Will Todman

Is Saudi Arabia more likely to escalate its military campaign against the Houthis or try to cut a deal with them? And what will the United States and Israel do? Today's State of Play with Amb. Michael Ratney and Allison Minor answered those questions and more. youtu.be/X9cGPJCzdRY?...

Most Syrian refugees remain dependent on aid, excluded from formal labor markets, burdened by debt, & ill-prepared to rebuild their lives in post-Assad Syria, despite billions of dollars spent from international donors. @willtodman.bsky.social explains a new approach. Watch: https://bit.ly/4hNjjK1

"The current model for refugee management has failed." @willtodman.bsky.social argues Gulf & Western actors should advance a new approach that prioritizes Syrian refugees’ self-reliance & private sector integration, making them part of the regional connectivity agenda. More: https://bit.ly/4jDsXBd

LIVE NOW | State of Play host @willtodman.bsky.social is joined by CSIS's leading China expert for a rapid analysis of the Trump-Xi summit and what it means for the future of U.S.-China relations. Watch: https://bit.ly/4hy073M

An opinon poll found that Filipinos have the most positive view of President Trump of the 36 countries surveyed. Amb. Negroponte & Greg Poling join @willtodman.bsky.socialn to assess the force behind Filipinos' positive attitudes towards the U.S in State of Play. Listen: https://bit.ly/46jmpQC

Will President Trump’s pressure on Canada break the USMCA? Chris Hernandez-Roy & @diegotmec.bsky.social join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss whether Canada can withstand U.S. pressure & what U.S.-Canada tensions mean for the future of free trade in North America. Listen: https://bit.ly/4xseJY6

Did Iran attack U.S. water systems? Nikita Shah, Caitlin Welsh, and Lauryn Williams join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss why U.S. critical infrastructure is vulnerable, what can be done to respond, and if there is enough evidence to blame Iran. Listen: https://bit.ly/3SijvIm

ICYMI | On a new episode of State of Play, Christopher Hernandez Roy and William LeoGrande join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss how the Trump administration’s strategy on Cuba is evolving, how Cuban leaders are responding, and if we are nearing an inflection point. Listen: https://bit.ly/4bIO8gI

Is Cuba nearing an inflection point? In a new State of Play, Christopher Hernandez-Roy and William LeoGrande join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss how the Trump administration’s strategy on Cuba is evolving and how Cuban leaders are responding. Listen: https://bit.ly/4bIO8gI

State of Play just turned one! To help us improve, I'd be so grateful if you'd share your views by completing this very short survey. And you can enter a draw to win a State of Play mug, which we'll ship to you: www.surveymonkey.com/r/stateofpla...

Was This World Cup More Political? ⚽🏆 On the newest State of Play episode hosted by @geopolitics.csis.org @willtodman.bsky.social, @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, and Enoh Ebong discuss host-nation diplomacy, FIFA's impact, and more. Watch it here:

Join @csis.org experts @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @victordcha.bsky.social, and Enoh T. Ebong and host @willtodman.bsky.social on July 16 at 3pm EDT assess the geopolitical dimensions of this year's World Cup in a live episode of State of Play. www.csis.org/index%2Ephp/...

The June U.S.-Iran framework deal calls for a 60-day ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Join @willtodman.bsky.social on State of Play with @myacoubian.bsky.social, Michal Ratney, Susan Ziadeh, and Paul Salem as they unpack the regional implications: www.csis.org/events/trump...

ICYMI | CSIS experts join @willtodman.bsky.social on State of Play for an analysis on the outcomes and optics of the G7 summit, and what it means for the future of the G7. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iEfOCkmyns

The conventional wisdom taking hold is that the United States and Israel lost. But I argue in @foreignpolicy.com that the war has left every major actor further from their preferred strategic end state. Iran, Arab Gulf states, Russia, and even China lost too. foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/16/i...

Will Japan & Korea go nuclear? Join us 6/18 for the release of new survey findings & analysis by @victordcha.bsky.social (@korea.csis.org), @kristigovella.bsky.social, Michael Green, @heatherwilly.bsky.social (@poni.csis.org), & @willtodman.bsky.social (@geopolitics.csis.org) 🔗https://bit.ly/4gf6QPQ

🎙️OUT NOW | State of Play | Is Something Big About to Happen with North Korea? Moderated by @willtodman.bsky.social @csis.org, @victordcha.bsky.social, Tom Christensen, and Edgard Kagan discuss the potential Xi-Kim summit, evolving China and DPRK relations, and more. Listen here: shorturl.at/1E9f3

Interesting insights from @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social based on their recent trip to Qatar. @mideast.csis.org www.csis.org/analysis/how...

LIVE NOW: @mideast.csis.org welcomes H.E. Haneen Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon, to discuss the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and how the U.S.-Iran war could impact Lebanon's longstanding socioeconomic challenges. Watch here: https://bit.ly/4cJz7uL

In a new live episode of State of Play, @mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social, Vali Nasr, Michael Ratney, Susan Ziadeh, and @willtodman.bsky.social examine how the Iran war impacts the future of the region. Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7reu3Wpcos

In this video, @willtodman.bsky.social unpacks some of the most important implications that we will see if the Houthis block Bab al-Mandab. www.youtube.com/watch?v=get5...

Bab al-Mandab is the Middle East’s most critical maritime chokepoint after Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. @willtodman.bsky.social explains how a disruption of both straits would constitute an unprecedented shock to global trade and energy markets. Read more: https://bit.ly/4tJLjCH

A disruption of both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab would shock global trade and energy markets. @willtodman.bsky.social explains the costly risk of a potential Houthi attack on Bab al-Mandab: https://www.csis.org/analysis/houthi-threat-trump-underestimating-one-irans-key-remaining-cards

🎙️ Don't miss our recent episodes of State of Play where @csis.org experts analyze geopolitical developments from Iran to Russia to Cuba to Japan. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

CSIS's @willtodman.bsky.social unpacks the most urgent implications we will see if the Houthis block Bad al-Mandeb. Watch more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=get5-mTd8AY

"The greatest threat to Syria’s recovery may lie in the war’s long-term trajectory," writes @mideast.csis.org expert @willtodman.bsky.social. "The conflict increasingly appears headed toward a stalemate." Read the full analysis:: https://www.csis.org/analysis/war-iran-threatens-syrias-recovery

Grateful to @chrismurphyct.bsky.social for sharing my piece. Far too few people are talking about what the war with Iran means for Syria’s recovery in the longer term.

"For now, the direct impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on Syria has been limited," writes @mideast.csis.org expert @willtodman.bsky.social. "Yet the conflict is quietly testing the foundations of Syria’s recovery strategy." Read more: https://bit.ly/4sBKJpH

Following President Trump's remarks that the Cuban government will fall “pretty soon” and that “it may not be a friendly takeover," Ryan Berg and Carrie Filipetti join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss the president’s goals in Cuba. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVXmkWoruMg

NEW: The greatest threat to Syria’s recovery may lie in the war’s long-term trajectory. For Sharaa, a stalemate would be the worst possible outcome. His recovery strategy depends on a stable region that encourages investment and economic integration. www.csis.org/analysis/war...

Today, CSIS announces retired Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been named our next CEO, succeeding John Hamre, who announced last year that he will retire after 26 years of transformational leadership. Read more: bit.ly/4b383Ha

Tune into this week's @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play episode where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan can build a new world order. Listen here: https://bit.ly/45BELw8

Tune into our latest episode of State of Play where @kristigovella.bsky.social, Christopher Hernandez-Roy, and @willtodman.bsky.social answer the question: "Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says?" Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

"The Syrian Democratic Forces overplayed its hand in negotiations with the Syrian transition government, but now President Ahmed al-Sharaa risks similar overreach," write @mideast.csis.org experts‬ @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social. Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/how...

Thank you everyone for coming to our book launch for China's Weaponization of Trade. Thanks to @willtodman.bsky.social, Melanie Hart, @bethanyallen.bsky.social and @victordcha.bsky.social for an important conversation on economic coercion, and a shoutout to all our interns who worked on the book!

On the latest episode of State of Play, 12 CSIS experts join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss their predictions for geopolitical developments in the year ahead. Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

As 2025 draws to a close, @victordcha.bsky.social and Dr. Tom Wright of @brookings.edu joined me on State of Play to discuss the biggest geopolitical shifts of the year and what they are watching out for in 2026. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnZo...

One year after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a pivotal moment. The resilience of Syrians has opened space for freedom, but deep divisions and fragile institutions threaten progress. A new brief from Mona Yacoubian and @willtodman.bsky.social here: www.csis.org/analysis/syr...

Thanks so much for joining, Maria!

New State of Play episode out now! @maxbergmann.bsky.social and I join @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the new U.S. NSS, recent diplomacy on Ukraine, what to expect from possible ceasefire talks,and how tensions in transatlantic relations could shape any future deal. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

Drawing on insights from our trip to Syria, @myacoubian.bsky.social and I discuss the remarkable achievements and daunting challenges of Syria's transition. We also provide key recommendations for the U.S. government. www.csis.org/analysis/syr...

@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations. 🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...

@willtodman.bsky.social hosts @victordcha.bsky.social and @brianthart.bsky.social from @csis.org on the latest episode of @geopolitics.csis.org State of Play, breaking down whether President Trump’s Asia trip met expectations and U.S.-China relations. 🎧 Listen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjEZ...

How are allies and partners responding to "America First" policies? @geopolitics.csis.org experts explain 7 strategies adopted to respond to the second Trump term. cc @victordcha.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @henriettalevin.bsky.social, @willtodman.bsky.social

The formal confirmation of famine in Gaza is testing the credibility & effectiveness of global institutions. Director Caitlin Welsh joins @myacoubian.bsky.social & @willtodman.bsky.social to unpack the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, global institutions, & more. 🎧 Listen here: cs.is/4h0fy35

Monday, October 6, 2025 │ 9:00-11:00 AM ET Join @geopolitics.csis.org experts for the launch of a new @csis.org compendium on the ways U.S. allies and partners have responded to the Trump administration. Register here: www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm

New: @myacoubian.bsky.social and Caitlin Welsh joined me to discuss the global reverberations of the Gaza war as we approach the third anniversary of October 7th. We discuss the atrophying of international institutions, and early signs of their reform or reimagining. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

On the latest episode of State of Play, CSIS's Mark Cancian and Ryan Berg join @willtodman.bsky.social to discuss what the U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean tells us about changing U.S. priorities. Listen in: www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

Why did Israel strike Doha on September 9? How did Qatar and other countries in the region react? And what does this mean for mediation efforts in the Middle East? @mideast.csis.org experts @myacoubian.bsky.social and @willtodman.bsky.social discuss: www.csis.org/analysis/isr...

Is President Trump really pushing PM Modi to embrace China? To discuss the longer-term trajectory of China-India ties and what it means for the United States, Henrietta Levin and Rick Rossow joined me this week: youtu.be/HP8itY3rW28?...