Akbar Shahid Ahmed
@akbarshahidahmed.huffpost.com
Senior Diplomatic Correspondent at HuffPost // Writing a book on Gaza and the Biden administration for W. W. Norton // he/him
Say hi: akbar.58 on Signal or akbar.ahmed@huffpost.com
Say hi: akbar.58 on Signal or akbar.ahmed@huffpost.com
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Fear Of Retaliation Grips State Department Lawyers Meant To Advise On International Law
Fear Of Retaliation Grips State Department Lawyers Meant To Advise On International Law
Fear Of Retaliation Grips State Department Lawyers Meant To Advise On International Law
www.huffpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Fear Of Retaliation Grips State Department Lawyers Meant To Advise On International Law
Now leading HuffPost—
My deep dive on a warning sign for foreign policy-making under Trump + Rubio: lawyers at the State Dept now fear unprecedented retaliation if they provide honest legal advice about big, damaging policies from boat strikes to mass deportations
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
My deep dive on a warning sign for foreign policy-making under Trump + Rubio: lawyers at the State Dept now fear unprecedented retaliation if they provide honest legal advice about big, damaging policies from boat strikes to mass deportations
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
December 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Now leading HuffPost—
My deep dive on a warning sign for foreign policy-making under Trump + Rubio: lawyers at the State Dept now fear unprecedented retaliation if they provide honest legal advice about big, damaging policies from boat strikes to mass deportations
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
My deep dive on a warning sign for foreign policy-making under Trump + Rubio: lawyers at the State Dept now fear unprecedented retaliation if they provide honest legal advice about big, damaging policies from boat strikes to mass deportations
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Some good quotes in here from my former L colleague Charlie Trumbull.
NEW: An unprecedented fear of retaliation has set in at the State Dept's legal office—usually a foreign policy guardrail
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
State Department Experts Fear Retaliation For Questioning Trump And Rubio
“Imagine being afraid to provide what you think is appropriate legal advice," one former attorney told HuffPost.
www.huffpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Some good quotes in here from my former L colleague Charlie Trumbull.
NEW: An unprecedented fear of retaliation has set in at the State Dept's legal office—usually a foreign policy guardrail
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
State Department Experts Fear Retaliation For Questioning Trump And Rubio
“Imagine being afraid to provide what you think is appropriate legal advice," one former attorney told HuffPost.
www.huffpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
NEW: An unprecedented fear of retaliation has set in at the State Dept's legal office—usually a foreign policy guardrail
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
-Staff suspect frank legal advice could lead to them being sidelined/punished/fired
-Increasing politicization suggests their role has "vanished"
www.huffpost.com/entry/state-...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
The USAID cuts by the Trump admin were devastating and fatal.
But one American group teaming up with locals in South Sudan to bring fresh water to tens of thousands of people, showed me how they are stepping up and saving lives.
Videos, photos, interviews inside:
But one American group teaming up with locals in South Sudan to bring fresh water to tens of thousands of people, showed me how they are stepping up and saving lives.
Videos, photos, interviews inside:
NEW: This is a story that took months to pull together and broke my heart a million times writing it.
But this isnt a sad story.
This is about courage, compassion and survival. And the herculean efforts of a group of people who refuse to lay down and die.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
But this isnt a sad story.
This is about courage, compassion and survival. And the herculean efforts of a group of people who refuse to lay down and die.
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Trump Cut Their Lifeline. Months Later, They're Still Fighting Like Hell To Survive.
A small organization powered by the people who need it most has found a way to save lives abandoned by the Trump administration.
www.huffpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The USAID cuts by the Trump admin were devastating and fatal.
But one American group teaming up with locals in South Sudan to bring fresh water to tens of thousands of people, showed me how they are stepping up and saving lives.
Videos, photos, interviews inside:
But one American group teaming up with locals in South Sudan to bring fresh water to tens of thousands of people, showed me how they are stepping up and saving lives.
Videos, photos, interviews inside:
Amid already significant fears among State Department staff that they will be evaluated based on fealty to Trump’s agenda & professional advice/work for past admins can lead to consequences, today brings another warning from a top Rubio aide.
Want to discuss? I’m on Signal at akbar.58 (anon ok).
Want to discuss? I’m on Signal at akbar.58 (anon ok).
December 23, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Amid already significant fears among State Department staff that they will be evaluated based on fealty to Trump’s agenda & professional advice/work for past admins can lead to consequences, today brings another warning from a top Rubio aide.
Want to discuss? I’m on Signal at akbar.58 (anon ok).
Want to discuss? I’m on Signal at akbar.58 (anon ok).
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
New: In September, federal agents swarmed a manufacturing facility in upstate New York, arresting 57 people on alleged immigration violations.
...all without a single arrest warrant.
Behind the unusual administrative warrant ICE used to question everyone:
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-ra...
...all without a single arrest warrant.
Behind the unusual administrative warrant ICE used to question everyone:
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-ra...
'Pull Up Your Pants!' ICE Raided A Plant And Detained Dozens — With No Arrest Warrant.
One agent called the raid a "s**tshow." A federal judge had a different term for what came next.
www.huffpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
New: In September, federal agents swarmed a manufacturing facility in upstate New York, arresting 57 people on alleged immigration violations.
...all without a single arrest warrant.
Behind the unusual administrative warrant ICE used to question everyone:
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-ra...
...all without a single arrest warrant.
Behind the unusual administrative warrant ICE used to question everyone:
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-ra...
Important piece from a wonderful, brave colleague:
I wrote about getting cancer. But really it’s about an illness that’s trending younger and, as a top oncologist told me, being diagnosed in people “trying not to get cancer.” www.huffpost.com/entry/colon-...
At 44, I Received A Cancer Diagnosis I Never Saw Coming. Too Many Young People Will Get The Same One.
Generation Z, millennials and Generation X are more likely to get colorectal cancer – but funding cuts could see the search for a cure grind to a halt.
www.huffpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Important piece from a wonderful, brave colleague:
8 Jewish orgs ask Trump + Rubio to end their expanded travel ban, noting the bar on Palestinian Authority documents "forecloses access for students, medical patients, civil society actors + family members... compounding harm to civilians while doing nothing to advance security" amid claims of peace.
December 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
8 Jewish orgs ask Trump + Rubio to end their expanded travel ban, noting the bar on Palestinian Authority documents "forecloses access for students, medical patients, civil society actors + family members... compounding harm to civilians while doing nothing to advance security" amid claims of peace.
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
here was Renton's message for trans youth: "Ultimately, community will find you, and you will find community, whether it feels impossible or not,” he says.
“We’re not going anywhere.” www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
“We’re not going anywhere.” www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
He’s The Trans Son Of An Anti-Trans Influencer. It’s His Turn To Speak.
Renton Sinclair’s mother is a former Miss Illinois who wants to force trans people out of public life. That’s exactly what makes her a rising star in MAGA World.
www.huffpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:57 PM
here was Renton's message for trans youth: "Ultimately, community will find you, and you will find community, whether it feels impossible or not,” he says.
“We’re not going anywhere.” www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
“We’re not going anywhere.” www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
w/ passage of Marjorie Taylor Greene bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, re-upping story I wrote couple yrs ago abt Renton Sinclair, trans dude in KC who survived horrific, non-affirming childhood w/ a mom who later became a MAGA anti-trans influencer www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
He’s The Trans Son Of An Anti-Trans Influencer. It’s His Turn To Speak.
Renton Sinclair’s mother is a former Miss Illinois who wants to force trans people out of public life. That’s exactly what makes her a rising star in MAGA World.
www.huffpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
w/ passage of Marjorie Taylor Greene bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, re-upping story I wrote couple yrs ago abt Renton Sinclair, trans dude in KC who survived horrific, non-affirming childhood w/ a mom who later became a MAGA anti-trans influencer www.huffpost.com/entry/trans-...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
We're working to answer that question and others. If you or a loved one has first-hand experience with Trump's immigration enforcement apparatus – or if you're a lawyer or federal law enforcement official dealing with these "UAC" ("unaccompanied alien child") arrests – I'm on Signal at mattshuham.01
December 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
We're working to answer that question and others. If you or a loved one has first-hand experience with Trump's immigration enforcement apparatus – or if you're a lawyer or federal law enforcement official dealing with these "UAC" ("unaccompanied alien child") arrests – I'm on Signal at mattshuham.01
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
New: Trump’s ICE Has A Troubling Target: At-Risk Teenagers
In recent months, federal agents have arrested dozens of teenagers who at one point were in government custody as unaccompanied children. Some were arrested on their 18th birthdays– at government shelters.
www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...
In recent months, federal agents have arrested dozens of teenagers who at one point were in government custody as unaccompanied children. Some were arrested on their 18th birthdays– at government shelters.
www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...
Trump’s ICE Has A Troubling New Target
The teens spent time in government-contracted shelters. Now, the feds are putting some of them behind bars.
www.huffpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
New: Trump’s ICE Has A Troubling Target: At-Risk Teenagers
In recent months, federal agents have arrested dozens of teenagers who at one point were in government custody as unaccompanied children. Some were arrested on their 18th birthdays– at government shelters.
www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...
In recent months, federal agents have arrested dozens of teenagers who at one point were in government custody as unaccompanied children. Some were arrested on their 18th birthdays– at government shelters.
www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...
Critiquing media coverage of antisemitism, Vance is here promoting a version of Great Replacement Theory — a white nationalist idea that has itself been repeatedly linked to horrific violence against Jews.
December 15, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Critiquing media coverage of antisemitism, Vance is here promoting a version of Great Replacement Theory — a white nationalist idea that has itself been repeatedly linked to horrific violence against Jews.
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
“God has used them before. God can use them again."
Of the six people in Oklahoma who have had their death sentences commuted, two — Julius Jones and Tremane Wood — shared the same federal habeas legal team. I spoke with the team about their live-saving work www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Of the six people in Oklahoma who have had their death sentences commuted, two — Julius Jones and Tremane Wood — shared the same federal habeas legal team. I spoke with the team about their live-saving work www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
The Miracle Workers Who Keep Successfully Getting Men Off Death Row
“God has used them before. God can use them again,” Julius Jones’ spiritual adviser said ahead of Tremane Wood’s scheduled execution.
www.huffpost.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
“God has used them before. God can use them again."
Of the six people in Oklahoma who have had their death sentences commuted, two — Julius Jones and Tremane Wood — shared the same federal habeas legal team. I spoke with the team about their live-saving work www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
Of the six people in Oklahoma who have had their death sentences commuted, two — Julius Jones and Tremane Wood — shared the same federal habeas legal team. I spoke with the team about their live-saving work www.huffpost.com/entry/treman...
I'll be on @npr.org's 1a starting at 11am ET covering the major news of the week - discussing Gaza, Venezuela, US-EU relations & more.
Tune in if you can!
Tune in if you can!
December 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I'll be on @npr.org's 1a starting at 11am ET covering the major news of the week - discussing Gaza, Venezuela, US-EU relations & more.
Tune in if you can!
Tune in if you can!
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
According to a new court filing, the Trump administration has a six-page list of banned words that Head Start locations are forbidden from using when describing their programs.
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
December 10, 2025 at 11:51 PM
According to a new court filing, the Trump administration has a six-page list of banned words that Head Start locations are forbidden from using when describing their programs.
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
"I don't know how you make peace with those who seek your destruction. I think you destroy them first" - Rep. Randy Fine at a hearing this AM, with one of the clearest calls for violence against Palestinians seen even in a broadly anti-Palestinian GOP caucus.
foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-ac...
foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-ac...
Understanding Judea and Samaria: Historical, Strategic, and Political Dynamics in U.S.–Israel Relations
foreignaffairs.house.gov
December 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
"I don't know how you make peace with those who seek your destruction. I think you destroy them first" - Rep. Randy Fine at a hearing this AM, with one of the clearest calls for violence against Palestinians seen even in a broadly anti-Palestinian GOP caucus.
foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-ac...
foreignaffairs.house.gov/committee-ac...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Reporting indicates this isn't even true but note the standalone charge DHS is making that the man is a "sodomite" and thus should be deported
December 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reporting indicates this isn't even true but note the standalone charge DHS is making that the man is a "sodomite" and thus should be deported
"The health system in Gaza remains on the brink of collapse.. 61% of health service points remain non-functional, placing enormous strain on what remains of the system + 16,500 patients– including around 4,000 children–still require medical evacuation [for] advanced care"
news.un.org/en/story/202...
news.un.org/en/story/202...
Israeli raids and settler attacks deepen humanitarian crisis in West Bank
A spike in Israeli military raids and settler violence across the occupied West Bank is driving new displacement, shutting schools and disrupting essential services for tens of thousands of Palestinia...
news.un.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"The health system in Gaza remains on the brink of collapse.. 61% of health service points remain non-functional, placing enormous strain on what remains of the system + 16,500 patients– including around 4,000 children–still require medical evacuation [for] advanced care"
news.un.org/en/story/202...
news.un.org/en/story/202...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
EXCLUSIVE: For years Donald Trump has evaded responsibility for the Jan. 6 insurrection.
And for years, he has tried to kill a lawsuit that could hold him liable.
He has failed. Again and again.
This is it. This is the last chance to see Trump held to account:
www.huffpost.com/entry/lawmak...
And for years, he has tried to kill a lawsuit that could hold him liable.
He has failed. Again and again.
This is it. This is the last chance to see Trump held to account:
www.huffpost.com/entry/lawmak...
This Could Be The Very Last Chance To Hold Trump Accountable For Jan. 6
Several lawmakers told HuffPost they want to make sure no one forgets the most shameful day in U.S. history — and they’re playing the long game.
www.huffpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
EXCLUSIVE: For years Donald Trump has evaded responsibility for the Jan. 6 insurrection.
And for years, he has tried to kill a lawsuit that could hold him liable.
He has failed. Again and again.
This is it. This is the last chance to see Trump held to account:
www.huffpost.com/entry/lawmak...
And for years, he has tried to kill a lawsuit that could hold him liable.
He has failed. Again and again.
This is it. This is the last chance to see Trump held to account:
www.huffpost.com/entry/lawmak...
Significant update in one of the key cases in the crackdown against questioning U.S.-Israeli policy around Gaza:
December 9, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Significant update in one of the key cases in the crackdown against questioning U.S.-Israeli policy around Gaza:
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Exclusive: ICE has developed a plan to arrest undocumented migrants who try to voluntarily leave the U.S. via the Mexico border, so they can face formal removal.
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
ICE Has A Surprising New Plan To Arrest People Already Leaving The U.S.
“Operation Irish Goodbye,” as it’s being called, could be aimed at boosting numbers for Trump’s much-hyped deportation campaign.
www.huffpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Exclusive: ICE has developed a plan to arrest undocumented migrants who try to voluntarily leave the U.S. via the Mexico border, so they can face formal removal.
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
As Rubio has slashed the State Dept, the office of the legal adviser has been "broken" — boosting the risk the Trump administration may be breaking the law with policies like the Caribbean strikes.
Details here on an unprecedented staff exodus + its ramifications:
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Details here on an unprecedented staff exodus + its ramifications:
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
There's An Exodus Happening In A Very Vital State Department Office
The office tackles global issues such as the administration’s deadly strikes in the Caribbean, which lawmakers and experts say could involve war crimes. Dozens of officials have left this year.
www.huffpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:56 PM
As Rubio has slashed the State Dept, the office of the legal adviser has been "broken" — boosting the risk the Trump administration may be breaking the law with policies like the Caribbean strikes.
Details here on an unprecedented staff exodus + its ramifications:
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Details here on an unprecedented staff exodus + its ramifications:
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...