Heather Sullivan
@hsulli.bsky.social
Political scientist, photography futzer, would rather be climbing
Good piece from @profsaunders.bsky.social on potential U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the added risks brought about by Trump's inexperienced and highly centralized national security team
🧵New piece from me @goodauth.bsky.social on risks of striking Venezuela, focused on the added risk from Trump team of loyalists. Hint: it has to do with centralized role of Rubio, the nation's top diplomat, and the incompetence of advisers like SecDef Hegseth. 1/
goodauthority.org/news/trump-m...
goodauthority.org/news/trump-m...
Trump may strike Venezuela. His team makes that very risky.
Take a close look at who is advising the president on U.S. policy.
goodauthority.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Good piece from @profsaunders.bsky.social on potential U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the added risks brought about by Trump's inexperienced and highly centralized national security team
Reposted by Heather Sullivan
Alt-pitch: Trump, the WH, Jafar, the Genie, I love the Capitol...plus all the links! @adambonica.bsky.social @smotus.bsky.social @dcinbox.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @hsulli.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social and more goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-att...
Trump's Attack on the White House
The Disney villain he resembles. Plus all the links.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Alt-pitch: Trump, the WH, Jafar, the Genie, I love the Capitol...plus all the links! @adambonica.bsky.social @smotus.bsky.social @dcinbox.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @hsulli.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social and more goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-att...
Wrote about the wave of U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Alarmed that possibly the best explanation for the attacks is that the administration thinks it's acting out the movie Sicario. The movie was good imho, but not a model of normatively or strategically good policy. @goodauth.bsky.social
Trump’s attacks on Venezuela won’t even serve Trump’s stated goals
The attacks won’t stop the drug trade – or bring about a friendlier regime.
goodauthority.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Wrote about the wave of U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Alarmed that possibly the best explanation for the attacks is that the administration thinks it's acting out the movie Sicario. The movie was good imho, but not a model of normatively or strategically good policy. @goodauth.bsky.social
Panamanians have been engaging in mass protest in the face of repression since April. Lessons about protest can come from everywhere.
@goodauth.bsky.social @bridgingthegap.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social @bridgingthegap.bsky.social
What’s behind Panama’s mass protests?
The government has failed to address the broad range of grievances bringing people out on the streets.
goodauthority.org
June 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Panamanians have been engaging in mass protest in the face of repression since April. Lessons about protest can come from everywhere.
@goodauth.bsky.social @bridgingthegap.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social @bridgingthegap.bsky.social
Couldn’t figure out why 2 articles on the Honduran charter city Próspera recently came out in big msm sources. Then realized it’s because there’s a push from proponents to get “Freedom Cities” in the U.S. Read about Honduras’s experience with charter cities in my piece for @goodauth.bsky.social
You want to live in a Freedom City? Take a closer look at Honduras.
Próspera offers a cautionary tale on deregulation and charter cities.
goodauthority.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Couldn’t figure out why 2 articles on the Honduran charter city Próspera recently came out in big msm sources. Then realized it’s because there’s a push from proponents to get “Freedom Cities” in the U.S. Read about Honduras’s experience with charter cities in my piece for @goodauth.bsky.social
Why go after a group that's not a threat? Gang members in strong organized criminal groups are relatively hard to catch. They hide and fight back. But rounding up Venezuelans who have TPS or other legal status - i.e. people in the system living ordinary law-abiding lives - well, that's easy.
Urban Legends and a media-ecosphere: How the "Tren de Aragua's" infamy grew across the Americas
Dishonest politicians, paranoia, xenophobia, and a lack of real research have affected even well-meaning commentators
Dishonest politicians, paranoia, xenophobia, and a lack of real research have affected even well-meaning commentators
Urban Legends and a media-ecosphere: How the "Tren de Aragua's" infamy grew across the Americas
Dishonest politicians, paranoia, xenophobia, and a lack of real research have affected even well-meaning commentators
www.piratewireservices.com
March 31, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Why go after a group that's not a threat? Gang members in strong organized criminal groups are relatively hard to catch. They hide and fight back. But rounding up Venezuelans who have TPS or other legal status - i.e. people in the system living ordinary law-abiding lives - well, that's easy.
We have quite simply criminalized being Venezuelan. The whole 🧵 is worth a read.
With this checklist, ICE can declare any Venezuelan an "Alien Enemy" without ANY concrete evidence -- based solely on an ICE officer's interpretation of tattoos and hand signs which may be completely innocent or the bad luck of having a roommate ICE thinks is TDA.
This is why due process matters!
This is why due process matters!
March 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We have quite simply criminalized being Venezuelan. The whole 🧵 is worth a read.
Wrote about the US sending Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Many innocent people sent to a foreign prison based on the dubious claim of membership in a gang that barely exists in the US and isn't a threat to national security. It should anger and scare us all.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
Venezuelans sent to El Salvador jail aren't gang members.
The Trump administration flew Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, calling them gang members. Without any trial, they're now in prison.
goodauthority.org
March 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Wrote about the US sending Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Many innocent people sent to a foreign prison based on the dubious claim of membership in a gang that barely exists in the US and isn't a threat to national security. It should anger and scare us all.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
Reposted by Heather Sullivan
If you're just learning about the Bolsonaro news, I strongly recommend reading @hsulli.bsky.social & @edebruin.bsky.social's piece in @goodauth.bsky.social that details the steps Bolsonaro and his allies took to prepare for losing the 2022 presidential election. goodauthority.org/news/brazil-...
February 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
If you're just learning about the Bolsonaro news, I strongly recommend reading @hsulli.bsky.social & @edebruin.bsky.social's piece in @goodauth.bsky.social that details the steps Bolsonaro and his allies took to prepare for losing the 2022 presidential election. goodauthority.org/news/brazil-...
What does it look like when you erode checks and balances, manage your bureaucracy in a discretionary way, personalize power, and crack down on autonomous groups? Nicaragua gives us an example and it's...not great.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
In Nicaragua, the constitution gives Pres. Ortega more power.
Nicaragua's constitutional revisions have now entrenched the political power of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, VP Rosario Murillo.
goodauthority.org
February 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM
What does it look like when you erode checks and balances, manage your bureaucracy in a discretionary way, personalize power, and crack down on autonomous groups? Nicaragua gives us an example and it's...not great.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
Since I wrote this, Trump/Musk shuttered USAID hindering Colombia’s ability to support rural areas. Then Petro said cocaine should be legal, it's no worse than whiskey. Pro tip: if you want to stop drugs, don’t cut off aid - and don't destabilize legal economies with tariffs.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
The new violence that threatens Colombia's peace plan.
Colombia’s armed groups have put the peace plan in jeopardy by abusing the ceasefire agreements to expand their power.
goodauthority.org
February 7, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Since I wrote this, Trump/Musk shuttered USAID hindering Colombia’s ability to support rural areas. Then Petro said cocaine should be legal, it's no worse than whiskey. Pro tip: if you want to stop drugs, don’t cut off aid - and don't destabilize legal economies with tariffs.
@goodauth.bsky.social
@goodauth.bsky.social
Sabbatical means I could freeze with the elder activists in the middle of a workday
February 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Sabbatical means I could freeze with the elder activists in the middle of a workday
On the anniversary of the attempted coup in Brazil, @edebruin.bsky.social and I wrote about the coup plot, the continuing efforts to bring transparency and accountability, and how Brazil compares to countries across the globe. @goodauth.bsky.social
The investigation into Brazil's coup plot continues.
Brazil's election coup plot was well planned by Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, a police report finds. Was Brazil's democracy at risk?
goodauthority.org
January 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
On the anniversary of the attempted coup in Brazil, @edebruin.bsky.social and I wrote about the coup plot, the continuing efforts to bring transparency and accountability, and how Brazil compares to countries across the globe. @goodauth.bsky.social
Check out Juan's great explainer about Uruguay's recent elections and contemporary political challenges! goodauthority.org/news/what-ur...
December 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Check out Juan's great explainer about Uruguay's recent elections and contemporary political challenges! goodauthority.org/news/what-ur...
Don't think I've ever made a list before, I feel kind of famous. @goodauth.bsky.social
Re-upping: In this week's links, @hsulli.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @mattgrossmann.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @nataliej.bsky.social and @smotus.bsky.social. For everyone! Plus audio for our paid subscribers. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/never-a-du...
Never A Dull Week
An analysis of the political news that just keeps coming.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
September 23, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Don't think I've ever made a list before, I feel kind of famous. @goodauth.bsky.social
While politicians are dehumanizing immigrants from the Americas, they are also leaning on leaders from the very same countries to carry out U.S. immigration policy
The U.S. relies on countries south of the border for immigration enforcement.
So how do U.S. migration policies shift the burden to Latin America?
Read: goodauthority.org/news/u-s-mig...
So how do U.S. migration policies shift the burden to Latin America?
Read: goodauthority.org/news/u-s-mig...
U.S. migration policies rely on Latin American enforcement.
U.S. migration policies rely on Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries to discourage migrants from heading north.
goodauthority.org
September 19, 2024 at 2:06 AM
While politicians are dehumanizing immigrants from the Americas, they are also leaning on leaders from the very same countries to carry out U.S. immigration policy
Before the Venezuelan election on Sunday, was hoping I would get to write a piece on the complexities of democratic transitions for @goodauth.bsky.social, but instead here are my reflections on Maduro's authoritarian management of the electoral game. Protest and repression continue in Venezuela.
Maduro's disputed win in Venezuela's election sparks widespread unrest
Political science helps explain why autocrats like Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela hold elections they have little chance of winning.
goodauthority.org
August 2, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Before the Venezuelan election on Sunday, was hoping I would get to write a piece on the complexities of democratic transitions for @goodauth.bsky.social, but instead here are my reflections on Maduro's authoritarian management of the electoral game. Protest and repression continue in Venezuela.
Chiquita has had a big impact on politics across much of Latin America. They were recently found liable for killings carried out by a Colombian paramilitary group that the company funded from the 1990s-2000s. I wrote about the case and Chiquita's history in Colombia for @goodauth.bsky.social
Chiquita and the long, dark history of conducting business in weak states
A U.S. jury found Chiquita liable for killings in Colombia – after Chiquita made payments to armed groups.
goodauthority.org
June 17, 2024 at 2:35 PM
Chiquita has had a big impact on politics across much of Latin America. They were recently found liable for killings carried out by a Colombian paramilitary group that the company funded from the 1990s-2000s. I wrote about the case and Chiquita's history in Colombia for @goodauth.bsky.social
Woke up to an article on the escalation of electoral violence in Mexico yesterday, the last day of campaigning before the general election on Sunday. Haven't been following what's going on in Mexico? Check out the short piece I wrote for @goodauth.bsky.social
goodauthority.org/news/mexico-...
goodauthority.org/news/mexico-...
Mexico’s next president – and AMLO’s legacy
What do we know about Mexico's next president, and AMLO's legacy?
goodauthority.org
May 30, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Woke up to an article on the escalation of electoral violence in Mexico yesterday, the last day of campaigning before the general election on Sunday. Haven't been following what's going on in Mexico? Check out the short piece I wrote for @goodauth.bsky.social
goodauthority.org/news/mexico-...
goodauthority.org/news/mexico-...
Reposted by Heather Sullivan
ICYMI: What we’re reading this Mother’s Day weekend.
Here's a crowd-sourced list of scholarly works on politics and motherhood.
Find them here: goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
Here's a crowd-sourced list of scholarly works on politics and motherhood.
Find them here: goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
What we’re reading this Mother’s Day weekend
This Mother's Day weekend, here's what to read in political science about mothers, motherhood, and politics.
goodauthority.org
May 13, 2024 at 1:56 PM
ICYMI: What we’re reading this Mother’s Day weekend.
Here's a crowd-sourced list of scholarly works on politics and motherhood.
Find them here: goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
Here's a crowd-sourced list of scholarly works on politics and motherhood.
Find them here: goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
Check out @dadakim.bsky.social's round up on moms and politics - in it, I provide solid evidence that nothing goes better with Mother's Day pancakes than taking to the streets to stand up for your values.
goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
What we’re reading this Mother’s Day weekend
This Mother's Day weekend, here's what to read in political science about mothers, motherhood, and politics.
goodauthority.org
May 10, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Check out @dadakim.bsky.social's round up on moms and politics - in it, I provide solid evidence that nothing goes better with Mother's Day pancakes than taking to the streets to stand up for your values.
goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
goodauthority.org/news/motherh...
Have not been able to get some of the images of riot police on college campuses out of my head this week, so wrote a short piece on the broader use of riot police to manage protest for @goodauth.bsky.social
In recent years, authorities have rolled back policies designed to manage protests peacefully, and now, using riot police to break up peaceful protest is becoming common.
Heather Sullivan discusses these regulations, separations, and crack downs.
Read: goodauthority.org/news/using-r...
Heather Sullivan discusses these regulations, separations, and crack downs.
Read: goodauthority.org/news/using-r...
Using riot police to break up peaceful protest is becoming common
U.S. universities are becoming less likely to negotiate with student protesters. They're calling in riot police to break up the protests.
goodauthority.org
April 26, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Have not been able to get some of the images of riot police on college campuses out of my head this week, so wrote a short piece on the broader use of riot police to manage protest for @goodauth.bsky.social
Stoke is high to be part of this awesome team!
Welcome the Good Authority fellows!
Meet our six new fellows, sharing insights from Black politics to labor issues to immigration, and offering more coverage and analysis on important events in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Read about them here: goodauthority.org/news/welcome...
Meet our six new fellows, sharing insights from Black politics to labor issues to immigration, and offering more coverage and analysis on important events in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Read about them here: goodauthority.org/news/welcome...
Welcome the Good Authority fellows!
Meet our new Good Authority fellows, and stay tuned for their contributions.
goodauthority.org
April 16, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Stoke is high to be part of this awesome team!