Monica Marks
@monicamarks.bsky.social
Prof of Middle East Politics at NYU Abu Dhabi. Tunisia, Turkey, Gulf. PhD St Antony's College, Oxford. Rhodes, Fulbright, Harvard WCFIA. 14 years writing on Tunisia.
Religion & democracy. Tango & bizarre travel enthusiast. Perpetually craving Istanbul.
Religion & democracy. Tango & bizarre travel enthusiast. Perpetually craving Istanbul.
Pinned
Monica Marks
@monicamarks.bsky.social
· Nov 18
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Reposted by Monica Marks
And if you have time then this might interest you: www.spectator.com.au/2025/12/the-...
The battle for Antarctic krill is about to get uglier | The Spectator Australia
Krill – the small, shrimp-like crustacean – is a keystone species. It underpins the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean,…
www.spectator.com.au
December 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
And if you have time then this might interest you: www.spectator.com.au/2025/12/the-...
Can’t believe it, but I’m en route to Antarctica.
Seeing this continent—whose fast-shifting geopolitical significance & massive climate change vulnerabilities must concern us all—feels like the journey of a lifetime.
Seeing this continent—whose fast-shifting geopolitical significance & massive climate change vulnerabilities must concern us all—feels like the journey of a lifetime.
December 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Can’t believe it, but I’m en route to Antarctica.
Seeing this continent—whose fast-shifting geopolitical significance & massive climate change vulnerabilities must concern us all—feels like the journey of a lifetime.
Seeing this continent—whose fast-shifting geopolitical significance & massive climate change vulnerabilities must concern us all—feels like the journey of a lifetime.
Buenos Aires’ idea of Kentucky food bears absolutely ZERO relationship to the fast food & dry Bible Belt country counties of my childhood… And I love it! 😂
Merry Xmas from Argentina, where this Kentucky woman tango danced her heart out today! 💃🏻🇦🇷🎄😍
Merry Xmas from Argentina, where this Kentucky woman tango danced her heart out today! 💃🏻🇦🇷🎄😍
December 26, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Buenos Aires’ idea of Kentucky food bears absolutely ZERO relationship to the fast food & dry Bible Belt country counties of my childhood… And I love it! 😂
Merry Xmas from Argentina, where this Kentucky woman tango danced her heart out today! 💃🏻🇦🇷🎄😍
Merry Xmas from Argentina, where this Kentucky woman tango danced her heart out today! 💃🏻🇦🇷🎄😍
Reposted by Monica Marks
Worth reading this ….
Claudia Cardinale was born in La Goulette, a suburb of Tunis (now part of the Tunis metro) developed by Italian immigrants. They started arriving in the early-mid 1800s & mostly left Tunisia in the 1950s/60s.
In 1957, Cardinale was voted “most beautiful Italian girl in Tunisia.”
In 1957, Cardinale was voted “most beautiful Italian girl in Tunisia.”
December 22, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Worth reading this ….
Reposted by Monica Marks
Peter Beinart declared he wanted to 'challenge Jewish supremacy' by speaking at Tel Aviv University. Twelve hours later, he executed a whiplash-inducing apology, conceding to the BDS movement's purity tests, @monicamarks.bsky.social writes.
Gift Link:
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
Gift Link:
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
How Peter Beinart's capitulation to the BDS movement harms the Palestinian cause | Opinion
***
www.haaretz.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Peter Beinart declared he wanted to 'challenge Jewish supremacy' by speaking at Tel Aviv University. Twelve hours later, he executed a whiplash-inducing apology, conceding to the BDS movement's purity tests, @monicamarks.bsky.social writes.
Gift Link:
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
Gift Link:
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
Very sad to hear of this terrorism (bombing attacks) plot by a far left group in Southern California, but glad it was foiled. Respect to Palestinians like @hamzahowidy.bsky.social who publicly reiterate “not in our name.”
AP, PBS & local media have reported on this: abc7.com/post/souther...
AP, PBS & local media have reported on this: abc7.com/post/souther...
December 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Very sad to hear of this terrorism (bombing attacks) plot by a far left group in Southern California, but glad it was foiled. Respect to Palestinians like @hamzahowidy.bsky.social who publicly reiterate “not in our name.”
AP, PBS & local media have reported on this: abc7.com/post/souther...
AP, PBS & local media have reported on this: abc7.com/post/souther...
Reposted by Monica Marks
Two Palestinian men have told the BBC they personally experienced the kind of beatings and sexual abuse highlighted in recent reports into the treatment of prisoners in Israeli detention. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Palestinians tell BBC they were sexually abused in Israeli prisons
Two men say they experienced the kind of abuse highlighted in recent reports on Israel's treatment of prisoners, which Israel denies.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Two Palestinian men have told the BBC they personally experienced the kind of beatings and sexual abuse highlighted in recent reports into the treatment of prisoners in Israeli detention. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ahmed el Ahmed, a 43 yr-old Muslim father of two, risked his life to tackle the terrorist who killed 12 at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration, disarming him in that incredible video.
He is in hospital with two gunshot wounds to the arm & hand.
Thank you, dear Ahmed. You are a hero!
He is in hospital with two gunshot wounds to the arm & hand.
Thank you, dear Ahmed. You are a hero!
Hero bystander who tackled gunman in incredible footage identified
In the aftermath of the devastation at Bondi, a deluge of footage poured onto social media. One video of an act of incredible bravery stood out.
www.smh.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Ahmed el Ahmed, a 43 yr-old Muslim father of two, risked his life to tackle the terrorist who killed 12 at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration, disarming him in that incredible video.
He is in hospital with two gunshot wounds to the arm & hand.
Thank you, dear Ahmed. You are a hero!
He is in hospital with two gunshot wounds to the arm & hand.
Thank you, dear Ahmed. You are a hero!
Incredible footage out of Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Attacks on Jewish communities keep happening globally. Ten people were killed in Sydney tonight.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, a celebration of light, love & Jewish survival. No one’s Hanukkah should be spent this way.
Attacks on Jewish communities keep happening globally. Ten people were killed in Sydney tonight.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, a celebration of light, love & Jewish survival. No one’s Hanukkah should be spent this way.
Incredible footage out of Australia, confirmed by NEWS AU, of a brave bystander neutralizing one of the terrorists in the Bondi Beach attack which took place during a Hanukkah gathering.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
Australian authorities say multiple people have been killed.
At least two suspects are in custody.
December 14, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Incredible footage out of Bondi Beach, Sydney.
Attacks on Jewish communities keep happening globally. Ten people were killed in Sydney tonight.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, a celebration of light, love & Jewish survival. No one’s Hanukkah should be spent this way.
Attacks on Jewish communities keep happening globally. Ten people were killed in Sydney tonight.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, a celebration of light, love & Jewish survival. No one’s Hanukkah should be spent this way.
Amine Mahfoudh & Sadok Belaid were the only Tunisian legal scholars to support President Kais Saied’s replacement of Tunisia’s sole democratic constitution (the 2014 one) w/ his own error-laden pro-autocracy draft in 2022.
Now Mahfoudh is talking about a post-Saied transition.
Now Mahfoudh is talking about a post-Saied transition.
أمين محفوظ: اتهام كمال لطيف بالتآمر كان بناء على تقرير لمخابرات أجنبية
YouTube video by Al Qatiba TV
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Amine Mahfoudh & Sadok Belaid were the only Tunisian legal scholars to support President Kais Saied’s replacement of Tunisia’s sole democratic constitution (the 2014 one) w/ his own error-laden pro-autocracy draft in 2022.
Now Mahfoudh is talking about a post-Saied transition.
Now Mahfoudh is talking about a post-Saied transition.
People need to be keeping eyes on Tunisia. A range of frail & elderly political prisoners—including famous politicians like Rached Ghannouchi—are hunger striking & could die any day now, god forbid.
Meanwhile, Saied is undertaking yet another crackdown & discontent is growing.
Meanwhile, Saied is undertaking yet another crackdown & discontent is growing.
www.reuters.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
People need to be keeping eyes on Tunisia. A range of frail & elderly political prisoners—including famous politicians like Rached Ghannouchi—are hunger striking & could die any day now, god forbid.
Meanwhile, Saied is undertaking yet another crackdown & discontent is growing.
Meanwhile, Saied is undertaking yet another crackdown & discontent is growing.
Excellent piece. True to his typical form, Joel does not shy away from the contradictions & knotty bits, but looks them head-on.
I'll be back more regularly after my semester ends, but in the mean time, I'm in the @forward.com talking about Mamdani's response to the protest at Park East synagogue last week, and why ambivalence is sometimes okay. forward.com/opinion/7861...
What does Mamdani's response to synagogue protests mean for Jews? No one will like the answer.
Zohran Mamdani's response to a protest outside Park East synagogue satisfied no one. But it might speak to a crucial truth about Jewish life.
forward.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Excellent piece. True to his typical form, Joel does not shy away from the contradictions & knotty bits, but looks them head-on.
Reposted by Monica Marks
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Monica Marks
Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films — and the polarized responses to them — reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics.
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films — and the polarized responses to them — reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics.
At night, to stop replaying torture sessions in her mind, Elizabeth Tsurkov recited whole chapters of her PhD that she wrote in her head in captivity.
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Kidnapped and Freed, Elizabeth Tsurkov Continues Ph.D. Research
paw.princeton.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
At night, to stop replaying torture sessions in her mind, Elizabeth Tsurkov recited whole chapters of her PhD that she wrote in her head in captivity.
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
Reposted by Monica Marks
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
Reposted by Monica Marks
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
Reposted by Monica Marks
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Reposted by Monica Marks
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reposted by Monica Marks
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️