Ziya Meral
@ziyameral.bsky.social
Lecturer @SOAS, Senior Associate Fellow @RUSI & the European Leadership Network.. Middle East/Turkey, international security, defence, diplomacy, climate security.. Belfast resident.. Posts likely to include poetry, baking and pics of Rathlin Island.
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Reposted by Ziya Meral
I'm not a big fan of the Munich analogy, but this is real Munich stuff -- probably worse.
www.ft.com/content/f411...
www.ft.com/content/f411...
November 22, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I'm not a big fan of the Munich analogy, but this is real Munich stuff -- probably worse.
www.ft.com/content/f411...
www.ft.com/content/f411...
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
Reposted by Ziya Meral
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
The CDC website now disseminates disinformation about vaccines, claiming erroneously that infant vaccines might cause autism, when we know conclusively that they do not. It is difficult to overstate just how dangerous this is. www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This does feel like a major crossing of the Rubicon – the world's best-funded and in many ways most powerful public health agency is now actively pushing disinformation.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
I know there's a *lot* going on to care about at the moment, but this one really is significant, and matters well beyond the US.
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Kash Patel eliminated a crucial "Five Eyes" position in London after lying about doing it, compromising an intelligence-sharing agreement between that had held strong since 1938.
“It was a jarring introduction to Mr. Patel’s leadership style for British officials.”
www.rawstory.com/kash-patel-2...
“It was a jarring introduction to Mr. Patel’s leadership style for British officials.”
www.rawstory.com/kash-patel-2...
Kash Patel leaves major allies 'incredulous' as empty promise threatens historic pact
British intelligence officials were left “incredulous” as FBI Director Kash Patel axed an agent’s job in London, compromising an intelligence-sharing agreement between the two countries that had held ...
www.rawstory.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Kash Patel eliminated a crucial "Five Eyes" position in London after lying about doing it, compromising an intelligence-sharing agreement between that had held strong since 1938.
“It was a jarring introduction to Mr. Patel’s leadership style for British officials.”
www.rawstory.com/kash-patel-2...
“It was a jarring introduction to Mr. Patel’s leadership style for British officials.”
www.rawstory.com/kash-patel-2...
We shall remember them.. Today and always, those who sacrifice their lives so that we can be safe, yesterday, today and tomorrow. With an image of one of the most impactful installations I have ever seen to honour them.. It took 300 people a year to make 888,246 flowers and install them
November 9, 2025 at 11:03 AM
We shall remember them.. Today and always, those who sacrifice their lives so that we can be safe, yesterday, today and tomorrow. With an image of one of the most impactful installations I have ever seen to honour them.. It took 300 people a year to make 888,246 flowers and install them
Agree
🔴The UK Must Urgently Distance Itself From Elon Musk and Space X, Warns Parliamentary Report
The UK’s infrastructure has become far too reliant on the far-right billionaire, who could ‘politicise’ our reliance upon his companies, the report warns
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/04/t...
The UK’s infrastructure has become far too reliant on the far-right billionaire, who could ‘politicise’ our reliance upon his companies, the report warns
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/04/t...
The UK Must Urgently Distance Itself From Elon Musk and Space X, Warns Parliamentary Report
The UK's infrastructure has become far too reliant on the far-right billionaire, who could 'politicise' our reliance upon his companies, the report warns
bylinetimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Agree
Reposted by Ziya Meral
#BBCNews - South Africans trapped in Donbas after joining Russia-Ukraine war, Ramaphosa says
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
South Africa says 17 citizens trapped in Donbas after joining Russia-Ukraine war
It is unclear whether the citizens were fighting on behalf of Russia or Ukraine.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
#BBCNews - South Africans trapped in Donbas after joining Russia-Ukraine war, Ramaphosa says
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
Reposted by Ziya Meral
The Russian president has ordered his officials to draft proposals, saying: ‘If the US . . . conducts such tests, then Russia must also take appropriate retaliatory steps’ on.ft.com/3JMGJSA
November 6, 2025 at 1:48 AM
The Russian president has ordered his officials to draft proposals, saying: ‘If the US . . . conducts such tests, then Russia must also take appropriate retaliatory steps’ on.ft.com/3JMGJSA
A few reached out asking about my silence on social media.. I have decided to take a step back in life to reflect and use my free time and few years ahead to restore this old walled garden on Rathlin island and re-open it as a vibrant haven.. On left garden now, on right an inspiration from Scotland
November 3, 2025 at 9:14 AM
A few reached out asking about my silence on social media.. I have decided to take a step back in life to reflect and use my free time and few years ahead to restore this old walled garden on Rathlin island and re-open it as a vibrant haven.. On left garden now, on right an inspiration from Scotland
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Turkey-Syria defense cooperation in effect: “One source said around 300 Syrians, mostly soldiers, but also some police officers, are currently being trained at two bases in central and eastern Turkey.” www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
September 11, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Turkey-Syria defense cooperation in effect: “One source said around 300 Syrians, mostly soldiers, but also some police officers, are currently being trained at two bases in central and eastern Turkey.” www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
Reposted by Ziya Meral
In other words, the coalition of the willing is unwilling to help until Ukraine doesn't need its help. Surely at some point someone has to realise that this approach just incentivises Putin to keep the war going?
On troop deployment:
Macron *very* clear twice: only the day *after* the ceasefire, and any deployment must be part of a "ceasefire, a truce, or a peace agreement". In other words: no European boots on the ground before an agreement.
Macron *very* clear twice: only the day *after* the ceasefire, and any deployment must be part of a "ceasefire, a truce, or a peace agreement". In other words: no European boots on the ground before an agreement.
September 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
In other words, the coalition of the willing is unwilling to help until Ukraine doesn't need its help. Surely at some point someone has to realise that this approach just incentivises Putin to keep the war going?
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Outstanding news that should be shared.
September 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Outstanding news that should be shared.
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Hi All, Book deals on both sides of the Atlantic for War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why--my latest book. If you want to buy a signed first edition from the UK bookseller Toppings, you can order it from this link. www.toppingbooks.co.uk/books/philli...
War and Power: Who Wins Wars — and Why by Phillips Payson O'Brien
'Phillips O'Brien is one of the keenest observers of modern strategy, and his new book takes a deep historical look at the evolution of warfare and its implications for conflicts like the ongoing one ...
www.toppingbooks.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Hi All, Book deals on both sides of the Atlantic for War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why--my latest book. If you want to buy a signed first edition from the UK bookseller Toppings, you can order it from this link. www.toppingbooks.co.uk/books/philli...
Reposted by Ziya Meral
📣 I'm actively looking for new journalism assignments, writing or editing gigs, or other work that uses my communications skills, ideally to make positive social, cultural, or environmental impact. Check out what I do and hit me up if you have projects that might be a match! www.jenniferhattam.com
Jennifer Hattam
Freelance journalist in Istanbul covering culture, environment, social issues, and urban spaces
www.jenniferhattam.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
📣 I'm actively looking for new journalism assignments, writing or editing gigs, or other work that uses my communications skills, ideally to make positive social, cultural, or environmental impact. Check out what I do and hit me up if you have projects that might be a match! www.jenniferhattam.com
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Strangely reassuring
September 2, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Strangely reassuring
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Wow!
I have found that Musk's support of Advance UK and Operation Raise the Colours (the flags campaign) has skewed the X algorithm so that Tommy Robinson posts now have greater reach than those of Nigel Farage.
Statistics in this thread.
I have found that Musk's support of Advance UK and Operation Raise the Colours (the flags campaign) has skewed the X algorithm so that Tommy Robinson posts now have greater reach than those of Nigel Farage.
Statistics in this thread.
"Musk acts as Kingmaker"
Musk switching allegiance from Reform UK to Advance UK impacts their reach on X and has real-world consequences.
So says Musk's AI bot Grok (which I ask, so Musk can't dismiss the analysis so easily).
Follow me here and on ko-fi (link in bio) for my full analysis.
1/5
Musk switching allegiance from Reform UK to Advance UK impacts their reach on X and has real-world consequences.
So says Musk's AI bot Grok (which I ask, so Musk can't dismiss the analysis so easily).
Follow me here and on ko-fi (link in bio) for my full analysis.
1/5
September 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Wow!
I have found that Musk's support of Advance UK and Operation Raise the Colours (the flags campaign) has skewed the X algorithm so that Tommy Robinson posts now have greater reach than those of Nigel Farage.
Statistics in this thread.
I have found that Musk's support of Advance UK and Operation Raise the Colours (the flags campaign) has skewed the X algorithm so that Tommy Robinson posts now have greater reach than those of Nigel Farage.
Statistics in this thread.
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Elon Musk, one of the world’s most powerful and richest men is posting far right ideology. Remigration is commonly seen as a far right concept of ethnic cleansing. To deport migrants and their descendants to their place of racial ancestry. That would include me. Why are we not talking about this?
September 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Elon Musk, one of the world’s most powerful and richest men is posting far right ideology. Remigration is commonly seen as a far right concept of ethnic cleansing. To deport migrants and their descendants to their place of racial ancestry. That would include me. Why are we not talking about this?
Reposted by Ziya Meral
The EU is weighing legal ways to bypass unanimity in foreign policy, Bloomberg reports. A group of 12 countries backs shifting to qualified majority voting to speed up decisions on Ukraine and Russia, often blocked by Hungary.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
August 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The EU is weighing legal ways to bypass unanimity in foreign policy, Bloomberg reports. A group of 12 countries backs shifting to qualified majority voting to speed up decisions on Ukraine and Russia, often blocked by Hungary.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ziya Meral
The first ever successful & impactful cyber-physical attack on European critical infrastructure outside of Ukraine? “Russian hackers took control of a Norwegian dam this year, opening a floodgate and allowing water to flow unnoticed for four hours, Norway’s intelligence service has said.”
August 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The first ever successful & impactful cyber-physical attack on European critical infrastructure outside of Ukraine? “Russian hackers took control of a Norwegian dam this year, opening a floodgate and allowing water to flow unnoticed for four hours, Norway’s intelligence service has said.”
Reposted by Ziya Meral
The disappearance of U.S. aid in Nigeria's northeast has threatened a school that supports children who are victims of Boko Haram extremists.
In Boko Haram's birthplace, USAID's collapse threatens a school for victims of extremism
The disappearance of U.S. aid in Nigeria’s northeast has threatened a school that supports children who are victims of Boko Haram extremists.
bit.ly
August 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The disappearance of U.S. aid in Nigeria's northeast has threatened a school that supports children who are victims of Boko Haram extremists.
Key question:
Britain stands at a crossroads: follow an unpredictable America, or help shape Europe’s defense future.
British Grand Strategy Without America - War on the Rocks
William D. James, British Grand Strategy in the Age of American Hegemony (Oxford University Press, 2024) Back in June, academics and naval officers from
warontherocks.com
August 25, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Key question:
Reposted by Ziya Meral
What it’s like to be a Middle East Studies Professor in fall 2025 - my new post surveys the field, and my colleagues.
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
What it's like to be a Middle East Studies professor in 2025
Basically, it sucks.
Last week, Tuft's Dan Drezner and my GW colleague Dave Karpf published really good pieces on what it's like to be, respectively, a dean of international affairs and a professor o...
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io
August 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
What it’s like to be a Middle East Studies Professor in fall 2025 - my new post surveys the field, and my colleagues.
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Basically it sucks and it’s getting worse. But we haven’t given up.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/what-its-lik...
Reposted by Ziya Meral
“Europe is risking its political soul. It has put itself in a situation in which leaders cannot say publicly what they are actually trying to do. That is a recipe for distrust and a poison for democracy”
on.ft.com/3HH41Ze
on.ft.com/3HH41Ze
Europe is selling its soul to Trump
What masquerades as pragmatism is self-harming opportunism
on.ft.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM
“Europe is risking its political soul. It has put itself in a situation in which leaders cannot say publicly what they are actually trying to do. That is a recipe for distrust and a poison for democracy”
on.ft.com/3HH41Ze
on.ft.com/3HH41Ze
Reposted by Ziya Meral
Conversation with Paul Krugman appeared just a little while ago. We discuss the war in Ukraine, and the appalling state of military analysis, the power of groupthink, etc. We also delve into my new book, War and Power. Enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Talking With Phillips O'Brien
As the war goes on ...
open.substack.com
August 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Conversation with Paul Krugman appeared just a little while ago. We discuss the war in Ukraine, and the appalling state of military analysis, the power of groupthink, etc. We also delve into my new book, War and Power. Enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...