Truly welcome news that should have happened long ago.

Hear @bcfinucane.bsky.social from the International Crisis Group discuss the legality of the Trump administration's lethal strikes on boats allegedly carrying illegal drugs from Venezuela: www.wnyc.org/story/are-th...

If you take what a 9-0 Court said in Vullo seriously, it seems clear to me that Kimmel has not just a plausible jawboning claim but a strong one on the basis of Carr's threats. (Always read Genevieve Lakier 👇)

The capitulation of elites and elite institutions to authoritarian intimidation fundamentally misunderstands or fails to appreciate the system of laws and norms that has provided them with a sustainable framework to flourish. The lack of fidelity to constitutional order and open society is pathetic.

the total lack of interest from business and media elites in defending the liberal norms that underpin civil society and like, modern capitalism for that matter has been truly shocking

Astonishing really. Classic authoritarian tactics to intimidate and chill speech. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...

In a country awash in firearms and violent political rhetoric, it’s frankly been miraculous that the U.S. has not suffered more political violence. But further steps in that direction would be utterly disastrous for civic democracy.

I spoke to Andrew England on how yesterday’s strikes will impact regional views of Trump and the U.S. Whether or not the U.S. had forewarning, the fact that Israel undertook the action has shaken confidence in U.S. reliability. on.ft.com/4ng5dSZ Israel unbound: was Qatar a strike too far?

I’m not so sure this time. The Gulf countries are genuinely stunned, particularly as they see Israel as operating without any constraints. That is unnerving and creates real concern about their security relationship with the U.S.

Notification after strikes are launched would be different than a U.S. green light for the operation. Either will be alarming for the region.

And U.S. forces at Al Udeid are there to provide air defenses. Likely to call into question the value of hosting U.S. bases.

After Iran bombed U.S. targets in Qatar in June, the GCC called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers. I assume a similar meeting will now be called after the Israeli strikes. The question will be whether they go beyond mere condemnation and solidarity.

I’m surprised by my continued capacity to be shocked. But this is stunning.

At one point in the recent past it was widely assumed that the Israeli desire for normalcy and regional integration could be levers by which to positively influence their approach to Palestinian issues. The last few years have clearly demonstrated how wrongheaded those assumptions were.

Israeli airstrikes on a GCC country crosses so many lines. Will be deeply shocking in the region. How UAE and Bahrain respond will be instructive.

Assassinating senior Hamas leadership at a moment when they were contemplating a purported ceasefire offer is revealing. Lays bare the lack of good faith that has characterized those discussions throughout.

NEW 🧵The White House has now issued its first formal legal justification for the lethal attack on a vessel in the Caribbean. This War Powers report to Congress is long on bluster and short on substance. This letter does not adequately justify the premeditated killing of apparent civilians. 1/n

It’s probably worth considering how the Saudis would perceive this nomination. They traditionally put a big emphasis on the stature, experience and standing of the U.S. ambassador. And understandably so. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/n...

I have a lot of questions. www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

With Netanyahu’s interview today threatening to open Rafah for Palestinians to leave Gaza, worth flagging our briefing from 2024 as it lays out predicament Egypt finds itself in; dilemmas discussed here have only deepened since. And difficulties of U.S.-Egypt relations under Trump also play a part.

A very useful piece by my colleague Praveen Donthi on India-China relations after the SCO summit in Tianjin and against the backdrop of the sudden, unexpected deterioration in U.S.-India ties. www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific...

Legal issues: 1) Was this strike purportedly carried out in self-defense? 2) Are these supposed "terrorists" deemed combatants subject to status-based targeting? Supposedly directly participating in hostilities? 3) What indicia are used to apply these categories here? 4) Degree of certainty?

NEW STATEMENT | The World’s Shame in Gaza Israel’s Gaza campaign has entered an even more nightmarish phase. The world must press Israel harder to stop the war, lest its offensive destroy Palestinian life in the strip beyond hope of recovery. www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

As calamitous as the Israeli military campaign has been, the current phase threatens the viability of continued Palestinian life in Gaza. Other actors, particularly a disengaged U.S., must do much more to rein in this disaster: www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

Having worked on U.S. India policy in Trump 1.0, I’ve been skeptical that India would ever become the strategic partner in “great power competition” that some hoped for. Even so, to damage U.S.-India relations in this manner is nuts.

That is unbelievable. About the same distance as Coutinho’s free kick at the Emirates in 2016.

Setting aside the sheer malevolence and criminality of these ideas, they also happen to be fantastical. A shameful episode. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Ridiculous really. Like, just a standard 2-0 could’ve worked too.

Liverpool really committed to the drama this year.

The prolonged public torturing of a single man because the state cannot admit to its errors is not something that occurs in a free country

Textbook authoritarianism with intended chilling effects. Dangerous stuff.

“MLS will allow the display of a Palestinian flag at Columbus Crew home games in support of new signing Wessam Abou Ali but a league-wide ban will remain, according to multiple people briefed on the situation.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

Yet another damaging and dangerous blurring of the line and the law to give this kind of political derision in the presence of troops. Secretary of Defense should be preventing it, instead is encouraging it.

“Monday’s firing occurred days after an internal debate about releasing a statement to the news media that said, ‘We do not support forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.’” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

NEW REPORT | Riding Unruly Waves: The Philippines’ Military Modernisation Effort Under President Marcos, the Philippines is shifting focus from internal to external threats amid increased great power competition. www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific...

‘As in Los Angeles, Donald Trump’s mobilisation puts guards who are not trained for law enforcement in situations where they may feel under pressure to use excessive force.’ We analyse recent directives to deploy the National Guard in Washington, DC. www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...

“The situation is just indefensible and catastrophically bad. I feel like there has been a tipping point in terms of how the war is being covered.” @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org speaks with NBC News about Israel's starvation of Gaza and its military conduct. www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/g...

“While White House officials say Trump is genuinely disturbed by the killing of Palestinians and wants the war to end, he has applied virtually no pressure on Netanyahu to end it in the last few months, according to Israeli officials.” www.axios.com/2025/07/26/t...

These quotes from Israeli military officials undercutting the rationale for the siege of Gaza suggest that some are increasingly uncomfortable with the outcome of their policy and are likely worried about intensifying famine and starvation. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/w...

With Witkoff heading to the region, it’s possible that developments in Gaza, which have seemingly hit a tipping point, are too much even for this administration.

Aside from the reputational hit, which will be lasting, there are not any meaningful costs for Israel in pursuing this course of violent maximalism.

It does seem as if events in Gaza, and Western coverage, has reached some kind of tipping point. The violence is particularly senseless and out of control and Gaza may be on the verge of a rapid collapse into famine. As always, there will be no ceasefire unless the U.S. finally decides it is time.

Our ideas for how to turn this tenuous moment of calm into something more durable through diplomacy. www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

The horrors pile up every single day. The cumulative toll should truly shock the collective conscience. And all for no strategic purpose whatsoever, unless of course the ultimate goal is displacing Gaza’s people. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/w...

To what possible end? Absolute madness, just pure lawlessness.

NEW STATEMENT | A Compromise is Urgently Needed in Southern Syria Fighting between government-aligned forces, Druze and Bedouin factions rages in south Syria, with Israel launching airstrikes. Damascus and Druze leaders need to find a durable solution. www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

‘There could hardly be a more compelling case for proper oversight.’ Our expert examines a bid by U.S. lawmakers to expose the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation which in charge of aid distribution in enclave to scrutiny. www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...

Monstrous. These people are warping American society in likely irreparable ways.

NEW My latest piece in @justsecurity.org analyzing the diplomatic notes exchanged between the US and El Salvador as part of the dirty deal to rendition and disappear people to CECOT. www.justsecurity.org/117271/us-el...