Public policy, media, international development—Books: @DelhibyHeart; The Fractious Path; Being Pakistani; Identity, Faith & Conflict; The Role of Public Admin.

Ithaca, NY
Joined October 2007
My latest: In "Letters to Azan", the Pakistani American artist Lali Khalid photographs her son across the distances imposed by a custody court and turns an age-old motif into a record of separation - #art #photography thefridaytimes.com/28-Sep-20…
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‘President Donald Trump on Sunday escalated his invective against Norway, calling it a "shit ‌house country" and saying Norwegian immigrants are not welcome in the United States because the Nobel committee, based in the capital Oslo, has not awarded him a Peace Prize.’ —Reuters
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
“Honey we can’t buy eggs, we have to set aside $7 to bomb the kids in Gaza. Remember?” Abdul El-Sayed is absolutely crushing it. This is the most brilliant ad of all time 👏🏼
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OBAMA: Some people say Abdul didn’t like some of the things you did as president. So Abdul didn't agree with some things. You know who else doesn't agree with everything I do. Michelle Obama.
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
🚨SOCORRO: Álvaro comemorando a vitória de Lula ao lado de seu pai, que é de DIREITA.
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BREAKING: Flávio Bolsonaro is refusing to concede Brazil's presidential election and says he will seek to have the election annulled after losing to President Lula. He's citing a Supreme Court justice's last-minute two-hour voting extension — which his own campaign had also requested. Brazil's electoral court has officially declared Lula the winner, with approximately 51.8% of the vote to Bolsonaro's 48.2%.
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News: Rest of World, the nonprofit newsroom focused on the impact of technology outside the West founded by Sophie Schmidt, tells donors in an email it will “cease publishing as a standalone entity” at the end of January.
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
Congratulations and best wishes from all of us at @displacedint to President @LulaOficial on a historic democratic reelection! "At a time when too many governments are closing their doors, Brazil’s recognition that refugees, migrants, and stateless people deserve dignity, protection, and opportunities to rebuild their lives offers an important example."
Displaced International congratulates President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his electoral victory and welcomes his continued commitment to humanitarian protection and the inclusion of refugees, migrants, and stateless people in Brazilian society. Under President Lula’s leadership, Brazil has strengthened coordination across government to expand access to healthcare, education, housing, social protection, employment, and other pathways toward self-reliance. This rights-based approach recognizes displaced people not simply as recipients of assistance, but as individuals whose skills, experiences, and aspirations can contribute to their host country. “President Lula’s call to ‘treat with great respect the people who are coming to Brazil out of the need to survive’ reflects the humanity at the heart of refugee protection. Displaced International warmly welcomes this commitment. At a time when too many governments are closing their doors, Brazil’s recognition that refugees, migrants, and stateless people deserve dignity, protection, and opportunities to rebuild their lives offers an important example. We look forward to President Lula’s continued leadership in translating these principles into inclusive policies and reliable access to protection for all displaced people,” said Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, Founder and President of Displaced International. DI also encourages the new administration to build on this progress by safeguarding access to asylum at Brazil’s borders, upholding non-refoulement, and ensuring that admission controls never prevent people facing persecution or grave danger from seeking protection. Related DI work: When Papers Do Not Cross Borders: Colin Walsh, Civitas ID, and the Promise of Digital Identity for Displaced People displacedinternational.org/w… Legacies of Displacement: The Circassians of Turkey displacedinternational.org/l… The Forgotten Women of the Congo: Uprooted by Conflict, Displaced from the World’s Attention displacedinternational.org/t… Support DI’s displaced-led advocacy: displacedinternational.org/d… #Brazil #RefugeeProtection #ForcedDisplacement #HumanRights #Migration @LulaOficial @ACNURBrasil @ONUBrasil @OIMBrasil @UN_HRC @Refugees @RefugeesMedia @UNmigration @UN_News_Centre @UN_HRC @hrw @amnesty @MAshrafHaidari @BarhamSalih
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Lula’s victory matters beyond Brazil. At a time when exclusionary politics is sold as nationalism, his emphasis on multilateralism is noteworthy: national interests need not come at the expense of international cooperation. A significant moment for Brazil and the Global South.
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
How did Lula come from behind to crush Bolsonaro? In short, turnout. Bolsonaro's vote share barely moved. Lula banked millions of votes from those who didn't vote in 1st round and won eliminated candidates' votes. A remarkable mobilisation. 2nd round turnout usually below 1st.
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I don’t really understand UAE joy at an unstable Saudi Arabia. Many banks etc may’ve been headquartered in Dubai, their employees may’ve preferred Dubai’s infrastructure and vibe, but the business driver for the region was often in Riyadh. So if Riyadh goes down, it will be harder for Dubai to remain afloat. And will affect the entire GCC region.
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The Times of Israel: An “unprecedented confrontation” is unfolding between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff “regarding an effort by Israel’s political leadership to order some kind of military action relating to Iran just before Tuesday’s election…” timesofisrael.com/liveblog_e…
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‘Aleksandar Vučić announced the end of his 12-year reign as the most powerful man in Serbia on Sunday following a pivotal election that swept the Student List protest movement to victory.’ -Politico
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‘Vučić’s right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party has repeatedly been criticized by independent watchdogs for overseeing a significant democratic decline in Serbia, including limiting press freedoms and the operation of an independent judiciary.’
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Let’s face it, the Student List partly won because it had better theme songs. Absolute scenes in Serbia tonight.
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In May 2018, I submitted electoral reform proposals to the ECP on behalf of Pakistan Freedom Movement (attached below), advocating equal media access, transparent campaign financing and a level playing field for all candidates. The ECP's proposed AI regulations provide an opportunity to revisit these issues. Technology has changed, but the principles of free, fair and transparent elections remain unchanged. @ECP_Pakistan @Pildat @_FAFEN @DrIkramulHaq @nadeemhaque @alisalmanwords @De88Evo @Razarumi @thealiwarsi dawn.com/news/2039360/ecp-pr…
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
21st century empires won’t need gunboats – they’ll just need to supply the AI running your defense network. When your national security relies on foreign code, military supremacy becomes digital colonialism. From the recent @RestIsPolitics podcast with @RoryStewartUK. Watch the whole episode: bit.ly/YNH-POL
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
THIS is the good election news of the day. And really, for southeast Europe, of the decade
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Raza Ahmad Rumi retweeted
Ukraine hasn’t been striking Russian refineries for several days now, but it has been hitting — with missiles as well as drones — Russian industrial installations involved in military production. Lipetsk region today, Omsk in Siberia and Oryol in recent days.
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“Effective October 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.”
Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 25, 2026) Effective October 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks. Iranian-supported Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization from Chief of Mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia following recent missile and UAV attacks on airports in the Kingdom. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh announced a partial reopening as of October 25 for domestic flights and some international flights operated by national carriers. A limited number of flights normally based at RUH are operating out of Qassim-based Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ). Operations at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah (JED) are operational with some delays and cancellations. Operations at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (DMM) are operational with some delays and cancellations. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions.  Please take extreme caution if you choose to use airports in Saudi Arabia.  We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. Read more: sa.usembassy.gov/security-al…
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