Steven Heydemann
LightNews LightNews
Steven Heydemann
@stevenhyde.bsky.social
2.9K followers 750 following 1.7K posts

Ketcham Chair in Middle East Studies, Prof. of Gov, Smith College; Nonresident Senior Fellow CMEP, Brookings. Former VP, Center for Applied Research on Conflict, USIP.
https://smith.academia.edu/StevenHeydemann

Videos
Political science 66%
Sociology 25%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 1h
NYT previews its next April 1 headline.

Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

megatrends-afrika.de
Megatrends Afrika @megatrends-afrika.de · 13h
Power shift in #Africa: Since 2019, the US has withdrawn over half of its military support (training, logistics and equipment). Meanwhile, Turkey, the UAE, Russia and China have steadily expanded their #military ties across the continent.
More on foreign military support in Africa: t1p.de/vrprt
Visualization of Foreign Actor's Support to Parties in Africa's Conflicts, 2011-2025

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

yezidsayigh.bsky.social
Yezid Sayigh @yezidsayigh.bsky.social · 14h
“Unifil, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon that operates south of the Litani, says Israel has committed more than 10,000 air and ground violations during the ceasefire.”

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'This is no life': Security and long-held views shattered in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes
A year on from a ceasefire in Lebanon, Israel is continuing attacks on what it says are Hezbollah's efforts to recover from their war.
www.bbc.co.uk

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 20h
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
UAE: Political Prisoner Dead After Alleged Ill-Treatment, Torture
A political prisoner died on November 19, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) notorious al-Razeen Prison after more than a decade of unjust imprisonment and torture allegations.
www.hrw.org

Reposted by Steven Heydemann, Tim Bale, Keith Head , and 6 more

anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 20h
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 22h
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Restoring Security in Post-Assad Syria: Lessons from the Coast and Suweida | International Crisis Group
Two major crises – one in majority-Alawite areas and another in the largely Druze south – have tested Syria’s new government in 2025. Its heavy-handed response has alienated parts of society. To keep ...
www.crisisgroup.org

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

newlinesmag.bsky.social
New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · 1d
“Behind every crime lie layered, often hidden motives — economic grievances, personal vendettas and the opportunism made possible by gaps in security.”

Kamal Shahin examines the sectarian killings in Syria’s Homs, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
In Homs, Revenge Is the Only Law Left Standing
A political economy built on predation and vendettas is taking root in post-Assad Syria
newlinesmag.com

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

aljazeera.com
Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 1d
Syrian government security deployments helped avoid sectarian violence, unlike previous incidents this year.
Aftermath of Homs killings may mark turning point for Syria’s government
Syrian government security deployments helped avoid sectarian violence, unlike previous incidents this year.
bit.ly

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 1d
In Italy, the murders of women killed for misogynistic reasons will now be punishable by life in prison, after lawmakers ratified a law introducing the crime of femicide into the country’s criminal code. nyti.ms/3XXYMZn
Italy Passes a Femicide Law, Seeking to Prevent Violence Against Women
Murders of women killed for misogynistic reasons will now be classified as femicide. Campaigners say a broader cultural shift is still needed.
nyti.ms

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

timep.bsky.social
The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 1d
"Bassem believed that young people across the Arab world deserved to own their power, tell their stories, and write their narratives."

Who was Bassem Sabry? Get to know the late Egyptian political commentator & writer through the words of his friend @dalezzat.bsky.social: youtu.be/Q72e6vd3H1Y?...
Who Was Bassem Sabry? In the Words of Dalia Ezzat
YouTube video by The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)
youtu.be

Reposted by Shibley Telhami

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 1d
I’m shocked. Who’d have seen this coming?

azmirror.com/briefs/turni...
Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud | Arizona Mirror
Austin Smith election fraud guilty plea: Former GOP Rep admits forging 100+ signatures on ballot petitions in Arizona
azmirror.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 1d
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 1d
apnews.com/article/syri...
Thousands of Syria's Alawites protest against what they say is discrimination by the government
Thousands of Syria’s Alawite minority have protested against what they say is discrimination by the new government.
apnews.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 2d
Socialism!! Nationalizing private firms!! Government takeover!!

$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 2d
newlinesmag.com/reportage/in...
In Homs, Revenge Is the Only Law Left Standing
A political economy built on predation and vendettas is taking root in post-Assad Syria
newlinesmag.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 2d
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
Syria extends Homs curfew as killings threaten to inflame sectarian tension
Syria’s Interior Ministry says the killers likely planted misleading slogans to inflame tensions.
www.aljazeera.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 3d
From Ibrahim Hamidi in Almajalla, interview with Syrian FM. No to Israel’s land grabs.

en.majalla.com/node/328379/...
Asaad Shaibani: no deal with Israel without troop pullback
In the final part of a two-part interview with Al Majalla, Syria's foreign minister says the policy of having good relations with neighbours does not equate to acquiescence over land grabs
en.majalla.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 3d
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
ISIS Prisons and Camps Are Festering in a Fragile Syria as Aid Peters Out
U.S. military commanders warn the group is trying to free members and radicalize their families in detention.
www.wsj.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 3d
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...
‘Enough repression’: Thousands of Tunisians protest against Kais Saied
Protesters in Tunis denounce an escalating crackdown on dissent and demand the release of jailed dissidents.
www.aljazeera.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 3d
Every word in this headline beyond Trump hits out is superfluous.
financialtimes.com Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 3d
Good morning, Asia. While you were sleeping, this was our most-read story: on.ft.com/4oRlPB2

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 3d
www.syriahr.com/en/373822/
Dramatic escalation | Tens of civilians killed and wounded in retaliatory attack by Bani Khalid tribe in Homs city - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights
Homs province: Tension has been growing in the predominantly-Alawite neighbourhood of Al-Mohajerin in Homs city following the retaliatory attack which was launched by Bani Khalid tribesmen earlier tod...
www.syriahr.com

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

dropsitenews.com
Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 3d
Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir ordered that a performance by children in the Palestinian National Theatre be raided and closed down just before the children were due to perform.
Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده @RamAbdu “I don’t want to see anyone here in 5 minutes” 🚨Breaking: The Israeli intelligence forces stormed the Hakawati Theatre in occupied Jerusalem and shut down a Palestinian children’s performance — a brazen act of intimidation meant to silence even the smallest Palestinian voices.

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

financialtimes.com
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 3d
Good morning, Asia. While you were sleeping, this was our most-read story: on.ft.com/4oRlPB2

Reposted by Steven Heydemann

heissenstat.bsky.social
Howard Eissenstat @heissenstat.bsky.social · 4d
The way I think about this is that, fundamentally, a debate about the boundaries of whiteness.

These luminaries of the GOP don't oppose bigotry. They are debating whether Jews are a legitimate target or not.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Why Republicans Are Fighting About the Nazis
www.nytimes.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 4d
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 4d
www.syriahr.com/en/373742/
No deterrence | Israeli forces continue violating Syrian territory - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights
Al-Quneitra province: An Israeli patrol comprising five military vehicles infiltrated Al-Samdaniya Al-Sharqiya Village in Al-Quneitra countryside south of Syria. Moreover, the forces established a tem...
www.syriahr.com

Reposted by Shibley Telhami, Steven Heydemann, David Rosnick

vanhollen.senate.gov
Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 5d
Israel has held 16-year-old American, Mohammed Ibrahim, without trial, for 9 months.

He has been denied contact with family & his health is deteriorating. He says he falsely confessed to throwing a rock after being beaten.

America needs to secure his release NOW.
Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 5d
www.npr.org/2025/11/21/n...
Untangling Home Ownership in Syria After a Long War : State of the World from NPR
During the more than decade-long civil war in Syria, millions were displaced in the country and millions more fled abroad as refugees. It’s been almost a year since the war ended and many Syrians are ...
www.npr.org

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 5d
Yesterday it seemed that Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would drop his efforts to make lifting the Caesar sanctions conditional, a major shift. Today, it appears we're back to square one - perhaps.

thehill.com/homenews/hou...
thehill.com

Steven Heydemann @stevenhyde.bsky.social · 6d
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6d
Trump: "We actually now have for the first time peace in the Middle East after 3,000 years"