🥳 Look what came in the mail!

My new book on US Iran policy is now available to pre-order from @stanfordpress.bsky.social or wherever you get your books. Pub date December 2: www.sup.org/books/politi...

Stay tuned for launch events!

Remarkable story on a botched 2019 mission in N. Korea that also includes another shocking episode in Yemen illustrating the reckless use of military force in Trump's first term, making what we're seeing today less surprising but no less disturbing

To put this insanity in context, here's an excerpt from a recent New Yorker piece on the tragic state of Sudan

I wrote this assessment for @foreignaffairs.com at the one year mark of the Gaza war; we're nearing year 2 and tragically here we are: Netanyahu announcing Israel's intention to reoccupy Gaza after many more months of devastation and death.

More talk in Israel of a full 'takeover' of Gaza illustrates the dangerous assumptions and catastrophic results that are driving its current policies: www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/israe...

Jacaranda season starting in LA

This @nytimes.com update encapsulates the deep conflict between national and personal interests for the Trump family in the Middle East.

Next month Trump is headed to Saudi Arabia for his first foreign visit, just like his first term. i talked with @ayesharascoe.bsky.social @npr.org about areas of likely friction this time, despite his close relationship with MBS. full story here: www.npr.org/2025/04/06/n...

In that piece I challenged the notion that Iran's weakened state would present an opportunity to 'reshape' the Middle East as so many in Washington advocate today. Certainly not without a shift in current Israeli policy.

Jasmine in LA—feels like spring.

No blue skies in LA this morning. Those of us out of direct fire danger are lucky but so many are not. Waking up to absolute devastation.