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Deborah Avant

@deborahavant.bsky.social
3.3K followers 722 following 295 posts

Professor @josefkorble @UofDenver | global politics | climate | technology | security | human rights | democracy | pragmatism. I know, it's a lot. Also ISA, hiking, baking, travel, and #roseistoocute she/her deborahavant.com

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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It's a silly article in many ways but the fact that the FT is publishing says something about where we are. How to think about the end of the world - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
giftarticle.ft.com
How to think about the end of the world
Bringing clarity to a fuzzy P(doom) debate
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In which @himself.bsky.social repeats my favorite Tilly quote: "Our methodology should fit “like a sweatshirt and not like a straitjacket." Worth a read and glad he is working more on this. www.programmablemutter.com/p/how-should...
programmablemutter.com
How should social science think about AI?
Big structures and large processes are back, baby
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Young Americans have never witnessed a functioning foreign policy - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
giftarticle.ft.com
Young Americans have never witnessed a functioning foreign policy
Twenty-five years after 9/11, debt and defence spending are ballooning while diplomacy is starved and allies are alienated
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
A little surprised to see the Financial Times publish Naomi Klein. This is worth a read. Rerun or sequel? Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on end times fascism - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
giftarticle.ft.com
Rerun or sequel? Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on end times fascism
How nationalists, theocrats and tech titans turned their backs on a shared future
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Grateful to have had this brave woman in the world. Her activism, her introspection, her willingness to act boldly even when she felt meek. Thank you Gloria Steinem and rest in power. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/u...
nytimes.com
Gloria Steinem, Personification of the Feminist Movement, Dies at 92
She challenged sexist assumptions, helping women develop a sense of self-worth and gain a measure of equality at work, at home and in society at large.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Some, as they say, professional news. Read on my substack: deborahavant.substack.com/p/the-last-d... or my blog: www.deborahavant.com/post/the-las...
deborahavant.substack.com
The Last Day of My Employment...
This is the last day of my employment.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Some, as they say, professional news. Read on my substack: deborahavant.substack.com/p/the-last-d... or my blog: www.deborahavant.com/post/the-las...
deborahavant.substack.com
The Last Day of My Employment...
This is the last day of my employment.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
"The object of any healthy politics is not to win but to prosper." Thanks to Susan Faludi for this www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Barbie Backlash
‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Barbie’ show a zeitgeist shift that goes beyond Hollywood: The hero’s narrative is corroding our political and public life.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
It's been a tough few news days, so happy this morning to read @dandrezner.bsky.social on performances of masculinity danieldrezner.substack.com/p/a-very-imp...
danieldrezner.substack.com
A Very Important Post About.... Men Wearing Shorts in the Office
Some very important late August thoughts.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Everyone should read this. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
theatlantic.com
The Wrong Kind of American
The Trump White House needed me—until the fact that I am trans became public.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
There is something very important here. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | To Save Higher Ed, Professors Need to Get a Little Weird
Teachers need to model the passion they want to see.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
The onslaught is endless but some things still stick out as extraordinary reminders of what a bad place we are in. This is one of them. www.npr.org/2026/05/26/n...
npr.org
Trump DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases, including violent assaults on cops
The Trump Department of Justice purged government news releases with information about prosecutions of rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021.
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International Studies Association @isanet.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
There’s still time to apply for #PayItForward at #ISA2027! This workshop aims to connect #EarlyCareer #Women in #InternationalStudies with mentors and peers to learn about #ProfessionalDevelopment, #Careers, #Research, #Networking, and more. Learn more & apply: buff.ly/Cg0aCrR
Apply for ISA 2027 Pay It Forward Workshop. Application Deadline: Monday, 15 June. Saturday, 20 March, 2027. 1 PM - 5 PM (ET). Atlanta, Georgia. ISA logo. Background: Three women working together.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
"Unfortunately, it seems doubtful that anyone will make this point directly to Bezos." Right. So let's repost so that he sees it indirectly. And thanks @dandrezner.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
open.substack.com
The Literally Insensitive Jeff Bezos
You know it's hard out there for a centibillionaire.
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6 News Australia @6newsau.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🚨 NEW: A majority of Australians think Donald Trump is the greatest threat to world peace, according to a YouGov poll commissioned for The Australia Institute released today Last year, a Dynata poll (also for The Australia Institute) saw 31% rate Trump as the greatest threat
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...
open.substack.com
Power, democracy, and clarity
What does the end of the Voting Rights Act mean?
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
This just makes me feel good.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Incredible reporting here.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Actually, it ended with neither peace nor honor.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 31/03/2026
McCormick: "We were horrible in Vietnam until we did Rolling Thunder Two, then we won. As soon as we do half-measures, we lose. The faster we get this over the better. If we seize Kharg island, it could be done almost flawlessly. If we have enough firepower, it would be very easy to defend."
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 30/03/2026
whoa
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
I don't always love Ezra Klein, but this is a thoughtful and important essay. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Saw Something New in San Francisco
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Scenes from #nokings Denver. Just warming up.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Indeed. Nice, beautifully written piece about a disaster in the making.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
JFC
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Wouldn't miss it...trying to decide on my sign.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Ditto
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
About to board my flight @denverairport.bsky.social and I have to complement the @tsaprecheck.bsky.social folks here. So cheerful and helpful. Despite everything. Thank you!
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Big Tech waking up? "In Washington, representatives of large tech groups have warned of a slippery slope in which the government can suddenly turn on any company." Anthropic showdown fractures Donald Trump’s pact with Silicon Valley - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
giftarticle.ft.com
Anthropic showdown fractures Donald Trump’s pact with Silicon Valley
Administration faces unprecedented criticism from Big Tech and former supporters over attacks on the AI lab
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Almost impossible to keep up with all the shit.
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Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Iran War Live Updates: First 6 Days Cost U.S. $11.3 Billion, Pentagon Says, Acknowledge that this total "excludes many costs tied to the buildup," so the true cost is likely much higher
nytimes.com
Iran War Live Updates: First 6 Days Cost U.S. $11.3 Billion, Pentagon Says
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Shocking that the foreign minister of the murderous Iranian regime sounds so much more sensible than American officials.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Yup, every war. The war of unintended consequences - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
giftarticle.ft.com
The war of unintended consequences
Israel and the US have achieved many military aims in Iran, but the unpredictable fallout poses threats to everyone
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Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
"Just 36% approve of how Trump is handling Iran, and a majority (55%) thinks Iran either represents a minor threat or no threat at all to the United States." www.npr.org/2026/03/06/n...
npr.org
Poll: A majority of Americans opposes U.S. military action in Iran
Most Americans disapprove of President Trump's handling of Iran, and a majority sees Iran as either only a minor threat or no threat at all, an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
First blog since Jan 2025. Inspired by a somewhat depressing interaction with my students. www.deborahavant.com/post/dogs-an...
deborahavant.com
Dogs and students and this moment
I am a political scientist. I have spent the last 30+ years studying security, including war and how to best manage violence. Today when I picked up the paper (or the NYT app on my phone, actually), I...
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Searching for a rationale for Iran? Add this to the list. www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/2026/03/mrff...
militaryreligiousfreedom.org
MRFF Inundated with Complaints of Gleeful Commanders Telling Troops Iran War is “Part of God’s Divine Plan” to Usher in the Return of Jesus Christ
“This morning our commander opened up the combat readiness status briefing by urging us to not be “afraid” as to what is happening with our combat operations in Iran right now. He urged us to tell our...
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
'You need people’s faith in a democratic project. And what I’m realizing is that accountability for the elite, having some sense of justice, is essential to build trust for the broader vision.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Ro Khanna Is Shaken by What He’s Learned From the Epstein Files
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🗽LOLGOP🗽 @lolgop.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
One of the things I was most surprised to learn about Hitler recently is that his "success" was entirely built on bumbling from failure to failure and declaring victory every time.
tiktok.com
In case you're wondering what a Hitler scholar thinks Trump had most in common with Hitler.
TikTok video by LOLGOP
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
A little sunshine for your day.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
One of the best pieces of advice for the Dems that I have seen from @himself.bsky.social BLUF? Ditch the median voter commitment and start experimenting. open.substack.com/pub/programm...
open.substack.com
The Median Voter Theorem is a Clarity Trap
What the Democratic party needs; what it demands, is bold, persistent experimentation
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
America first?
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Priceless
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Bill McKibben @billmckibben.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Very big win here. A federal judge says it's just fine for funds and pension plans to boycott fossil fuels www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/c...
nytimes.com
Federal Judge Blocks Texas Law Targeting Critics of Fossil Fuels
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
No words. www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
chronicle.com
Tenure Will Be Eliminated at Most of Oklahoma’s Public Colleges, Governor Says
Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, directed the state’s two-dozen regional universities and community colleges to phase out the practice. Existing faculty members will be grandfathered in.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 05/02/2026
NEW: Trump's plan to steal the Midterms. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/trumps-pla...
muellershewrote.com
Trump’s Plan to Nationalize Elections Using Fabricated Claims of Foreign Interference
A recent history of Donald's attempts to conjure up foreign election interference in an effort to seize voting machines and control elections in the name of national security.
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
@matthewhoffman.bsky.social has some hopeful words on the possibilities of meeting the climate challenge in the wake of the "rule based order". theconversation.com/addressing-c...
theconversation.com
Addressing climate change without the ‘rules-based order’
Everyone who cares about climate action must now grapple with how climate politics can function in a new world of uncertainty.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 31/01/2026
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here. (clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
The United States is responsible for about 95 percent of the money owed to the United Nations, about $2.2 billion... www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/w...
nytimes.com
U.N. Says It’s in Danger of Financial Collapse Because of Unpaid Dues
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Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
@crow.house.gov : the tactics you use to build are different from those you use to destroy. But they should not be confused with weakness. We need to use building tactics, but build something new and better - a government that works. @josefkorbelschool.bsky.social
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