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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 15h

A ceasefire in Gaza and all that that entails in a first phase will be cause for immense relief. The 20-point plan is obviously flawed, but what comes after will have to be heavily negotiated in any case and will only be sustained if there is sustained pressure from U.S., Europe and regional states.

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Reposted by Michael Hanna

Crisis Group @crisisgroup.org · 2d

‘Two years on, Gaza has paid the price for global inaction.’

As we mark Hamas’s attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, @crisisgroup.org’s CEO and President @comfortero.crisisgroup.org reflects on what has unfolded since - and the urgent choices now before us. 1/9 🧵

mailchi.mp/crisisgroup....

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Reposted by Michael Hanna

Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 4d

Pleased to speak with the BBC about the lethal and lawless US strikes in the Caribbean.

"There is no legal basis for these premeditated killings in the Caribbean."

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 3d

On this week’s episode, I joined Richard Atwood along with my colleagues @mairavz.bsky.social @maxji.bsky.social and Amjad Iraqi to discuss Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposals and next steps.

www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...

What to Make of Trump’s Gaza Plan? | International Crisis Group

This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard talks with Crisis Group experts Michael Hanna, Max Rodenbeck, Amjad Iraqi and Mairav Zonszein about Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, who might benefit fro...

www.crisisgroup.org

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 5d

This will generate some immediate friction with Israel over when to halt operations. But Hamas agreed to enough, particularly on the front end, to get a go-ahead from Trump.

John Hudson @johnphudson.bsky.social · 5d

Anticipating a major diplomatic victory, Trump says "Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza." (Some of Israel's most deadly strikes on Hamas leadership have come when peace deals appeared imminent)

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 8d

A few impressions on US-Qatar security agreement (setting aside legal questions): it’s a precedent that other Gulf partners will seek to replicate; will be hugely frustrating to restraint wing of admin, particularly at DoD; and, lastly, it’s a reflection of Arab influence when properly marshaled.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 15d

The conspicuous absence of Egypt's President Sisi from UNGA is telling with respect to the state of U.S.-Egypt relations. That absence is further magnified by today's meeting with Trump, which is to include key Arab and Muslim states.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 17d

Truly welcome news that should have happened long ago.

Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 17d

HUGE HUGE NEWS FROM EGYPT!!

Egyptian President Sisi has issued a presidential pardon for activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah.

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Reposted by Michael Hanna

The Brian Lehrer Show @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social · 21d

Hear @bcfinucane.bsky.social from the International Crisis Group discuss the legality of the Trump administration's lethal strikes on boats allegedly carrying illegal drugs from Venezuela: www.wnyc.org/story/are-th...

Are the Lethal U.S. Strikes on Venezuelan Boats Legal? | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC

The Trump administration's recent lethal strikes on purported drug boats in Venezuela drew widespread condemnation from experts in international law.

www.wnyc.org

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Reposted by Michael Hanna

Jacob Schriner-Briggs @jschrinerbriggs.bsky.social · 21d

If you take what a 9-0 Court said in Vullo seriously, it seems clear to me that Kimmel has not just a plausible jawboning claim but a strong one on the basis of Carr's threats.

(Always read Genevieve Lakier 👇)

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 21d

The capitulation of elites and elite institutions to authoritarian intimidation fundamentally misunderstands or fails to appreciate the system of laws and norms that has provided them with a sustainable framework to flourish. The lack of fidelity to constitutional order and open society is pathetic.

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Michael Caley @michaelcaley.bsky.social · 21d

the total lack of interest from business and media elites in defending the liberal norms that underpin civil society and like, modern capitalism for that matter has been truly shocking

Reconstructionist @unavaleable.bsky.social · 21d

we are in really unsettling place that we're facing a deeply unpopular regime that is making everything appreciably worse but the people with the power to stand up to them and takes steps to maintain basic political stability are capitulating without a fight

Reconstructionist @unavaleable.bsky.social · 21d

dawg

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 21d

Astonishing really. Classic authoritarian tactics to intimidate and chill speech.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments

www.nytimes.com

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 28d

In a country awash in firearms and violent political rhetoric, it’s frankly been miraculous that the U.S. has not suffered more political violence. But further steps in that direction would be utterly disastrous for civic democracy.

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 28d

It’s not simply important to denounce political violence because it looks bad not to. It’s the right thing to do on the merits. Even more specifically to this moment it’s important because the forces of fascism are inherently better at political violence than the forces of civic democracy.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 28d

I spoke to Andrew England on how yesterday’s strikes will impact regional views of Trump and the U.S. Whether or not the U.S. had forewarning, the fact that Israel undertook the action has shaken confidence in U.S. reliability.

on.ft.com/4ng5dSZ Israel unbound: was Qatar a strike too far?

Israel unbound: was Qatar a strike too far?

Bombing of US ally comes after repeated Israeli attacks across Middle East since Hamas’s October 7 2023 assault

on.ft.com

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 29d

What are the other possibilities?

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 29d

There is a sense that a red line has been crossed, alarm that Israel feels it has room to operate in a way that doesn’t even consider US equities. Not sure what comes next, but if only solidarity and condemnation then the Gulf and the broader region shouldn’t be surprised if Israel takes no heed.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 29d

I’m not so sure this time. The Gulf countries are genuinely stunned, particularly as they see Israel as operating without any constraints. That is unnerving and creates real concern about their security relationship with the U.S.

Nahal Toosi @nahaltoosi.bsky.social · 29d

This will pass quickly. The Qataris will move on. The Israelis will walk away unscathed. The U.S. will forget about it.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · 29d

Notification after strikes are launched would be different than a U.S. green light for the operation. Either will be alarming for the region.

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 29d

WASHINGTON (AP) - US had advance knowledge of Israeli strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar, AP sources say.

@apnews.com

Reposted by Michael Hanna

Kori Schake @kschake.bsky.social · Sep 9

And U.S. forces at Al Udeid are there to provide air defenses. Likely to call into question the value of hosting U.S. bases.

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

Fun fact: Qatar, whose capital Israel just bombed, is a “major non-NATO ally” of the United States.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · Sep 9

After Iran bombed U.S. targets in Qatar in June, the GCC called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers. I assume a similar meeting will now be called after the Israeli strikes. The question will be whether they go beyond mere condemnation and solidarity.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · Sep 9

I’m surprised by my continued capacity to be shocked. But this is stunning.

Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · Sep 9

Israeli Channel 12, citing an Israeli official, reports that Trump gave the green light for the attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · Sep 9

At one point in the recent past it was widely assumed that the Israeli desire for normalcy and regional integration could be levers by which to positively influence their approach to Palestinian issues. The last few years have clearly demonstrated how wrongheaded those assumptions were.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · Sep 9

Israeli airstrikes on a GCC country crosses so many lines. Will be deeply shocking in the region. How UAE and Bahrain respond will be instructive.

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Michael Hanna @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org · Sep 9

Assassinating senior Hamas leadership at a moment when they were contemplating a purported ceasefire offer is revealing. Lays bare the lack of good faith that has characterized those discussions throughout.

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