Jillian Schwedler
@jillianschwedler.bsky.social
Scholar, mother, dancer, boxer, home chef, and lover of cocktails, hard core, and dark chocolate; Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Middle East politics at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
This year’s memorials take on particular poignance as the Trump administration has restricted how trans people can live publicly and privately while also eliminating federal data collection about anti-trans hate crimes and ending funding for an LGBTQ suicide hotline.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
November 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This year’s memorials take on particular poignance as the Trump administration has restricted how trans people can live publicly and privately while also eliminating federal data collection about anti-trans hate crimes and ending funding for an LGBTQ suicide hotline.
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
www.advocate.com/news/transge...
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
Former al-Qaeda leader invited to White House, Peaceful Muslim Mayor gets Cold Shoulder
Former al-Qaeda leader invited to White House, Peaceful Muslim Mayor gets Cold Shoulder
Two prominent young Muslim figures have had an exceptional rise to power this year: Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria and Zohran Mamdani in New York City
dlvr.it
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Former al-Qaeda leader invited to White House, Peaceful Muslim Mayor gets Cold Shoulder
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
An end to the fighting would mean the Houthis are left with only the territory they currently control, none of which holds the economic resources the group will need to survive into the next decade. – Gregory D. Johnsen
Three Futures for the Houthis After Gaza - AGSI
The Houthis will likely use the deal in Gaza as an opportunity to regroup while looking to continue the fight in the future.
agsi.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
An end to the fighting would mean the Houthis are left with only the territory they currently control, none of which holds the economic resources the group will need to survive into the next decade. – Gregory D. Johnsen
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
“The data, compiled by the Middle East Studies Association and the American Association of University Professors and relying on publicly available records, offers a detailed account of how landmark civil rights legislation…has become a primary tool to restrict speech on campus.”
Surge in antisemitism investigations at US universities after October 7 attacks, data shows
A report shared exclusively with the Guardian documents how a civil rights law has become a tool to impose ideological priorities on US schools
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
“The data, compiled by the Middle East Studies Association and the American Association of University Professors and relying on publicly available records, offers a detailed account of how landmark civil rights legislation…has become a primary tool to restrict speech on campus.”
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
Mamdani is attacked for not embracing Israel's Jewishness. But as I noted in 2021 what's unique is the US stance: "There is no case except Israel’s where the US actively advocates for a form of ethno-nationalist state that discounts large portion of its population"
www.brookings.edu/articles/ame...
www.brookings.edu/articles/ame...
America must rethink its unique and contradictory advocacy of Israel’s Jewishness | Brookings
Shibley Telhami argues that the United States' unique advocacy for Israel specifically as a Jewish state conflicts with the notion that states should represent and treat all their citizens equally, wh...
www.brookings.edu
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Mamdani is attacked for not embracing Israel's Jewishness. But as I noted in 2021 what's unique is the US stance: "There is no case except Israel’s where the US actively advocates for a form of ethno-nationalist state that discounts large portion of its population"
www.brookings.edu/articles/ame...
www.brookings.edu/articles/ame...
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
Jordan is really in a political vise — it’s dependent on Israel for power and water, but Israel’s war in Gaza has created a chasm between the regime and its people.
NEW: Energy, Water and the Cost of Jordan's Dependence on Israel
Majd Bargash argues that the political economy of Jordan's relationship with Israel since the Oslo Accords has created a gulf between the government and its people that has been exacerbated since October 7.
buff.ly/FxJhIUA
Majd Bargash argues that the political economy of Jordan's relationship with Israel since the Oslo Accords has created a gulf between the government and its people that has been exacerbated since October 7.
buff.ly/FxJhIUA
Energy, Water and the Cost of Jordan’s Dependence on Israel
On the morning of June 13, 2025, air-raid sirens sounded across Amman and other Jordanian cities warning residents to shelter in place. Hours earlier, Israel had launched an unprecedented attack on…
www.merip.org
October 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Jordan is really in a political vise — it’s dependent on Israel for power and water, but Israel’s war in Gaza has created a chasm between the regime and its people.
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
It is all about political priorities.
And popular pressure becoming louder than special interests and self-serving deals.
And popular pressure becoming louder than special interests and self-serving deals.
October 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
It is all about political priorities.
And popular pressure becoming louder than special interests and self-serving deals.
And popular pressure becoming louder than special interests and self-serving deals.
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Transition Security Project
transitionsecurity.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
This was a brilliant event with @lalehkhalili.bsky.social @iliasalami.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social @stephensemler.bsky.social
Podcast recording coming next week on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
Podcast recording coming next week on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Transition Security Project
transitionsecurity.org
October 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This was a brilliant event with @lalehkhalili.bsky.social @iliasalami.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social @stephensemler.bsky.social
Podcast recording coming next week on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
Podcast recording coming next week on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
EVENT: Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC!
Join MERIP on 11.22.25 at Busboys and Poets 450K Street for a special event honoring Joe Stork, our co-founder and longtime editor. Featured speakers include Aslı Bâli, Sarah Leah Whitson, Joel Beinin and more!
Click for info and to RSVP
Join MERIP on 11.22.25 at Busboys and Poets 450K Street for a special event honoring Joe Stork, our co-founder and longtime editor. Featured speakers include Aslı Bâli, Sarah Leah Whitson, Joel Beinin and more!
Click for info and to RSVP
Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC - MERIP
JOIN MERIP for a special live event honoring our co-founder and longtime editor, Joe Stork, who passed away nearly a year ago. On November 22nd from 7-10PM we’ll be gathering […]
buff.ly
October 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
EVENT: Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC!
Join MERIP on 11.22.25 at Busboys and Poets 450K Street for a special event honoring Joe Stork, our co-founder and longtime editor. Featured speakers include Aslı Bâli, Sarah Leah Whitson, Joel Beinin and more!
Click for info and to RSVP
Join MERIP on 11.22.25 at Busboys and Poets 450K Street for a special event honoring Joe Stork, our co-founder and longtime editor. Featured speakers include Aslı Bâli, Sarah Leah Whitson, Joel Beinin and more!
Click for info and to RSVP
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
A new @rooseveltinstitute.org report by @rfunkfordham.bsky.social empirically assesses the antidemocratic effects of Citizens United 15 years after it was decided.
The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Citizens United and the Decline of US Democracy: Assessing the Decision’s Impact 15 Years Later - Roosevelt Institute
In a new analysis, Rachel Funk Fordham examines the 15-year legacy of Citizens United, assessing its impact on democracy through new evidence and political science research and offering recommendation...
rooseveltinstitute.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A new @rooseveltinstitute.org report by @rfunkfordham.bsky.social empirically assesses the antidemocratic effects of Citizens United 15 years after it was decided.
The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com
Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...
www.courtlistener.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
This essay, by an Egyptian-American former New Yorker staff fact-checker, is an incredible read
And incredibly damning
Huge recommendation
And incredibly damning
Huge recommendation
House Arab
I was working at the magazine as a fact-checker and my parents no longer considered me a failure, not because they read or admired it, but because when they said its name to friends and relatives it s...
bidoun.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This essay, by an Egyptian-American former New Yorker staff fact-checker, is an incredible read
And incredibly damning
Huge recommendation
And incredibly damning
Huge recommendation
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
I don't think a lot of people realize or know people who were on the receiving end of death threats for over a decade because of Turning Point USA. They made a watch list of professors that made them targets for not only hate mail but death threats. That's Charlie Kirk's legacy.
September 11, 2025 at 12:20 AM
I don't think a lot of people realize or know people who were on the receiving end of death threats for over a decade because of Turning Point USA. They made a watch list of professors that made them targets for not only hate mail but death threats. That's Charlie Kirk's legacy.
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
The Dept of Education has officially cancelled funding for this year’s previously awarded FLAS grants for critical language study as “inconsistent with administration priorities.” What’s left to say?
September 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The Dept of Education has officially cancelled funding for this year’s previously awarded FLAS grants for critical language study as “inconsistent with administration priorities.” What’s left to say?
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
Calling all early-career #polisky scholars in the MENA region! Join the APSA #MENA Methods Workshop, January 5–8, 2026, in Doha, Qatar. All costs covered for selected participants.
Applications are due Sunday, September 14th! buff.ly/4fa3u4v
Applications are due Sunday, September 14th! buff.ly/4fa3u4v
Call for Applications: Engaged Research in the MENA Region | Deadline: September 14, 2025
The American Political Science Association (APSA) is pleased to announce a Call for Applications from early-career scholars who would like to participate in a four-day in-person workshop that examines the theme of participatory and engaged research in the MENA region. Organized in partnership with the Doha Institute (DI), the program will be held from January 5-8, 2026, at DI in Doha, Qatar.
buff.ly
September 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Calling all early-career #polisky scholars in the MENA region! Join the APSA #MENA Methods Workshop, January 5–8, 2026, in Doha, Qatar. All costs covered for selected participants.
Applications are due Sunday, September 14th! buff.ly/4fa3u4v
Applications are due Sunday, September 14th! buff.ly/4fa3u4v
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
Settler colonialism and slavery are the twin sins on which this country is built
If your history museums don't make grappling with them a core part of their programming, it's not history. It's propaganda.
If your history museums don't make grappling with them a core part of their programming, it's not history. It's propaganda.
August 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Settler colonialism and slavery are the twin sins on which this country is built
If your history museums don't make grappling with them a core part of their programming, it's not history. It's propaganda.
If your history museums don't make grappling with them a core part of their programming, it's not history. It's propaganda.
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
I saw Ezra Klein is talking about “when is it genocide???” on his podcast today… maybe you’re better off listening to the MERIP gang on this topic…
NEW PODCAST: The MERIP Roundtable "On Recognition"
@jdryan08.bsky.social is joined by EdCommers @lisahajjar.bsky.social, @seanyom.bsky.social, and Jacob Mundy to discuss genocide recognition by Israeli figures and institutions, and UK/Canada recognition for a Palestinian state.
buff.ly/IZuBpDI
@jdryan08.bsky.social is joined by EdCommers @lisahajjar.bsky.social, @seanyom.bsky.social, and Jacob Mundy to discuss genocide recognition by Israeli figures and institutions, and UK/Canada recognition for a Palestinian state.
buff.ly/IZuBpDI
Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition" | The MERIP Podcast
Listen to Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition" from The MERIP Podcast. The MERIP Roundtable is a new format for the MERIP podcast featuring conversation on urgent issues in the Middle…
shows.acast.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I saw Ezra Klein is talking about “when is it genocide???” on his podcast today… maybe you’re better off listening to the MERIP gang on this topic…
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
We knew at the time that a deeply deeply horrific assault had occurred, but just absolutely shaken by this report detailing the massacre at Zamzam in April 2025. Genocide. Utterly shaken.
“They slaughtered us like animals” www.theguardian.com/global-devel... ‘
“They slaughtered us like animals” www.theguardian.com/global-devel... ‘
‘They slaughtered us like animals’: the inside story of how one of the biggest atrocities of the Sudan war unfolded in Zamzam
As the UK prepared to host a global summit on bringing peace to Sudan, the RSF paramilitary began a ‘genocidal’ massacre in Zamzam refugee camp. But when reports emerged of the killings, London held i...
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2025 at 9:16 AM
We knew at the time that a deeply deeply horrific assault had occurred, but just absolutely shaken by this report detailing the massacre at Zamzam in April 2025. Genocide. Utterly shaken.
“They slaughtered us like animals” www.theguardian.com/global-devel... ‘
“They slaughtered us like animals” www.theguardian.com/global-devel... ‘
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
The climate of fear caused by torrents of abuse, death threats, and doxxing that David French identifies here as affecting judges (even if he pretends it isn’t mostly from MAGA) have long been the normal experience for Middle East studies faculty, and no one cared.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/o...
Opinion | The Climate of Fear Has Reached Into Unexpected Places
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The climate of fear caused by torrents of abuse, death threats, and doxxing that David French identifies here as affecting judges (even if he pretends it isn’t mostly from MAGA) have long been the normal experience for Middle East studies faculty, and no one cared.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/o...
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
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 Jillian Schwedler
An aerial view of what the Gaza City area looked like this week. Taken from a Jordanian military aircraft, by our colleague Heidi Levine.
August 1, 2025 at 6:26 PM
An aerial view of what the Gaza City area looked like this week. Taken from a Jordanian military aircraft, by our colleague Heidi Levine.
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
With continuing challenges to stability in #Syria, are there any opportunities for optimism? Listen to our recent seminar on the future of #Israel, Syria, & the Levant with Crown scholars Shai Feldman, Daniel Neep, @jillianschwedler.bsky.social, & @peterkrause.bsky.social:
youtu.be/YUBhGr2P1XM
youtu.be/YUBhGr2P1XM
The Future of Israel, Syria, and the Levant | Crown at 20: The Future of the Middle East
YouTube video by Crown Center for Middle East Studies
youtu.be
July 16, 2025 at 6:52 PM
With continuing challenges to stability in #Syria, are there any opportunities for optimism? Listen to our recent seminar on the future of #Israel, Syria, & the Levant with Crown scholars Shai Feldman, Daniel Neep, @jillianschwedler.bsky.social, & @peterkrause.bsky.social:
youtu.be/YUBhGr2P1XM
youtu.be/YUBhGr2P1XM
Reposted by Jillian Schwedler
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...
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 1, 2025 at 4:58 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...
You will find me here next Friday!! All my queerios, join us!!!
QUEER LIBERATION MARCH
RESIST! RECLAIM! REJOICE!
JUNE 29, 2025
7th Ave & 12th St
New York City NY
11:00 A.M.
More info at QueerMarch.org
RESIST! RECLAIM! REJOICE!
JUNE 29, 2025
7th Ave & 12th St
New York City NY
11:00 A.M.
More info at QueerMarch.org
June 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
You will find me here next Friday!! All my queerios, join us!!!