Bessma Momani
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bmomani.bsky.social
Bessma Momani
@bmomani.bsky.social
3.2K followers 1K following 350 posts

Professor at the University of Waterloo and Senior Fellow at CIGI, interested in International Affairs and Geopolitics of Technology.

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Political science 34%
Economics 31%
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bmomani.bsky.social
Bessma Momani @bmomani.bsky.social · Dec 30
My latest op-ed in Globe and Mail on AI race between China and US. Trump’s war on talent in universities and international scholars may kill what pwas US has had www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: In the roiling cold war for AI supremacy, the U.S. has let China back in the race
Decisions by the Trump White House – particularly ones dissuading the world’s top AI talent from going to America – have allowed China to assert itself
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Bessma Momani

kevinrothrock.me
Kevin Rothrock @kevinrothrock.me · 16h
Late-Jan poll by Kyiv Int'l Institute of Sociology shows 40% support for ceding Donbas in exchange for security guarantees. In May 2022, a survey that didn't mention security guarantees found that 82% of Ukrainians opposed surrendering territory under any circumstances. kiis.com.ua?lang=eng&cat...
Press releases and reports - Public opinion in the context of Russia's attempts to plunge Ukraine into darkness and cold: results of a survey conducted on January 23-29, 2026
kiis.com.ua

Reposted by Bessma Momani

foodandwater.bsky.social
Food & Water Watch @foodandwater.bsky.social · 16h
ICYMI: We need to stop the rapid and unregulated expansion of new data centers until we have a clear regulatory framework that protects communities and the environment! Check out our November 2025 piece for a deeper dive ⬇️
No More New Data Centers!
Our leaders must rein in data centers’ harms to our environment, economy, and society. Until then — no more new data cen
fwwat.ch

Reposted by Bessma Momani

kevinrothrock.me
Kevin Rothrock @kevinrothrock.me · 16h
Zelensky tells French journalists that Ukraine's battlefield deaths exceed 55,000 men. This seems like an incredibly lowball figure, given that monitors at the UALosses project have counted 86,000 dead and 89,000 missing, and even those numbers aren't exhaustive. www.franceinfo.fr/monde/europe...
Guerre en Ukraine : "si on perd cette guerre, on perd tout simplement l’indépendance de notre pays", juge Volodymyr Zelensky
Le président ukrainien s'est exprimé sur la situation en Ukraine, les enjeux du conflit et les perspectives diplomatiques dans une édition spéciale du "20 heures" de France 2.
www.franceinfo.fr

Reposted by Bessma Momani

newsguy.bsky.social
Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 16h
The CIA is up to something and Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is the longest serving member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, doesn't like it but can't tell us about it.

Reposted by Bessma Momani

foreignaffairs.com
Foreign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 16h
There are “major question marks regarding the potential efficacy of U.S. military action in protecting demonstrators,” writes Andrew Miller. “Foreign military intervention is unlikely to produce a consolidated democracy of any kind.”
Iran and the Limits of American Power
What a U.S. military strike would and would not achieve.
www.foreignaffairs.com

Reposted by Bessma Momani

stelhami.bsky.social
Shibley Telhami @stelhami.bsky.social · 16h
This: "A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for possible American “war of aggression” and considered the US a “belligerent” power" apnews.com/article/viet...
An internal document shows the Vietnamese military preparing for a possible American war
An internal document reveals Vietnam's military is preparing for a possible American war of aggression, viewing the U.S. as a "belligerent" power.
apnews.com

Reposted by Kori Schake, Guy Grossman, Kevin Carey , and 3 more

seva.bsky.social
Seva @seva.bsky.social · 17h
Trump's constant degradation of female reporters is unsurprising but the press corps' collective decision to treat it as background noise is actually kind of sickening

Reposted by Juliet B. Schor, David S. Cohen, Andrew Jacobs , and 7 more

marcelias.bsky.social
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 23h
🚨BREAKING: Steve Bannon said Tuesday that the federal government is planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to patrol polling stations during this year’s midterm elections. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Steve Bannon says ICE will ‘surround the polls’ as Trump doubles down on taking over elections
Trump doubled down on his comments to nationalize voting Tuesday during an Oval Office press conference. “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections,” Trump sai...
www.democracydocket.com

Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Matthew Bunn, Brigitte Nerlich , and 23 more

alexip718.com
Alex Ip 葉清霖 @alexip718.com · 23h
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
lizzie johnson @lizziejohnsonnn · 49m I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone. I have no words. I'm devastated. Quote lizzie johnson @lizziejohnsonnn · Jan 25 Waking up without power, heat, or running water. (Again.) But the work here in Kyiv continues. Warming up in the car, writing in pencil — pen ink freezes — by headlamp.

Reposted by Marc Lynch, Ken Caldeira, Bessma Momani , and 1 more

eliothiggins.bsky.social
Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 23h
New Bellingcat investigation: Made in the USA: How American-Built Weapons Have Wrought Destruction in Gaza.
The article examines how US-made weapons have been used in Israeli strikes and the civilian harm linked to their use.

www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Made in the USA: How American-Built Weapons Have Wrought Destruction in Gaza - bellingcat
Bellingcat has identified scores of incidents where remnants from munitions made in the US have been found after Israeli strikes in Gaza.
www.bellingcat.com

Reposted by Bessma Momani

apsa.bsky.social
APSA @apsa.bsky.social · 1d
How Police Behavior Shapes Perceptions of Protests: Evidence from Black Lives Matter

How Police Behavior Shapes Perceptions of Protests: Evidence from Black Lives Matter By Jasmine English, Reed College, Ariel White, MIT, and Laurel Eckhouse, University of Denver As Black Lives Matter protests…
How Police Behavior Shapes Perceptions of Protests: Evidence from Black Lives Matter
How Police Behavior Shapes Perceptions of Protests: Evidence from Black Lives Matter By Jasmine English, Reed College, Ariel White, MIT, and Laurel Eckhouse, University of Denver As Black Lives Matter protests swept across the United States in recent years, protesters encountered a mix of police reactions: Some news reports described police in military gear and widespread arrests, whereas others reported minimal police involvement.
politicalsciencenow.com

Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, Robbert Sanderman, Will Jennings , and 12 more

benmullin.bsky.social
Ben Mullin @benmullin.bsky.social · 1d
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."

Reposted by Bessma Momani

wsj.com
The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 1d
Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin criticized the Trump administration’s interference into the day-to-day business of American companies and raised concerns about self-serving decisions made by government officials. on.wsj.com/4qUD1GK
Ken Griffin Says CEOs Find Trump’s Interference ‘Distasteful’
The billionaire Citadel founder hinted he could run for political office or work in government in the future.
on.wsj.com

Reposted by Michelle Everson, Bessma Momani

chadbourn.bsky.social
Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 1d
Hungary opposition Peter Magyar: “There are 68 days until the elections. We are leading Fidesz (Orban) by a huge margin. But because of that, the remaining just over two months will be incredibly difficult and important. Fidesz will attack, incite, and threaten by any means necessary. But…game on!”
N TISZA 50 40 30 53% 37% 20 10 FIDESZ TISZA 21 RESEARCH CENTER SURVEY 2026. FEBRUARY, DECIDED VOTERS

Reposted by Bessma Momani

dropsitenews.com
Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 1d
⭕️ Murtaza Hussain breaks down why the current US–Iran talks are stacked against any real diplomatic breakthrough.

He outlines 3 major US demands Iran considers red lines: limits on its nuclear program, curbs on support for regional allies, & restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities...
Drop Site @DropSiteNews ⭕️ Murtaza Hussain breaks down why the current U.S.–Iran talks are stacked against any real diplomatic breakthrough. He outlines three major U.S. demands Iran considers red lines: limits on its nuclear program, curbs on support for regional allies, and restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, particularly missile range. Hussain argues these demands are “extremely onerous,” noting that even under far better conditions a decade ago, Washington struggled to secure limits on the nuclear file alone. He describes the current approach as a form of gunboat diplomacy, with the U.S. flooding the region with aircraft, fleets, and missile defenses to pressure Tehran “almost literally with a gun to their head.” While the expanded format of talks including regional states could help delay war, Hussain warns the military buildup is steadily degrading Iran’s leverage. “If you ignore what they’re saying and look at what the U.S. is doing,” he says, “they’re really preparing for a confrontation regardless of diplomacy.” @MazMHussain | @DropSiteNews

Reposted by David H. Kaye, James Grimmelmann, Rebecca Tushnet , and 4 more

daphnek.bsky.social
Daphne Keller @daphnek.bsky.social · 1d
The @nytimes.com coverage of France's Grok investigation casts it as part of a conflict between U.S. & European speech rules. That's true only if you buy Elon's version.

This is a case about CSAM and NCII. Those are crimes in France, and crimes in the U.S. There's no transatlantic divide here. 1/

Reposted by Edgar Morgenroth, Bessma Momani, Karen O’Leary

bradheath.bsky.social
Brad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · 2d
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent.

In 17 tests, Grok generated images after being told they would be used to degrade the person.

www.reuters.com/business/des...

bmomani.bsky.social
Bessma Momani @bmomani.bsky.social · 2d
Wow

Reposted by Bessma Momani

techpolicypress.bsky.social
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 2d
The 2025 Department of Homeland Security AI use case inventory, released last week, details over 200 applications across DHS component agencies, including CBP and ICE. DHS is rapidly deploying these tools in US cities, while engaging in violence and defying court orders. buff.ly/e2ek6Ko
DHS AI Surveillance Arsenal Grows as Agency Defies Courts
A Department of Homeland Security AI inventory contains details on new tools used by ICE and border patrol agents in Trump's deportation campaign.
buff.ly

Reposted by Bessma Momani, Christina Pagel

us.theconversation.com
The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 2d
The Trump administration is trying to rescind a 2009 EPA finding that greenhouse gas emissions threaten public health. But a federal judge already found the administration violated federal law in handpicking researchers to support its case. buff.ly/h6j4Txe
Trump’s climate policy rollback plan relies on EPA rescinding its 2009 endangerment finding – but will courts allow it?
A federal judge dealt one blow to the effort when he found the administration had violated the law in handpicking a panel to question climate science.
theconversation.com

Reposted by Bessma Momani

gijn.org
Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 2d
Journalists have used local reporting, open source analysis, and forensic reconstruction to verify events happening on the ground in Gaza, allowing them to challenge official narratives and preserve evidence for future accountability.

Learn how:
gijn.org
Documenting Gaza: How Journalists Can Collect Evidence Even When Denied Access
twp.ai

Reposted by Bessma Momani, Karen O’Leary

drericding.bsky.social
Eric Feigl-Ding @drericding.bsky.social · 2d
5) ICE also begins warehouse buying spree to convert into immigration detention facilities.

Gift 🎁🔗

www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Reposted by Bessma Momani

carceralabolition.bsky.social
Carceral Abolition @carceralabolition.bsky.social · 2d
Portugal’s conservatives back left-wing candidate to avoid a far-right president

Center-right leaders are taking pains to publicly reject the ultranationalist contender ahead of the country’s Feb. 8 vote.
www.politico.eu/article/port...
Portugal’s conservatives back left-wing candidate to avoid a far-right president
Center-right leaders are taking pains to publicly reject the ultranationalist contender ahead of the country’s Feb. 8 vote.
www.politico.eu

Reposted by Rebecca Tushnet, Alan Richardson, Caroline T. Schroeder , and 7 more

robertkelchen.com
Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · 2d
The Trump administration is no longer trying to get cash from Harvard as it seeks a settlement. At this point, the White House seems happy to get a signature on anything they can call a compact.
Trump Drops Demand for Cash From Harvard After Stiff Resistance
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Paul M. Schwartz, Caroline T. Schroeder , and 2 more

techpolicypress.bsky.social
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 2d
In his forthcoming book, Your Data Will Be Used Against You, George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson explores how sensor-driven technologies, social media monitoring, and artificial intelligence can be weaponized against democratic values and personal freedoms.
How to Apply the 'Tyrant Test' to Technology
George Washington University Law School professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson is the author of the forthcoming book Your Data Will Be Used Against You.
buff.ly

Reposted by Bessma Momani

shashj.bsky.social
Shashank Joshi @shashj.bsky.social · 2d
The president who has believes that Italian military satellites were used to hack voting machines in a joint CIA-Chinese operation has sent his intelligence chief to look for evidence of voter fraud. What could go wrong? www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...

Reposted by Bessma Momani

markkersten.bsky.social
Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 2d
"The world is looking to Canada for reassurance that a stable, thriving multiracial democracy is not only possible but desirable. This is the message Carney left out of his speech - and it is one our prime minister must urgently convey." - www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @rondeibert.bsky.social
What Mark Carney didn’t say in Davos is what the world needed to hear most
Democracies everywhere are looking to Canada for reassurance that a stable multicultural society is not only possible but desirable.
www.thestar.com

Reposted by Bessma Momani

bloomberg.com
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 2d
Iran is moving closer to starting negotiations with the US over its nuclear program after President Donald Trump threatened the Islamic Republic with military action if it failed to engage with diplomatic efforts
Iran Offers Nuclear Talks After Trump Threatens Force
Get caught up
bloom.bg

Reposted by Bessma Momani

gijn.org
Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 3d
Elections under attack. Shadow aircraft fleets. National parks carved up for cash crops.

In 2025, investigative journalists across sub-Saharan Africa kept digging, long after stories were meant to disappear.
gijn.org
Elections Under Attack, Shadow Aircraft Fleet, National Park Land Grabs: 2025’s Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa
twp.ai

Reposted by Bessma Momani

matthewfacciani.bsky.social
Matthew Facciani @matthewfacciani.bsky.social · 3d
People get trapped in separate digital worlds due to psychology and platform design.
Change the incentives and platform architecture, and support constructive cross-group interaction — and healthier online environments become possible.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/misg...
How Can We Break Echo Chambers at Scale?
Why political conversations feel impossible, how psychology and platform design shape what we believe, and what can be done about it.
www.psychologytoday.com