Paul Poast
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social
International Relations and Foreign Policy. UChicago Prof. Chicago Council Fellow. WPReview Columnist. Still on Twitter/X, but now here too.
https://www.paulpoast.com/
https://www.paulpoast.com/
Pinned
Paul Poast
@profpaulpoast.bsky.social
· Oct 4
www.linkedin.com
From now on, I will be focusing on LinkedIn for posting on social media. I'll still use this platform to observe what people are saying, but I will be posting exclusively on LinkedIn.
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
Reposted by Paul Poast
Trump’s trip to Asia mostly resulted in promises and flattery. But promises alone don’t guarantee follow-through—and that’s often where Trump’s deals break down.
Read more in @profpaulpoast.bsky.social’s latest column:
Read more in @profpaulpoast.bsky.social’s latest column:
Trump Didn’t Quite Close the Deal on His Asia Tour
Trump came away with many promises, but everything will now depend on follow-through, which is where his deals often break down.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Trump’s trip to Asia mostly resulted in promises and flattery. But promises alone don’t guarantee follow-through—and that’s often where Trump’s deals break down.
Read more in @profpaulpoast.bsky.social’s latest column:
Read more in @profpaulpoast.bsky.social’s latest column:
Reposted by Paul Poast
Trump came away from his trip to Asia with many promises, but everything will now depend on follow-through, which is where his deals often break down, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Trump Didn’t Quite Close the Deal on His Asia Tour
Trump came away with many promises, but everything will now depend on follow-through, which is where his deals often break down.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Trump came away from his trip to Asia with many promises, but everything will now depend on follow-through, which is where his deals often break down, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
The first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan is proving difficult to maintain, and even if it does ultimately hold, there is a fundamental problem that could undermine the later phases, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Is Set Up for Failure
Phase 1 of Trump’s plan has mostly been implemented, but the subsequent phases are far less likely to succeed.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan is proving difficult to maintain, and even if it does ultimately hold, there is a fundamental problem that could undermine the later phases, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
Phase 1 of Trump’s Gaza peace plan has mostly been implemented, but as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, the subsequent phases are far less likely to succeed.
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Is Set Up for Failure
Phase 1 of Trump’s plan has mostly been implemented, but the subsequent phases are far less likely to succeed.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Phase 1 of Trump’s Gaza peace plan has mostly been implemented, but as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, the subsequent phases are far less likely to succeed.
Reposted by Paul Poast
Rather than learn the lesson that military force is not sufficient to tackle nonstate actors, the Trump administration is doing it again, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Trump Hasn’t Learned the Lessons of America’s ‘Forever Wars’
The military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean could draw the U.S. into a “forever war” of Trump’s making.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Rather than learn the lesson that military force is not sufficient to tackle nonstate actors, the Trump administration is doing it again, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
The military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean could draw the U.S. into a “forever war” of Trump’s making, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Trump Hasn’t Learned the Lessons of America’s ‘Forever Wars’
The military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean could draw the U.S. into a “forever war” of Trump’s making.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean could draw the U.S. into a “forever war” of Trump’s making, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
Thrilled to have an opportunity to revisit Wheat and Strategic Competition for @warontherocks.bsky.social w/ Justin Gilpin CEO Kansas Wheat Commission.
We talk a lot about Russia and China and their most recent attempts to use wheat as a tool of statecraft.
warontherocks.com/2025/10/how-...
We talk a lot about Russia and China and their most recent attempts to use wheat as a tool of statecraft.
warontherocks.com/2025/10/how-...
How Food Feeds Strategic Competition
In 2022, Rosella Cappella Zielinski and Justin Gilpin wrote, “Breadbasket Diplomacy: Preserving Wheat as a Tool of American Statecraft,” where they argued
warontherocks.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Thrilled to have an opportunity to revisit Wheat and Strategic Competition for @warontherocks.bsky.social w/ Justin Gilpin CEO Kansas Wheat Commission.
We talk a lot about Russia and China and their most recent attempts to use wheat as a tool of statecraft.
warontherocks.com/2025/10/how-...
We talk a lot about Russia and China and their most recent attempts to use wheat as a tool of statecraft.
warontherocks.com/2025/10/how-...
Reposted by Paul Poast
Nine months into his presidency, it is clearer than ever that Trump wants to take the United States back to the late 19th century, both domestically and in its relations abroad. So how is he doing in that regard?
Columnist @profpaulpoast.bsky.social examines that question:
Columnist @profpaulpoast.bsky.social examines that question:
Trump’s Vision of American Greatness Is From the Gilded Age
It is now evident that for Trump, the “again” in Make America Great Again refers to the late 19th century.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Nine months into his presidency, it is clearer than ever that Trump wants to take the United States back to the late 19th century, both domestically and in its relations abroad. So how is he doing in that regard?
Columnist @profpaulpoast.bsky.social examines that question:
Columnist @profpaulpoast.bsky.social examines that question:
Reposted by Paul Poast
It is now evident that, for Trump, the “again” in Make America Great Again refers to the late 19th century, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Trump’s Vision of American Greatness Is From the Gilded Age
It is now evident that for Trump, the “again” in Make America Great Again refers to the late 19th century.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
It is now evident that, for Trump, the “again” in Make America Great Again refers to the late 19th century, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
What is the best means of crafting and using a military?
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to think it is a “warrior ethos.” But as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, Eisenhower offered a much stronger argument:
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to think it is a “warrior ethos.” But as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, Eisenhower offered a much stronger argument:
As Eisenhower Knew, Hegseth’s ‘Warrior Ethos’ Isn’t What Wins Wars
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
What is the best means of crafting and using a military?
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to think it is a “warrior ethos.” But as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, Eisenhower offered a much stronger argument:
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to think it is a “warrior ethos.” But as @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes, Eisenhower offered a much stronger argument:
Reposted by Paul Poast
Eisenhower wanted a society made up of Americans who were citizens first and soldiers second, and of soldiers who can behave in polite society, effectively offering a counterargument to the “warrior ethos” Pete Hegseth keeps pushing.
As Eisenhower Knew, Hegseth’s ‘Warrior Ethos’ Isn’t What Wins Wars
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Eisenhower wanted a society made up of Americans who were citizens first and soldiers second, and of soldiers who can behave in polite society, effectively offering a counterargument to the “warrior ethos” Pete Hegseth keeps pushing.
Reposted by Paul Poast
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
As Eisenhower Knew, Hegseth’s ‘Warrior Ethos’ Isn’t What Wins Wars
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective, @profpaulpoast.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Paul Poast
If Patton could have delivered Hegseth’s speech, Eisenhower offered the counterargument in his farewell address. Instead of calling for a warrior culture, he warned of a society so militarized that it prioritized manufacturing weapons over building schools.
Great one by @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
Great one by @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
As Eisenhower Knew, Hegseth’s ‘Warrior Ethos’ Isn’t What Wins Wars
The U.S. defense secretary’s emphasis on warfighting ignores the other important factors that make a military cohesive and effective.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
If Patton could have delivered Hegseth’s speech, Eisenhower offered the counterargument in his farewell address. Instead of calling for a warrior culture, he warned of a society so militarized that it prioritized manufacturing weapons over building schools.
Great one by @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
Great one by @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
From now on, I will be focusing on LinkedIn for posting on social media. I'll still use this platform to observe what people are saying, but I will be posting exclusively on LinkedIn.
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
www.linkedin.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
From now on, I will be focusing on LinkedIn for posting on social media. I'll still use this platform to observe what people are saying, but I will be posting exclusively on LinkedIn.
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
If you don't already follow me there, you can find me here:
www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poas...
President Donald Trump might not be crying for Argentina, but he does seem concerned about the future of the country’s economy.
In my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I explain how the potential "Trump bailout" is just another instance of this time NOT being different.
In my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I explain how the potential "Trump bailout" is just another instance of this time NOT being different.
Trump’s Bailout of Argentina Is Not as Unusual as It Seems
The U.S. pledge to bail out Argentina’s economy may be due to Trump’s bond with Milei, but it’s not unprecedented.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:39 PM
President Donald Trump might not be crying for Argentina, but he does seem concerned about the future of the country’s economy.
In my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I explain how the potential "Trump bailout" is just another instance of this time NOT being different.
In my latest for @wpr.bsky.social, I explain how the potential "Trump bailout" is just another instance of this time NOT being different.
IR Book of the Week!
"War and Power" by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social. Book argues that the focus on what makes nations "Great Powers" has led to a skewed our understanding of the true sources of power, particularly in the context of war.
"War and Power" by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social. Book argues that the focus on what makes nations "Great Powers" has led to a skewed our understanding of the true sources of power, particularly in the context of war.
War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why
War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why - Kindle edition by O'Brien, Phillips Payson. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading War and Power: Who Wins Wars—and Why.
www.amazon.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:07 PM
IR Book of the Week!
"War and Power" by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social. Book argues that the focus on what makes nations "Great Powers" has led to a skewed our understanding of the true sources of power, particularly in the context of war.
"War and Power" by @phillipspobrien.bsky.social. Book argues that the focus on what makes nations "Great Powers" has led to a skewed our understanding of the true sources of power, particularly in the context of war.
I shared my thoughts on Trump's "Gaza Peace Plan" 👇
TL,DR: There are some real positives, but unclear it will be accepted, hold, or enforced.
TL,DR: There are some real positives, but unclear it will be accepted, hold, or enforced.
Trump introduced his Gaza Peace Plan yesterday. After a day to reflect on it, here are my thoughts:
1) WILL IT BE ADOPTED?
Regardless of the content, it's not yet clear that the sides will acce...
Trump introduced his Gaza Peace Plan yesterday. After a day to reflect on it, here are my thoughts:
1) WILL IT BE ADOPTED?
Regardless of the content, it's not yet clear that the sides will accept t...
www.linkedin.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I shared my thoughts on Trump's "Gaza Peace Plan" 👇
TL,DR: There are some real positives, but unclear it will be accepted, hold, or enforced.
TL,DR: There are some real positives, but unclear it will be accepted, hold, or enforced.
Just posted my immediate thoughts regarding the Hegseth/Trump speeches: TL,DR -- this was a big mistake by both.
My immediate thoughts on the Hegseth/Trump speeches to all US Generals and Admirals:
- This did not land well. It was a waste of time and a paternalizing message to group of people who will not… | Pa...
My immediate thoughts on the Hegseth/Trump speeches to all US Generals and Admirals:
- This did not land well. It was a waste of time and a paternalizing message to group of people who will not toler...
www.linkedin.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Just posted my immediate thoughts regarding the Hegseth/Trump speeches: TL,DR -- this was a big mistake by both.
Reposted by Paul Poast
ICYMI: "If the North Atlantic Treaty were to be written today, it might well be formulated as a consultative pact, with Article 4 being its core commitment."
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
NATO’s Article 4 Is the New Article 5
That NATO members invoked the alliance’s Article 4 treaty clause in response to Russia’s airspace incursions is a big deal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ICYMI: "If the North Atlantic Treaty were to be written today, it might well be formulated as a consultative pact, with Article 4 being its core commitment."
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
ICYMI: "If the North Atlantic Treaty were to be written today, it might well be formulated as a consultative pact, with Article 4 being its core commitment."
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
NATO’s Article 4 Is the New Article 5
That NATO members invoked the alliance’s Article 4 treaty clause in response to Russia’s airspace incursions is a big deal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ICYMI: "If the North Atlantic Treaty were to be written today, it might well be formulated as a consultative pact, with Article 4 being its core commitment."
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
My latest for @wpr.bsky.social explores a key implication of how NATO is responding to Russian airspace incursions.
Trump's UN speech was rooted in “an American First foreign policy” and Trump's own vision of the US as the "indispensable nation".
That is the thought I shared with @salon.com for this piece
www.salon.com/2025/09/27/a...
That is the thought I shared with @salon.com for this piece
www.salon.com/2025/09/27/a...
An Ugly American berates the United Nations — and shames the rest of us
Trump's angry speech before the General Assembly was "coarse absurdist theater"
www.salon.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Trump's UN speech was rooted in “an American First foreign policy” and Trump's own vision of the US as the "indispensable nation".
That is the thought I shared with @salon.com for this piece
www.salon.com/2025/09/27/a...
That is the thought I shared with @salon.com for this piece
www.salon.com/2025/09/27/a...
Reposted by Paul Poast
Looking forward to joining this @carnegiecouncil.org event on Friday as part of "Global Ethics Day". We'll be discussing how we are in a World at War in the midst of democratic backsliding. Thanks to Joshua Acosta for the invitation.
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
Fracturing of Democratic Institutions & the Variations of Autocracy
Join Carnegie Council virtually for a Global Ethics Day event discussing the challenges democracies face and the implications of democratic backsliding.
info.carnegiecouncil.org
September 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Looking forward to joining this @carnegiecouncil.org event on Friday as part of "Global Ethics Day". We'll be discussing how we are in a World at War in the midst of democratic backsliding. Thanks to Joshua Acosta for the invitation.
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
Looking forward to joining this @carnegiecouncil.org event on Friday as part of "Global Ethics Day". We'll be discussing how we are in a World at War in the midst of democratic backsliding. Thanks to Joshua Acosta for the invitation.
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
Fracturing of Democratic Institutions & the Variations of Autocracy
Join Carnegie Council virtually for a Global Ethics Day event discussing the challenges democracies face and the implications of democratic backsliding.
info.carnegiecouncil.org
September 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Looking forward to joining this @carnegiecouncil.org event on Friday as part of "Global Ethics Day". We'll be discussing how we are in a World at War in the midst of democratic backsliding. Thanks to Joshua Acosta for the invitation.
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
You can RSVP here: info.carnegiecouncil.org/fracturing-d...
The main idea in my latest @wpr.bsky.social column is captured in this figure. During the 21st Century, consultative pacts have become the norm for alliance treaties. If the North Atlantic Treaty were written today, I'm not sure it would have Article 5.
September 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The main idea in my latest @wpr.bsky.social column is captured in this figure. During the 21st Century, consultative pacts have become the norm for alliance treaties. If the North Atlantic Treaty were written today, I'm not sure it would have Article 5.
Reposted by Paul Poast
Article 4, not Article 5, is now the bedrock of NATO. I explain what that means, and how it follows a general trend of alliances being about "consultation" rather than "mutual defense", in my latest for @wpr.bsky.social
NATO’s Article 4 Is the New Article 5
That NATO members invoked the alliance’s Article 4 treaty clause in response to Russia’s airspace incursions is a big deal.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Article 4, not Article 5, is now the bedrock of NATO. I explain what that means, and how it follows a general trend of alliances being about "consultation" rather than "mutual defense", in my latest for @wpr.bsky.social