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As a) a highly trained movement organizer and b) a professional researcher of the violent far right, I cannot roll my eyes enough at everyone from law enforcement to CNN personalities being like "we're trying to figure out who organized this."

What's the "value" offered by international relations scholarship?

What does it mean to think about world events "like an international relations scholar"?

Trump's order to withdrawal 🇺🇸 troops from 🇸🇴 offers a useful

This event could be viewed from a variety of angles, from the "micro-level" on up.

International Relations scholars/analysts can and do use each of the following angles, though not all are strictly speaking taking an "International Relations angle".

Let's explore the angles.

The "country-expert" angle entails discussing the event by laying out the situation within Somalia, providing details on key figures involved and perhaps how the conflict has disrupted Somalia's internal governance and

The "Military/Security analyst" angle involves outlining the details of what US troops presently do in Somalia and how they carry out their mission (including equipment, mission, and tactics).

See this @ChathamHouse report by

The "Area Studies/Regional Expert" angle involves discussing the decision as an event that will impact the Horn of Africa or East Africa more

Whether @realDonaldTrump is inaugurated on Jan 20 or not, he’s fulfilled an incredible purpose. Truly, he is one of the greatest Presidents we’ve ever had. His legacy will last, and the greatest part is that the work that he started has merely just begun.

We don’t think any of us ever believed he would march into the White House and drain the entire swamp in 4 years. He promised us he would try to #MakeAmericaGreatAgain, and he did. He awakened MILLIONS of people to the corruption and rot in our government.

He awakened us to just how deep the deep state really is, and he showed us that the entire system is rigged against #WeThePeople. He entirely exposed the globalist plot to overtake our republic. God used Donald Trump to light the fuse of an American Revolution.

We will never stop fighting for our country. Above that, we will never stop fighting for God, for truth, and for what is good and right. We are Americans, and this is just what we do. We never give up, we never stop fighting, and we do it even if it means losing everything.

We do it because of the brave men and women who came before us. They fought for our freedom, and they put it all on the line. As a result, we’ve enjoyed immense blessings, as a people and as a nation. At the #PatriotParty, we want to see those blessings continue for generations.

Donald Trump is leaving the White House within the hour. Re-reading his inaugural speech from four years ago, it’s clear the two words he wanted to define his presidency were “America first.” But the two words that ultimately did were “American carnage.” /1

Even the opening lines are a reminder of what his presidency cost us: “Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power.” That tradition ended on Jan. 6. /2

(He also thanks President and First Lady Obama “for their gracious aid throughout this transition,” which suggests he can recognize grace, but not actually offer it.) /3

The speech was packed with familiar promises about rebuilding the military, bringing back jobs, boosting the economy, building the wall. Trump loved talking about infrastructure even then, though “Infrastructure Week” ended up as a punchline, not a program. /4

The promises were almost all broken. The unemployment rate is 2 points higher than when he took office, the stock market is up but the economy is weak, international alliances are frayed and America’s reputation is in tatters. /5

Steve Bannon the day before Trump's deadly attack on the Capitol.

"All hell is going to break loose tomorrow ... This is not a day for fantasy, this is a day for maniacal focus. Focus, focus, focus. We're coming in right over the target"

Listen: