Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Curtis Ryan

Andrew Simon @simongandrew.bsky.social · Sep 8

A great opportunity for Middle East scholars looking to workshop their first book.

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Reposted by Curtis Ryan

POMEPS @pomeps.bsky.social · Sep 4

Apply now for the Spring 2026 POMEPS Virtual Research Workshops! The deadline to apply is October 15, 2025. For more information on how to apply, visit:
pomeps.org/call-for-app...

Call for Applications: Spring 2026 Virtual Research Workshops - Project on Middle East Political Science

The POMEPS Spring Virtual Research Workshop convenes online discussions of groups of three thematically linked journal article-length papers focusing on topics/cases in the MENA region. To provide fee...

pomeps.org

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Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · Aug 28

Today is the last day to vote in Apsa Mena officer elections. Please vote if you haven’t already. And if you have, thanks for voting!

APSA MENA Politics Section @apsamena.bsky.social · Aug 25

Section members - Reminder about our elections! Only a few days left to get your vote in. You should have received an email (hint: search for 'Survey Research' in your inbox), or you can find the ballot on @apsa.bsky.social Connect. Get your votes in for your new elected representatives!

#menasky

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APSA MENA Politics Section @apsamena.bsky.social · Aug 25

Section members - Reminder about our elections! Only a few days left to get your vote in. You should have received an email (hint: search for 'Survey Research' in your inbox), or you can find the ballot on @apsa.bsky.social Connect. Get your votes in for your new elected representatives!

#menasky

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Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · Aug 22

Dear colleagues in the APSA MENA section: We have one more week of online voting for 3 executive committee positions: chair, treasurer, and at-large member. Pls see the link in your email from APSA and please vote!

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WHO @who.int · Aug 22

Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza
FAO, UNICEF, WFP & WHO reiterate call for immediate ceasefire & unhindered humanitarian access to curb deaths from hunger & malnutrition.

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Helen Davidson @heldavidson.bsky.social · Aug 21

Revealed: Israeli military’s own data indicates civilian death rate of 83% in Gaza war www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Revealed: Israeli military’s own data indicates civilian death rate of 83% in Gaza war

Figures from classified IDF database listed 8,900 named fighters as dead or probably dead in May, as overall death toll reached 53,000

www.theguardian.com

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Wim Zwijnenburg @wammezz.bsky.social · Aug 19

The destruction of #Gaza by Israel continues, with nearly 200.000 structures damaged or destroyed, according to the latest @UNOSAT / @UNHABITAT analysis. With over 60 million tons of rubble, and most of the agricultural land gone, Gaza is made unhabitable

unhabitat.org/sites/defaul...

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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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Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · Aug 14

Everyone now agrees that Gaza is at least close to genocide, but instead of acting to stop it the US and too many others are normalizing it. My new piece asks what that means for Gaza, Israel, regional order… and IR theory.

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/normalizing-...

Normalizing Gaza's genocide

And other big questions about the direction of Middle Eastern politics. Thank you so much for subscribing to Abu Aardvark's Ghost and the MENA Academy (sounds like a killer indy band, right?). Moving...

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io

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Middle East Research and Information Project @merip.bsky.social · Aug 14

TODAY 1PM EST: Syria at the Crossroads: Unpacking Sectarianism and the Crisis in Suweida

w/ Sara Ajlyakin, Sana Mustafa and Yasser Munif

Co-sponsored by MERIP and @journalspectre.bsky.social

Syria at the Crossroads: Unpacking Sectarianism and the Crisis in Suweida - MERIP

Join MERIP and Spectre Journal in the third installment of our Syria at the Crossroads conversation series. This conversation will center on the recent sectarian clashes in Suweida and further […]

buff.ly

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Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · Aug 9

The start of a new semester is the perfect time to become a core supporter of Abu Aardvark’s Ghost and the MENA Academy. For the next three weeks I’m offering 25% off annual subscriptions - please consider joining up and helping me to keep the blog going!

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/new-semester...

The Ghost of Abu Aardvark

Middle East Politics and the Academy

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io

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@ghoshworld @ghoshworld.bsky.social · Aug 10

‘Can you tell us how he died?’: Mohamed Salah criticises UEFA over tribute to ‘Palestinian Pelé’

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘Can you tell us how he died?’: Mohamed Salah criticises Uefa over tribute to ‘Palestinian Pelé’

Footballer Suleiman al-Obeid was killed in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza last week, according to Palestine Football Association

www.theguardian.com

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Yezid Sayigh @yezidsayigh.bsky.social · Aug 10

Better read this by @byjordangreen.bsky.social about "a strain of white power violence known as “militant accelerationism.” Its adherents promote a militant vanguard committed to terrorism and insurrection as a means of bringing about a white ethno-state."

Bucks County Beacon @buckscountybeacon.com · Aug 6

I’ve Seen How the Neo-Nazi Movement Is Escalating. You Should Worry | After he committed to unmasking extremist groups in North Carolina and beyond, reporter @byjordangreen.bsky.social got a first-hand look at how a movement known as ‘militant accelerationism’ operates. @theassemblync.bsky.social

I’ve Seen How the Neo-Nazi Movement Is Escalating. You Should Worry.

After unmasking extremist groups, reporter Jordan Green got a first-hand look at how the ‘militant accelerationism’ movement operates.

tinyurl.com

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Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · Jun 26

The newest issue of Middle East Report is now out: New Gender Frontlines. Open access and available here:

Middle East Research and Information Project @merip.bsky.social · Jun 17

OUT NOW: Middle East Report 314, "New Gender Frontlines"

Our Spring Issue delves into the gender dynamics of the political forces shaping the Middle East in our present -- from Women, Life, Freedom to revolutionary Syria and the genocide in Gaza.

Read, Teach, Share!

buff.ly/XB8cxtW

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Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · Jun 26

Coming up soon: Today's launch event for the Gender Frontlines issue of Middle East Report. Details:

Middle East Research and Information Project @merip.bsky.social · Jun 26

TODAY: New Gender Frontlines Launch Event featuring Sabiha Allouche, Rahaf Aldoughli, Paniz Musawi Natanzi, and Hala Shoman. 12PM EST on Zoom, register below.

buff.ly/uOS3v1E

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Curtis Ryan @curtisryan.bsky.social · Jun 23

Thanks to you both :)

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Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · Jun 23

“Both Israel and the US will almost certainly come to rue their embrace of might makes right as they reach the limits of their military capabilities and find themselves alone in a world without allies or sympathy.” New piece just dropped.

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/yep-trump-go...

Yep, Trump got rolled

An incompetent administration leaps without looking into a new phase of regional war There was a brief moment last week when it looked like Donald Trump had come to his senses. After signaling that h...

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io

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Megan O’Toole @meganotoole.bsky.social · Jun 22

The Iranian parliament has voted to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz in the wake of US attacks, presaging major spikes in oil prices and disruptions to global energy security.

Iranian parliament moves to close Strait of Hormuz after US aggression: Lawmaker

In a decisive response to the US aggression against Iran

www.presstv.ir

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Abby Sewell @sewella.bsky.social · Jun 20

Erdogan announced plans this week to step up Turkey’s missile production. Some see it as a sign that the Israel-Iran war could trigger an arms race in the region, with countries aiming to build deterrence and preempt future conflicts

Via @suzanfraser.bsky.social

apnews.com/article/turk...

Erdogan vows to boost Turkey's missile production as Israel-Iran war escalates

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will strengthen its deterrence capabilities so that no country would dare attack it.

apnews.com

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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · Jun 17

"The incident was the latest in nearly daily mass deaths of Palestinians who were seeking aid in past weeks, including near sites operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation."

Reuters @reuters.com · Jun 17

WHO receiving reports of another mass casualty event in Gaza near food site reut.rs/3FSQAEC

WHO receiving reports of another mass casualty event in Gaza near food site

World Health Organization officials said that initial reports point to at least 20 fatalities.

reut.rs

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Benjamin McKean @blmckean.bsky.social · Jun 17

"As Israel strikes targets across the Iranian capital...it hits civil-society figures associated with the country’s protest movement alongside officials...Parnia Abbasi, 23, a poet and an English teacher, was killed together with her parents and brother on the first day of the air campaign..."

Sharon @sharonk.bsky.social · Jun 17

www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

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Sarah Parkinson @separkinson.bsky.social · Jun 16

With even less news coming out of Gaza due to an internet blackout & crowding out effects due to Israel's attack on Iran, it's essential to keep asking where things are, especially amid claims that aid is getting in via the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Reporting confirms analysts' worst fears.

EXCLUSIVE: American Security Contractor Unloads On US-Israeli ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’

I thought I was signing up for an aid mission. But what I've witnessed in Gaza is horrific.

zeteo.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jun 13

UPDATE: Over 200 Israeli strikes in Iran kill 9 IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists. Details on who they are/replacements www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Over 200 Israeli strikes in Iran kill 9 IRGC commanders and scientists

The head of Iran’s armed forces and IRGC were both killed as Israel said they hit more than 100 sites across the country.

www.al-monitor.com

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Abu Aardvark’s Ghost @abuaardvark.bsky.social · Jun 13

Israel’s targeting thus far — and it is very early — looks like it is not just about degrading the nuclear program. It seems to be trying to provoke regime collapse in Iran and put an end to the nuclear talks with the US.

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/why-did-isra...

Why did Israel attack Iran now?

What is it really trying to achieve... and can it succeed? Last night, Israel launched a major military strike against Iran, killing a number of its senior military commanders and taking shots at key...

abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io

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