Steve Swerdlow
@steveswerdlow.bsky.social
Human rights lawyer, Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights, Dept. of Pol. Science & Int'l Relations @usc.edu Former @hrw.org. Central Asia, Caucasus, Ukraine, Eurasia.
Pinned
Does Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show mean more than music?
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance is being seen as more than just a show. Two professors explain why Bad Bunny’s halftime moment matters beyond the music.
www.nbcbayarea.com
Watch my comments to @nbcnews.com on how #BadBunny's #SuperBowl halftime show means more than just music--it follows a tradition of artists who have spoken out for #HUMANRIGHTS for decades: www.nbcbayarea.com/video/super-...
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
I have been a regular reader and subscriber to the Washington Post since 1974, and have stuck with the publication through rough times. This week was more than I can stomach.
February 9, 2026 at 6:06 AM
I have been a regular reader and subscriber to the Washington Post since 1974, and have stuck with the publication through rough times. This week was more than I can stomach.
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Brittney Shki-Giiziz, Canadian volunteer in Ukraine: My first day fighting was absolutely excellent. I destroyed a train station with a tank. Being at war was physically easier than the training the Canadian Army puts us through. It prepared me very well for war. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Brittney Shki-Giiziz, Canadian volunteer in Ukraine: My first day fighting was absolutely excellent. I destroyed a train station with a tank. Being at war was physically easier than the training the Canadian Army puts us through. It prepared me very well for war. 1/
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Iran’s security forces have arrested at least four senior reformist politicians on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the Islamic system, increasing tensions just weeks after the country’s deadliest unrest for years. The arrests were made at a time of strained relations with the US.
Iran arrests leading reformist politicians
Tehran faces growing pressure over its brutal crackdown on recent unrest as talks with US are set to continue
www.ft.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:49 AM
Iran’s security forces have arrested at least four senior reformist politicians on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the Islamic system, increasing tensions just weeks after the country’s deadliest unrest for years. The arrests were made at a time of strained relations with the US.
Watch my comments to @nbcnews.com on how #BadBunny's #SuperBowl halftime show means more than just music--it follows a tradition of artists who have spoken out for #HUMANRIGHTS for decades: www.nbcbayarea.com/video/super-...
Does Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show mean more than music?
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance is being seen as more than just a show. Two professors explain why Bad Bunny’s halftime moment matters beyond the music.
www.nbcbayarea.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Watch my comments to @nbcnews.com on how #BadBunny's #SuperBowl halftime show means more than just music--it follows a tradition of artists who have spoken out for #HUMANRIGHTS for decades: www.nbcbayarea.com/video/super-...
In Ohio, I Caught a Glimpse of the New Resistance www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
Opinion | In Ohio, I Caught a Glimpse of the New Resistance
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 AM
In Ohio, I Caught a Glimpse of the New Resistance www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/o...
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
5 Takeaways from Rubio's Senate hearing on Venezuela, from @brennancenter.org's @ebrightyon.bsky.social
The Trump admin "and its congressional allies believe the president can undertake bombings and ground operations at will, without meaningful constraints from Congress."
The Trump admin "and its congressional allies believe the president can undertake bombings and ground operations at will, without meaningful constraints from Congress."
Five War Powers Takeaways from the Senate’s Venezuela Hearing
The Senate's hearing with Rubio offered little solace to those concerned about the use of force against Venezuela.
www.justsecurity.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM
5 Takeaways from Rubio's Senate hearing on Venezuela, from @brennancenter.org's @ebrightyon.bsky.social
The Trump admin "and its congressional allies believe the president can undertake bombings and ground operations at will, without meaningful constraints from Congress."
The Trump admin "and its congressional allies believe the president can undertake bombings and ground operations at will, without meaningful constraints from Congress."
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Trump brought in Jeffrey Epstein to consult in Celebrity Apprentice hiring decisions. Wonder what that was all about.
February 6, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Trump brought in Jeffrey Epstein to consult in Celebrity Apprentice hiring decisions. Wonder what that was all about.
The Oligarchs Pushing for Conquest in Greenland newrepublic.com/article/2051... via @newrepublic.com
The Oligarchs Pushing for Conquest in Greenland
Trump’s fixation on filching the island territory from Denmark may seem like the demented ravings of a mad king. But to a cohort of plutocrat weirdos, it makes perfect sense.
newrepublic.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:33 AM
The Oligarchs Pushing for Conquest in Greenland newrepublic.com/article/2051... via @newrepublic.com
Thank you @civilnet.bsky.social for interviewing me (in Russian) regarding the fate of #Armenian #POWs in #Azerbaijan & the need for accountability for #warcrimes: “У Трампа есть рычаги давления на Баку: санкции — один из них”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbuh...
“У Трампа есть рычаги давления на Баку: санкции — один из них”
YouTube video by CIVILNET
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Thank you @civilnet.bsky.social for interviewing me (in Russian) regarding the fate of #Armenian #POWs in #Azerbaijan & the need for accountability for #warcrimes: “У Трампа есть рычаги давления на Баку: санкции — один из них”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbuh...
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
The Unitedd States government is inviting government delegations to a high-level meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in what looks like the first step in a bid to tear down t...
www.hrw.org
October 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
The Unitedd States government is inviting government delegations to a high-level meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in what looks like the first step in a bid to tear down t...
www.hrw.org
October 21, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Trump Administration Seeks to Rewrite Global Refugee Rules
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Thx @emwilder.bsky.social @dropsitenews.com for speaking with me & shining a light on how #Armenia's fragile peace with #Azerbaijan adds further precarity to the lives of more than 150,000 ethnic Armenians displaced from #NagornoKarabakh.
“Nothing More Than a Piece of Paper”: Armenians Displaced From Nagorno-Karabakh Say New Peace Accord With Azerbaijan Abandons Rights and Accountability (w/ comments from your truly) www.dropsitenews.com/p/armenia-az...
“Nothing More Than a Piece of Paper”: Armenians Displaced From Nagorno-Karabakh Say New Peace Accord With Azerbaijan Abandons Rights and Accountability
Trump’s gestural peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan ignores the conflict’s main victims from Nagorno-Karabakh and excludes their right to return home.
www.dropsitenews.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Thx @emwilder.bsky.social @dropsitenews.com for speaking with me & shining a light on how #Armenia's fragile peace with #Azerbaijan adds further precarity to the lives of more than 150,000 ethnic Armenians displaced from #NagornoKarabakh.
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
My most watched interview is with Yaroslav—a Brooklyn-raised, Ukrainian-born soldier who returned to fight for his homeland.
He’s not here for talk of concessions. To him, giving up land means giving up people. Watch the full interview: Terrell J Starr Official.
He’s not here for talk of concessions. To him, giving up land means giving up people. Watch the full interview: Terrell J Starr Official.
Ukrainian Soldier: Trump Thinks Putin Is His Friend. He’s Not.
YouTube video by Terrell Starr
youtu.be
August 25, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My most watched interview is with Yaroslav—a Brooklyn-raised, Ukrainian-born soldier who returned to fight for his homeland.
He’s not here for talk of concessions. To him, giving up land means giving up people. Watch the full interview: Terrell J Starr Official.
He’s not here for talk of concessions. To him, giving up land means giving up people. Watch the full interview: Terrell J Starr Official.
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Maksym Butkevych, a human rights activist, pacifist turned soldier and former POW, tells me about the day Russian forces captured him and the torture he endured.
Watch this powerful testimony ahead of Friday’s full interview release.
Watch this powerful testimony ahead of Friday’s full interview release.
Ukrainian Soldier Recalls Day He was Captured By Russians
YouTube video by Terrell Starr
youtu.be
August 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Maksym Butkevych, a human rights activist, pacifist turned soldier and former POW, tells me about the day Russian forces captured him and the torture he endured.
Watch this powerful testimony ahead of Friday’s full interview release.
Watch this powerful testimony ahead of Friday’s full interview release.
“Nothing More Than a Piece of Paper”: Armenians Displaced From Nagorno-Karabakh Say New Peace Accord With Azerbaijan Abandons Rights and Accountability (w/ comments from your truly) www.dropsitenews.com/p/armenia-az...
“Nothing More Than a Piece of Paper”: Armenians Displaced From Nagorno-Karabakh Say New Peace Accord With Azerbaijan Abandons Rights and Accountability
Trump’s gestural peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan ignores the conflict’s main victims from Nagorno-Karabakh and excludes their right to return home.
www.dropsitenews.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
“Nothing More Than a Piece of Paper”: Armenians Displaced From Nagorno-Karabakh Say New Peace Accord With Azerbaijan Abandons Rights and Accountability (w/ comments from your truly) www.dropsitenews.com/p/armenia-az...
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
This is my first post on Bluesky. A big NO to the use of incendiary weapons in populated areas. South Sudan: Incendiary Bombs Kill, Burn Civilians www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
South Sudan: Incendiary Bombs Kill, Burn Civilians
South Sudan’s use of improvised air-dropped incendiary weapons has killed and horrifically burned dozens of people, including children, and destroyed civilian infrastructure in Upper Nile state.
www.hrw.org
April 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
This is my first post on Bluesky. A big NO to the use of incendiary weapons in populated areas. South Sudan: Incendiary Bombs Kill, Burn Civilians www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Steve Swerdlow
Several lawsuits have challenged the Trump administration’s attempt to shutter Voice of America, a media outlet established by Congress to provide accurate news.
@paulthedogman.bsky.social examines the suits, arguing that some of the plaintiffs’ legal arguments are stronger than others.
@paulthedogman.bsky.social examines the suits, arguing that some of the plaintiffs’ legal arguments are stronger than others.
Unpacking the Voice of America Litigation
Recent rulings by federal judges provide templates for opposing the destruction of congressionally-created agencies like the Voice of America.
www.justsecurity.org
April 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Several lawsuits have challenged the Trump administration’s attempt to shutter Voice of America, a media outlet established by Congress to provide accurate news.
@paulthedogman.bsky.social examines the suits, arguing that some of the plaintiffs’ legal arguments are stronger than others.
@paulthedogman.bsky.social examines the suits, arguing that some of the plaintiffs’ legal arguments are stronger than others.
Amid Calls to Reform Bail, Judges in St. Louis Embrace Ankle Monitors www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
St. Louis Judges Embrace Ankle Monitors Amid Calls to Reform Bail
Proponents say the devices have helped address inequities in the criminal justice system. But many defendants have experienced unintended consequences.
www.nytimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Amid Calls to Reform Bail, Judges in St. Louis Embrace Ankle Monitors www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Honored to be moderating this important discussion tonight at LA's Holocaust Museum - RSVP in the link below to join online - in one hour: "Building Bridges: Jewish and Armenian Legacies After Genocide," www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-detail...
Building Bridges: Jewish and Armenian Legacies After Genocide | Holocaust Museum LA
In honor of Armenian Heritage Month, join us for a conversation with grandchildren of Armenian Genocide survivors and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.
www.holocaustmuseumla.org
April 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Honored to be moderating this important discussion tonight at LA's Holocaust Museum - RSVP in the link below to join online - in one hour: "Building Bridges: Jewish and Armenian Legacies After Genocide," www.holocaustmuseumla.org/event-detail...