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Mike Tierney

@miketierneyir.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.1K following 120 posts

Director William & Mary's Global Research Institute | Prof. of International Relations | TRIP Survey (Bridging Academic-Policy Gap) | AidData (China's Development Finance) | International Organizations | Beer | Miami Dolphins mjtierney.weebly.com

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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Love this so much. Should out to my colleagues at @wm.edu AidData. #Data transparency is good.
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Paul Avey @paulcavey.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Some thoughts on the U.S.-Iran war's implications for U.S. deterrence elsewhere. I draw on views of former U.S. foreign policy officials and U.S.-based IR faculty. Thanks to the indefatigable TRIP team for including the question, @miketierneyir.bsky.social; @rmpowers.bsky.social
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
President Tim Sullivan was present at the creation of @global-wm.bsky.social. Taylor Reveley was the President at @wm.edu when we moved from the basement of Blow Hall to 427 Scotland Street. Love hearing them reminisce. www.youtube.com/watch?v=94pS...
youtube.com
An OTOD Message from Presidents Reveley and Sullivan
YouTube video by Global Research Institute
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Perspectives on Politics @poppublicsphere.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
¡¡VOLUME 24, ISSUE 1 IS NOW OUT!! doi.org/10.1017/S153... www.cambridge.org/core/journal... Incl. work by @elliotaposner.bsky.social, @excubs.bsky.social, @roselynhsueh.bsky.social, @andresuribe.bsky.social, @phillegitimate.bsky.social, @natanski.bsky.social, @stephanieternullo.bsky.social...
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William & Mary @wm.edu · 22/10/2025
William & Mary is reshaping how research grows. A new four-phased incubator model at the Global Research Institute will support interdisciplinary teams of students & faculty as they turn early ideas into high-impact projects.
news.wm.edu
William & Mary launches dynamic research incubator following R1 university designation
GRI’s next chapter transforms applied research development to accelerate faculty collaboration and student training.
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William & Mary @wm.edu · 04/12/2025
William & Mary is once again named the #1 public university in the U.S. for study-abroad participation, according to the Open Doors 2025 Report. As an integral part of the Vision 2026 strategic plan, W&M continues to invest in global experiences that drive academic excellence and career readiness.
news.wm.edu
William & Mary remains No. 1 public university for study abroad
William & Mary is once again the top-ranked public university in the nation for study-abroad participation, a ranking it has attained 12 times over the last 17 years.
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William & Mary @wm.edu · 01/04/2026
With contributions from more than 100 students, AidData has mapped China’s overseas port financing like never before. The new report and open dataset reveal a global network of ports, equipment, and nearby resources—shedding light on Beijing’s long-term strategy for supply chain security.
news.wm.edu
China’s $24B in port financing encircles the globe, reaching 90 countries
New AidData report and dataset provide the clearest picture yet of Beijing’s race for maritime dominance.
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William & Mary @wm.edu · 08/04/2026
The countdown to William & Mary Weekend in D.C. begins! 🕒 Join the W&M community May 28–31 for a unique weekend of connection & exploration in the capital. Registration is now open.
weekend.wm.edu
William & Mary Weekend
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Rare to read anything these days on U.S.-China relations that causes you to look at the issue in a new light. Alex Yu-Ting Lin and @robertralston.bsky.social‬ shed new light on whether and to what extent there is a "consensus" on the China threat. Great use of survey data to illuminate a key issue.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
"We're eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked." www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/w...
nytimes.com
U.S. to Allow Russian Oil Tanker to Reach Cuba, Breaking Blockade
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
W&M's Global Research Institute is making a joint hire with the Dept of Government in International Security/US Foreign Policy at the Associate or Full Professor level. We are looking for someone to build and grow an externally-funded lab/center. williammary.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WM/det...
williammary.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com
Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security)
Job Requisition: JR101516 Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security) (Open) Job Posting Title: Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security) Department: CC...
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Cullen Hendrix @cullenhendrix.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Assuming you are not a city mouse, this is an amazing opportunity. @wm.edu is a fantastic school in a lovely setting. Among non-PhD IR departments I put it at the top of the list. Great colleagues, great environment. @miketierneyir.bsky.social and the team have something very special.
williammary.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com
Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security)
Job Requisition: JR101516 Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security) (Open) Job Posting Title: Associate or Full Professor of Government (International Security) Department: CC...
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Elizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
It really is the MadLib War. Which is not meant to be funny, but rather highlights how profoundly absurd the administration’s shifting aims and justifications are. We attacked Iran because ______, and had to go now because _____.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Love learning from my former students. This from Nitya Labh, who is now a research fellow at Chatham House...
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Carnegie Endowment @carnegieendowment.org · 01/04/2025
Our current understanding of sovereignty assumes that sovereign nations have defined, fixed geographical boundaries. As the climate crisis worsens, argues Nitya Labh, that’s not the case. We illustrated why 👇 Read more here: buff.ly/tHQSTwn
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Nicole Bedera @nbedera.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports. And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.” Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
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Guy Grossman @guygrossman.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
David Lake and Jeff Frieden have a new paper analyzing the Trump Administration’s trade policies. They put them in historical perspective and summarize their expected impact. Well worth a read. Link: blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/jaf81/files/...
blogs.cuit.columbia.edu
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Elizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
The first question in this press conference should be addressed to the others standing with Trump: "Raise your hand if you knew the US would be running Venezuela for the foreseeable future?"
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weeder @weeder.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
We had a good run
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Michael Kagan @michaelgkagan.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
I feel like I haven’t even been properly lied to about the purposes of this war
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Gates Forum #4 last week @wm.edu. We hosted members of Congress, policymakers, journalists, and scholars to develop recommendations on how the government and private sector employ security assistance to achieve various goals. Research Report forthcoming. @global-wm.bsky.social
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Kudos to @jeffkopstein.bsky.social and Steve Hanson for getting their book on my annual Christmas list! Assault on the State is one of @foreignaffairs.com' top books of 2025! Honored to help them launch this book at @global-wm.bsky.social. It is not a fun book, but it is prescient.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Interesting conversation on China's lending and investments in the US, UK, and EU. With AidData's Brad Parks, David Culver, and Sailor Miao (all @wm.edu alums). Foreign aid nerds, see Brad's comments on U.S. now emulating China: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ZL...
youtube.com
Tracking China's Global Influence: A Conversation with CNN and W&M's AidData
YouTube video by William & Mary
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
New research from my colleagues @wm.edu's AidData on Chinese development finance and investments in both developing countries and also the US, UK, EU, and Japan. New report and dataset released tomorrow. Here is a preview from the BBC: www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
China's investment spree in UK gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC told
Tens of billions of pounds has been spent by the Chinese in the UK since 2000, Panorama has learned.
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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 26/09/2025
Let’s spell this out. Trump fired a qualified U.S. attorney who refused to do his bidding and installed his own personal lawyer to punish a perceived opponent. Justice needs to follow the law, not politics. This is an attack on the rule of law. Full stop.
abcnews.go.com
Former FBI Director James Comey indicted days after Trump demanded his DOJ move 'now' to prosecute enemies
Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted just days after President Trump issued a public demand for the DOJ to act "now" to prosecute him, sources say.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Has been a long time since a @wm.edu Alum has been a U.S. president, but it's nice to see we are dominating the NFL coaching scene. Now, if the Dolphins would replace their underperforming Yale alum and hire Joe Brady, we'd have 3 W&M alums in the NFL. Go Tribe! www.facebook.com/wmsportsblog...
facebook.com
2.9K views · 95 reactions | BIG TIME WILLIAM & MARY SHOUT OUT ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TONIGHT! Let’s go TRIBE and let’s go BILLS! 🔰🦬💪 | William and Mary Sports Blog
BIG TIME WILLIAM & MARY SHOUT OUT ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TONIGHT! Let’s go TRIBE and let’s go BILLS! 🔰🦬💪.
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Peterson Institute for International Economics @piie.com · 15/09/2025
SEPTEMBER 24: @cullenhendrix.bsky.social joins PIIE Insider LIVE to discuss how climate change is shaping human health & security & how government responses on critical minerals, tech, & more will shape the planet's future. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts. Live event:
piie.com
Climate change, security, and the race for critical minerals
Cullen Hendrix, PIIE senior fellow, joins Anjali V. Bhatt, PIIE communications manager and research fellow, for a live, virtual conversation about how climate change is shaping human health and securi...
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
New Article. #Thread. Have you ever read a news story about #climatechange, where the journalist quotes one expert who represents the #Scientific consensus (human activity causes global warming) and one expert who disagrees with the consensus? Why do we see this "balance" in news coverage?
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Charles Kenny @charlesjkenny.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
US Administration said it was going to have a "180 day review" of involvement in international organizations. 223 days later there's still no review, but US has simply stopped paying membership dues to the considerable majority of organizations.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Great to host @jonesjay.bsky.social at Casa Tierney. Jay spoke clearly about the stakes in the race for Attorney General. Jay will defend public universities in VA, if he is elected. Thanks to the @virginiabeerco.bsky.social for fueling this event. See the first comment to support Jay's campaign.
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Jay Jones @jonesjay.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Had a blast tailgating with folks in Charlottesville. As an alum of both UVA Law and William and Mary, looking forward to an exciting game!
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
Latest research updates from @global-wm.bsky.social newsletter. #AI, #Geopolitics, #Nepal, #Birds bit.ly/3I1ttZr
bit.ly
A message from the Director of GRI: Dear Friends, As we launch the 2025-26 academic year, I’m excited to put the spotlight on some of GRI’s research at the intersection of AI policy, geopolitics, law, and global governance.
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Paul Manna @pfmanna.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Hello listeners of my podcast Democracy in Five Minutes. I've posted a teaching resource to help folks use it in class. Link in next post. 1/3 @debbiejsr.bsky.social @brendannyhan.bsky.social @miketierneyir.bsky.social @patriciastrach.bsky.social @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org
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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
EPSA have announced that they will hold a conference in July 2026. 😵‍💫 We understand that there might be some confusion about EPSS and EPSA. 👉🏽 So we thought we would clarify some things. A short 🧵
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Ayfer Karakaya @ayferkarakaya.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Pleased to share my new article, "Alevis and Alawites: A Comparative Study of History, Theology, and Politics." I hope it will be of interest to both academic and general audiences, and help clarify the often-confused similarities and distinctions between Alevis and Alawites. www.mdpi.com/3434900
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Latest newsletter from @global-wm.bsky.social with a feature story on the Geopolitics of Technology Initiative. s6.view.sfmc-marketing.com/view_email.a...
s6.view.sfmc-marketing.com
A message from the Director of GRI: Dear Friends, As we begin a new fiscal year, I wanted to share a quick update from the Global Research Institute at William & Mary. This past year, our student-faculty teams have continued to take on some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from international development and human rights to the rapidly evolving geopolitics of technology. GRI researchers have published in leading journals, briefed policymakers and corporate leaders, and even testified before Congress. The work happening here is not only academically rigorous, it’s making a real-world impact. Like many university-based research institutes, we’re navigating a shifting landscape. Federal funding for applied research is tightening, and researchers across the country are feeling the strain. But thanks to years of thoughtful strategy and a commitment to innovation, GRI is positioned to keep growing. Rather than pulling back, we’re leaning in! Our new projects, new partners, and new structures will allow some of our most promising research initiatives to stand on their own and scale. We’re especially proud of how entrepreneurial our model has become. In the past year, that’s meant more space for student-led experimentation, deeper engagement with public and private sector experts, and new pathways for projects that start at GRI to grow beyond the university. We’ll share more about what’s next in the months ahead. For now, thank you for being part of the GRI community. Our work is stronger because of it. Warmly, Mike Michael J. Tierney Director, Global Research Institute George and Mary Hylton Professor of Government & International Relations William & Mary
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
If you need a ray of sunshine in this increasingly dark hellscape, here is a 2-minute video from @wm.edu students. They are reflecting on their field research in Colombia as @global-wm.bsky.social Summer Fellows. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhH...
youtube.com
Hands-On Research Across the Globe | William & Mary’s GRI Summer Fellows Program
YouTube video by William & Mary
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Dan Nexon @dhnexon.net · 05/02/2025
Was looking for supplementary readings for my Power Politics class. Came across this. Sob. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Screen shot of an article titled: "Foreign Aid and Soft Power: Great Power Competition in Africa in the Early Twenty-first Century" The abstract reads: foreign aid an effective instrument of soft power? Does it generate affinity for donor countries and the values they espouse? This article answers these questions in the context of Chinese aid to Africa and the competing aid regime of the United States. The study combines data on thirty-eight African countries from Afrobarometer, AidData, and the Aid Information Management Systems of African finance and planning ministries. The authors use spatial difference-in-differences to isolate the causal effects of Chinese and US aid. The study finds that Chinese aid to Africa does not increase (and may in fact reduce) beneficiaries’ support for China. By contrast, US aid appears to increase support for the United States and to strengthen recipients’ commitment to liberal democratic values, such as the belief in the importance of elections. Chinese aid does not appear to weaken this commitment, and may strengthen it. The study also finds that Chinese aid increases support for the UK, France and other former colonial powers. These findings advance our understanding of the conditions under which competing aid regimes generate soft power and facilitate the transmission of political principles and ideals."

Authored by Robert A. Blair, Robert Marty, and Philip Roessler
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Rachel Ziemba @reziemba.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Great Aiddata report on mechanisms for Chinese investments/support for mining projects lots of great data. Highlights that focus has been copper but that lithium on rise. Also that focus on mining not processing. www.aiddata.org/publications...
aiddata.org
AidData | Power Playbook: Beijing’s Bid to Secure Overseas Transition Minerals
Jan 28, 2025 |
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Journal of Current Chinese Affairs @jcca-gigahamburg.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
"China’s Expanding Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean: Development Financing, Public Perceptions, and Strategic Partnerships" will be edited by Dr. Narayani Sritharan, Dr. Ana Horigoshi, & Dr. Jonathan A. Solis from AidData, William & Mary journals.sagepub.com/pb-assets/cm...
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Insightful conversation with @curiouskyuri.bsky.social on her book manuscript that we workshopped this year at @global-wm.bsky.social. Thanks for this Kyuri.
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Daniel Drezner @dandrezner.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
“I was looking forward to taking a short walk and catching up with friends at the Interfaith Center, when I was suddenly surrounded and grabbed by a swarm of masked individuals, who handcuffed me and shoved me into an unmarked car.” www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025...
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
Is this the "realist/restrainer" foreign policy we were promised?
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Foreign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 24/06/2025
A poll shows that IR experts believe U.S. military action in Iran will harm U.S. national security, provoke Iranian retaliation, and reduce domestic political support for Trump.
foreignpolicy.com
IR Scholars Worry About U.S. Conflict With Iran
A poll of experts finds that they generally believe military action will harm U.S. national security.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Latest from my colleague, @curiouskyuri.bsky.social, who explains South Korean foreign policy amidst great power competition in the Pacific. Kudos Kyuri.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
New TRIP Snap Poll of #InternationalRelations experts -- Will the U.S. bomb Iran? Will this make the U.S. safer? What will Russia and China do? How will this impact public support for President Trump? Answers here: foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/23/i...
foreignpolicy.com
IR Scholars Worry About U.S. Conflict With Iran
A poll of experts finds that they generally believe military action will harm U.S. national security.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Is there any reporting on what Trump's ultimatum to Iran actually was? We can all speculate, but has there been a leak from the White House or have the Iranians announced what the demand was? Appreciate any links. Thanks.
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Mike Tierney @miketierneyir.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
The verdict is in. Trump is bad at foreign policy, and he is making it harder for the U.S. to make credible commitments in the future. Thanks to my colleagues, @rmpowers.bsky.social and Sue Peterson, and thanks to the 750 experts who took our snap poll. More soon. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/11/t...
foreignpolicy.com
IR Experts Give Trump’s Second Term Very Low Marks
A new poll finds serious faults with the president’s foreign policy in his first 100 days.
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