Joachim C. Häberlen
@jchaeberlen.bsky.social
Historian of beautiful actions. PhD from UChicago. Past at U Warwick, now teaching and writing in Berlin.
Personal Homepage: https://joachimhaeberlen.com/
My book on Protesting in Post-War Europe: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/321011/beauty-is-in-the-
Personal Homepage: https://joachimhaeberlen.com/
My book on Protesting in Post-War Europe: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/321011/beauty-is-in-the-
Pinned
Beauty is in the Street
'A rich and readable account of left-wing activism in the West and opposition to Soviet-style communism in the East' Katja Hoyer, The Spectator
'A dream, perhaps, but one that still sounds worth figh...
www.penguin.co.uk
As I have number of new followers, a few words about myself and what I'm posting about:
I'm a historian of Modern Europe. Most recently, I've published a book on protesting and countercultures in post-war Europe across the Iron Curtain (now out in Paperback).
www.penguin.co.uk/books/321011...
I'm a historian of Modern Europe. Most recently, I've published a book on protesting and countercultures in post-war Europe across the Iron Curtain (now out in Paperback).
www.penguin.co.uk/books/321011...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
www.theatlantic.com/internationa... a beautiful must read if you care about humanity and love movies
(Gift article)
Thank you Arash Azizi for writing this and @theatlantic.com for publishing it
(Gift article)
Thank you Arash Azizi for writing this and @theatlantic.com for publishing it
What Iran’s Dead Loved and Fought For
A young woman’s online diaries about cinema and literature have become her epitaph.
www.theatlantic.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM
www.theatlantic.com/internationa... a beautiful must read if you care about humanity and love movies
(Gift article)
Thank you Arash Azizi for writing this and @theatlantic.com for publishing it
(Gift article)
Thank you Arash Azizi for writing this and @theatlantic.com for publishing it
If this (what's happening on Moltbook) is the future of the internet (you never whether something is written by AI or by a human being), then I guess it's also the future of humanity. Funny times.
www.faz.net/pro/digitalw...
www.faz.net/pro/digitalw...
Moltbook: Wie das soziale Netzwerk für KI-Agenten funktioniert
Ein soziales Netzwerk nur für Bots – programmiert, ohne dass eine Zeile menschlichen Codes geschrieben wurde, gebaut auf einer quelloffenen Plattform aus Wien. Moltbook fasziniert das Silicon Valley u...
www.faz.net
February 4, 2026 at 9:18 AM
If this (what's happening on Moltbook) is the future of the internet (you never whether something is written by AI or by a human being), then I guess it's also the future of humanity. Funny times.
www.faz.net/pro/digitalw...
www.faz.net/pro/digitalw...
Bäume verbuddeln und gar im Meer versenken, gegen die Klimawandel. Interessante und ernst gemeinte Idee; und dennoch, irgendwie zeigt sie die Absurdität der Weltlage. Bäume stehen zu lassen schein nicht en vogue zu sein.
www.faz.net/aktuell/wiss...
www.faz.net/aktuell/wiss...
Bäume fürs Klima: Der Meeresgrund als Kohlenstoffsenke
Um Kohlendioxid aus der Atmosphäre zu fischen, werden Bäume gefällt und im Erdboden verbuddelt. Das kostet viel Platz. Nun präsentieren Forscher ein eleganteres Konzept.
www.faz.net
February 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Bäume verbuddeln und gar im Meer versenken, gegen die Klimawandel. Interessante und ernst gemeinte Idee; und dennoch, irgendwie zeigt sie die Absurdität der Weltlage. Bäume stehen zu lassen schein nicht en vogue zu sein.
www.faz.net/aktuell/wiss...
www.faz.net/aktuell/wiss...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
January 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
the russian judicial system in two headlines
January 25, 2026 at 10:02 PM
the russian judicial system in two headlines
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
"At least five Native American men have been detained by ICE around Minneapolis following significant immigration raids." ictnews.org/news/i-felt-...
‘I felt like I was kidnapped’: Ojibwe man recounts ICE detainment - ICT
At least five Native American men have been detained by ICE around Minneapolis following significant immigration raids
ictnews.org
January 11, 2026 at 5:25 AM
"At least five Native American men have been detained by ICE around Minneapolis following significant immigration raids." ictnews.org/news/i-felt-...
Amidst the countless stories of powerful men, and the stories of pain and suffering in history, the story an Italian named Giuseppe Pizzuto deserves being remembered as well:
Born in Egypt, he fought in the Italian army during WWI, where he was apparently influenced by socialist ideas. (1/3)
Born in Egypt, he fought in the Italian army during WWI, where he was apparently influenced by socialist ideas. (1/3)
January 3, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Amidst the countless stories of powerful men, and the stories of pain and suffering in history, the story an Italian named Giuseppe Pizzuto deserves being remembered as well:
Born in Egypt, he fought in the Italian army during WWI, where he was apparently influenced by socialist ideas. (1/3)
Born in Egypt, he fought in the Italian army during WWI, where he was apparently influenced by socialist ideas. (1/3)
Concise summary of WWI:
"Our story begins in that summer of 1914 when a crazy war erupted in Europe. A war like the kind of fights that flare up between coffee-shop dwellers during almawalid. It starts with a chair hitting the lights, leaving everyone in the dark, and then the fight begins. 1/3
"Our story begins in that summer of 1914 when a crazy war erupted in Europe. A war like the kind of fights that flare up between coffee-shop dwellers during almawalid. It starts with a chair hitting the lights, leaving everyone in the dark, and then the fight begins. 1/3
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Concise summary of WWI:
"Our story begins in that summer of 1914 when a crazy war erupted in Europe. A war like the kind of fights that flare up between coffee-shop dwellers during almawalid. It starts with a chair hitting the lights, leaving everyone in the dark, and then the fight begins. 1/3
"Our story begins in that summer of 1914 when a crazy war erupted in Europe. A war like the kind of fights that flare up between coffee-shop dwellers during almawalid. It starts with a chair hitting the lights, leaving everyone in the dark, and then the fight begins. 1/3
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
“Can’t believe NYC elected a Muslim as mayor.”
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
January 1, 2026 at 11:43 AM
“Can’t believe NYC elected a Muslim as mayor.”
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
Protests are spreading across Iran for a fourth day, with demonstrators calling for the end of the Islamic regime and demanding the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. A member of the Basij force was killed in Kouhdasht, Lorestan, and confrontations are flaring in Fars, Hamedan, and Tehran.
January 1, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Protests are spreading across Iran for a fourth day, with demonstrators calling for the end of the Islamic regime and demanding the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. A member of the Basij force was killed in Kouhdasht, Lorestan, and confrontations are flaring in Fars, Hamedan, and Tehran.
I'm always happy to see my work mentioned, as in this Foreign Policy article (a summary of previous articles on the past and present of movements). However, Beauty Is in the Street is distinctly not about failed movements, but about experimentingi
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/25/g...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/25/g...
A Year of Global Protest
How Gen Z-led movements shaped 2025—and what comes next.
foreignpolicy.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I'm always happy to see my work mentioned, as in this Foreign Policy article (a summary of previous articles on the past and present of movements). However, Beauty Is in the Street is distinctly not about failed movements, but about experimentingi
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/25/g...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/25/g...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
#OtD 31 Dec 1912 about 160 African workers at the Wankie coal mine in colonial Rhodesia came out on strike. Workers were protesting the poor conditions after dozens had contracted scurvy, resulting in nine deaths over the previous three months stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1143...
December 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
#OtD 31 Dec 1912 about 160 African workers at the Wankie coal mine in colonial Rhodesia came out on strike. Workers were protesting the poor conditions after dozens had contracted scurvy, resulting in nine deaths over the previous three months stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/1143...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
Compare the statement about the antisemitic terror attack in Australia by the Israeli Prime Minister with the one by Zohran Mamdani, and ask yourself who more truly cares about condemning antisemitism, as opposed to using it to promote unrelated politics.
December 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Compare the statement about the antisemitic terror attack in Australia by the Israeli Prime Minister with the one by Zohran Mamdani, and ask yourself who more truly cares about condemning antisemitism, as opposed to using it to promote unrelated politics.
Very thankful to see my piece on the Charm of History, and how the study of the past might offer a glimpse of joy and hope these days, mentioned here. I'd be happy to know what folks think!
www.historians.org/perspectives...
www.historians.org/perspectives...
December 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Very thankful to see my piece on the Charm of History, and how the study of the past might offer a glimpse of joy and hope these days, mentioned here. I'd be happy to know what folks think!
www.historians.org/perspectives...
www.historians.org/perspectives...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
+ Ein mutiger Somalier verfolgte im Januar in #Aschaffenburg einen Messerangreifer. Für sein Engagement erhielt er von Ministerpräsidenten Söder die Medaille für Zivilcourage. Nun soll er ausreisen – er habe keinen Job. Der Somalier beschuldigt die Behörden.
Kein Job - Held von #Aschaffenburg soll Deutschland verlassen
Ein mutiger Somalier verfolgte im Januar in #Aschaffenburg einen Messerangreifer. Für sein Engagement erhielt er von Ministerpräsidenten Söder die Medaille für Zivilcourage. Nun soll er ausreisen – er habe keinen Job. Der Somalier beschuldigt die Behörden.
www.migazin.de
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 AM
+ Ein mutiger Somalier verfolgte im Januar in #Aschaffenburg einen Messerangreifer. Für sein Engagement erhielt er von Ministerpräsidenten Söder die Medaille für Zivilcourage. Nun soll er ausreisen – er habe keinen Job. Der Somalier beschuldigt die Behörden.
On the Charm of History, now also available online:
www.historians.org/perspectives...
The joy we can find in the past might enable us to imagine a joyful future once again, rather than seeing nothing but catastrophe. And the joy of teaching smart students.
www.historians.org/perspectives...
The joy we can find in the past might enable us to imagine a joyful future once again, rather than seeing nothing but catastrophe. And the joy of teaching smart students.
On the Charm of History – AHA
Finding joy in the past might allow us to imagine a future of joy as well.
www.historians.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 AM
On the Charm of History, now also available online:
www.historians.org/perspectives...
The joy we can find in the past might enable us to imagine a joyful future once again, rather than seeing nothing but catastrophe. And the joy of teaching smart students.
www.historians.org/perspectives...
The joy we can find in the past might enable us to imagine a joyful future once again, rather than seeing nothing but catastrophe. And the joy of teaching smart students.
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Publication News: On the Charm of History.
www.historians.org/perspectives...
What studying the past has to offer, it seems these days, is a stern warning about the perils of authoritariansim or even fascism that are on the rise again. Rarely does history seem to offer a sense of hope ... 1/3
www.historians.org/perspectives...
What studying the past has to offer, it seems these days, is a stern warning about the perils of authoritariansim or even fascism that are on the rise again. Rarely does history seem to offer a sense of hope ... 1/3
November 2025
Read the November issue of Perspectives on History.
www.historians.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Publication News: On the Charm of History.
www.historians.org/perspectives...
What studying the past has to offer, it seems these days, is a stern warning about the perils of authoritariansim or even fascism that are on the rise again. Rarely does history seem to offer a sense of hope ... 1/3
www.historians.org/perspectives...
What studying the past has to offer, it seems these days, is a stern warning about the perils of authoritariansim or even fascism that are on the rise again. Rarely does history seem to offer a sense of hope ... 1/3
I was contacted, for the second time, by someone, presumably in the US, who claims to have read my book and offers promoting it in multiple ways (without saying to explicitly or even indicating costs), by someone named Laura's Pavlov. Out of curiousity: is anyone I know familiar with the name?
December 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I was contacted, for the second time, by someone, presumably in the US, who claims to have read my book and offers promoting it in multiple ways (without saying to explicitly or even indicating costs), by someone named Laura's Pavlov. Out of curiousity: is anyone I know familiar with the name?
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
#OtD 23 Aug 1966 200 Aboriginal workers at the Wave Hill pastoral station in Australia walked out on strike for equal pay with white workers. They remained out for an incredible nine years, and added return of the land to their demands, and succeeded stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9547...
August 23, 2025 at 6:40 AM
#OtD 23 Aug 1966 200 Aboriginal workers at the Wave Hill pastoral station in Australia walked out on strike for equal pay with white workers. They remained out for an incredible nine years, and added return of the land to their demands, and succeeded stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/9547...
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
Hey, you survived another week. Buy yourself a few books.
August 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Hey, you survived another week. Buy yourself a few books.
Reposted by Joachim C. Häberlen
An episode rendered invisible by the ‘Lest We Forget’ fixation on the Second World War in Britain. In that telling, veterans are quasi-mythical heroes, not real people with politics, nor is class really allowed to enter into it beyond a teleological narrative about the founding of the welfare state.
#OtD 13 Aug 1946 13 homeless families moved into an empty US military camp on Burton Road in Dudley, England. It was part of a mass wave of squatting, primarily by former service members and their families in the wake of World War II stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8455...
August 13, 2025 at 7:05 AM
An episode rendered invisible by the ‘Lest We Forget’ fixation on the Second World War in Britain. In that telling, veterans are quasi-mythical heroes, not real people with politics, nor is class really allowed to enter into it beyond a teleological narrative about the founding of the welfare state.
German FAZ about the US economy:
(...) around 50 percent of consumer spending is now accounted for by the top income decile. Whether the US economy avoids a recession depends heavily on these households with annual incomes of $250,000 or more. ... (1/2)
www.faz.net/.../trumps-w....
(...) around 50 percent of consumer spending is now accounted for by the top income decile. Whether the US economy avoids a recession depends heavily on these households with annual incomes of $250,000 or more. ... (1/2)
www.faz.net/.../trumps-w....
www.faz.net
August 10, 2025 at 11:28 AM
German FAZ about the US economy:
(...) around 50 percent of consumer spending is now accounted for by the top income decile. Whether the US economy avoids a recession depends heavily on these households with annual incomes of $250,000 or more. ... (1/2)
www.faz.net/.../trumps-w....
(...) around 50 percent of consumer spending is now accounted for by the top income decile. Whether the US economy avoids a recession depends heavily on these households with annual incomes of $250,000 or more. ... (1/2)
www.faz.net/.../trumps-w....
Spending the summer in Brittany, a place to simply forget about the madness of the world. And it fills me with nothing but bewilderment that it seems impossible for humanity to simply enjoy the immense beauty that this world has to offer.
July 31, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Spending the summer in Brittany, a place to simply forget about the madness of the world. And it fills me with nothing but bewilderment that it seems impossible for humanity to simply enjoy the immense beauty that this world has to offer.