Good overview of the crisis in Goma 🇨🇩 and especially Rwanda’s🇷🇼 role in it by @jasonkstearns.bsky.social via @passblue.bsky.social www.passblue.com/2025/02/02/g...

Our longer article in International Affairs is now #OpenAccess for a short period: 🌏 academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...

#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...

So there will be a third AU peace operation in Somalia: AMISOM (2007-22) --> ATMIS (2022-24) --> AUSSOM (2025-??). Details lacking thus far... papsrepository.africa-union.org/handle/12345...

👍🏻

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...

"What’s Left of Sudan🇸🇩 After a Year At War?" This is a really good overview of the war's local, national and international dynamics and devastating consequences. Via @crisisgroup.bsky.social www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...

Al-Fashir is the last major city in the vast, western Darfur🇸🇩 region not under control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But a truce that protected it from the year-old war has been broken. Its 1.6 million people are now at real risk of RSF attack. www.reuters.com/world/africa...

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...

Interesting article on the increased use of Iranian🇮🇷 drones by the Sudan🇸🇩 army vs the RSF. m.jpost.com/internationa...

“The prime minister has asked us to withdraw U.S. troops, and we have agreed to do that.” 🇺🇸troops are leaving Niger🇳🇪 at the request of the junta. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

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

FY2024 budget docs suggest that US🇺🇸 defensive missiles are, overall, roughly twice as expensive as offensive missiles, when averaging all-up-round unit costs. This asymmetry is mostly due to the significant technical demands of air & missile defense interceptors. www.csis.org/analysis/cos...

From 1 year of war in #Sudan🇸🇩, 15 April 2023 - 15 April 2024, ACLED recorded 5,550 events of political violence and +15,550 reported fatalities. One in two children in Sudan are currently or have been within 5km of the frontlines. acleddata.com/2024/04/14/s...

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...

“…it is clear the UN🇺🇳 should reevaluate Rwanda’s🇷🇼 credibility as a constructive participant in peacekeeping.” The US🇺🇸 raising the stakes on Rwanda’s role in eastern DR Congo usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-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

"Niger's🇳🇪 ruling military junta has revoked with immediate effect a military accord that allows military personnel and civilian staff from the U.S.🇺🇸 Department of Defense on its soil." www.reuters.com/world/africa...

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 👇

This is glorious. John Oliver’s approach to 🇺🇸Supreme Court ethics. Your move Clarence Thomas… youtu.be/GE-VJrdHMug?...

"🇺🇸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-...

This is interesting.⚔️ "US🇺🇸 Intelligence Shows Flawed China🇨🇳 Missiles Led Xi to Purge Army." "...widespread corruption undermined [Xi's] efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war..." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

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.

"🇭🇹Haiti’s Gangs: Can a Foreign Mission Break Their Stranglehold?" New Crisis Group report analyzing the prospects for the MSS that might deploy to #Haiti later this year. Here's the key points 👇 www.crisisgroup.org/latin-americ...

On Sudan🇸🇩. Hemedti | Janjaweed | RSF

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/...

In its 2024 annual survey, the CFR found that the leading concern for U.S. foreign policy experts is not a foreign threat to U.S. 🇺🇸 interests, but the possibility of domestic terrorism and acts of political violence, particularly around the 2024 presidential election. www.cfr.org/report/confl...

SAMIDRC🇨🇩 was deployed 15 December 2023 to support the 🇨🇩Government restore peace and security in eastern DRC. TCCs are Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania; Force Commander 🇿🇦; stated legal basis is collective self-defense. No details on the size of the force or its composition. www.sadc.int/latest-news/...

A tribute to Dr Catherine Kelleher, who among other things, was the founding president of Women in International Security (WIIS). www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

"What to do about disinformation," by Eliot Higgins @bellingcat.com www.ft.com/content/0b94...

Biden’s economy vs. Trump’s in 12 charts Both presidents tout their contributions on the U.S. economy ahead of the 2024 election. But how do they stack up? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

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?...