Pól Ó Gráda
@polrua.bsky.social
Cuntas pearsanta é seo nach bhfuil m'fhostóir, mo theaghlach ná mo shinsear freagrach as ar bhealach ar bith
Tá Ramadán ar na bacáin agus má tá lampa Ramadán uait níl áit ar bith níos fearr lena cheannach ná margadh El Sayyida Zeinab
February 7, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Tá Ramadán ar na bacáin agus má tá lampa Ramadán uait níl áit ar bith níos fearr lena cheannach ná margadh El Sayyida Zeinab
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Pendant qu'on scrute le coup de grâce mis au Washington Post, ici en France l'AFP s'apprête à diviser par trois le nombre de postes expatriés de sa rédaction. Comprendre : supprimer les correspondances locales, mettre sur le carreau les journalistes qui connaissent leurs terrains respectifs.
February 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Pendant qu'on scrute le coup de grâce mis au Washington Post, ici en France l'AFP s'apprête à diviser par trois le nombre de postes expatriés de sa rédaction. Comprendre : supprimer les correspondances locales, mettre sur le carreau les journalistes qui connaissent leurs terrains respectifs.
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Fire all the good journalists, double down on the dumbest take havers. Can’t go wrong.
It’s time to put Billie Eilish’s theory of property out to pasture, Richard Epstein and Max Raskin write.
"Americans are not thieves who built on stolen land." https://wapo.st/4rDYzrn
"Americans are not thieves who built on stolen land." https://wapo.st/4rDYzrn
February 5, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Fire all the good journalists, double down on the dumbest take havers. Can’t go wrong.
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Tá súil agam gur 'páistín' a bhí i gceist. Mo thrua an té a bheadh ag foghlaim na Gaeilge ar líne...
January 31, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Tá súil agam gur 'páistín' a bhí i gceist. Mo thrua an té a bheadh ag foghlaim na Gaeilge ar líne...
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Another day in the archive, reading the diaries of a 19th-century doctor at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. This Irish migrant's story was, I thought, heartbreaking:
May 30 1877,
"Yesterday I was called into a ward to interpret for an old man who had been knocked down by an omnibus. ...
1/2
May 30 1877,
"Yesterday I was called into a ward to interpret for an old man who had been knocked down by an omnibus. ...
1/2
January 29, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Another day in the archive, reading the diaries of a 19th-century doctor at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. This Irish migrant's story was, I thought, heartbreaking:
May 30 1877,
"Yesterday I was called into a ward to interpret for an old man who had been knocked down by an omnibus. ...
1/2
May 30 1877,
"Yesterday I was called into a ward to interpret for an old man who had been knocked down by an omnibus. ...
1/2
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
The main thing Elon Musk took from us when he bought Twitter was destroying the only customer service platform that corporations will actually answer you on
January 22, 2026 at 9:01 PM
The main thing Elon Musk took from us when he bought Twitter was destroying the only customer service platform that corporations will actually answer you on
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
How al-Sharaa captured SDF areas while keeping the US onside
@reuters.com account of the Syrian government’s diplomatic groundwork for expanding control in northeast Syria.
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
@reuters.com account of the Syrian government’s diplomatic groundwork for expanding control in northeast Syria.
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
How Syria's Sharaa captured Kurdish-held areas while keeping the US onside
The Syrian government's rapid takeover of territory long held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces took shape in a string of high-stakes meetings in Damascus, Paris and Iraq earlier this month,...
www.reuters.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:12 AM
How al-Sharaa captured SDF areas while keeping the US onside
@reuters.com account of the Syrian government’s diplomatic groundwork for expanding control in northeast Syria.
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
@reuters.com account of the Syrian government’s diplomatic groundwork for expanding control in northeast Syria.
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
One key point I took from Monroe’s book is that outcomes that look like policy failure might not actually be failures if real goal isn’t the stated goal: reforms crafted to ensure regime survival succeed if regime survives regardless of economic indicators - cf my book with @stevenhyde.bsky.social
This must be the podcast: Steve Monroe. Listen to our conversation about the failures of economic reform in the Arab world – or are they failures? Plus background reading on political economy in the region.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/this-must-be...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/this-must-be...
This Must Be The Podcast: Steven Monroe
The twists and turns in the rapidly evolving Middle Eastern order continue to unfold. Syria's SDF suddenly collapsed across much of its territory and signed a ceasefire with the Syrian government, pot...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io
January 20, 2026 at 11:13 PM
One key point I took from Monroe’s book is that outcomes that look like policy failure might not actually be failures if real goal isn’t the stated goal: reforms crafted to ensure regime survival succeed if regime survives regardless of economic indicators - cf my book with @stevenhyde.bsky.social
Ní chuirfeadh sé iontas ar bith orm dá mbeadh baint ag an aighneas Sádach-Imearátach le géilleadh tobann na bhfórsaí Cúirdíneacha sa tSír
Obviously a lot of things happened today. Saudi views the Syrian government’s triumph over the SDF as a yet another victory against the UAE’s (and by extension, Israel’s) secessionist schemes in the region.
Elsewhere, unverified reports of Emirati ambassador’s ‘expulsion’ from Eritrea.
1/
Elsewhere, unverified reports of Emirati ambassador’s ‘expulsion’ from Eritrea.
1/
January 18, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Ní chuirfeadh sé iontas ar bith orm dá mbeadh baint ag an aighneas Sádach-Imearátach le géilleadh tobann na bhfórsaí Cúirdíneacha sa tSír
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
SDF is in the process of losing all of Deir ez-Zour, seemingly withdrawing from large portions (if not all) of the river bank in the face of large tribal insurgency, with reports now of the Syrian army crossing the river to fill the vacuum. reported number of key mil/pol defections in DeZ and Raqqa
January 18, 2026 at 5:44 AM
SDF is in the process of losing all of Deir ez-Zour, seemingly withdrawing from large portions (if not all) of the river bank in the face of large tribal insurgency, with reports now of the Syrian army crossing the river to fill the vacuum. reported number of key mil/pol defections in DeZ and Raqqa
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
pretty sure he meant the other thing, grok, but very cool that those are your two things
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
pretty sure he meant the other thing, grok, but very cool that those are your two things
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
wikipedia turns 25 today! the last unenshittified major website! backbone of online info! triumph of humanity! powered by urge of unpaid randos to correct each other! somehow mostly reliable! "good thing wikipedia works in practice, because it sure doesn't work in theory" - old wiki adage
January 15, 2026 at 1:47 PM
wikipedia turns 25 today! the last unenshittified major website! backbone of online info! triumph of humanity! powered by urge of unpaid randos to correct each other! somehow mostly reliable! "good thing wikipedia works in practice, because it sure doesn't work in theory" - old wiki adage
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
January 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The political leadership of the UAE-backed STC has announced the dissolution of itself. In a statement they distanced themselves from recent STC military actions.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
The organisation and its military force, which held the greatest amount of Yemen's territory two weeks ago, now no longer exists.
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
January 8, 2026 at 7:39 AM
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
This is a humiliating blow for the STC. But, this is inevitable when you’re a proxy force and your one and only backer leaves you high and dry.
It’s also a clear illustration of the stark contrast with the Houthis and how they are not a proxy of Iran.
It’s also a clear illustration of the stark contrast with the Houthis and how they are not a proxy of Iran.
Giants Brigades are taking control in Aden from STC forces. So far they’re at the presidential palace and central bank. Talking to folks earlier, they described lots of new checkpoints with “new people”. The Giants are believed to be temporary before passing control to Saudi-backed National Shield.
Much anticipation in Aden over what’s coming.
National Shield Forces appear to be on their way after reached Shabwah yesterday.
Today, reports indicate Presidential Guard and STC forces have left/are leaving strategic locations including Presidential palace compound. Adenis are holding their breath
National Shield Forces appear to be on their way after reached Shabwah yesterday.
Today, reports indicate Presidential Guard and STC forces have left/are leaving strategic locations including Presidential palace compound. Adenis are holding their breath
January 6, 2026 at 11:28 PM
This is a humiliating blow for the STC. But, this is inevitable when you’re a proxy force and your one and only backer leaves you high and dry.
It’s also a clear illustration of the stark contrast with the Houthis and how they are not a proxy of Iran.
It’s also a clear illustration of the stark contrast with the Houthis and how they are not a proxy of Iran.
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
More escalation in Yemen today, with reports of airstrikes amidst clashes between (Saudi-backed) National Shield forces and (UAE-backed) STC-aligned fighters in Hadramawt.
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 AM
More escalation in Yemen today, with reports of airstrikes amidst clashes between (Saudi-backed) National Shield forces and (UAE-backed) STC-aligned fighters in Hadramawt.
Is cosúil nach bhfuilim ath-imeasctha i gceart i sochaí na hÉireann go fóill. Níor rith sé liom in aon chor go mbeadh an siopa éisc druidte OÍCHE CINN BHLIANA!
December 31, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Is cosúil nach bhfuilim ath-imeasctha i gceart i sochaí na hÉireann go fóill. Níor rith sé liom in aon chor go mbeadh an siopa éisc druidte OÍCHE CINN BHLIANA!
Is é mo bharúil féin má bhí an Bardas sásta croílár na cathrach ársa a stoitheadh lena chuid buncar coincréite a shá ann gur cheart dóibh fanacht iontu go dtí go gcreimeann na cianta an choincréit chéanna.
What would become of the Civic Offices on Wood Quay if the council relocates? After The Currency reported the idea of the council moving its HQ, councillors were talking about and thinking through the pros and cons and implications.
What would become of the Civic Offices on Wood Quay if the council relocates?
After The Currency reported the idea of the council moving its HQ, councillors were talking about and thinking through the pros and cons and implications.
www.dublininquirer.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Is é mo bharúil féin má bhí an Bardas sásta croílár na cathrach ársa a stoitheadh lena chuid buncar coincréite a shá ann gur cheart dóibh fanacht iontu go dtí go gcreimeann na cianta an choincréit chéanna.
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
In 2018–20, the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation generously funded my research on Syrian armed groups, looking at why some factions grew while others fell apart.
A year after Assad's ouster, we revisit the project to see what it might tell us about Syria's new rulers:
www.hfg.org/insights/ref...
A year after Assad's ouster, we revisit the project to see what it might tell us about Syria's new rulers:
www.hfg.org/insights/ref...
One Year Later: Reflections on How Syrian Opposition Groups United to Oust Assad - HFG
This month, Syrians at home and abroad had, for the first time in a long while, cause for national celebration. In the capital city of Damascus, and in immigrant enclaves around the world, jubilant Sy...
www.hfg.org
December 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
In 2018–20, the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation generously funded my research on Syrian armed groups, looking at why some factions grew while others fell apart.
A year after Assad's ouster, we revisit the project to see what it might tell us about Syria's new rulers:
www.hfg.org/insights/ref...
A year after Assad's ouster, we revisit the project to see what it might tell us about Syria's new rulers:
www.hfg.org/insights/ref...
Cén fáth a gcuirfeá pictiúr de bheach san áit seo ar mhias ime?
1. Níl aon bhaint ag na beacha leis an im.
2. Níl sé deas feithide a fheiceáil gan choinne faoi do chuid bia!
1. Níl aon bhaint ag na beacha leis an im.
2. Níl sé deas feithide a fheiceáil gan choinne faoi do chuid bia!
December 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Cén fáth a gcuirfeá pictiúr de bheach san áit seo ar mhias ime?
1. Níl aon bhaint ag na beacha leis an im.
2. Níl sé deas feithide a fheiceáil gan choinne faoi do chuid bia!
1. Níl aon bhaint ag na beacha leis an im.
2. Níl sé deas feithide a fheiceáil gan choinne faoi do chuid bia!
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Fun fact: you can automatically generate esoteric texts by machine translating Arabic Wikipedia pages on grammatical terms.
December 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Fun fact: you can automatically generate esoteric texts by machine translating Arabic Wikipedia pages on grammatical terms.
Agallamh iontach suimiúil fán aistriúchán liteartha ón Araibis i gcomhthéacs na débhéascna
Translating Arabic Polyglossia
In this “BETWEEN TWO ARABIC TRANSLATORS” conversation, Yasmeen Hanoosh and Jonathan Wright discuss Wright's start in literary translation, its divergence from the sort of translation he practiced as a journalist, and his ideas about what he calls Arabic polyglossia.
In this “BETWEEN TWO ARABIC TRANSLATORS” conversation, Yasmeen Hanoosh and Jonathan Wright discuss Wright's start in literary translation, its divergence from the sort of translation he practiced as a journalist, and his ideas about what he calls Arabic polyglossia.
Translating Arabic Polyglossia
In this “BETWEEN TWO ARABIC TRANSLATORS” conversation, Yasmeen Hanoosh and Jonathan Wright discuss Wright's start in literary translation, its divergence from the sort of translation he practiced as a journalist, and his ideas about what he calls Arabic polyglossia.
arablit.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Agallamh iontach suimiúil fán aistriúchán liteartha ón Araibis i gcomhthéacs na débhéascna
Reposted by Pól Ó Gráda
Crucial on how ChatGPT detectors imperil “non-native” writers of English. Esp if these were trained in colonial or colonial-like systems based on making you sound like the perfect “authoritative” “native speaker” who doesn’t even exists. Truly, you can’t win. marcusolang.substack.com/p/im-kenyan-...
I'm Kenyan. I Don't Write Like ChatGPT. ChatGPT Writes Like Me.
I'm calm. I'm calm. I promise.
marcusolang.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Crucial on how ChatGPT detectors imperil “non-native” writers of English. Esp if these were trained in colonial or colonial-like systems based on making you sound like the perfect “authoritative” “native speaker” who doesn’t even exists. Truly, you can’t win. marcusolang.substack.com/p/im-kenyan-...