David Leheny
@davidleheny.bsky.social
2.6K followers 1.8K following 5.9K posts
Political scientist at GSAPS, Waseda University. Formerly UW-Madison, Princeton, U.S. Department of State, Stop & Shop. Author of Empire of Hope; The Rules of Play; Think Global, Fear Local (all Cornell UP). Coeditor of Stanford Studies in Asian Security.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
davidleheny.bsky.social
"My name is Hercule Poirot, and I am probably the greatest detective in the world because I am the one parents call when they realize their son did it."
Hercule Poirot probably from the BBC but honestly who cares
davidleheny.bsky.social
Sorry for the garbled, auto-corrected alt-text. This push notification came from the Sankei Shimbun (not the "Snake Shimbun")
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: Pretty big contrast in titles between Tom Varner's album "Jazz French Horn," and this, its opening track, but the excellent ensemble work by Jim Snidero (as), Kenny Barron (p), Mike Richmond (b), and Victor Lewis (d) is consistent throughout. Recorded October 8-9, 1985. #jazzsky
What Is This Thing Called First Strike Capability?
YouTube video by Tom Varner - Topic
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
One thing I love about Japan is that I get push notifications about things like Kitagawa Susumu winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. I know there are troubling nationalistic elements about it, but I like the fact that Nobel prizes in science are treated this seriously.
Push notification from the Snake newspaper saying that Kitagawa Susumu of Kyoto University was one of the winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: It's possible that no musician had a more iconic, sustained peak on Blue Note than composer/pianist Andrew Hill, whose run of mid-1960s albums is consistently astonishing. "Compulsion" -- recorded October 8, 1965 -- has him leading a septet through percussive, meditative pieces. #jazzsky
Limbo (Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
YouTube video by Andrew Hill - Topic
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: Ornette Coleman recorded his brilliant "Change of the Century" on October 8-9, 1959 with his classic early quartet: Don Cherry (pocket trumpet), Charlie Haden (b), and Billy Higgins (d). This track, an all-timer, from the Oct. 8 session is a great place to start with his work. #jazzsky
Ornette Coleman - Una Muy Bonita
YouTube video by jazzhole13
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
One thing I should note about "One Battle After Another" is that Chase Infiniti looked far too old to be Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend, but then the movie made clear that she plays his daughter, so it was fine.
davidleheny.bsky.social
Widely viewed as the foremost director of his generation, Paul W.S. Anderson boldly steps away from the "Resident Evil" series with the comic action masterpiece "One Battle After Another," about an aging hippie who learns a little something: something called "growing up." Five Stars!!!
A ★★★★★ review of One Battle After Another (2025)
Widely viewed as the foremost director of his generation, Paul W.S. Anderson boldly steps away from the "Resident Evil" series with this comic action masterpiece about an aging hippie who learns a lit...
letterboxd.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
One Battle After Another review:

There are huge risks when one plays a widely beloved real figure, but Sean Penn utterly nails his role as Platoon Leader Pete Hegseth, motivated by psychosexual rage and deep insecurity. Make some room on your mantel for another Oscar, Sean!

Five stars.
A ★★★★★ review of One Battle After Another (2025)
Widely viewed as the foremost director of his generation, Paul W.S. Anderson boldly steps away from the "Resident Evil" series with this comic action masterpiece about an aging hippie who learns a lit...
letterboxd.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Widely viewed as the foremost director of his generation, Paul W.S. Anderson boldly steps away from the "Resident Evil" series with the comic action masterpiece "One Battle After Another," about an aging hippie who learns a little something: something called "growing up." Five Stars!!!
A ★★★★★ review of One Battle After Another (2025)
Widely viewed as the foremost director of his generation, Paul W.S. Anderson boldly steps away from the "Resident Evil" series with this comic action masterpiece about an aging hippie who learns a lit...
letterboxd.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Karake is a clever portmanteau meaning “empty hair,” and I’m sure the food is good
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: The brilliant pianist George Cables had already been part of pathbreaking albums like Woody Shaw's "Blackstone Legacy" by the time he recorded his first date as leader, "Why Not" on October 7, 1975 with Tony Dumas (b) and Carl Burnett (d). Wonderful hard bop with funky edges. #jazzsky
Dark Side-Light Side (Yuh's Blues)
YouTube video by George Cables - Topic
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
That New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer Is Actually Pretty Racist
Opinion | That Hegseth Speech Was Actually Pretty Good
www.nytimes.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
2. In Chapter 5 of my book "Empire of Hope," I wrote about the Tokyo-based theater group "Caramel Box," and struggled to describe the dance scene that arrives about 5 minutes into each of their plays, almost like a delayed opening credits. Honestly, this is nearly identical, spookily so:
Peacemaker | Opening Credits | HBO Max
YouTube video by HBO Max
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Some unambiguous judgments from reflecting on life in the US after being here for a couple of months.

1. America's non-alcoholic beer/drinks game is far ahead of Japan's.
NA beers
davidleheny.bsky.social
As someone with far too much airport experience, I enjoyed this thread
nome.bsky.social
A life update: this wound up paying off. I'm still applying to several jobs that are hopefully careers, but I've got my survival needs covered by a job at the airport that I'm apparently pretty good at.

And instead of being in an office alone, which was driving me mad, I see 20k people a day.
nome.bsky.social
There is a line around this building to get to the line entrance to wait to get into this job fair.

At the airport. For airport jobs.
Reposted by David Leheny
princetonupress.bsky.social
@smettler.bsky.social, co-author of Rural Versus Urban with Trevor E. Brown, appeared on @cnn.com this morning with @audiecornish.bsky.social to discuss her new book. next.frame.io/share/3e8b90...
Rural Versus Urban: The Growing Divide That Threatens Democracy by Suzanne Mettler and Trevor E. Brown
davidleheny.bsky.social
As a response to the 35th anniversary of Dirty Dancing propaganda that's now filling up my feed, I'd like to note that this weekend has been the 40th anniversary of the release of "Commando," arguably the Schwarzennegeriest of Schwarzenegger's films.
a close up of a person 's arm with a stethoscope in their hand .
ALT: a close up of a person 's arm with a stethoscope in their hand .
media.tenor.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: Trumpeter/composer Alex Sipiagin recorded "Balance 38-58," perhaps my favorite of his albums, on October 6, 2014 with David Binney (sax), Adam Rogers (g), John Escreet (p, kb), Matt Brewer (b), and Eric Harland (d). #jazzsky
38-58
YouTube video by Alex Sipiagin - Topic
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
This is what happens when your chief qualifications are dull-wittedness and an early stint as Andrew Sullivan's assistant.
davidleheny.bsky.social
Jazz OTD: On October 5, 1984, the legendary, seemingly timeless pianist Kenny Barron recorded "Landscape," a wonderful trio date with Cecil McBee (b) and Al Foster (d). #jazzsky
Hush-a-Bye
YouTube video by Kenny Barron - Topic
www.youtube.com
davidleheny.bsky.social
Thank you! I'm a big fan of your work and that of Rudresh Mahanthappa, and I love this album.
davidleheny.bsky.social
Thank you - and my apologies for the mistake.