Tricia Bacon
@triciabacon.bsky.social
Associate Professor at American University. Former State Department CT analyst.
One of the biggest dangers of this political moment is that too many people see the most extreme of the “other”side as the normal representative of it.
September 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM
One of the biggest dangers of this political moment is that too many people see the most extreme of the “other”side as the normal representative of it.
This semester I let the students in both of my intelligence classes vote on our AI policy. They could either 1) have unrestricted use of AI for the class (with tougher grading expectations) or 2) no AI use at all (with normal grading expectations). Both classes overwhelmingly voted for #2 (99%)
September 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This semester I let the students in both of my intelligence classes vote on our AI policy. They could either 1) have unrestricted use of AI for the class (with tougher grading expectations) or 2) no AI use at all (with normal grading expectations). Both classes overwhelmingly voted for #2 (99%)
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
We're hiring!
The @au-spa.bsky.social is hiring an assistant professor specializing in political violence and terrorism.
Deadline: September 22nd.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions!
See below for the job ad and application.
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
The @au-spa.bsky.social is hiring an assistant professor specializing in political violence and terrorism.
Deadline: September 22nd.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions!
See below for the job ad and application.
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
August 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We're hiring!
The @au-spa.bsky.social is hiring an assistant professor specializing in political violence and terrorism.
Deadline: September 22nd.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions!
See below for the job ad and application.
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
The @au-spa.bsky.social is hiring an assistant professor specializing in political violence and terrorism.
Deadline: September 22nd.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions!
See below for the job ad and application.
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
Join @au-spa.bsky.social for this hybrid event today!
March 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Join @au-spa.bsky.social for this hybrid event today!
@au-spa.bsky.social is hosting an important hybrid event this week on immigration & Latin America with @zeitzoff.bsky.social & @garciaponce.bsky.social. Couldn't be more timely!!
March 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
@au-spa.bsky.social is hosting an important hybrid event this week on immigration & Latin America with @zeitzoff.bsky.social & @garciaponce.bsky.social. Couldn't be more timely!!
To recap what the administration has argued: 1 cartels = equal terrorists. (They don’t) 2 the Venezuelan government is backing one of those cartels (It isn’t according to the intelligence community) 3 the US has been “invaded” by terrorists supported by Venezuela (No such “invasion” has occurred) 1/
In Deportations, Trump Tied Gang to Venezuela’s Government. Intelligence Contradicts Him.
To invoke wartime deportation powers, President Trump asserted that Venezuela’s government controls a gang. U.S. intelligence analysts think that is not true.
www.nytimes.com
March 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
To recap what the administration has argued: 1 cartels = equal terrorists. (They don’t) 2 the Venezuelan government is backing one of those cartels (It isn’t according to the intelligence community) 3 the US has been “invaded” by terrorists supported by Venezuela (No such “invasion” has occurred) 1/
Trump’s assertion that a gang is committing crimes in the US at the direction of Venezuela’s government was his basis for invoking the Aliens Enemies Act. But the US Intelligence Community assessed last month that the gang is *not* controlled by the Venezuelan government
In Deportations, Trump Tied Gang to Venezuela’s Government. Intelligence Contradicts Him.
To invoke wartime deportation powers, President Trump asserted that Venezuela’s government controls a gang. U.S. intelligence analysts think that is not true.
www.nytimes.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Trump’s assertion that a gang is committing crimes in the US at the direction of Venezuela’s government was his basis for invoking the Aliens Enemies Act. But the US Intelligence Community assessed last month that the gang is *not* controlled by the Venezuelan government
The situation in Somalia is flashing red. Al-Shabaab is encircling Mogadishu while the federal government & federal member states focus on their political difference. The freeze of US assistance undermines the most effective anti-Shabaab force as the humanitarian situation worsens without USAID.
March 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The situation in Somalia is flashing red. Al-Shabaab is encircling Mogadishu while the federal government & federal member states focus on their political difference. The freeze of US assistance undermines the most effective anti-Shabaab force as the humanitarian situation worsens without USAID.
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
How did M23 rise from defeated and mostly dormant in 2012 to reemerge in 2022 with the resources, organization, and discipline of an experienced military?
Our Spotlight looks at the prospects for another multinational Congo War and the need for a robust African response.
africacenter.org/spo...
Our Spotlight looks at the prospects for another multinational Congo War and the need for a robust African response.
africacenter.org/spo...
The DRC Conflict Enters a Dangerous New Phase – Africa Center
The regionalization of the DRC crisis raises prospects for another multinational Congo War—and the need for a robust African response.
africacenter.org
March 16, 2025 at 4:27 AM
How did M23 rise from defeated and mostly dormant in 2012 to reemerge in 2022 with the resources, organization, and discipline of an experienced military?
Our Spotlight looks at the prospects for another multinational Congo War and the need for a robust African response.
africacenter.org/spo...
Our Spotlight looks at the prospects for another multinational Congo War and the need for a robust African response.
africacenter.org/spo...
The Foreign Terrorist Organization designations of the cartels was clearly intended to pave the way for invoking the Aliens Enemies Act. But the designations *should* undermine the justification for this move bc being a member of an FTO is a deportable offense on its own
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later
A federal judge has barred the administration of President Donald Trump from deportations under an 18th century law that Trump invoked just hours earlier asserting the United States was being invaded ...
apnews.com
March 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM
The Foreign Terrorist Organization designations of the cartels was clearly intended to pave the way for invoking the Aliens Enemies Act. But the designations *should* undermine the justification for this move bc being a member of an FTO is a deportable offense on its own
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
The Trump Administration’s reported proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza to Somaliland probably dangles the carrot of recognition in front of Hargeisa. But Somaliland is a democracy—would its voters accept recognition at that cost?
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
AP Exclusive: US and Israel look to Africa for moving Palestinians uprooted from Gaza
The U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
apnews.com
March 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The Trump Administration’s reported proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza to Somaliland probably dangles the carrot of recognition in front of Hargeisa. But Somaliland is a democracy—would its voters accept recognition at that cost?
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
It is profoundly troubling that the FBI is being utilized by DOGE to try to enter USIP in this way. Handled exceptionally well by USIP. www.usip.org/press/2025/0...
DOGE Visit to USIP
On the afternoon of Friday, March 14, 2025, several members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrived at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) unannounced accompanied by two FBI...
www.usip.org
March 15, 2025 at 8:23 PM
It is profoundly troubling that the FBI is being utilized by DOGE to try to enter USIP in this way. Handled exceptionally well by USIP. www.usip.org/press/2025/0...
The Trump Administration proposes relocating Palestinians to Somalia as al-Shabaab’s gains pose an existential threat to the federal government and the country reels from losing U.S aid & still frozen assistance.
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
AP Exclusive: US and Israel look to Africa for moving Palestinians uprooted from Gaza
The U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations to move Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
apnews.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The Trump Administration proposes relocating Palestinians to Somalia as al-Shabaab’s gains pose an existential threat to the federal government and the country reels from losing U.S aid & still frozen assistance.
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
The FTO designations of cartels were a step for the Administration to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a sweeping authority that has only been used three times before & only in times of war. If you think it will only been used against cartels, you aren’t paying attention.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump to Invoke a Seldom-Used Wartime Law From 1798 to Speed Up Deportations
Authorities plan to mainly target members of Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang.
www.wsj.com
March 14, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The FTO designations of cartels were a step for the Administration to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a sweeping authority that has only been used three times before & only in times of war. If you think it will only been used against cartels, you aren’t paying attention.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
When Dan Byman and I wrote a piece voicing concerns about designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, we raised red flags about the text in that Executive Order on the Aliens Enemies Act. We were told we were being alarmist…
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/u...
Trump Wants to Speed Up Deportations With Alien Enemies Act: What to Know
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 gives the president wartime powers to deport undocumented immigrants with little to no due process.
www.nytimes.com
March 14, 2025 at 12:52 AM
When Dan Byman and I wrote a piece voicing concerns about designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, we raised red flags about the text in that Executive Order on the Aliens Enemies Act. We were told we were being alarmist…
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/u...
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
Pitch-perfect response to Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin from @georgetownlaw.bsky.social Dean Bill Treanor.
It’s always a privilege and honor to be part of the GULC community (and to be Bill’s colleague), but *especially* today.
It’s always a privilege and honor to be part of the GULC community (and to be Bill’s colleague), but *especially* today.
March 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Pitch-perfect response to Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin from @georgetownlaw.bsky.social Dean Bill Treanor.
It’s always a privilege and honor to be part of the GULC community (and to be Bill’s colleague), but *especially* today.
It’s always a privilege and honor to be part of the GULC community (and to be Bill’s colleague), but *especially* today.
“Trump administration is firing people who had been *assigned* to diversity & recruiting efforts in the Biden administration… Those recruiters were some of the agency’s most successful.. In 2024, the C.I.A. had its best recruiting effort since the months after 9/11.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
C.I.A. Begins Firing Recently Hired Officers
Some newer employees have been summoned to an off-site location and asked to surrender their credentials.
www.nytimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 9:06 PM
“Trump administration is firing people who had been *assigned* to diversity & recruiting efforts in the Biden administration… Those recruiters were some of the agency’s most successful.. In 2024, the C.I.A. had its best recruiting effort since the months after 9/11.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
“The first two years of CIA officers’ careers are a time of intense training; the government spends large amounts of money to teach them spy tradecraft, languages and other skills.
“Literally millions of dollars has been put into some of these employees,’ he said…”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
“Literally millions of dollars has been put into some of these employees,’ he said…”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
C.I.A. Begins Firing Recently Hired Officers
Some newer employees have been summoned to an off-site location and asked to surrender their credentials.
www.nytimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
“The first two years of CIA officers’ careers are a time of intense training; the government spends large amounts of money to teach them spy tradecraft, languages and other skills.
“Literally millions of dollars has been put into some of these employees,’ he said…”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
“Literally millions of dollars has been put into some of these employees,’ he said…”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
Important thread. NATO is finished as an institution. It depends on a sense of shared purpose and shared values and a belief in collective defense. No ally can believe in the US having that foreign policy orientation any longer. US now has a Russia first policy. What does Europe do? See below.
Some thoughts from Brussels. Europe is awoken and believes America is all but gone. As such huge efforts on defense funding from EU, Germany, and others. This is real. BUT...
Europe is still not reckoning yet with its major structural security problem: No one does European defense. 1/
Europe is still not reckoning yet with its major structural security problem: No one does European defense. 1/
March 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Important thread. NATO is finished as an institution. It depends on a sense of shared purpose and shared values and a belief in collective defense. No ally can believe in the US having that foreign policy orientation any longer. US now has a Russia first policy. What does Europe do? See below.
Reposted by Tricia Bacon
CIA director says agency has halted intelligence sharing. A very dark day for American foreign policy.
March 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
CIA director says agency has halted intelligence sharing. A very dark day for American foreign policy.
The Taliban withdrew from the Trump Administration’s Doha deal. Given the presence of multiple Foreign Terrorist Organizations in Afghanistan, including Al-Qaida, this is a dangerous development. www.rferl.org/a/afghanista...
Taliban Declares End To Doha Agreement With The United States
Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers say they no longer consider the Doha agreement -- a peace deal with the United States that paved the way for the withdrawal of Western forces from the c...
www.rferl.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The Taliban withdrew from the Trump Administration’s Doha deal. Given the presence of multiple Foreign Terrorist Organizations in Afghanistan, including Al-Qaida, this is a dangerous development. www.rferl.org/a/afghanista...
“The U.S. interest in Ukraine is shutting down Mr. Putin’s imperial project of reassembling a lost Soviet empire without U.S. soldiers ever having to fire a shot. That core interest hasn’t changed, but berating Ukraine in front of the entire world will make it harder to achieve.”
Opinion | Putin Wins the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Spectacle
Vice President Vance starts a public fight that only helps Russia’s dictator.
www.wsj.com
March 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“The U.S. interest in Ukraine is shutting down Mr. Putin’s imperial project of reassembling a lost Soviet empire without U.S. soldiers ever having to fire a shot. That core interest hasn’t changed, but berating Ukraine in front of the entire world will make it harder to achieve.”
Stepping back, there are three levels to the crisis underway in the United States:
1. Disruption/elimination of services the federal government provides that protect & assist the American people
2. The weakening of the U.S’s international position in ways that benefit China & Russia
1. Disruption/elimination of services the federal government provides that protect & assist the American people
2. The weakening of the U.S’s international position in ways that benefit China & Russia
February 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Stepping back, there are three levels to the crisis underway in the United States:
1. Disruption/elimination of services the federal government provides that protect & assist the American people
2. The weakening of the U.S’s international position in ways that benefit China & Russia
1. Disruption/elimination of services the federal government provides that protect & assist the American people
2. The weakening of the U.S’s international position in ways that benefit China & Russia
For some mystifying reason, this article combines the firing of 100 officials for alleged misconduct & the firings of DEI personnel IN THE SAME STORY. How are those lumped together? www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/u...
Gabbard Says More Than 100 Intelligence Officers Fired for Chat Messages
The chats had been set up to discuss sensitive security matters. But a group of employees used them for discussions that contained sexual themes, intelligence officials said this week.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
For some mystifying reason, this article combines the firing of 100 officials for alleged misconduct & the firings of DEI personnel IN THE SAME STORY. How are those lumped together? www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/u...
Five Eyes is “by far the most successful intelligence-sharing arrangement in world history…Any disruption in these decade-old understandings would be met with cheers from our adversaries in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang.” www.ft.com/content/2dfa...
White House official pushes to axe Canada from Five Eyes intelligence group
Peter Navarro wants to increase pressure on country that Donald Trump has threatened to annex
www.ft.com
February 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Five Eyes is “by far the most successful intelligence-sharing arrangement in world history…Any disruption in these decade-old understandings would be met with cheers from our adversaries in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang.” www.ft.com/content/2dfa...