Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 15hImportant words here. - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FTgiftarticle.ft.comHannah Arendt and why friendship matters more than truthIn a polarised age, the political theorist’s notion of civic fellowship is essential 000
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 24/09/2026It'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 @FTgiftarticle.ft.comHow to think about the end of the worldBringing clarity to a fuzzy P(doom) debate 010
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 15/09/2026In 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.comHow should social science think about AI?Big structures and large processes are back, baby 120
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Young Americans have never witnessed a functioning foreign policy - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FTgiftarticle.ft.comYoung Americans have never witnessed a functioning foreign policyTwenty-five years after 9/11, debt and defence spending are ballooning while diplomacy is starved and allies are alienated 011
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 05/09/2026A 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 @FTgiftarticle.ft.comRerun or sequel? Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor on end times fascismHow nationalists, theocrats and tech titans turned their backs on a shared future 011
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Grateful 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.comGloria Steinem, Personification of the Feminist Movement, Dies at 92She 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. 010
Reposted by Deborah AvantDeborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Some, 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.comThe Last Day of My Employment...This is the last day of my employment. 0153
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Some, 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.comThe Last Day of My Employment...This is the last day of my employment. 0153
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.comOpinion | 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. 010
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Different masculinity performances in different states... super interesting 101
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/08/2026It'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.comA Very Important Post About.... Men Wearing Shorts in the OfficeSome very important late August thoughts. 372
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Yes, I thought the same (though he was still championing anti-trans policies so... limited respect, but still respect). 010
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Everyone should read this. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...theatlantic.comThe Wrong Kind of AmericanThe Trump White House needed me—until the fact that I am trans became public. 144
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 17/08/2026There is something very important here. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/o...nytimes.comOpinion | To Save Higher Ed, Professors Need to Get a Little WeirdTeachers need to model the passion they want to see. 031
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 26/05/2026The 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.orgTrump DOJ mass-deletes info on Jan. 6 riot cases, including violent assaults on copsThe 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. 031
Reposted by Deborah AvantInternational Studies Association @isanet.bsky.social · 21/05/2026There’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 021
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.comThe Literally Insensitive Jeff BezosYou know it's hard out there for a centibillionaire. 010
Reposted by Deborah Avant6 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 612635
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 01/05/2026open.substack.com/pub/donmoyni...open.substack.comPower, democracy, and clarityWhat does the end of the Voting Rights Act mean? 001
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Actually, it ended with neither peace nor honor. 000
Reposted by Deborah AvantAaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 31/03/2026McCormick: "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." 11571285242
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 29/03/2026I don't always love Ezra Klein, but this is a thoughtful and important essay. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/o...nytimes.comOpinion | I Saw Something New in San Francisco 000
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Scenes from #nokings Denver. Just warming up. 053
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Indeed. Nice, beautifully written piece about a disaster in the making. 000
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 22/03/2026Wouldn't miss it...trying to decide on my sign. 020
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 21/03/2026About 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! 030
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Big 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 @FTgiftarticle.ft.comAnthropic showdown fractures Donald Trump’s pact with Silicon ValleyAdministration faces unprecedented criticism from Big Tech and former supporters over attacks on the AI lab 011
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 12/03/2026Almost impossible to keep up with all the shit. 010
Reposted by Deborah AvantJason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · 12/03/2026Iran 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 highernytimes.comIran War Live Updates: First 6 Days Cost U.S. $11.3 Billion, Pentagon Says 13019
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 10/03/2026Shocking that the foreign minister of the murderous Iranian regime sounds so much more sensible than American officials. 021
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 07/03/2026Yup, every war. The war of unintended consequences - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FTgiftarticle.ft.comThe war of unintended consequencesIsrael and the US have achieved many military aims in Iran, but the unpredictable fallout poses threats to everyone 041
Reposted by Deborah AvantDaniel 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.orgPoll: A majority of Americans opposes U.S. military action in IranMost 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. 59741
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 06/03/2026First blog since Jan 2025. Inspired by a somewhat depressing interaction with my students. www.deborahavant.com/post/dogs-an...deborahavant.comDogs and students and this momentI 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... 042
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Searching for a rationale for Iran? Add this to the list. www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/2026/03/mrff...militaryreligiousfreedom.orgMRFF 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... 111
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.comOpinion | Ro Khanna Is Shaken by What He’s Learned From the Epstein Files 010
Reposted by Deborah Avant🗽LOLGOP🗽 @lolgop.bsky.social · 13/02/2026One 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.comIn case you're wondering what a Hitler scholar thinks Trump had most in common with Hitler.TikTok video by LOLGOP 315453
Deborah Avant @deborahavant.bsky.social · 12/02/2026One 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.comThe Median Voter Theorem is a Clarity TrapWhat the Democratic party needs; what it demands, is bold, persistent experimentation 031