Brad Smith
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bradsmithunc.bsky.social
Brad Smith
@bradsmithunc.bsky.social
Vanderbilt University Political Scientist. Tar Heel born and bred. Game theory, conflict, political economy. Metalhead. 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛
Reposted by Brad Smith
One of the less-discussed potential agenda items for next week’s NATO summit is a U.S. withdrawal from Europe. I discussed the downsides with @bradsmithunc.bsky.social over on Lines on Maps Extra.

youtu.be/rQGSgmtF3E0
The Many Downsides of a U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Europe (Feat. Brad Smith)
YouTube video by Lines on Maps Extra
youtu.be
June 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I’m very happy to see this published, and in open access!

Peter and I had a lot of fun writing this paper. We hope you find it useful and interesting.
The logic of secret alliances by Peter Bils and Bradley C. Smith is now available in Early View. @bradsmithunc.bsky.social ajps.org/2025/06/23/t...
June 24, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Some good news to share:

I learned last week that Vanderbilt officially approved my promotion and tenure.

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support I’ve gotten from friends, family, and colleagues on this journey-too many to name.
May 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
What can Ukraine do *now* to facilitate its entry into NATO? The answer has something to do with swivel chairs. I sat down with alliance expert @bradsmithunc.bsky.social to discuss the broader history of alliances and how NATO fits into the bigger picture.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsXs...
What Ukraine Can Do Now to Hasten Entry into NATO (Feat. Brad Smith)
YouTube video by Lines on Maps Extra
www.youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This is a fantastic paper.

If you ever wondered “why would I want to use a structural approach?” this paper is a shining example.
March 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
@mgibilisco.bsky.social and I have a new paper out in @iojournal.bsky.social that we’re really excited about. Mike has a great 🧵on it!
March 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
Had a great time visiting Carnegie Mellon’s @cmist-cmu.bsky.social to talk about my new book “Influence Without Arms.” Link to video is below if you’re interested in checking it out.
Prof. Matthew Fuhrmann's book, "Influence Without Arms," explores the surprising power of nuclear latency. Hear his insights in our recent Scientists & Strategists, now available on YouTube!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwVi...

#nuclearlatency #carnegiemellon #security @mcfuhrmann.bsky.social
Influence Without Arms: The New Logic of Nuclear Deterrence
YouTube video by CMIST at CMU
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The Cavern by Inter Arma is a Masterpiece. Why do I even listen to other music?

open.spotify.com/track/0YOYPi...
The Cavern
Inter Arma · The Cavern · Song · 2014
open.spotify.com
January 20, 2025 at 12:49 AM
This is a very cool paper

drive.google.com/file/d/1M2Nx...
Szeidl_Szucs_2024.pdf
drive.google.com
January 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Without downloading any new pics what’s your energy going into 2025?
December 28, 2024 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
one of the great records of this century, imo
December 20, 2024 at 12:41 PM
Cool paper alert 🚨
Very happy this is out! I'm very proud of this paper. As always: read it, cite it, love it!
The institutional foundations of the power to persuade by Carlo Prato and Ian R. Turner is now available in Early View. @carloprato.bsky.social ajps.org/2024/12/10/t...
December 18, 2024 at 6:27 PM
It's that time of year. My top 5 albums of 2024 are:

1. Pallbearer - Mind Burns Alive
2. Julie Christmas - Ridiculous and Full of Blood
3. Ulver - Liminal Animals
4. Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere
5. Bilmuri - AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS

Message me if you want the top 25. What are yours? 🤘
December 13, 2024 at 5:45 PM
This is the face of a cat that has chewed through so many electrical cords that the replacement cost is now 10 times higher than what it cost to adopt him.

I love him.
December 2, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Haven’t been on here in a while. Hi! Who should I follow?
November 22, 2024 at 3:44 PM
Tell us a perfect album that came out when you were 16
November 8, 2023 at 1:20 AM
Bringing an interesting conversation with @brentonkenkel.bsky.social to you all: what 3 songs would you use to test audio quality of speakers/headphones or competing streaming services? I’ve got:

1. Meshuggah - Rational Gaze
2. Fever Ray - Concrete Walls
3. Alice In Chains - Nutshell (unplugged)
November 6, 2023 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
Niche polisky IR post about the modeling dialogue between bargaining model of war and historical record. "Large & rapid" shifts in power link commitment problems to war, but when searching for examples we often overlook the outcomes of other conflicts. (1/4)
September 29, 2023 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Brad Smith
Branislav Slantchev and I wrote an essay for The Economist on the war in Ukraine. Gated, but here's the link:
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...
September 21, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Your pet | what they’re named after
September 21, 2023 at 5:12 AM
So is this where Poli Sci twitter is converging?

If you found my profile, hi! I’m Brad. I work on the political economy of conflict, mostly focusing on alliance politics and security cooperation.

Sometimes I post about (mostly heavy) music.

As is custom, here are my cats, Paimon & May:
September 21, 2023 at 12:10 AM