Keanu Heydari
@keanuheydari.bsky.social
History Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Michigan | PC(USA) Deacon | Modern Europe & Iran | Apocalyptic & New Testament Studies
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Learn more about Keanu Heydari's consulting services.
www.keanuheydari.com
I just launched a new Consulting page on my website! If you or your department are working on curriculum design or research-based equity-focused teaching and want a conversation partner, I would love to talk. Learn more and get in touch.
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
Mark your calendars for the next Humanities for Humans event in New York! Addressing the role of #emotions in public #debate will be Jennifer Evans (history professor at @carleton.ca) and Suzanne Keen (author of "Empathy and the Novel") in conversation with Irene Kacandes (Dartmouth College).
December 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Mark your calendars for the next Humanities for Humans event in New York! Addressing the role of #emotions in public #debate will be Jennifer Evans (history professor at @carleton.ca) and Suzanne Keen (author of "Empathy and the Novel") in conversation with Irene Kacandes (Dartmouth College).
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
what is particularly unsettling is that they speak, act, and govern as if Auschwitz never happened -- or even as if the real problem is that the job was left unfinished
January 6, 2026 at 10:26 AM
what is particularly unsettling is that they speak, act, and govern as if Auschwitz never happened -- or even as if the real problem is that the job was left unfinished
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
In a stunning breach of diplomatic norms, Trump's ambassador to the Holy See issued a statement that misrepresented Pope Leo’s remarks on Venezuela in order to defend the U.S. military invasion.
Such a misrepresentation is unprecedented in the history of formal relations between the two governments
Such a misrepresentation is unprecedented in the history of formal relations between the two governments
Trump’s Vatican Ambassador Misrepresents Pope Leo’s Venezuela Remarks to Defend U.S. Military Action
Brian Burch’s public spin on Pope Leo XIV’s Venezuela remarks marks a striking departure from four decades of candor in U.S.–Vatican relations.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:32 PM
In a stunning breach of diplomatic norms, Trump's ambassador to the Holy See issued a statement that misrepresented Pope Leo’s remarks on Venezuela in order to defend the U.S. military invasion.
Such a misrepresentation is unprecedented in the history of formal relations between the two governments
Such a misrepresentation is unprecedented in the history of formal relations between the two governments
The “cartel war” discourse functions as political cover for practices of coercion carried out under the rubric of national security. A significant share of the visible violence is attributable to security forces and to the impunity created by that security framework. Something to keep in mind.
January 6, 2026 at 3:33 AM
The “cartel war” discourse functions as political cover for practices of coercion carried out under the rubric of national security. A significant share of the visible violence is attributable to security forces and to the impunity created by that security framework. Something to keep in mind.
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
If you're wondering "what the fuck is she talking about?" It's her saying the left is insane for not calling the Maduro kidnapping and annexation a win.
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
If you're wondering "what the fuck is she talking about?" It's her saying the left is insane for not calling the Maduro kidnapping and annexation a win.
From Monday Evening prayer in A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (2024).
January 6, 2026 at 2:24 AM
From Monday Evening prayer in A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (2024).
Much better to risk being pedantic and excessively descriptive when talking about theory than it is to drop terms without defining them at all.
January 6, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Much better to risk being pedantic and excessively descriptive when talking about theory than it is to drop terms without defining them at all.
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
An estimated 440 deaths are attributable to the Los Angeles wildfires that set the area ablaze in January 2025—a much higher toll than the 31 deaths reported in Los Angeles County records, according to the first-ever study estimating excess mortality during that period. (from Aug)
Death Count for 2025 LA County Wildfires Likely Hundreds Higher than Official Records Show
Death Count for 2025 LA County Wildfires Likely Hundreds Higher than Official Records Show
www.bu.edu
January 6, 2026 at 12:27 AM
An estimated 440 deaths are attributable to the Los Angeles wildfires that set the area ablaze in January 2025—a much higher toll than the 31 deaths reported in Los Angeles County records, according to the first-ever study estimating excess mortality during that period. (from Aug)
Had a breakthrough re: the diss tonight. Chapter six, what I playfully call my "notorious aporia," has always been about the concept of "diasporic nostalgia." Thinking through recent events in Iran, in the United States, and France, has led me to an epiphany. #amrevising
January 6, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Had a breakthrough re: the diss tonight. Chapter six, what I playfully call my "notorious aporia," has always been about the concept of "diasporic nostalgia." Thinking through recent events in Iran, in the United States, and France, has led me to an epiphany. #amrevising
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
I’m usually at a moderate level of annoyance with the NYT but this is fucking outrageous. The US president doesn’t get to fucking pick another country’s leader, & headlines shouldn’t present it as just a normal decision, like picking a nominee for a mid-level federal agency. It’s not our colony!
January 5, 2026 at 10:06 PM
I’m usually at a moderate level of annoyance with the NYT but this is fucking outrageous. The US president doesn’t get to fucking pick another country’s leader, & headlines shouldn’t present it as just a normal decision, like picking a nominee for a mid-level federal agency. It’s not our colony!
What a strange way to frame this story.
I would have said that 34% of Americans polled hold normal opinions about the transparently illegal nature of Trump’s invasion, while 33% “don’t know” or perhaps don’t care, and 33% are morally depraved.
I would have said that 34% of Americans polled hold normal opinions about the transparently illegal nature of Trump’s invasion, while 33% “don’t know” or perhaps don’t care, and 33% are morally depraved.
A third of Americans support US strike on Venezuela, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
The two-day poll showed 65% of Republicans back the military operation ordered by Trump and 72% worry the U.S. will become too involved in the country.
www.reuters.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:16 PM
What a strange way to frame this story.
I would have said that 34% of Americans polled hold normal opinions about the transparently illegal nature of Trump’s invasion, while 33% “don’t know” or perhaps don’t care, and 33% are morally depraved.
I would have said that 34% of Americans polled hold normal opinions about the transparently illegal nature of Trump’s invasion, while 33% “don’t know” or perhaps don’t care, and 33% are morally depraved.
Essential reading. I don’t say that lightly. This is exactly what we’re up against, and it’s vital to know if your loved ones are consuming this content. Understanding their information diet is the first step in navigating those relationships and understanding their ethical choices.
T is no longer important, bc his brain doesn't work. Listen to him speak. But this is true of his whole admin & of authoritarian GOP state media which comprise most media consumed in the U.S. Sinclair alone covers 40% of U.S. households, spreading disinfo to voters.
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
upine.medium.com/the-vast-rea...
The Vast Reach of Right Wing Disinformation
In one of my previous essays, I explained how very much in denial most Americans are about the extent to which our nation is immersed in…
upine.medium.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Essential reading. I don’t say that lightly. This is exactly what we’re up against, and it’s vital to know if your loved ones are consuming this content. Understanding their information diet is the first step in navigating those relationships and understanding their ethical choices.
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
Generations to come will be as sceptical of our histories as we are of Procopius
WH sources say Venezuela's opposition leader committed the "ultimate sin": She accepted the Nobel Peace prize.
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 5, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Generations to come will be as sceptical of our histories as we are of Procopius
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
"It said on Sunday that there would be two days of mourning on January 5 and 6 in honour of those killed and said funeral arrangements would be announced."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
Cuba says 32 Cubans killed during US raids on Venezuela
Havana declares two days of mourning for the Cubans killed in US's raid to capture Nicolas Maduro.
www.aljazeera.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:58 AM
"It said on Sunday that there would be two days of mourning on January 5 and 6 in honour of those killed and said funeral arrangements would be announced."
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/...
How do I not lose my mind when finishing up my dissertation and defending (God willing) by July? Well, I have to do something like this. Here’s hoping my extreme neuroticism pays off!
January 5, 2026 at 2:16 AM
How do I not lose my mind when finishing up my dissertation and defending (God willing) by July? Well, I have to do something like this. Here’s hoping my extreme neuroticism pays off!
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
January 4, 2026 at 7:39 PM
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
It’s certainly “flawless” according to the “norms” of the occupying regime. They’re totally okay with killing brown people, as many as they can, in fact. It’s not a flaw (from their perspective) to destroy life when they have no respect for it in the first place.
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 9:52 PM
It’s certainly “flawless” according to the “norms” of the occupying regime. They’re totally okay with killing brown people, as many as they can, in fact. It’s not a flaw (from their perspective) to destroy life when they have no respect for it in the first place.
So sorry to have to disappoint you, “Nicole”…
January 4, 2026 at 9:46 PM
So sorry to have to disappoint you, “Nicole”…
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
Incredible piece about protesters from different US cities who all have one thing in common: they lost an eye during a George Floyd protests in when police shot them with "less lethal" crowd-control weapons
www.narratively.com/p/the-shot-i...
www.narratively.com/p/the-shot-i...
The Shot-in-the-Eye Squad
As Black Lives Matter protests swept the nation, the rubber bullets and tear gas canisters started to fly. This epidemic of “blinding by police” inspired our unlikely network of survivors.
www.narratively.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Incredible piece about protesters from different US cities who all have one thing in common: they lost an eye during a George Floyd protests in when police shot them with "less lethal" crowd-control weapons
www.narratively.com/p/the-shot-i...
www.narratively.com/p/the-shot-i...
Friends, @newintermag.bsky.social will shortly be releasing an English translation of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's speech against Trump's lawless invasion of Venezuela. I have had a chance to listen to & read the original and to verify the translation. You will want to read it.
January 4, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Friends, @newintermag.bsky.social will shortly be releasing an English translation of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's speech against Trump's lawless invasion of Venezuela. I have had a chance to listen to & read the original and to verify the translation. You will want to read it.
Reposted by Keanu Heydari
‘“What stops [Russian President] Vladimir Putin from asserting similar justification to abduct Ukraine's president? Once this line is crossed, the rules that restrain global chaos begin to collapse,+authoritarian regimes will be the first to exploit it."’
BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen: ‘"If the United States asserts the right to use military force to invade and capture foreign leaders it accuses of criminal conduct, what prevents China from claiming the same authority over Taiwan's leadership?”’ 1/
Trump's Maduro raid could set precedent for authoritarian powers across globe
Trump seems to believe he makes the rules and others cannot have the same privileges.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 4, 2026 at 9:10 PM
‘“What stops [Russian President] Vladimir Putin from asserting similar justification to abduct Ukraine's president? Once this line is crossed, the rules that restrain global chaos begin to collapse,+authoritarian regimes will be the first to exploit it."’
Literally exploding with excitement!
January 4, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Literally exploding with excitement!
“Christians are part of God’s dream more than they could ever be part of Herod’s empire.” – My pastor
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
“Christians are part of God’s dream more than they could ever be part of Herod’s empire.” – My pastor