Marc Lynch. GW Professor, POMEPS commander, Brewers fan. The one true Abu Aardvark. AMERICA’S MIDDLE EAST. Find me at https://abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io
Trump says he’s ordered another new bombing campaign that will definitely force Iran to surrender this time. It won’t but a lot more people will die and a lot more damage will be done. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Trump Orders Fresh Attack on IranU.S. officials said the attacks could begin as soon as this weekend.www.wsj.comYour DC book launch is the same night as the DC Phoebe Bridgers show. Don’t expect to see many young women in the audience (or me) 😂 Everyone else should go though
Akbar Shahid AhmedI’ll soon launch CROSSING THE RED LINE—my book probing how+why the Biden admin enabled untold suffering in Gaza. This record is key to understanding both current US politics & more humane future policy. Humbled to be discussing w/the kind @mehdirhasan.bsky.social in DC on 9/29. Mark your calendars!
US and Israel consider a land blockade of Iran. With what army? Geographically this is on a par with that viral State Department map of Africa with all the countries mislabeled. It’s truly funny. www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026...
Israel and US consider Iran land blockadePlan would require pressing Tehran’s neighbours such as Iraq and Pakistan to close border crossingswww.telegraph.co.ukThis is the sort of thing Middle East Studies faculty have been dealing with for a very, very long time. I totally agree it should be treated as workplace harassment. Nobody should have to accept this kind of abuse , but administrators too often entertain or even agree with the harassers.
Tressie McMillan CottomThere are a lot of important things going on. Maybe this isn’t a top twenty concern. But, this is actually workplace harassment, the kind that can get people killed.
I’m sure Israel will be withdrawing those troops any minute now
The NationalHandover of weapons in Gaza depends on withdrawal of Israeli troops – but senior figures in country remain fiercely critical
The haters said it couldn’t be done Honestly great call from the haters
Abu AardvarkI look forward to the imminent Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal that seems like it’s definitely going to happen now lol
Has anyone seen a claim of responsibility or any solid reporting n this alleged drone strike on Damietta Egypt? It’s really weird and kinda geographically implausible but I’m open to actual evidence. www.cnn.com/2026/07/30/w...
Live updates: Saudi Arabia says 14 countries backing maritime alliance to protect shipping routes | CNNThe Saudi defense ministry said 14 countries have backed the kingdom’s proposal to establish a “Maritime Defense Alliance” to protect international shipping routes and global trade. Follow for live ne...www.cnn.comWhat, the Wall Street Journal wasn’t enough? The Atlantic coming in for Haley Stevens will *definitely* seal the deal with Michigan Democratic primary voters.
nearslapoutwww.theatlantic.com/politics/202... You won’t find a much harsher critic of the Democratic Party than the progressive trying to secure its nomination for Senate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed.
This builds on Saudi previous coalition building, notably excludes UAE. Still mostly aspirational but you can see the outlines of what Riyadh is trying to do.
Abu Aardvark“According to Saudi officials, the alliance includes 14 countries, among them the Gulf states of Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan.” (Not UAE — important— or Oman) www.yahoo.com/news/world/a...
Saudis announce 14 country coalition to protect Red Sea shipping - this builds on previous initiatives and is more significant than most seem to think www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07...
Iran War Live Updates: Saudis Form Military Alliance to Protect Red Sea Shippingwww.nytimes.comI mean I think Abdul el-Sayid is a terrific candidate with great ideas and Stevens is a terrible candidate with bad ideas but I’m not a Michigan voter
Abu AardvarkI’m sure the WSJ’s endorsement will put Stevens over the top with Michigan Democratic primary voters
Why not invite Iran to be a co-host and really go for it
AGSIA Gulf World Cup could foster unprecedented levels of societal exchange through integrated tourism packages, simplified visa arrangements, youth football festivals, cultural programs, esports competitions, and academic exchanges. – Sebastian Sons
I’m sure the WSJ’s endorsement will put Stevens over the top with Michigan Democratic primary voters
RavWhat the fuck?? “While Mr. El-Sayed is fringy and radical, he’s also a Muslim man. Ms. Stevens is a white woman. This puts her at a disadvantage in the identity Olympics that internal Democratic Party politics have become.” www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
Inside the collapse of Baby Shah’s bid to be installed on Iran’s throne www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Regime change? Inside Reza Pahlavi’s faltering bid to lead IranAs the U.S. and Israel went to war on Iran this year, a transformative moment seemed to have arrived for Reza Pahlavi, son of the autocratic shah who was overthrown in 1979.www.reuters.com