Chief of Staff @CSISGeopolitics, senior fellow @CSISMidEast, and host of State of Play. Conflict, governance, and displacement in the MENA region. Views my own.
Washington, DC
Joined October 2011
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Will Todman retweeted
In an absolutely egregious escalation against press freedom, Egyptian journalist and @MadaMasr Editor-in-Chief @Linaattalah has been referred to trial on charges of establishing, managing, and operating a website without a license. Her trial is set to begin this Tuesday, Oct 27.
Will Todman retweeted
As Russian hybrid attacks increase in Europe, Max Bergmann joined 'State of Play' to explain the nature of the Russian threat, and what Europe and the U.S. can do to respond. Listen to the new episode below.
🎧 @maxbergmann @WillTodman @CSISGeopolitics
csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Deeply saddened by the loss of my friend, Saudi political researcher @AzizAlghashian.
A genuinely kind and thoughtful person. I always valued our conversations and his calm, insightful views, grounded in facts and free from prejudice.
May Allah grant him the highest place in Paradise.
Will Todman retweeted
In this podcast, Michael Ratney and I discuss how Saudi attitudes towards the Houthis have shifted, where things may be going, and how Saudi Arabia can choose between the least bad of a lot of bad options with the Houthis:
Last weekend, the Houthis conducted their deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia for over a decade. What options does Saudi Arabia have going forward? @WillTodman, @AllisonMinor_, & Michael Ratney unpack recent developments in a new State of Play episode below.
csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Last weekend, the Houthis conducted their deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia for over a decade. What options does Saudi Arabia have going forward? @WillTodman, @AllisonMinor_, & Michael Ratney unpack recent developments in a new State of Play episode below.
csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Russian FM Lavrov will be visiting Bahrain next week for a GCC-wide meeting. He is also due to visit Iran per reports.
Will Todman retweeted
Biggest single attack on a civilian site in the Gulf since this war started
(Bloomberg) - Saudi Arabia said 12 people were killed and 309 were injured Saturday in an attack on the Riyadh airport, the deadliest incident in an intensifying conflict with Yemen’s Houthis.
Will Todman retweeted
Today, @SenatorShaheen, @SenJoniErnst and @RepJoeWilson issued a statement today regarding @DFCgov's support to Syria.
🔗 Full release: foreign.senate.gov/press/dem…
Will Todman retweeted
Donors must adopt a longer-term approach to building self-reliance. This includes building stronger systems of governance, creating sustainable job opportunities, and facilitating linkages between the private sector and displaced people, argues @WillTodman.
Read: csis.org/analysis/self-relia…
Will Todman retweeted
"The current model for refugee management has failed." @WillTodman argues that Gulf and Western actors should advance a new approach that prioritizes Syrian refugees’ self-reliance and private sector integration, making them part of the regional connectivity agenda.
More: csis.org/analysis/self-relia…
Will Todman retweeted
"Syria remains the keystone to the future order of the Levant, and much depends on the survival and consolidation of the new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa," writes Paul Salem.
Read more: bit.ly/4d0Dkeq
In April, I wrote about the risks of underestimating Iran’s ability to exert simultaneous pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandeb.
csis.org/analysis/houthi-thr…
Will Todman retweeted
A recent opinon poll found that Filipinos have the most positive view of President Trump of any of the 36 countries surveyed. Amb. Negroponte and @GregPoling join @willtodman to assess the force behind Filipinos' positive attitudes towards the U.S in the latest from State of Play.
Listen: csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Will Trump’s pressure on Canada break the USMCA?
Acting Director @CHernandezRoy and Fellow @DiegoTMEC join @WillTodman to discuss if Canada can withstand U.S. pressure and what U.S.-Canada tensions mean for the future of free trade in North America: csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Stability in #Qatar and the Gulf is a global interest. The region is not only a major energy supplier; it provides billions in #humanitarian and development assistance worldwide with Qatar ranked among top 5 in 2025. When conflict disrupts Gulf stability, the costs travel far beyond the region.
Qatar cuts state spending at home and abroad as war shrinks economy ft.trib.al/wptEeiW
Will Todman retweeted
Did Iran attack U.S. water systems? Nikita Shah, @welshce, and @lauryndsw join @WillTodman 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: csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
ICYMI | On a new episode of State of Play, @CHernandezRoy and @WMLeoGrande join @WillTodman 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: csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
Is Cuba nearing an inflection point? In a new State of Play, @CHernandezRoy and @WMLeoGrande join @WillTodman 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: csis.org/podcasts/state-play…
Will Todman retweeted
“The Iranians are well aware that President Trump is focused on the U.S. economy, and they know that the closer we get to the midterm elections in November, the greater leverage they'll have," @WillTodman of @CSISMidEast told me.
In our latest report, we look at how new inflation data out today shows the complex impact of the Iran war.