Timothy E. Kaldas
@tekaldas
Deputy Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social Analyst, Student, Professor, and Professional Cynic Study and teach at @uab.cat in Barcelona #RefugeesWelcome He/Him 📍Barcelona
Today @timep.bsky.social published a paper on US-Syria Policy outlining concrete ways the US government can constructively engage Syrian officials to help Syrians make the most of the lifting of sanctions and build a stable, just, and inclusive Syria for all Syrians🧵 timep.org/2026/08/03/p...
This isn't about fighting irregular migration. Italy, leading the attack on Spain, received more than double the irregular migrants as Spain since 2021. Italy has also had amnesty programs for undocumented migrants, that Spain is now attacked for.
Critics in EU capitals attacking Sanchez know they're wrong. In private, virtually every EU official we speak with admits they need more not less migrants, but, as this FT headline captures, they can't confront political challenge of making the case to voters or benefit electorally from hiding truth
Spain has one of top GDP growth rates in EU. Sanchez fueled growth with stimulus, not austerity. Spain's debt-to GDP-ratio dropped. Growth is best path to debt sustainability. Goldman Sachs notes Spain is the "only nation among the EU’s top 4 expected to lower debt-to-GDP ratio over next 3 years"
Attacks on Spain by many EU leaders isn't over a nonexistent threat to the EU from Ceuta, but an apparent hatred of Sanchez. They're humiliated by his ethical stance on Gaza & Iran. He has shown the recipe for more growth & more sustainable growth is migration & stimulus, not xenophobia & austerity🧵
Interceptors are also being drawn down at a rapid pace. The pressure for the US to end this is enormous but they need to get past delusions that escalation will break Iranian leadership. Also, distrust of US diplomacy is growing and making a deal harder to reach. What a mess.
While Presidents Aoun & Trump met, I joined @aljazeera.com to discuss how the US can support the Lebanese government's disarmament efforts by ensuring Israel ceases fire & withdraws from Lebanon, allowing Aoun to show that the state can deliver security & sovereignty without armed nonstate actors.
Between the global rejection of genocide and the global rejection of Argentina, Spain just became the most popular team in World Cup history.
📣 Virtual Event on Displacement Thursday hosted by @timep.bsky.social Our panel will discuss latest drivers & dynamics of displacement & challenges refugees face in the MENA region. They'll make recommendations on reducing push factors & creating viable conditions for refugees in host countries.
🚨 Deadline tomorrow! @timep.bsky.social is recruiting nonresident fellows, which is a wonderful one-year opportunity for mid-career policy analysts & advocates who work on Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia & Egypt. Apply by February 27, 11.59 pm EST. More info here: timep.org/2026/02/02/o...
Yesterday marked 15 years since Egypt's uprising & tomorrow I'll join a brilliant panel hosted by @timep.bsky.social to discuss what's ahead for Egypt amidst many domestic political & economic challenges as well as regional & global turbulence. Register & learn more here timep.org/2026/01/21/e...
Below is a summary of the recommendations of Sudanese experts and advocates for the US government to address the humanitarian crisis, protect civilians and end the war. Read the full paper here timep.org/2025/04/01/r... #EyesOnSudan
If you’re in DC, please join this critical in person discussion on the war in Sudan & steps needed to alleviate humanitarian suffering and secure a durable end to the violence. @timep.bsky.social is privileged to be hosting a brilliant panel of Sudanese experts. RSVP here timep.org/2025/01/27/s...
Nice of @yezidsayigh.bsky.social to join me at my hotel gym this morning 😉
The parallel market rate in Egypt broke 70 Egyptian pounds to the dollar yesterday. That means monthly cash assistance for the poor, set at 400 EGP, is worth only $5.70 in USD or 19 CENTS per day. A pillar of social protection for over 20 million Egyptians is collapsing.