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Gordon Gray

@ambgordongray.bsky.social

220 followers 170 following 690 posts

Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. Former career diplomat. RPCV Morocco. Re-posts ≠ endorsements. https://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/members-1/gray/gordon

www.academyofdiplomacy.org

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Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · Aug 11

My warning about how State Department RIFs weaken U.S. national security.

federalnewsnetwork.com/intelligence...

National security risks behind a wave of cuts at the State Department

"We have far too many challenges globally right now that we cannot afford not to have the very best working for the American people," said Gordon Gray.

federalnewsnetwork.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 5h

@abuaardvark.bsky.social will discuss his new book about U.S. policy in the Middle East on Wednesday, November 5 at 12 noon EST @imes-gw.bsky.social.

For more information, and to register, click here: imes.elliott.gwu.edu/events/ameri...

www.spectator.co.uk/article/will...

Will Israel always have America’s backing?

Marc Lynch is angry. The word ‘rage’ appears six times on the first page, and comes in response to Israel’s war in Gaza. This should be sufficient warning to anyone expecting a cool, calm, dispassiona...

www.spectator.co.uk

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Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 8h

@ishaantharoor.bsky.social writes "Regional leaders have conveyed to Trump the importance of reviving the moribund peace process between Israelis and Palestinians....But Trump has spoken little of the aspirations of Palestinians...."

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Column | Trump declares a new ‘dawn’ in Middle East. It could be a false one.

With the victory lap over, now comes thorny issue of building a genuine peace.

www.washingtonpost.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 2d

@maxboot.bsky.social's analysis is, sadly, likely all too true.

wapo.st/48Lo43V

Opinion | Why the Gaza ceasefire won’t lead to lasting peace

“A new Middle East” will require sacrifices that Israelis and Palestinians show no sign of making.

wapo.st

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 2d

There is still time to register for Karen Elliott House's discussion of her biography of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Join us tomorrow (Tuesday, October 14) at 5:30 p.m. EDT @imes-gw.bsky.social. You can participate in person or online.

imes.elliott.gwu.edu/events/a-con...

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 3d

www.arabnews.com/node/2618577...

Tunisian protesters storm chemicals complex over health fears

TUNIS: Residents entered the state-run Tunisian Chemical Group’s (CGT) phosphate complex in the southern city of Gabes on Saturday, demanding its closure to prevent environmental pollution and respira...

www.arabnews.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 3d

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Mahrez inspires Algeria to 1st World Cup since '14

Algeria has become the fourth African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup -- and all of them are from the north of the continent.

www.espn.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 5d

Nuanced analysis by @ishaantharoor.bsky.social, who asks how much credit does Trump deserve for the Gaza ‘peace’ deal?

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Column | How much credit does Trump deserve for Gaza ‘peace’ deal?

What happens in the coming weeks will be much more defining of Trump’s legacy than the victory lap he’ll take this weekend.

www.washingtonpost.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 5d

warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...

The Importance of the Battle of Kasserine Pass

The Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943 was the first significant engagement between German and U.S. forces in World War II. The fight delivered a

warontherocks.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 6d

www.politico.eu/article/liby...

Time to stop funding Libyan militias running amok in the Mediterranean

EU countries should coordinate competent search and rescue operations, open routes for those fleeing to safety, and ensure the bloc stops financing out-of-control militias.

www.politico.eu

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 6d

So much has changed since then....

www.upi.com/Top_News/202...

On This Day, Oct. 9: Tunisian democracy group wins Nobel Peace Prize - UPI.com

On Oct. 9, 2015, the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet won the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in building up democracy in Tunisia after the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.

www.upi.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 6d

www.oliveoiltimes.com/business/tun...

Tunisia’s Olive Oil Sector Faces Record Harvest Amid Price Collapse and Fraud Allegations

Tunisia is poised for a record olive oil harvest, but the sector is mired in collapsing prices, farmer unrest, and allegations of large-scale illegal sales to Spanish buyers.

www.oliveoiltimes.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 7d

www.bbc.com/news/article...

US prosecutors say Libyan freely confessed to Lockerbie bombing

Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir al-Marimi is said to have admitted his role in the murder of 270 people in the 1988 bombing.

www.bbc.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 7d

aje.io/layp9u

Tunisia pardons man sentenced to death over Facebook posts

Saber Ben Chouchane, who was given the death penalty over posts insulting President Kais Saied, is released.

aje.io

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 7d

@ishaantharoor.bsky.social observes that "Israel’s tactical triumphs over the past two years have not resulted in clear strategic success."

wapo.st/4oaWMZ8

Column | After two years, Israel’s Gaza war has reshaped the Middle East

Israel’s hard power preeminence in the Middle East seems paramount. But the country’s leaders — and the entire region — still face an array of political challenges.

wapo.st

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Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 8d

The latest analysis by @dandrezner.bsky.social.

open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...

The Strategic Costs of the Gaza War

Or, how Israel is losing America after two years of bloodshed.

open.substack.com

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Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 8d

We should never forget the tremendous human suffering we have witnessed over the past two years.

thenationaldesk.com/news/america...

Concerns for remaining hostages high as peace talks mark 2nd anniversary of Hamas attack

The second anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel arrived Tuesday as negotiators met for the second day over President Trump's Gaza peace plan.

thenationaldesk.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 8d

"The president’s challenge will be to stop viewing the conflict as a real estate deal with economic incentives, and to understand and address the parties’ existential narratives."

foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/03/t...

The Weak Link in Trump’s Mideast Peace Plan Might Be Trump Himself

Israel and Hamas won’t go willingly.

foreignpolicy.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 9d

en.majalla.com/node/327663/...

Can municipal polls help break Libya's political deadlock?

Eventually, with enough elected Libyans at the local level pushing for national-level change, they will stand a better chance of challenging the status quo, as it seems unlikely to come from the top.

en.majalla.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 10d

www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

US, Italy, and Turkey alignment could push the needle in Libya

The US, Italy and Turkey can—through balanced diplomacy—reinforce the economic opportunities presented by institutional unification in Libya.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 10d

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Tunisian sentenced to death for Facebook posts criticising president

A Tunisian man has been sentenced to death on charges of insulting the president and assaulting state security through posts on social media, the head of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and his lawyer said on Friday.

www.reuters.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 12d

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Morocco and EU reach new trade deal including Western Sahara farming products

Morocco and the European Union have agreed to introduce origin labeling as an amendment to their agricultural deal, ensuring that products from Western Sahara receive the same preferential tariffs as those originating from Morocco, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said on Thursday.

www.reuters.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 12d

www.cbs42.com/news/interna...

Tunisians remember the Israeli strike that bound their fate with Palestinians 40 years ago

HAMMAM CHOTT, Tunisia (AP) — Jamel Bahrini remembers the smell of dust and blood that clung to the air when he arrived at the scene of the strike in Tunisia ‘s capital 40 years ago, among hun…

www.cbs42.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 12d

This column by @sgreports.bsky.social on Trump, Israel, and Qatar includes observations by Gulf expert @giorgiocafiero.bsky.social.

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Column | Israel may have underestimated Trump’s links with Qatar

The U.S. relationship with Qatar entered new territory this week with a security pledge from President Donald Trump.

www.washingtonpost.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 14d

Did you miss yesterday's discussion between Rob Malley (co-author of "Tomorrow is Yesterday" and @abuaardvark.bsky.social (Professor Marc Lynch)? If so, you can watch the recording.

@imes-gw.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL24...

“Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine" | Robert Malley

YouTube video by IMES at GW

www.youtube.com

Gordon Gray @ambgordongray.bsky.social · 14d

www.france24.com/en/africa/20...

Morocco rocked by violent clashes as youths protest health, education system

Violent clashes broke out in several Moroccan cities for a fourth straight night over health and education reforms, local media reported. More than 260 security officials and 23 civilians were injured...