Abe Newman
@abenewman.bsky.social
W/Henry Farrell, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (Holt 2023/Penguin); Georgetown; This is a private account.
Reposted by Abe Newman
tepid finger wagging will lead to domination
9/So what is Europe to do? Not this...It has to wake up and understand that an alternative international order is being put on the table. It is not based on rules but hierarchy and extraction. Tepid finger waging will lead to domination.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
EU affirms ‘principles of national sovereignty’ in cautious response to Trump Greenland threats – Europe live
European Commission spokesperson also declines to rule on whether US intervention in Venezuela was legal
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:11 AM
tepid finger wagging will lead to domination
Reposted by Abe Newman
This will help you make sense our our country’s non-sensical actions
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:45 PM
This will help you make sense our our country’s non-sensical actions
Reposted by Abe Newman
Work by @abenewman.bsky.social & @segoddard.bsky.social : The rules-based order is being destroyed & one based on "neo-royalism" is being imposed (by Trump, Putin, Saudis, etc.). Not sure abt term "neo-royalism," but this is a great intro to this very useful model. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Work by @abenewman.bsky.social & @segoddard.bsky.social : The rules-based order is being destroyed & one based on "neo-royalism" is being imposed (by Trump, Putin, Saudis, etc.). Not sure abt term "neo-royalism," but this is a great intro to this very useful model. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Abe Newman
Neo-royalism sums up this time perfectly.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Neo-royalism sums up this time perfectly.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Not to be dramatic or anything but I think we are [insert your favourite word here]. Thread 👇
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Not to be dramatic or anything but I think we are [insert your favourite word here]. Thread 👇
Reposted by Abe Newman
This aptly describes the oligarchy at work.
Trump is not fighting for America. He is not fighting for you or for me. He is fighting to enrich himself and his "clique."
Trump is not fighting for America. He is not fighting for you or for me. He is fighting to enrich himself and his "clique."
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This aptly describes the oligarchy at work.
Trump is not fighting for America. He is not fighting for you or for me. He is fighting to enrich himself and his "clique."
Trump is not fighting for America. He is not fighting for you or for me. He is fighting to enrich himself and his "clique."
Reposted by Abe Newman
Fascinating thread
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Fascinating thread
Reposted by Abe Newman
US seems to have no plan to deal w/ powerful Venezuelan security forces, who can threaten/thwart political leaders if they comply w/ US demands. Authoritarian politics 101 & major reason US approach could lead to military escalation and/or civil conflict.
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Venezuela’s Men With Guns Remain the Ultimate Power After Maduro’s Ouster
Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino command Venezuela’s police and military, and represent a wild card for Trump.
www.wsj.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
US seems to have no plan to deal w/ powerful Venezuelan security forces, who can threaten/thwart political leaders if they comply w/ US demands. Authoritarian politics 101 & major reason US approach could lead to military escalation and/or civil conflict.
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Reposted by Abe Newman
"In neo-royalist orders, hierarchy is the point. The purpose of neo-royalist orders is to develop rules that allow a small clique to maintain dominance in both material and symbolic goods. It thus rejects notions of sovereign equality and noninterference"
4/So what is going on? @segoddard.bsky.social and I argue the confusion is people using old models of global politics. This is not balancing or spheres of influence. It is international politics based on elite cliques rather than national interest i.e. neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"In neo-royalist orders, hierarchy is the point. The purpose of neo-royalist orders is to develop rules that allow a small clique to maintain dominance in both material and symbolic goods. It thus rejects notions of sovereign equality and noninterference"
Reposted by Abe Newman
A great update on Abe's thread from yesterday.
Is anyone convening a group to hash out Europe's position and strategy in this international order?
Is anyone convening a group to hash out Europe's position and strategy in this international order?
9/So what is Europe to do? Not this...It has to wake up and understand that an alternative international order is being put on the table. It is not based on rules but hierarchy and extraction. Tepid finger waging will lead to domination.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
EU affirms ‘principles of national sovereignty’ in cautious response to Trump Greenland threats – Europe live
European Commission spokesperson also declines to rule on whether US intervention in Venezuela was legal
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:10 PM
A great update on Abe's thread from yesterday.
Is anyone convening a group to hash out Europe's position and strategy in this international order?
Is anyone convening a group to hash out Europe's position and strategy in this international order?
Reposted by Abe Newman
Very important thread on why Trump is targeting places like Venezuela. It makes no sense under a model of Trump as head of a nation-state, but makes complete sense under a model of "neo-royalism" where the primary driver is not national interest but interests of "elite cliques and sovereign rulers."
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Very important thread on why Trump is targeting places like Venezuela. It makes no sense under a model of Trump as head of a nation-state, but makes complete sense under a model of "neo-royalism" where the primary driver is not national interest but interests of "elite cliques and sovereign rulers."
Reposted by Abe Newman
“Trump’s vision of absolute sovereignty, his reliance on a clique composed of family members…, fierce loyalists…, and elite hyper-capitalists …guides not only US foreign policy, but his ordering of international relations itself.”
4/So what is going on? @segoddard.bsky.social and I argue the confusion is people using old models of global politics. This is not balancing or spheres of influence. It is international politics based on elite cliques rather than national interest i.e. neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:42 PM
“Trump’s vision of absolute sovereignty, his reliance on a clique composed of family members…, fierce loyalists…, and elite hyper-capitalists …guides not only US foreign policy, but his ordering of international relations itself.”
Reposted by Abe Newman
Brilliant thread that names and explains the new world order that Trump seeks to create.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Brilliant thread that names and explains the new world order that Trump seeks to create.
Reposted by Abe Newman
A thousand times this.
Fantastic thread.
Fantastic thread.
4/So what is going on? @segoddard.bsky.social and I argue the confusion is people using old models of global politics. This is not balancing or spheres of influence. It is international politics based on elite cliques rather than national interest i.e. neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:51 PM
A thousand times this.
Fantastic thread.
Fantastic thread.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Good thread.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Good thread.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Productive to think through this thread
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Productive to think through this thread
Reposted by Abe Newman
I think this is a great framework for understanding what Trump et al. want to do. It represents a thorough break with the previous international order. I’m not sure they can actually achieve it, though, especially if they are wildly unpopular domestically. Still, it’s food for thought.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:09 PM
I think this is a great framework for understanding what Trump et al. want to do. It represents a thorough break with the previous international order. I’m not sure they can actually achieve it, though, especially if they are wildly unpopular domestically. Still, it’s food for thought.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Exactly. Neither Putin nor Trump are concerned with what “Russia” or the “US” might gain from a particular act of state. It's always about what their elite circles might gain from it. This is something that political analysis in the media has been struggling with for years.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Exactly. Neither Putin nor Trump are concerned with what “Russia” or the “US” might gain from a particular act of state. It's always about what their elite circles might gain from it. This is something that political analysis in the media has been struggling with for years.
Reposted by Abe Newman
🧵
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:22 PM
🧵
Reposted by Abe Newman
When America First really means "neo-royalism." Thread below.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:48 PM
When America First really means "neo-royalism." Thread below.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Def worth a read 👇
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Def worth a read 👇
Reposted by Abe Newman
Incredibly useful thread to explain [gestures wildly].
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Incredibly useful thread to explain [gestures wildly].
Work w/ @segoddard.bsky.social on neo-royalism gets an Albie! Dan Drezner's pick of best work in political economy. "This paper deserves the highest compliment in my arsenal: I am furious that they wrote this — it is so goddamn good that I wish I had written it."
open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
The Best Work on Political Economy in 2025
Presenting the 17th annual Albies!
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Work w/ @segoddard.bsky.social on neo-royalism gets an Albie! Dan Drezner's pick of best work in political economy. "This paper deserves the highest compliment in my arsenal: I am furious that they wrote this — it is so goddamn good that I wish I had written it."
open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
Reposted by Abe Newman
This.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:39 PM
This.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...