#Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have? I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies theconversation.com/peacekeeping...

Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping." peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...

⭐Job Alert ⭐ GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined. www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...

Info-nugget😮 The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide. acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...

Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping." peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...

Today seems like a good day to share this Scientific American story on how vaccines have saved more lives throughout history than any other intervention www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...

741 former national security leaders including fifteen 4-star generals and admirals, along with 230 former flag officers endorse Kamala Harris for President. They write, "Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism." www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...

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This is an appalling and horrifying story about the attacks researchers like @katestarbird.bsky.social undergo by those determined to silence any who call out their disinformation and other underhanded tactics. Very similar to what climate scientists experience but with even MORE vitriol.

What were the top causes & categories of deaths of U.S. Army active duty soldiers, 2014-2019? Ans: 1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation) 2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose)  3) Natural causes 4) Combat  5) Homicide Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...

the very worst shit online is always generated by a small, obsessed cult and SUPRISE, when you ban that small group you have mostly solved the problem

Just recording the idiocy for posterity...

All us researchers need to be aware of the “bullshit industrial complex.”

Inspired by @jjschroden.bsky.social work on the war in Afghanistan🇦🇫, I’ve written a net assessment of the Somali🇸🇴 National Army versus al-Shabaab in the event of a withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers. My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...

Russian🇷🇺 equipment losses in its war vs Ukraine🇺🇦 are estimated at c.8,800 since Feb 2022. Nevertheless, the IISS assesses that Russia will be able to sustain its assault on Ukraine🇺🇦 at current attrition rates for another 2–3 years, and maybe even longer. www.iiss.org/online-analy...

An analysis by University of Michigan researchers of more than 30 million grading records from U-M finds students with alphabetically lower-ranked names receive lower grades. This is due to sequential grading biases and the default order of students' submissions in Canvas. #AcademicSky #EduSky #Bias

This is such an interesting article for thinking about different dimensions of AI military applications. "‘The machine did it coldly’: Israel used AI to identify 37,000 Hamas targets." www.theguardian.com/world/2024/a...

The Biden administration continued its effort to extend student debt relief, erasing an additional $5.8 billion in federal loans for nearly 78,000 borrowers, including teachers, firefighters and others who largely work in the public sector. nyti.ms/4a0QODv

I'm looking to hire a TA to work with me on two MA-level international security courses during AY24/25 at GW's Elliott School. The TA will run 2 in-person discussion sections (capped at 20 students each) in the Fall 24 and Spring 25 semesters. Compensation is c.$20,000. Details 👇

"🇺🇸Space Force: We need a hotline to China🇨🇳." Surely a good idea. www.defenseone.com/threats/2024...

This is a really useful report on the use of drones in the Ukraine🇺🇦 war. Via @cnas.bsky.social www.cnas.org/publications...

On security assistance to Ukraine🇺🇦

“In 2023, the UN collected 82.3% of the year’s assessment, the lowest in the last 5 years. Only 142 Member States paid their dues in full – again, the lowest in the last 5 years. As a result, year-end arrears climbed to $859 million, up from $330 million in 2022.” www.ipsnews.net/2024/02/uns-...

“Peacekeepers and Political Stability in Somalia.” My short essay on the ongoing transition of the African Union force in Somalia🇸🇴 for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/02/12/p...

The stellar ⭐ 🚀 team at GW’s Space Policy Institute 👨‍🚀 👩‍🚀 🛰 🌒 is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher in Space Policy to join their academic and interdisciplinary team. It's a full-time, 2-year position. Details 👇 www.gwu.jobs/postings/108...

"Why China🇨🇳 Would Struggle to Invade Taiwan🇹🇼." Some really nicely done visuals in this explainer piece from David Sacks at the Council on Foreign Relations www.cfr.org/article/why-...

It's 3 years since Donald 🤡Trump sent a violent, seditious mob to overturn the legitimate results of a free & fair 🇺🇸presidential election. Over 1,200 of them were arrested but their ring leader is still at large, stoking more political violence on a daily basis. He should never be president again.

This is a really helpful overview of the inquiry against the +1,240 people arrested (as of December) in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol in support of 🤡Trump. Of course, the ring leader is still at large. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Do you want to know how al-Shabaab has managed to kill over 500 African Union peacekeepers in Somalia🇸🇴 by overrunning their Forward Operating Bases? If so, here's my attempt to explain in 25 mins. Thanks to the Global Terrorism Trends & Analysis Center for the invitation. youtu.be/-2SXyjOk9iM?...

Declassified US intel assessment suggests: 1. Russia has lost est. 315k of its 360k invading army 2. Lost 2,200 of 3,500 modern tanks 3. Russia's most recent push near Avdiivka cost it more than 13,000 KIA/WIA & 220 combat vehicles for almost no gain 4. Lost 25% of its pre-2022 stockpiled equipment

"Two Decades of Civilian Protection Mandates for United Nations🇺🇳 Peacekeepers." My chapter in this interesting new book reflects on why civilian protection mandates emerged, as well as their main consequences and challenges implementing them in the field. books.google.com/books?hl=en&...

There's never a bad time to share this. Prof. Ken Booth's review of Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" - "The worst book on world politics I have read in a long time." doi.org/10.1111/1467...

Anduril Industries’ new “Roadrunner” counter-UAS system looks set to make a significant splash in defense circles, for both its capabilities & rapid production timeline; from concept to combat in under 2 years! breakingdefense.com/2023/12/andu...

This policy brief by Eugene Chen is the single best thing written on the tricky subject of financing African peace operations. It's a must read if you're interested in these issues. cic.nyu.edu/resources/no...

This amazing article shows how the war in Tigray, Ethiopia🇪🇹 (2020-22) and deliberate blockade of its people caused drastic (direct & indirect) ecosystem🌲🌿 damage, reversing decades of prior environmental restoration efforts. doi.org/10.1016/j.sr...

If you're interested in what the UN🇺🇳 Security Council can (& can't) do in terms of crisis management, you should check out the new "UN Security Council Conflict Management Handbook." It's a practitioner’s guide to the Council’s conflict management tools. A digital version will be available soon.

Here we go again…🙄 Let’s hope it turns out better than the last one!