Brian J. Phillips
@brianjphillips.bsky.social
Terrorism, conflict, crime. @uniessexgov.bsky.social. Via Ohio, Camp Lejeune, PGH, CDMX. Co-authored book: "Insurgent Terrorism." https://sites.google.com/site/brianjphillips/home
Pinned
Who Are the Terrorism Researchers? A Study of Scholars in an Evolving Field, 1970–2019
Debates rage about diversity and representation. How diverse is terrorism studies? How has it changed over time? This article analyzes data on the nearly 2,000 terrorism scholars in the Web of Scie...
doi.org
Who creates terrorism research? Which countries produce the most? How have these things changed over time? Check out my recent article.
doi.org/10.1080/1057...
doi.org/10.1080/1057...
Wivenhoe sunset
November 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Wivenhoe sunset
Trump says US land action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela will start ‘very soon’
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
Trump says US land action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela will start ‘very soon’ | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that the United States is preparing to take new action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela, telling service members during a Thanksgiving c...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Trump says US land action against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela will start ‘very soon’
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
I realize it was a previous news cycle - years ago it seems! - when the US was planning war on Venezuela. But I wrote this, which took a couple days to get published: theconversation.com/venezuelas-c...
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles: what are the implications of its US ‘terrorist’ designation?
The Trump administration deems the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organisation, but there are doubts over whether it actually exists.
theconversation.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:57 AM
I realize it was a previous news cycle - years ago it seems! - when the US was planning war on Venezuela. But I wrote this, which took a couple days to get published: theconversation.com/venezuelas-c...
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
I realize it was a previous news cycle - years ago it seems! - when the US was planning war on Venezuela. But I wrote this, which took a couple days to get published: theconversation.com/venezuelas-c...
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles: what are the implications of its US ‘terrorist’ designation?
The Trump administration deems the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organisation, but there are doubts over whether it actually exists.
theconversation.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:57 AM
I realize it was a previous news cycle - years ago it seems! - when the US was planning war on Venezuela. But I wrote this, which took a couple days to get published: theconversation.com/venezuelas-c...
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Also there's now a US aircraft carrier and a dozen other US ships off the coast of Venezuela.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
It didn’t even take 6 hours.
November 27, 2025 at 3:13 AM
It didn’t even take 6 hours.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
Our students in the Model UN and Politics Society are co-hosting a panel THURSDAY on the changing global order featuring colleagues, Dr. Alex Hennessy, Dr. Brian Phillips, and Dr. Felix Schnell (PHAIS).
Join us!
#EssexGov #EssexGovEvents #MUNEssex #EssexPoliticsSociety
Join us!
#EssexGov #EssexGovEvents #MUNEssex #EssexPoliticsSociety
November 26, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Our students in the Model UN and Politics Society are co-hosting a panel THURSDAY on the changing global order featuring colleagues, Dr. Alex Hennessy, Dr. Brian Phillips, and Dr. Felix Schnell (PHAIS).
Join us!
#EssexGov #EssexGovEvents #MUNEssex #EssexPoliticsSociety
Join us!
#EssexGov #EssexGovEvents #MUNEssex #EssexPoliticsSociety
In case you want to hear more about this topic! I spoke with Turkey's Anadolu Agency, great discussion.
"US designates Venezuela-based cartel as terrorist organization: What does it mean for other countries?"
www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
@uniessexgov.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
"US designates Venezuela-based cartel as terrorist organization: What does it mean for other countries?"
www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
@uniessexgov.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
US designates Venezuela-based cartel as terrorist organization: What does it mean for other countries?
US decision to designate Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organization expected to have implications for some countries
- Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
November 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In case you want to hear more about this topic! I spoke with Turkey's Anadolu Agency, great discussion.
"US designates Venezuela-based cartel as terrorist organization: What does it mean for other countries?"
www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
@uniessexgov.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
"US designates Venezuela-based cartel as terrorist organization: What does it mean for other countries?"
www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
@uniessexgov.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
I remember when South America was not among the top ten US defense priorities. It was so long ago.... 2024.
The Pentagon’s new "two-war construct” is going to be WWIII-prepping for China ("great-power competition”) and a large-scale occupation for Latin America. This would make the trillion-dollar budget permanent, and provide a new impetus for horizonless increases in military spending
As rumors of a U.S. war on Venezuela swirl, military documents show plans to feed a buildup of troops in the region for years.
November 25, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I remember when South America was not among the top ten US defense priorities. It was so long ago.... 2024.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
I've got writing deadlines, marking deadlines and teaching prep to do for later in the week, not to mention admin tasks and an overflowing email inbox, but let's put all that aside and admire Oxford college cats
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
College cats of Oxford
Once upon a time, we featured an image of Magdalen's kitten, Ozymandias, in our newsletter. We figured it might be a gentle contrast to our regular diet of planning and local politics.
The grey ball ...
oxfordclarion.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I've got writing deadlines, marking deadlines and teaching prep to do for later in the week, not to mention admin tasks and an overflowing email inbox, but let's put all that aside and admire Oxford college cats
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
Watch this space
Trump begins process of labeling Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist reut.rs/3JXpYV4
Trump begins process of labeling Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday began the process of designating certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists, a move that would bring sanctions against one of the Arab world's oldest and most influential Islamist movements.
reut.rs
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Watch this space
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
In this paper we use data from Argentina to contribute to the debate about the dangers of polarisation. We explore if partisans rely on regime stereotypes to stigmatise rivals; are more emotional in victory/defeat; and display conditional democratic commitments
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Strong Partisans, Conditional Democrats? Partisanship and Reactions to Electoral Outcomes in Argentina - Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos, Carlos Meléndez, 2025
Partisans who back self-interested illiberal measures jeopardize democracy. We explore important precursors of support for backsliding using survey and focus gr...
journals.sagepub.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
In this paper we use data from Argentina to contribute to the debate about the dangers of polarisation. We explore if partisans rely on regime stereotypes to stigmatise rivals; are more emotional in victory/defeat; and display conditional democratic commitments
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
2025 has already been a record-breaking year for US terrorist designation, and things aren't slowing down. The current president is a big fan of this instrument.
Trump moves to designate some Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist groups www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump moves to sanction some Muslim Brotherhood chapters
The executive order calls for a report into whether to label the group a terrorist organisation.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
2025 has already been a record-breaking year for US terrorist designation, and things aren't slowing down. The current president is a big fan of this instrument.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
TODAY the U.S. adds the Venezuelan network "Cartel de los Soles" to its Foreign Terrorist Organization list.
The Trump admin has now designated 24 (!) groups as FTOs this year.
For perspective, in the 8 years of GW Bush, the 9/11 years, Bush only added 15 groups to the list.
The Trump admin has now designated 24 (!) groups as FTOs this year.
For perspective, in the 8 years of GW Bush, the 9/11 years, Bush only added 15 groups to the list.
November 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
TODAY the U.S. adds the Venezuelan network "Cartel de los Soles" to its Foreign Terrorist Organization list.
The Trump admin has now designated 24 (!) groups as FTOs this year.
For perspective, in the 8 years of GW Bush, the 9/11 years, Bush only added 15 groups to the list.
The Trump admin has now designated 24 (!) groups as FTOs this year.
For perspective, in the 8 years of GW Bush, the 9/11 years, Bush only added 15 groups to the list.
If you get asked to review... please respond!!! And if you agree to review, please turn in the review. If it's a little late, that's ok, but let the journal know.
Recently did around 30 requests to ppl who'd published very similar papers to the one I needed reviews for. 3 declines, 25 no response. Please at least decline guys it slows stuff down so much otherwise.
I'm still relatively new to this journal associate editor business, but it already sucks… I've had a paper on my desk for more than a month now:
Reviewers invited: 12
Of those…
Declined: 5
No response: 7
Reviewers invited: 12
Of those…
Declined: 5
No response: 7
November 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
If you get asked to review... please respond!!! And if you agree to review, please turn in the review. If it's a little late, that's ok, but let the journal know.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
New article with @draege.bsky.social out in Scandinavian Political Studies: “Asymmetric Influence: Politicians Can Fuel but Not Dampen Conflict.” We test whether politicians in one of the world’s least polarized democracies, Norway, can calm conflict as effectively as they can inflame it. #polisky
Asymmetric Influence: Politicians Can Fuel but Not Dampen Conflict
Research from the deeply polarized United States suggests that the impact of elite communication is asymmetrical: antagonistic messages often heighten divisions, while positive appeals fail to dampen...
dx.doi.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:42 AM
New article with @draege.bsky.social out in Scandinavian Political Studies: “Asymmetric Influence: Politicians Can Fuel but Not Dampen Conflict.” We test whether politicians in one of the world’s least polarized democracies, Norway, can calm conflict as effectively as they can inflame it. #polisky
4%
UPDATE: Americans who use
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
November 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
4%
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
Online Neo-Nazi group using children’s video game for recruiting and propaganda.
globalextremism.org/post/online-...
globalextremism.org/post/online-...
Online Neo-Nazi Group Using Children’s Video Games For Recruiting And Propaganda
A disturbing trend is emerging on Roblox, a platform with tens of millions of young users: online white supremacist groups are using children’s video games to recruit and spread propaganda. The “Blues...
globalextremism.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Online Neo-Nazi group using children’s video game for recruiting and propaganda.
globalextremism.org/post/online-...
globalextremism.org/post/online-...
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
📊 Poll drop: Latin Americans' trust in the U.S. has collapsed under Trump. Why? Because the "war on drugs" is now a pretext for regime change.
The #DonroeDoctrine is reshaping #LatinAmerica.
👇 Here's what you need to know:
sinfiltroya.substack.com/p/the-donroe...
The #DonroeDoctrine is reshaping #LatinAmerica.
👇 Here's what you need to know:
sinfiltroya.substack.com/p/the-donroe...
☕️ The Donroe Doctrine: Trump's Ultimatum to Latin America
When Drug War Becomes Regime Change: The Logic Behind Trump's Venezuela Gambit
sinfiltroya.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
📊 Poll drop: Latin Americans' trust in the U.S. has collapsed under Trump. Why? Because the "war on drugs" is now a pretext for regime change.
The #DonroeDoctrine is reshaping #LatinAmerica.
👇 Here's what you need to know:
sinfiltroya.substack.com/p/the-donroe...
The #DonroeDoctrine is reshaping #LatinAmerica.
👇 Here's what you need to know:
sinfiltroya.substack.com/p/the-donroe...
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
Another point: the Trump admin is REALLY using terrorist designation a lot this term. Unprecedented increase in FTOs.
There are now 90 groups on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list. In the mid-2010s, there were around 60 FTOs.
There are now 90 groups on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list. In the mid-2010s, there were around 60 FTOs.
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Another point: the Trump admin is REALLY using terrorist designation a lot this term. Unprecedented increase in FTOs.
There are now 90 groups on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list. In the mid-2010s, there were around 60 FTOs.
There are now 90 groups on the Foreign Terrorist Organization list. In the mid-2010s, there were around 60 FTOs.
TODAY: the US added four European leftist/anarchist groups to its Foreign Terrorist Organization list.
IAF is a loose network, not an organization. Also it's not clear that any of these groups have killed anyone, but apparently they have injured some people, like Antifa Ost attacking Neo-Nazis. 🧵
IAF is a loose network, not an organization. Also it's not clear that any of these groups have killed anyone, but apparently they have injured some people, like Antifa Ost attacking Neo-Nazis. 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 1:44 PM
TODAY: the US added four European leftist/anarchist groups to its Foreign Terrorist Organization list.
IAF is a loose network, not an organization. Also it's not clear that any of these groups have killed anyone, but apparently they have injured some people, like Antifa Ost attacking Neo-Nazis. 🧵
IAF is a loose network, not an organization. Also it's not clear that any of these groups have killed anyone, but apparently they have injured some people, like Antifa Ost attacking Neo-Nazis. 🧵
Reposted by Brian J. Phillips
Another 120 people have been charged under the Terrorism Act for holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action", bringing the total people prosecuted in London to 254
At an initial glance the oldest person was born in 1939 and the youngest in 2004. Many are pensioners
At an initial glance the oldest person was born in 1939 and the youngest in 2004. Many are pensioners
November 20, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Another 120 people have been charged under the Terrorism Act for holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action", bringing the total people prosecuted in London to 254
At an initial glance the oldest person was born in 1939 and the youngest in 2004. Many are pensioners
At an initial glance the oldest person was born in 1939 and the youngest in 2004. Many are pensioners
Not sure I've seen a McDonalds flag fly at half-mast before.
Good morning from Camp Justice at Guantánamo Bay, where the flags are at half-mast across the installation for Dick Cheney. At the war court today we expect testimony related to prosecution efforts to use double hearsay at the eventual USS Cole trial.
November 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Not sure I've seen a McDonalds flag fly at half-mast before.