The hottest Terrorism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 20 Mar 26
  1. Antisemitism is intensifying worldwide and shows up in many forms, from violent attacks and terror plots to surveillance, vandalism, and social exclusion.
  2. Keeping accurate, evidence-based records of attacks and motives is vital to prevent denial, minimization, and misinformation about what happened.
  3. Official and public responses are uneven: authorities sometimes increase security or deploy troops, but public concern often fades while antisemitic attitudes remain common and leave communities feeling unsafe.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 820 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
  1. A vehicle packed with explosives was driven into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan while about 140 children under five were attending preschool, and the building was set on fire.
  2. The suspect, identified as Lebanese-born U.S. citizen Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, was later found dead; a security guard was struck and more than 50 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation.
  3. The piece frames the attack as the war in Iran spilling onto American soil and argues that we can’t defeat terrorism if we’re afraid to identify its source.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4159 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
  1. The Islamic Republic looks like it's collapsing, which would be a big defeat for political Islam in Iran. But that collapse doesn't mean Islamism is disappearing elsewhere.
  2. A trio of events — a surprising UK by-election, upheaval in Iran, and a terrorist attack in Texas — together suggest Islamism is spreading beyond the Middle East and increasingly threatens Western countries.
  3. A shock British by-election where the Greens took a long-held Labour seat and a Reform candidate came second shows unexpected political realignments that aren't about climate policy.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1182 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
  1. A violent attack targeted Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan when a driver rammed a truck into the synagogue and was killed, and authorities later identified a suspect.
  2. The incident triggered wide lockdowns across the local Jewish community—schools, the JCC, and synagogues—and a massive police response while families used frantic group chats to check on loved ones.
  3. Some people sheltering in Israel from rocket fire described feeling paradoxically safer than relatives back home, and there were reports of brave actions like a teacher leading preschoolers to safety as authorities searched for possible accomplices.
bad cattitude • 295 implied HN points • 10 Mar 26
  1. Two young men from suburban families brought ISIS-style bombs to a New York protest, shouted religious slogans, and later pledged allegiance to ISIS; the devices failed to detonate and a massacre was narrowly avoided.
  2. Major media outlets largely downplayed or framed the event in ways that avoided labeling it an Islamist-motivated attack, creating misleading impressions and fueling public distrust.
  3. Bystander videos and primary-source footage exposed what actually happened and undercut many media narratives, but tribal information bubbles mean lots of people still accept different, selective 'facts'.
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Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1451 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
  1. Two men inspired by ISIS tried to detonate homemade bombs on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and were arrested, with witnesses reporting chants like "Allahu akbar."
  2. The mayor’s statement and much mainstream coverage framed the incident as linked to white supremacists, which downplayed or mischaracterized the attackers’ reported Islamist inspiration.
  3. The gap between on-scene evidence and official/media narratives suggests politicized or inaccurate reporting that could mislead the public.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 454 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
  1. The war is raising the risk of a global energy crisis as strikes and threats to the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Kharg Island are disrupting oil exports and sending prices sharply higher.
  2. Iran’s Kurds remain the regime’s most determined internal opponents and will be central to any future change, but they are unlikely to mount a large-scale invasion into Iran despite outside expectations.
  3. The conflict is reshaping geopolitics and security: it weakens Gulf hub cities and could shift finance to places like Singapore or Cape Town, while also stoking terrorism scares and contentious domestic political reactions.
OpenTheBooks Substack • 263 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
  1. Taxpayer-funded policies sent large financial benefits to Iran that helped fund its proxies, and that practice must end.
  2. Foreign aid has been disjointed and sometimes funded wasteful or ideologically driven projects, so aid should be more strategic and focused on effective priorities.
  3. Any country receiving U.S. security or economic assistance should publish a real-time, searchable database of government spending so taxpayers can verify use and demand accountability.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 384 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
  1. The Palestinian Authority’s ā€œMartyrs Fundā€ pays money to people who carried out or were imprisoned for attacks on Israel, amounting to hundreds of millions a year and reportedly reflected in a proposed constitution despite claims it would end.
  2. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the PA and PLO can be held civilly liable for sponsoring terrorism, opening a new legal path for American victims to sue.
  3. Taylor Force’s father has filed a lawsuit in New York alleging the PA’s payment program induced the 2016 stabbing, making his case one of the first to test the new ruling.
Steady • 32135 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
  1. Conflict in the Middle East causes enduring human suffering.
  2. It's possible to feel empathy for all sides of a conflict.
  3. The importance of hope and peace in times of anger and sadness.
Konstantin Kisin • 15959 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. An elected MP faced death threats from Islamist extremists, raising concerns about democracy and safety
  2. An illegal immigrant, who was denied asylum and committed crimes, was eventually granted asylum before causing harm
  3. The author criticizes elected representatives for not taking appropriate actions to protect citizens
Diane Francis • 999 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
  1. Turkey is a growing economy that plays an important role in world politics. It has good relations with many countries, even those that usually clash.
  2. The Turkish president is a skilled leader who knows how to handle complex international issues. His style of governance raises some concerns, but he is not seen as a dictator.
  3. Turkey's neutrality in global conflicts helps create stability. It balances relationships with major powers like the West, Russia, and China.
Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2514 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
  1. Killing civilians is clearly wrong — whether it happened at Bondi Beach or in Gaza.
  2. Many supporters of Israel are using the Bondi attack to blame peaceful pro‑Palestine protesters and push for limits on speech, instead of blaming the actual shooters or the policies that radicalize people.
  3. Opposing Israel’s violent actions and calling out potential genocide is not the same as endorsing terrorism, and there’s a real danger that this attack will be used to further suppress protests and free expression in Australia.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2480 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
  1. A deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach killed 16 people during a Hanukkah gathering, turning a place of family and faith into a killing ground.
  2. Among the victims were a devoted rabbi and a Holocaust survivor who protected his wife. The attack deliberately targeted Jewish civilians and echoed history's worst hatred.
  3. The massacre shows Australia is not immune to intifada-style violence and raises urgent questions about security and prevention. It suggests authorities tolerated or failed to confront extremist threats before they turned deadly.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2466 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
  1. Even in the darkest circumstances people held on to tradition, lighting a menorah with whatever they had to show resilience and a clear sense of identity.
  2. Seeing newly released footage of a lost loved one alive again for a moment is a deeply painful and surreal experience that underscores the human cost of violence.
  3. Recent attacks and long-known patterns of persecution show that antisemitic violence remains a persistent global threat that demands attention.
Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2347 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
  1. A wide range of pro-Israel outlets and public figures quickly pushed the same message tying the Bondi Beach shooting to the slogan "globalize the intifada," creating the appearance of a coordinated talking point.
  2. Equating that slogan with calls for massacring Jews conflates protest and criticism of Israel with violent antisemitism, while ignoring that "intifada" can include nonviolent resistance.
  3. Using the attack to spotlight this slogan looks like a political move to deflect attention from Israel’s actions in Gaza and to discourage criticism by framing dissent as dangerous.
Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1951 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
  1. It’s absurd to claim pro-Palestine protests caused the Bondi Beach shooting, and that story is being pushed to justify banning protests and outlawing criticism of Israel.
  2. Supporters of Israel are deliberately conflating criticism of the state with antisemitism and spreading dishonest narratives to defend apartheid and genocidal policies.
  3. The attack is being cynically politicized to silence dissent, so people must speak up to protect free speech and keep anti‑genocide protests legal.
Wrong Side of History • 759 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
  1. France is deeply fractured: sharp divides between wealthy urban elites and impoverished provinces, plus tensions with North African communities, have fueled rising crime, riots, and a sense that society is fraying.
  2. Political life is growing darker and more polarized, with talk of civil war becoming mainstream, a stronger far right, and a weakening belief in universal republican values.
  3. France’s troubles matter for all of Europe because its political and cultural decline could reshape the continent, even as classic French life — food, local traditions, and identity — stubbornly endures amid the turmoil.
Pieter’s Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
  1. Iran launched a missile attack against Israel, but it was mostly stopped, showing the reckless nature of their actions. The attack could've hit important places, highlighting the dangers in the region.
  2. There was a recent terrorist attack in Jaffa where seven Israelis were killed. This violence adds to the ongoing struggles and tensions, and it seems to strengthen Israel's resolve to fight back.
  3. Amid these dark events, there was a positive story of a victim from ISIS being rescued in Gaza. This offers hope that, despite the violence, there are people working for good and a chance for better days.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1154 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
  1. Amnesty waited a long time to publish its investigation of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities, only releasing the report more than two years after the attacks.
  2. At the same time, the group has been vocally critical of Israel — including a separate finding that Israel is committing genocide — which created a stark contrast in its public focus.
  3. The lengthy delay, internal disputes, and uneven treatment of the two investigations produced a moral muddle and damaged Amnesty’s credibility on impartial human-rights accountability.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1061 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
  1. The Bondi Beach attack was a deliberate, antisemitic massacre described as fascist barbarism and a modern pogrom.
  2. At least eleven people were killed when attackers opened fire on a Hanukkah gathering of Sydney’s Jewish community, showing the violence targeted innocent worshippers.
  3. This atrocity highlights a wider failure to confront growing antisemitism and demands moral clarity and decisive action from society and leaders.
All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 569 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
  1. Former CIA operative Robert Sensi and ex‑DEA official Paul Campo are accused of laundering millions and facilitating large drug deals for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, including converting cash into cryptocurrency and paying for hundreds of kilograms of cocaine.
  2. Prosecutors say Sensi tried to arrange a meeting in CuraƧao between a DEA confidential source (posing as a CJNG member) and a representative of a U.S.‑designated Colombian foreign terrorist group. He allegedly discussed sourcing weapons like rifles and even C‑4 explosives.
  3. U.S. attorneys filed WhatsApp messages and other evidence, including many seized phones, to oppose Sensi's bail and argue that his travel and actions show he remains a flight and public‑safety risk despite his age and medical problems.
Diane Francis • 1179 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
  1. Ukrainian forces, with help from Syrian rebels, recently attacked Russian mercenaries in Syria. This move aimed to stop Russia from building its military presence there.
  2. Syria has turned into a messy situation for Moscow, acting as a training ground for various militants. Russian involvement in Syria has escalated conflicts in other regions too.
  3. There is a shared enemy among Syrians, Ukrainians, and the West regarding Russian aggression. This common goal has sparked cooperation between these groups against Russia.
Wrong Side of History • 693 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
  1. Ordinary people often run toward danger and stop or limit terrorist attacks, risking their own lives to save others.
  2. Those who act come from all walks of life—immigrants, tourists, servicemen, and even reformed offenders—and their quick decisions can prevent mass casualties.
  3. Such bravery can carry terrible personal cost, including serious injury or death, but it also brings public gratitude, awards, and community support.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 904 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
  1. Australia's Jewish community has warned for years about rising antisemitism and has had to rely on heavy security and fortifications.
  2. A massacre at Bondi Beach targeted Jewish people and became the nation's most lethal terror attack, killing and wounding many including a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and a child.
  3. The attack shows Jews can be attacked even in public, familiar places and raises urgent questions about whether society and leaders are taking antisemitism seriously enough.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 514 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
  1. A foiled terror plot revealed a small group driven by hatred of women and Jewish people, with arrests and weapons linked to ISIS.
  2. Law enforcement made arrests but officials still don’t seem fully clear-eyed or prepared, so a single bust doesn’t mean the wider threat is gone.
  3. Everyday crimes and justice debates, like disputes over race-based sentencing and near-miss shoplifting incidents, show deeper social tensions and inconsistent responses from the system.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 565 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
  1. Two mass shootings — at Brown University and Bondi Beach — killed and injured many people and show how vulnerable campuses and public gatherings have become.
  2. The Bondi attack underscored a sharp rise in antisemitic and anti‑Zionist violence, prompting urgent calls for honest public debate and stronger protections for Jewish communities.
  3. The newsletter ties these events to broader cultural and free‑speech shifts: worries about the decline of longform reading and concerns over censorship, exemplified by the UK’s age‑verification of The Free Press.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3501 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
  1. Living in a place with missile threats means having bomb shelters is very normal, even required for new buildings. It’s a way to feel safer in a dangerous environment.
  2. During tensions, everyday activities like hosting a dinner become acts of courage and normalcy. People still want to enjoy life despite the fear around them.
  3. When air raid sirens go off, some people can quickly get to their own safe spaces while others must rush to public shelters, highlighting a divide in safety.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3334 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
  1. Over 200 Christians were killed in Yelwata, Nigeria, during a nighttime attack by Islamist militants. Many victims included women and children.
  2. The massacre occurred while the community sought refuge, thinking they would be safer in Yelwata. They had already fled from other violent incidents.
  3. The media largely ignored this tragic event, raising concerns about the lack of coverage on violence against Christians worldwide.
Heterodox STEM • 227 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
  1. Iranians are staging large, sustained protests despite harsh repression, showing a deep and long-standing popular resistance to theocratic rule.
  2. The regime prioritizes ideological aggression, proxy warfare, and antisemitic scapegoating over citizens’ welfare, leaving the economy and services in collapse.
  3. Abroad there’s a stark contrast: many in the West support Iranian freedom-seekers, while others engage in performative or pro-regime protest, especially among some young activists.
Glenn’s Substack • 2496 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
  1. A cautionary tale in an article discusses a fictional attack on America, highlighting the importance of border control, intelligence, and target hardening.
  2. The aftermath of past attacks in Israel showed that atrocities can fuel anger and determination rather than cowing a nation into submission.
  3. Having a strong deterrence strategy may be a crucial factor in preventing potential future attacks by instilling fear in those who support terrorists.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 491 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
  1. A deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney is part of an escalating wave of anti-Jewish violence that has included murders and synagogue attacks.
  2. Anti-Zionism is portrayed as an ideology that often expresses itself through violence and drives Jews from communities via exclusion, discrimination, and murder.
  3. Anti-Jewish hatred has become normalized across parts of society, increasing threats and making Jewish communities more vulnerable.
The Dossier • 4599 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
  1. Top leaders of Hamas live in Doha, protected and celebrated by the Qatari regime.
  2. Qatar plays a significant role in supporting and sheltering Hamas leaders.
  3. Qatar's influence campaign presents it as a negotiator but supports terrorist organizations.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2786 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
  1. Israel launched a significant military strike against Iran, targeting its nuclear program and military leaders. This surprise attack marks a major escalation in the conflict between the two nations.
  2. There are high tensions as Iran has promised to retaliate for the strikes. Israel is preparing for possible attacks in response to its actions.
  3. Experts believe this event could change the dynamics of the Middle East and reduce the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, but it also raises risks of further conflict.
Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2253 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
  1. The US has removed a Syrian group linked to Al Qaeda from its terrorist list after they aligned with US interests. This shows how ā€˜terrorism’ labels can change based on political convenience.
  2. In contrast, a nonviolent activist group in the UK, Palestine Action, was labeled as a terrorist organization for protesting against military actions. This highlights a double standard in what actions are deemed terrorist.
  3. The text argues that ā€˜terrorist’ simply means anyone who opposes the interests of powerful nations, showing the inconsistent definitions of terrorism based on political needs.
Diane Francis • 1398 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
  1. Russia is facing serious internal problems, including increased terror attacks and ethnic tensions, which threaten its stability. Many groups, especially in Turkic regions, are unhappy and seeking independence.
  2. The Russian government is trying to blame Ukraine for issues like recent terrorist attacks, instead of addressing the real discontent among its people and ethnic groups. This blame game is a strategy to rally support for the war in Ukraine.
  3. Putin's regime is dealing with high casualties from the war, leading to protests and desertions among soldiers. This growing unrest indicates that Russia's grip on power is weakening, and the country is heading towards significant changes.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5634 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
  1. Ten years ago, a terrible attack happened at Charlie Hebdo, killing many people, including the editor. It was one of the worst attacks on free press in recent history.
  2. The world seemed to unite in support for the victims, but not everyone was truly in favor of defending free speech. Many participated in demonstrations but didn't stand up for the values that were attacked.
  3. The notion of freedom of speech is worth defending, even if it comes at a cost. True support for the press means standing firmly by the principles, not just holding pencils in solidarity.
Emerald Robinson’s The Right Way • 4404 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
  1. Millions of Muslims came to Western countries, posing a challenge to the existing culture.
  2. Some influential figures have admitted to a mistake in allowing in people of diverse cultures and religions.
  3. There is a growing concern about the impacts of terrorist activities and the response of Christian communities in the West.
The Message Box • 3793 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
  1. Fast-moving events are fertile ground for disinformation, especially when shared without context or confirmation.
  2. The claim that the U.S. funded the attack in Iran is false; the unfrozen funds were for humanitarian assistance only.
  3. Claims circulating that U.S. weapons were used in the attack are also false; the photo shared is from 2021 in Afghanistan, not Israel.