Akbar Shahid Ahmed
@akbarshahidahmed.huffpost.com
Senior Diplomatic Correspondent at HuffPost // Writing a book on Gaza and the Biden administration for W. W. Norton // he/him
Say hi: akbar.58 on Signal or [email protected]
Say hi: akbar.58 on Signal or [email protected]
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
NEW: It’s difficult to account for the abuses trans immigrants face in ICE custody after Trump destroyed safeguards, oversight agencies, and data about detainees.
But 3 trans migrants told me what it’s really like: Medical neglect. Solitary confinement. Harassment. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
But 3 trans migrants told me what it’s really like: Medical neglect. Solitary confinement. Harassment. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
ICE Is Treating Trans Immigrants With A New Level Of Cruelty
A HuffPost investigation found how the Trump administration systematically destroyed safeguards for detainees, subjecting them to abuse and neglect.
www.huffpost.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
NEW: It’s difficult to account for the abuses trans immigrants face in ICE custody after Trump destroyed safeguards, oversight agencies, and data about detainees.
But 3 trans migrants told me what it’s really like: Medical neglect. Solitary confinement. Harassment. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
But 3 trans migrants told me what it’s really like: Medical neglect. Solitary confinement. Harassment. www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
To staff at the Post who were targeted today: you helped millions understand the world better, with determination, clarity & style. Thank you. Know that many of us stand ready to support you in any way we can.
February 4, 2026 at 4:28 PM
To staff at the Post who were targeted today: you helped millions understand the world better, with determination, clarity & style. Thank you. Know that many of us stand ready to support you in any way we can.
From an incredibly diligent, brave, humane, and insightful reporter, an essential read - get your copy ASAP.
3 yrs ago I started writing a book that is in stores TODAY. It's narrative nonfiction, anti-fascist spy thriller set in Trump era. It's timely as hell & I'm proud of it.
A thread of what people are saying abt it & why I hope you'll help make it a bestseller www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Cat...
A thread of what people are saying abt it & why I hope you'll help make it a bestseller www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Cat...
February 3, 2026 at 6:53 PM
From an incredibly diligent, brave, humane, and insightful reporter, an essential read - get your copy ASAP.
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
My view is that US armed forces have been introduced into hostilities with Iran for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution.
February 3, 2026 at 5:45 PM
My view is that US armed forces have been introduced into hostilities with Iran for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution.
Note how perpetuating this kind of thinking + a lack of reflection can hurt US policy + drive more bloodshed. Pro-Isr hardliners are becoming even bigger political players + I'm hearing fears from Ds about Biden Gaza players shaping potential 2028 candidates with limited foreign policy experience.
February 1, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Note how perpetuating this kind of thinking + a lack of reflection can hurt US policy + drive more bloodshed. Pro-Isr hardliners are becoming even bigger political players + I'm hearing fears from Ds about Biden Gaza players shaping potential 2028 candidates with limited foreign policy experience.
..when talk of restraining Israel + saving Palestinian lives grew (eg early '24, after Biden’s bomb hold). Consistently- even as they bashed Netanyahu + saw him as aiding Trump-Biden aides let this happen
CROSSING THE RED LINE, my chronicle of their choices, will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026.
CROSSING THE RED LINE, my chronicle of their choices, will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026.
February 1, 2026 at 6:42 PM
..when talk of restraining Israel + saving Palestinian lives grew (eg early '24, after Biden’s bomb hold). Consistently- even as they bashed Netanyahu + saw him as aiding Trump-Biden aides let this happen
CROSSING THE RED LINE, my chronicle of their choices, will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026.
CROSSING THE RED LINE, my chronicle of their choices, will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026.
Clarity on their ties to atrocities+poor strategy matters for any better US policy
Fixating on proving pro-Israel credentials (even as their heavy, deadly support was clear) trapped the Biden admin in a losing game: Netanyahu+his US allies could always force them onto this ground & win especially..
Fixating on proving pro-Israel credentials (even as their heavy, deadly support was clear) trapped the Biden admin in a losing game: Netanyahu+his US allies could always force them onto this ground & win especially..
February 1, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Clarity on their ties to atrocities+poor strategy matters for any better US policy
Fixating on proving pro-Israel credentials (even as their heavy, deadly support was clear) trapped the Biden admin in a losing game: Netanyahu+his US allies could always force them onto this ground & win especially..
Fixating on proving pro-Israel credentials (even as their heavy, deadly support was clear) trapped the Biden admin in a losing game: Netanyahu+his US allies could always force them onto this ground & win especially..
Many Biden staff (especially senior aides) are still dodging responsibility for war crimes in Gaza — and as I’ve interviewed dozens repeatedly, they’ve became more aggressive in doing so, as they’ve secured elite positions, have Trump’s horrifying record to point to + faced little tangible pushback.
February 1, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Many Biden staff (especially senior aides) are still dodging responsibility for war crimes in Gaza — and as I’ve interviewed dozens repeatedly, they’ve became more aggressive in doing so, as they’ve secured elite positions, have Trump’s horrifying record to point to + faced little tangible pushback.
Amid US-backed massacres+starvation in Gaza, Biden aides didn’t change course partly because they feared looking insufficiently pro-Israel. Today, out of office + without consequences for atrocities, they’re fighting the same fight. Revealing both about them + the effect of a lack of accountability.
February 1, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Amid US-backed massacres+starvation in Gaza, Biden aides didn’t change course partly because they feared looking insufficiently pro-Israel. Today, out of office + without consequences for atrocities, they’re fighting the same fight. Revealing both about them + the effect of a lack of accountability.
NEW-Chances of diplomacy averting a Trump strike on Iran + bloody spiral are withering
-Admin's talking political targets (torpedoing diplomacy) + feel Iran has no option but big concessions
-US+Arab officials lobbying against attack report limited progress/influence
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
-Admin's talking political targets (torpedoing diplomacy) + feel Iran has no option but big concessions
-US+Arab officials lobbying against attack report limited progress/influence
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
It Looks Inevitable That Trump Will Strike Iran
Sources tell HuffPost that the diplomatic effort to avert war is slipping.
www.huffpost.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:21 AM
NEW-Chances of diplomacy averting a Trump strike on Iran + bloody spiral are withering
-Admin's talking political targets (torpedoing diplomacy) + feel Iran has no option but big concessions
-US+Arab officials lobbying against attack report limited progress/influence
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
-Admin's talking political targets (torpedoing diplomacy) + feel Iran has no option but big concessions
-US+Arab officials lobbying against attack report limited progress/influence
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."
January 30, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This just in from Amnesty International: "U.S. authorities must immediately release journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Journalism is not a crime. Reporting on protests is not a crime. Arresting journalists for their reporting is a clear example of an authoritarian practice."
Dozens of former staff have detailed to me how internal processes made it impossible to reach firm conclusions about Israel's conduct that would have required the US to act. That created plausible deniability that senior officials (including Biden, Sullivan, McGurk, Blinken, Lew) continue to rely on
January 30, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Dozens of former staff have detailed to me how internal processes made it impossible to reach firm conclusions about Israel's conduct that would have required the US to act. That created plausible deniability that senior officials (including Biden, Sullivan, McGurk, Blinken, Lew) continue to rely on
Vital reporting on Gaza info blocked by US officials (one a current ambassador).
Biden aides did not just sustain arms for Israel despite signs of misconduct + breaches of international/US law — they made even *considering* a policy shift very hard through their handling of intel+humanitarian info
Biden aides did not just sustain arms for Israel despite signs of misconduct + breaches of international/US law — they made even *considering* a policy shift very hard through their handling of intel+humanitarian info
"The staff reported seeing a human femur and other bones on the roads, dead bodies abandoned in cars and 'catastrophic human needs, particularly for food and safe drinking water.'"
www.reuters.com/world/early-...
www.reuters.com/world/early-...
Exclusive: Early warning of 'Apocalyptic Wasteland' in Gaza blocked by US envoys to Israel
U.S. Agency for International Development staffers in early 2024 drafted a warning to senior officials in Joe Biden’s administration: Northern Gaza had turned into an “Apocalyptic Wasteland” with dire...
www.reuters.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Vital reporting on Gaza info blocked by US officials (one a current ambassador).
Biden aides did not just sustain arms for Israel despite signs of misconduct + breaches of international/US law — they made even *considering* a policy shift very hard through their handling of intel+humanitarian info
Biden aides did not just sustain arms for Israel despite signs of misconduct + breaches of international/US law — they made even *considering* a policy shift very hard through their handling of intel+humanitarian info
(Still waiting)
January 30, 2026 at 1:48 AM
(Still waiting)
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Solidarity to @huffpostunion.bsky.social
HuffPost Union just delivered a strike pledge signed by 100% of our members. We are united and prepared to do whatever is necessary to reach a fair deal. #faircontractnow
January 30, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Solidarity to @huffpostunion.bsky.social
It’s time for HuffPost management to deliver a fair contract respecting our contributions to the company and showing a commitment to our stated ideals.
HuffPost Union just delivered a strike pledge signed by 100% of our members. We are united and prepared to do whatever is necessary to reach a fair deal. #faircontractnow
January 30, 2026 at 12:42 AM
It’s time for HuffPost management to deliver a fair contract respecting our contributions to the company and showing a commitment to our stated ideals.
Note: www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
And also that the ministry toll only includes those killed in attacks (not starvation/injuries/deprivation) + is widely seen as an undercount.
And also that the ministry toll only includes those killed in attacks (not starvation/injuries/deprivation) + is widely seen as an undercount.
IDF accepts Gaza Health Ministry death toll of over 71,000 Palestinians killed in the war
Although Many International Experts Have Accepted the Health Ministry's Data as Reliable, and Even Conservative Relative to the True Death Toll, Israel Had Refused to Accept the Health Ministry's Coun...
www.haaretz.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Note: www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
And also that the ministry toll only includes those killed in attacks (not starvation/injuries/deprivation) + is widely seen as an undercount.
And also that the ministry toll only includes those killed in attacks (not starvation/injuries/deprivation) + is widely seen as an undercount.
h/t @diplomatofnight.com for noting Biden has never publicly apologized for the comments. He did so privately to Muslim American leaders.
The day of Biden's remarks, I obtained State Dept cables showing the US gov repeatedly cited Gaza ministry figures sans caveats:
www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-bi...
The day of Biden's remarks, I obtained State Dept cables showing the US gov repeatedly cited Gaza ministry figures sans caveats:
www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-bi...
Biden Cast Doubt On Gaza’s Death Statistics — But They're Cited Internally
A HuffPost review of nearly 20 State Department updates on the Israel-Hamas war found repeated references to the Gaza Health Ministry with few caveats about its accuracy.
www.huffpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:45 PM
h/t @diplomatofnight.com for noting Biden has never publicly apologized for the comments. He did so privately to Muslim American leaders.
The day of Biden's remarks, I obtained State Dept cables showing the US gov repeatedly cited Gaza ministry figures sans caveats:
www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-bi...
The day of Biden's remarks, I obtained State Dept cables showing the US gov repeatedly cited Gaza ministry figures sans caveats:
www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-bi...
President Biden twice said he had "no confidence" in the numbers from Palestinians about deaths in Gaza — a position that helped justify his policy of enabling Israeli attacks there.
Today, the IDF said it accepts the Gaza ministry's numbers. I've asked Biden's spox if he has regrets. Stay tuned.
Today, the IDF said it accepts the Gaza ministry's numbers. I've asked Biden's spox if he has regrets. Stay tuned.
January 29, 2026 at 4:45 PM
President Biden twice said he had "no confidence" in the numbers from Palestinians about deaths in Gaza — a position that helped justify his policy of enabling Israeli attacks there.
Today, the IDF said it accepts the Gaza ministry's numbers. I've asked Biden's spox if he has regrets. Stay tuned.
Today, the IDF said it accepts the Gaza ministry's numbers. I've asked Biden's spox if he has regrets. Stay tuned.
CROSSING THE RED LINE will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026. 🙏🏽🧿
There’ll be much more new detail in the book on the thinking+actions of the Biden administration toward Israel-Palestine — raising questions about accountability and what Democrats/future policymakers should take from their record.
There’ll be much more new detail in the book on the thinking+actions of the Biden administration toward Israel-Palestine — raising questions about accountability and what Democrats/future policymakers should take from their record.
January 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
CROSSING THE RED LINE will be out from WW Norton in fall 2026. 🙏🏽🧿
There’ll be much more new detail in the book on the thinking+actions of the Biden administration toward Israel-Palestine — raising questions about accountability and what Democrats/future policymakers should take from their record.
There’ll be much more new detail in the book on the thinking+actions of the Biden administration toward Israel-Palestine — raising questions about accountability and what Democrats/future policymakers should take from their record.
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Hot off the presses 📰
Bargaining committee was on 🔥 yesterday & we’re back at the table today! We won’t back down as we fight for just compensation, equitable severance and AI protections that let us create the fearless, top-notch journalism the world needs now. ✊ #faircontractnow
Bargaining committee was on 🔥 yesterday & we’re back at the table today! We won’t back down as we fight for just compensation, equitable severance and AI protections that let us create the fearless, top-notch journalism the world needs now. ✊ #faircontractnow
January 29, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Hot off the presses 📰
Bargaining committee was on 🔥 yesterday & we’re back at the table today! We won’t back down as we fight for just compensation, equitable severance and AI protections that let us create the fearless, top-notch journalism the world needs now. ✊ #faircontractnow
Bargaining committee was on 🔥 yesterday & we’re back at the table today! We won’t back down as we fight for just compensation, equitable severance and AI protections that let us create the fearless, top-notch journalism the world needs now. ✊ #faircontractnow
Consider how officials handled intel findings post-election (when it was harder to present challenging Israel as politically impossible).
Consistently, with deadly effects, Biden decision-makers dodged firm conclusions on Palestinian suffering & Israel’s approach.
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Consistently, with deadly effects, Biden decision-makers dodged firm conclusions on Palestinian suffering & Israel’s approach.
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Biden Discussed Potential Israeli War Crimes In Gaza. He Kicked The Can To Trump.
New intelligence shocked officials in late 2024, spurring heightened fear of U.S. liability, HuffPost has learned. The period saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken ask if Israel’s actions constituted ...
www.huffpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Consider how officials handled intel findings post-election (when it was harder to present challenging Israel as politically impossible).
Consistently, with deadly effects, Biden decision-makers dodged firm conclusions on Palestinian suffering & Israel’s approach.
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Consistently, with deadly effects, Biden decision-makers dodged firm conclusions on Palestinian suffering & Israel’s approach.
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Such doubt was consistently echoed by senior officials in Biden admin deliberations, thru the end of their tenure — driving top officials to doubt humanitarian + intelligence experts unlike elsewhere & making it hard to justify shifts in US policy that could have saved lives.
More soon in my book.
More soon in my book.
I cannot tell you how much doubt was consistently directed at the Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty numbers and how much pressure was put on news organizations to couch those numbers as unreliable.
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
IDF accepts Gaza Health Ministry death toll of over 71,000 Palestinians killed in the war
Although Many International Experts Have Accepted the Health Ministry's Data as Reliable, and Even Conservative Relative to the True Death Toll, Israel Had Refused to Accept the Health Ministry's Coun...
www.haaretz.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Such doubt was consistently echoed by senior officials in Biden admin deliberations, thru the end of their tenure — driving top officials to doubt humanitarian + intelligence experts unlike elsewhere & making it hard to justify shifts in US policy that could have saved lives.
More soon in my book.
More soon in my book.
Reposted by Akbar Shahid Ahmed
NEW: Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old who ICE agents in Minneapolis nabbed last week and shipped off to a Texas detention facility with his dad, is now in poor health, his school superintendent told me today www.huffpost.com/entry/liam-c...
5-Year-Old in ICE Detention Is Sick, Says Top School Official
The 5-year-old who was taken by federal agents in Minneapolis is being held behind bars with his father in Texas.
www.huffpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:59 PM
NEW: Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old who ICE agents in Minneapolis nabbed last week and shipped off to a Texas detention facility with his dad, is now in poor health, his school superintendent told me today www.huffpost.com/entry/liam-c...