Frank A. Stengel
@frankstengel.com
Political sociologist @uni-kiel.de
Non-Resident Fellow @gppi.bsky.social
Private account
Author, THE POLITICS OF MILITARY FORCE (2020)
Co-editor, POPULISM AND WORLD POLITICS (2nd ed. 2026)
🏠 https://www.frankstengel.com
https://linktr.ee/frankstengel
Non-Resident Fellow @gppi.bsky.social
Private account
Author, THE POLITICS OF MILITARY FORCE (2020)
Co-editor, POPULISM AND WORLD POLITICS (2nd ed. 2026)
🏠 https://www.frankstengel.com
https://linktr.ee/frankstengel
Pinned
Frank A. Stengel
@frankstengel.com
· Jan 24
Crisis and Change in Post-Zeitenwende German Security Policy - Politische Vierteljahresschrift
This article examines the nexus between crisis and change in the context of German security policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s announcement of a Zeitenwende (histor...
link.springer.com
📣 Attention #Zeitenwende nerds: I'm happy to announce that my co-authored article (w/ Dirk Nabers) "Crisis and change in post-Zeitenwende German security policy" has been published *open access*.
👇🏼
Mein Beitrag in der @fr-zeitung.bsky.social zur Flugabwehrkrise der Ukraine.
TL;DR: Europa könnte mehr tun!
Ganzer Text: www.fr.de/meinung/gast...
TL;DR: Europa könnte mehr tun!
Ganzer Text: www.fr.de/meinung/gast...
Ein Wettlauf um die Wärme
Die ukrainische Flugabwehr fängt nur noch 36 Prozent der russischen Raketen ab. Munitionsmangel und fehlende Reserven verschärfen die Energiekrise.
www.fr.de
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 AM
👇🏼
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
New fuck/marry/kill list just dropped
February 4, 2026 at 6:05 AM
New fuck/marry/kill list just dropped
Another say, another article rejection. Ah well, you lose some, you lose some.
The Sopranos Tony Soprano GIF
ALT: The Sopranos Tony Soprano GIF
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Another say, another article rejection. Ah well, you lose some, you lose some.
Between Trump 2.0 and Catherine O'Hara I'm just about ready to skip the rest of 2026.
January 31, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Between Trump 2.0 and Catherine O'Hara I'm just about ready to skip the rest of 2026.
Sehr guter Beitrag. 👇🏼
Ich würde sogar noch einen Schritt weitergehen: Die #USA stehen, egal, was #Trump und #Rutte sagen, nicht mehr an der Seite Europas. M.E. liegt die Chance, dass die USA ihren (de facto ehemaligen) Alliierten im Falle eines russischen Angriffs helfen werden,
Ich würde sogar noch einen Schritt weitergehen: Die #USA stehen, egal, was #Trump und #Rutte sagen, nicht mehr an der Seite Europas. M.E. liegt die Chance, dass die USA ihren (de facto ehemaligen) Alliierten im Falle eines russischen Angriffs helfen werden,
Es gehört sicherlich zur Berufsbeschreibung eines Nato-Generalsekretärs, alles daranzusetzen, das „transatlantische Band“ zu bewahren. Aber Ruttes Kurs führt Europa in die Irre. Mehr dazu in meiner Geoeconomics Kolumne von Januar. www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kolu...
Kolumne: Nato-Generalsekretär Mark Rutte führt Europa in die Irre
Sowohl die Nationale Sicherheitsstrategie als auch die Nationale Verteidigungsstrategie der USA machen deutlich, dass der Schutz Europas in Washington keine Priorität mehr genießt.
www.handelsblatt.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
Es gehört sicherlich zur Berufsbeschreibung eines Nato-Generalsekretärs, alles daranzusetzen, das „transatlantische Band“ zu bewahren. Aber Ruttes Kurs führt Europa in die Irre. Mehr dazu in meiner Geoeconomics Kolumne von Januar. www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kolu...
Kolumne: Nato-Generalsekretär Mark Rutte führt Europa in die Irre
Sowohl die Nationale Sicherheitsstrategie als auch die Nationale Verteidigungsstrategie der USA machen deutlich, dass der Schutz Europas in Washington keine Priorität mehr genießt.
www.handelsblatt.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Es gehört sicherlich zur Berufsbeschreibung eines Nato-Generalsekretärs, alles daranzusetzen, das „transatlantische Band“ zu bewahren. Aber Ruttes Kurs führt Europa in die Irre. Mehr dazu in meiner Geoeconomics Kolumne von Januar. www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kolu...
Ein neuer Tag, ein neuer Zugausfall. Hat eigentlich mal jemand kalkuliert, wie groß der ökonomische Schaden ist, der durch die ganzen Verspätungen und Zugausfälle angerichtet wird, den #CSU-Verkehrsminister durch ihre Zerstörung der #Bahn verursacht haben?
January 29, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Ein neuer Tag, ein neuer Zugausfall. Hat eigentlich mal jemand kalkuliert, wie groß der ökonomische Schaden ist, der durch die ganzen Verspätungen und Zugausfälle angerichtet wird, den #CSU-Verkehrsminister durch ihre Zerstörung der #Bahn verursacht haben?
👇🏼
1/9
Gestern fand der ,WELT-Wirtschaftsgipfel, im Axel-Springer-Hochhaus statt.
Fast die gesamte Bundesregierung bis hin zum Bundeskanzler nahm teil.
Auch mit dabei: Palantir-CEO Alex Karp, Trump-Vertrauter Steve Witkoff, der Bundeswehr Generalinspekteur & diverse Investoren. 🧵
Gestern fand der ,WELT-Wirtschaftsgipfel, im Axel-Springer-Hochhaus statt.
Fast die gesamte Bundesregierung bis hin zum Bundeskanzler nahm teil.
Auch mit dabei: Palantir-CEO Alex Karp, Trump-Vertrauter Steve Witkoff, der Bundeswehr Generalinspekteur & diverse Investoren. 🧵
January 28, 2026 at 10:28 AM
👇🏼
Mein Busfahrer hat gerade einen pöbelnden Falschparker mit einem "Anana sikim" gegrüßt, und das habe ich das letzte Mal in meiner Schulzeit gehört. 🥰
January 28, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Mein Busfahrer hat gerade einen pöbelnden Falschparker mit einem "Anana sikim" gegrüßt, und das habe ich das letzte Mal in meiner Schulzeit gehört. 🥰
ICE's violent activities are pushing the US to the brink of civil war. This is not hyperbole. Transition phases to authoritarian regimes are war-prone, and Trump is doing everything to get a pretext for the Insurrection Act. European leaders need to intervene diplomatically before this eacalates.
January 27, 2026 at 5:35 AM
ICE's violent activities are pushing the US to the brink of civil war. This is not hyperbole. Transition phases to authoritarian regimes are war-prone, and Trump is doing everything to get a pretext for the Insurrection Act. European leaders need to intervene diplomatically before this eacalates.
Democrats need to stop funding ICE. Appeasement does not work. Elites need to signal to the people that they understand the gravity of the situation.
A Crisis of Confidence for ICE and Border Patrol as Clashes Escalate
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Democrats need to stop funding ICE. Appeasement does not work. Elites need to signal to the people that they understand the gravity of the situation.
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
The prevailing consensus over the last year was that anyone calling for a general strike was ridiculous and ignorant and it would never work here, and maybe that’s true nationally, I dunno, but I bet those people wouldn’t have seen tomorrow in MN coming either
National media should really be covering the fact thay every major school, museum, and arts institution in the Twin Cities, and hundreds of local businesses are closed tomorrow to protest federal occupation.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
Nothing like this at this scale has happened anywhere in America anytime in living memory.
January 23, 2026 at 6:45 AM
In a sane world, Jack Smith would be getting a medal.
In Testimony, Jack Smith Defends Decision to Prosecute Trump
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:36 AM
In a sane world, Jack Smith would be getting a medal.
#Newsom is absolutely right. Appeasing #Trump might limit the damage of his actions in the short-term, but there will be hell to pay down the line when the GOP has consolidated their authoritarian regime.
Newsom makes knee pads for CEOs 'selling out' to Trump share.google/twCdYxUsUeys...
Newsom makes knee pads for CEOs 'selling out' to Trump share.google/twCdYxUsUeys...
Newsom shows off knee pads for CEOs 'selling out' to the Trump administration
The Governor of California showed off knee pads that he suggested were for leaders "selling out" to the Trump administration, during an interview at Davos.
share.google
January 23, 2026 at 5:06 AM
#Newsom is absolutely right. Appeasing #Trump might limit the damage of his actions in the short-term, but there will be hell to pay down the line when the GOP has consolidated their authoritarian regime.
Newsom makes knee pads for CEOs 'selling out' to Trump share.google/twCdYxUsUeys...
Newsom makes knee pads for CEOs 'selling out' to Trump share.google/twCdYxUsUeys...
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck zu Zersetzungsversuchen und Angriffen auf die Demokratie:
"Auch in Deutschland erleben wir Versuche, das Vertrauen in demokratische Verfahren systematisch zu untergraben. [...]"
"Auch in Deutschland erleben wir Versuche, das Vertrauen in demokratische Verfahren systematisch zu untergraben. [...]"
January 21, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck zu Zersetzungsversuchen und Angriffen auf die Demokratie:
"Auch in Deutschland erleben wir Versuche, das Vertrauen in demokratische Verfahren systematisch zu untergraben. [...]"
"Auch in Deutschland erleben wir Versuche, das Vertrauen in demokratische Verfahren systematisch zu untergraben. [...]"
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
🚨"If you support Donald Trump, never invoke the constitution—you don't give a f*ck about it, never invoke states rights, you don't give a f*ck about them, you don't care about tyranny...you have no principles," -Minneapolis ICE protester in -1 degree wind chill. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 22, 2026 at 12:56 AM
🚨"If you support Donald Trump, never invoke the constitution—you don't give a f*ck about it, never invoke states rights, you don't give a f*ck about them, you don't care about tyranny...you have no principles," -Minneapolis ICE protester in -1 degree wind chill. LIVE NOW ⬇️
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
“This is not sovereignty. It is the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.”
Very strong bit in a strong speech.
(Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister at Davos)
Very strong bit in a strong speech.
(Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister at Davos)
January 22, 2026 at 9:19 AM
“This is not sovereignty. It is the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.”
Very strong bit in a strong speech.
(Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister at Davos)
Very strong bit in a strong speech.
(Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister at Davos)
I cannot get over how brutally honest (and unfortunately spot-on) this description of the situation by Levistsky et al. is:
"When Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024, much of the American establishment responded with a shrug. After all, Trump had been democratically elected,
"When Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024, much of the American establishment responded with a shrug. After all, Trump had been democratically elected,
The Price of American Authoritarianism
What can reverse democratic decline?
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:41 PM
I cannot get over how brutally honest (and unfortunately spot-on) this description of the situation by Levistsky et al. is:
"When Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024, much of the American establishment responded with a shrug. After all, Trump had been democratically elected,
"When Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024, much of the American establishment responded with a shrug. After all, Trump had been democratically elected,
Controversial opinion: e-mails should be outlawed or at least strictly regulated. They're the psychological equivalent to small arms. There, I said it.
January 21, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Controversial opinion: e-mails should be outlawed or at least strictly regulated. They're the psychological equivalent to small arms. There, I said it.
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
A prominent Royal Society fellow helped out with this
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 21, 2026 at 8:24 AM
A prominent Royal Society fellow helped out with this
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
"Der Begriff Imperialismus oder Imperium kann mehrdeutig oder abwertend sein. Aber diese gewaltsame Annexion oder der Kauf Grönlands sind ein imperialer Akt – ganz gleich nach welcher Definition."
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
Imperialismus der USA: "Imperialismus ist der Geist"
Die USA waren und sind ein Imperium, sagt der US-Historiker Daniel Immerwahr. Grönland zu übernehmen, wäre ein Tabubruch – und doch Trumps realistischstes Ziel.
www.zeit.de
January 21, 2026 at 6:52 AM
"Der Begriff Imperialismus oder Imperium kann mehrdeutig oder abwertend sein. Aber diese gewaltsame Annexion oder der Kauf Grönlands sind ein imperialer Akt – ganz gleich nach welcher Definition."
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
If you understand English, listen to this:
Wright Thompson: The Ghosts of Mississippi - by Tim Miller share.google/menH5EGnlLOT...
Wright Thompson: The Ghosts of Mississippi - by Tim Miller share.google/menH5EGnlLOT...
January 21, 2026 at 5:28 AM
If you understand English, listen to this:
Wright Thompson: The Ghosts of Mississippi - by Tim Miller share.google/menH5EGnlLOT...
Wright Thompson: The Ghosts of Mississippi - by Tim Miller share.google/menH5EGnlLOT...
Reposted by Frank A. Stengel
Live your life so that the mere possibility of your death doesn't have 2/3 of the civilized world holding their breath in barely-contained excitement.
January 21, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Live your life so that the mere possibility of your death doesn't have 2/3 of the civilized world holding their breath in barely-contained excitement.