Andrew M Bell

Before I married my wife she was a pacifist who protested against the immense invincible power of the US military. 3 months into my first assignment, she’s remarking how “You guys are so incompetent, if there’s ever a major war I’m grabbing a gun and running to the hills to protect myself”

American Presidents invariably claim that the use of U.S. military force abroad benefits the local population. U.S. Presidents often explicitly or implicitly claim that "the intervened population" therefore welcomes U.S. military intervention - a powerful moral claim.

SHOULD THE U.S BLOT OUT THE SUN AND USHER IN AN AGE OF ETERNAL DARKNESS? - Gallup 2/20/26-3/5/26

NO - 41%
YES - 38%
UNSURE - 21%

This is why you don’t cheer war like it’s a game.

Einstein - AI Homework Agent Einstein logs into Canvas and does your homework automatically. He has his own computer — he can watch lectures, read essays, write papers, and participate in discussions.

Is this bad

They Fought for the C.I.A. in Afghanistan. In America, They’re Living in Fear.

Since 2022, Matthieu Aikins and I have been investigating the CIA’s Afghan surrogate commandos, known in Afg as the Zero Units but officially called the CTPTs by the CIA. These units’ existence has been publicly known since 2010, but their relationship with the CIA is still an official secret...

I really enjoyed talking with Lindsay Shingler for the @ucigcc.bsky.social Talking Policy podcast about my book When Rebels Win (@cornellupress.bsky.social) and its implications for contemporary conflicts & policy responses

Technology for civilian self-protection The capacity of citizens to self-protect against armed conflict has been transformed by the development of information and communications technologies. Cas

My article is currently open-access... Click away...

We map out the creative ways people nonviolently use phones to protect themselves in war zones...

Americans have now adopted some of these approaches too
academic.oup.com/ia/article/101/3/1043/8106131

These insights are largely drawn from a recent article I published with Paul Johnson at @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Why Iran’s conscript army didn’t side with protesters Why Iran’s conscript army didn’t side with protesters. Authoritarian regimes can enforce army loyalty – even when soldiers are required to serve.

One thing that’s missing from a lot of the conversation I hear about what’s going on in Iran is why we haven’t seen more dissent or defection from the military. Emily Stranger and I explain why in @goodauth.bsky.social

goodauthority.org/news/why-ira...

I worked this issue hard with my Afghan Evac partners when Kabul fell. We had volunteers from all walks of life, from every political stripe. This cause united us in purpose unlike anything else.
And now, death sentences.
Enraged.

Congress Nixes Visas for Afghan Partners, Closing Off a Key Path

“ to say there are terrorists — when they actually worked alongside our military and intelligence community to kill terrorists — doesn’t make any sense,” Mr. McCaul said.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/u...

War Paint, Sunglasses, and Name Tags An Informed Perspective About Anonymity, Violence, and Accountability

Incredible post on military professionalism, accountability, and counterinsurgency—and law enforcement—operations

open.substack.com/pub/mkloeppe...

Anti-ICE protesters are following same nonviolent playbook used by people in war zones across the world to fight threats to their communities Americans are learning and doing the kind of work that civilians in war zones worldwide have done for decades: dealing with threats by organizing to help protect their neighbors and communities.

I wrote something... Hope it’s helpful ☮️

I’ve studied Nonviolent protection movements in war zones for 2 decades. Here’s what I’m seeing in the U.S.

theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...

Technology for civilian self-protection The capacity of citizens to self-protect against armed conflict has been transformed by the development of information and communications technologies. Cas

Oh, and this is temporarily open-access, so click away!
academic.oup.com/ia/article/1...

I appreciate the use of “battlespace” in describing the city of Minneapolis

Fellowship Spotlight: Elizabeth Good CISAC Fellow, Elizabeth Good, reflects on women's descriptive representation in peace negotiations and what meaningful inclusion requires for peace processes.

In the latest Fellowship Spotlight, CISAC Fellow Elizabeth Good breaks down why meaningful inclusion matters for lasting peace and how gender expertise can reshape outcomes.
cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/news/fellows...

Anti-ICE protesters are following same nonviolent playbook used by people in war zones across the world to fight threats to their communities Americans are learning and doing the kind of work that civilians in war zones worldwide have done for decades: dealing with threats by organizing to help protect their neighbors and communities.

Insightful and timely commentary by @oliverkaplan.bsky.social on ICE in Minneapolis

theconversation.com/anti-ice-pro...

Terrific and thought provoking analysis by @andy-milburn.bsky.social on use of force in urban warfare — adding this to my class readings for next week’s class on IHL, military ops, and Gaza

The Legal Obligation to Recognize Russian Deserters as Refugees States have an international legal obligation to assist soldiers who flee punishment for refusing to fight a war of aggression.

4 years ago, I wrote a post on @justsecurity.org & @Verfassungsblog.de on recognizing soldiers who refuse to participate in aggressive war as refugees
www.justsecurity.org/80419/the-le...
verfassungsblog.de/the-legal-ob...

French practice:
www.lemonde.fr/en/france/ar...
amp.dw.com/en/fleeing-u...

Vital read from my friend @yguichaoua.bsky.social and @wlacher.bsky.social on the state of conflict studies

Terrific news!

Psyched + humbled to see our SPEAKING SCIENCE TO POWER recognized as #1 Top Book in IR per @iajournal.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org (reviewed by @mgmessmer.bsky.social)

global.oup.com/academic/pro...
@epsteinprof.bsky.social @jaylyall.bsky.social @siecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social

Huge congrats to ISA President-elect @jimgoldgeier.bsky.social !! This is such great news! Looking forward to the great work he will be sure to do! 🎉🎊

This #GeorgeAI is a terrible idea! A dismissing #GeorgeWashington would cross the Delaware-level terrible idea.

It risks distorting the #Founders and robbing them of their own historical context.

I say this as someone who thinks GW, the Founders, & their ideas are the foundation of our nation!

Re #Hegseth Venezuela drug boat attacks: This is terrific insight into JSOC strike process but critically doesn’t include the role of JAG legal officers in targeting cycle.

Normally JAGs advise on LOAC/law issues for US strikes…unless something has gone horribly wrong (which it has)

Amazing reference