David Leheny
@davidleheny.bsky.social
Political scientist at GSAPS, Waseda University. Formerly UW-Madison, Princeton, U.S. Department of State, Stop & Shop. Author of Empire of Hope; The Rules of Play; Think Global, Fear Local (all Cornell UP). Coeditor of Stanford Studies in Asian Security.
Pinned
David Leheny
@davidleheny.bsky.social
· Oct 26
By taking $100 million worth of jewels out of the Louvre before getting official permission, I forced the issue, in a strategy called “stake-driving.”
THIS. CHANGES. EVERYTHING.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday defended President Trump’s special envoy against accusations of pro-Kremlin bias.
Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias
The Russian leader called the U.S. special envoy “an intelligent man” who is properly representing his country in peace negotiations.
nyti.ms
November 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
THIS. CHANGES. EVERYTHING.
Jazz OTD: A half-century ago today, Weather Report (at the time: Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Alex Acuña, Alphonso Johnson, and Chester Thompson) recoded this, among several tracks from their November 27, 1975 performance at The New Victoria Theatre in London. Happy Thanksgiving, folks! #jazzsky
Directions / Dr. Honoris Causa (Live)
YouTube video by Weather Report - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Jazz OTD: A half-century ago today, Weather Report (at the time: Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Alex Acuña, Alphonso Johnson, and Chester Thompson) recoded this, among several tracks from their November 27, 1975 performance at The New Victoria Theatre in London. Happy Thanksgiving, folks! #jazzsky
This year's Thanksgiving might offer few chances for real gratitude, but at least next year we'll have the Olivia-Nuzzi-and-Mel-Gibson-at-the-Vanity-Fair-Oscars-Party story to be thankful for
Olivia Nuzzi’s abstract nude portrait set to run in Vanity Fair is revealed
An image of the Olivia Nuzzi painting, entitled “How to Disappear,” is a magazine exclusive set to appear in Vanity Fair’s Dec. 2 Hollywood issue.
nypost.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This year's Thanksgiving might offer few chances for real gratitude, but at least next year we'll have the Olivia-Nuzzi-and-Mel-Gibson-at-the-Vanity-Fair-Oscars-Party story to be thankful for
5) “Roseanna” -Toto
4) “Excursions” - A Tribe Called Quest
3) “Beija Eu” - Marisa Monte
2) “Mr. DJ” - Aretha Franklin
1) “Lonely Woman” - Ornette Coleman
This list is widely regarded as definitive and not at all personal or idiosyncratic.
4) “Excursions” - A Tribe Called Quest
3) “Beija Eu” - Marisa Monte
2) “Mr. DJ” - Aretha Franklin
1) “Lonely Woman” - Ornette Coleman
This list is widely regarded as definitive and not at all personal or idiosyncratic.
November 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
5) “Roseanna” -Toto
4) “Excursions” - A Tribe Called Quest
3) “Beija Eu” - Marisa Monte
2) “Mr. DJ” - Aretha Franklin
1) “Lonely Woman” - Ornette Coleman
This list is widely regarded as definitive and not at all personal or idiosyncratic.
4) “Excursions” - A Tribe Called Quest
3) “Beija Eu” - Marisa Monte
2) “Mr. DJ” - Aretha Franklin
1) “Lonely Woman” - Ornette Coleman
This list is widely regarded as definitive and not at all personal or idiosyncratic.
Jazz OTD: If you, like me, were familiar with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse initially because of his brilliant, deeply attuned tenure with Thelonious Monk, the rhythm and vibe of his wonderful album "Bossa Nova Bacchanal," recorded November 26, 1962, might come as a surprise. #jazzsky
Samba De Orfeu
YouTube video by Charlie Rouse - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Jazz OTD: If you, like me, were familiar with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse initially because of his brilliant, deeply attuned tenure with Thelonious Monk, the rhythm and vibe of his wonderful album "Bossa Nova Bacchanal," recorded November 26, 1962, might come as a surprise. #jazzsky
Reposted by David Leheny
The ch that @profjessblankshain.bsky.social and I wrote focuses on how the Total Force Policy affected the reserves: “Combined with the post–Cold War security environment, it fundamentally changed the way the reserve component is employed, increasing its operational use and professionalization.”
Featuring all your favorite civ-mil people, incl me and @profjessblankshain.bsky.social on “The Future of the Total Force: What Will It Mean to Be a Citizen-Soldier?”
@robertralston.bsky.social and Ron Krebs on polarization; @kschake.bsky.social and @bishopgarrison.com on non-partisanship …
@robertralston.bsky.social and Ron Krebs on polarization; @kschake.bsky.social and @bishopgarrison.com on non-partisanship …
November 25, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The ch that @profjessblankshain.bsky.social and I wrote focuses on how the Total Force Policy affected the reserves: “Combined with the post–Cold War security environment, it fundamentally changed the way the reserve component is employed, increasing its operational use and professionalization.”
Jazz OTD: Nearly 30 years after their only previous release, MTB - named for Brad Mehldau (p), Mark Turner (ts), and Peter Bernstein (g) - returned to the studio on November 25-26, 2023 with their original bassist Larry Grenadier and Bill Stewart (d) for the terrific "Solid Jackson." #jazzsky
Angola
YouTube video by Brad Mehldau - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Jazz OTD: Nearly 30 years after their only previous release, MTB - named for Brad Mehldau (p), Mark Turner (ts), and Peter Bernstein (g) - returned to the studio on November 25-26, 2023 with their original bassist Larry Grenadier and Bill Stewart (d) for the terrific "Solid Jackson." #jazzsky
Jazz OTD: Although they returned to recording/playing with one another 7 years later, the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded what was billed as their final concert on November 25, 1974 at Lincoln Center, and it's exquisite even by the lofty standards of Messrs. Jackson, Lewis, Heath, and Kay. #jazzsky
The Jasmine Tree (Live at Lincoln Center)
YouTube video by The Modern Jazz Quartet - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Jazz OTD: Although they returned to recording/playing with one another 7 years later, the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded what was billed as their final concert on November 25, 1974 at Lincoln Center, and it's exquisite even by the lofty standards of Messrs. Jackson, Lewis, Heath, and Kay. #jazzsky
What do you know? It didn’t work. At all.
5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Musicals
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM
What do you know? It didn’t work. At all.
Reposted by David Leheny
i fact-checked this beautiful piece about South Africa's exiled jazz musicians: www.parapraxismagazine.com/articles/lik...
Like Deepening Thunder into Our Hearts — Parapraxis
Sounding South African Exile Francis Gooding
www.parapraxismagazine.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
i fact-checked this beautiful piece about South Africa's exiled jazz musicians: www.parapraxismagazine.com/articles/lik...
The one online game I play keeps showing me Brunt Workwear ads, and I keep expecting to see the models yell “Let’s Go, Brandon” or reassure me that “its heritage, not hate.”
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The one online game I play keeps showing me Brunt Workwear ads, and I keep expecting to see the models yell “Let’s Go, Brandon” or reassure me that “its heritage, not hate.”
Reposted by David Leheny
Every otaku visitor to Tokyo raids branches of BookOff and Mandarake. Here's a Jinbocho bookstore with over a century of specialist film and theatre knowledge that now caters to rakugo, kabuki and sumo otaku as well as offering film posters and sc-fi magazines.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Century-old Tokyo bookstore draws fans with wall of rare finds | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
In the heart of Kanda-Jinbocho, Tokyo’s famed district for secondhand books, a stucco building stands out with bookshelves covering its outer walls. The eye-catching display often stops people in thei...
www.asahi.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Every otaku visitor to Tokyo raids branches of BookOff and Mandarake. Here's a Jinbocho bookstore with over a century of specialist film and theatre knowledge that now caters to rakugo, kabuki and sumo otaku as well as offering film posters and sc-fi magazines.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Jazz OTD: It's unfortunate that the great pianist Cyrus Chestnut didn't recreate the video for the Lionel Ritchie classic "Hello" when recording it for his album "A Million Colors In Your Mind" - with David Williams (b) and Victor Lewis (d) - on November 24, 2014. But it's still terrific. #jazzsky
Cyrus Chestnut - Hello
YouTube video by Jazz Everyday!
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Jazz OTD: It's unfortunate that the great pianist Cyrus Chestnut didn't recreate the video for the Lionel Ritchie classic "Hello" when recording it for his album "A Million Colors In Your Mind" - with David Williams (b) and Victor Lewis (d) - on November 24, 2014. But it's still terrific. #jazzsky
Jazz OTD: Trumpeter/composer Tom Harrell recorded "Oak Tree" on November 24-25, 2020 with Luis Perdomo (p, ep), Ugonna Okegwo (b), and Adam Cruz (d). It's all pretty great (of course), but I have to link to his tribute to one of the all-time great film series, with Harrell overdubbing. #jazzsky
Zatoichi
YouTube video by Tom Harrell - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Jazz OTD: Trumpeter/composer Tom Harrell recorded "Oak Tree" on November 24-25, 2020 with Luis Perdomo (p, ep), Ugonna Okegwo (b), and Adam Cruz (d). It's all pretty great (of course), but I have to link to his tribute to one of the all-time great film series, with Harrell overdubbing. #jazzsky
Jazz OTD: On November 24, 1971, Pharoah Sanders recorded "Black Unity," arguably his greatest album. Even with just one 37-minute long piece, the shifts in timbre and sound despite maintaining a pretty consistent set of grooves are remarkable. #jazzsky
Black Unity
YouTube video by Pharoah Sanders - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Jazz OTD: On November 24, 1971, Pharoah Sanders recorded "Black Unity," arguably his greatest album. Even with just one 37-minute long piece, the shifts in timbre and sound despite maintaining a pretty consistent set of grooves are remarkable. #jazzsky
Lennon and McCartney already kind of called this one:
"Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away"
"Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away"
Why Republicans Are Fighting About the Nazis
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Lennon and McCartney already kind of called this one:
"Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away"
"Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away"
Share a 90s movie you think deserves more love
November 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Share a 90s movie you think deserves more love
Reposted by David Leheny
These Teens Are Trying to Save Go-Go. Can the Music Save Them, Too?
By Marissa J. Lang
Gift link! @marissajae.bsky.social
By Marissa J. Lang
Gift link! @marissajae.bsky.social
These teens are trying to save go-go. Can the music save them, too?
A new generation of D.C. teens is discovering the power of go-go music, thanks to a revival effort in local schools.
wapo.st
November 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
These Teens Are Trying to Save Go-Go. Can the Music Save Them, Too?
By Marissa J. Lang
Gift link! @marissajae.bsky.social
By Marissa J. Lang
Gift link! @marissajae.bsky.social
I just have this weird suspicion, based on the opening paragraphs of this story, that the FBI director isn't exactly beloved within the Bureau.
Patel Under Scrutiny for Use of SWAT Teams to Protect His Girlfriend
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:15 PM
I just have this weird suspicion, based on the opening paragraphs of this story, that the FBI director isn't exactly beloved within the Bureau.
Jazz OTD: Trumpeter Wallace Roney recorded his excellent album "Home" on November 23-24, 2010. Here his band is joined by George Burton on Fender Rhodes for a version of Wayne Shorter's composition "Plaza Real," first heard on Weather Report's "Procession." #Jazzsky
Wallace Roney - Plaza Real
YouTube video by Jazz Everyday!
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Jazz OTD: Trumpeter Wallace Roney recorded his excellent album "Home" on November 23-24, 2010. Here his band is joined by George Burton on Fender Rhodes for a version of Wayne Shorter's composition "Plaza Real," first heard on Weather Report's "Procession." #Jazzsky
This video is apparently from last year, but my daughter and I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 the Cornell University Percussion Ensemble fall concert this afternoon. It was delightful: three challenging and beautifully played pieces ranging from the wildly funny to the dreamlike, evocative, and moving.
Mudra by Bob Becker | Cornell University Percussion Ensemble
YouTube video by Cornell University Percussion Ensemble
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:11 PM
This video is apparently from last year, but my daughter and I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 the Cornell University Percussion Ensemble fall concert this afternoon. It was delightful: three challenging and beautifully played pieces ranging from the wildly funny to the dreamlike, evocative, and moving.
As it turns out, all of the other Christmas song titles had already been used for other Hallmark holiday films, so I had to dig deep for my debut as writer/director on the network
November 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
As it turns out, all of the other Christmas song titles had already been used for other Hallmark holiday films, so I had to dig deep for my debut as writer/director on the network
Jazz OTD: For virtuosic touch and technique, not to mention a fabulously bluesy feel for the music, it’s hard to beat Cyrus Chestnut. Here he is live at Harlem’s Smoke Jazz Club, from November 22-23, 2014, with Curtis Lundy (b) and Victor Lewis (d). #jazzsky
Chelsea Bridge
YouTube video by Cyrus Chestnut - Topic
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Jazz OTD: For virtuosic touch and technique, not to mention a fabulously bluesy feel for the music, it’s hard to beat Cyrus Chestnut. Here he is live at Harlem’s Smoke Jazz Club, from November 22-23, 2014, with Curtis Lundy (b) and Victor Lewis (d). #jazzsky
Jazz OTD: Ella Fitzgerald recorded seven tracks for "Ella Swings Lightly," one of her wonderful collaborations with LA-based arranger and composer Marty Paich (and father of Toto's David Paich, who composed/sang "Africa"), on November 22, 1958, including this version of "If I Were A Bell." #jazzsky
Ella Fitzgerald - If I Were a Bell 1958
YouTube video by JazzBreakTV
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Jazz OTD: Ella Fitzgerald recorded seven tracks for "Ella Swings Lightly," one of her wonderful collaborations with LA-based arranger and composer Marty Paich (and father of Toto's David Paich, who composed/sang "Africa"), on November 22, 1958, including this version of "If I Were A Bell." #jazzsky