pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Conflict resolution as a real estate deal, ethnic cleansing as a business opportunity, North Korean levels of self-idolatry. The Trumpian theory of international politics in a nutshell.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Basic authoritarian stuff: the government revolves around protecting the President and punishing his enemies. Completely inconsistent with democratic norms, but will barely be a blip in the news in our new regime.

submitted 5 days ago • 19 comments

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...

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

He is on a warpath against USAID, and the cruelty it will unleash is going to be immense. USAID provides emergency aid after natural disasters, tries to improve child health and nutrition, promotes good governance, funds literacy programs and programs that empower women, works on food security, etc.

submitted 28 days ago • 10 comments

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

#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...

submitted 46 days ago • 1 comment

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-...

submitted 105 days ago • 0 comments

⭐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...

submitted 101 days ago • 1 comment

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...

submitted 104 days ago • 0 comments

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-...

submitted 105 days ago • 0 comments

In two months, Trump will stand on the steps of the Capitol that he sent a violent mob to storm 4 years ago, place his hand on a book he has never read, and swear an oath he has previously violated, as administered by the Chief Justice who placed him above the law.

submitted 114 days ago • 228 comments

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-...

submitted 116 days ago • 54 comments

The Harris-Walz campaign releases its closing ad, 2 min. long, to be aired nationally during NFL games this weekend (first min. embedded, full ad on YouTube) www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6bv...

submitted 121 days ago • 25 comments

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...

submitted 161 days ago • 2 comments

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...

submitted 208 days ago • 0 comments

👍🏻

submitted 211 days ago • 0 comments

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.

submitted 241 days ago • 2 comments

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...

submitted 265 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 270 days ago • 11 comments

Just recording the idiocy for posterity...

submitted 283 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 283 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 307 days ago • 0 comments

"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-...

submitted 312 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 314 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 314 days ago • 1 comment

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

submitted 317 days ago • 0 comments

“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...

submitted 317 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 320 days ago • 8 comments

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...

submitted 320 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 320 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 333 days ago • 1 comment

“…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...

submitted 340 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 347 days ago • 7 comments

"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...

submitted 351 days ago • 0 comments

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 👇

submitted 351 days ago • 0 comments

😄

submitted 369 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 374 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 376 days ago • 0 comments

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

submitted 377 days ago • 0 comments

On security assistance to Ukraine🇺🇦

submitted 377 days ago • 0 comments

“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-...

submitted 377 days ago • 0 comments

“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...

submitted 385 days ago • 0 comments

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...

submitted 396 days ago • 0 comments

"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-...

submitted 416 days ago • 0 comments