Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
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salahbhpolisci.bsky.social
Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
@salahbhpolisci.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Associate for the Center of the Middle East at Rice University's Baker Institute of Public Policy.

Former USIP Peace Scholar.

Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida.

www.salahbenhammou.com
Pinned
📢 New Paper Alert!

Happy to share that our article “Following the Free Officers: Explaining the Politics of Coup Contagion & Containment” — co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social — is forthcoming in International Studies Review.

Are coups actually contagious, and if so, how?

🧵 below (1/)
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
📢 New Paper Alert!

Happy to share that our article “Following the Free Officers: Explaining the Politics of Coup Contagion & Containment” — co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social — is forthcoming in International Studies Review.

Are coups actually contagious, and if so, how?

🧵 below (1/)
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
I wrote this essay in the current Sudan issue of Transition Magazine titled "The Politics of Hunger" which argues that the current hunger crisis has been decades in the making. It begins with Nimeiri and looks at US engagement over the decades.

transitionmagazine.fas.harvard.edu/the-politics...
The Politics of Hunger in Sudan – Transition Magazine
transitionmagazine.fas.harvard.edu
November 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
ICYMI
📢 New Paper Alert!

Happy to share that our article “Following the Free Officers: Explaining the Politics of Coup Contagion & Containment” — co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social — is forthcoming in International Studies Review.

Are coups actually contagious, and if so, how?

🧵 below (1/)
November 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
📢 New Paper Alert!

Happy to share that our article “Following the Free Officers: Explaining the Politics of Coup Contagion & Containment” — co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social — is forthcoming in International Studies Review.

Are coups actually contagious, and if so, how?

🧵 below (1/)
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Had the pleasure to join the good folks over at the Centre for African Conflict & Development to offer my perspective on the Madagascar coup and other related developments in their latest podcast episode.

open.spotify.com/episode/18ea...
EP 108: The Recent Coup in Madagascar with Dr Salah Ben Hammou
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Protestors in Madagascar are now confronting the reality that the military—once an ally to their cause—now holds the reins of power.
Madagascar’s ‘Coupvolution’ Is Following a Familiar Pattern
Gen Z protesters now have buyer’s remorse.
foreignpolicy.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Happy to share my latest piece at Foreign Policy w/ @drpowell.bsky.social. Madagascar’s recent coup reflects a wider “coupvolution” trend - civilians help topple leaders, only to be sidelined once the military takes over. Here's what they can do.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/m...
Madagascar’s ‘Coupvolution’ Is Following a Familiar Pattern
Gen Z protesters now have buyer's remorse.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Happy to share my latest piece at Foreign Policy w/ @drpowell.bsky.social. Madagascar’s recent coup reflects a wider “coupvolution” trend - civilians help topple leaders, only to be sidelined once the military takes over. Here's what they can do.

foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/m...
Madagascar’s ‘Coupvolution’ Is Following a Familiar Pattern
Gen Z protesters now have buyer's remorse.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
As we see a rise in coups across Africa, Salah Ben Hammou (@salahbhpolisci.bsky.social) and Jonathan Powell (@drpowell.bsky.social) have been making significant contributions to conversations about coups around the world, including in AF&S! Find their articles here: journals.sagepub.com/home/afs
Sharing my new article co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social over at The Conversation on the coup in Madagascar. We explore what happens when regional organizations preach democracy but protect incumbents. This disconnect fuels instability and public distrust.

theconversation.com/madagascar-c...
Madagascar coup: why turning a blind eye to an unpopular president weakens regional bodies
As Malagasy citizens demanded accountability, international institutions conferred legitimacy on a president with dubious democratic credentials.
theconversation.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Sharing my new article co-authored with @drpowell.bsky.social over at The Conversation on the coup in Madagascar. We explore what happens when regional organizations preach democracy but protect incumbents. This disconnect fuels instability and public distrust.

theconversation.com/madagascar-c...
Madagascar coup: why turning a blind eye to an unpopular president weakens regional bodies
As Malagasy citizens demanded accountability, international institutions conferred legitimacy on a president with dubious democratic credentials.
theconversation.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Madagascar appears to be following the pattern seen in other recent post-coup states, where the military chooses to retain power rather than hand it over to civilian authorities: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...
Madagascar’s new army ruler to be sworn in as Rajoelina confirms departure
Military leader to take his oath as president on Friday as African Union calls for the restoration of civilian rule.
www.aljazeera.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Guess it’s safe to share now: I’ve recently relocated to Abu Dhabi, UAE, in light of the rollbacks on DACA and increased targeting of its recipients in the U.S. Grateful to Rice University & the Baker Institute for making it possible to continue my postdoc. Open to any resources from folks here
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Guess it’s safe to share now: I’ve recently relocated to Abu Dhabi, UAE, in light of the rollbacks on DACA and increased targeting of its recipients in the U.S. Grateful to Rice University & the Baker Institute for making it possible to continue my postdoc. Open to any resources from folks here
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Sharing my latest with @foreignpolicy.com - it isn't just the seizure of power that spreads during coup contagion. Strategies to consolidate power do, too. foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/09/c...
Coup Leaders Are Rewriting Their Playbook
Even when transitions end in elections, the goal is not to exit power but rather to entrench it.
foreignpolicy.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Sharing my latest with @foreignpolicy.com - it isn't just the seizure of power that spreads during coup contagion. Strategies to consolidate power do, too. foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/09/c...
Coup Leaders Are Rewriting Their Playbook
Even when transitions end in elections, the goal is not to exit power but rather to entrench it.
foreignpolicy.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Don’t have much in me to give a thorough analysis of the recent developments, so I’ll leave you with this: this shit is bad and will likely worsen. That is all.
June 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
I remember when I started grad school I had no idea what a postdoc was or how to get one. We have an all-star line up including @salahbhpolisci.bsky.social, @erincikanek.bsky.social,
Leann Mclaren, and Sherry Zaks with myself and India Lenear moderating!
April 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Universities transformed into torture chambers in Khartoum.

www.france24.com/en/live-news...
April 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Conditional acceptances used to mean something to journals (usually a quick response time but here we are)
March 26, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Dr. Salah Ben Hammou
Feel like you know nothing about Sudan? I sat down with the team at Prospect Magazine to talk about the conflict, and why it’s NOT a forgotten war, but an invisibilised one: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/podcasts/pro...
Sudan’s ‘war of opportunity’, with Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Is Sudan really the “forgotten war”? Former broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied breaks down the situation and explains which countries are positioning th...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
highly highly recommend this piece by @edebruin.bsky.social & @hsulli.bsky.social. really great breakdown and a thoughtful discussion on the dangers of civilian coup conspirators
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 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM