Paul D. Williams
@pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social
Professor of International Affairs.
Pinned
Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
Good overview of the crisis in Goma 🇨🇩 and especially Rwanda’s🇷🇼 role in it by @jasonkstearns.bsky.social via @passblue.bsky.social
www.passblue.com/2025/02/02/g...
www.passblue.com/2025/02/02/g...
Goma, Congo: Understanding the M23 and RDF Attack
Goma, Congo: Understanding the M23 and RDF Attack - PassBlue
www.passblue.com
February 3, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Good overview of the crisis in Goma 🇨🇩 and especially Rwanda’s🇷🇼 role in it by @jasonkstearns.bsky.social via @passblue.bsky.social
www.passblue.com/2025/02/02/g...
www.passblue.com/2025/02/02/g...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
Our longer article in International Affairs is now #OpenAccess for a short period:
🌏 academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
🌏 academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
Peacekeeping armies: how the politics of peace operations shape military organizations
What is a ‘peacekeeping army’ and why do some states develop them? This article lays out the first attempt to theorize this concept and illustrate its util
academic.oup.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Our longer article in International Affairs is now #OpenAccess for a short period:
🌏 academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
🌏 academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
#Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?
I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies
theconversation.com/peacekeeping...
I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies
theconversation.com/peacekeeping...
Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?
Poorer states, like Rwanda and Burundi, have economic incentives for maintaining peacekeeping armies.
theconversation.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
#Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?
I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies
theconversation.com/peacekeeping...
I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies
theconversation.com/peacekeeping...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
November 18, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
⭐Job Alert ⭐
GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined.
www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...
GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined.
www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
Security studies: The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and Department of Political Science invite applications for a full-time, tenured faculty position in securi...
www.gwu.jobs
November 22, 2024 at 9:35 PM
⭐Job Alert ⭐
GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined.
www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...
GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined.
www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...
Info-nugget😮
The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide.
acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...
The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide.
acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...
Myanmar - ACLED
Coding decisions on key armed actors, anti-coup demonstrations, violence in Rakhine state, and more Published on: | Last updated: Background Coding political violence in Myanmar poses several methodo...
acleddata.com
November 19, 2024 at 1:10 PM
Info-nugget😮
The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide.
acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...
The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide.
acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...
Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
November 18, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
Today seems like a good day to share this Scientific American story on how vaccines have saved more lives throughout history than any other intervention
www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...
November 7, 2024 at 1:26 AM
Today seems like a good day to share this Scientific American story on how vaccines have saved more lives throughout history than any other intervention
www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...
741 former national security leaders including fifteen 4-star generals and admirals, along with 230 former flag officers endorse Kamala Harris for President. They write, "Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism."
www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...
www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...
Endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States — National Security Leaders for America
Kamala Harris will make an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump
has proven he is not up to the job. Effective leadership requires in-depth
knowledge, careful deliberation, understanding of ...
www.nsl4a.org
September 22, 2024 at 11:41 PM
741 former national security leaders including fifteen 4-star generals and admirals, along with 230 former flag officers endorse Kamala Harris for President. They write, "Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism."
www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...
www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...
So there will be a third AU peace operation in Somalia: AMISOM (2007-22) --> ATMIS (2022-24) --> AUSSOM (2025-??). Details lacking thus far...
papsrepository.africa-union.org/handle/12345...
papsrepository.africa-union.org/handle/12345...
Communiqué of the 1225th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council held on 1 August 2024, on Consideration of the Concept of Operations of AU-Led Mission in Somalia post-ATMIS.
papsrepository.africa-union.org
August 7, 2024 at 12:59 PM
So there will be a third AU peace operation in Somalia: AMISOM (2007-22) --> ATMIS (2022-24) --> AUSSOM (2025-??). Details lacking thus far...
papsrepository.africa-union.org/handle/12345...
papsrepository.africa-union.org/handle/12345...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
This is an appalling and horrifying story about the attacks researchers like @katestarbird.bsky.social undergo by those determined to silence any who call out their disinformation and other underhanded tactics. Very similar to what climate scientists experience but with even MORE vitriol.
Nature spoke to political scientists from around the world whose work has flung them into both the public and political limelight, sometimes with drastic consequences for their personal and professional lives. 🧪
‘It can feel like there’s no way out’ — political scientists face pushback on their work
In a year in which numerous countries are going to the polls, many election-watching scientists are under pressure. In a year in which numerous countries are going to the polls, many election-watching...
go.nature.com
July 5, 2024 at 4:50 PM
This is an appalling and horrifying story about the attacks researchers like @katestarbird.bsky.social undergo by those determined to silence any who call out their disinformation and other underhanded tactics. Very similar to what climate scientists experience but with even MORE vitriol.
What were the top causes & categories of deaths of U.S. Army active duty soldiers, 2014-2019?
Ans:
1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation)
2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose)
3) Natural causes
4) Combat
5) Homicide
Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...
Ans:
1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation)
2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose)
3) Natural causes
4) Combat
5) Homicide
Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...
June 11, 2024 at 12:27 PM
What were the top causes & categories of deaths of U.S. Army active duty soldiers, 2014-2019?
Ans:
1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation)
2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose)
3) Natural causes
4) Combat
5) Homicide
Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...
Ans:
1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation)
2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose)
3) Natural causes
4) Combat
5) Homicide
Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
the very worst shit online is always generated by a small, obsessed cult and SUPRISE, when you ban that small group you have mostly solved the problem
Deplatforming is out of favor in Silicon Valley. But it works.
A new study in Nature finds that Twitter's mass suspension of 70,000 QAnon-linked accounts after Jan. 6 meaningfully reduced the overall circulation of fake and hyperpartisan news on the platform. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
A new study in Nature finds that Twitter's mass suspension of 70,000 QAnon-linked accounts after Jan. 6 meaningfully reduced the overall circulation of fake and hyperpartisan news on the platform. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
After Jan. 6, Twitter banned 70,000 right-wing accounts. Lies plummeted.
A new study finds deplatforming “super-spreaders” of misinformation can limit the overall spread of online whoppers.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 6, 2024 at 2:35 PM
the very worst shit online is always generated by a small, obsessed cult and SUPRISE, when you ban that small group you have mostly solved the problem
Just recording the idiocy for posterity...
May 24, 2024 at 12:33 PM
Just recording the idiocy for posterity...
All us researchers need to be aware of the “bullshit industrial complex.”
Borrowing their term, these attacks on disinformation researchers are an effort by the “bullshit industrial complex” to try to silence the folks who have documented their tactics and called them out for being the creators and conduits of disinfo campaigns and repeatedly spreading harmful falsehoods.
May 24, 2024 at 11:03 AM
All us researchers need to be aware of the “bullshit industrial complex.”
Inspired by @jjschroden.bsky.social work on the war in Afghanistan🇦🇫, I’ve written a net assessment of the Somali🇸🇴 National Army versus al-Shabaab in the event of a withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.
My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...
My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...
The Somali National Army Versus al-Shabaab: A Net Assessment – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstact: An important question for the future of Somalia is if the African Union withdraws the remainder of its forces from the country by December 31, 2024, would the Somali National Army (SNA) or al...
ctc.westpoint.edu
April 30, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Inspired by @jjschroden.bsky.social work on the war in Afghanistan🇦🇫, I’ve written a net assessment of the Somali🇸🇴 National Army versus al-Shabaab in the event of a withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.
My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...
My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...
"What’s Left of Sudan🇸🇩 After a Year At War?"
This is a really good overview of the war's local, national and international dynamics and devastating consequences. Via @crisisgroup.bsky.social
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...
This is a really good overview of the war's local, national and international dynamics and devastating consequences. Via @crisisgroup.bsky.social
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...
April 25, 2024 at 12:19 AM
"What’s Left of Sudan🇸🇩 After a Year At War?"
This is a really good overview of the war's local, national and international dynamics and devastating consequences. Via @crisisgroup.bsky.social
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...
This is a really good overview of the war's local, national and international dynamics and devastating consequences. Via @crisisgroup.bsky.social
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-...
Al-Fashir is the last major city in the vast, western Darfur🇸🇩 region not under control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But a truce that protected it from the year-old war has been broken. Its 1.6 million people are now at real risk of RSF attack. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
April 23, 2024 at 10:49 AM
Al-Fashir is the last major city in the vast, western Darfur🇸🇩 region not under control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). But a truce that protected it from the year-old war has been broken. Its 1.6 million people are now at real risk of RSF attack. www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Russian🇷🇺 equipment losses in its war vs Ukraine🇺🇦 are estimated at c.8,800 since Feb 2022. Nevertheless, the IISS assesses that Russia will be able to sustain its assault on Ukraine🇺🇦 at current attrition rates for another 2–3 years, and maybe even longer.
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
April 23, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Russian🇷🇺 equipment losses in its war vs Ukraine🇺🇦 are estimated at c.8,800 since Feb 2022. Nevertheless, the IISS assesses that Russia will be able to sustain its assault on Ukraine🇺🇦 at current attrition rates for another 2–3 years, and maybe even longer.
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
www.iiss.org/online-analy...
Interesting article on the increased use of Iranian🇮🇷 drones by the Sudan🇸🇩 army vs the RSF. m.jpost.com/internationa...
April 20, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Interesting article on the increased use of Iranian🇮🇷 drones by the Sudan🇸🇩 army vs the RSF. m.jpost.com/internationa...
“The prime minister has asked us to withdraw U.S. troops, and we have agreed to do that.” 🇺🇸troops are leaving Niger🇳🇪 at the request of the junta. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
April 20, 2024 at 11:13 AM
“The prime minister has asked us to withdraw U.S. troops, and we have agreed to do that.” 🇺🇸troops are leaving Niger🇳🇪 at the request of the junta. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Paul D. Williams
An analysis by University of Michigan researchers of more than 30 million grading records from U-M finds students with alphabetically lower-ranked names receive lower grades. This is due to sequential grading biases and the default order of students' submissions in Canvas. #AcademicSky #EduSky #Bias
Researchers find lower grades given to students with surnames that come later in alphabetical order
Knowing your ABCs is essential to academic success, but having a last name starting with A, B or C might also help make the grade.
phys.org
April 17, 2024 at 8:55 PM
An analysis by University of Michigan researchers of more than 30 million grading records from U-M finds students with alphabetically lower-ranked names receive lower grades. This is due to sequential grading biases and the default order of students' submissions in Canvas. #AcademicSky #EduSky #Bias
FY2024 budget docs suggest that US🇺🇸 defensive missiles are, overall, roughly twice as expensive as offensive missiles, when averaging all-up-round unit costs. This asymmetry is mostly due to the significant technical demands of air & missile defense interceptors. www.csis.org/analysis/cos...
April 17, 2024 at 2:28 PM
FY2024 budget docs suggest that US🇺🇸 defensive missiles are, overall, roughly twice as expensive as offensive missiles, when averaging all-up-round unit costs. This asymmetry is mostly due to the significant technical demands of air & missile defense interceptors. www.csis.org/analysis/cos...