Reposted by Heidi UrbenForeign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 29/09/2025While every administration has fired some military leaders, none has relieved so many, so early in their tenure, and in this dramatic fashion.foreignpolicy.comHow Military Leaders Should Respond to Trump’s Norm-BustingThere’s no shame in getting fired when it is not for cause. 33918 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 20/09/2025Holy cow! Look at that. I had so much fun yesterday talking to Domers. It’s been so good to be back…even if half of campus is entirely unrecognizable to me. 010 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Congrats again! So glad it’s here and can’t wait to host your book talk at @georgetownssp.bsky.social 030 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 11/08/2025Way to go! I know the feeling. One of my top 10 most tiring events ever. 010 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025To me, it really just confirms how you can’t separate the Army and parade from the context of it all. 040 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025This all shows the perils of politicizing the military - Americans are desperate to see it as their co-partisan - and how all sorts of narratives can easily take root about the military when you don’t really know it at all. Fin/ 3968 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025I can be critical of the Army, but it did the best it could do under the circumstances. Perhaps there’s a silver lining in that it did give the public some insights into its Army at a time when it’s hard for the public to really know its military. 7/ 2805 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025People who are surprised by how the Army went about fulfilling this task it was handed, haven’t been to an installation-wide 4th of July fest or division week. I’d much rather the parade have that vibe than something more ominous. 6/ 1955 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025In any case, many who feared the optic of goose stepping soldiers down Constitution but are now calling it low energy should be glad our Army doesn’t put a high premium on marching and parades. 5/ 417418 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025And if you can’t hear the drum beat over music being played, it’s easy to get out of step. To members from the other services who are sniping about this or other aspects of the parade, be glad your service wasn’t put in this position. 4/ 3934 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025Some are suggesting the troops marched in formation poorly on purpose. I hate to break it to folks, outside of the various bands and the Fife and Drum Corps whose jobs are to march in formation for a living, it’s not something troops spend a lot of time doing, nor do they really want to. 3/ 21187 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025In short, I think the criticism demonstrates two things: the impossibility of separating the Army/parade from the context in which it occurred and how little the American public knows its Army. 2/ 1719 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 15/06/2025I’ve found the parade criticism™ fascinating and maybe even a little disappointing, and this comes from someone who would have preferred the Army not to be put in this position in the first place. 1/ 1110725 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 14/06/2025Wise words from GEN (Ret) Dempsey on the Army’s 250th birthday - on the importance of the military being nonpartisan and having leaders of character who carry themselves, and therefore the institution, with humility. warontherocks.com/2025/06/a-so...warontherocks.comA Soldier For Life – War on the Rocks 072 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/06/2025Fair. I purposefully chose to make a very narrow argument here and focus on the breakdown of the military’s norm of nonpartisanship, but yes, that’s occurring amidst a much larger breakdown of norms, etc. 030 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/06/2025I use this clip in my civil-military relations class all the time. 030 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/06/2025Thanks to @defenseone.bsky.social for publishing my latest on the military’s norm of nonpartisanship and why Army leaders must uphold and teach this, now more than ever. www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/0...defenseone.comThe military must remain nonpartisan. America depends on itThe soldiers who cheered partisan applause lines at Fort Bragg, and their leaders, erred in a spectacular way. 29642 0
Reposted by Heidi UrbenJosh Chafetz @joshchafetz.bsky.social · 06/03/2025With his permission, I'm sharing Dean Treanor's response to Ed Martin's letter: 845195875437 0
Reposted by Heidi UrbenLawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/02/2025@lindsaypcohn.bsky.social writes that President Trump's removal of top military leaders and uniformed lawyers increases the likelihood that the military will obey orders to suppress domestic protest or civil resistance and reduces the military's effectiveness in other missions.lawfaremedia.orgTrump’s Military Purge Spells Trouble for Democracy and DefenseFiring military leaders for perceived disloyalty is often part of a strategy to consolidate regime power—even as it weakens the military. 411849 0
Reposted by Heidi UrbenDon Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 23/02/2025A useful thing that academics and others can do is provide explainers to local media. This is a nice example from my former @mccourtschool.bsky.social colleague Bill Gormley. www.post-gazette.com/opinion/insi...post-gazette.comBill Gormley: A word in favor of the bureaucratsAlmost every American has suffered an annoying or even angering encounter with a bureaucrat. An obstructive response after a long wait at a DMV line. A... 520652 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 09/01/2025If you're an HBCU student interested in Georgetown University's summer security studies institute, join us tonight at 6pm EST for an info session on Zoom. @georgetownssp.bsky.social 021 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 03/12/2024Timely analysis by some of the best civ-mil scholars out there. A must read. 182 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 27/11/2024Agree. This excerpt from the IDA report remains mind boggling to me. 130 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 27/11/2024AP has done some really good reporting on the issue of extremism in the military. The extent of extremism in the military is likely very low, but an unwillingness to examine the extent of the problem is troubling. apnews.com/article/pent...apnews.comAP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old dataEarly this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate... 47022 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 24/11/2024#CivMilSky will continue to be a good resource in the coming days 160 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 24/11/2024www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...foreignaffairs.comDon’t Ask the U.S. Military to Save American DemocracyWhy the armed forces would struggle to rein in Trump. 150 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 24/11/2024warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/pol...warroom.armywarcollege.eduNORMS, POLITICIZATION, AND THE MILITARY PROFESSIONAttempts across the globe to #politicize the military for political gain threaten #democracy. Risa Brooks discusses the importance of norms in upholding democratic values 140 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 24/11/2024www.justsecurity.org/87053/the-al...justsecurity.orgThe All-Volunteer Force at 50: Civil-Military Solutions in a Time of Partisan PolarizationThe U.S. military's recruiting crisis may be exacerbated by politicization. Practical steps from civilian and military leaders can help. 150 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 24/11/2024Agree, although lots of great civil-military relations scholars here have been warning about politicization of the military for years. Some recent, relevant work here: www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...foreignaffairs.comThe Creeping Politicization of the U.S. MilitaryHow Republicans’ loyalty tests erode national security. 191 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 18/11/2024Thrilled to announce our call for applications for the fourth annual security studies summer institute for HBCU students hosted by @georgetownssp.bsky.social. Applications are due 1/31/2025. Help us spread the word! Learn more here: css.georgetown.edu/summer-hbcu/css.georgetown.eduSecurity Studies Summer Institute for HBCU Students - CSS 0115 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/11/2024www.lawfaremedia.org/article/can-...lawfaremedia.orgCan the Military Disobey Orders in the SEAL Team 6 Hypothetical?Two reasons for cautious optimism—or at least cautious suspension of outright horror 141 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/11/2024www.justsecurity.org/72934/wrestl...justsecurity.orgWrestling with Legal and Illegal Orders in the Military in the Months AheadGiven what we’ve witnessed over the last few months, armed forces should critically review their training for both judge advocates and commanders. 150 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 12/11/2024A few resources on the topic of legal/illegal orders and lawful but awful orders: www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...foreignaffairs.comDon’t Ask the U.S. Military to Save American DemocracyWhy the armed forces would struggle to rein in Trump. 140 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 07/11/2024Doesn’t give me any joy to do so, but reupping this… www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state... #civmilskyforeignaffairs.comDon’t Ask the U.S. Military to Save American DemocracyWhy the armed forces would struggle to rein in Trump. 0114 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 19/10/2024Thanks, Jason! Really enjoyed recording this with you, @risabrooks12.bsky.social and @eclipticevader.bsky.social 020 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 17/09/2024Thrilled to share this educational video on civil-military relations, "The Soldier and the Constitution" released today, fittingly, on Constitution Day. A great resource that emphasizes the importance of the military's norm of nonpartisanship. #MilSky, #CivMilSky www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXzt...youtube.comThe Soldier and the ConstitutionYouTube video by Army University Press 1218 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 13/09/2024Includes a shout-out to the great new research by @profjessblankshain.bsky.social, @lindsaypcohn.bsky.social, and @proflupton.bsky.social. #civmilsky 070 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 13/09/2024The latest from me and Peter Feaver on how the SCOTUS immunity decision and potential for lawful but awful orders harms civil-military relations and makes the military's job that much harder. www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...foreignaffairs.comDon’t Ask the U.S. Military to Save American DemocracyWhy the armed forces would struggle to rein in Trump. 184 0
Reposted by Heidi UrbenElizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 26/03/2024Thrilled for The Insiders' Game publication day. After so many years of work, looking forward to hearing reactions from the many scholars, students, and friends who helped along the way. Intro available on the @princetonupress.bsky.social page (hubs.ly/Q02p8-zc0). Use code P325 for 30% off. Polisky 87328 0
Heidi Urben @heidiurben.bsky.social · 08/03/2024Thanks to @lawfare.bsky.social for for publishing the latest by @risabrooks12.bsky.social, @eclipticevader.bsky.social and me on how retired general and flag officers weigh normative considerations regarding political speech. 031 0