Michael Walsh
@greatermiddleeast.bsky.social
Sr. National Security and Foreign Policy Columnist / Lead Researcher on US national strategic plans / Occasional Lecturer at Foreign Service Institute / Former Sr Comm Mgr at Microsoft/ Affiliate at Georgetown SFS / Views own.
Pinned
Thank you to Areig Elhag for having me on Al Hurra to discuss the impact of #Trump election on #Sahel, #NorthAfrica, and #MiddleEast this week. Always great to be invited to Middle East Broadcasting Network to discuss American #foreignpolicy in the #GreaterMiddleEast.
#Dartmouth is facing a potential backlash from #WhiteHouse. No matter where one stands on domestic #politics, Dickey Center appears partisan to conservatives. Why Sian Beilock should act to sever relationship with #Arctic institute before #Trump makes next move. www.eurasiareview.com/20102025-dar...
Dartmouth Needs To Mitigate Risks Of Trump’s Great Reform Agenda Campaign For Arctic Research – OpEd
Last weekend, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Government is going to aggressively move forward with implementing the Great Reform Agenda in Higher Education. That announcement poses a m...
www.eurasiareview.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:06 AM
#Dartmouth is facing a potential backlash from #WhiteHouse. No matter where one stands on domestic #politics, Dickey Center appears partisan to conservatives. Why Sian Beilock should act to sever relationship with #Arctic institute before #Trump makes next move. www.eurasiareview.com/20102025-dar...
New OpEd: US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon should address the geographic bias against #Arctic and #Pacific area studies in the National Resource Program. #ed #research #academic #alaska #hawaii
www.highnorthnews.com/en/secretary...
www.highnorthnews.com/en/secretary...
Secretary McMahon Should Consider Establishing a National Resource Center on Arctic Studies within the University of Alaska System
The U.S. Department of Education needs to address the geographic bias against Arctic Studies and Pacific Studies in the NRC Program. That could start with the establishment of a Center for Arctic Stud...
www.highnorthnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM
My new commentary for High North #News in #Norway. Provides a playbook for Members of #Congress ti ramp-up their #oversight of US #Arctic research under #Trump Admin. www.highnorthnews.com/en/quick-pla... re: #climate #alaska #whitehouse #usarc #iarpc #nsf #ostp
A Quick Playbook for Congressional Oversight on Arctic Research
Op-ed: It is clear that there are many Arctic research issues that warrant more engagement by the U.S. Congress, including potential non-compliance issues with statutory obligations, writes researcher...
www.highnorthnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
My new commentary for High North #News in #Norway. Provides a playbook for Members of #Congress ti ramp-up their #oversight of US #Arctic research under #Trump Admin. www.highnorthnews.com/en/quick-pla... re: #climate #alaska #whitehouse #usarc #iarpc #nsf #ostp
Grateful to New York Times for opportunity to comment on #Arctic policy of #Trump Admin. My comments focus on #securitization of regional issues by #WhiteHouse. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/c... re: #climate #security #biden #greenland #foreignpolicy #nsf #polar #environment #navy #energy #immigration
In the Arctic, the U.S. Shifts Focus From Climate Research to Security
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Grateful to New York Times for opportunity to comment on #Arctic policy of #Trump Admin. My comments focus on #securitization of regional issues by #WhiteHouse. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/c... re: #climate #security #biden #greenland #foreignpolicy #nsf #polar #environment #navy #energy #immigration
New commentary argues, “Americans Need to Better Understand Where #Trump Admin Stands on #Arctic #Research.” That is because it is unclear what are the invalid and securitized issues according to #WhiteHouse. www.thearcticinstitute.org/americans-ne... re: #climate #alaska #science #policy #military
Americans Need to Better Understand Where Trump Administration Stands on Arctic Research
Americans need to better understand where the Trump Administration stands on Arctic Affairs and Arctic research.
www.thearcticinstitute.org
October 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM
New commentary argues, “Americans Need to Better Understand Where #Trump Admin Stands on #Arctic #Research.” That is because it is unclear what are the invalid and securitized issues according to #WhiteHouse. www.thearcticinstitute.org/americans-ne... re: #climate #alaska #science #policy #military
My first article was published in @alaskabeacon.com earlier this week. Explores my concerns that U.S. Government does not have a good grasp on the federally-funded #research needs for advancing US national interests in the #Arctic. re: #Alaska #NSF #IARPC #security
alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/23/a...
alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/23/a...
Arctic research should advance more than U.S. national security interests | Alaska Beacon
The U.S. Government does not have a good grasp on the federally-funded research needs for advancing U.S. national interests in the Arctic. That became clear to me when the U.S. Arctic Research Commiss...
alaskabeacon.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:32 PM
My first article was published in @alaskabeacon.com earlier this week. Explores my concerns that U.S. Government does not have a good grasp on the federally-funded #research needs for advancing US national interests in the #Arctic. re: #Alaska #NSF #IARPC #security
alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/23/a...
alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/23/a...
Excited to see my #OpEd on the #securitization of #Arctic affairs by #Trump Admin being published by #news outlets around the world! Nice to see Arctic research be recognized as an import issue. Unfortuante that it is because of US federal funding cuts. www.highnorthnews.com/en/trump-adm...
Trump Administration’s Securitization of Arctic Affairs and Its Implications for U.S. Federally Funded Research
The Trump Administration is in the process of securitizing Arctic affairs. "That will almost certainly have a significant impact on the future of U.S. federally funded research related to the Arctic",...
www.highnorthnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Excited to see my #OpEd on the #securitization of #Arctic affairs by #Trump Admin being published by #news outlets around the world! Nice to see Arctic research be recognized as an import issue. Unfortuante that it is because of US federal funding cuts. www.highnorthnews.com/en/trump-adm...
Cited in #Alaska Public Radio (#NPR) #news story on effects of #NSF funding cuts on #Arctic #research. This month, US #Arctic Research Consortium (#ARCUS) will close its doors. Opened during Cold War. Will have impact on #Arctic researchers. re: #climate #seaice
alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
alaskapublic.org/news/environ...
Nonprofit coordinating Arctic research will shut down as federal funding dries up
The Arctic Research Consortium of the United States, which brings together academics from universities and government agencies, plans to close its doors.
alaskapublic.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Grateful to #Pacific Island Times for writing such a thoughtful #news story about my #data quality research project on #StateDept! As one might expect, they focus on errors in official publications related to the #Pacific Islands Region. re: #CANZPS
www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/state-d...
www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/state-d...
State Department publications riddled with omissions and inaccurate info on Pacific island entries
By Jayvee Vallejera The Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Palau is named U.S. Embassy Koror, which refers to the capital of Palau. However, the embassy’s official website says the embassy is actual...
www.pacificislandtimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Grateful to #Pacific Island Times for writing such a thoughtful #news story about my #data quality research project on #StateDept! As one might expect, they focus on errors in official publications related to the #Pacific Islands Region. re: #CANZPS
www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/state-d...
www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/state-d...
#WhiteHouse: Over weekend, there was lots of talk about what went wrong with national security strategy under #Biden Admin. Even experts from #Africa and #Europe have weighed in. Covered in my column for Mail & Guardian. Reposted to #Substack: africanstudies.substack.com/p/what-reall... (re: #Csis)
What (Really) Went Wrong with (Africa) Strategy under Biden?
Judd Devermont Asks Question, Dances around Answer, and Offers Valuable Context
africanstudies.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
#WhiteHouse: Over weekend, there was lots of talk about what went wrong with national security strategy under #Biden Admin. Even experts from #Africa and #Europe have weighed in. Covered in my column for Mail & Guardian. Reposted to #Substack: africanstudies.substack.com/p/what-reall... (re: #Csis)
The new special envoy for South Africa likely will face an uphill battle given his prior remarks about President Trump … www.iol.co.za/business-rep...
Mcebisi Jonas takes up US envoy role, but faces potential diplomatic hurdles
President Ramaphosa's appointment of Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa's Special Envoy to the US has drawn mixed reactions. While his business and political experience is praised, experts warn that Jonas'...
www.iol.co.za
April 14, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The new special envoy for South Africa likely will face an uphill battle given his prior remarks about President Trump … www.iol.co.za/business-rep...
Interested in South Africa? Today, the @fpri.bsky.social will be hosting a public webinar on the future of US-South Africa relations. A lot has already happened under the Trump Administration. And there are more challenges that need ti be overcome.
www.fpri.org/event/2025/t...
www.fpri.org/event/2025/t...
The Future of US-South Africa Relations - FPRI Events
Join us for a discussion on the possible future direction of the US-South Africa relationship with FPRI's Africa Program Chair, Ambassador Charles Ray, Senior
www.fpri.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Interested in South Africa? Today, the @fpri.bsky.social will be hosting a public webinar on the future of US-South Africa relations. A lot has already happened under the Trump Administration. And there are more challenges that need ti be overcome.
www.fpri.org/event/2025/t...
www.fpri.org/event/2025/t...
New Publication: After recent attacks on diplomatic missions to the DR #Congo, serious questions have been raised about whether #Trump Admin is adequately prepared for a significant attack on US embassies. smallwarsjournal.com/2025/04/10/w... #WhiteHouse #Pentagon #Marines #StateDept #Benghazi
White House Should Direct Department of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff to Review Strategic Choices on Embassy Crisis Response | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University
This article analyzes the role and preparedness of the U.S. Department of Defense in the conduct of global diplomatic security.
smallwarsjournal.com
April 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
New Publication: After recent attacks on diplomatic missions to the DR #Congo, serious questions have been raised about whether #Trump Admin is adequately prepared for a significant attack on US embassies. smallwarsjournal.com/2025/04/10/w... #WhiteHouse #Pentagon #Marines #StateDept #Benghazi
The US Department of State responded to my earlier criticism published in The Post (New Zealand). However, the oversight will still carry significant diplomatic consequences for #Trump Administration.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/09/t...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/09/t...
Trump's pick as NZ envoy caught up in Pacific slip-up
As Democrats block Donald Trump's diplomatic nominees, a seeming blunder may have moved his next ambassador to NZ to the back of the line.
newsroom.co.nz
April 8, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The US Department of State responded to my earlier criticism published in The Post (New Zealand). However, the oversight will still carry significant diplomatic consequences for #Trump Administration.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/09/t...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/09/t...
Washington #News: Strong beliefs that #SouthAfrica banks used to make illicit transfers to #Iran and US designated #terrorist organizations (ie #HAMAS, #Hezbollah). Some talking about #SWIFT ban on #Israel banks. More likely economic #sanctions on South African ones. mg.co.za/thought-lead...
Cold reality of mooted Swift bans for Israeli and South African banks
Any attempt to prohibit access to the secure financial messaging network could backfire
mg.co.za
April 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Washington #News: Strong beliefs that #SouthAfrica banks used to make illicit transfers to #Iran and US designated #terrorist organizations (ie #HAMAS, #Hezbollah). Some talking about #SWIFT ban on #Israel banks. More likely economic #sanctions on South African ones. mg.co.za/thought-lead...
The #Trump administration is committed to restoring meritocracy and promoting individuality in the international system. Those principle-based strategic goals pose a serious risk to the future involvement of the government of South Africa abd African Union in the #G20.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
Trump administration might put AU and South Africa’s G20 membership into play
Political analysts should pay more attention to the G20 Johannesburg Summit given Donald Trump’s bid to restore meritocracy and dilute diversity
mg.co.za
March 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The #Trump administration is committed to restoring meritocracy and promoting individuality in the international system. Those principle-based strategic goals pose a serious risk to the future involvement of the government of South Africa abd African Union in the #G20.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
#Signal: “Imagine you are an #Iran military officer, a #ChinA politician, or #ANC official. After you hear this story, you get approached by an intelligence officer from U.S. government or a close ally. Would you trust the USG and its allies with your life?” Walsh asked. www.ntd.com/white-house-...
White House Reviewing How Journalist Was Accidentally Added Into Group Chat on Houthi Strike
The Atlantic magazine’s editor-in-chief was accidentally added to a Trump administration text chat discussing the renewed campaign of U.S. airstrikes on Houthi terrorists in Yemen in the hours after t...
www.ntd.com
March 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
#Signal: “Imagine you are an #Iran military officer, a #ChinA politician, or #ANC official. After you hear this story, you get approached by an intelligence officer from U.S. government or a close ally. Would you trust the USG and its allies with your life?” Walsh asked. www.ntd.com/white-house-...
#Turmp: “Earlier this week, Federal #Maritime Commission launched an examination to identify other parties that create unfavourable shipping conditions in several choke points around the world. That carries significant risks for the future of US - #Spain relations.” mg.co.za/thought-lead...
New Federal Maritime Commission inquiry could rock Pillars of Hercules in US-Spain relations
the US Federal Maritime Commission launched an examination to identify any regulations, policies, or practices by other parties that create unfavorable shipping conditions in several choke points arou...
mg.co.za
March 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
#Turmp: “Earlier this week, Federal #Maritime Commission launched an examination to identify other parties that create unfavourable shipping conditions in several choke points around the world. That carries significant risks for the future of US - #Spain relations.” mg.co.za/thought-lead...
“A US policy expert has warned that the Federal Maritime Commission inquiry launched last week could pose significant risk for US-SA relations via potential shipping sanctions, at a time when relations between two countries were already at an all-time low.” www.iol.co.za/business-rep...
Shipping inquiry raises stakes for US-South Africa relations
A US policy expert warns that South Africa could face maritime sanctions and trade restrictions following a new Federal Maritime Commission inquiry, potentially further straining already tense US-SA r...
www.iol.co.za
March 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
“A US policy expert has warned that the Federal Maritime Commission inquiry launched last week could pose significant risk for US-SA relations via potential shipping sanctions, at a time when relations between two countries were already at an all-time low.” www.iol.co.za/business-rep...
Federal Maritime Commission Investigation on Global #Maritime Choke Points: “With these investigations, once they’re initiated you can never be quite sure where they’ll go,” Michael Walsh, a visiting researcher at Granada University, told the Olive Press.
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
www.theolivepress.es
March 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Federal Maritime Commission Investigation on Global #Maritime Choke Points: “With these investigations, once they’re initiated you can never be quite sure where they’ll go,” Michael Walsh, a visiting researcher at Granada University, told the Olive Press.
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
After expulsion of #SouthAfrica Ambassador by #Rubio, President #Ramaphosa Should Consider Ordering South African Embassy in Washington to Scrub Images of #Biden and #Rasool from Official Website.
medium.com/the-democrac...
medium.com/the-democrac...
President Cyril Ramaphosa Should Consider Ordering South African Embassy in Washington to Scrub…
It has been two weeks since U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, famously declared the South African Ambassador to the United States…
medium.com
March 30, 2025 at 7:41 PM
After expulsion of #SouthAfrica Ambassador by #Rubio, President #Ramaphosa Should Consider Ordering South African Embassy in Washington to Scrub Images of #Biden and #Rasool from Official Website.
medium.com/the-democrac...
medium.com/the-democrac...
Spanish PM #Sanchez is no fan of #Trump or his right-wing billionaire backers, putting a crucial strategic partnership in jeopardy …
asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-a...
asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-a...
US and Spain careening toward a strategic breakdown - Asia Times
Under the Trump administration, the future of US-Spain relations appears to be moving along a path to resolve a strategic paradox. On the one hand, the
asiatimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Spanish PM #Sanchez is no fan of #Trump or his right-wing billionaire backers, putting a crucial strategic partnership in jeopardy …
asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-a...
asiatimes.com/2025/01/us-a...
At the start of the #Trump administration, select conservative interest groups are working hard to convince the chairperson and ranking member of appropriate committees in the US Congress to issue joint requests on South #Africa under the Global #Magnitsky Act.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
Will the US Congress pull the Magnitsky sanctions trigger on South Africa? – The Mail & Guardian
With President Donald Trump in office, there is strong political will to push back against the Brics nations
mg.co.za
February 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM
At the start of the #Trump administration, select conservative interest groups are working hard to convince the chairperson and ranking member of appropriate committees in the US Congress to issue joint requests on South #Africa under the Global #Magnitsky Act.
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
mg.co.za/thought-lead...
Due to America First Agenda, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will now need to re-evaluate the strategic alignment of how US diplomatic missions are organized around the world. That includes the Office of Palestinian Affairs. blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-r...
The Blogs: Rubio Must Realign Office of Palestinian Affairs
From the blog of Michael Walsh at The Times of Israel
blogs.timesofisrael.com
February 1, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Due to America First Agenda, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will now need to re-evaluate the strategic alignment of how US diplomatic missions are organized around the world. That includes the Office of Palestinian Affairs. blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-r...
October 7 Attacks show that there is a clear and present need for the US Secretary of State Marco #Rubio to re-evaluate the policy guidance for the unclassified strategic plans of State Department …
blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-f...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-f...
The Blogs: Rubio Must Fix US Foreign Policy Planning
From the blog of Michael Walsh at The Times of Israel
blogs.timesofisrael.com
February 1, 2025 at 1:38 AM
October 7 Attacks show that there is a clear and present need for the US Secretary of State Marco #Rubio to re-evaluate the policy guidance for the unclassified strategic plans of State Department …
blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-f...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/rubio-must-f...