James Ryan
@jdryan08.bsky.social
Executive Director, Middle East Research and Information Project (www.merip.org | @merip.bsky.social). Adjuncting at Rowan University. Historian interested in Turkey, Prodigal Son of Philadelphia. Usual caveats.
Reposted by James Ryan
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MERIP is a small nonprofit — our budget for 2026 is under $100k and our average donation is $120! — please consider donating before midnight to help us keep growing in 2026
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SUPPORT MERIP'S CRITICAL WORK BY DONATING For 50 years, MERIP has published critical analysis of Middle Eastern politics, history, and social justice not available in other publications. Our articles…
www.merip.org
December 31, 2025 at 11:19 PM
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I did not get much writing out this year that wasn’t related to @merip.bsky.social — something I’m dedicated to changing in 2026 — but my favorite newsletter I wrote this year was definitely this one. www.merip.org/2025/11/dick...
Dick Cheney Dead
An Archival Remix on the Neoconservative Legacy
www.merip.org
December 31, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I did not get much writing out this year that wasn’t related to @merip.bsky.social — something I’m dedicated to changing in 2026 — but my favorite newsletter I wrote this year was definitely this one. www.merip.org/2025/11/dick...
Reposted by James Ryan
MERIP is a small nonprofit — our budget for 2026 is under $100k and our average donation is $120! — please consider donating before midnight to help us keep growing in 2026
Donate
SUPPORT MERIP'S CRITICAL WORK BY DONATING For 50 years, MERIP has published critical analysis of Middle Eastern politics, history, and social justice not available in other publications. Our articles…
www.merip.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
MERIP is a small nonprofit — our budget for 2026 is under $100k and our average donation is $120! — please consider donating before midnight to help us keep growing in 2026
Friends and Comrades — the absolute best thing about MERIP is that it is a reader supported organization. The large majority of our work is done by volunteers and part-time staff supported by small donations from loyal readers. We have done so much this year, help us keep it up in 2026!
We’ve accomplished a lot in 2025! Three great issues, launched a podcast and redesigned our website! We did it all with your support — please consider making a donation before the year is out!
www.merip.org/donate/
www.merip.org/donate/
Donate
SUPPORT MERIP'S CRITICAL WORK BY DONATING For 50 years, MERIP has published critical analysis of Middle Eastern politics, history, and social justice not available in other publications. Our articles…
www.merip.org
December 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Friends and Comrades — the absolute best thing about MERIP is that it is a reader supported organization. The large majority of our work is done by volunteers and part-time staff supported by small donations from loyal readers. We have done so much this year, help us keep it up in 2026!
Reposted by James Ryan
"...many of the same companies at the forefront of digital humanitarianism are implicated in digitized warfare and other forms of surveillance and violence."
In a special report for Resistance–The Axis and Beyond, Samer Abboud laid out how the collection of biometric data from refugees, first piloted in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp over a decade ago, completely reshaped the management of refugees in the region and across the world.
Artificial Humanitarianism—The Data-Driven Future of Refugee Responses - MERIP
n Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp, to pay for food at one of the World Food Programme (WFP)’s distribution centers, Syrian refugees must lean into an iris scanner that registers their […]
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December 31, 2025 at 12:03 PM
"...many of the same companies at the forefront of digital humanitarianism are implicated in digitized warfare and other forms of surveillance and violence."
Reposted by James Ryan
A look back at 5 of @foreignpolicy.com's best pieces on Trump, America and the World from the past year. Featuring @nateschenkkan.bsky.social and @bretdevereaux.bsky.social among others:
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/30/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/30/t...
America and the World in 2025
Nearly one year into Trump’s second term, our authors assess the damage he has caused to the global order.
foreignpolicy.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
A look back at 5 of @foreignpolicy.com's best pieces on Trump, America and the World from the past year. Featuring @nateschenkkan.bsky.social and @bretdevereaux.bsky.social among others:
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/30/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/30/t...
Reposted by James Ryan
December 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by James Ryan
Our most-listened podcast so far this year is our interview with Yemen expert Helen Lackner on the role of the Houthis in the war in Gaza.
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December 30, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Our most-listened podcast so far this year is our interview with Yemen expert Helen Lackner on the role of the Houthis in the war in Gaza.
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buff.ly/jhqtnAW
Reposted by James Ryan
For "In the Archive" a special series focused on MERIP's history we interviewed noted Palestinian historian Beshara Doumani about his 1988 article about the First Intifada, "Abu Farid's House." buff.ly/UlFZ5fD
December 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
For "In the Archive" a special series focused on MERIP's history we interviewed noted Palestinian historian Beshara Doumani about his 1988 article about the First Intifada, "Abu Farid's House." buff.ly/UlFZ5fD
Reposted by James Ryan
MERIP relies on support from our readers, consider a one-time or recurring donation today!
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December 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
MERIP relies on support from our readers, consider a one-time or recurring donation today!
buff.ly/f0kChM5
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Reposted by James Ryan
Our first editors roundtable episode covered the growing recognition of Israel's genocide in Gaza in the popular press, and the advance of the movement to recognize Palestinian statehood. The conversation featured MERIP Edcomm members Lisa Hajjar, Sean Yom and Jacob Mundy.
The MERIP Podcast Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition"
The MERIP Roundtable is a new format for the MERIP podcast featuring conversation on urgent issues in the Middle East with members of MERIP's Editorial Committee. The theme of this episode's…
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December 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Our first editors roundtable episode covered the growing recognition of Israel's genocide in Gaza in the popular press, and the advance of the movement to recognize Palestinian statehood. The conversation featured MERIP Edcomm members Lisa Hajjar, Sean Yom and Jacob Mundy.
Reposted by James Ryan
The third episode of this series sought to unpack the sectarian crisis and featured Sara Ajlyakin, Sana Mustafa, and Yasser Munif.
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buff.ly/pfQ5yIA
The MERIP Podcast Episode Seven: Syria at the Crossroads III
This week in the feed we have the audio from our August 14th, 2025 event "Syria at the Crossroads: Unpacking Sectarianism and the Crisis in Suweida." The conversation features perspectives from…
www.merip.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The third episode of this series sought to unpack the sectarian crisis and featured Sara Ajlyakin, Sana Mustafa, and Yasser Munif.
buff.ly/pfQ5yIA
buff.ly/pfQ5yIA
Reposted by James Ryan
Our second conversation in the series included observations on the intersection of the Palestinian and Syrian struggles from Joseph Daher, Ramah Kudaimi, and Yasmeen Mobayed.
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The MERIP Podcast Episode Five: Syria at the Crossroads II
This week on the MERIP Podcast Feed we have the audio recording of our June 23rd event "Syria at the Crossroads: Regional Politics and the Movement for Palestine." This conversation was the second in…
www.merip.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Our second conversation in the series included observations on the intersection of the Palestinian and Syrian struggles from Joseph Daher, Ramah Kudaimi, and Yasmeen Mobayed.
buff.ly/HJVrLMg
buff.ly/HJVrLMg
Reposted by James Ryan
This summer, we hosted a series of online conversations with our comrades @journalspectre.bsky.social on post-Asad Syria. You can listen to all of them in our podcast feed. The first included reflections from Leila Al-Shami, Djene Bajalan and Wafa Mustafa.
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The MERIP Podcast Episode Four: Syria at the Crossroads I
This week on the feed is the audio recording of our zoom event "Syria at the Crossroads: Popular Revolt, Counterrevolution, and Regional Transformation" featuring Leila Al-Shami, Wafa Mustafa, and…
www.merip.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This summer, we hosted a series of online conversations with our comrades @journalspectre.bsky.social on post-Asad Syria. You can listen to all of them in our podcast feed. The first included reflections from Leila Al-Shami, Djene Bajalan and Wafa Mustafa.
buff.ly/vjAqAVw
buff.ly/vjAqAVw
Reposted by James Ryan
The first episode of the MERIP podcast featured an interview with Iran expert Mona Tajali, recorded in the wake of the 12 day war and reflecting on her article "Women and Politics in Post-Jina Iran."
The MERIP Podcast Episode One: Mona Tajali
The first episode of the MERIP Podcast features an interview with Mona Tajali, a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law about her piece, “Women…
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December 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The first episode of the MERIP podcast featured an interview with Iran expert Mona Tajali, recorded in the wake of the 12 day war and reflecting on her article "Women and Politics in Post-Jina Iran."
Reposted by James Ryan
One of our major developments this year was the launch of our very first podcast! We've produced 13 episodes that feature interviews with past and present contributors, editor roundtables and event recordings. Check them out on our website or wherever you get your podcasts!
The MERIP Podcast - Middle East Research and Information Project
The MERIP Podcast features interviews and roundtables with MERIP authors and editors, and recordings from events. You can listen to all episodes here, or on your preferred podcast service.
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December 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
One of our major developments this year was the launch of our very first podcast! We've produced 13 episodes that feature interviews with past and present contributors, editor roundtables and event recordings. Check them out on our website or wherever you get your podcasts!
Reposted by James Ryan
Enjoyed our Top-10 overview this weekend? Support our work during our year-end campaign! Make a one-time or monthly donation today!
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December 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Enjoyed our Top-10 overview this weekend? Support our work during our year-end campaign! Make a one-time or monthly donation today!
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Reposted by James Ryan
Reposted by James Ryan
In February 2024, a British flagged cargo ship was hit by two Houthi missiles & severed fiber optic cables that cut 25% of the internet traffic between Europe and Asia. Ned Leadbeater explains how the geography of normalization has impacted how the world connects itself.
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Fiber Optics and the Hidden Politics of Connectivity
On February 18, 2024, Houthi forces in Yemen fired two ballistic missiles at the MV Rubymar, a Belize flagged, British owned, bulk carrier cargo ship. The crew dropped anchor and evacuated, but the…
www.merip.org
December 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
In February 2024, a British flagged cargo ship was hit by two Houthi missiles & severed fiber optic cables that cut 25% of the internet traffic between Europe and Asia. Ned Leadbeater explains how the geography of normalization has impacted how the world connects itself.
buff.ly/1ySlEi6
buff.ly/1ySlEi6
Reposted by James Ryan
Annemarie Jacir’s sweeping epic of the 1936 Arab Revolt is an Oscar hopeful in 2026. Lori Allen’s review highlights how the film makes visceral the personal and political impact of colonialism.
Palestine 36 and the Hard Facts of History
Annemarie Jacir’s epic portrayal of the revolt that never ended.
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December 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Annemarie Jacir’s sweeping epic of the 1936 Arab Revolt is an Oscar hopeful in 2026. Lori Allen’s review highlights how the film makes visceral the personal and political impact of colonialism.
Reposted by James Ryan
whatever 2026 holds i don't think anything next year will be funnier than Chicago Pope. 2025 was overall a huge stinker but Chicago Pope was an all time great B-plot
December 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
whatever 2026 holds i don't think anything next year will be funnier than Chicago Pope. 2025 was overall a huge stinker but Chicago Pope was an all time great B-plot
Reposted by James Ryan
The groundwork for Israel’s genocide in Gaza was laid in arms deals. As Tariq Dana shows, the trade in military technology and ballistics between Abraham Accords countries paved the way for the destruction we’ve witnessed in Gaza and the relative silence from so many Arab states.
The Military-Industrial Backbone of Normalization
In February 2025, as international condemnation of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza reached new heights, Abu Dhabi hosted the International Defence Exhibition and Conference. Over five days a record 34…
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December 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The groundwork for Israel’s genocide in Gaza was laid in arms deals. As Tariq Dana shows, the trade in military technology and ballistics between Abraham Accords countries paved the way for the destruction we’ve witnessed in Gaza and the relative silence from so many Arab states.
Reposted by James Ryan
December 28, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Reposted by James Ryan
The lead article in our Summer/Fall double issue, “Hardwiring Normalization” is Rafeef Ziadah’s thorough overview of the infrastructural underpinnings of normalization, and what it portends for eventual reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Hardwiring Normalization—Infrastructures, Extraction and Gaza’s Future
In the summer of 2025, a 38-page blueprint circulating inside the Trump administration was leaked to the press: the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation (GREAT) Trust. At…
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December 27, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The lead article in our Summer/Fall double issue, “Hardwiring Normalization” is Rafeef Ziadah’s thorough overview of the infrastructural underpinnings of normalization, and what it portends for eventual reconstruction efforts in Gaza.