Kristin Vekasi
@profvekasi.bsky.social
Professor of political science and international affairs, really into critical mineral and economic security policies in the Asia-Pacific
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
“When universities abandon faculty under attack, when they violate their own governance procedures, when they tell contradictory stories about their motivations, when they refuse basic transparency about their decision-making—they’re not protecting their institutions. They’re hollowing them out.”
My University Just Taught Extremists How to Eliminate Academic Programs They Don't Like
Texas Christian University handed its power to the people working hardest to dismantle learning itself.
www.texasobserver.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
“When universities abandon faculty under attack, when they violate their own governance procedures, when they tell contradictory stories about their motivations, when they refuse basic transparency about their decision-making—they’re not protecting their institutions. They’re hollowing them out.”
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
“There’s a particular kind of despair that comes from watching an institution abandon its principles in real time…What’s the political cost of supporting our own people versus the cost of quietly surrendering?” Powerful words from a TCU colleague. www.texasobserver.org/tcu-eliminat...
My University Just Taught Extremists How to Eliminate Academic Programs They Don't Like
Texas Christian University handed its power to the people working hardest to dismantle learning itself.
www.texasobserver.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:54 PM
“There’s a particular kind of despair that comes from watching an institution abandon its principles in real time…What’s the political cost of supporting our own people versus the cost of quietly surrendering?” Powerful words from a TCU colleague. www.texasobserver.org/tcu-eliminat...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
I should probably mention if TV or radio producers need a knowledgeable art reporter specializing in art crime to talk about the theft at the Louvre, I am available
October 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I should probably mention if TV or radio producers need a knowledgeable art reporter specializing in art crime to talk about the theft at the Louvre, I am available
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
They are terrified of the No Kings rallies and doing everything they can to discredit them.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
Emmer: "We call it the 'Hate America' rally because you'll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up. The rumor is that they can't end this shutdown because this small but very violent and vocal group is the only one that's happy about this."
October 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
They are terrified of the No Kings rallies and doing everything they can to discredit them.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
"If your first amendment rights are threatened, and you don't show up because you're afraid, then you already don't have first amendment rights."
Ezra Levin
#Maddow
See you Saturday, October 18, for No Kings demonstration.
Ezra Levin
#Maddow
See you Saturday, October 18, for No Kings demonstration.
They are terrified of the No Kings rallies and doing everything they can to discredit them.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
If you're on the fence about going, just think of how much it'll piss off these assholes.
Emmer: "We call it the 'Hate America' rally because you'll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up. The rumor is that they can't end this shutdown because this small but very violent and vocal group is the only one that's happy about this."
October 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"If your first amendment rights are threatened, and you don't show up because you're afraid, then you already don't have first amendment rights."
Ezra Levin
#Maddow
See you Saturday, October 18, for No Kings demonstration.
Ezra Levin
#Maddow
See you Saturday, October 18, for No Kings demonstration.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
i desperately want everyone involved in the destruction of USAID to have to, st the very least, answer to the american people for the suffering and misery they have caused apnews.com/article/myan...
Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.
apnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM
i desperately want everyone involved in the destruction of USAID to have to, st the very least, answer to the american people for the suffering and misery they have caused apnews.com/article/myan...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
October 8, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations" www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
October 2, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations" www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Which university will be the first to fail the latest Lando Test? www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/u...
October 2, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Which university will be the first to fail the latest Lando Test? www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
"Please clap."
(LDP presidential candidate Motegi Toshimitsu edition)
At 1:50~ mark in this clip:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vfy...
(LDP presidential candidate Motegi Toshimitsu edition)
At 1:50~ mark in this clip:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vfy...
October 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"Please clap."
(LDP presidential candidate Motegi Toshimitsu edition)
At 1:50~ mark in this clip:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vfy...
(LDP presidential candidate Motegi Toshimitsu edition)
At 1:50~ mark in this clip:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vfy...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Part of ICE’s efforts will be setting up random traffic stops and checkpoints throughout the city and making educated guesses about who to detain and who not to detain. These 'Guess Stops' will be staffed by special agents known as Guess Stop Officers, or 'Guess-Stop-O for short.
ICE’s Training Manual for Determining Who to Terrorize
“The Supreme Court on Monday lifted a federal judge’s order prohibiting government agents from making indiscriminate immigration-related stops in t...
buff.ly
September 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Part of ICE’s efforts will be setting up random traffic stops and checkpoints throughout the city and making educated guesses about who to detain and who not to detain. These 'Guess Stops' will be staffed by special agents known as Guess Stop Officers, or 'Guess-Stop-O for short.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
"More professors in the United States have been fired for controversial views in the past week than any other week in all of American history."
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Censorship Is the Authoritarian’s Dream
The right to free expression must include the right to say horrible and evil things.
www.insidehighered.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"More professors in the United States have been fired for controversial views in the past week than any other week in all of American history."
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Mario Guevara is here legally and is not facing any criminal charges.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
US appeals court orders deportation of Atlanta journalist detained by Ice
Mario Guevara faces imminent removal from US as his attorney files emergency petition
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Mario Guevara is here legally and is not facing any criminal charges.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
When the state was well-governed, Master Ning Wu was wise, but when the state was ill-governed, he pretended to be foolish. His wisdom can be surpassed, but his foolishness is unsurpassable.
子曰：「甯武子邦有道則知，邦無道則愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。」
子曰：「甯武子邦有道則知，邦無道則愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。」
September 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
When the state was well-governed, Master Ning Wu was wise, but when the state was ill-governed, he pretended to be foolish. His wisdom can be surpassed, but his foolishness is unsurpassable.
子曰：「甯武子邦有道則知，邦無道則愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。」
子曰：「甯武子邦有道則知，邦無道則愚。其知可及也，其愚不可及也。」
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Thrilled to share my new book about trade politics, corporate lobbying, and the backlash to globalization in developed countries. #polisci #PoliticalEconomy #Economics #Polisky
"Draws upon modern firm-based trade theory to argue that intra-industry has changed the nature of trade politics, and applies her argument to the United States and the European Union."
Every Firm for Itself by Mary Anne Madeira, Out Now
🗺️ 💙📚 #polisci #Economics #PoliticalEconomy
cup.org/3Vb79iT
Every Firm for Itself by Mary Anne Madeira, Out Now
🗺️ 💙📚 #polisci #Economics #PoliticalEconomy
cup.org/3Vb79iT
September 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Thrilled to share my new book about trade politics, corporate lobbying, and the backlash to globalization in developed countries. #polisci #PoliticalEconomy #Economics #Polisky
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
53 of my articles and books used to train the AI without my permission 😳
There's a lawsuit about AI stealing your work. It's the same lawyers taking on Elsevier et al in a separate case.
Academics:
1. Check if your work is in LibGen at www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
2. If so, let the lawyers know at www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...
Academics:
1. Check if your work is in LibGen at www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
2. If so, let the lawyers know at www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...
There are tons of graphic novels, academic papers, film and TV scripts, & prose novels/nonfiction on the LibGen list Anthropic used.
As settlement approaches, make it easy for the class action lawyers to contact you! Here’s how
Part 1: is your work in Libgen?
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
As settlement approaches, make it easy for the class action lawyers to contact you! Here’s how
Part 1: is your work in Libgen?
www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
August 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
53 of my articles and books used to train the AI without my permission 😳
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
I just filled out the form. I encourage my fellow academics and other authors to do the same!
Here’s the link to file claims in the Anthropic case: www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...
Anthropic Authors’ Rights Class Action – Author Contact Page – Lieff Cabraser
www.lieffcabraser.com
August 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I just filled out the form. I encourage my fellow academics and other authors to do the same!
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Opinion | American democracy is gone. I'm not going to miss it.
by Bret Stephens
by Bret Stephens
August 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Opinion | American democracy is gone. I'm not going to miss it.
by Bret Stephens
by Bret Stephens
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
The real Thucydides Trap all along: Athens succumbing to demagoguery.
The leadership of the world's most powerful state is, it seems, going to be trying to ditch its foundational ideology domestically while scrapping its decades-long foreign policy principles. Unmanaged hegemonic decline breeds chaos for the hegemon but also for everyone else.
December 6, 2024 at 2:58 PM
The real Thucydides Trap all along: Athens succumbing to demagoguery.
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
A massive attack on several humanities units (Arabic Studies, Judaic Studies, Holocaust Studies, Classics, Religion, German & Scandinavian, Russian/East European/Eurasian Studies) *and* tenure now unfolding at the University of Oregon (a blue state!). Closure of units and faculty layoffs threatened.
August 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A massive attack on several humanities units (Arabic Studies, Judaic Studies, Holocaust Studies, Classics, Religion, German & Scandinavian, Russian/East European/Eurasian Studies) *and* tenure now unfolding at the University of Oregon (a blue state!). Closure of units and faculty layoffs threatened.
Big personal news! After 11 years at UMaine, this fall I will start a new position as the inaugural Mansfield Chair of Japan and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana. I will miss my colleagues and students in Maine, and am thrilled for this next adventure!
www.umt.edu/news/2025/02...
www.umt.edu/news/2025/02...
UM Center Hires Inaugural Mansfield Chair of Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs
www.umt.edu
June 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Big personal news! After 11 years at UMaine, this fall I will start a new position as the inaugural Mansfield Chair of Japan and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana. I will miss my colleagues and students in Maine, and am thrilled for this next adventure!
www.umt.edu/news/2025/02...
www.umt.edu/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Kristin Vekasi
Must read. Incredible and thoughtful first-person account. Surprisingly, the most shocking part is not journalists and college professors being arrested. It’s police trapping the crowd—giving a disperse order while blocking all the exits. via @smotus.bsky.social
smotus.substack.com/p/arrested-i...
smotus.substack.com/p/arrested-i...
Arrested in L.A.
My interview with a fellow scholar who was recently arrested for participating in an anti-ICE protest
smotus.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Must read. Incredible and thoughtful first-person account. Surprisingly, the most shocking part is not journalists and college professors being arrested. It’s police trapping the crowd—giving a disperse order while blocking all the exits. via @smotus.bsky.social
smotus.substack.com/p/arrested-i...
smotus.substack.com/p/arrested-i...
Very excited to listen to this new series!
@empirepoduk.bsky.social is absolutely fabulous and I recommend starting at the very beginning with British imperialism in India. @willdalrymple.bsky.social's work on the EIC is an essential (and horrifying) lens for the contemporary moment.
@empirepoduk.bsky.social is absolutely fabulous and I recommend starting at the very beginning with British imperialism in India. @willdalrymple.bsky.social's work on the EIC is an essential (and horrifying) lens for the contemporary moment.
New from @EmpirePodUK
We begin a new series looking at the countries in Trump’s Cross Hairs- namely Canada, Gaza, Panama and..
GREENLAND:
EPISODE ONE- ERIK THE RED & THE HORNY ZOMBIES
We begin a new series looking at the countries in Trump’s Cross Hairs- namely Canada, Gaza, Panama and..
GREENLAND:
EPISODE ONE- ERIK THE RED & THE HORNY ZOMBIES
June 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Very excited to listen to this new series!
@empirepoduk.bsky.social is absolutely fabulous and I recommend starting at the very beginning with British imperialism in India. @willdalrymple.bsky.social's work on the EIC is an essential (and horrifying) lens for the contemporary moment.
@empirepoduk.bsky.social is absolutely fabulous and I recommend starting at the very beginning with British imperialism in India. @willdalrymple.bsky.social's work on the EIC is an essential (and horrifying) lens for the contemporary moment.