The hottest U.S. foreign policy Substack posts right now

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Ceasefire or Not, Iran Looks for Ways to Reduce the Risk of a U.S. Reprisal

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 505 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Conflicts Middle East Diplomacy U.S. foreign policy
  1. Iran launched missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar after the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear sites. This act raised concerns about escalating military conflict in the region.
  2. Despite a ceasefire announcement by former President Trump, it was reported that Iran had not confirmed such an agreement and was considering further retaliation.
  3. U.S. officials were skeptical about Iran adhering to the ceasefire, expressing doubt that it would bring lasting peace and stability.

Georgia On My Mind

Doomberg • 6668 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations European Politics U.S. foreign policy Conflict Studies
  1. The end of unipolarity makes Europe vulnerable and could lead to significant changes in global power dynamics.
  2. Georgia's political turmoil shows the influence of outside forces like the EU and Russia in the region.
  3. A shift towards a multipolar world means countries need to focus more on their own national interests rather than trying to solve every global issue.

Destruction Grows From Idealist Hearts

Freddie deBoer • 3743 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Conflict Studies Political Ideologies U.S. foreign policy
  1. The situation in Syria was complicated, with many different groups fighting for power, making it hard to identify who the 'good guys' were.
  2. Ideas like the Arab Spring, which aimed to promote freedom, often failed because they didn't take into account the local issues and conflicts that already existed.
  3. Many people in the U.S. tried to solve problems in the Middle East with big ideas, but found out that the reality was much more complex than they thought.

Uncle Sam as the Hegelian Hammer

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4071 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Civil War U.S. foreign policy Terrorism
  1. The Assad regime in Syria collapsed after years of civil war, leading to uncertainty about the country's future. There are concerns that power vacuums can cause chaos and that extremist groups might still pursue their goals.
  2. Bashar al-Assad's rule was marked by hereditary leadership and lack of legitimacy, which led to his government's reliance on fear and violence to maintain control. This situation was not sustainable in the long run.
  3. Despite the difficulties ahead, the fall of the Assad regime allows for the possibility of new governance. The U.S. can play a role in guiding Syria towards better prospects by applying pressure on illiberal forces.

How the U.S. Government Controls Ukrainian Media

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1465 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Media Control Propaganda International relations Censorship U.S. foreign policy
  1. A lot of the 'independent' media in Ukraine is funded by USAID, which means American taxpayer money is being used in ways that some might not expect.
  2. When a journalist exposed government abuse in Ukraine, other media outlets published negative stories about him instead of covering the attack he filmed, showing a lack of support for independent journalism.
  3. This situation highlights how independent media can be influenced by government interests, which can lead to misinformation and a suppression of truth.
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Michael Oren: Trump Takes a Wrecking Ball to the Middle East Status Quo

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1451 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Diplomacy U.S. foreign policy Geopolitics
  1. Trump believes the main issue in the Middle East isn't a Palestinian state, pushing against decades of U.S. policy. He argues that a different approach is needed.
  2. He proposed that the U.S. could take control of Gaza and develop it, suggesting Palestinians could relocate to another country. This idea has sparked both support and backlash.
  3. Trump aims for peace in the region without a Palestinian state, similar to prior agreements with other Arab nations. Critics warn this could lead to more conflict and displacement.

Assad Is Out, Woke Al-Qaeda Is In

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2686 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Regime Change U.S. foreign policy Geopolitics Conflict
  1. The Syrian government led by Assad is being replaced, likely by groups supported by the U.S. This shows a shift in power dynamics in the region.
  2. Al-Qaeda has been rebranded as a more 'woke' group, with media portraying them in a softer light despite their violent past. This reflects a significant change in how such groups are viewed.
  3. The ongoing U.S. efforts in the area involve a long game strategy, suggesting that while current actions may not yield immediate results, they are part of a larger plan for eventual dominance.

Many Ukrainians Believed in Trump. Now They Feel Betrayed.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 301 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Political Opinion U.S. foreign policy Cultural impact
  1. Many Ukrainians once admired Trump and felt hopeful about American support. Now, they feel let down and have even removed American flags from their uniforms.
  2. Odesa's historic Bristol Hotel was badly damaged in a recent Russian missile strike, showing the impact of the war on civilian life and culture.
  3. This destruction reflects a larger war not just on Ukraine but on its identity and heritage as well.

Biden's Phony War In The Middle East

AND Magazine • 825 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Conflict U.S. foreign policy Military Actions
  1. The Biden administration's responses to attacks in the Middle East have been criticized as ineffective and a show of false strength.
  2. The airstrikes seemed to have little impact, with reports suggesting that many targeted locations were empty or devoid of fighters.
  3. Critics argue that the military actions were more for political show than real strategic significance.

Former Al Qaeda Commander Seizes Power in Syria; Washington, DC Cheers!

Michael Tracey • 66 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Terrorism U.S. foreign policy International relations Political Analysis
  1. A former Al Qaeda leader has taken control in Syria, which is surprising to many. This shows how complicated the situation in Syria is right now.
  2. Despite the controversial background of this leader, there seems to be some support for him in Washington, DC. This raises questions about international politics and who is supported.
  3. The author hints at exploring other political figures like Tulsi Gabbard in future writings. This suggests there might be more discussions about less conventional political choices.

Ukraine: Hedging Bets to Retain Space Superiority

Ill-Defined Space • 9 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Military Strategy U.S. foreign policy Geopolitics
  1. Ukraine needs to plan for the chance that it might lose support from U.S. space assets in the future. This means finding other ways to get the information and services they need.
  2. There are other global options for space services that Ukraine can choose from, including satellites from Europe, China, and India. Diversifying their partners can help reduce reliance on the U.S.
  3. Trusting U.S. support might not be enough for Ukraine. They should explore backup systems and train their military to use alternatives in case U.S. support diminishes.