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Jonathan Cristol

@jonathancristol.bsky.social

180 followers 290 following 530 posts

I teach Middle East Politics, International Security, International Law, WMD (and stuff like that) at YU. Write about East Asia and Middle East. Ex-think-tanker. Occasional contractor. New to this platform. Love a good parenthetical aside. NYC based.

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Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 1d

The reality is that in 2025, when you teach Middle East Politics, American Foreign Policy, and stuff like that, Chatham House rules protect everyone (whereas an “off the record class” is almost a contradiction in terms).

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 1d

And 2) I tell my students that, “obviously, it’s a college class, so please do talk about everything I have to say to anyone and everyone… but what you cannot do is to quote me or your classmates word-for-word.” There’s nothing nefarious about it.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 1d

Chatham House rule is that you not directly quote or attribute quotes. Off the record = no acknowledgment that the discussion took place.

I use Chatham House rules in all my classes…

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 1d

Ok. I am a huge fan of @lastweektonight.com; but I’m watching right now and two minor quibbles.

He takes issue with the “University of Austin” using the Chatham House rule in its classes.

But 1) he conflates CHR with “off the record” but they are not the same…

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 3d

(Say hello if you’re there, too!)

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 3d

Looking forward to seeing my fellow moderates @thebulwark.com live tonight… and close enough to home that I can walk!

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Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 11d

It’s time.

#TaylorSwift

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 12d

Look what I found.

Jealous, much?

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 13d

And as it happens, my book — The United States and the Taliban before and after 9/11– is on sale today. It’s still a bit pricey, but well within reason and worth picking up if you’re interested in the topic.

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 14d

It was a pleasure to talk to Straight Arrow News for this article!

Straight Arrow News - SAN - Unbiased. Straight Facts. @san.com.web.brid.gy · 15d

Taliban cuts off internet throughout Afghanistan

If you’re reading this, you’re probably not currently in Afghanistan. The ruling Taliban has cut off the internet to most of the country, according to Netblocks, an internet watchdog. Internet shutdown Netblocks said internet connectivity levels in Afghanistan have “collapsed” to 14% of ordinary levels. They said a near-total nationwide telecoms disruption is now in... The post Taliban cuts off internet throughout Afghanistan appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

san.com

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

At #UNGA80 China decries "might makes right mentality," as it assists Russia's imperial ambitions.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

Netanyahu is finished, and Pakistan is up next.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

The part I suspect he was referring to, was that Indonesia said it would contribute 20,000 troops to a multi-national force for Gaza when the war ends.

(It may not come across in writing, but the Indonesia speech was conciliatory in tone.)

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

He mentions the speech given by Indonesia on Tuesday as showing a hopeful future. He doesn't give details, but it's worth noting that Indonesia's statement was that if Israel recognizes a Palestinian state, Indonesia will immediately recognize Israel.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

And on Lebanon "If Lebanon takes genuine action to disarm Hezbollah, I am sure [peace can be achieved]."

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

He says he is hopeful that an agreement can be reached with the new Syrian government that settles borders and guarantees rights for the Druze in Syria.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

I just find that an interesting juxtaposition with the (accurate) list of IDF military successes he presented at the start of the speech.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

He calls the creation of an SOP-- "national suicide."

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

Netanyahu is a great communicator -- but the total lack of, you know, credibility (in general, not specific to this issue), is a problem.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

He is making the case that recognizing an SOP rewards Hamas; and while it's a bit more nuanced that Trump's bluntness about that, the French/KSA proposal does address that head on.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

He says that many states "unconditionally recognized" a Palestinian state, which is not exactly true of all of those.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

I mentioned earlier that a lot of delegations walked out. Obviously, that is prima facie performative. But it's worth mentioning that the # of people in the room now is about the norm for Friday morning... so it isn't that people were there and walked out in protest. They showed up *to* walk out.

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Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

The part of Netanyahu's speech attacking other world leaders is what Trump might sound like if he spoke at above a first grade level.

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

Here is a good thread on this question...

bsky.app/profile/ecfr...

ECFR @ecfr.eu · 18d

#UNGA80 🧵
1/ Iran and European powers are deadlocked at UNGA in last-ditch efforts to prevent snapback of UN sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program. Here are some key takeaways from our senior policy fellow Ellie Geranmayeh from @ecfrmena.bsky.social

📸picture alliance / SIPA | JEANNE ACCORSINI

Jonathan Cristol @jonathancristol.bsky.social · 18d

"Many of the leaders who publicly condemn us, privately thank us."