Kieran Williams

What the early pessimists on Eastern Europe got right After 1989, a few scholars warned Eastern Europe’s new democracies would rapidly fail. They were wrong — but 30 years on, their “breakdown prophecies” look prescient.

My new Substack on revisiting the pessimistic early “breakdown prophecies“ made about Eastern Europe im early 1990s.

Wrong then, but look more prescient

open.substack.com/pub/drseanha...

President Nawrocki starts his five-year term in Poland.
This presidency is expected to bring a much more difficult cohabitation with Tusk's government than under President Duda. Nawrocki is set to clash with the government over the rule of law. And he is already criticizing judges. Let's unpack.

The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, has amended the constitution. From now on, he is no longer limited in how many times he can run for president — he can participate in elections as many times as he wishes.

Additionally, the presidential term has been extended from 5 to 6 years.

Selected school shootings in the US, 2012-2022 When researchers looked at about 100 communities across the country that had endured school shootings, they found that local economies also struggled in the aftermath.

School shootings reshape communities beyond the schoolyard. Residents withdraw from public spaces, leading to lasting declines in consumer activity. buff.ly/L3uPPae

We make glorious new automobile to drive to Czechoslovakia to find American bluejeans

Playing with Fire Cambridge Core - Comparative Politics - Playing with Fire

"Deserves close attention and sustained engagement from anyone interested in the complex relationship between violence and democracy."

Playing with Fire: Parties and Political Violence in Kenya and India by Aditi Malik, Out Now

#ComparativePolitics #PoliSky 💙📚

cup.org/4lc6rNC

EU Approves Sweeping New Sanctions on Russia EU Approves Sweeping New Sanctions on Russia

EU Approves Sweeping New Sanctions on Russia

Ru wants to eradicate what they call "ukrainianness", i.e. the Ukrainian nation as Ukrainians define it. This requires murdering carriers, incl kids. Ru propagandists often discuss nipping "ukrainianness" in the bud when kids are young. Ru "security concerns" about NATO can't explain these actions.

New normal: Fight over controversial judge reflects new era in German politics

New normal: Fight over controversial judge reflects new era in German politics

@militaryhistorynow.bsky.social

Today in 1778, France joins America's fight for independence by declaring war on Great Britain. In addition to sending troops to North America, the French battle the Brits on land and sea in the West Indies and India.

Russia launches another horrific attack on Kyiv hours after Trump-Putin call KYIV — Ripe cherries and apricots fill the stalls of fruit vendors, while people bustle about on a scorching July Friday. Yet just a five-minute walk from the stand, the scene shifts dramatically: a ...

Overnight on July 4, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the hope of bringing the war to an end, Russia launched 270 Russian drones and ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, injuring at least 24 people and killing one.

Why Cuba’s Student Movement Is Rising | Journal of Democracy Cuba’s dictatorship has kept student movements under its thumb for decades. But the regime’s repressive tactics have inadvertently breathed new life into a new generation of student activists.

Cuba’s dictatorship has kept student movements under its thumb for decades. But the regime’s repressive tactics have inadvertently breathed new life into a new generation of student activists. These young people are willing to fight for the island’s freedom.

www.journalofdemocra...

Ruští Argentinci. Další jihoamerická země rozbila Putinovu špionážní „kompanii“ Argentina odhalila síť ruských špionů La Compañía, která se pokoušela manipulovat veřejné mínění a prosazovat ruské zájmy v Latinské Americe. Je to už druhá rozbitá ruská špionážní síť po nedávném…

Argentina odhalila síť ruských špionů La Compañía, která se pokoušela manipulovat veřejné mínění a prosazovat ruské zájmy v Latinské Americe. Je to už druhá rozbitá ruská špionážní síť po nedávném velkém případu z Brazílie.

Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says

This is a devastating conclusion if it is correct.

"After the U.S. bombing run and days of attacks by the Israeli Air Force, the report by the Defense Intelligence Agency estimated that the program was delayed less than six months." www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/u...

Critical Games. Published 17 June.

Derrida eating a crisp; the Slovene Art Theorist and Abraham the Inuk; De Vigan, Bolaño, Kafka; fun and games with Emmanuel Carrère; there is even a joke, hidden in the index.... manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/978152617777.... @manchesterup.bsky.social

V pátek nás navždy opustil fotograf Václav Toužimský(90). Jeho skvělé fotografie z Liberce patří nesporně mezi ty ikonické, které zachytily sovětskou invazi v srpnu 1968. Negativy mu zabavila StB, ale naštěstí zůstaly v jejím archivu a po Listopadu se k autorovi vrátily. #RIP #viafb Dana Kyndrová

We often underestimate the Iran-Iraq war in the west. The military leadership, even the replacements, are from that brass. But there is also the experience of being under siege by a formidable adversary, which remains ingrained at a population level.

Today, the European Court of Human Rights has published a key judgment: T. H. v. the Czech Republic. The decision brings yet another major shift in the rights of transgender and non-binary people in the Czech Republic.

The Court unanimously ruled that making the change of personal identification /1

This is a really big deal

Allegedly strikes in Natanz, Khondab, and Khoramabad — sites affiliated with Iran’s nuclear and missile programs

Browsing the university library’s new special collection of English language publications about Czechoslovakia - some doozies here📚 🤓

Musket vs. AR-15: Judges Are Throwing Out Gun Restrictions Because of Antiquated Laws From America’s Founding A 2022 ruling that gun laws should align with the nation’s “history and tradition” has sown confusion in courts and weakened longstanding gun restrictions.

The Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision forced judges to act as firearm law historians — a job some have openly admitted they’re not equipped for. Post-Bruen, a gun regulation’s fate now hinges on conflicting interpretations of America’s complex and often uncomfortable past.

In @elfaroenglish.bsky.social , I examine why President Bukele is shifting from propaganda to open repression, a sign that his control over both domestic and international narratives is slipping. More political repression is on the way.

🎙️ In Costa Rica, evidence of corruption against President Rodrigo Chaves leads the Supreme Court to discuss the possible removal of his immunity. Honduran President Xiomara Castro will be interim defense minister after ruling-party candidate Rixi Moncada resigns. beta.elfaro.net/en/elfaro-au...

CITIES IN PERIL: Cities confront the rising tide of climate change Fast and chaotic urban population growth combined with climate challenges on multiple fronts are putting cities at risk around the world.

ICYMI: Fast and chaotic urban population growth combined with climate challenges on multiple fronts are putting cities at risk around the world. Bne IntelliNews

A nationwide vigilante network How police backing and holy blessings helped Russkaya Obshchina become Russia’s largest far-right group — Meduza Emboldened by support from senior law enforcement officials and a political climate more hospitable to xenophobic violence, far-right activists from “Russkaya Obshchina” (Russian Community) are…

With cells active in regions across the country, Russkaya Obshchina is now Russia’s largest far-right organization. And its activity grows more violent by the day. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Czech Republik: Are arms, not cars, the new economic engine? – DW – 05/13/2025 Czech arms production is booming. Could weapons complement or even replace the country's traditional automotive industry as the main economic driver?

Czech Republik: Are weapons, not cars, the future engine of the Czech economy?

may start soon but nothing has changed either politically or militarily on the battlefield to suggest that a different outcome may be coming: Ru will demand capitulation, Ukr will refuse; Europe will back Ukr, Trump will have to decide what to do

This report in @politico.com highlights aspects of both the #cognitive perspective for decision-making as well as #palacepolitics … how #POTUS structures his briefings but also who he trusts/turns to. @profjessblankshain.bsky.social @theomilo.bsky.social

If Trump has finally figured out that Putin doesn’t want to end the war but wants all of Ukraine, that’s better than what he seemingly believed before, namely that the Ukrainians were the problem. What it means for US policy still unclear.