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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Happy Star Wars day. From my cat.

Reposted by Jen Spindel

Waleed Hazbun @whazbun.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

This one minute clip of @spindel.bsky.social explaining the political meaning of Andor highlights one of the critical insights offered by the brilliant speakers at the recent ‘Andor and the Politics of Star Wars’ conference. youtu.be/vnVDlrn4U2k

youtu.be

Jen Spindel explains the meaning of Andor: The imperative "to try"

YouTube video by Waleed Hazbun

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Jeanna Kadlec @jeannakadlec.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

hey @nytimes.com what if instead of this you reported accurately that the president of the united states has violated the united states constitution by entering into war with a foreign power without the approval of congress, just like, what if

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Josephine beckbook.com Riesman @josie.zone · 21/06/2025

Are... are you... are you fucking serious........

Is Donald Trump an Antagonist or Champion of the Gay Community? Gay backers of Donald Trump say he is blind to sexuality. Not everyone agrees
Listen to this article . 16:43 min Learn more
Share full article
【
LBT' foTRU
S
a rally in 2016 in Colorado holding a Pride flag. Gay supporters of the president say that the economy an ving forces in their embrace of him and his policies. Stephen Crowley/The New York Times
nd Guy Trebay 48 p.m. ET
June 21, 2025 p

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Michael Brill @michaelpbrill.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"While tanks, fighter jets, & warships will continue to have their place in future conflict, we argue that the war in Ukraine... is demonstrating the increasing importance & wide operational use of mid-tier weapons." @spindel.bsky.social & Keith Carter www.ifc.usafa.edu/articles/mor...

ifc.usafa.edu

Institute for Future Conflict (IFC)

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Forum on the Arms Trade @forumarmstrade.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

@spindel.bsky.social "... We are headed toward a world in which the flow of arms is unprecedented and where human rights concerns are willfully overlooked..." Read her fuller assessment of Trump's first #100days at www.forumarmstrade.org/trump100days...

forumarmstrade.org

Assessing Trump's First 100 Days

To mark the first 100 days in office, experts independently assess aspects of the Trump administration's policies.

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Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 24/03/2025

"I don't know anything about it" In a functioning democracy, Hegseth would resign and Trump would be impeached over this. OVER JUST THIS.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Hegseth has always been unqualified, but this is clear irresponsibility and a lack of information security. If we won't call for his resignation, how do I get added to the group chat? Paging @schumer.senate.gov @housedemocrats.bsky.social @democrats.senate.gov if not now, when?

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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Excellent excellent excellent from Princeton president and constitutional/ political theorist Chris Eisgruber. There's been far too little of this kind of thing; here's hoping others follow his good example. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

theatlantic.com

The Cost of the Government’s Attack on Columbia

American universities have given the country prosperity and security. The Trump administration’s attack on academic freedom endangers all of that.

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Kevin Gannon (now a Moo Deng fan account) @thetattooedprof.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

"DOGE lies to police, uses force to gain entry into privately-owned building, commandeers a nonprofit organization unconnected to the federal government." Come on, @washingtonpost.com, this isn't "hardball " it's piracy. Fucking do better.

washingtonpost.com

DOGE plays hardball in U.S. Institute of Peace takeover

DOGE, which stands for Department of Government Efficiency, took over the U.S. Institute of Peace after threatening its officials with criminal prosecution.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Required reading👇 Browning's book shows how "ordinary middle-aged, working-class men who committed these atrocities out of a mixture of motives, including the group dynamics of conformity, deference to authority, role adaptation, and the altering of moral norms to justify their actions."

harpercollins.com

Ordinary Men

“A remarkable—and singularly chilling—glimpse of human behavior. . .This meticulously researched book...represents a major contribution to the literature of...

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Foreign Policy Analysis @ ISA @fpa-isa.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Dear FPA section members, remember we have our business meeting today (Tuesday 4) at 12:30. Make sure to come! #ISA2025 #FPA

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Forum on the Arms Trade @forumarmstrade.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

6/ @spindel.bsky.social "Why do states send and seek conventional weapons? Though it may seem obvious that the balance of power motivates states to do so... This article argues that states seek weapons because arms transfers send signals about political alignments..." direct.mit.edu/isec/article...

direct.mit.edu

Boom, Bling, Backbone, or Blip? The Signaling Inherent in Arms Transfers

Abstract. Why do states send and seek conventional weapons? Though it may seem obvious that the balance of power motivates states to do so, numerous conventional arms transfers do not conform to the b...

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Wasn't sure if this article would ever see the light of day, but am absolutely thrilled to have an article in the forthcoming Winter 2024/2025 of @intsecurity.bsky.social

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

My statements that Republican Party = Pro-Cancer are not hyperbole. Why are Dems and media silent? Do your jobs and report this! GOP = pro-cancer @schumer.senate.gov @nytimes.com @washingtonpost.com @startribune.com @buzzfeed.com @senatefinance.bsky.social

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

There are 268,000 new diagnoses of #breastcancer each year in the US. That's half the population of Wyoming. We have power, we have voice. The current HHS head & GOP are pro-cancer. They are attacking the NIH and other grant bodies. Raise your voice! #PinkWave

media.tenor.com

a pink breast cancer ribbon is crossed over itself

ALT: a pink breast cancer ribbon is crossed over itself

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Matt Barber @biobarber.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Executive wants to frame the NIH indirects cut as $4B in savings. But given that NIH returns $2.5 on every $1 investment, this would actually cost US economy a net $6 BILLION (per year!). Not to mention the human costs of wrecking education and research sectors and the communities they serve.

nih.gov

Direct Economic Contributions

NIH directly supports the economy through investments in research institutions and job formation.

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dell cameron @dell.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

NEW: An internal email obtained by WIRED from a threat intelligence team monitoring US Treasury systems advised labeling DOGE operatives an "insider threat," adding that it recommended suspending their access "immediately." | www.wired.com/story/treasu...

Vittoria Elliott Leah Feiger
Feb 7, 2025 2:47 PM
A US Treasury Threat Intelligence Analysis Designates DOGE Staff as ‘Insider Threat’
An internal email reviewed by WIRED calls DOGE staff's access to federal payments systems “the single biggest insider threat risk the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has ever faced.”

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Let's be clear: The latest attack on NIH funding mechanisms is again proof that the Republican Party, led by Musk and enabled by Trump, is anti-life and pro-cancer. It's that simple. Hey: @schumer.senate.gov @senatefinance.bsky.social @democrats-judiciary.house.gov where you all at?

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Jason "Red5" Lyall @jaylyall.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Great article by @profsaunders.bsky.social & @jimgoldgeier.bsky.social on the national security threats posed by the DOGE boys (I'm 100% sure they wouldn't have a question mark in the title!). www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

foreignaffairs.com

Does DOGE Pose a National Security Risk?

Uncertainty about access and authority will worry allies and tempt adversaries.

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/02/2025

Murphy: "This is a constitutional crisis that we are in today. Let's call it what it is."

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

paging @schumer.senate.gov @democrats-judiciary.house.gov @democrats.org @houseforeign.bsky.social @housedemocrats.bsky.social @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social There's a real simple, straightforward duty that you are all failing to do. DJT & EM are perpetrating an illegal coup. You MUST act. Now.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Right, because a great strategy for countering DJT and EM is snark. Where is the outrage?! Where is the clear statement? Where is the real talk? Be better, Chuck. And since you and the media can't seem to find the lede, here ya go: "this is unconstitutional, illegal, and will kill people."

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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Good “what Dems should do to fight this” piece, in that it’s realistic about their limited institutional power, and offers actionable recommendations that could make some difference. By @joshtpm.bsky.social.

talkingpointsmemo.com

Who Can Stop Elon’s ‘Team’ Wilding Its Way Through the Federal Government?

Over the course of the last two weeks, I’ve tried to drive...

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

So...when is impeachment going to happen for blatant violation of the constitution? Not to mention the wanton cruelty and deliberate attempts to subvert democracy? Time to stand up, folks. Call your representatives and your governor's. We cannot stay silent.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Why are democrats - and anyone who believes in democracy - not shouting from the rooftops about the effects of Trump's budget pause? NIH and NSF grant suspensions are actively harming cancer research. Let's call these folks out for what they are: anti-life, pro-cancer

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Dr. Susmita Rishi (Sush) @susmitarishi.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

As a female academic in her 40s, I think it is extremely important to pay attention to ways in which you get worn down by the constant mini-struggles. As you age, it accumulates and you get to a point where you just can't anymore. This is not just about the extra mentoring or household labor.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

This (not so little) gremlin demands second breakfast, elevenses, and frequent snack breaks. He is willing to volunteer for the Fellowship if the Corgis will provide adequate foods.

large gray cat begging for dinner after having just cleaned his food bowl empty

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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

I fear there is deep truth here.

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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Imagine watching disaster movies like The Day After Tomorrow or 2012 and thinking that the apocalyptic weather scenes were the “unrealistic” part. Turns out those scenes were almost bang on. The unrealistic part was the humans working together to overcome the problem & save the world. Sigh.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Hey #PoliSky! The Foreign Policy Analysis section of ISA is looking for at-large nominations for the Executive Council. Nominate yourself! Send our Section President, Falk Ostermann, an email: fostermann (at) politik.uni-kiel.de @fpa-isa.bsky.social

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Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

They do. They choose not to. Today, e.g., the headlines simply could have been “Trump threatens to take territory of our closest allies” & the lede “this is an unprecedented threat to 🇺🇸 national interests & our international obligations.” I don’t understand why we pretend this so difficult to do.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Super important thread on what higher education could (used to) and needs to be, especially in the coming decades. Want a population that can identify misinformation and think independently? We need to reverse university death spirals and refund social sciences & humanities!

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

I'm teaching a spring seminar on technology and war, and want to give my students example research questions that they can use in their capstone papers. What technology or technology/war topics have you been thinking about lately? Thanks!

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

This is an amazing thread!

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Guys! @devasher.bsky.social has joined the party! Follow her for comparative politics, ethnic politics, and goofy jokes. Also for tips about how to lose rounds of Dominion 😊

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Sarah Parkinson @separkinson.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

This isn’t just the forced withdrawal of one report (that echoes what others have said, but bears a specific technical expertise). It further opens the door for other countries, like UAE, to challenge famine assessments in places like Sudan by superficially attacking numbers & technical experts.

foreignaffairs.com

The UAE’s Secret War in Sudan

How international pressure can stop the genocidal violence.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

I have a cache of cat photos I jokingly annotate with snarky comments about teaching. It helps me stay sane. But I might need to adjust these captions to be about the MAGA craziness we are about to encounter. Any suggestions?

A mean looking cat asking if you have checked the syllabus

A posh cat pic asking if you really cited wikipedia

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 20/12/2024

Hakeem Jeffries: "Republicans are marching America to a painful government shutdown that will crash the economy and hurt working-class Americans because they would rather enact massive tax cuts for their billionaire donors than fund cancer research for children."

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

The cruelty is the point. I hope everyone who celebrated the GOP vote never has to face a family member or friend with cancer --> GOP quietly cuts childhood cancer funding from spending bill. This would have provided funding through 2033. www.latintimes.com/republicans-...

latintimes.com

Republicans Quietly Remove Child Cancer Research Funds from Budget After Elon Push to Kill Government Spending Bill

Elon Musk pushed Republicans to remove frivolous expenditure from the government spending bill, which included $190 million dedicated to child cancer research.

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Elizabeth Warren @warren.senate.gov · 17/12/2024

Just a reminder that in 2019, RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine misinformation campaign helped cause a measles outbreak in Samoa that killed 83 people, mostly kids. Do you really want him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services?

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Wtf. This is what happens when you value pure corporate greed over science, medicine, and human life. Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer cover anasthesia if procedures go over expected time. Voting matters, folks.

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Jacqueline L. Hazelton @drjlhazelton.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Pay attention. They're not kidding.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Stunning. Horrifying. And yet not stunning -- the cruelty is the point. 56% spike in maternal deaths in Texas between 2019 and 2022. This is not a political party that respects life.

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Really looking forward to reading this article - and sharing it with my students!

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Jen Spindel @spindel.bsky.social · 12/06/2024

Thanks @colinmbrown.bsky.social for the opportunity to write about the star wars bureaucracy game I developed! If you're a nerd and have to talk about bureaucracy, read on!

media.tenor.com

Trap Its A Trap GIF

ALT: Trap Its A Trap GIF

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