The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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She Was Nearly Recruited Into Epsteinā€™s Worldā€”by Her Closest Friend. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 403 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Mar 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. A Ukrainian actress narrowly escaped being recruited into Jeffrey Epsteinā€™s network by a close friend, showing how peer pressure and enablers helped his operation spread across countries.
  2. The war with Iran is reshaping geopolitics and markets ā€” from an unprecedented joint oil release and disrupted shipping to high military costs and targeting mistakes ā€” while some see the crisis creating space for new diplomatic deals like an Abraham Accords 2.0.
  3. Conservative politics are fracturing in unexpected ways: MAGA may be less split on Iran than media claim, Texas conservatives sometimes oppose formal school prayer, and the GOP faces internal tensions over issues like antiā€‘Muslim sentiment and politically driven vaccine decisions.

We Deserve Better War Propaganda

Caitlinā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 1909 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Feb 26
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. Officials and tabloid media are pushing obvious, unverified claims about Iran to justify hostility, often relying on anonymous sources and weak evidence.
  2. The propaganda is so crude it shows leaders donā€™t care about winning public consent, yet theyā€™re still preparing for a large and dangerous war despite broad opposition.
  3. This loss of credible justification suggests the empire is growing more openly tyrannical and strengthens the case for popular resistance and systemic change.

How the World Just Changed. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 375 implied HN points ā€¢ 06 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. A U.S.-Israel strike that killed Iranā€™s supreme leader has set off a week of intense retaliation across the Middle East, including attacks that killed U.S. service members. The conflictā€™s duration and who will rule Iran next are still deeply uncertain.
  2. The war is reshaping U.S. politics, with Trump firing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and publicly splitting from Tucker Carlson, exposing fractures in the right-wing movement. These fights could change presidential politics and media alliances.
  3. The crisis has big global stakes: it shifts the regional balance of power, ties into broader U.S.-China competition, and raises the risk of wider war or civil conflict in Iran depending on succession and opposition forces. Analysts warn that internal divisions, like the Kurdish factor, will be crucial to how the situation unfolds.

Life Under Rockets. J.D. Vanceā€™s Iran Dilemma. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 459 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Mar 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. The conflict with Iran is escalating, with strikes and counterattacks across the region that threaten civilians, disrupt allies, and are already pushing up oil prices.
  2. J.D. Vanceā€™s extended public silence on U.S. strikes, followed by a delayed comment, suggests a possible split within the MAGA coalition that could reshape Republican unity during the crisis.
  3. Thereā€™s a counterargument to AI panic: AI could boost happiness and productivity rather than cause mass unemployment, solving routine problems and letting people focus on uniquely human work.

Trumpā€™s Rules of War

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 255 implied HN points ā€¢ 04 Mar 26
šŸŒ International U.S. Politics
  1. He set clear rules for using U.S. military power ā€” no ground troops, no nationā€‘building, and quick ā€œoneā€‘andā€‘doneā€ strikes.
  2. In the current Iran confrontation heā€™s breaking those rules, moving away from brief strikes toward a potentially multiā€‘week campaign.
  3. His approach to war is changeable: in recent days he has broken some rules, kept others, and abandoned a long American taboo, showing his tactics shift with circumstances.
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Scowls and Smiles at the State of the Union. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 426 implied HN points ā€¢ 25 Feb 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Trump used an unusually long State of the Union to celebrate achievements, goad opponents, criticize a Supreme Court tariff ruling, and warn Iran as he tries to reset his second term.
  2. A powerful norā€™easter dumped heavy snow on New York City and prompted emergency volunteer snow-shoveling efforts, while experts debate whether such extreme storms are driven by climate change or uncertain science.
  3. Several crises are unsettling old narratives: Epstein-related arrests are prompting a reckoning among Britainā€™s elite, cartel violence has shattered the expat dream in Puerto Vallarta, and U.S. military movements have raised fears of confrontation with Iran.

Nigeriaā€™s Killing Fields. When a Loved One Gets Kidnapped. Plusā€‰. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 245 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Feb 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Nigeria is trapped in cyclical, sectarian violence where jihadist groups and militias have killed and displaced large numbers of people, and the crisis gets too little sustained international attention.
  2. When a loved one is kidnapped, families are plunged into a void of fear and helplessness with almost no information or control, and survivors say coping means enduring uncertainty and finding ways to keep going.
  3. Internal documents show Instagram has struggled to protect teens and can amplify harmful content like eating-disorder material, prompting legal scrutiny and questions about whether Meta will change its business model.

Rand Paul Is Going It Alone. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 519 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Feb 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Rand Paul is positioning himself as a lone, influential critic inside his party, using his committee role to challenge mass deportation policies and warn about overfunding ICE.
  2. AI is already changing everyday life: tools like ChatGPT can catch medical mistakes and new ā€œno-codeā€ AI platforms let nonprogrammers build useful apps quickly.
  3. Bitcoinā€™s recent crash wasnā€™t about lost faith but about leveraged perp trades; extreme borrowing (10xā€“50x) forced mass sell-offs and wiped out many investors.

Top Links 988 How Trump is victimizing America's petty bourgeoisie. The Sino-US investment reversal & Post-Russia.

Chartbook ā€¢ 615 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Jan 26
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. Trumpā€™s actions and rhetoric are hurting small business owners and the petty bourgeoisie, weakening their economic stability and social standing.
  2. Investment between the US and China is reversing, pointing toward decoupling and big changes in cross-border capital flows.
  3. The world is entering a postā€‘Russia phase that is reshaping geopolitics and markets, forcing countries to rethink alliances and economic ties.

Iranā€™s Reluctant Prince. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 431 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Feb 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iranā€™s shah, is being looked at by some as a possible transitional leader if the regime falters, but heā€™s a complicated and imperfect figure.
  2. The U.S. is both threatening military action against Iran and pursuing last-ditch diplomacy, demanding steep concessions like ending nuclear and missile programs and stopping support for proxy groups.
  3. The news cycle is volatile: domestic politics face a partial government shutdown and high-profile congressional/legal fights over the Epstein files, while internationally big stories include SpaceX buying xAI, deadly Russian strikes in Ukraine, and the Rafah crossing reopening in Gaza.

ā€˜I Joined ICE Watch.ā€™ Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 477 implied HN points ā€¢ 14 Jan 26
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Minneapolis activists run secret Signal chats to track and sometimes confront ICE officers. They share tips and a database of suspected ICE vehicles and say the killing of an ICE observer has hardened their resolve.
  2. Reports say Iranā€™s regime has launched a massive, bloody crackdown that may have killed thousands of protesters, prompting warnings that this looks like a full-scale massacre. Observers are calling for urgent support for Iranians while debating whether and how outside powers should intervene.
  3. The bulletin also highlights other major political and global stories, from Supreme Court fights over trans athletes and the U.S.ā€“China AI race to policy moves like ending TPS for Somali refugees and internet shutdowns ahead of elections. It notes domestic repercussions too, including prosecutor resignations tied to the ICE shooting.

You Listen to Israel, You Lose

Johnā€™s Substack ā€¢ 18 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Mar 26
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. The US and Israel appear to have no clear strategy or exit plan for the war with Iran, which makes winning unlikely and escalation more dangerous.
  2. The US president made a serious mistake by following Israeli leadership instead of heeding military and intelligence warnings.
  3. Pro-Israel lobbying and Israeli influence steered US policy toward war rather than listening to the National Intelligence Council and other officials.

Bariā€™s Picks of the Week: Charlie Kirkā€™s Final Message

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 463 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Dec 25
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Charlie Kirk says observing the Sabbath transformed him and inspired his final book, which argues that taking regular time offline can change a life. His wife will discuss the book and their experiences in a town hall about grief and forgiveness.
  2. A new America at 250 newsletter will explore American history and highlight lesser-known Founders like George Mason, arguing his work influenced the Declaration and the Bill of Rights. The project aims to celebrate and reexamine the ideas that shaped the country.
  3. Reporting focused on contentious social issues: a Canadian court ruling recognizing Indigenous "Aboriginal title" has left long-time homeowners in legal limbo, while debates over legalizing assisted suicide (MAID) continue across the West. These stories show how legal and moral questions are reshaping communities and medical practice.

Remembering Rob Reiner. The Heroism of Jimmy Lai. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 426 implied HN points ā€¢ 16 Dec 25
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Jimmy Lai has become a powerful symbol of press freedom after staying in Hong Kong to run Apple Daily, and he now faces sedition and collusion convictions with a possible life sentence after more than 1,800 days in solitary.
  2. Rob Reinerā€™s shocking murder has left a cultural void, and many criticized the president for mocking the dead instead of showing basic respect.
  3. The pieces highlight broader alarms: rising antisemitism forcing Jews into hiding, controversies over human-rights reporting such as Amnestyā€™s handling of Hamas, and a spate of violent events and policy shifts shaping global news.

Kidnapped by Russia. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 384 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Dec 25
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia since 2022, and investigators and families are desperately trying to track and reunite them despite many cold leads.
  2. AI companies are hiring professional writers ā€” sometimes for very high pay ā€” to make chatbots more persuasive and to avoid poor, robotic output.
  3. Global tensions and instability are rising, with arguments that China wages a stealth campaign, alongside high-profile legal battles, mass shootings, and economic worries that are increasing public anxiety.

The Bible Is on Trial in Europe. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 459 implied HN points ā€¢ 04 Dec 25
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. A scholar warns Britain and parts of Europe may be sliding toward serious political breakdown, arguing the conditions for civil conflict could already be present.
  2. European courts are testing the line between hateā€‘speech rules and religious expression, with a highā€‘profile case asking whether quoting the Bible can be treated as a crime.
  3. U.S. politics and institutions are under strain from fast, controversial executive movesā€”military threats, pardons, immigration pauses, and court fightsā€”fueling polarization and uncertainty.

What I Read This Week...

Chamath Palihapitiya ā€¢ 2299 implied HN points ā€¢ 30 Dec 23
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement.
  2. Online anonymity is decreasing in China due to new regulations requiring real identity disclosure.
  3. U.S. and Mexican officials are collaborating to address migration issues at the Southern border.

Killing Narco Speedboat Survivors Is a War Crime. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss ā€¢ 398 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Dec 25
šŸ“° News U.S. Politics
  1. U.S. forces are accused of ordering a second strike that killed survivors of a destroyed narco speedboat, which could amount to a war crime if confirmed; officials deny the report and lawmakers are demanding vigorous oversight.
  2. Prominent writers are sparking public debate, from a tribute to Tom Stoppard's life and craft to a sharp disagreement over whether America's poverty line could realistically be as high as $140,000.
  3. Several major political and policy stories are unfolding at once: Social Security faces a projected shortfall by 2033, controversial clemency and legal actions are drawing criticism, and international tensions and pardon requests are raising rule-of-law concerns.

The enemy within

Comment is Freed ā€¢ 112 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Dec 25
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. The US National Security Strategy sides with nationalist 'Patriotic Parties' and raises alarms about demographic change, amounting to direct interference in European domestic politics.
  2. The NSS downplays Russiaā€™s role as an aggressor in Ukraine and pushes for 'stabilising' relations and a quick peace without addressing justice, which could reward aggression and weaken European security.
  3. The document matters and must be taken seriously, but the administration is inconsistent and factional, so Europeans should judge actions over words and prepare for different possible US approaches.

Your year-end China-watching test

Pekingnology ā€¢ 49 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Dec 25
šŸŒ World Politics U.S. Politics
  1. Americans are split between two founding storiesā€”1776 (independence and state sovereignty) and 1865 (Civil War, emancipation, and a stronger federal nation)ā€”and that dispute drives a lot of contemporary political identity.
  2. Attempts to build an inclusive national narrative have sometimes sidelined the cultural identity and interests of the majority, producing policies and symbolic changes that many people see as unfair and alienating.
  3. History is a political tool: when alternative views are suppressed and majority grievances are ignored, it can fuel nationalist backlash and deepen social fracture.