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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Private contractors are part of almost all peace operations. It depends what tasks/services/activities he's talking about in particular.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

It's a helpful paper: the UN🇺🇳 needs to change the way its peace operations are planned, budgeted and staffed. ✅ And you hit the nail on the head with this paragraph...😀👍

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping." peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

⭐Job Alert ⭐ GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined. www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...

gwu.jobs

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs

Security studies: The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and Department of Political Science invite applications for a full-time, tenured faculty position in securi...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Info-nugget😮 The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide. acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...

acleddata.com

Myanmar - ACLED

Coding decisions on key armed actors, anti-coup demonstrations, violence in Rakhine state, and more Published on: | Last updated: Background Coding political violence in Myanmar poses several methodo...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

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Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 07/11/2024

Today seems like a good day to share this Scientific American story on how vaccines have saved more lives throughout history than any other intervention www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 23/09/2024

741 former national security leaders including fifteen 4-star generals and admirals, along with 230 former flag officers endorse Kamala Harris for President. They write, "Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism." www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...

nsl4a.org

Endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States — National Security Leaders for America

Kamala Harris will make an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump has proven he is not up to the job. Effective leadership requires in-depth knowledge, careful deliberation, understanding of ...

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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 05/07/2024

This is an appalling and horrifying story about the attacks researchers like @katestarbird.bsky.social undergo by those determined to silence any who call out their disinformation and other underhanded tactics. Very similar to what climate scientists experience but with even MORE vitriol.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 11/06/2024

What were the top causes & categories of deaths of U.S. Army active duty soldiers, 2014-2019? Ans: 1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation) 2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose) 3) Natural causes 4) Combat 5) Homicide Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...

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Garth Marenghi's Catbus @catbus.phd · 06/06/2024

the very worst shit online is always generated by a small, obsessed cult and SUPRISE, when you ban that small group you have mostly solved the problem

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 24/05/2024

Just recording the idiocy for posterity...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 24/05/2024

All us researchers need to be aware of the “bullshit industrial complex.”

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 30/04/2024

Inspired by @jjschroden.bsky.social work on the war in Afghanistan🇦🇫, I’ve written a net assessment of the Somali🇸🇴 National Army versus al-Shabaab in the event of a withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers. My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...

ctc.westpoint.edu

The Somali National Army Versus al-Shabaab: A Net Assessment – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point

Abstact: An important question for the future of Somalia is if the African Union withdraws the remainder of its forces from the country by December 31, 2024, would the Somali National Army (SNA) or al...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 23/04/2024

Russian🇷🇺 equipment losses in its war vs Ukraine🇺🇦 are estimated at c.8,800 since Feb 2022. Nevertheless, the IISS assesses that Russia will be able to sustain its assault on Ukraine🇺🇦 at current attrition rates for another 2–3 years, and maybe even longer. www.iiss.org/online-analy...

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Katherine Stiles @katherinestiles.org · 17/04/2024

An analysis by University of Michigan researchers of more than 30 million grading records from U-M finds students with alphabetically lower-ranked names receive lower grades. This is due to sequential grading biases and the default order of students' submissions in Canvas. #AcademicSky #EduSky #Bias

phys.org

Researchers find lower grades given to students with surnames that come later in alphabetical order

Knowing your ABCs is essential to academic success, but having a last name starting with A, B or C might also help make the grade.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 08/04/2024

And here's the IDF's response to The Guardian's article www.idf.il/189654

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 04/04/2024

This is such an interesting article for thinking about different dimensions of AI military applications. "‘The machine did it coldly’: Israel used AI to identify 37,000 Hamas targets." www.theguardian.com/world/2024/a...

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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 21/03/2024

The Biden administration continued its effort to extend student debt relief, erasing an additional $5.8 billion in federal loans for nearly 78,000 borrowers, including teachers, firefighters and others who largely work in the public sector. nyti.ms/4a0QODv

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 16/03/2024

I'm looking to hire a TA to work with me on two MA-level international security courses during AY24/25 at GW's Elliott School. The TA will run 2 in-person discussion sections (capped at 20 students each) in the Fall 24 and Spring 25 semesters. Compensation is c.$20,000. Details 👇

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 09/03/2024

Interesting. New CRS report has this figure: “U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly estimated in December 2023 that the Russian🇷🇺 military had suffered 315,000 killed and injured.” crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 21/02/2024

"🇺🇸Space Force: We need a hotline to China🇨🇳." Surely a good idea. www.defenseone.com/threats/2024...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/02/2024

This is a really useful report on the use of drones in the Ukraine🇺🇦 war. Via @cnas.bsky.social www.cnas.org/publications...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/02/2024

On security assistance to Ukraine🇺🇦

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/02/2024

“In 2023, the UN collected 82.3% of the year’s assessment, the lowest in the last 5 years. Only 142 Member States paid their dues in full – again, the lowest in the last 5 years. As a result, year-end arrears climbed to $859 million, up from $330 million in 2022.” www.ipsnews.net/2024/02/uns-...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 12/02/2024

“Peacekeepers and Political Stability in Somalia.” My short essay on the ongoing transition of the African Union force in Somalia🇸🇴 for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/02/12/p...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 01/02/2024

The stellar ⭐ 🚀 team at GW’s Space Policy Institute 👨‍🚀 👩‍🚀 🛰 🌒 is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher in Space Policy to join their academic and interdisciplinary team. It's a full-time, 2-year position. Details 👇 www.gwu.jobs/postings/108...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 11/01/2024

"Why China🇨🇳 Would Struggle to Invade Taiwan🇹🇼." Some really nicely done visuals in this explainer piece from David Sacks at the Council on Foreign Relations www.cfr.org/article/why-...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 07/01/2024

Prof. Thomas Mandrup gives a useful summary of some of the challenges facing the SANDF🇿🇦 as it, once again, deploys into eastern DRC🇨🇩 theconversation.com/south-africa...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 06/01/2024

It's 3 years since Donald 🤡Trump sent a violent, seditious mob to overturn the legitimate results of a free & fair 🇺🇸presidential election. Over 1,200 of them were arrested but their ring leader is still at large, stoking more political violence on a daily basis. He should never be president again.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 05/01/2024

Agreed. A very bad trend away from transparency.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 05/01/2024

This is a really helpful overview of the inquiry against the +1,240 people arrested (as of December) in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol in support of 🤡Trump. Of course, the ring leader is still at large. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/12/2023

Do you want to know how al-Shabaab has managed to kill over 500 African Union peacekeepers in Somalia🇸🇴 by overrunning their Forward Operating Bases? If so, here's my attempt to explain in 25 mins. Thanks to the Global Terrorism Trends & Analysis Center for the invitation. youtu.be/-2SXyjOk9iM?...

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Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · 12/12/2023

Declassified US intel assessment suggests: 1. Russia has lost est. 315k of its 360k invading army 2. Lost 2,200 of 3,500 modern tanks 3. Russia's most recent push near Avdiivka cost it more than 13,000 KIA/WIA & 220 combat vehicles for almost no gain 4. Lost 25% of its pre-2022 stockpiled equipment

nytimes.com

Russia Has Suffered Staggeringly High Losses, U.S. Report Says

The declassified intelligence assessment also found that Russia’s objective has been eroding Western support for Ukraine, the country it invaded.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 04/12/2023

"Two Decades of Civilian Protection Mandates for United Nations🇺🇳 Peacekeepers." My chapter in this interesting new book reflects on why civilian protection mandates emerged, as well as their main consequences and challenges implementing them in the field. books.google.com/books?hl=en&...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 04/12/2023

There's never a bad time to share this. Prof. Ken Booth's review of Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" - "The worst book on world politics I have read in a long time." doi.org/10.1111/1467...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 02/12/2023

Anduril Industries’ new “Roadrunner” counter-UAS system looks set to make a significant splash in defense circles, for both its capabilities & rapid production timeline; from concept to combat in under 2 years! breakingdefense.com/2023/12/andu...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 30/11/2023

This policy brief by Eugene Chen is the single best thing written on the tricky subject of financing African peace operations. It's a must read if you're interested in these issues. cic.nyu.edu/resources/no...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 23/11/2023

This amazing article shows how the war in Tigray, Ethiopia🇪🇹 (2020-22) and deliberate blockade of its people caused drastic (direct & indirect) ecosystem🌲🌿 damage, reversing decades of prior environmental restoration efforts. doi.org/10.1016/j.sr...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

The online version of the new "UN🇺🇳 Security Council Conflict Management Handbook" is available here: www.agda.ac.ae/docs/default...

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

If you're interested in what the UN🇺🇳 Security Council can (& can't) do in terms of crisis management, you should check out the new "UN Security Council Conflict Management Handbook." It's a practitioner’s guide to the Council’s conflict management tools. A digital version will be available soon.

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Paul D. Williams @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social · 18/11/2023

Here we go again…🙄 Let’s hope it turns out better than the last one!

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