Private contractors are part of almost all peace operations. It depends what tasks/services/activities he's talking about in particular.

Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have? Poorer states, like Rwanda and Burundi, have economic incentives for maintaining peacekeeping armies.

#Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?

I write with @pdwilliamsgwu.bsky.social for @theconversation.com about #Africa & peacekeeping armies

theconversation.com/peacekeeping...

It's a helpful paper: the UN🇺🇳 needs to change the way its
peace operations are planned, budgeted and staffed. ✅
And you hit the nail on the head with this paragraph...😀👍

Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...

⭐Job Alert ⭐
GW's Elliott School & Political Science Dept are hiring a full-time, tenured Assoc/Full Prof. in security studies beginning Fall 2025. Seeking a strong track record of research, teaching & policy engagement in the field of security studies, broadly defined.
www.gwu.jobs/postings/116...

Info-nugget😮
The conflict landscape in Myanmar🇲🇲 has become the most fragmented in the world. ACLED records over 2,600 new non-state actors participating in Myanmar’s conflict since April 2021, accounting for 21% of total active non-state armed groups worldwide.
acleddata.com/knowledge-ba...

Commissioned by the UN🇺🇳Department of Peace Operations, our new study analyzes models for UN peacekeeping to address evolving global threats. It aims to shape discussions for the 2025 Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial, focused on "The Future of Peacekeeping."
peacekeeping.un.org/en/study-on-...

Today seems like a good day to share this Scientific American story on how vaccines have saved more lives throughout history than any other intervention

www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-...

Endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States — National Security Leaders for America Kamala Harris will make an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump has proven he is not up to the job. Effective leadership requires in-depth knowledge, careful deliberation, understanding of ...

741 former national security leaders including fifteen 4-star generals and admirals, along with 230 former flag officers endorse Kamala Harris for President. They write, "Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism."
www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announ...

👍🏻

This is an appalling and horrifying story about the attacks researchers like @katestarbird.bsky.social undergo by those determined to silence any who call out their disinformation and other underhanded tactics. Very similar to what climate scientists experience but with even MORE vitriol.

What were the top causes & categories of deaths of U.S. Army active duty soldiers, 2014-2019?
Ans:
1) Suicide (GSW or asphyxiation)
2) Accidents (mainly motor vehicles but quite a lot of drug overdose) 
3) Natural causes
4) Combat 
5) Homicide
Source: www.health.mil/Reference-Ce...

the very worst shit online is always generated by a small, obsessed cult and SUPRISE, when you ban that small group you have mostly solved the problem

Just recording the idiocy for posterity...

All us researchers need to be aware of the “bullshit industrial complex.”

The Somali National Army Versus al-Shabaab: A Net Assessment – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point Abstact: An important question for the future of Somalia is if the African Union withdraws the remainder of its forces from the country by December 31, 2024, would the Somali National Army (SNA) or al...

Inspired by @jjschroden.bsky.social work on the war in Afghanistan🇦🇫, I’ve written a net assessment of the Somali🇸🇴 National Army versus al-Shabaab in the event of a withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.
My assessment? Well, it’s not good news… ctc.westpoint.edu/the-somali-n...

Russian🇷🇺 equipment losses in its war vs Ukraine🇺🇦 are estimated at c.8,800 since Feb 2022. Nevertheless, the IISS assesses that Russia will be able to sustain its assault on Ukraine🇺🇦 at current attrition rates for another 2–3 years, and maybe even longer.
www.iiss.org/online-analy...

Researchers find lower grades given to students with surnames that come later in alphabetical order Knowing your ABCs is essential to academic success, but having a last name starting with A, B or C might also help make the grade.

An analysis by University of Michigan researchers of more than 30 million grading records from U-M finds students with alphabetically lower-ranked names receive lower grades. This is due to sequential grading biases and the default order of students' submissions in Canvas. #AcademicSky #EduSky #Bias

And here's the IDF's response to The Guardian's article www.idf.il/189654

This is such an interesting article for thinking about different dimensions of AI military applications. "‘The machine did it coldly’: Israel used AI to identify 37,000 Hamas targets."
www.theguardian.com/world/2024/a...

The Biden administration continued its effort to extend student debt relief, erasing an additional $5.8 billion in federal loans for nearly 78,000 borrowers, including teachers, firefighters and others who largely work in the public sector. nyti.ms/4a0QODv

I'm looking to hire a TA to work with me on two MA-level international security courses during AY24/25 at GW's Elliott School. The TA will run 2 in-person discussion sections (capped at 20 students each) in the Fall 24 and Spring 25 semesters. Compensation is c.$20,000. Details 👇

Interesting. New CRS report has this figure: “U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly estimated in December 2023 that the Russian🇷🇺 military had suffered 315,000 killed and injured.” crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/...

"🇺🇸Space Force: We need a hotline to China🇨🇳."
Surely a good idea. www.defenseone.com/threats/2024...

This is a really useful report on the use of drones in the Ukraine🇺🇦 war. Via @cnas.bsky.social
www.cnas.org/publications...

On security assistance to Ukraine🇺🇦

“In 2023, the UN collected 82.3% of the year’s assessment, the lowest in the last 5 years. Only 142 Member States paid their dues in full – again, the lowest in the last 5 years. As a result, year-end arrears climbed to $859 million, up from $330 million in 2022.” www.ipsnews.net/2024/02/uns-...

“Peacekeepers and Political Stability in Somalia.” My short essay on the ongoing transition of the African Union force in Somalia🇸🇴 for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/02/12/p...

The stellar ⭐ 🚀 team at GW’s Space Policy Institute 👨‍🚀 👩‍🚀 🛰 🌒 is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher in Space Policy to join their academic and interdisciplinary team. It's a full-time, 2-year position. Details 👇
www.gwu.jobs/postings/108...