The hottest US Policy Substack posts right now

Europe looks set to face growing instability as the Ukraine war and other geopolitical pressures continue to unfold.
Some political leaders are seeking legal shortcuts like asking for pardons before convictions, which undermines norms of justice and accountability.
The U.S. policy of killing people in small boats near Venezuela is highly controversial and hard for officials to defend, and staying outside the ICC limits the risk of international prosecution.

The Trump administration has made a mess of the situation in Venezuela and worsened diplomatic problems there.
European governments are moving to seize Russian assets as part of broader geopolitical measures.
Ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon are routinely violated by Israeli actions, showing they are fragile and often ignored.

Ukraine is under intense pressure to accept a U.S.-brokered 28-point peace framework that would cede territory, limit its military, and bar NATO membership, with threats to cut intelligence and weapons if it refuses. Many view the plan as forcing a humiliating surrender and Zelensky is publicly resisting it to defend sovereignty and dignity.
European leaders are outraged by a rival proposal to use frozen Russian assets for American-led reconstruction while taking a large share of the profits, a move seen as unethical and likely to derail EU efforts to fund Ukraine. That proposal risks fracturing Western support and wrecking a reparations loan plan.
Ceasefires in the Middle East remain fragile and the Phase II plan for Gaza — which depends on disarming Hamas, deploying an international stabilization force, and quickly rebuilding the Strip — faces huge political and operational hurdles. Without clear answers on who will govern, secure, and rebuild Gaza, the region risks renewed violence and a prolonged stalemate.

Different leaders and governments produce wildly different policies based on their perceptions of the world.
US administrations, like the Biden Administration, exhibit exceptional fear of escalation in wars compared to the USSR and China in the past.
Leaderships matter significantly in shaping foreign policy and responses to global conflicts.

Visa policies, like H1B, can greatly impact individuals seeking job opportunities in the US.
Immigrants have historically played a significant role in American innovation and economic success.
Remote work due to COVID-19 and restrictive immigration policies may shift the job market, offering opportunities for countries like Vietnam to attract global talent.

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Unpredictable, contradictory policy decisions have eroded U.S. credibility, making allies doubt commitments and giving adversaries room to exploit American inconsistency.
A small, sustained U.S. presence in northeast Syria and Iraq helps prevent the return of ISIS and protects local partners, but withdrawing forces without a clear, resourced strategy risks instability and undoing hard-won gains.
Long-term competition with China and managing threats like Iran require stronger alliances and more investment in diplomacy; cutting diplomatic resources and acting unilaterally weakens U.S. power.