Mai El-Sadany
@maitelsadany.bsky.social
Human Rights Lawyer | Executive Director at TIMEP @timep.bsky.social
If you're in town today, drop by anytime between 5:45 and 8:45 pm to escape the cold and spend some time with some good people (@timep.bsky.social and friends included!)
Let us know you're coming with a quick RSVP and bring your friends: www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
Let us know you're coming with a quick RSVP and bring your friends: www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
🌟 Join us in Washington, DC at Exiles today from 5:45 to 8:45 PM for our MENA Social Night: an evening of food, drink, and community with the TIMEP team and MENA professionals from around the DMV!
It’s not too late to RSVP. Bring your friends along! www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
It’s not too late to RSVP. Bring your friends along! www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 PM
If you're in town today, drop by anytime between 5:45 and 8:45 pm to escape the cold and spend some time with some good people (@timep.bsky.social and friends included!)
Let us know you're coming with a quick RSVP and bring your friends: www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
Let us know you're coming with a quick RSVP and bring your friends: www.eventbrite.com/e/mena-socia...
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
Can’t think of any reason why you would need reporters covering the Middle East, Ukraine and China right now.
February 4, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Can’t think of any reason why you would need reporters covering the Middle East, Ukraine and China right now.
I'd love to know how the @washingtonpost.com thinks it can prioritize national security coverage without ground-up reporting from the MENA region (and other regions).
February 4, 2026 at 9:40 PM
I'd love to know how the @washingtonpost.com thinks it can prioritize national security coverage without ground-up reporting from the MENA region (and other regions).
Solidarity with all of the talented journalists and media workers losing their jobs at the @washingtonpost.com today. As someone who leads a MENA policy organization, I cannot do my work without the nuanced and in-depth coverage of the region that foreign correspondents deliver.
February 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Solidarity with all of the talented journalists and media workers losing their jobs at the @washingtonpost.com today. As someone who leads a MENA policy organization, I cannot do my work without the nuanced and in-depth coverage of the region that foreign correspondents deliver.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off.
February 4, 2026 at 2:54 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments, not just the newsroom, is being laid off.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
WaPo laying off entire Middle East team
February 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
WaPo laying off entire Middle East team
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 11:13 AM
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
The decision of HRW's new leadership to pull a report on the right of return for Palestinian refugees after it had been signed off on (including by legal) and prepped for publication raises serious questions that beg answering.
HRW's response thus far has been inadequate.
HRW's response thus far has been inadequate.
Two HRW employees that make up the entirety of the organization's Israel and Palestine program are stepping down after the leadership blocked a report that deems Israel’s denial of Palestinian refugees the right of return a "crime against humanity." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Human Rights Watch researchers resign after report on Palestinian right of return blocked
The organization claims the report, which finds Israel’s denial of the right of return is a crime against humanity, is ‘paused pending further analysis and research’
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:27 PM
The decision of HRW's new leadership to pull a report on the right of return for Palestinian refugees after it had been signed off on (including by legal) and prepped for publication raises serious questions that beg answering.
HRW's response thus far has been inadequate.
HRW's response thus far has been inadequate.
"On November 8, 2025, I crossed into Syria for the first time in 14 years with my one-year-old, Raya. This is a dream I never thought would happen for myself, let alone my daughter."
If you read one thing this week, let it be this beautiful piece on return by Basma Alloush for @timep.bsky.social.
If you read one thing this week, let it be this beautiful piece on return by Basma Alloush for @timep.bsky.social.
NEW: Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, hundreds of thousands of Syrians have returned and visited home. Basma Alloush shares her story on returning to Syria after fourteen long years, a trip marked by memory, loss, and possibility: timep.org/2026/02/03/m...
February 3, 2026 at 6:40 PM
"On November 8, 2025, I crossed into Syria for the first time in 14 years with my one-year-old, Raya. This is a dream I never thought would happen for myself, let alone my daughter."
If you read one thing this week, let it be this beautiful piece on return by Basma Alloush for @timep.bsky.social.
If you read one thing this week, let it be this beautiful piece on return by Basma Alloush for @timep.bsky.social.
Two HRW employees that make up the entirety of the organization's Israel and Palestine program are stepping down after the leadership blocked a report that deems Israel’s denial of Palestinian refugees the right of return a "crime against humanity." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Human Rights Watch researchers resign after report on Palestinian right of return blocked
The organization claims the report, which finds Israel’s denial of the right of return is a crime against humanity, is ‘paused pending further analysis and research’
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Two HRW employees that make up the entirety of the organization's Israel and Palestine program are stepping down after the leadership blocked a report that deems Israel’s denial of Palestinian refugees the right of return a "crime against humanity." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
HUGE. A victory for more than a quarter million Haitians with Temporary Protected Status. A significant majority of them entered the United States legally and have never been out of status since.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
BREAKING: Judge Ana Reyes, in DC, issues a stay of DHS Sec. Noem’s decision to end Haiti’s temporary protected status (TPS) designation, a decision that was to go into effect on Tuesday and could have ended legal status for up to 350,000 people overnight. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 AM
HUGE. A victory for more than a quarter million Haitians with Temporary Protected Status. A significant majority of them entered the United States legally and have never been out of status since.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
Even the Trump admin isn't saying Haiti is a safe country for them to go back to.
A group of US citizens, immigration nonprofits, and legal orgs have filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's visa ban which suspended the approval of visas for people from 75 countries and which attempts to “eviscerate decades of settled immigration law.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/n...
Trump Administration Sued Over Ban on Immigration From 75 Countries
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:47 AM
A group of US citizens, immigration nonprofits, and legal orgs have filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's visa ban which suspended the approval of visas for people from 75 countries and which attempts to “eviscerate decades of settled immigration law.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/n...
Tomorrow, February 3, there's a @helsinkicomm.bsky.social hearing, titled "Securing Syria’s Transformation by Diminishing Russia’s Influence," to examine "the legacy of Russia’s support for Assad and the feasibility of evicting Russia from Syria."
More here: www.csce.gov/hearings/sec...
More here: www.csce.gov/hearings/sec...
Securing Syria’s Transformation by Diminishing Russia’s Influence - CSCE
With the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria and its partners have a historic opportunity to degrade Russia’s ability to project force across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. Syria […]
www.csce.gov
February 3, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Tomorrow, February 3, there's a @helsinkicomm.bsky.social hearing, titled "Securing Syria’s Transformation by Diminishing Russia’s Influence," to examine "the legacy of Russia’s support for Assad and the feasibility of evicting Russia from Syria."
More here: www.csce.gov/hearings/sec...
More here: www.csce.gov/hearings/sec...
🚨 🚨🚨 It's a super exciting day at @timep.bsky.social today, where we've just launched our call for nonresident fellowship applications!
Don't miss the chance to become a part of this unique program to develop the skills and tools you need to tackle the MENA region's top policy challenges.
Don't miss the chance to become a part of this unique program to develop the skills and tools you need to tackle the MENA region's top policy challenges.
📢 We're thrilled to announce our open call for applications to TIMEP's 2026-2027 Nonresident Fellowship program!
If you're an early or mid-career advocate keen on engaging in the MENA policy space, don't miss this unique opportunity. Apply by Feb 27: timep.org/2026/02/02/o...
If you're an early or mid-career advocate keen on engaging in the MENA policy space, don't miss this unique opportunity. Apply by Feb 27: timep.org/2026/02/02/o...
February 2, 2026 at 4:22 PM
🚨 🚨🚨 It's a super exciting day at @timep.bsky.social today, where we've just launched our call for nonresident fellowship applications!
Don't miss the chance to become a part of this unique program to develop the skills and tools you need to tackle the MENA region's top policy challenges.
Don't miss the chance to become a part of this unique program to develop the skills and tools you need to tackle the MENA region's top policy challenges.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
Bad Bunny condemns ICE during his #GRAMMYs speech for Best Música Urbana Album:
“Before I say thanks to god, I’m going to say, ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are humans and we are Americans.”
“Before I say thanks to god, I’m going to say, ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are humans and we are Americans.”
February 2, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Bad Bunny condemns ICE during his #GRAMMYs speech for Best Música Urbana Album:
“Before I say thanks to god, I’m going to say, ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are humans and we are Americans.”
“Before I say thanks to god, I’m going to say, ICE out. We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are humans and we are Americans.”
Fourteen years ago today in Egypt, on February 1, 2012, 74 soccer fans, many of whom had been members of the Ultras Ahlawy, never came home after they were killed in what came to be known as the Port Said Stadium Massacre. #JFT74
February 1, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Fourteen years ago today in Egypt, on February 1, 2012, 74 soccer fans, many of whom had been members of the Ultras Ahlawy, never came home after they were killed in what came to be known as the Port Said Stadium Massacre. #JFT74
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
A note from our editors:
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A note from our editors:
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
There's quite a lot of coverage on the role of the UAE in the war in Sudan, but much less coverage on other foreign actors.
New @nytimes.com coverage uncovers the role of a secret Egyptian airbase and Baykar drones exported from Turkey in the fight www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/w...
New @nytimes.com coverage uncovers the role of a secret Egyptian airbase and Baykar drones exported from Turkey in the fight www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/w...
The Secret Egyptian Air Base Behind Sudan’s Drone War
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:24 PM
There's quite a lot of coverage on the role of the UAE in the war in Sudan, but much less coverage on other foreign actors.
New @nytimes.com coverage uncovers the role of a secret Egyptian airbase and Baykar drones exported from Turkey in the fight www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/w...
New @nytimes.com coverage uncovers the role of a secret Egyptian airbase and Baykar drones exported from Turkey in the fight www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/w...
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam. We won’t stop until all children and families are home.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam. We won’t stop until all children and families are home.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
To all the Minnesotans who are making their voices heard and protesting peacefully:
The world is watching, and when change comes, it will be because of you.
The world is watching, and when change comes, it will be because of you.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
To all the Minnesotans who are making their voices heard and protesting peacefully:
The world is watching, and when change comes, it will be because of you.
The world is watching, and when change comes, it will be because of you.
A district court judge has released a list of 96 court orders, which he describes as almost certainly an undercount, that ICE had violated in 74 different cases in a single district.
ICE is systematically shredding the rule of law with impunity: reason.com/2026/01/29/f...
ICE is systematically shredding the rule of law with impunity: reason.com/2026/01/29/f...
Federal judge slams ICE for violating nearly 100 court orders: 'ICE is not a law unto itself'
Judges across the country are fed up with the Trump administration's refusal to follow orders requiring it to give bond hearings to detained immigrants.
reason.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:18 PM
A district court judge has released a list of 96 court orders, which he describes as almost certainly an undercount, that ICE had violated in 74 different cases in a single district.
ICE is systematically shredding the rule of law with impunity: reason.com/2026/01/29/f...
ICE is systematically shredding the rule of law with impunity: reason.com/2026/01/29/f...
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
![Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
_________________________________________________
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
[photo of Liam]
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:73t3muu2pudsajp7a2fj3aly/bafkreigfz6fzbu65haq7nfqgaoe7m42gsaonpinpmaaptuzd5atkqvya4i@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Reposted by Mai El-Sadany
NEWS: Judge Biery has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos. A thunderous rebuke against ICE’s violent campaign in Minnesota. Read the order below.
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Order – #9 in Conejo Arias v. Noem (W.D. Tex., 5:26-cv-00415) – CourtListener.com
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE COURT--The Court finds that the Constitution of these United States trumps this administration's detention of petitioner Adrian Conejo Arias and his minor son, L.C.R. The Grea...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:27 PM
NEWS: Judge Biery has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos. A thunderous rebuke against ICE’s violent campaign in Minnesota. Read the order below.
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...