Biff Parker-Magyar
@biffpm.bsky.social
postdoc @ Harvard Weatherhead 24-25 & asst prof @ Yale 25-. Networks, contentious politics, MENA. Peripatetic product of the garden state.
https://biffpm.github.io/
https://biffpm.github.io/
Pinned
The Quiet Demise of Jordan’s Political Space | Journal of Democracy
In the shadow of Gaza’s destruction, the Jordanian regime has quietly repressed one of the main sources of the country’s political activism.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
I wrote a piece for @jodemocracy.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision last week to effectively permanently outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
third recent text from friends in ~Jordan asking if Zohran Mamdani is *really* about to win
1. as a political scientist we absolutely love to discuss early voting
2. first time in a while my voice messages back haven't needed to explain some distressing feature of U.S. politics
3. fingers crossed
1. as a political scientist we absolutely love to discuss early voting
2. first time in a while my voice messages back haven't needed to explain some distressing feature of U.S. politics
3. fingers crossed
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
third recent text from friends in ~Jordan asking if Zohran Mamdani is *really* about to win
1. as a political scientist we absolutely love to discuss early voting
2. first time in a while my voice messages back haven't needed to explain some distressing feature of U.S. politics
3. fingers crossed
1. as a political scientist we absolutely love to discuss early voting
2. first time in a while my voice messages back haven't needed to explain some distressing feature of U.S. politics
3. fingers crossed
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
TWO MORE DAYS to apply for the POMEPS Travel – Research – Engagement (TRE) grants for 2026. Awards of up to $3,000 will be offered to support research travel to the broader Middle East. Deadline to apply: Oct. 15th. More info: pomeps.org/call-for-pro...
Call for Proposals: 2026 Travel Research Engagement Grants - Project on Middle East Political Science
The Project on Middle East Political Science announces a call for proposals for POMEPS Travel – Research – Engagement (TRE) grants for 2026. Awards of up to $3,000 will be offered to support research ...
pomeps.org
October 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
TWO MORE DAYS to apply for the POMEPS Travel – Research – Engagement (TRE) grants for 2026. Awards of up to $3,000 will be offered to support research travel to the broader Middle East. Deadline to apply: Oct. 15th. More info: pomeps.org/call-for-pro...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
New article from @biffpm.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision to outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union. Her analysis? The muted response underscores how Jordan’s political landscape has shifted as attention/activism center on Gaza. https://loom.ly/D97MUsU
August 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
New article from @biffpm.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision to outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union. Her analysis? The muted response underscores how Jordan’s political landscape has shifted as attention/activism center on Gaza. https://loom.ly/D97MUsU
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
POMEPS is pleased to call for proposals for the POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops to be held in a virtual format throughout the academic year 2025-2026. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15. More info:
pomeps.org/pomeps-junio...
pomeps.org/pomeps-junio...
Call for Proposals: POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops 2025-2026 - Project on Middle East Political Science
The Project on Middle East Political Science is pleased to call for proposals for the POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops to be held in a virtual format throughout the academic year 2025-...
pomeps.org
August 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
POMEPS is pleased to call for proposals for the POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops to be held in a virtual format throughout the academic year 2025-2026. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15. More info:
pomeps.org/pomeps-junio...
pomeps.org/pomeps-junio...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Oh so it does have phd level intelligence
Google Gemini doesn’t appear to be doing too well:
‘"I am a disgrace to this planet. I am a disgrace to this universe. I am a disgrace to all universes . . . I am a disgrace to all possible and impossible universes and all that is not a universe," the bot continued.’
‘"I am a disgrace to this planet. I am a disgrace to this universe. I am a disgrace to all universes . . . I am a disgrace to all possible and impossible universes and all that is not a universe," the bot continued.’
Google says it's working on a fix for Gemini's self-loathing 'I am a failure' comments
Google Gemini users said the bot is sharing self-loathing messages while attempting to solve tasks, including "I am a disgrace to this universe."
www.businessinsider.com
August 8, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Oh so it does have phd level intelligence
I wrote a piece for @jodemocracy.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision last week to effectively permanently outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
The Quiet Demise of Jordan’s Political Space | Journal of Democracy
In the shadow of Gaza’s destruction, the Jordanian regime has quietly repressed one of the main sources of the country’s political activism.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
August 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I wrote a piece for @jodemocracy.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision last week to effectively permanently outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
"'This was an amazing success tonight,' Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview. 'They should make peace immediately or they'll get hit again.'"
That does not sound like a leader who wants this to be "one and done." www.reuters.com/world/middle...
That does not sound like a leader who wants this to be "one and done." www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Iran, Israel launch new attacks after Tehran rules out nuclear talks
Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
www.reuters.com
June 22, 2025 at 1:50 AM
"'This was an amazing success tonight,' Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview. 'They should make peace immediately or they'll get hit again.'"
That does not sound like a leader who wants this to be "one and done." www.reuters.com/world/middle...
That does not sound like a leader who wants this to be "one and done." www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
NEW: Why are women overrepresented in STEM fields in the Arab world, despite broader gender inequality? Fida Adely, Jennifer Olmsted and Sana Odeh surveyed members of Arab Women in Computing to find out, and the results defy simplistic economic explanations.
READ NOW
READ NOW
Unpacking the Gender 'Paradox’ Behind Arab Women in Tech - MERIP
ompared to women in the United States and most European countries, Arab women are highly represented in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and related computing fields. In fact, six of […]
buff.ly
June 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
NEW: Why are women overrepresented in STEM fields in the Arab world, despite broader gender inequality? Fida Adely, Jennifer Olmsted and Sana Odeh surveyed members of Arab Women in Computing to find out, and the results defy simplistic economic explanations.
READ NOW
READ NOW
10 million people
"President Donald Trump on Monday urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States."
(as a quick reminder, it did.)
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
"President Donald Trump on Monday urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States."
(as a quick reminder, it did.)
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Trump says everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran
President Donald Trump on Monday urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States.
www.reuters.com
June 17, 2025 at 12:45 AM
10 million people
"President Donald Trump on Monday urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States."
(as a quick reminder, it did.)
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
"President Donald Trump on Monday urged everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran, and reiterated that Iran should have signed a nuclear deal with the United States."
(as a quick reminder, it did.)
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
list experiment in the wild
June 2, 2025 at 12:37 AM
list experiment in the wild
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Days before masked ICE agents detained Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk to deport her, Dept determined that the admin had not produced any evidence showing she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
No evidence linking Tufts student to antisemitism or terrorism, State Dept. office found
An internal memo, prepared before Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by ICE, raises doubts about the Trump administration’s claims that she supports Hamas.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 14, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Days before masked ICE agents detained Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk to deport her, Dept determined that the admin had not produced any evidence showing she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Join us next week! Polisky Dictatorsky
On Tuesday April 8 at 11:00-12:00pm EST/5:00-6:00pm CET Ahmed Ezzeldin Mohamed (Toulouse) will present "Monopolizing Clientelism During Regime Transition" followed by comments by @shalaby12.bsky.social (Wisconsin-Madison) and @biffpm.bsky.social (@harvard.edu)
On Tuesday April 8 at 11:00-12:00pm EST/5:00-6:00pm CET Ahmed Ezzeldin Mohamed (Toulouse) will present "Monopolizing Clientelism During Regime Transition" followed by comments by @shalaby12.bsky.social (Wisconsin-Madison) and @biffpm.bsky.social (@harvard.edu)
April 1, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Join us next week! Polisky Dictatorsky
On Tuesday April 8 at 11:00-12:00pm EST/5:00-6:00pm CET Ahmed Ezzeldin Mohamed (Toulouse) will present "Monopolizing Clientelism During Regime Transition" followed by comments by @shalaby12.bsky.social (Wisconsin-Madison) and @biffpm.bsky.social (@harvard.edu)
On Tuesday April 8 at 11:00-12:00pm EST/5:00-6:00pm CET Ahmed Ezzeldin Mohamed (Toulouse) will present "Monopolizing Clientelism During Regime Transition" followed by comments by @shalaby12.bsky.social (Wisconsin-Madison) and @biffpm.bsky.social (@harvard.edu)
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
"Creating a ruckus" is his euphemism for wrote an op-ed in a newspaper. The Constitution protects all people under U.S. jurisdiction (not just citizens) from government actions penalizing them for speech, use of the free press, or peaceful assembly.
March 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"Creating a ruckus" is his euphemism for wrote an op-ed in a newspaper. The Constitution protects all people under U.S. jurisdiction (not just citizens) from government actions penalizing them for speech, use of the free press, or peaceful assembly.
It's a rare bit of good news to (belatedly) see this order re: the Columbia student been in hiding. Hopefully it's followed
Honest q is when will we see lawsuits on the legal rationale for Rubio unilaterally revoking visas? Would that go to the Supreme Court?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/n...
Honest q is when will we see lawsuits on the legal rationale for Rubio unilaterally revoking visas? Would that go to the Supreme Court?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/n...
Columbia Student Hunted by ICE Sues to Prevent Deportation
Yunseo Chung, a legal permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. since she was 7, participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Immigration agents visited residences looking for her.
www.nytimes.com
March 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
It's a rare bit of good news to (belatedly) see this order re: the Columbia student been in hiding. Hopefully it's followed
Honest q is when will we see lawsuits on the legal rationale for Rubio unilaterally revoking visas? Would that go to the Supreme Court?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/n...
Honest q is when will we see lawsuits on the legal rationale for Rubio unilaterally revoking visas? Would that go to the Supreme Court?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/n...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Many “savvy” folks argue protests can’t work. Evidence suggests otherwise.
“Muslim ban set off a fury of protests across US, garnering tremendous media attention and discussion… Portraying ‘Ban’ at odds with inclusive elements of American identity prompted some citizens to shift their attitudes…”
“Muslim ban set off a fury of protests across US, garnering tremendous media attention and discussion… Portraying ‘Ban’ at odds with inclusive elements of American identity prompted some citizens to shift their attitudes…”
A Change of Heart? Why Individual-Level Public Opinion Shifted Against Trump’s “Muslim Ban” - Political Behavior
Public opinion research suggests that rapid and significant individual-level fluctuations in opinions toward various policies is fairly unexpected absent methodological artifacts. While this may gener...
link.springer.com
February 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Many “savvy” folks argue protests can’t work. Evidence suggests otherwise.
“Muslim ban set off a fury of protests across US, garnering tremendous media attention and discussion… Portraying ‘Ban’ at odds with inclusive elements of American identity prompted some citizens to shift their attitudes…”
“Muslim ban set off a fury of protests across US, garnering tremendous media attention and discussion… Portraying ‘Ban’ at odds with inclusive elements of American identity prompted some citizens to shift their attitudes…”
Our article “Social Media Narratives Across Conflict: Evidence from Syria” is now ahead of print at the Journal of Politics!
March 19, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Our article “Social Media Narratives Across Conflict: Evidence from Syria” is now ahead of print at the Journal of Politics!
"In a second order filed Sunday morning, the judge said there was reason to believe U.S. Customs and Border Protection had willfully disobeyed his previous order to give the court notice before expelling the doctor." www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/u...
Brown University Professor and Doctor Is Deported to Lebanon Despite a Judge’s Order
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and Brown University professor who had a valid visa, was expelled in apparent defiance of a court order.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 9:42 PM
"In a second order filed Sunday morning, the judge said there was reason to believe U.S. Customs and Border Protection had willfully disobeyed his previous order to give the court notice before expelling the doctor." www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/u...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
1/ So this Fulbright scholar wasn’t a protest organizer or even participant, got kettled coming back to campus and released, had liked some posts about human rights and signed an open letter, and DHS came to her door three times to arrest and deport her www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/n...
How a Columbia Student Fled to Canada After ICE Came Looking for Her
Ranjani Srinivasan’s student visa was revoked by U.S. immigration authorities. That was just the start of her odyssey.
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 11:27 PM
1/ So this Fulbright scholar wasn’t a protest organizer or even participant, got kettled coming back to campus and released, had liked some posts about human rights and signed an open letter, and DHS came to her door three times to arrest and deport her www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/n...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
The detention of Mahmoud Khalil puts all Americans fundamental rights at risk. And if you can’t see that because you oppose his politics, well that’s exactly the reaction Trump and his cronies are counting on. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Mahmoud Khalil’s Detention Is a Trial Run
The pro-Palestine student was arrested without due process for exercising his right to free speech. He will not be the last.
www.theatlantic.com
March 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The detention of Mahmoud Khalil puts all Americans fundamental rights at risk. And if you can’t see that because you oppose his politics, well that’s exactly the reaction Trump and his cronies are counting on. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
"the moderator, began the off-the-record event by explaining Harvard’s guidelines on disruption, noting that dissenting audience members who interrupt the speaker would be removed. Bennett then interrupted to add: `I think we’ll just give them a pager.'"
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
At Harvard Talk, Former Israeli PM Joked He Would Give Exploding Pagers to Protesters | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett joked to hundreds of people about sending detonators to dissenting event attendees at a talk at the Harvard Business School on Thursday, according to six ...
www.thecrimson.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
"the moderator, began the off-the-record event by explaining Harvard’s guidelines on disruption, noting that dissenting audience members who interrupt the speaker would be removed. Bennett then interrupted to add: `I think we’ll just give them a pager.'"
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Biff Parker-Magyar
Ripping a student from their home, challenging their immigration status, and detaining them solely based on political viewpoint will chill student speech and advocacy across campuses nationwide.
Political speech should never be a basis of punishment or lead to deportation.
Political speech should never be a basis of punishment or lead to deportation.
The Trump administration’s detention of Mahmoud Khalil — a green card holder studying in this country legally — is targeted, retaliatory, and an extreme attack on his First Amendment rights.
apnews.com/article/colu...
apnews.com/article/colu...
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests, his lawyer says
A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.
apnews.com
March 9, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Ripping a student from their home, challenging their immigration status, and detaining them solely based on political viewpoint will chill student speech and advocacy across campuses nationwide.
Political speech should never be a basis of punishment or lead to deportation.
Political speech should never be a basis of punishment or lead to deportation.