Shadi Hamid

Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.

Thanks to @shadihamid.bsky.social for this insightful analysis of American Christianity: wapo.st/4gJxVsG

Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.

"How can a faith tradition emphasizing sacrifice, humility and enemy-love navigate the messy — and increasingly violent — world of American politics?" @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46LxMAy

This opinion by @shadihamid.bsky.social puts a very fine point on something that I struggle with daily as a devout Christian. How can someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior find these words acceptable? "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” May the Lord forgive us all.

Mourning Charlie Kirk, Trump Blames the Left for Political Violence KQED's Forum · Episode

🎧 Listen to the Podcast!

@washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters on this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.

🔗:

Mourning Charlie Kirk, Trump Blames the Left for Political Violence | KQED A memorial service for Charlie Kirk became a political rally on Sunday, as President Trump told the crowd that he blamed the “radical left” for political violence. We talk about this fraught…

🎙️ON AIR:

We're talking to @washingtonpost.com's @shadihamid.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Jeremy W. Peters about this fraught political moment, and how, in Hamid's words, we can step back from the brink.

📻Listen:

wow strong retort. you just made something up and wasn't true and all you can do it send a stick figure gif

Why would I? I believe it to be true, which is why I said it.

100% stand by it. We'll have competitive elections in 2028. If we don't, you can get back to me and tell me I was wrong.

lol you can't even get the most basic facts straight. I haven't been on the WaPo Editorial Board for a year

34k views is pretty good, I'll take it!

Opinion | Charlie Kirk and America’s political collapse A crackdown on free speech is inevitable if we blur the line between words and violence.

In my new @washingtonpost.com essay, I write that Republicans have demanded fealty to Kirk’s legacy and tried to transform him into a saint whose every utterance must now be treated as sacred. There is something trite and even demeaning about this insistence.

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

lol

One of the biggest mistakes left-of-center pundits and influencers made was decamping to Bluesky. They made themselves irrelevant, shrunk their audiences, and dramatically lessened the positive impact they could have on our public debate at the precise time we needed it most.

Opinion | America’s Israel double standard backfires Response to the strike in Doha erodes America’s position as a credible mediator and reliable ally.

"This is what happens when a country believes it operates by different rules than everyone else," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/41QUzt7

Opinion | Four words on the beach reveal time’s fragile promise Our current political moment is swayed by the allure of nostalgia.

"The problem with nostalgia is that it feels good, regardless of whether it reflects something true," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.

"This is what makes it so politically potent and personally seductive."

Bonus - Language, Genocide, and American Power w/ @shadihamid.bsky.social

In a free Sunday bonus, Shadi Hamid joins the program to talk about shifting the rhetoric around the genocide in Gaza (and other matters) and whether that can actually affect US actions.

Link below🔽

thank you for the kind words - glad the piece resonated 🙏🏽

Opinion | Four words on the beach reveal time’s fragile promise Our current political moment is swayed by the allure of nostalgia.

A beautiful reflection on #nostalgia from @shadihamid.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | My gut instinct on Trump’s D.C. power grab was wrong The allure of the president’s crackdown on crime in the District tests our democratic society.

"The lure of the strongman might be compelling — even I found myself compelled — but that’s all the more reason to resist it," @shadihamid.bsky.social writes.

"Our gut can deceive us. Sometimes it is better to wait."

@jamellebouie.net can't even be bothered to know who's on WaPo's editorial board. I haven't been on the Ed Board for nearly a year

Opinion | Stop looking for the perfect woman and become a better man Richard Reeves drew attention to the crisis of male malaise. Here’s how men can rise above.

Men need to get better at being the kind of men women actually want to be around.

@shadihamid.bsky.social spoke to Richard Reeves, who wrote the book that crystallized America’s growing anxiety about men:

You know what, this honest self reflection by @shadihamid.bsky.social is both refreshing...and really good.

Thanks for the message. I was a little taken aback by your original post. So I do appreciate it.

Stand by all three. I think they hold up pretty well if you actually read them, which would probably be asking too much of someone like yourself. Also, I have trouble taking seriously anyone who hasn't spoken up about a genocide but still feels comfortable being as morally smug as you seem to be.

“Find someone who will do and marry them,” Richard Reeves tells @shadihamid.bsky.social.

“It’s less about picking the perfect wife, and more about being a good husband.” https://wapo.st/47MATtW

Opinion | Trump was right about D.C. crime — but still dangerously wrong The allure of the president’s crackdown on crime in the District tests our democratic society.

“Democracy asks more of us than authoritarianism ever could…The strongman offers clarity and speed; democracy offers the promise that we might, eventually, muddle our way to something better.”

Good piece by @shadihamid.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Even Israel’s defenders are finally admitting the truth Images of starving children have moved MAGA stars, Trump and Europeans to call on Israel to end the war.

In my new @washingtonpost.com column, I argue that the pro-Palestine movement must be a big tent and welcome anyone who is willing to question their past positions in the face of undeniable evidence of Israel’s starvation of Palestinians.

wapo.st/4ogNxY9

2025 Book 32: Shadi Hamid: ‘The Problem of Democracy: America, the Middle East, and the Rise and Fall of an Idea.’ The first thing to say about this book is that it’s important to read the subtitle and take it seriously. This is not a book about democracy in general; it’s about the Middle East, the rise and fal…

New book review on my blog and substack @shadihamid.bsky.social

timchesterton.substack.com/publish/post...

tachesterton.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...

I discussed where the Gaza conflict is headed next with my @washingtonpost.com colleagues @dmarusic.bsky.social and @shadihamid.bsky.social. We’re not optimistic! bit.ly/46BL9VD

A teaser from my forthcoming book on why "declinism" is a storied American tradition. If you think the past was great, you're more likely to think the present is worse.

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...