Skip to main content
Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams

Senior Foreign Editor; Co-host of Worldly

Before joining Vox, Jennifer was a senior researcher at the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution and the deputy foreign policy editor for Lawfare. Her work on jihadist groups, terrorism, and the Middle East has appeared in numerous publications including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The National Interest.

She was a Sié Fellow at the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, where she received her M.A. in International Studies in 2010. She speaks Arabic and has a Boston Terrier who is the love of her life.

Latest articles by Jennifer Williams

9 questions about Ramadan you were too embarrassed to ask
Explainers

The most basic answers to the most basic questions about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

By Jennifer Williams
The big ship stuck in the Suez Canal is freeThe big ship stuck in the Suez Canal is free
World Politics

Ever Given, the massive container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week, is now free.

By Jennifer Williams
Trump has the authority to launch nuclear weapons — whether Pelosi likes it or notTrump has the authority to launch nuclear weapons — whether Pelosi likes it or not
Explainers

Playing politics with control of the US nuclear arsenal is inappropriate — and dangerous.

By Alex Ward and Jennifer Williams
Was the US Capitol attack “domestic terrorism”?
Politics

President-elect Joe Biden called the Capitol mob “domestic terrorists.” Are they?

By Jennifer Williams
China’s new national security law is already chilling free speech in Hong Kong
World Politics

China’s new security law just went into effect in Hong Kong. Free speech evaporated overnight.

By Jennifer Williams and Conor Murray
Muslims love Jesus, too: 6 things you didn’t know about Jesus in IslamMuslims love Jesus, too: 6 things you didn’t know about Jesus in Islam
Explainers

Jesus, Mary, and the angel Gabriel are all in the Quran.

By Jennifer Williams
Who’s who in the impeachment hearings
Politics

US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland will testify Wednesday, along with Pentagon official Laura Cooper and State Department official David Hale.

By Jen Kirby, Alex Ward and 1 more
Justin Trudeau faces backlash after photo and video are uncovered showing him in brownfaceJustin Trudeau faces backlash after photo and video are uncovered showing him in brownface
World Politics

This is now the third confirmed instance of the Canadian prime minister wearing offensive makeup.

By Jennifer Williams
Osama bin Laden’s son, the “Crown Prince of Terror,” is dead. Or is he?Osama bin Laden’s son, the “Crown Prince of Terror,” is dead. Or is he?
World Politics

Reports say Hamza bin Laden may be dead. But some skepticism is in order.

By Jennifer Williams
UK signs order for WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange to be extradited to the USUK signs order for WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange to be extradited to the US
World Politics

It’s the first step in what could be a lengthy legal battle over whether the WikiLeaks founder should face prosecution for espionage and hacking.

By Jennifer Williams