The hottest War Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

1917 and Hollywood’s false dichotomy between humanizing and politicizing war

Geopolitical Economy Report • 99 implied HN points • 10 Feb 20
🎭️ Culture War
  1. 1917 and similar Hollywood films glorify war by depoliticizing it, focusing on technical brilliance over deeper messages.
  2. Despite stunning visuals, 1917 lacks depth in its social and cultural commentary, portraying war as a backdrop for personal challenges.
  3. Hollywood's false binary of humanizing vs. politicizing war is debunked - films can humanize war without stripping it of political context.

An Apology And A Few Suggestions.

Trying to Understand the World • 4 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. The writer had a busy week and decided to postpone their new essay because they wanted it to be high quality.
  2. They shared popular essays on topics like the Ukraine crisis and the Professional and Managerial class for new readers to enjoy.
  3. The writer encourages support through likes, comments, and sharing their work, and they appreciate those who help translate their essays into other languages.

Elon Musk Is Completely Full Of Shit!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 12 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. Elon Musk has made money from the war in Ukraine by using Starlink technology that was meant for military use, which raises questions about his credibility.
  2. The proposal for Ukraine's neutrality and a buffer zone likely won't satisfy Russia, as they have clear goals for their military actions.
  3. Musk and Trump, despite their attempts to present alternative views, are seen as part of the established political system and not genuinely offering solutions.

Vietnamerica

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 339 implied HN points • 05 Aug 15
🎭️ Culture War
  1. Families often stay united despite individuals taking different sides in conflicts.
  2. Vietnamerica is a graphic novel that tells a three-generation journey through war, displacement, and resilience.
  3. Vietnamerica emphasizes the power of shared pain and turning it into love and unity among people with different backgrounds.

WWIII: Winning the Peace

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 32 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. Different conflicts around the world are interconnected and involve superpowers to varying degrees.
  2. Some wars, like those in space and underwater, are not as visible because they lack human casualties and photo opportunities.
  3. Contested regions are becoming more important due to valuable resources, leading to increased geopolitical tensions.
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Why doesn't Masters of the Air work?

Kvetch • 19 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture War
  1. Stories about bombers might feel repetitive and confining, making it challenging to create engaging content.
  2. Creating great television like 'Band of Brothers' sets a high bar that is difficult to match.
  3. The challenges of portraying the realities of war, character development, and moral dilemmas in 'Masters of the Air' result in some storytelling and thematic issues.

Cheering for Shock and Awe

Gideon's Substack • 35 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. Cheering during wartime can be controversial and unsettling.
  2. The decision to start a war can be influenced by desires to shape events and a belief in good motives.
  3. It's important for individuals and countries to be realistic about their desires and actions.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 22.11.2024

steigan.no • 8 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. Equinor is laying off 20% of its renewable energy workers due to tough market conditions and is pulling out of several countries. This means around 250 jobs will be cut.
  2. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes in Gaza. If they travel to any member countries, they could be arrested.
  3. The U.S. plans to supply Ukraine with banned antipersonnel mines, breaking its own rules. This raises concerns about civilian safety and the implications of using these weapons in the conflict.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Reckoning

Big Serge Thought • 16 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. The Russo-Ukrainian War in the age of social media and cameras revealed the complexities of modern warfare.
  2. Footage from Ukraine offers valuable insight into tactics and weapon systems in near-real-time.
  3. American entertainment elements in war coverage may not reflect the reality of conflict outcomes and the challenges faced by both sides.

How The American Economy Was Centrally Planned During World War II.

JoeWrote • 22 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. During World War II, the American economy was centrally planned through mechanisms like the Office of Price Administration to ensure efficient distribution of resources.
  2. Despite common belief, history shows that the US government has succeeded in providing public goods and services, like putting astronauts on the moon and saving the auto industry.
  3. The successes of central planning in the past indicate that the government could use similar mechanisms today to address issues like food insecurity, healthcare, and housing.

Letter #4: Peace

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality War
  1. Taking action for peace is urgent as the world faces serious challenges. We need to be proactive in addressing these crises.
  2. Writing about tough topics can be difficult, especially when it feels like there is pressure to get it right. It's okay to keep revising and trying again.
  3. The feeling of responsibility can weigh heavy when discussing war and conflict. It's important to recognize this pressure while still striving for positive change.

You ARE the Combatant in this War

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 22 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. Leaders around the world are escalating tensions and tests of military power, increasing the risk of conflict.
  2. The distinction between civilian and military roles is blurring, with civilians in high-tech fields potentially becoming military threats.
  3. The shift towards dual-use technologies means that modern tech innovations can have both civilian and military applications, impacting global security.

The Last of the Zungars - Alexander Geins, 1865

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 9 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💾 History War
  1. The text discusses the fate of the Zungar empire, which clashed with the Qing Dynasty and faced challenges from Russian expansion, ultimately leading to their downfall.
  2. Russian influence in Asia is highlighted, showing how the empire impacted tribes and helped in the resettlement of peoples, showcasing their historical significance.
  3. Descriptions of encounters with the Kalmyk people, including cultural aspects and conflicts, give insight into their lives and the challenges they faced.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Wagner Uprising

Big Serge Thought • 14 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. The events surrounding the Wagner Uprising were dramatic but did not pose a significant threat to the stability of the Russian state.
  2. Different ideological perspectives led to varying interpretations of the event, but it was mainly driven by Prigozhin's attempt to protect the independence of his PMC, Wagner.
  3. Despite the challenges posed by the uprising, the Russian government managed the crisis competently, showcasing overall stability and control.

The Battle of Bakhmut: Postmortem

Big Serge Thought • 12 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. The Battle of Bakhmut was a prolonged and bloody conflict, with slow progress and extensive destruction due to intense urban combat.
  2. Both Ukrainian and Russian sides debated the strategic importance of Bakhmut, with theories of it being used as a trap or a vital defensive anchor.
  3. The battle resulted in high casualties, with estimations of around 45,000 losses for Ukraine, 17,000 for Wagner, and a strategic advantage for Russia in terms of preserving its regular forces.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Schrodinger’s Offensive

Big Serge Thought • 10 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. The current Russo-Ukrainian war situation is uncertain, with various opinions on the potential for a major Russian offensive.
  2. Russia is focusing on attrition warfare and denying Ukraine the chance to regain operational initiative by targeting shaping objectives.
  3. Organizational challenges in the Russian armed forces are causing delays in launching a large-scale offensive, giving Russia the initiative in driving attrition of the Ukrainian army.

Russo-Ukrainian War: Dam!

Big Serge Thought • 8 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. A dam destruction in the Russo-Ukrainian War has significant implications for civilians and agriculture.
  2. The destruction of the dam impacts civilians on a large scale and poses risks to agriculture.
  3. The dam breach creates a humanitarian, ecological disaster impacting civilians and causing disruption of Russian defenses.

War & International Politics

John’s Substack • 4 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🌐 International War
  1. John J. Mearsheimer gave a lecture at Notre Dame on 'War and International Politics.'
  2. The lecture was originally the Inaugural Richard K. Betts lecture at Columbia University.
  3. He is in the process of turning the talk into an article.

Language, perception, and empathy: Ukrainian's gaze

zverok on lucid code • 4 HN points • 16 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture War
  1. The rejected talk proposal at a Ruby conference focused on language evolution and empathy from the perspective of a Ukrainian experiencing war.
  2. The author reflects on the community's response to the war and discusses the challenge of coping with huge events like genocide.
  3. Connecting code clarity to truth, the author urges vigilance in recognizing when old thinking frameworks no longer align with new realities.

Community Notes and war crimes

Conspirador Norteño • 4 HN points • 15 Oct 23
📰 News War
  1. X's fact-checking system struggled to combat misinformation during the Israel-Hamas war
  2. Limited number of popular posts received helpful Community Notes, leaving many misleading posts unchecked
  3. Community Notes system faces challenges with widespread misinformation from small accounts and media content

Regime Change Edition

As Ever • 5 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. The author reflects on the war and regime change twenty years ago, highlighting the thrills and consequences of vicarious excitement and activism.
  2. The author discusses the importance of staying true to beliefs, even if not fully informed, and the complexities of being wrong for the right reasons.
  3. The author shares insights on the lessons learned from the Iraq war, emphasizing the nuances of governance, individual responsibility, and the impact of making the right decisions.

War Is Complicated.

Trying to Understand the World • 3 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🌍 World Politics War
  1. War is incredibly complex, involving strategic objectives, sectoral policies, and defense capabilities.
  2. Equipment alone does not equate to capability in warfare; there is a need for proper training, integration, and maintenance.
  3. The concept of modern mercenaries in warfare is often rooted in misconceptions and unrealistic expectations of their capabilities and impact.

Deconstructing Tucker

The Oasis • 3 HN points • 02 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War
  1. The reasons for Tucker Carlson's firing are not straightforward, involving a voting machine lawsuit and workplace grievances.
  2. Speculation includes a theory that Tucker's religious beliefs and anti-war stances contributed to his removal.
  3. Tucker's anti-war views and criticism of big advertisers may have been the real reasons behind his ouster.

More Between the Lines

American Samizdat • 0 implied HN points • 29 May 23
💰 Finance War
  1. The post discusses David Carson's thoughts and writings.
  2. Issues about finance and banking are mentioned in a critical manner.
  3. There is some content on the topic of perpetual war and profit.

Breaking...Russia Ukraine War Shoot down

Dana’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics War
  1. A Russian IL-76 aircraft was shot down near Ukraine's border, with the Russian's claiming it was a deliberate attack.
  2. Russian missile strikes on Ukraine have been escalating, causing casualties in cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv.
  3. Other news includes Israel hitting a refugee compound in Gaza, Trump winning the Republican primary in New Hampshire, and Iraq condemning US air raids on Iran-backed militia sites.

Process, But Lack Of Progress

Dana’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics War
  1. In world conflict, process without progress can mean delays that are critical.
  2. The lack of progress in negotiations for hostages in Gaza means a higher risk of fatalities.
  3. Achieving a 'just peace' between Palestinians and Israel is complicated by extremist views and the leadership in power.

Black Friday

The False Consensus Effect • 0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 21
🌍 World Politics War
  1. Black Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving, known for shopping deals and promotions.
  2. The text delves into themes of nuclear disarmament, highlighting the threat of nuclear weapons and the consequences of warfare.
  3. The story of Little Oko and her family portrays a satirical yet thought-provoking scenario of a war based on humor and laughter, showcasing the absurdity and tragedy of conflict.

The Abandoned Leper Colony

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💾 History War
  1. In 1885, patients with contagious diseases like smallpox were isolated on North Brother Island to prevent the spread of illness in an overcrowded New York City. Life was tough, with food shortages and high mortality rates.
  2. Tragic events like shipwrecks, fires, and disease outbreaks shaped the history of North Brother Island, including the infamous case of Typhoid Mary who unintentionally spread typhoid fever.
  3. After serving various purposes over the years, North Brother Island was left abandoned in the 1960s. Its decayed buildings and haunting stories make it off-limits to the public, now a bird sanctuary.

When Israeli F4s fought North Korean MiGs

Military Aviation Videos • 0 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
💾 History War
  1. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israeli F4 pilots supposedly engaged North Korean MiGs, highlighting unusual alliances in military history.
  2. The claims of Israeli-F4s versus North Korean MiGs have circulated for years, with conflicting reports from different sources making the actual events unclear.
  3. Despite Israeli denial, various sources and books suggest the intriguing possibility of North Korean pilots engaging in combat with Israeli aircraft during the Yom Kippur War.