 12 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Venezuela and Iran signed a 20-year cooperation agreement focusing on energy, technology, and trade, emphasizing an 'anti-imperialist struggle.'
  2. The agreement covers various sectors like science, technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism, and culture.
  3. This pact showcases a trend of South-South cooperation against Western imperialism, with Iran and Venezuela facing common challenges like unilateral US sanctions.

Russia after the war

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Russia still earns a lot from oil and can keep fighting, but oil revenues are sliding and inflation is well above target, putting serious strain on public finances and ordinary people.
  2. Defence spending takes up a huge share of the budget, so when the war ends the country will either face mass job losses as the military-industrial complex is shut down or be tempted to find new conflicts to keep it running.
  3. Private businesses took on lots of loans during the sanctions, so a post-war inflation spike and central-bank rate hikes could trigger widespread loan defaults and a financial crisis.

Washington's $300 billion dilemma

The Dossier • 303 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  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.

Russia demanding Europe pay for gas in rubles could have huge repercussions

Geopolitical Economy Report • 279 implied HN points • 26 Mar 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Russia's demand for Europe to pay for gas in rubles could impact the global economy and challenge Western sanctions.
  2. Europe heavily relies on Russian gas for heating, electricity, and manufacturing, and severing ties could lead to severe consequences like fuel rationing.
  3. The European Union faces dilemmas on how to obtain rubles for gas payments, highlighting the complex interplay of geopolitics, currency dynamics, and global trade relationships.

Chasing the Smugglers

False Positive • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Export controls are increasingly important due to the risk of dual-use technology being misused for military purposes.
  2. The enforcement of export controls can be enhanced by following the money trail through financial institutions.
  3. There are challenges in relying on financial institutions to detect export control violations due to issues like lack of expertise and practical challenges.

IMF admits US dollar hegemony declining, due to rise of Chinese yuan, sanctions on Russia

Geopolitical Economy Report • 259 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognizes the decline of the dominance of the US dollar, with the Chinese yuan and other currencies gaining influence
  2. Since 2000, there has been a shift in the distribution of global foreign exchange reserves, with a rise in "nontraditional currencies" from smaller countries
  3. Western sanctions on Russia have led to discussions about alternative payment mechanisms, such as using other currencies like the Chinese yuan, showing potential challenges to US dollar hegemony

Flailing Around Over Venezuela

John’s Substack • 6 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. The Trump administration has made a mess of the situation in Venezuela and worsened diplomatic problems there.
  2. European governments are moving to seize Russian assets as part of broader geopolitical measures.
  3. Ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon are routinely violated by Israeli actions, showing they are fragile and often ignored.

It is not Nicaragua that is 'isolated'; it's the US and EU

Geopolitical Economy Report • 239 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Nicaragua's Sandinista government is not isolated but has support from countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
  2. Western corporate media disregards the large allies of Nicaragua in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, focusing on the US and EU.
  3. The international influence is shifting as Asia progresses, Latin America and Africa develop, and South-South integration strengthens.

Sanctions against Russia worked… sort of

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Sanctions
  1. Sanctions clearly reduced Russia’s official import volumes, so they had a real economic effect, but many imports continued through workarounds so the impact was only partial.
  2. Most of the replacement wasn’t from friendly manufacturers — about two‑thirds was re‑routing sanctioned goods through neighboring countries and about one‑third was substitution with third‑party products.
  3. The impact was uneven across sectors: science and technology lost roughly 30% of imported inputs while manufacturing fell about 10%, so some industries were hit much harder than others.

Biden's Big Blunder

Diane Francis • 379 implied HN points • 24 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Sanctions
  1. Biden has been criticized for not imposing tough sanctions on Russia, especially regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It's believed that this could give Putin more power over Europe.
  2. Some experts warn that Russia's pipelines are a strategic move to make Europe dependent on their gas and undermine Ukraine. This could lead to bigger conflicts in the region.
  3. There are concerns that Biden's decisions might weaken the U.S. position globally and upset allies. Many believe that appeasing Russia could lead to more problems in the future.