Reposted by James BarnettYvan Guichaoua @yguichaoua.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Heavy gunfire at Niamey airport 33725
Reposted by James BarnettVincent Foucher @vincentfoucher.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Pleased to share this piece written with @james-barnett.bsky.social and Murtala Ahmed Rufai on the Sadiku group, a branch of #BokoHaram #JASDJ which has been growing roots in Northwestern Nigeria for some years now. Open Access, too... www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comThe Politics of Jihadist Expansion: Sadiku and “Boko Haram” In Northwestern NigeriaFormed in 2020–2021, the Sadiku group is the extension to northwestern Nigeria of the jihad waged in the country’s northeast by Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li-Da’wa wal-Jihad (JASDJ), the outfit created b... 145
Reposted by James BarnettWashington Post Opinions @postopinions.bsky.social · 09/11/2025"A military intervention premised on the wrong diagnosis would not save Nigerian Christians," @james-barnett.bsky.social writes. wapo.st/3LPioMswapo.stOpinion | Nigeria’s crisis runs deeper than just a war on ChristiansThe Trump administration is dangerously misreading the conflict and its causes. 182
Reposted by James BarnettPatrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 25/10/2025On a deadly serious note, the President cannot rely on external, private sources to fund spending as an end-run around Congress’ constitutional power of the purse. If he can, we no longer have a republic. 49579602265
Reposted by James BarnettDIIS - Danish Institute for International Studies @handle.invalid · 23/10/2025The scorched-earth tactic has been used as a war tactic since ancient times. And it is still used in modern warfare. Senior Researcher at DIIS, Peer Schouten, has just received a grant from the Independent Research Fund Denmark to map how the tactic is used today in a three-year project 🎉 073
Reposted by James BarnettQusay Noor @qusaynoor.net · 21/10/2025#UK removes Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organisation list 0118
Reposted by James BarnettYvan Guichaoua @yguichaoua.bsky.social · 18/10/2025Diarra will comply. This is the power of embargoes: not just an instrument of warfare but also a massively effective instrument of governance. We have a major bus company accepting the ruling of a jihadist group, making wonder who governs Mali 174
Reposted by James BarnettGreg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 17/10/2025News on Trump boat bombings --> Now that SouthCom Commander Alvin Holsey has resigned, likely over the bombings, ranking Armed Services Dem Adam Smith tells me committee Ds will demand Holsey's sworn testimony and press Rs to join them. Smith spoke to us on the pod: newrepublic.com/article/2019...newrepublic.comTrump Boat Bombings Take Darker Turn as Top Official Suddenly ResignsAs the head of the military’s Southern Command steps down, Adam Smith, the top Armed Services Committee Democrat, sheds new light on the departure—and on Trump’s appalling secrecy about the bombings. 461989670
Reposted by James BarnettAaron Y. Zelin @azelin.bsky.social · 15/10/2025New Jihadology Guest Post: Who Are Nigeria’s “Newest” Jihadist Militants? by @james-barnett.bsky.social and @vincentfoucher.bsky.social jihadology.net/2025/10/15/g...jihadology.netGUEST POST: Who Are Nigeria’s “Newest” Jihadist Militants? 0138
Reposted by James BarnettOdd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · 15/10/2025It’s the 111th anniversary today of the birth of Harry Rée, who was a teacher and conscientious objector when the Second World War broke out, and by the time it ended, when he was 31, had invented ‘blackmail sabotage’ and got a DSO, an OBE, a Croix de Guerre, and a Medaille de la Resistance 26697240
Reposted by James BarnettThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 15/10/2025Breaking News: Raila Odinga, a former prime minister and a towering figure of Kenyan politics, died at 80. Read more: nyti.ms/42D5BT9 13312
Reposted by James BarnettJoel S. @joelhs.bsky.social · 12/10/2025The new pope is quoting Hannah Arendt. www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...cbsnews.comPope Leo calls for news agencies to stand as bulwark against "post-truths," lies and manipulationPope Leo XIV has encouraged international news agencies to stand firm as a bulwark against the "ancient art of lying" and manipulation. 452314617
Reposted by James BarnettRich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 11/10/2025Chicago priest Fr. Larry Dowling describes procession to ICE facility: “No one had the courage to speak directly to us. No one from Homeland Security could stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.” 273161204895
Reposted by James BarnettJacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 12/10/2025The deportation order derives from the crime of which he has now been exonerated. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...miamiherald.comHe was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took himSubramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation. 9725011124
Reposted by James BarnettDare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · 12/10/2025Fukuyama debunks the AI abundance myth: we can't feed or clothe all not due to a lack of smarts, but priorities and resources. The world simply can't sustain the abundant lifestyle AI proponents promise, lacking even the electricity to run the very AI they favor. 514429
Reposted by James BarnettYvan Guichaoua @yguichaoua.bsky.social · 12/10/2025What a storytheguardian.comRestitution row: how Nigeria’s new home for the Benin bronzes ended up with clay replicasThe public display of artefacts looted by British colonial forces at the new Museum of West African Art was supposed to be the crowning glory of a decades-long restitution effort. What went wrong? 021
Reposted by James BarnettThe Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 10/10/2025George was just trying to get to work. ICE pepper-sprayed him, dragged him from his car, locked him in a detention center, and placed him on suicide watch. He even missed his young daughter’s birthday in the process. This man is a veteran and American citizen. Don't look away. 379143017150
Reposted by James BarnettThe Economist @economist.com · 09/10/2025The anguish of migration is the context of Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film, but in the foreground is a breathless sequence of shoot-outs, rooftop flights and car chases, powered by a fiery soundtrackecon.st“One Battle After Another” wins the warPaul Thomas Anderson gives a masterclass in making a political film 081
Reposted by James BarnettOlúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 08/10/2025repost this if an editor has ever saved you from yourself 5637311081
Reposted by James BarnettNorman Aselmeyer @aselmeyer.bsky.social · 07/10/2025Here’s the term card for the Northeast Africa Forum in Oxford, a research seminar focused on the broader East Africa region. We meet on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., and most sessions are also held in hybrid format. @jasonmosley.bsky.social @mwangimwaura.bsky.social @terrefebiruk.bsky.social 0107
Reposted by James BarnettChicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 06/10/2025Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. trib.al/9Sxu9INtrib.alAttorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shootingBody-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial. 803159627493
Reposted by James BarnettNicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 06/10/2025If U.S. states have any degree of sovereignty, if there’s any states’ rights at all, it is the right not to be invaded by the armed forces of another U.S. state. 248131573440
Reposted by James BarnettDavid Gilbert @davidgilbert.bsky.social · 06/10/2025Over the weekend, Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller repeatedly attacked judges, calling them part of an "organized terrorist attack" on the US government.... On Saturday, the home of a judge who ruled against Trump, went up in flames time.com/7323442/sout...time.comHouse of South Carolina Judge Criticized by Trump Administration Set AblazeAuthorities are investigating a fire at the home of a South Carolina judge who had reportedly received death threats in what could be the latest incident of political violence across the country. 7120091212
Reposted by James Barnett♟️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · 04/10/2025🚨 #MOGADISHU Al-Shabaab militants stormed Godka Jilicow, a high-security spy agency prison near #Somalia's presidential palace. The attack began with car bomb, followed by gunmen. Reports say 8 attackers: 4 killed, 4 still fighting inside. Elite Gaashaan forces deployed. 001
Reposted by James BarnettKristina Cooke @kristinacooke.bsky.social · 04/10/2025I spoke to a Venezuelan woman who was arrested in this raid and later released with her 4yo son. She said agents broke down their door, pointed guns at them and made sexualized remarks about Venezuelan women. When she returned to her apartment it was boarded up and all her possessions were gone. 23754953233
Reposted by James Barnett♟️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · 01/10/2025🚨 #SOMALIA President Hassan and Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe are set to meet in Kismaayo, even as courts in Mogadishu & Kismaayo pursue treason cases against both. Neither case has been dropped — underscoring how Somalia's judiciary is used as a political tool. 001
Reposted by James BarnettThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 04/10/2025Russian drones struck two passenger trains in northern Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring dozens of others in the region of Sumy, Ukrainian officials said.nyti.msRussian Drones Hit 2 Passenger Trains, Ukraine SaysThe drone strikes killed at least one person and injured dozens of others, officials said. The attack came amid rising alarm about the status of a nuclear plant relying solely on generators. 119337
Reposted by James BarnettDon Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 04/10/2025This is an administration that does sizzle reels of ICE abusing communities. They want the visuals of dominance, regardless of the law. 826286
Reposted by James BarnettDavid J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 01/10/2025ICE lied about the person it shot, claiming he was a "criminal," but NBC finds that he had no criminal history whatsoever. Not even traffic tickets in 12 years! It also lied about the extent of the injuries to its agents.... 10045901832
Reposted by James BarnettAaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 02/10/2025Surreal moment for America. Needless to say, if the normal police ever pulled something like this — pulling every single person out of an apartment building and handcuffing them to run warrant checks — they would be sued into oblivion. Yet ICE is going to get away with it entirely. 21255212748
Reposted by James BarnettKori Schake @kschake.bsky.social · 01/10/2025My thoughts on the Quantico meetingforeignpolicy.comTrump’s Speech to Generals Was Incitement to Violence Against AmericansMilitary leaders’ quiet professionalism offers hope amid a maelstrom. 11396143
Reposted by James BarnettRachel Savage @rachelmsavage.bsky.social · 30/09/2025South Africa's ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa, was found dead at the foot of the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Tuesday. The Paris prosecutor's office said he had booked a room on the 22nd floor and a secured window had been forced open. It said the investigation was ongoingreuters.comSouth Africa's ambassador to France found dead at foot of Paris hotel towerSouth Africa's ambassador to France was found dead on Tuesday at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel, a high-rise tower in the west of Paris, the Paris prosecutor's office said. 015
Reposted by James BarnettMarisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 30/09/2025Horrifying— Barbara Gomes Marques went with her US citizen husband and lawyer on 9/16 to a green card appointment at USCIS office in downtown LA where she was tricked into walking down a hallway away from them, was snatched by ICE and never came back. She now faces imminent deportation in Louisiana.cbsnews.comLos Angeles man demands answers after wife was detained at scheduled green card meetingA man is speaking out and asking for help after his wife was detained by federal agents at the end of a scheduled green card hearing in downtown Los Angeles in early September. 9850702202
Reposted by James BarnettBill Wolkoff @billwearsties.bsky.social · 28/09/2025Indie director Barbara Marques has been kidnapped by ICE. She is legally married to a U.S. citizen & was at a green card mtg when she was abducted and prevented from seeing her lawyer. Her husband Tucker May does not know where she is. Please spread the word so he can find her /1 7668954544
Reposted by James BarnettCarl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 26/09/2025(ABC News) - Russia is selling military equipment and technology to China that could help Beijing prepare for an airborne invasion of Taiwan, according to an analysis of leaked Russian documents by a London think tank. abcnews.go.com/Internationa...abcnews.go.comRussia is helping China to prepare for potential invasion of Taiwan, think tank saysAnalysis from the Royal United Services Institute in London says Russia is selling military equipment and technology to China that could help Beijing prepare for an airborne takeover of Taiwan 19304168
Reposted by James BarnettAaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 21/09/2025This is it, essentially. The core of it. The goal of ICE detention in the mass deportation system is to make people give up their case without fighting; to have an officer say “if you want to see a judge and plead your case, you’re going to be jailed for months and months, so why not give up now?” 472095798
Reposted by James BarnettKristof Titeca @kristoftiteca.bsky.social · 22/09/2025Please sign this petition for the release of Joseph Figueira Martin, a humanitarian who's been arbitrarily detained (for close to 1,5 years..) and tortured in the Central African Republic. petitions.protecthumanitarians.org/en/petitions...petitions.protecthumanitarians.orgSign the Petition: Free Joseph Figueira Martin! Humanitarian arbitrarily detained and tortured in the Central African RepublicSign the petition to protect those who risk their lives to save others. 055
Reposted by James Barnett♟️ @zakeriye.bsky.social · 17/09/2025BREAKING: The US military says it carried out airstrikes in #Somalia’s northeastern Sanaag region on September 13, killing a local elder, Omar Abdullahi Abdi. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) described Omar as an al-Shabaab weapons dealer, though no evidence was publicly provided to support the claim. 101
Reposted by James BarnettTomas Hirst @tomashirstecon.bsky.social · 13/09/2025This is the owner of X actively campaigning to take down the elected government of a country he is neither a resident nor a citizen of - and using threats of violence in the streets to further his aims www.theguardian.com/politics/liv... 44769308
Reposted by James BarnettSteve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 12/09/2025Two key things to point out re: Trump sending National Guard troops to Memphis: 1) Unlike in blue states, there’s just no need for this; even if circumstances warranted, Governor Lee, who still commands the TN National Guard, could’ve just sent them in himself; and 2) Chicago (and Illinois) won. 903740710
Reposted by James BarnettThe Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 11/09/2025The assassination of Charlie Kirk is apparently the latest in a string of terrifying acts of political violence in the U.S. “A society that resorts to violence to solve its problems starts to surrender its claim on being a society,” @dgraham.bsky.social writes.bit.lyThe Horrifying Assassination of Charlie KirkThe shooting of the conservative activist is the latest act of political violence in the United States. 8554387
Reposted by James BarnettEuromaidan Press @euromaidanpress.bsky.social · 10/09/2025For months, Russia used motorcycles and infantry around Pokrovsk. No tanks in sight. Then satellite images showed something terrifying: 150,000 troops moving south with armored vehicles. euromaidanpress.com/2025/09/11/p...euromaidanpress.comRussia saved armor all year for this moment—150,000 troops close in on PokrovskRussian reinforcements are surging toward Pokrovsk. But so are Ukrainian reinforcements. A big fight looms. 108838
Reposted by James BarnettDIIS - Danish Institute for International Studies @handle.invalid · 05/09/2025In Northwest Nigeria, widespread banditry rivals and even surpasses jihadism in scope and impact. In two DIIS Reports researchers map the phenomenon, identifying over 150 different groups. Read "Battle for the bush" 👉 www.diis.dk/en/node/27802 and "Divided they rule?" 👉 www.diis.dk/en/node/27805 012
Reposted by James BarnettAnton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 10/09/2025These images from Poland show the aftermath of the Russian drones crossing the border into Poland. Several facts already point that their movement, the direction of the drones' flight was not accidental. It's not enough to acknowledge that the drones were Russian. 511393543
Reposted by James BarnettCJ Fogler @cjzero.bsky.social · 31/08/2025Incredible level of starting something you have zero intention of finishing 151008222
Reposted by James BarnettMichael Clemens @mclem.org · 28/08/2025This is a real photograph of Washington, DC this week, where the United States president has ordered military occupation in peacetime, and ordered the display of colossal portraits of himself. www.wsj.com/politics/pol... 6100584303
James Barnett @james-barnett.bsky.social · 28/08/2025Pleased to share two new reports written with Peer Schouten for DIIS on Nigeria's banditry crisis The first provides historical context, framing banditry as a violent, decentralized response to decades of agrarian (and political) change in Nigeria: www.diis.dk/en/research/... (1/2)diis.dkBattle for the bushBanditry and violent agrarian change in northwest Nigeria 211