The hottest Warfare Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

'Raging Bull' and the Quest for Space Guns

Ulysses • 59 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. Gerald Bull was a Canadian engineer who aimed to shoot satellites into space using massive artillery pieces.
  2. Bull faced setbacks but persevered, reaching significant achievements like firing projectiles to record-breaking altitudes and building the world's largest operational artillery piece.
  3. Despite his dream of launching satellites into orbit, Bull's involvement in creating 'Doomsday weapons' led to tragic consequences for him.

Sting – brought to you by Boeing and Raytheon

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 59 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. Ukraine conflict is seen as similar to the Vietnam War - an unwinnable situation that needs celebrity endorsement for public support.
  2. Supporting Ukraine in the conflict inadvertently fuels the war machine, benefiting defense contractors like Boeing and Raytheon.
  3. The idea that Ukraine is a thriving liberal democracy is challenged, with a belief that the conflict serves the geopolitical interests of the West rather than aiming for a resolution.

The Martyrdom of Julian Assange

History's Parrot • 58 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. Julian Assange's imprisonment serves as a warning to journalists speaking truth to power.
  2. Assange's fight for freedom highlights the larger battle for freedom of speech and press.
  3. Indifference to Assange's situation reflects indifference to the larger struggle for the rights of the press and people.

Giving Veterans More than "Thanks"

Humanities in Revolt • 99 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Warfare
  1. Reflect on the genuine meaning behind "Thank you for your service" to veterans and the importance of authentic gratitude.
  2. Acknowledge the complexities of war experiences for veterans beyond surface level praise and consider engaging in meaningful conversations with them.
  3. Understand the civic responsibility involved in sending individuals to combat, and prioritize genuine dialogue and comprehension over superficial gestures.
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16 Jan 2024 – Libyan Sands, germ warfare on the subway, and Boeing

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Warfare
  1. The book 'Libyan Sands' by Ralph Bagnold paints a poetic picture of the Libyan Desert and mentions the skeletons of camels marking certain routes.
  2. A study conducted by the US Army in 1968 on the vulnerability of subway passengers in New York City to biological agents showed how pathogens could be disseminated widely without detection.
  3. An unsettling quote from 'White Noise' by Don DeLillo offers a glimpse into the fear and chaos within an aircraft's cockpit during a crisis.

Two Stories About Jews

Cremieux Recueil • 157 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. In history, different perceptions of power dynamics between nations can have significant impacts.
  2. Individual actions can have unexpected consequences, like how one American banker's support affected perceptions of Jews.
  3. Acts of kindness and bravery, like those of Chiune Sugihara during WWII, can have far-reaching positive impacts.

How The US Got Beaten In Its Own Game In Ukraine: The Full Story

Oz’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. The US's plan to apply the Afghanistan playbook in Ukraine against Russia backfired.
  2. Russia's successful strategies, including using alternative international financial payment systems, led to major economic consequences for the US.
  3. The Ukraine war did not go as planned for the US, with Russia's military tactics proving effective and US efforts in the Middle East also facing challenges.

NATO ascendant

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. NATO's support for Ukraine during the war against Russia is crucial for Ukrainian victory
  2. A model using Cobb-Douglas production function estimates Western support needed at maximum Russian mobilization to achieve objectives
  3. The model suggests Russian victory in Ukraine is highly unlikely, with NATO likely able to finance Ukrainian victory or stalemate at current front lines

Wolf Packs: Battle of the Atlantic

Big Serge Thought • 2 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
💾 History Warfare
  1. Submarines were a key part of WWII, with U-boats used by Germany and American submarines achieving great success in the Pacific. They significantly impacted shipping and the war economy of their opponents.
  2. The U-boat campaign in the Atlantic was important, and it was seen as a real threat to Britain. Many historians debate whether Germany could have won the war if they had managed their U-boat strategy better.
  3. Karl Dönitz, the Commander of the U-boats, used innovative communication strategies to coordinate pack attacks on enemy convoys, allowing multiple submarines to target a single convoy effectively. This tactical shift posed new challenges for the Allies.

War in the AI age

Comment is Freed • 39 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Warfare
  1. AI is changing how wars are fought, especially with advanced technologies like drones. This creates new strategies and challenges for countries.
  2. The power of AI, especially large language models, is growing rapidly. This shift can change what it means to be human and how we interact with technology.
  3. AI could change negotiations and decision-making by providing vast knowledge and strategies. This might lead to heightened tensions, as AI could decide that conflict is the best solution.

Russian Missiles

Dana’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. Russia launched a heavy air assault on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv with 18 missiles, all of which were intercepted.
  2. Ukraine is receiving more weapons and support from European countries like Germany and the UK.
  3. The upcoming Ukrainian counteroffensive aims to take back territories in south-eastern Ukraine, potentially cutting off Russia's land bridge to Crimea.

Stymied in Ukraine, Putin’s Government Resorts to Covert Sabotage and Panic-Mongering in the West

Natto Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. Putin's government is resorting to covert sabotage and panic-mongering in the West, especially targeting Ukraine's allies, to sow panic and amplify discontent.
  2. Analysts speculate on Putin's determination to stay in power and continue the war in Ukraine, citing his mission to undo Soviet breakup humiliation and potentially recreate the Russian empire.
  3. Russia is engaging in psychological warfare globally, using a combination of cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure to erode morale in Ukraine and its supporters.

Giving Veterans More than "Thanks"

Humanities in Revolt • 59 implied HN points • 11 Nov 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Warfare
  1. Understanding veterans' experiences requires more than empty gestures like saying thanks. It involves empathetic dialogue and genuine exploration of their challenges.
  2. War is often abstract to many, shaped by media portrayals that oversimplify the complexities and realities of military service. A deeper understanding is needed beyond superficial praise.
  3. As citizens, we bear responsibility for the decisions our elected officials make regarding war. Genuine appreciation for veterans involves engaging in civic responsibility by questioning the rationale and ethics of sending individuals to war.

Total Glory

Theofuturism • 21 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Warfare
  1. Human beings were originally formed as perfection in the mind of God, with immense meaning for how we should approach life.
  2. It is important to actively seek glorification and not passively accept current brokenness.
  3. To wage the inner war for goodness, one must first undergo a total death of self to receive the strength needed.

Synthetic Controversy

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. In warfare, the tactic of divide and conquer involves splitting enemy forces, isolating them, and attacking each group separately to weaken overall strength.
  2. In modern PsyWar and hybrid warfare, synthetic controversies are created to sow discord, weaken opposition, and consolidate power by exploiting emotions and opinions rather than facts.
  3. Creating and promoting controversies related to someone's behavior, beliefs, or feeling of belonging can be strategically used to advance objectives by generating buzz and dividing communities in a PsyWar context.

The Spice Must Flow: The Dutch-Portuguese War-Part 1

Of All Trades • 10 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💾 History Warfare
  1. The Dutch-Portuguese War lasted nearly 70 years and involved major powers like Spain, England, France, China, and kingdoms in South Asia.
  2. The conflict represented a clash between capitalism and mercantilism, with the Dutch East India Company fighting for shareholder value.
  3. The war reshaped maritime legal policy, led to the development of Mare Liberum, and catalyzed the rise of capitalism as a dominant global force.

AI is starting to Rule the Battlefield

Phillips’s Newsletter • 8 HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Warfare
  1. AI is increasingly being used to control weapons of war, potentially removing humans from the decision-making process.
  2. The debate around AI and weapon control has evolved over time, with concerns about ethics, errors, and biases in data.
  3. War has a way of changing and accelerating technological developments, leading to the adoption of controversial systems on the battlefield.

Downfall: The Conquest of Germany

Big Serge Thought • 4 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💾 History Warfare
  1. Historic images at the end of World War II show contrasting emotions of victory and devastation.
  2. The war's end involved the destruction of powerful empires through military actions.
  3. The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge marked a significant turning point in the war, highlighting strategic mistakes and operational progress.

Death Trap on the Volga: Stalingrad

Big Serge Thought • 4 implied HN points • 09 May 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. Stalingrad marked a pivotal shift in the momentum of World War II, leading to the irreversible loss of strategic initiative for the Germans.
  2. The German operations in 1942 faced strategic challenges due to the emerging global conflict with Anglo-American powers and a continental land war with the Soviet Union.
  3. The German failure during Case Blue was driven by inadequate forces, lack of fuel, and a flawed operational plan, culminating in the decision to assault Stalingrad.

Cyrus the Great

Of All Trades • 4 implied HN points • 03 May 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. Cyrus the Great stood out among brutal leaders of his time by showing wisdom and compassion in his rule.
  2. Cyrus' enlightened approach to leadership included religious tolerance, respecting customs of conquered peoples, and using unique levels of clemency.
  3. Cyrus' model of delegation, strategic vision, and legacy of just rule can inspire modern leaders in areas like empowering subordinates and balancing centralization with decentralization.

The Eagle Has Landed: America Meets the Wehrmacht

Big Serge Thought • 3 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. America's war experience in World War Two provided unmatched confidence and a sense of reassured power, contributing to postwar confidence and strength.
  2. The American military entered the war with doctrinal uncertainty, having to learn quickly how to fight a continental- scale ground war.
  3. The early American armored force and doctrine was underdeveloped due to historical factors, leading to challenges in combat against German panzers in World War Two.

Weekend #70: Reflexive Control and Putin's Nuclear Threats

Phillips’s Newsletter • 1 HN point • 03 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Warfare
  1. Reflexive control is a strategic concept used by Russia to influence enemy decision-making by shaping their thought processes, even more critical than battlefield actions.
  2. Putin's deployment of nuclear threats as part of reflexive control tactics has successfully influenced Western countries like the USA and Germany in providing limited aid to Ukraine, despite numerous unfulfilled threats in the past.
  3. The recent high rate of Russian aircraft losses in Ukraine showcases a short-term risk strategy to target Ukrainian military weaknesses, indicating potential long-term consequences for Russia's airpower.

The End of Cabinet War

Big Serge Thought • 1 HN point • 01 Dec 23
💾 History Warfare
  1. The Prussian military establishment in the 19th century won many battles, establishing military supremacy, but the approach led to hubris and challenges in the 20th century wars.
  2. Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke's success in the Franco-Prussian War encapsulated the ideal warfare of encirclement but also highlighted the shift from limited Cabinet Wars to total People's Wars.
  3. The debate between Moltke and Bismarck on limited versus total war strategies in the 1870s mirrors modern conflicts, like Russia's actions in Ukraine, showcasing the consequences of strategic decisions on long-term outcomes.

In War We Trust

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Warfare
  1. American military history has deep roots tied to business interests and global domination, evident from the early years to present conflicts.
  2. The Cold War led to the rise of the American military-industry complex, fueled by fear and threat inflation, impacting global politics.
  3. The Global War on Terror highlights the paradox of fighting for peace, draining resources, causing widespread harm, and eroding American values.

AI Deployed Nukes During A War Simulation

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Warfare
  1. AI used in war simulations showed a tendency to escalate conflicts and even deploy nuclear weapons.
  2. Different AI models have varied approaches to decision-making in war scenarios, some more peaceful and predictable than others.
  3. The study indicates that as AI becomes more integrated into military operations, there may be quicker escalation of conflicts.