Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
@avishaybsg.bsky.social
Normative Theory of Civ-Mil | Senior Lecturer (AP) Tel Aviv University PoliSci | Head of U.S. Research at the INSS | Napper extraordinaire | Kartofellophile
Pinned
Things about politics I’ve come to believe strongly:
1. Less bad is better than more bad
2. Nostalgia is generally incorrect. Things weren’t better
3. Still, things can get much worse
4. Democracy is an outlier in human political history
5. Optimism is rooted in agency, not positive predictions
1. Less bad is better than more bad
2. Nostalgia is generally incorrect. Things weren’t better
3. Still, things can get much worse
4. Democracy is an outlier in human political history
5. Optimism is rooted in agency, not positive predictions
לא קראתי שום דבר ממה שאומרים על זה ולא ראיתי את הסרט אבל השיח בנושא ממש מגעיל אותי
September 14, 2026 at 7:53 AM
לא קראתי שום דבר ממה שאומרים על זה ולא ראיתי את הסרט אבל השיח בנושא ממש מגעיל אותי
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
It certainly doesn't help that this same collection of characters shredded the entire administrative state here in the U.S.
(Amodei wasn't a Trump/DOGE stooge. But many of his peers were.)
They spent the past couple years burning a house down, and now are saying "what we really need is a roof."
(Amodei wasn't a Trump/DOGE stooge. But many of his peers were.)
They spent the past couple years burning a house down, and now are saying "what we really need is a roof."
September 13, 2026 at 9:20 PM
It certainly doesn't help that this same collection of characters shredded the entire administrative state here in the U.S.
(Amodei wasn't a Trump/DOGE stooge. But many of his peers were.)
They spent the past couple years burning a house down, and now are saying "what we really need is a roof."
(Amodei wasn't a Trump/DOGE stooge. But many of his peers were.)
They spent the past couple years burning a house down, and now are saying "what we really need is a roof."
Happy new year to everyone who celebrates here!
Let this year and its curses end and let a new year and its blessings begin.
Let this year and its curses end and let a new year and its blessings begin.
September 11, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Happy new year to everyone who celebrates here!
Let this year and its curses end and let a new year and its blessings begin.
Let this year and its curses end and let a new year and its blessings begin.
About five years ago, my wife took a community center pottery class and fell in love. Since then she’s gotten really serious about the craft and now has her own wheel and kiln. I love what she makes so much. Take a look:
September 10, 2026 at 7:35 PM
About five years ago, my wife took a community center pottery class and fell in love. Since then she’s gotten really serious about the craft and now has her own wheel and kiln. I love what she makes so much. Take a look:
About five years ago, my wife started a community center pottery class and fell in love. Since then she’s gotten really serious about the craft and now has her own wheel and kiln. I love what she makes so much. Take a look:
September 10, 2026 at 7:35 PM
About five years ago, my wife started a community center pottery class and fell in love. Since then she’s gotten really serious about the craft and now has her own wheel and kiln. I love what she makes so much. Take a look:
I really really hate the "what they took from us" meme. Generally speaking, no one owed you anything (and it's not like you're hurting for sexualized representations of other humans)
September 10, 2026 at 7:11 AM
I really really hate the "what they took from us" meme. Generally speaking, no one owed you anything (and it's not like you're hurting for sexualized representations of other humans)
I'm stressing out over not having time to handle it or a clear idea how to mid-life crisis
What are you doing with your midlife existential crisis? No wrong answers. Just trying to see something, as the kids say.
September 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I'm stressing out over not having time to handle it or a clear idea how to mid-life crisis
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
We already knew Egyptian intelligence warned Israel ahead of Oct. 7 and the Netanyahu govt dismissed it. Now we learn UAE leader MBZ warned Bibi directly that Hamas was about to try something big. He dismissed that too.
One of the worst security failures in history. And followed by so much awful.
One of the worst security failures in history. And followed by so much awful.
Netanyahu got an explicit warning before Oct. 7. He didn't brief security chiefs
In September '23, UAE President bin Zayed called Netanyahu to deliver a harsh warning. Netanyahu did nothing. An extensive investigation, conducted for a new book, reveals the PM's failures surroundin...
www.haaretz.com
September 8, 2026 at 12:35 PM
We already knew Egyptian intelligence warned Israel ahead of Oct. 7 and the Netanyahu govt dismissed it. Now we learn UAE leader MBZ warned Bibi directly that Hamas was about to try something big. He dismissed that too.
One of the worst security failures in history. And followed by so much awful.
One of the worst security failures in history. And followed by so much awful.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
Turns out it didn't matter if the party submission form required a signature at the top.
Today is the day in which parties in Israel get listed with the central elections committee.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
September 8, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Turns out it didn't matter if the party submission form required a signature at the top.
Today is the day in which parties in Israel get listed with the central elections committee.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
September 7, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Today is the day in which parties in Israel get listed with the central elections committee.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
Dan Arieli, yes, that Dan Arieli, is there (on the left) to list the Pirate Party. Which is certainly a choice.
The ghouls are ghouling
Israel’s ministers for national security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and defense, Israel Katz, say Gaza should be emptied of its civilian population.
Rami Ayyub, @reuters.com: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Rami Ayyub, @reuters.com: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Netanyahu partners renew calls for removal of Gazans as Israeli election nears
Two Israeli ministers floated proposals this week for the mass removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, resurfacing an idea voiced repeatedly by right-wing politicians over the past three years as...
www.reuters.com
September 6, 2026 at 9:16 AM
The ghouls are ghouling
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
And/or: If you believe in the “folk” version of democracy, then the 2024 election must have meant that people waned this crap - or else democracy was broken. (What’s actually broken is that theory of democracy, of course.)
September 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
And/or: If you believe in the “folk” version of democracy, then the 2024 election must have meant that people waned this crap - or else democracy was broken. (What’s actually broken is that theory of democracy, of course.)
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
Boston is ridiculous safe, but we are in Back Bay, so #APSA, watch out for groups of roving men in fleece vests that want to talk to you about crypto.
Bobby Hill: I Don't Know You
Alt: Bobby Hill: I Don't Know You
static.klipy.com
September 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Boston is ridiculous safe, but we are in Back Bay, so #APSA, watch out for groups of roving men in fleece vests that want to talk to you about crypto.
16,000 steps and counting
September 3, 2026 at 9:53 PM
16,000 steps and counting
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
Lots of compelling writing from Dr. Pauline Shanks-Kaurin on The Bridge.
@queenofthinair.bsky.social’s work on military ethics is foundational reading for military professionals.
thestrategybridge.org/search?q=Kau...
@queenofthinair.bsky.social’s work on military ethics is foundational reading for military professionals.
thestrategybridge.org/search?q=Kau...
September 3, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Lots of compelling writing from Dr. Pauline Shanks-Kaurin on The Bridge.
@queenofthinair.bsky.social’s work on military ethics is foundational reading for military professionals.
thestrategybridge.org/search?q=Kau...
@queenofthinair.bsky.social’s work on military ethics is foundational reading for military professionals.
thestrategybridge.org/search?q=Kau...
Let’s go watch the ball of bases
September 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Let’s go watch the ball of bases
International travel is such a bizarre and immediate manifestation of material class divisions. And the best part about it is that no matter how high up you are there is always someone above you.
September 1, 2026 at 6:56 PM
International travel is such a bizarre and immediate manifestation of material class divisions. And the best part about it is that no matter how high up you are there is always someone above you.
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
I think Hegseth genuinely believed the top brass was just waiting for someone to release them from the shackles of Washington liberals, and had no sense of what sort of officers and defense professionals modern Western defense establishments produce
"Firing or forcing out everyone else in the Pentagon will not make Pete Hegseth into the secretary of defense America and its men and women in uniform need," @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues:
Hegseth’s Pentagon Lurches Off the Rails
The resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is the latest sign of severe dysfunction in the Defense Department.
bit.ly
September 1, 2026 at 8:20 AM
I think Hegseth genuinely believed the top brass was just waiting for someone to release them from the shackles of Washington liberals, and had no sense of what sort of officers and defense professionals modern Western defense establishments produce
I think Hegseth genuinely believed the top brass was just waiting for someone to release them from the shackles of Washington liberals, and had no sense of what sort of officers and defense professionals modern Western defense establishments produce
"Firing or forcing out everyone else in the Pentagon will not make Pete Hegseth into the secretary of defense America and its men and women in uniform need," @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues:
Hegseth’s Pentagon Lurches Off the Rails
The resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is the latest sign of severe dysfunction in the Defense Department.
bit.ly
September 1, 2026 at 8:20 AM
I think Hegseth genuinely believed the top brass was just waiting for someone to release them from the shackles of Washington liberals, and had no sense of what sort of officers and defense professionals modern Western defense establishments produce
This is basically what Israeli discussions about Gaza looked like in 2015. How did that work out for us?
Axios reports that President Trump is considering limited military strikes against Iranian targets in and around the Strait of Hormuz aimed at degrading Iran's radar and missile capabilities used to threaten commercial and military shipping. The option was reportedly developed by CENTCOM
September 1, 2026 at 6:46 AM
This is basically what Israeli discussions about Gaza looked like in 2015. How did that work out for us?
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
How it started How it’s going
August 31, 2026 at 6:51 PM
How it started How it’s going
Aristotle ftw
unpolarized groups and, crucially, that the two differ on our various outcomes. Spoiler alert: we find that no group is consistently “better” for democracy (ie more trusting, democratic, participating). It seems that different groups contribute different elements to our democratic dinner.
🧵9/10
🧵9/10
August 31, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Aristotle ftw
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
unpolarized groups and, crucially, that the two differ on our various outcomes. Spoiler alert: we find that no group is consistently “better” for democracy (ie more trusting, democratic, participating). It seems that different groups contribute different elements to our democratic dinner.
🧵9/10
🧵9/10
August 31, 2026 at 7:00 AM
unpolarized groups and, crucially, that the two differ on our various outcomes. Spoiler alert: we find that no group is consistently “better” for democracy (ie more trusting, democratic, participating). It seems that different groups contribute different elements to our democratic dinner.
🧵9/10
🧵9/10
Reposted by Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis)
This should not be a hard thing to note if you’re at all a liberal, and not enchanted by the Romantic allure of fascism and the extremes of violence for violence’s sake, as Schmitt was. I understand the libidinous thrill of sacrificing morality on the altar of “necessity”, but it’s false and wrong.
August 30, 2026 at 6:49 AM
This should not be a hard thing to note if you’re at all a liberal, and not enchanted by the Romantic allure of fascism and the extremes of violence for violence’s sake, as Schmitt was. I understand the libidinous thrill of sacrificing morality on the altar of “necessity”, but it’s false and wrong.
fair
Russell Brand's whole deal included being a flagrant serial sex pest and rapist, and whatever else you can say against Piker I haven't heard anything along those lines about him. So I don't think he could sink that far no matter what he does.
August 30, 2026 at 6:26 AM
fair