Will Todman
@willtodman.bsky.social
Chief of Staff @geopolitics.csis.org and senior fellow @mideast.csis.org. Host of State of Play pod. Conflict, governance, and displacement in the MENA region. Views my own. https://www.csis.org/people/will-todman
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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/...
Was This World Cup More Political? | State of Play | CSIS Events
Please join CSIS experts to assess the geopolitical dimensions of this year's World Cup in a live episode of State of Play.
csis.org
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...
Trump's Iran Deal: What Comes Next? | State of Play | CSIS Events
CSIS Middle East Program experts unpack the latest U.S.-Iran deal.
csis.org
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
Was the G7 Summit in France a Success? | State of Play | CSIS Events
Please join CSIS experts for a rapid analysis of the outcomes of the G7 Summit.
csis.org
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...
Everyone Lost the War With Iran
Months of fighting revealed that multiple countries can impose costs, but none can impose order.
foreignpolicy.com
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
Is Something Big About to Happen with North Korea?
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
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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...
How Arab Gulf States View the Emerging Iran Deal
A prospective deal between the United States and Iran could shape the contours of an emerging order in the Middle East. Gulf states are paying attention.
csis.org
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
Navigating Lebanon’s Multiple Crises: A Conversation with Lebanon's Minister of Social Affairs H.E. Haneen Sayed | CSIS Events
Please join the CSIS Middle East Program for a discussion with Minister of Social Affairs of Lebanon H.E. Haneen Sayed.
csis.org
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
Has the Iran war transformed the Middle East's future? | State of Play
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtube.com
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...
After Hormuz: Will the Houthis Block Another Chokepoint?
On March 28th, Iran's Yemeni proxy joined the war in the Middle East, firing missiles at Israel. But they have not yet played one of the most important cards still at their disposal – attacking…
youtube.com
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
The Houthi Threat: Is Trump Underestimating One of Iran’s Key Remaining Cards?
The Houthis have entered the war in Iran. Whether they choose to block Bab al-Mandab or not could have significant consequences for the global economy.
csis.org
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
The Houthi Threat: Is Trump Underestimating One of Iran’s Key Remaining Cards?
The Houthis have entered the war in Iran. Whether they choose to block Bab al-Mandab or not could have significant consequences for the global economy.
csis.org
🎙️ 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
The War with Iran Threatens Syria’s Recovery
Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has a strategy for Syria's recovery. The war with Iran could jeopardize that.
csis.org
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.
Chris Murphy@chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 5mo ago8/ Other potential flash points lurk. So far, the Houthis in Yemen have been relatively quiet. Probably not for long. They can project power into the Red Sea. For Syria, this is the worst time for Trump to strike Iran. Syria could explode again.
"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
The War with Iran Threatens Syria’s Recovery
Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has a strategy for Syria's recovery. The war with Iran could jeopardize that.
csis.org
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
Is Cuba Next?
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtube.com
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...
The War with Iran Threatens Syria’s Recovery
Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has a strategy for Syria's recovery. The war with Iran could jeopardize that.
csis.org
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
Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Chris Hernandez-Roy and Kristi Govella join Will to discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan could do this, what it might look like, and what the risks are.
csis.org
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...
Can middle powers build a new world order as PM Carney says? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
Chris Hernandez-Roy and Kristi Govella join Will to discuss whether or not key U.S. allies like Canada and Japan could do this, what it might look like, and what the risks are.
csis.org
"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...
How Syria Can Succeed in Integrating the Kurds
Intensified conflict between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces could threaten Syria’s transition. Here’s what the government can do to ensure it doesn’t.
csis.org
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...
What are CSIS experts' boldest geopolitical predictions in 2026? | State of Play | CSIS Podcasts
12 CSIS experts join Will to share significant developments in different parts of the world in 2025, and predictions for 2026.
csis.org
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...
Did Trump remake the global order in 2025?
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
youtube.com
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...
Syria’s Promise and Challenges One Year After Assad’s Fall
A year after Assad’s fall, the promise of a new Syria hinges on the transitional government’s ability to garner domestic and international support.
csis.org
Thanks so much for joining, Maria!
@msnegovaya.bsky.social · 8mo agoNew 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...