Will Todman
@willtodman.bsky.social
Chief of Staff @geopolitics.csis.org and senior fellow @mideast.csis.org. Host of State of Play pod. Conflict, governance, and displacement in the MENA region. Views my own. https://www.csis.org/people/will-todman
Reposted by Will Todman
Tune into this week's @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play episode where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan can build a new world order.
Listen here: https://bit.ly/45BELw8
Listen here: https://bit.ly/45BELw8
Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Chris Hernandez-Roy and Kristi Govella join Will to discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan could do this, what it might look like, and what the risks are.
www.csis.org
January 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Tune into this week's @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play episode where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan can build a new world order.
Listen here: https://bit.ly/45BELw8
Listen here: https://bit.ly/45BELw8
Reposted by Will Todman
Tune into our latest episode of State of Play where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social answer the question: "Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says?"
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Chris Hernandez-Roy and Kristi Govella join Will to discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan could do this, what it might look like, and what the risks are.
www.csis.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Tune into our latest episode of State of Play where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social answer the question: "Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says?"
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Reposted by Will Todman
"The Syrian Democratic Forces overplayed its hand in negotiations with the Syrian transition government, but now President Ahmed al-Sharaa risks similar overreach," write @mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social.
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
How Syria Can Succeed in Integrating the Kurds
Intensified conflict between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces could threaten Syria’s transition. Here’s what the government can do to ensure it doesn’t.
www.csis.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"The Syrian Democratic Forces overplayed its hand in negotiations with the Syrian transition government, but now President Ahmed al-Sharaa risks similar overreach," write @mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social.
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
Reposted by Will Todman
Thank you everyone for coming to our book launch for China's Weaponization of Trade. Thanks to @willtodman.bsky.social, Melanie Hart, @bethanyallen.bsky.social and @victordcha.bsky.social for an important conversation on economic coercion, and a shoutout to all our interns who worked on the book!
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Thank you everyone for coming to our book launch for China's Weaponization of Trade. Thanks to @willtodman.bsky.social, Melanie Hart, @bethanyallen.bsky.social and @victordcha.bsky.social for an important conversation on economic coercion, and a shoutout to all our interns who worked on the book!
Reposted by Will Todman
On the latest episode of State of Play, 12 CSIS experts join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss their predictions for geopolitical developments in the year ahead.
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
What are CSIS experts' boldest geopolitical predictions in 2026? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
12 CSIS experts join Will to share significant developments in different parts of the world in 2025, and predictions for 2026.
www.csis.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
On the latest episode of State of Play, 12 CSIS experts join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss their predictions for geopolitical developments in the year ahead.
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
As 2025 draws to a close, @victordcha.bsky.social and Dr. Tom Wright of @brookings.edu joined me on State of Play to discuss the biggest geopolitical shifts of the year and what they are watching out for in 2026. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnZo...
Did Trump remake the global order in 2025?
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:26 PM
As 2025 draws to a close, @victordcha.bsky.social and Dr. Tom Wright of @brookings.edu joined me on State of Play to discuss the biggest geopolitical shifts of the year and what they are watching out for in 2026. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnZo...
Reposted by Will Todman
One year after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a pivotal moment. The resilience of Syrians has opened space for freedom, but deep divisions and fragile institutions threaten progress. A new brief from Mona Yacoubian and @willtodman.bsky.social here: www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
Syria’s Promise and Challenges One Year After Assad’s Fall
A year after Assad’s fall, the promise of a new Syria hinges on the transitional government’s ability to garner domestic and international support.
www.csis.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:59 PM
One year after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a pivotal moment. The resilience of Syrians has opened space for freedom, but deep divisions and fragile institutions threaten progress. A new brief from Mona Yacoubian and @willtodman.bsky.social here: www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
Thanks so much for joining, Maria!
New State of Play episode out now! @maxbergmann.bsky.social and I join @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the new U.S. NSS, recent diplomacy on Ukraine, what to expect from possible ceasefire talks,and how tensions in transatlantic relations could shape any future deal.
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Where now for Europe and Ukraine after the NSS? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya join Will to discuss what we should expect from ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.
www.csis.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Thanks so much for joining, Maria!
Reposted by Will Todman
New State of Play episode out now! @maxbergmann.bsky.social and I join @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the new U.S. NSS, recent diplomacy on Ukraine, what to expect from possible ceasefire talks,and how tensions in transatlantic relations could shape any future deal.
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Where now for Europe and Ukraine after the NSS? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya join Will to discuss what we should expect from ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine.
www.csis.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New State of Play episode out now! @maxbergmann.bsky.social and I join @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the new U.S. NSS, recent diplomacy on Ukraine, what to expect from possible ceasefire talks,and how tensions in transatlantic relations could shape any future deal.
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Drawing on insights from our trip to Syria, @myacoubian.bsky.social and I discuss the remarkable achievements and daunting challenges of Syria's transition. We also provide key recommendations for the U.S. government.
www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
Syria’s Promise and Challenges One Year After Assad’s Fall
A year after Assad’s fall, the promise of a new Syria hinges on the transitional government’s ability to garner domestic and international support.
www.csis.org
December 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Drawing on insights from our trip to Syria, @myacoubian.bsky.social and I discuss the remarkable achievements and daunting challenges of Syria's transition. We also provide key recommendations for the U.S. government.
www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
www.csis.org/analysis/syr...
Reposted by Will Todman
@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations.
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
November 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations.
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
Reposted by Will Todman
@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations.
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
October 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations.
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...
Reposted by Will Todman
How are allies and partners responding to "America First" policies?
@geopolitics.csis.org experts explain 7 strategies adopted to respond to the second Trump term.
cc @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @henriettalevin.bsky.social, @willtodman.bsky.social
@geopolitics.csis.org experts explain 7 strategies adopted to respond to the second Trump term.
cc @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @henriettalevin.bsky.social, @willtodman.bsky.social
7 Strategies to Deal with "America First"
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtu.be
October 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
How are allies and partners responding to "America First" policies?
@geopolitics.csis.org experts explain 7 strategies adopted to respond to the second Trump term.
cc @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @henriettalevin.bsky.social, @willtodman.bsky.social
@geopolitics.csis.org experts explain 7 strategies adopted to respond to the second Trump term.
cc @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @henriettalevin.bsky.social, @willtodman.bsky.social
Reposted by Will Todman
The formal confirmation of famine in Gaza is testing the credibility & effectiveness of global institutions.
Director Caitlin Welsh joins @myacoubian.bsky.social & @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, global institutions, & more.
🎧 Listen here: cs.is/4h0fy35
Director Caitlin Welsh joins @myacoubian.bsky.social & @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, global institutions, & more.
🎧 Listen here: cs.is/4h0fy35
October 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The formal confirmation of famine in Gaza is testing the credibility & effectiveness of global institutions.
Director Caitlin Welsh joins @myacoubian.bsky.social & @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, global institutions, & more.
🎧 Listen here: cs.is/4h0fy35
Director Caitlin Welsh joins @myacoubian.bsky.social & @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, global institutions, & more.
🎧 Listen here: cs.is/4h0fy35
Reposted by Will Todman
Monday, October 6, 2025 │ 9:00-11:00 AM ET
Join @geopolitics.csis.org experts for the launch of a new @csis.org compendium on the ways U.S. allies and partners have responded to the Trump administration.
Register here:
www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm
Join @geopolitics.csis.org experts for the launch of a new @csis.org compendium on the ways U.S. allies and partners have responded to the Trump administration.
Register here:
www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm
October 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Monday, October 6, 2025 │ 9:00-11:00 AM ET
Join @geopolitics.csis.org experts for the launch of a new @csis.org compendium on the ways U.S. allies and partners have responded to the Trump administration.
Register here:
www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm
Join @geopolitics.csis.org experts for the launch of a new @csis.org compendium on the ways U.S. allies and partners have responded to the Trump administration.
Register here:
www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm
New: @myacoubian.bsky.social and Caitlin Welsh joined me to discuss the global reverberations of the Gaza war as we approach the third anniversary of October 7th. We discuss the atrophying of international institutions, and early signs of their reform or reimagining. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
October 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
New: @myacoubian.bsky.social and Caitlin Welsh joined me to discuss the global reverberations of the Gaza war as we approach the third anniversary of October 7th. We discuss the atrophying of international institutions, and early signs of their reform or reimagining. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Reposted by Will Todman
On the latest episode of State of Play, CSIS's Mark Cancian and Ryan Berg join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss what the U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean tells us about changing U.S. priorities.
Listen in: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen in: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
September 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
On the latest episode of State of Play, CSIS's Mark Cancian and Ryan Berg join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss what the U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean tells us about changing U.S. priorities.
Listen in: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Listen in: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Reposted by Will Todman
Why did Israel strike Doha on September 9? How did Qatar and other countries in the region react? And what does this mean for mediation efforts in the Middle East?
@mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss: www.csis.org/analysis/isr...
@mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss: www.csis.org/analysis/isr...
Israel Strikes Hamas in Qatar
On September 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that the Israeli Air Force conducted an assassination attempt against Hamas leaders in Doha. This comes as Israel is escalating its efforts to forc...
www.csis.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Why did Israel strike Doha on September 9? How did Qatar and other countries in the region react? And what does this mean for mediation efforts in the Middle East?
@mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss: www.csis.org/analysis/isr...
@mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss: www.csis.org/analysis/isr...
Is President Trump really pushing PM Modi to embrace China? To discuss the longer-term trajectory of China-India ties and what it means for the United States, Henrietta Levin and Rick Rossow joined me this week: youtu.be/HP8itY3rW28?...
Are U.S. tariffs bringing India and China together?
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtu.be
September 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Is President Trump really pushing PM Modi to embrace China? To discuss the longer-term trajectory of China-India ties and what it means for the United States, Henrietta Levin and Rick Rossow joined me this week: youtu.be/HP8itY3rW28?...
This is a metaphor for something… 🐀
August 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This is a metaphor for something… 🐀
Reposted by Will Todman
On the latest episode of State of Play, "Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better?", @victordcha.bsky.social and @maxbergmann.bsky.social join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump.
Listen here: buff.ly/XqHwRlf
Listen here: buff.ly/XqHwRlf
Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Will, Victor Cha & Max Bergmann explore what allies learn from Trump at summits and his patterns with autocrats.
buff.ly
August 28, 2025 at 8:56 PM
On the latest episode of State of Play, "Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better?", @victordcha.bsky.social and @maxbergmann.bsky.social join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss what East Asian and European allies are learning about summits with President Trump.
Listen here: buff.ly/XqHwRlf
Listen here: buff.ly/XqHwRlf
This week, we discuss what President Lee told @victordcha.bsky.social over dinner about how he approached President Trump, how Putin ruined @maxbergmann.bsky.social's summer holiday, and what patterns are emerging about how strongmen are dealing with President Trump. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Are allies or autocrats managing Trump better? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Will, Victor Cha & Max Bergmann explore what allies learn from Trump at summits and his patterns with autocrats.
www.csis.org
August 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This week, we discuss what President Lee told @victordcha.bsky.social over dinner about how he approached President Trump, how Putin ruined @maxbergmann.bsky.social's summer holiday, and what patterns are emerging about how strongmen are dealing with President Trump. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...
Reposted by Will Todman
On a new episode of State Of Play, @willtodman.bsky.social is joined by @japan.csis.org experts Dr. @kristigovella.bsky.social and Nick Szechenyi to discuss whether U.S.-Japan relations are shifting amid tariff negotiation, turbulent Japanese politics, and more.
Listen here:
Listen here:
Are U.S.-Japan relations at a turning point? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Kristi Govella and Nick Szechenyi join to discuss whether U.S.-Japan ties are shifting amid tariffs and political change.
buff.ly
August 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
On a new episode of State Of Play, @willtodman.bsky.social is joined by @japan.csis.org experts Dr. @kristigovella.bsky.social and Nick Szechenyi to discuss whether U.S.-Japan relations are shifting amid tariff negotiation, turbulent Japanese politics, and more.
Listen here:
Listen here:
Reposted by Will Todman
NEW: @mideast.csis.org and @foodwater.csis.org experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.
🧵Read their insights: www.csis.org/analysis/exp...
🧵Read their insights: www.csis.org/analysis/exp...
Experts React: Starvation in Gaza
CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.
www.csis.org
July 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
NEW: @mideast.csis.org and @foodwater.csis.org experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.
🧵Read their insights: www.csis.org/analysis/exp...
🧵Read their insights: www.csis.org/analysis/exp...
“For now, international and domestic pressure is producing a change in Israel’s tactics, not strategy, in Gaza.” My latest alongside @csis.org colleagues www.csis.org/analysis/exp...
Experts React: Starvation in Gaza
CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.
www.csis.org
July 28, 2025 at 11:31 PM
“For now, international and domestic pressure is producing a change in Israel’s tactics, not strategy, in Gaza.” My latest alongside @csis.org colleagues www.csis.org/analysis/exp...