Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
@avishaybsg.bsky.social
Normative Theory of Civ-Mil especially under democratic backsliding | Liberalism Rekindled Postdoctoral Fellow @Hebrew U | Ruderman Scholar in Residence and Senior Researcher at the INSS | Napper extraordinaire | Kartofellophile
Pinned
Things about politics I’ve come to believe strongly:
1. Less bad is better than more bad
2. Nostalgia is generally incorrect. Things weren’t better
3. Still, things can get much worse
4. Democracy is an outlier in human political history
5. Optimism is rooted in agency, not positive predictions
1. Less bad is better than more bad
2. Nostalgia is generally incorrect. Things weren’t better
3. Still, things can get much worse
4. Democracy is an outlier in human political history
5. Optimism is rooted in agency, not positive predictions
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
This makes perfect sense. The current crisis started with Trump threatening Iran not to shoot protesters and telling protesters that “help is on the way.” Why wouldn’t Tehran think that disarming will only make it more vulnerable to US intervention?
In Tehran, I'm told by my more knowledgeable colleagues (Raz Zimmt for example), the thought is that giving up their nuclear, missile and proxy deterrents, as well as the message sent by capitulating, poses a bigger risk to the regime than strikes. 8/
February 18, 2026 at 8:34 PM
This makes perfect sense. The current crisis started with Trump threatening Iran not to shoot protesters and telling protesters that “help is on the way.” Why wouldn’t Tehran think that disarming will only make it more vulnerable to US intervention?
Ramadan Mubarak everyone
February 18, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Ramadan Mubarak everyone
US-Iran war(?)🧵
Over the last few hours there are so many signs of iminnent US strike in Iran that one would be forgiven to think someone in DC wants us to think it's coming. There's already more aerial capabilities in the area than back in the 12 day war in June (see INSS map). 1/
Over the last few hours there are so many signs of iminnent US strike in Iran that one would be forgiven to think someone in DC wants us to think it's coming. There's already more aerial capabilities in the area than back in the 12 day war in June (see INSS map). 1/
Interactive Map: U.S. Forces Posture in the Middle East (CENTCOM) | INSS
ABACA via REUTERS CONNECT Map, February 11, 2026 Interactive Map: U.S. Forces Posture in the Middle East (CENTCOM) To the map Creator: Stephane Cohen | Advisory Team: Avishay Ben Sasson Gordis, Mora D...
www.inss.org.il
February 18, 2026 at 8:01 PM
US-Iran war(?)🧵
Over the last few hours there are so many signs of iminnent US strike in Iran that one would be forgiven to think someone in DC wants us to think it's coming. There's already more aerial capabilities in the area than back in the 12 day war in June (see INSS map). 1/
Over the last few hours there are so many signs of iminnent US strike in Iran that one would be forgiven to think someone in DC wants us to think it's coming. There's already more aerial capabilities in the area than back in the 12 day war in June (see INSS map). 1/
Oldest is practicing for her gymnastics competition
February 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Oldest is practicing for her gymnastics competition
This is obviously very good. I think we should add to it the mystique of force and its imagined ability to solve domestic inconveniences. They’re frustrated the military won’t do what militarized DHS forces will, and think civilian control should mean “do everything I say because I said so”.
Evidently, something was broken with the other link. So, here, I've written about the right-wing attacks on PME and civilian educational institutions.
othermeans.substack.com/p/the-myth-o...
othermeans.substack.com/p/the-myth-o...
The Myth of the Warfighter
The Soldier and the Educational Institutions
othermeans.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:37 PM
This is obviously very good. I think we should add to it the mystique of force and its imagined ability to solve domestic inconveniences. They’re frustrated the military won’t do what militarized DHS forces will, and think civilian control should mean “do everything I say because I said so”.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
"Democratic politicians urgently need to adopt the GOP view of public opinion—that it’s movable, and it’s their job to move it." newrepublic.com/article/2058...
Instead of Pandering, Democrats Should Try Changing Voters’ Minds
How can the party of liberalism make liberal ideas more popular? By creating a more liberal electorate. Yes, it can be done. Here are five ways how.
newrepublic.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:33 PM
"Democratic politicians urgently need to adopt the GOP view of public opinion—that it’s movable, and it’s their job to move it." newrepublic.com/article/2058...
This is one rich piece of #CivMilSky
The worst thing you will read today. I used to be a WaRrIoR until I had to wear a suit at the war college!
amgreatness.com/2026/02/16/m...
amgreatness.com/2026/02/16/m...
Making the War Colleges Great Again › American Greatness
As President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth work to restore the focus of America’s military on lethality and warfighting, one of their major tasks has been to reform the institutions…
amgreatness.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
This is one rich piece of #CivMilSky
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
State department budget: $58 billion
DOD budget: $850 billion
DOD budget: $850 billion
February 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
State department budget: $58 billion
DOD budget: $850 billion
DOD budget: $850 billion
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
And since Christians have persecuted Jews so viciously, we have a special responsibility to make amends, to repair the damage that the church has done. That begins by turning to the new Christian antisemites and shouting “No!” Ancient hatreds and ancient heresies have no place in the church today.
Opinion | Whatever This Is, It Isn’t Anti-Zionism
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
And since Christians have persecuted Jews so viciously, we have a special responsibility to make amends, to repair the damage that the church has done. That begins by turning to the new Christian antisemites and shouting “No!” Ancient hatreds and ancient heresies have no place in the church today.
Beyond natural curiosity I'm not usually heavily invested in internal theological debates within Chrisitanity, but they are once again affecting the safety of my own people.
In that spirit, move past the headline and read this excellent article by @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. ty for writing it.
In that spirit, move past the headline and read this excellent article by @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. ty for writing it.
Opinion | Whatever This Is, It Isn’t Anti-Zionism
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Beyond natural curiosity I'm not usually heavily invested in internal theological debates within Chrisitanity, but they are once again affecting the safety of my own people.
In that spirit, move past the headline and read this excellent article by @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. ty for writing it.
In that spirit, move past the headline and read this excellent article by @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social. ty for writing it.
Very relatedly, it is also, alongside Terry Pratchett's Night Watch subseries, the clearest articulation of demilitarized (or rather, civilianized) citizen-facing ideal of policing in popular media.
I wonder what to make of the fact that both are comedies.
I wonder what to make of the fact that both are comedies.
What I really fucking love about Hot Fuzz is that it is a rare piece of artwork that unapologetically defends liberal modernity.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
February 16, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Very relatedly, it is also, alongside Terry Pratchett's Night Watch subseries, the clearest articulation of demilitarized (or rather, civilianized) citizen-facing ideal of policing in popular media.
I wonder what to make of the fact that both are comedies.
I wonder what to make of the fact that both are comedies.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
God, I love this movie. Should be mandatory for everyone to watch.
February 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM
God, I love this movie. Should be mandatory for everyone to watch.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
What I really fucking love about Hot Fuzz is that it is a rare piece of artwork that unapologetically defends liberal modernity.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
February 16, 2026 at 5:44 AM
What I really fucking love about Hot Fuzz is that it is a rare piece of artwork that unapologetically defends liberal modernity.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
A representative of the impartial, uniform rule of law & depersonalized state beings justice to a lawless, backward community run by a wretched clique of local grandees.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
OK folks, getting toward the end of my first mass public opinion survey on antisemitism (N=1,000) -- I showed Americans 100 pieces of real graffiti about Jews and/or Israel-Palestine, and asked them to rate the whether they were antisemitic (yes/no/unsure).
Even a cursory look is interesting...
Even a cursory look is interesting...
February 15, 2026 at 3:46 PM
OK folks, getting toward the end of my first mass public opinion survey on antisemitism (N=1,000) -- I showed Americans 100 pieces of real graffiti about Jews and/or Israel-Palestine, and asked them to rate the whether they were antisemitic (yes/no/unsure).
Even a cursory look is interesting...
Even a cursory look is interesting...
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
Update: It is now closer to c.300,000 words of new Pocock
I am currently editing c.50,000 words of writings unknown to scholars by J.G.A. Pocock on the Second World War, historiography, political ideas, republicanism, and more for publication next year (with all permissions and family blessing). I look forward to sharing in due course.
February 14, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Update: It is now closer to c.300,000 words of new Pocock
The gap between rhetorical vibes and actual semantic content in Rubio's speech is stunning. It's much more sophisticated than the one Vance gave in Munich last year, but there's more common than different between the two speeches.
February 15, 2026 at 6:56 AM
The gap between rhetorical vibes and actual semantic content in Rubio's speech is stunning. It's much more sophisticated than the one Vance gave in Munich last year, but there's more common than different between the two speeches.
February 14, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
“The settler movement has taken advantage of Israelis’ nervousness and the distraction of Gaza to reconfigure the status quo in the West Bank with a breathtakingly ambitious program of spatial engineering,” writes Shira Efron.
Israel Is Quietly Annexing the West Bank
The blunder that will imperil any Mideast peace.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:42 PM
“The settler movement has taken advantage of Israelis’ nervousness and the distraction of Gaza to reconfigure the status quo in the West Bank with a breathtakingly ambitious program of spatial engineering,” writes Shira Efron.
Sorting. Detaining. Separating. Cool cool cool cool cool
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Sorting. Detaining. Separating. Cool cool cool cool cool
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
LSE Political Theory Group research seminar TODAY:
Speaker: Daniel Häuser (LSE)
Title: In Defense of a Modest Political Liberalism
When: Thursday, 12 February, 4:00 PM
Where: CKK.2.06
All are welcome!
Speaker: Daniel Häuser (LSE)
Title: In Defense of a Modest Political Liberalism
When: Thursday, 12 February, 4:00 PM
Where: CKK.2.06
All are welcome!
February 12, 2026 at 10:31 AM
LSE Political Theory Group research seminar TODAY:
Speaker: Daniel Häuser (LSE)
Title: In Defense of a Modest Political Liberalism
When: Thursday, 12 February, 4:00 PM
Where: CKK.2.06
All are welcome!
Speaker: Daniel Häuser (LSE)
Title: In Defense of a Modest Political Liberalism
When: Thursday, 12 February, 4:00 PM
Where: CKK.2.06
All are welcome!
It never ceases to amaze me that we've gone from European powers dividing up the Middle East to Europe being divided up in the Middle East
As we speak, trilateral “peace” negotiations are underway in Abu Dhabi. Reps of the Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. are trying to hammer out how on earth Ukraine can be assured of iron-clad security against further Russian aggression.
But there’s more on the table…
But there’s more on the table…
February 12, 2026 at 7:33 AM
It never ceases to amaze me that we've gone from European powers dividing up the Middle East to Europe being divided up in the Middle East
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
Seems the Pentagon is testing anti-drone high-energy lasers near Fort Bliss in El Paso, and didn't feel this was dangerous enough to close airspace over.
The FAA administrator disagreed.
Last week, these lasers successfully protected the American people from a sinister children's party balloon.
The FAA administrator disagreed.
Last week, these lasers successfully protected the American people from a sinister children's party balloon.
Airspace closure followed spat over drone-related tests and party balloon shoot-down, sources say
Pentagon officials had undertaken planning to use military technology near Fort Bliss, in El Paso, to practice downing drones.
www.cbsnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Seems the Pentagon is testing anti-drone high-energy lasers near Fort Bliss in El Paso, and didn't feel this was dangerous enough to close airspace over.
The FAA administrator disagreed.
Last week, these lasers successfully protected the American people from a sinister children's party balloon.
The FAA administrator disagreed.
Last week, these lasers successfully protected the American people from a sinister children's party balloon.
Who just took apart the bottle trap and unclogged their sink? Me!
February 11, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Who just took apart the bottle trap and unclogged their sink? Me!
If your framework for American policy in the age of Trump is domination, you’re going to get most things right.
This is true abroad and at home.
This is true abroad and at home.
Trump: "So I put on a 30% tariff, which is very low. I got an emergency call from I believe the prime minister of Switzerland. She was very aggressive ... I didn't really like the way she talked to us, so instead of giving her a reduction, I raised it to 39%."
February 11, 2026 at 5:33 AM
If your framework for American policy in the age of Trump is domination, you’re going to get most things right.
This is true abroad and at home.
This is true abroad and at home.
Stage 2
A key thing about “mass deportation” is that it doesn’t work so you go from mass deportation to mass imprisonment without cause and sometimes to other more final solutions
Madagascar again? Or were they planning on a different destination this time?
February 10, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Stage 2