alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark
@alexstark.bsky.social
1.4K followers 430 following 58 posts
Associate Political Scientist RAND. Enthusiastic Wellesley alum. PhD Georgetown. She/her. Opinions my own. Go birds.
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Nov 19
My book The Yemen Model argues that a short-term approach to “security” in Yemen that ignores the well-being of Yemenis themselves has repeatedly drawn the U.S. into conflicts in the Middle East: yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
The Yemen Model
A close look at failed U.S. policies in the Middle East, offering a fresh perspective on how best to reorient goals in the region   In this book Alexandra S...
yalebooks.yale.edu
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Reposted by Alex Stark
monicamarks.bsky.social
Monica Marks @monicamarks.bsky.social · 4d
Best piece I’ve read on Saudi’s comedy festival by a mile.

Unlike standard critics of “-washing” (sports-washing, pink-washing, green-washing & now comedy-washing), Leber grapples w/ domestic drivers of regime behaviour—and w/ how many everyday Saudis feel.

carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · 17d
Shoutout to SZA
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · 17d
Everyone better apologize to @daboulciff.bsky.social smh
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Jul 31
Why do democracies fight dictators like Nasser & Saddam? In her new book, @madisonschramm.bsky.social shows how personalist autocrats provide a focal point for emotional imprinting, predisposing leaders in liberal democracies to view personalist dictators as hostile academic.oup.com/book/60422
Why Democracies Fight Dictators
Abstract. In Why Democracies Fight Dictators Schramm explores the dynamics that intensify conflict between liberal democracies and personalist regimes—poli
academic.oup.com
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Jul 8
Another attack today on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, two days after a Houthi attack sunk the bulk carrier ship Magic Seas: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/w...
Attack on Cargo Ship in the Red Sea Kills 2 Crew Members
www.nytimes.com
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Jun 30
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/w...
The Sheikh Who Conquered Soccer and Coddles Warlords
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Alex Stark
andrewleber.bsky.social
Andrew M Leber @andrewleber.bsky.social · May 8
I have a new article out examining macro-level trends in the Saudi labor market.

TLDR: "notable yet circumscribed gains for Saudi employees," "new competitive pressure, costs and risks on expat[s]," no "fundamental challenge" to reliance on foreign labor

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Saudization in a “Saudi First” kingdom - Andrew Michael Leber, 2025
How have efforts to “nationalize” workforces in the Arab Gulf monarchies affected citizen and expatriate employment in these economies? In Saudi Arabia, policie...
journals.sagepub.com
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Reposted by Alex Stark
aronlund.bsky.social
Aron Lund @aronlund.bsky.social · May 8
The Houthi armed forces announces their latest operations, acknowledge Trump’s truce declaration and say they remain ready to strike if U.S. attacks resume. Either way, they will keep hitting Israeli shipping and air travel until Israel leaves Gaza and ends its blockade.

www.saba.ye/ar/video890....
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Reposted by Alex Stark
natashabertrand.bsky.social
Natasha Bertrand @natashabertrand.bsky.social · May 7
Breaking: Another F/A-18 fighter jet from the Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, per 4 people familiar w/the incident. 2 aviators ejected and were recovered by helo with minor injuries. www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/p...
Second US Navy jet is lost at sea from Truman aircraft carrier | CNN Politics
Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, four people familiar with ...
www.cnn.com
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nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · May 3
A visual analysis shows the U.S. likely bombed a migrant detention center in Yemen on April 28. At least three U.S.-made GBU-39 bombs at the site of the attack, which killed 68 African migrants, according to the Houthis, a militant group that controls northern Yemen.
Video: Visual Analysis Shows U.S. Likely Bombed Yemen Migrant Detention Center
Videos and photos reveal remnants of at least three U.S.-made GBU-39 bombs at the site of an April 28 attack. The strike killed 68 African migrants, according to the Houthis, a militant group that con...
www.nytimes.com
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jaylyall.bsky.social
Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · Apr 28
US Airstrike Kills Scores of African Migrants in a Migrant Detention Center in Saada, Yemen, Houthis Say.

Early estimates suggest at least 68 civilians killed and "dozens" wounded; CENTCOM "investigating"
U.S. strike killed scores of African migrants in Yemen, Houthis say
U.S. Central Command said it was aware of the claims of civilian casualties in the strike, which the Houthis said hit a migrant detention center in Saada, killing 68.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Alex Stark
jaylyall.bsky.social
Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · Apr 28
Suggests that the Houthi got close enough with a drone or missile strike to force the Truman to maneuver hard, tossing the Super Hornet overboard.

This is the second F/A-18 lost in the past six months, along with at least 9 Predator drones. This "cheap" war in Yemen is starting to add up
cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · Apr 28
A $60 million US Navy fighter jet was lost at sea after it fell overboard from an aircraft carrier.
US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier | CNN Politics
A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been “lost” at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement o...
www.cnn.com
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Reposted by Alex Stark
cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · Apr 28
A $60 million US Navy fighter jet was lost at sea after it fell overboard from an aircraft carrier.
US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier | CNN Politics
A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been “lost” at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement o...
www.cnn.com
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Apr 25
Thanks to @bashareport.bsky.social for this lovely review!
bashareport.bsky.social
Basha باشا @bashareport.bsky.social · Apr 25
I had the pleasure of reviewing @alexstark.bsky.social book: The Yemen Model for the German-Yemeni Society‘s Jemen Report @djg-ev.bsky.social
If you are interested in reading the book review please send me a direct message.
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Reposted by Alex Stark
bashareport.bsky.social
Basha باشا @bashareport.bsky.social · Apr 25
I had the pleasure of reviewing @alexstark.bsky.social book: The Yemen Model for the German-Yemeni Society‘s Jemen Report @djg-ev.bsky.social
If you are interested in reading the book review please send me a direct message.
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Reposted by Alex Stark
yemendataproject.org
Yemen Data Project @yemendataproject.org · Apr 15
We’ve recorded a total of 142 civilian casualties (killed and injured) in 131 U.S. strikes from 15 March to 7 April. An average of more than 5 strikes per day.
yemendataproject.org
Yemen Data Project @yemendataproject.org · Apr 15
Due to popular demand, we’re sending out more updates. The latest covers the first week of April.

48 civilian casualties were recorded in 34 US strikes from 1 to 7 April, including killing of 3 children in a strike on a house belonging to a Houthi-affiliated tribal figure
mailchi.mp/2d46dffa016d...
A map for Yemen showing the number of US strikes and civilian casualties per governorate over the period of 1-7 April
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Nov 19
My book The Yemen Model argues that a short-term approach to “security” in Yemen that ignores the well-being of Yemenis themselves has repeatedly drawn the U.S. into conflicts in the Middle East: yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
The Yemen Model
A close look at failed U.S. policies in the Middle East, offering a fresh perspective on how best to reorient goals in the region   In this book Alexandra S...
yalebooks.yale.edu
2 4 14
alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Apr 11
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/w...
Children Seeking Cholera Care Die After U.S. Cuts Aid, Charity Says
The victims died on a grueling three-hour walk in scorching heat as they tried to reach the nearest remaining health facility, officials of Save the Children said.
www.nytimes.com
alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Apr 9
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/u...
U.S. Commanders Worry Yemen Campaign Will Drain Arms Needed to Deter China
American military officials say the Pentagon might need to dip into stockpiles in Asia to replenish supplies in the Middle East, congressional aides say.
www.nytimes.com
alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Apr 4
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/u...
U.S. Strikes in Yemen Burning Through Munitions With Limited Success
In just three weeks, the Pentagon has used $200 million worth of munitions in Operation Rough Rider against the Houthi militia, officials said.
www.nytimes.com
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Mar 30
Who are the Houthis and what do they want? I wrote this over a year ago but the history of the Houthis and what they want is just as relevant today: www.foreignaffairs.com/africa/dont-...
Don’t Bomb the Houthis
Careful diplomacy can stop the attacks in the Red Sea.
www.foreignaffairs.com
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andrewleber.bsky.social
Andrew M Leber @andrewleber.bsky.social · Mar 26
@abuaardvark.bsky.social 's latest post for MENA Academy highlight @alexstark.bsky.social 's excellent book "The Yemen Model" (I'm biased but it's good!), a grim reminder of the human cost of 20+ years of missiles-first US policy towards Yemen.

abuaardvark.substack.com/p/the-yemen-...
The Yemen Model (Extreme Stupidity Era)
Plus why I'm not renewing my APSA membership or attending the 2025 conference.
abuaardvark.substack.com
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alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Mar 25
Aw thanks for sharing!!
alexstark.bsky.social
Alex Stark @alexstark.bsky.social · Mar 21
“Shipping executives say they do not plan to return to the Red Sea until there is a broad Middle East peace accord that includes the Houthis or a decisive defeat of the militia” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/b...
Why the Shipping Industry Isn’t Rushing Back to the Red Sea
The companies that operate large container ships say they plan to keep going around Africa as violence flares in the region.
www.nytimes.com
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