Shadi Hamid
@shadihamid.bsky.social
Columnist at the Washington Post. Research professor of Islamic studies at Fuller Seminary. Co-host of Wisdom of Crowds.
Pre-order my new book THE CASE FOR AMERICAN POWER: https://amzn.to/3U73wu0
Pre-order my new book THE CASE FOR AMERICAN POWER: https://amzn.to/3U73wu0
Hypocrisy is, in its own perverse way, an acknowledgment of our ideals. To be a hypocrite you must first affirm that certain principles matter—even if you fail to live up to them. My new TIME essay, adapted from my book "The Case For American Power": time.com/7330080/defe...
In Defense of American Hypocrisy
"To be seen as hypocritical is the cost of trying to be better than you actually are," writes Shadi Hamid.
time.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Hypocrisy is, in its own perverse way, an acknowledgment of our ideals. To be a hypocrite you must first affirm that certain principles matter—even if you fail to live up to them. My new TIME essay, adapted from my book "The Case For American Power": time.com/7330080/defe...
What I appreciated about Zohran's victory speech was that he was unapologetic about the need to hold power. Power wasn't some unfortunate fact of life. Rather, it was the only pathway to a more just politics. If you are moral, you should seek power not cast it away.
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
What I appreciated about Zohran's victory speech was that he was unapologetic about the need to hold power. Power wasn't some unfortunate fact of life. Rather, it was the only pathway to a more just politics. If you are moral, you should seek power not cast it away.
One week from release! THE CASE FOR AMERICAN POWER from Simon & Schuster.
Pre-orders make a huge difference so if you're even slightly intrigued by the premise, do consider getting a copy: amazon.com/Case-America...
In some ways, this book is a culmination of the work I've done over 15 years.
Pre-orders make a huge difference so if you're even slightly intrigued by the premise, do consider getting a copy: amazon.com/Case-America...
In some ways, this book is a culmination of the work I've done over 15 years.
November 4, 2025 at 3:43 PM
One week from release! THE CASE FOR AMERICAN POWER from Simon & Schuster.
Pre-orders make a huge difference so if you're even slightly intrigued by the premise, do consider getting a copy: amazon.com/Case-America...
In some ways, this book is a culmination of the work I've done over 15 years.
Pre-orders make a huge difference so if you're even slightly intrigued by the premise, do consider getting a copy: amazon.com/Case-America...
In some ways, this book is a culmination of the work I've done over 15 years.
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
Author Shadi Hamid will discuss his new book, "The Case For American Power," at GW's Elliott School of International Affairs on Tuesday, January 27 at 2 p.m.
Registration information will be forthcoming soon.
@shadihamid.bsky.social @imes-gw.bsky.social
www.shadihamid.net/p/the-case-f...
Registration information will be forthcoming soon.
@shadihamid.bsky.social @imes-gw.bsky.social
www.shadihamid.net/p/the-case-f...
The Case For American Power
My new book is coming out!
www.shadihamid.net
October 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Author Shadi Hamid will discuss his new book, "The Case For American Power," at GW's Elliott School of International Affairs on Tuesday, January 27 at 2 p.m.
Registration information will be forthcoming soon.
@shadihamid.bsky.social @imes-gw.bsky.social
www.shadihamid.net/p/the-case-f...
Registration information will be forthcoming soon.
@shadihamid.bsky.social @imes-gw.bsky.social
www.shadihamid.net/p/the-case-f...
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
"... pockets of American Christianity are openly rejecting Jesus’ ethics as politically naive. This should unsettle anyone who has criticized Islam for its political entanglements. American Christianity now faces its own version of the political theology crisis"
Great read by @shadihamid.bsky.social
Great read by @shadihamid.bsky.social
Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul
Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
"... pockets of American Christianity are openly rejecting Jesus’ ethics as politically naive. This should unsettle anyone who has criticized Islam for its political entanglements. American Christianity now faces its own version of the political theology crisis"
Great read by @shadihamid.bsky.social
Great read by @shadihamid.bsky.social
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
Thanks to @shadihamid.bsky.social for this insightful analysis of American Christianity: wapo.st/4gJxVsG
Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul
Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.
wapo.st
September 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Thanks to @shadihamid.bsky.social for this insightful analysis of American Christianity: wapo.st/4gJxVsG
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
"How can a faith tradition emphasizing sacrifice, humility and enemy-love navigate the messy — and increasingly violent — world of American politics?" @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46LxMAy
Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul
Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.
wapo.st
September 29, 2025 at 8:02 PM
"How can a faith tradition emphasizing sacrifice, humility and enemy-love navigate the messy — and increasingly violent — world of American politics?" @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46LxMAy
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
This opinion by @shadihamid.bsky.social puts a very fine point on something that I struggle with daily as a devout Christian. How can someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior find these words acceptable? "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” May the Lord forgive us all.
"How can a faith tradition emphasizing sacrifice, humility and enemy-love navigate the messy — and increasingly violent — world of American politics?" @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46LxMAy
Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul
Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.
wapo.st
September 29, 2025 at 10:22 PM
This opinion by @shadihamid.bsky.social puts a very fine point on something that I struggle with daily as a devout Christian. How can someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior find these words acceptable? "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” May the Lord forgive us all.
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
🎧 Listen to the Podcast!
@washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters on this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
🔗:
@washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters on this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
🔗:
Mourning Charlie Kirk, Trump Blames the Left for Political Violence
KQED's Forum · Episode
link.chtbl.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:30 AM
🎧 Listen to the Podcast!
@washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters on this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
🔗:
@washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters on this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
🔗:
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters about this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
📻Listen:
We're talking to @washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters about this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
📻Listen:
Mourning Charlie Kirk, Trump Blames the Left for Political Violence | KQED
A memorial service for Charlie Kirk became a political rally on Sunday, as President Trump told the crowd that he blamed the “radical left” for political violence. We talk about this fraught…
buff.ly
September 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🎙️ON AIR:
We're talking to @washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters about this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
📻Listen:
We're talking to @washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters about this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.
📻Listen:
In my new @washingtonpost.com essay, I write that Republicans have demanded fealty to Kirk’s legacy and tried to transform him into a saint whose every utterance must now be treated as sacred. There is something trite and even demeaning about this insistence.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Charlie Kirk and America’s political collapse
A crackdown on free speech is inevitable if we blur the line between words and violence.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
In my new @washingtonpost.com essay, I write that Republicans have demanded fealty to Kirk’s legacy and tried to transform him into a saint whose every utterance must now be treated as sacred. There is something trite and even demeaning about this insistence.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
One of the biggest mistakes left-of-center pundits and influencers made was decamping to Bluesky. They made themselves irrelevant, shrunk their audiences, and dramatically lessened the positive impact they could have on our public debate at the precise time we needed it most.
September 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
One of the biggest mistakes left-of-center pundits and influencers made was decamping to Bluesky. They made themselves irrelevant, shrunk their audiences, and dramatically lessened the positive impact they could have on our public debate at the precise time we needed it most.
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
"This is what happens when a country believes it operates by different rules than everyone else," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/41QUzt7
Opinion | America’s Israel double standard backfires
Response to the strike in Doha erodes America’s position as a credible mediator and reliable ally.
wapo.st
September 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"This is what happens when a country believes it operates by different rules than everyone else," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/41QUzt7
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
"The problem with nostalgia is that it feels good, regardless of whether it reflects something true," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.
"This is what makes it so politically potent and personally seductive."
"This is what makes it so politically potent and personally seductive."
Opinion | Four words on the beach reveal time’s fragile promise
Our current political moment is swayed by the allure of nostalgia.
wapo.st
September 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
"The problem with nostalgia is that it feels good, regardless of whether it reflects something true," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.
"This is what makes it so politically potent and personally seductive."
"This is what makes it so politically potent and personally seductive."
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
Bonus - Language, Genocide, and American Power w/ @shadihamid.bsky.social
In a free Sunday bonus, Shadi Hamid joins the program to talk about shifting the rhetoric around the genocide in Gaza (and other matters) and whether that can actually affect US actions.
Link below🔽
In a free Sunday bonus, Shadi Hamid joins the program to talk about shifting the rhetoric around the genocide in Gaza (and other matters) and whether that can actually affect US actions.
Link below🔽
September 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Bonus - Language, Genocide, and American Power w/ @shadihamid.bsky.social
In a free Sunday bonus, Shadi Hamid joins the program to talk about shifting the rhetoric around the genocide in Gaza (and other matters) and whether that can actually affect US actions.
Link below🔽
In a free Sunday bonus, Shadi Hamid joins the program to talk about shifting the rhetoric around the genocide in Gaza (and other matters) and whether that can actually affect US actions.
Link below🔽
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
A beautiful reflection on #nostalgia from @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Four words on the beach reveal time’s fragile promise
Our current political moment is swayed by the allure of nostalgia.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:51 AM
A beautiful reflection on #nostalgia from @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
"The lure of the strongman might be compelling — even I found myself compelled — but that’s all the more reason to resist it," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
Opinion | My gut instinct on Trump’s D.C. power grab was wrong
The allure of the president’s crackdown on crime in the District tests our democratic society.
wapo.st
August 22, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"The lure of the strongman might be compelling — even I found myself compelled — but that’s all the more reason to resist it," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
Men need to get better at being the kind of men women actually want to be around.
@shadihamid.bsky.social spoke to Richard Reeves, who wrote the book that crystallized America’s growing anxiety about men:
@shadihamid.bsky.social spoke to Richard Reeves, who wrote the book that crystallized America’s growing anxiety about men:
Opinion | Stop looking for the perfect woman and become a better man
Richard Reeves drew attention to the crisis of male malaise. Here’s how men can rise above.
wapo.st
August 26, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Men need to get better at being the kind of men women actually want to be around.
@shadihamid.bsky.social spoke to Richard Reeves, who wrote the book that crystallized America’s growing anxiety about men:
@shadihamid.bsky.social spoke to Richard Reeves, who wrote the book that crystallized America’s growing anxiety about men:
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
You know what, this honest self reflection by @shadihamid.bsky.social is both refreshing...and really good.
"The lure of the strongman might be compelling — even I found myself compelled — but that’s all the more reason to resist it," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."
Opinion | My gut instinct on Trump’s D.C. power grab was wrong
The allure of the president’s crackdown on crime in the District tests our democratic society.
wapo.st
August 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
You know what, this honest self reflection by @shadihamid.bsky.social is both refreshing...and really good.
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
“Find someone who will do and marry them,” Richard Reeves tells @shadihamid.bsky.social.
“It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.” https://wapo.st/47MATtW
“It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.” https://wapo.st/47MATtW
August 30, 2025 at 8:26 PM
“Find someone who will do and marry them,” Richard Reeves tells @shadihamid.bsky.social.
“It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.” https://wapo.st/47MATtW
“It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.” https://wapo.st/47MATtW
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
“Democracy asks more of us than authoritarianism ever could…The strongman offers clarity and speed; democracy offers the promise that we might, eventually, muddle our way to something better.”
Good piece by @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Good piece by @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Trump was right about D.C. crime — but still dangerously wrong
The allure of the president’s crackdown on crime in the District tests our democratic society.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
“Democracy asks more of us than authoritarianism ever could…The strongman offers clarity and speed; democracy offers the promise that we might, eventually, muddle our way to something better.”
Good piece by @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Good piece by @shadihamid.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
In my new @washingtonpost.com column, I argue that the pro-Palestine movement must be a big tent and welcome anyone who is willing to question their past positions in the face of undeniable evidence of Israel’s starvation of Palestinians.
wapo.st/4ogNxY9
wapo.st/4ogNxY9
Opinion | Even Israel’s defenders are finally admitting the truth
Images of starving children have moved MAGA stars, Trump and Europeans to call on Israel to end the war.
wapo.st
August 1, 2025 at 9:01 PM
In my new @washingtonpost.com column, I argue that the pro-Palestine movement must be a big tent and welcome anyone who is willing to question their past positions in the face of undeniable evidence of Israel’s starvation of Palestinians.
wapo.st/4ogNxY9
wapo.st/4ogNxY9
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
New book review on my blog and substack @shadihamid.bsky.social
timchesterton.substack.com/publish/post...
tachesterton.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...
timchesterton.substack.com/publish/post...
tachesterton.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...
2025 Book 32: Shadi Hamid: ‘The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea.’
The first thing to say about this book is that it’s important to read the subtitle and take it seriously. This is not a book about democracy in general; it’s about the Middle East, the rise and fal…
tachesterton.wordpress.com
July 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
New book review on my blog and substack @shadihamid.bsky.social
timchesterton.substack.com/publish/post...
tachesterton.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...
timchesterton.substack.com/publish/post...
tachesterton.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...
Reposted by Shadi Hamid
I discussed where the Gaza conflict is headed next with my @washingtonpost.com colleagues @dmarusic.bsky.social and @shadihamid.bsky.social. We’re not optimistic! bit.ly/46BL9VD
July 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I discussed where the Gaza conflict is headed next with my @washingtonpost.com colleagues @dmarusic.bsky.social and @shadihamid.bsky.social. We’re not optimistic! bit.ly/46BL9VD
A teaser from my forthcoming book on why "declinism" is a storied American tradition. If you think the past was great, you're more likely to think the present is worse.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
July 31, 2025 at 2:33 PM
A teaser from my forthcoming book on why "declinism" is a storied American tradition. If you think the past was great, you're more likely to think the present is worse.
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...