Jonathan Cristol
@jonathancristol.bsky.social
I teach Middle East Politics, International Security, International Law, WMD (and stuff like that) at YU. Write about East Asia and Middle East. Ex-think-tanker. Occasional contractor. New to this platform. Love a good parenthetical aside. NYC based.
Saywutnow?
Host: The Syrian president came in, and Trump sprayed perfume all over him. Did he smell?
Leavitt: That happens all the time. Not just with the Syrian president, but I've seen it with other foreign leaders. I've seen it with cabinet members, myself.
Leavitt: That happens all the time. Not just with the Syrian president, but I've seen it with other foreign leaders. I've seen it with cabinet members, myself.
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Saywutnow?
So far this has been a fantastic conference hosted by @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social and #koreasociety!
Not too late to catch some of it here:
www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-c...
Not too late to catch some of it here:
www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-c...
US-Korea Cooperation Across Domains and Through History
Promoting understanding & cooperation between the U.S. & Korea, The Korea Society offers programs, events, & resources on Korean culture, policy & education
www.koreasociety.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
So far this has been a fantastic conference hosted by @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social and #koreasociety!
Not too late to catch some of it here:
www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-c...
Not too late to catch some of it here:
www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-c...
Presumably so he can punch someone in the face.
Bessent Plans to Attend Tariff Arguments at the Supreme Court
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Presumably so he can punch someone in the face.
Friends, I read the headlines this morning, opened my end table drawer, and when I tell you this was among the contents, I am 100% serious.
(And my students already took the test that lies beneath it.)
(And my students already took the test that lies beneath it.)
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Friends, I read the headlines this morning, opened my end table drawer, and when I tell you this was among the contents, I am 100% serious.
(And my students already took the test that lies beneath it.)
(And my students already took the test that lies beneath it.)
Ok. I am a huge fan of @lastweektonight.com; but I’m watching right now and two minor quibbles.
He takes issue with the “University of Austin” using the Chatham House rule in its classes.
But 1) he conflates CHR with “off the record” but they are not the same…
He takes issue with the “University of Austin” using the Chatham House rule in its classes.
But 1) he conflates CHR with “off the record” but they are not the same…
October 13, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Ok. I am a huge fan of @lastweektonight.com; but I’m watching right now and two minor quibbles.
He takes issue with the “University of Austin” using the Chatham House rule in its classes.
But 1) he conflates CHR with “off the record” but they are not the same…
He takes issue with the “University of Austin” using the Chatham House rule in its classes.
But 1) he conflates CHR with “off the record” but they are not the same…
Looking forward to seeing my fellow moderates @thebulwark.com live tonight… and close enough to home that I can walk!
October 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Looking forward to seeing my fellow moderates @thebulwark.com live tonight… and close enough to home that I can walk!
October 3, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Look what I found.
Jealous, much?
Jealous, much?
October 2, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Look what I found.
Jealous, much?
Jealous, much?
And as it happens, my book — The United States and the Taliban before and after 9/11– is on sale today. It’s still a bit pricey, but well within reason and worth picking up if you’re interested in the topic.
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
October 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
And as it happens, my book — The United States and the Taliban before and after 9/11– is on sale today. It’s still a bit pricey, but well within reason and worth picking up if you’re interested in the topic.
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
It was a pleasure to talk to Straight Arrow News for this article!
September 30, 2025 at 2:54 AM
It was a pleasure to talk to Straight Arrow News for this article!
Well, this Netanyahu speech will be the 73rd I've watched at #UNGA80. I'm mostly been holding my commentary so that I can make some macro-observations, but I may lightly live-sky this one.
September 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Well, this Netanyahu speech will be the 73rd I've watched at #UNGA80. I'm mostly been holding my commentary so that I can make some macro-observations, but I may lightly live-sky this one.
I’m on the quiet car on Amtrak and the woman next to me is on her fourth call and the conductors seem nonplussed and the other passengers are looking at each other.
I’ll do my part by posting anything she says of interest verbatim. And since she’s on FT now, maybe I’ll snap a pick.
I’ll do my part by posting anything she says of interest verbatim. And since she’s on FT now, maybe I’ll snap a pick.
September 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I’m on the quiet car on Amtrak and the woman next to me is on her fourth call and the conductors seem nonplussed and the other passengers are looking at each other.
I’ll do my part by posting anything she says of interest verbatim. And since she’s on FT now, maybe I’ll snap a pick.
I’ll do my part by posting anything she says of interest verbatim. And since she’s on FT now, maybe I’ll snap a pick.
Trump spoke at length about UN teleprompters not working; and now the PGA says “as we are receiving inquiries, I want to reassure you— The teleprompters are working perfectly.”#UNGA80
September 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Trump spoke at length about UN teleprompters not working; and now the PGA says “as we are receiving inquiries, I want to reassure you— The teleprompters are working perfectly.”#UNGA80
So highly paid tech people will be offered large paycuts; and professors will have their visas revoked, which not only will impact the profs and their families, but will leave countless (American, if that matters) students high and dry.
Lutnick: "Either the person is very valuable to the company and America, or they are going to depart and the company is going to hire an American. And that's the point of immigration. Hire Americans and make sure the people coming in are the top top people. Stop the nonsense."
September 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
So highly paid tech people will be offered large paycuts; and professors will have their visas revoked, which not only will impact the profs and their families, but will leave countless (American, if that matters) students high and dry.
If I was such a pathetic coward that I needed six heavily armed men to brutalize a middle-aged woman, I’d probably cover my face too.
A woman protesting outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, was brutally assaulted by goons who used mace and sting balls on her.
September 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
If I was such a pathetic coward that I needed six heavily armed men to brutalize a middle-aged woman, I’d probably cover my face too.
Reposted by Jonathan Cristol
A woman protesting outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, was brutally assaulted by goons who used mace and sting balls on her.
September 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
A woman protesting outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, was brutally assaulted by goons who used mace and sting balls on her.
Absolutely ridiculous counter-productive nonsense— And I don’t say that lightly (see my bio), nor do I shed tears for any Hamas dead, quite the contrary, but a terrible terrible counterproductive decision.
Israel strikes Hamas chiefs in Qatar; terror group insists senior leaders unharmed https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-hamas-chiefs-in-qatar-terror-group-insists-senior-leaders-unharmed/
Israel strikes Hamas chiefs in Qatar; terror group insists senior leaders unharmed
Strike came as officials in the terror group, including Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, were discussing new US ceasefire proposal;
www.timesofisrael.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Absolutely ridiculous counter-productive nonsense— And I don’t say that lightly (see my bio), nor do I shed tears for any Hamas dead, quite the contrary, but a terrible terrible counterproductive decision.
I’m still a little confused that the POTUS who keeps hyping his “peacemaking” ability, and lying about single-handedly ending six (or whatever number) wars, is renaming the DOD the DOW.
Everything is just so f-ing dumb.
Everything is just so f-ing dumb.
September 6, 2025 at 3:55 AM
I’m still a little confused that the POTUS who keeps hyping his “peacemaking” ability, and lying about single-handedly ending six (or whatever number) wars, is renaming the DOD the DOW.
Everything is just so f-ing dumb.
Everything is just so f-ing dumb.
Hey @amtrak.com. How about some sort of compensation for those of us in Car 2 on the Acela to NYC. Even if it’s just free bottled water.
We have no AC and it is basically hell on Earth. It’s Acela so you know who is in the car and have all our info.
We have no AC and it is basically hell on Earth. It’s Acela so you know who is in the car and have all our info.
August 20, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Hey @amtrak.com. How about some sort of compensation for those of us in Car 2 on the Acela to NYC. Even if it’s just free bottled water.
We have no AC and it is basically hell on Earth. It’s Acela so you know who is in the car and have all our info.
We have no AC and it is basically hell on Earth. It’s Acela so you know who is in the car and have all our info.
Trump apparently thinks Russia gets to dictate the foreign policy of its neighbors.
Trump: "If you go back long beyond before President Putin, it was always a statement that they would never allow Ukraine into NATO. So that was a statement that was made."
August 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Trump apparently thinks Russia gets to dictate the foreign policy of its neighbors.
Me: OK, I’ll get the new Taylor Swift on sparkly orange vinyl.
Kids: No!! There’ll be deluxe versions so just wait.
Smart kids. Impulsive father.
Kids: No!! There’ll be deluxe versions so just wait.
Smart kids. Impulsive father.
August 12, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Me: OK, I’ll get the new Taylor Swift on sparkly orange vinyl.
Kids: No!! There’ll be deluxe versions so just wait.
Smart kids. Impulsive father.
Kids: No!! There’ll be deluxe versions so just wait.
Smart kids. Impulsive father.
People in higher ed were worried about this for ten years. Then Covid. I haven’t heard too much worry about it since then… but in another few years it will probably come up again— but only when AI can do the grading.
I think we’re on the cusp of mass attempts to automate teaching, and I also think it is going to be a massive wasteful failure in ways that will make the “learning loss” of the pandemic look like a speed bump next to a mountain.
August 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
People in higher ed were worried about this for ten years. Then Covid. I haven’t heard too much worry about it since then… but in another few years it will probably come up again— but only when AI can do the grading.