Lizzy Shackelford
@lizzyshack.bsky.social
Foreign affairs columnist at Chicago Tribune, Dartmouth’s Dickey Center, former diplomat, policy wonk. Author of The Dissent Channel. Resigned in protest of Trump I and can’t believe we have to fight this again.
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
Trump owes his corrupt and abusive reign to one man.
This is all John Roberts’ fault
Trump owes his corrupt and abusive reign to one man.
www.motherjones.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Trump owes his corrupt and abusive reign to one man.
“22 yrs ago, the devils came on horseback. Now they come on pickup trucks mounted with machine guns. Now the devils fight against SAF rather than for it, with more efficient tools. But if you’re a civilian in Darfur, the outcome is the same: genocide.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Horrifying violence returns to Sudan, exposing the deadly legacy of impunity
In Darfur, history just seems to be repeating itself since the offenders include many of the exact same people as before.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“22 yrs ago, the devils came on horseback. Now they come on pickup trucks mounted with machine guns. Now the devils fight against SAF rather than for it, with more efficient tools. But if you’re a civilian in Darfur, the outcome is the same: genocide.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
World leaders are getting old! And not just in autocracies. It’s human nature to cling to power, but history has shown us that political leaders who stay too long don’t deliver, even after promising early days in office. My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: The intoxication of power and its consequences on democracy around the world
Elderly leaders in Africa and around the world are holding on to power. Democratic states should be wary about the impact of entrenched rule.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:24 PM
World leaders are getting old! And not just in autocracies. It’s human nature to cling to power, but history has shown us that political leaders who stay too long don’t deliver, even after promising early days in office. My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
Across Latin America, “Trump seems intent on showcasing America’s power to promote his favored autocratic leaders and bring perceived enemies to heel. How these actions promote the interests of American citizens, however, remains unclear.” @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Donald Trump applies his strongman approach to Latin America
President Donald Trump seems intent on promoting autocratic leaders in Brazil and Argentina and bringing perceived enemies to heel.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Across Latin America, “Trump seems intent on showcasing America’s power to promote his favored autocratic leaders and bring perceived enemies to heel. How these actions promote the interests of American citizens, however, remains unclear.” @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
![Can you put into words what that purpose is? You and the frog have really become icons of this protest.
There’s been a nice overall whimsy that has shown up. The frog is amazing. We had a bunch of other inflatable people here last night, too. I saw people playing Twister the other day.
What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it speaks to them, to some extent, that we’re actually not that afraid.
It also dismantles their narrative a little bit. When they try to describe this situation as “war-torn,” it becomes much harder to take them seriously when they have to post a video saying [U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and it’s, like, eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lzlqyldh7nfc34pfffvd24ko/bafkreiap6asa64jdjb2vlv4c2sdritjrntsibvsv7baj6o4cgwcfgsjeny@jpeg)
October 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Young people want better governance and are fed up with suffering from poor services and economies while their leaders get rich around them and inequality grows.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/03/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Gen Z-led protests are spreading rapidly across the globe
The globe is seeing the most significant spike in dissent since the Arab Spring all led by young people.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Young people want better governance and are fed up with suffering from poor services and economies while their leaders get rich around them and inequality grows.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/03/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
Trump donor Larry Ellison’s Oracle will oversee TikTok’s algorithm.
His media company owns CBS News and is plotting a bid for Warner Bros., which owns CNN.
When billionaires take control of communication platforms, it’s not a win for free speech. It’s a win for oligarchy.
His media company owns CBS News and is plotting a bid for Warner Bros., which owns CNN.
When billionaires take control of communication platforms, it’s not a win for free speech. It’s a win for oligarchy.
September 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Trump donor Larry Ellison’s Oracle will oversee TikTok’s algorithm.
His media company owns CBS News and is plotting a bid for Warner Bros., which owns CNN.
When billionaires take control of communication platforms, it’s not a win for free speech. It’s a win for oligarchy.
His media company owns CBS News and is plotting a bid for Warner Bros., which owns CNN.
When billionaires take control of communication platforms, it’s not a win for free speech. It’s a win for oligarchy.
“The threats are so vague & government power so extensive, this will undoubtedly drive widespread self-censorship & suppress free expression out of fear. One need not eradicate all dissent to be effective. Punishing a few will quiet many. “ @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/19/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Why we need dissent
Officials of the Donald Trump administration made direct threats against free speech this week.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
“The threats are so vague & government power so extensive, this will undoubtedly drive widespread self-censorship & suppress free expression out of fear. One need not eradicate all dissent to be effective. Punishing a few will quiet many. “ @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/19/c...
“When the U.S. government is conducting foreign relations like a mob boss, [Xi’s] call has a new appeal. He can now credibly offer China as a more reliable and predictable alternative to a fickle America.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/05/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: China is making autocracy great again
With most U.S. adversaries present at China’s military parade, this was a show of unity in opposition to America’s global leadership.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
“When the U.S. government is conducting foreign relations like a mob boss, [Xi’s] call has a new appeal. He can now credibly offer China as a more reliable and predictable alternative to a fickle America.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/05/c...
“Rather than ignore human rights, the administration is twisting the concept in support of a political agenda that undermines equality, justice and human security by reinforcing the rights of the strong at the expense of the weak.” My latest in Chicago Tribune. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/22/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Worse than ignoring human rights, America is twisting the meaning
The Trump administration is twisting the concept of human rights in support of a political agenda that undermines equality, justice and human security.
www.chicagotribune.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“Rather than ignore human rights, the administration is twisting the concept in support of a political agenda that undermines equality, justice and human security by reinforcing the rights of the strong at the expense of the weak.” My latest in Chicago Tribune. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/22/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
This is what happens in the United States now for simply recording their behavior.
Disgraceful. That man was unarmed. And completely within his rights.
Disgraceful. That man was unarmed. And completely within his rights.
August 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This is what happens in the United States now for simply recording their behavior.
Disgraceful. That man was unarmed. And completely within his rights.
Disgraceful. That man was unarmed. And completely within his rights.
“The people of Gaza deserve basic humanity regardless of Hamas’ actions. If you disagree with that statement, look at the photos of skeletal children in Gaza — who make up half of the strip’s population — and tell me they are terrorists who deserve that fate.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/08/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Gaza’s starvation is America’s shame
It’s time for us all to face the reality that Israel’s government is committing atrocities in Gaza and is doing so with American support.
www.chicagotribune.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
“The people of Gaza deserve basic humanity regardless of Hamas’ actions. If you disagree with that statement, look at the photos of skeletal children in Gaza — who make up half of the strip’s population — and tell me they are terrorists who deserve that fate.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/08/c...
“As the world moves undoubtedly into a more conflict-ridden future, we are undermining our own ability to navigate that world safely.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/25/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Burning down America’s best tool for peace and prosperity
As a former U.S. diplomat, I know that these cuts at the State Department will cost us as the world moves into a more conflict-ridden future.
www.chicagotribune.com
July 26, 2025 at 12:38 PM
“As the world moves undoubtedly into a more conflict-ridden future, we are undermining our own ability to navigate that world safely.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/25/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
"As someone who has worked in South Sudan, I can speak to what migrants could face there specifically, and it isn’t pretty," @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/11/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/11/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Donald Trump wants to deport migrants to South Sudan. What awaits them isn’t pretty.
I have worked in South Sudan as a diplomat. It is on the brink of civil war, and its government has a horrific human rights record.
www.chicagotribune.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
"As someone who has worked in South Sudan, I can speak to what migrants could face there specifically, and it isn’t pretty," @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/11/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/11/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
Repression is on the rise in East Africa during a time when the relationship between America and the world has changed. The White House has made clear that it will no longer fight human rights abuses, @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: East African governments turn up repression as the United States turns away
Once, the U.S. government used its influence to prevent human rights abuses overseas. Now, Washington is practically silent.
www.chicagotribune.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Repression is on the rise in East Africa during a time when the relationship between America and the world has changed. The White House has made clear that it will no longer fight human rights abuses, @lizzyshack.bsky.social writes on @chicagotribune.com.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/c...
“it’s hard to think of a clearer signpost on the road to dictatorship.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/o...
Opinion | This Is What Autocracy Looks Like
www.nytimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
“it’s hard to think of a clearer signpost on the road to dictatorship.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/09/o...
The new Syrian leader has not earned blind trust from the world, but for the sake of Syria’s beleaguered people, we should give him the chance to succeed. My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/30/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Sanctions relief is worth a shot for Syria’s chance at recovery
Syria remains at high risk. Sanctions relief doesn’t guarantee a stable path ahead, but without it, the country has no real chance of one.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The new Syrian leader has not earned blind trust from the world, but for the sake of Syria’s beleaguered people, we should give him the chance to succeed. My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/30/c...
“Corruption might be business as usual under monarchs, where the very purpose of a state is to serve its king. But here in the US the government’s purpose is to serve the people. It’s now up to Congress to remind Trump of that.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/16/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: America’s president is for sale
The Qatari jet may be the flashiest, but it’s only the latest in a flood of corruption now manipulating U.S. foreign policy.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 16, 2025 at 10:30 AM
“Corruption might be business as usual under monarchs, where the very purpose of a state is to serve its king. But here in the US the government’s purpose is to serve the people. It’s now up to Congress to remind Trump of that.” My latest in @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/16/c...
Reposted by Lizzy Shackelford
My latest: "No Country For Due Process"
The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.
thelefthook.substack.com/p/no-country...
The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.
thelefthook.substack.com/p/no-country...
No Country For Due Process
The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.
thelefthook.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
My latest: "No Country For Due Process"
The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.
thelefthook.substack.com/p/no-country...
The Trump regime kidnapped innocent immigrants, such as Abrego Garcia and Rumeysa Ozturk, without due process. Today, they arrested Mayor Baraka. Tomorrow, they'll come after you.
thelefthook.substack.com/p/no-country...
So who is joining me at the #OsloFreedomForum ! Looking forward to it! hrf.org/latest/live-...
Live debate: 'Are sanctions effective?'
NEW YORK (May 8, 2025) — The Human Rights Foundation, in partnership with Open to Debate, will host a timely high-level debate around the question, ‘Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?‘ at the Osl...
hrf.org
May 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
So who is joining me at the #OsloFreedomForum ! Looking forward to it! hrf.org/latest/live-...
This is an important read. For those who thought the military might save us, it’s some bad news www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...
Opinion | West Point Is Supposed to Educate, Not Indoctrinate
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
This is an important read. For those who thought the military might save us, it’s some bad news www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...
Make it make sense. What is motivating Donald Trump’s foreign policy? “Once you eliminate all the answers that make no sense, the answer that does may be the right one.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/02/c...
Elizabeth Shackelford: Make it make sense. What is motivating Donald Trump’s foreign policy?
Russia isn’t just getting its way on Ukraine. The Trump administration has taken other actions on Vladimir Putin’s wish list.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 2, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Make it make sense. What is motivating Donald Trump’s foreign policy? “Once you eliminate all the answers that make no sense, the answer that does may be the right one.” My latest in the @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/02/c...
The confused children looking on at Pete Hegseth’s meltdown at the WH Easter Egg Roll are all of us right now.
At the WH Easter egg hunt, Hegseth this morning pathetically blames the media for what his own appointees disclosed about his latest scandals.
April 21, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The confused children looking on at Pete Hegseth’s meltdown at the WH Easter Egg Roll are all of us right now.
Just received an email from our faculty system that started: “Dear Error fetching name…” and it just feels apropos of life in 2025….
April 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Just received an email from our faculty system that started: “Dear Error fetching name…” and it just feels apropos of life in 2025….
Make this make sense. Only one reasonable explanation for destroying our alliances, crashing our economy, & now walking away from global influence and engagement full stop. Who benefits from this? Not America. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...
Trump Draft Order Would Drastically Overhaul U.S. State Department
The draft executive order to be signed by President Trump would eliminate Africa operations and shut down bureaus working on democracy, human rights and refugee issues.
www.nytimes.com
April 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Make this make sense. Only one reasonable explanation for destroying our alliances, crashing our economy, & now walking away from global influence and engagement full stop. Who benefits from this? Not America. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/20/u...