So happy to see this out! We caution against excessive optimism that the opposition will restore countries back to their democratic trajectories after electoral victory. Weakened institutions and the memory of repression makes it tempting to continue rather than buck the trend of autocratization.

Glad to see this important volume come to fruition- kudos to @lisablaydes.bsky.social & @samuelhelfont.bsky.social for putting us all in conversation with each other. Thrilled to have co-authored a critical chapter with @marsin.bsky.social on archival access & hierarchies of knowledge production

The @pomeps.bsky.social junior scholar book development workshop is an incredible opportunity to receive substantive feedback on first book projects relating broadly to Middle East politics. I'm on the committee and happy to answer any questions: [email protected]

POMEPS Call for Papers: Syria after Assad Workshop. We seek papers on topics related to understanding Syria today that will be discussed at a virtual workshop on Sept. 19th. The deadline to apply is July 21st. For more info on how to apply: pomeps.org/call-for-pap...

More important things going on, but I have a new article out in @comppol.bsky.social on how ideology shapes rebels' wartime institutions, carrying over to postvictory statebuilding & governance approaches, w/original evidence from Nicaragua, Liberia, & Uganda www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cuny...

Pleased to have contributed to the APSA MENA Newsletter Thanks to the editors @dbgreenwald.bsky.social @sebnemgumuscu.bsky.social @samershehata.bsky.social for putting together such an amazing collection!
My piece: zenodo.org/records/1533...
The Issue: zenodo.org/records/1538...

Our article on legislative cooptation and opposition in the Kuwait National Assembly is finally out at @bjpols.bsky.social!

Key findings: bsky.app/profile/dani...

Article link: doi.org/10.1017/S000...

What is the Middle East? I’m thrilled to announce the publication- and free download - of my new, hopefully provocative Cambridge Element on the theory and practice of regions and area studies. Get it now and let me know what you think!

abuaardvark.substack.com/p/what-is-th...

How do autocrats stay in power?

Our new research dives into the strategies of political control—repression, co-optation, and indoctrination—used across 229 autocracies from 1946 to 2010. What we found will change the way you think about authoritarian resilience. 🧵👇

#menasky It's award nomination time for the 2024-2025 year! Please send your nominations our way for Best Book, Best Article, Best Dissertation, & Best Paper on MENA politics!

You can find all the details of eligibility & submission below.

Deadline is February 1, so spread the word!

If you are a post doc or faculty member please apply or reshare!

New policy brief for the Crown Center, in which I detail the Houthis' devastating campaign this summer against Yemeni CSOs and INGOs. Tldr; it's both a cause and a consequence of regime consolidation and it's really bad for our understanding of Yemen if knowledge-producers are in prison or exile.

Our book Making Sense of the Arab State is published today - open access to boot!

abuaardvark.substack.com/p/seeing-lik...

Thank you!