Alex Stark

Goedert and Slim Reaper both under-appreciated this season imho

Best piece I’ve read on Saudi’s comedy festival by a mile.

Unlike standard critics of “-washing” (sports-washing, pink-washing, green-washing & now comedy-washing), Leber grapples w/ domestic drivers of regime behaviour—and w/ how many everyday Saudis feel.

carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...

Shoutout to SZA

Everyone better apologize to @daboulciff.bsky.social smh

Why Democracies Fight Dictators Abstract. In Why Democracies Fight Dictators Schramm explores the dynamics that intensify conflict between liberal democracies and personalist regimes—poli

Why do democracies fight dictators like Nasser & Saddam? In her new book, @madisonschramm.bsky.social shows how personalist autocrats provide a focal point for emotional imprinting, predisposing leaders in liberal democracies to view personalist dictators as hostile academic.oup.com/book/60422

Attack on Cargo Ship in the Red Sea Kills 2 Crew Members

Another attack today on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, two days after a Houthi attack sunk the bulk carrier ship Magic Seas: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/w...

The Sheikh Who Conquered Soccer and Coddles Warlords

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/w...

Saudization in a “Saudi First” kingdom - Andrew Michael Leber, 2025 How have efforts to “nationalize” workforces in the Arab Gulf monarchies affected citizen and expatriate employment in these economies? In Saudi Arabia, policie...

I have a new article out examining macro-level trends in the Saudi labor market.

TLDR: "notable yet circumscribed gains for Saudi employees," "new competitive pressure, costs and risks on expat[s]," no "fundamental challenge" to reliance on foreign labor

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

The Houthi armed forces announces their latest operations, acknowledge Trump’s truce declaration and say they remain ready to strike if U.S. attacks resume. Either way, they will keep hitting Israeli shipping and air travel until Israel leaves Gaza and ends its blockade.

www.saba.ye/ar/video890....

Second US Navy jet is lost at sea from Truman aircraft carrier | CNN Politics Another F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, four people familiar with ...

Breaking: Another F/A-18 fighter jet from the Truman aircraft carrier has been lost in the Red Sea, the second jet lost from the carrier in just over a week, per 4 people familiar w/the incident. 2 aviators ejected and were recovered by helo with minor injuries. www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/p...

Video: Visual Analysis Shows U.S. Likely Bombed Yemen Migrant Detention Center Videos and photos reveal remnants of at least three U.S.-made GBU-39 bombs at the site of an April 28 attack. The strike killed 68 African migrants, according to the Houthis, a militant group that con...

A visual analysis shows the U.S. likely bombed a migrant detention center in Yemen on April 28. At least three U.S.-made GBU-39 bombs at the site of the attack, which killed 68 African migrants, according to the Houthis, a militant group that controls northern Yemen.

U.S. strike killed scores of African migrants in Yemen, Houthis say U.S. Central Command said it was aware of the claims of civilian casualties in the strike, which the Houthis said hit a migrant detention center in Saada, killing 68.

US Airstrike Kills Scores of African Migrants in a Migrant Detention Center in Saada, Yemen, Houthis Say.

Early estimates suggest at least 68 civilians killed and "dozens" wounded; CENTCOM "investigating"

Suggests that the Houthi got close enough with a drone or missile strike to force the Truman to maneuver hard, tossing the Super Hornet overboard.

This is the second F/A-18 lost in the past six months, along with at least 9 Predator drones. This "cheap" war in Yemen is starting to add up

US Navy loses $60 million jet at sea after it fell overboard from aircraft carrier | CNN Politics A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has been “lost” at sea after it fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier while it was being towed on board, the Navy said in a statement o...

A $60 million US Navy fighter jet was lost at sea after it fell overboard from an aircraft carrier.

Thanks to @bashareport.bsky.social for this lovely review!

I had the pleasure of reviewing @alexstark.bsky.social book: The Yemen Model for the German-Yemeni Society‘s Jemen Report @djg-ev.bsky.social
If you are interested in reading the book review please send me a direct message.

We’ve recorded a total of 142 civilian casualties (killed and injured) in 131 U.S. strikes from 15 March to 7 April. An average of more than 5 strikes per day.

The Yemen Model A close look at failed U.S. policies in the Middle East, offering a fresh perspective on how best to reorient goals in the region   In this book Alexandra S...

My book The Yemen Model argues that a short-term approach to “security” in Yemen that ignores the well-being of Yemenis themselves has repeatedly drawn the U.S. into conflicts in the Middle East: yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...

Children Seeking Cholera Care Die After U.S. Cuts Aid, Charity Says The victims died on a grueling three-hour walk in scorching heat as they tried to reach the nearest remaining health facility, officials of Save the Children said.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/w...

U.S. Commanders Worry Yemen Campaign Will Drain Arms Needed to Deter China American military officials say the Pentagon might need to dip into stockpiles in Asia to replenish supplies in the Middle East, congressional aides say.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/u...

U.S. Strikes in Yemen Burning Through Munitions With Limited Success In just three weeks, the Pentagon has used $200 million worth of munitions in Operation Rough Rider against the Houthi militia, officials said.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/u...

Don’t Bomb the Houthis Careful diplomacy can stop the attacks in the Red Sea.

Who are the Houthis and what do they want? I wrote this over a year ago but the history of the Houthis and what they want is just as relevant today: www.foreignaffairs.com/africa/dont-...

The Yemen Model (Extreme Stupidity Era) Plus why I'm not renewing my APSA membership or attending the 2025 conference.

@abuaardvark.bsky.social 's latest post for MENA Academy highlight @alexstark.bsky.social 's excellent book "The Yemen Model" (I'm biased but it's good!), a grim reminder of the human cost of 20+ years of missiles-first US policy towards Yemen.

abuaardvark.substack.com/p/the-yemen-...

Aw thanks for sharing!!

Why the Shipping Industry Isn’t Rushing Back to the Red Sea The companies that operate large container ships say they plan to keep going around Africa as violence flares in the region.

“Shipping executives say they do not plan to return to the Red Sea until there is a broad Middle East peace accord that includes the Houthis or a decisive defeat of the militia” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/b...

Looking to understand the origins of the latest strikes in Yemen? My book, The Yemen Model, explores the roots of the conflict and the U.S. response:

Vision 2030 in the Home Stretch: Clear Achievements yet Limited Accountability Vision 2030 has made undeniable progress in building a Saudi economy that can “live without oil”—but with five years to go, the program is in danger of enriching elites while overlooking the needs of ...

carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

Reports warn that Gaza ceasefire might fall apart and South Sudan might collapse due to suspension of USAID aid

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