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Jillian Schwedler

@jillianschwedler.bsky.social

1.5K followers 150 following 64 posts

Scholar, mother, dancer, boxer, home chef, and lover of cocktails, hard core, and dark chocolate; Professor of Political Science and Middle East politics at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York .. more

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Political science 59%

Sociology 41%

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Shahrzad Shams @shahrzadshams.bsky.social · 7d

A new @rooseveltinstitute.org report by @rfunkfordham.bsky.social empirically assesses the antidemocratic effects of Citizens United 15 years after it was decided.

The findings speak for themselves: there is no place for big money in our political system.

rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...

Citizens United and the Decline of US Democracy: Assessing the Decision’s Impact 15 Years Later - Roosevelt Institute

In a new analysis, Rachel Funk Fordham examines the 15-year legacy of Citizens United, assessing its impact on democracy through new evidence and political science research and offering recommendation...

rooseveltinstitute.org

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Patrick A. Jansen, Scott L. Greer , and 8 more Marc Lynch, Patrick A. Jansen, Scott L. Greer, Rosemary A. Joyce, Rebecca Tushnet, Andrew L. Whitehead, W Grant, Jillian Schwedler, Bonnie N. Field, Nathan P. Kalmoe, James A. Hodges

AAUP @aaup.org · 9d

BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥

Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.

Full ruling here:

Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com

Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...

www.courtlistener.com

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

🏳️‍⚧️ Josephine Riesman (Horrifying) @josie.zone · 22d

This essay, by an Egyptian-American former New Yorker staff fact-checker, is an incredible read

And incredibly damning

Huge recommendation

House Arab

I was working at the magazine as a fact-checker and my parents no longer considered me a failure, not because they read or admired it, but because when they said its name to friends and relatives it s...

bidoun.org

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 28d

The Dept of Education has officially cancelled funding for this year’s previously awarded FLAS grants for critical language study as “inconsistent with administration priorities.” What’s left to say?

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Mark Priestley, Jillian Schwedler

Donnie Johnson Sackey @donniejsackey.bsky.social · 29d

I don't think a lot of people realize or know people who were on the receiving end of death threats for over a decade because of Turning Point USA. They made a watch list of professors that made them targets for not only hate mail but death threats. That's Charlie Kirk's legacy.

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Jillian Schwedler

APSA @apsa.bsky.social · Sep 8

Calling all early-career #polisky scholars in the MENA region! Join the APSA #MENA Methods Workshop, January 5–8, 2026, in Doha, Qatar. All costs covered for selected participants.

Applications are due Sunday, September 14th! buff.ly/4fa3u4v

Call for Applications: Engaged Research in the MENA Region | Deadline: September 14, 2025

The American Political Science Association (APSA) is pleased to announce a Call for Applications from early-career scholars who would like to participate in a four-day in-person workshop that examines the theme of participatory and engaged research in the MENA region. Organized in partnership with the Doha Institute (DI), the program will be held from January 5-8, 2026, at DI in Doha, Qatar.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Nick Brumfield @nickjbrumfield.bsky.social · Aug 20

Settler colonialism and slavery are the twin sins on which this country is built

If your history museums don't make grappling with them a core part of their programming, it's not history. It's propaganda.

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Reposted by Juan Cole, Jillian Schwedler, Curtis R. Ryan

Middle East Research and Information Project @merip.bsky.social · Aug 13

NEW PODCAST: The MERIP Roundtable "On Recognition"

@jdryan08.bsky.social is joined by EdCommers @lisahajjar.bsky.social, @seanyom.bsky.social, and Jacob Mundy to discuss genocide recognition by Israeli figures and institutions, and UK/Canada recognition for a Palestinian state.

buff.ly/IZuBpDI

Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition" | The MERIP Podcast

Listen to Episode 6: The MERIP Roundtable, "On Recognition" from The MERIP Podcast. The MERIP Roundtable is a new format for the MERIP podcast featuring conversation on urgent issues in the Middle…

shows.acast.com

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · Aug 7

The climate of fear caused by torrents of abuse, death threats, and doxxing that David French identifies here as affecting judges (even if he pretends it isn’t mostly from MAGA) have long been the normal experience for Middle East studies faculty, and no one cared.

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/o...

Opinion | The Climate of Fear Has Reached Into Unexpected Places

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Jillian Schwedler

Hafsa Halawa @hafsahalawa.bsky.social · Aug 7

We knew at the time that a deeply deeply horrific assault had occurred, but just absolutely shaken by this report detailing the massacre at Zamzam in April 2025. Genocide. Utterly shaken.

“They slaughtered us like animals” www.theguardian.com/global-devel... ‘

‘They slaughtered us like animals’: the inside story of how one of the biggest atrocities of the Sudan war unfolded in Zamzam

As the UK prepared to host a global summit on bringing peace to Sudan, the RSF paramilitary began a ‘genocidal’ massacre in Zamzam refugee camp. But when reports emerged of the killings, London held i...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Jillian Schwedler

Biff Parker-Magyar @biffpm.bsky.social · Aug 5

I wrote a piece for @jodemocracy.bsky.social on a little-noticed court decision last week to effectively permanently outlaw Jordan’s teacher’s union
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...

The Quiet Demise of Jordan’s Political Space | Journal of Democracy

In the shadow of Gaza’s destruction, the Jordanian regime has quietly repressed one of the main sources of the country’s political activism.

www.journalofdemocracy.org

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Reposted by Marc Lynch, Steven Heydemann, David H. Kaye , and 4 more Marc Lynch, Steven Heydemann, David H. Kaye, Vu, Colin Harvey, Els Torreele, Jillian Schwedler

Louisa Loveluck @leloveluck.bsky.social · Aug 1

An aerial view of what the Gaza City area looked like this week. Taken from a Jordanian military aircraft, by our colleague Heidi Levine.

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

POMEPS @pomeps.bsky.social · Aug 1

POMEPS is pleased to call for proposals for the POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops to be held in a virtual format throughout the academic year 2025-2026. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15. More info: pomeps.org/pomeps-junio...

Call for Proposals: POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops 2025-2026 - Project on Middle East Political Science

The Project on Middle East Political Science is pleased to call for proposals for the POMEPS Junior Scholar Book Development Workshops to be held in a virtual format throughout the academic year 2025-...

pomeps.org

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Reposted by Peter Krause, Jillian Schwedler

Crown Center for Middle East Studies @mes-crown.bsky.social · Jul 16

With continuing challenges to stability in #Syria, are there any opportunities for optimism? Listen to our recent seminar on the future of #Israel, Syria, & the Levant with Crown scholars Shai Feldman, Daniel Neep, @jillianschwedler.bsky.social, & @peterkrause.bsky.social:

youtu.be/YUBhGr2P1XM

The Future of Israel, Syria, and the Levant | Crown at 20: The Future of the Middle East

YouTube video by Crown Center for Middle East Studies

youtu.be

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Jun 20

You will find me here next Friday!! All my queerios, join us!!!

Rise and Resist @riseandresist.bsky.social · Jun 20

QUEER LIBERATION MARCH

RESIST! RECLAIM! REJOICE!

JUNE 29, 2025
7th Ave & 12th St
New York City NY
11:00 A.M.

More info at QueerMarch.org

Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Rise and Resist @riseandresist.bsky.social · Jun 20

QUEER LIBERATION MARCH

RESIST! RECLAIM! REJOICE!

JUNE 29, 2025
7th Ave & 12th St
New York City NY
11:00 A.M.

More info at QueerMarch.org

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Jun 18

Historians

Reposted by Håvard Kauserud, John Erickson, David Passmore , and 5 more Håvard Kauserud, John Erickson, David Passmore, Melissa R. Michelson, Lauren Hall‐Lew, Jillian Schwedler, Michael Evans, Richard Moorhead

Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · Jun 14

US Veterans peacefully protesting Trump’s military birthday parade arrested at Capitol Hill. This is the moment a 80+ year old US veteran is taken away in handcuffs for practicing his 1st Amendment right. #3E #NoKings #NoKingsProtests (🎥 @gregjstoker.bsky.social )

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Reposted by Nancy Kanwisher, Winnifred R. Louis, Linda R. Tropp , and 9 more Nancy Kanwisher, Winnifred R. Louis, Linda R. Tropp, Colombia, Erika Franklin Fowler, Michelle Dion, Christopher Barrie, Jillian Schwedler, Stephen Pimpare, Lynette H. Ong, Bonnie N. Field, Sylvia Perry

Erica Chenoweth @chenoweth.bsky.social · Jun 13

My team and I at the Crowd Counting Consortium (@[email protected], Soha Hammam, & Chris Shay) have a new piece out: wagingnonviolence.org/2025/06/amer.... In it, we show that through May 2025, the size and scale of anti-Trump protests have dwarfed those in 2017. 🧵

A line chart with a blue line showing a large growth of protest events from Jan 20 - May 31, 2025, and a green line showing the relatively modest growth of protest events during the same period in 2017.

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Arang Keshavarzian @keshavarziana.bsky.social · Jun 13

These missile attacks on Tehran do not seem to actually target the nuclear program. I can only assume that Israel thinks it is weakening the regime itself. If so, this is naive and risky for everyone in Iran and the region.

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · May 26

Done!!

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · May 14

Steve Bannon wants to tax the rich

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler, Curtis R. Ryan

Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · May 1

My thoughts: Jordan Bans the Muslim Brotherhood Amid Increasing Regional Strife — @arabcenterdc.org
arabcenterdc.org/resource/jor...

Jordan Bans the Muslim Brotherhood Amid Increasing Regional Strife

The Jordanian government made a dramatic move on April 23 against the oldest opposition movement in the country when it declared the Muslim Brotherhood illegal. State officials promptly moved against ...

arabcenterdc.org

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Apr 18

I literally did a spit take!

Reposted by Jillian Schwedler, Curtis R. Ryan

Stacey @philbrickyadav.bsky.social · Mar 25

@abuaardvark.bsky.social has some thoughts about Yemen, puts @apsa.bsky.social on notice for its "utter failure to meet this moment" in higher education, challenges the rest of us to do the same, and links to @separkinson.bsky.social's good advice on information security. It's a lot, friends.

The Yemen Model (Extreme Stupidity Era)

Plus why I'm not renewing my APSA membership or attending the 2025 conference.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Heba Gowayed هبة جويد @hebagowayed.bsky.social · Feb 27

Check out this article from inside higher ed yesterday that gives a little more information on whats going on www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...

Gov. Hochul orders CUNY to remove Palestine scholar job post

System leaders took down a job posting for a Palestinian studies professor at Governor Hochul’s insistence. Faculty say it’s an unprecedented breach of academic autonomy.

www.insidehighered.com

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Reposted by Jillian Schwedler

Diane Curtis @dianecurtis.bsky.social · Jan 29

Every time you see a headline that says "Trump does x" please translate it to "Trump tries to do x" or "claims power to do x" because that is way more accurate. E.g., he didn't fire somebody he has no authority to fire, he is *trying to* fire them and they are taking legal action to prevent it.

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Jan 27

Wow.

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · Jan 26

Colombian President Gustavo Petro's full post ordering an increase of import tariffs on U.S. goods, says he doesn't really like traveling to the U.S. because it's “a bit boring” and invokes the ancestors

Trump, I don't really like travelling to the US, it's a bit boring, but I confess that there are some commendable things. I like going to the black neighbourhoods of Washington, where I saw an entire fight in the US capital between blacks and Latinos with barricades, which seemed like nonsense to me, because they should join together.

I confess that I like Walt Whitman and Paul Simon and Noam Chomsky and Miller

I confess that Sacco and Vanzetti, who have my blood, are memorable in the history of the USA and I follow them. They were murdered by labor leaders with the electric chair, the fascists who are within the USA as well as within my country

I don't like your oil, Trump, you're going to wipe out the human species because of greed. Maybe one day, over a glass of whiskey, which I accept, despite my gastritis, we can talk frankly about this, but it's difficult because you consider me an inferior race and I'm not, nor is any Colombian.

So if you know someone who is stubborn, that's me, period. You can try to carry out a coup with your economic strength and your arrogance, like they did with Allende. But I will die in my law, I resisted torture and I resist you. I don't want slavers next to Colombia, we already had many and we freed ourselves. What I want next to Colombia are lovers of freedom. If you can't accompany me, I'll go elsewhere. Colombia is the heart of the world and you didn't understand that, this is the land of the yellow butterflies, of the beauty of Remedios, but also of the colonels Aureliano Buendía, of which I am one, perhaps the last.

You will kill me, but I will survive in my people, which is before yours, in the Americas. We are peoples of the winds, the mountains, the Caribbean Sea and of freedom.

You don't like our freedom, okay. I don't shake hands with white slavers. I shake hands with the white libertarian heirs of Lincoln and the black and white farm boys of the USA, at whose graves I cried and prayed on a battlefield, which I reached after walking the mountains of Italian Tuscany and after being saved from Covid.

They are the United States and before them I kneel, before no one else.

Overthrow me, President, and the Americas and humanity will respond.

Colombia now stops looking north, looks at the world, our blood comes from the blood of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the civilization of that time, of the Roman Latins of the Mediterranean, the civilization of that time, who founded the republic, democracy in Athens; our blood has the black resistance fighters turned into slaves by you. In Colombia is the first free territory of America, before Washington, of all America, there I take refuge in its African songs.

My land is made up of goldsmiths who worked in the time of the Egyptian pharaohs and of the first artists in the world in Chiribiquete.

You will never rule us. The warrior who rode our lands, shouting freedom, who is called Bolívar, opposes us.

Our people are somewhat fearful, somewhat timid, they are naive and kind, loving, but they will know how to win the Panama Canal, which you took from us with violence. Two hundred heroes from all of Latin America lie in Bocas del Toro, today's Panama, formerly Colombia, which you murdered.

I raise a flag and as Gaitán said, even if it remains alone, it will continue to be raised with the Latin American dignity that is the dignity of America, which your great-grandfather did not know, and mine did, Mr. President, an immigrant in the USA,

Your blockade does not scare me, because Colombia, besides being the country of beauty, is the heart of the world. I know that you love beauty as I do, do not disrespect it and you will give it your sweetness.

FROM TODAY ON, COLOMBIA IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WITH OPEN ARMS, WE ARE BUILDERS OF FREEDOM, LIFE AND HUMANITY.

I am informed that you impose a 50% tariff on the fruits of our human labor to enter the United States, and I do the same.

Let our people plant corn that was discovered in Colombia and feed the world

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Jan 27

Including lots of protest chants, texts of anti-government manifestos, etc. I definitively disprove the "Jordan is Palestine" nonsense, but that doesn't mean the trope won't still circulate in certain circles that want to purge all of historic Palestine of all Palestinians 4/4

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Jillian Schwedler @jillianschwedler.bsky.social · Jan 27

I detail the anger toward not only Israel and the US but to King Abdullah II for his failure to resolve the Palestine problem in my book Protesting Jordan. www.sup.org/books/middle...

Protesting Jordan | Stanford University Press

A National Endowment for Democracy Notable Book of 2022

www.sup.org

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