Peter Henne
@pehenne.bsky.social
Professor of Middle East politics, terrorism, religion and politics. Guitar/mandolin. D&D and Star Trek. Wouldn't trust any group that would have me as a member.
I feel more busy as a Full than I did as Associate. When do I get to be one of these deadwood Profs I keep hearing about?
#academicsky
#academicsky
February 17, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I feel more busy as a Full than I did as Associate. When do I get to be one of these deadwood Profs I keep hearing about?
#academicsky
#academicsky
I searched for "vandalism abortion clinic" to find examples for class (I teach such fun subjects) and these were the top Google results. That's weird, right?
February 9, 2026 at 8:09 PM
I searched for "vandalism abortion clinic" to find examples for class (I teach such fun subjects) and these were the top Google results. That's weird, right?
Thoughts from kids:
10 year olds: Dad do you think [dog] knows she's a dog?
7 year old: What if we're all AI, and the things that we think are AI are actually people?
10 year olds: Dad do you think [dog] knows she's a dog?
7 year old: What if we're all AI, and the things that we think are AI are actually people?
February 9, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Thoughts from kids:
10 year olds: Dad do you think [dog] knows she's a dog?
7 year old: What if we're all AI, and the things that we think are AI are actually people?
10 year olds: Dad do you think [dog] knows she's a dog?
7 year old: What if we're all AI, and the things that we think are AI are actually people?
as I mentioned before I've redone my Terrorism&CT course to look more at right-wing terrorism. I'm currently making the new lectures on contemporary issues. Not that anything in this course is "fun" but this is especially dark stuff to work on right now
February 5, 2026 at 2:41 PM
as I mentioned before I've redone my Terrorism&CT course to look more at right-wing terrorism. I'm currently making the new lectures on contemporary issues. Not that anything in this course is "fun" but this is especially dark stuff to work on right now
very sad to see the Washington Post cuts. When I moved to DC after college in 2005 I excitedly got a print subscription, I'd read it on the bus to work. It made me feel like this strange new city was home. It deserved better, esp. from someone w/ more money than he could ever spend.
February 4, 2026 at 5:49 PM
very sad to see the Washington Post cuts. When I moved to DC after college in 2005 I excitedly got a print subscription, I'd read it on the bus to work. It made me feel like this strange new city was home. It deserved better, esp. from someone w/ more money than he could ever spend.
I have a paper that's been under review w/ a journal for 2 years. Gone through 2 rounds of R&R. Sits for months before the status even updates to "out for review." Contacted the editors and heard nothing. I'm considering pulling it and just posting it as a working paper on Researcgate
#academicsky
#academicsky
February 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
I have a paper that's been under review w/ a journal for 2 years. Gone through 2 rounds of R&R. Sits for months before the status even updates to "out for review." Contacted the editors and heard nothing. I'm considering pulling it and just posting it as a working paper on Researcgate
#academicsky
#academicsky
I came up with what I thought was a novel term to study a topic I'm writing on, then while perusing the literature found it already existed. I guess that actually works out for me, as now I don't need to justify and defend my terminology.
#academicsky
#academicsky
January 30, 2026 at 7:16 PM
I came up with what I thought was a novel term to study a topic I'm writing on, then while perusing the literature found it already existed. I guess that actually works out for me, as now I don't need to justify and defend my terminology.
#academicsky
#academicsky
two students were waiting outside my office for office hours. One introduced himself to the other, said he liked his contributions to class discussions, and they chatted a bit. Made me happy.
#academicsky
#academicsky
January 29, 2026 at 7:46 PM
two students were waiting outside my office for office hours. One introduced himself to the other, said he liked his contributions to class discussions, and they chatted a bit. Made me happy.
#academicsky
#academicsky
vehicular attack on important Jewish site in NYC. Don't have a lot of details but hard not to see this as an antisemitic attack
seen via @powerofacademe.bsky.social
seen via @powerofacademe.bsky.social
A man was arrested after repeatedly crashing his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City on Wednesday night while people were gathered for prayer. n.pr/3Od0Afq
Car rams into Chabad headquarters in New York City, damaging doors
A man was arrested after repeatedly crashing his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City on Wednesday night while people were gathered for prayer.
n.pr
January 29, 2026 at 1:41 PM
vehicular attack on important Jewish site in NYC. Don't have a lot of details but hard not to see this as an antisemitic attack
seen via @powerofacademe.bsky.social
seen via @powerofacademe.bsky.social
my Uni is on top of a hill overlooking Burlington, so on snowy days like today it can be a little scary getting there. But at the end of the day all I have to do is put my car into D and coast all the way home
#academicsky
#academicsky
January 27, 2026 at 4:51 PM
my Uni is on top of a hill overlooking Burlington, so on snowy days like today it can be a little scary getting there. But at the end of the day all I have to do is put my car into D and coast all the way home
#academicsky
#academicsky
A prayer from the Church of England for Holocaust Memorial Day
www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-w...
www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-w...
January 27, 2026 at 2:21 PM
A prayer from the Church of England for Holocaust Memorial Day
www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-w...
www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-w...
I hate that this post is relevant again. The Trump Admin is trying to cast another protester they've murdered as a terrorist; it isn't working.
www.duckofminerva.com/2026/01/rene...
www.duckofminerva.com/2026/01/rene...
Renee Goode and the limits of false terrorism charges
On 7 January, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents opened fire on Renee Goode, killing her. To be honest, I wanted to write a post on just how sad and terrifying this murder was. Ho…
www.duckofminerva.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:59 PM
I hate that this post is relevant again. The Trump Admin is trying to cast another protester they've murdered as a terrorist; it isn't working.
www.duckofminerva.com/2026/01/rene...
www.duckofminerva.com/2026/01/rene...
Reposted by Peter Henne
MSP airport. Clergy risking risking arrest and a huge gathering of protesters. The song is, “Down to the River to Pray.”
January 23, 2026 at 6:39 PM
MSP airport. Clergy risking risking arrest and a huge gathering of protesters. The song is, “Down to the River to Pray.”
Proud to be part of a church that is participating in this, and I'd ask everyone to pray for everyone, including some clergy I know, who are acting out their faith to oppose ICE's tyranny.
www.audacy.com/wccoradio/ne...
www.audacy.com/wccoradio/ne...
January 23, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Proud to be part of a church that is participating in this, and I'd ask everyone to pray for everyone, including some clergy I know, who are acting out their faith to oppose ICE's tyranny.
www.audacy.com/wccoradio/ne...
www.audacy.com/wccoradio/ne...
I was banned from the sub for a game franchise I love, but you can still see the posts. So I keep going to comment, but then get the reminder that I've been banned from participating. It's painful.
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I was banned from the sub for a game franchise I love, but you can still see the posts. So I keep going to comment, but then get the reminder that I've been banned from participating. It's painful.
I think disrupting a church service to protest ICE is wrong, morally and strategically. But take outrage over this with a grain of salt: ICE has been roughing up pastors who are part of the protests in MN to little outrage.
www.ncronline.org/news/minneap...
www.ncronline.org/news/minneap...
Minneapolis clergy exposed to pepper spray after rushing to scene of deadly ICE shooting
"There was a request for clergy to show up" at the scene, said one Minneapolis minister. "I was out the door."
www.ncronline.org
January 20, 2026 at 1:32 PM
I think disrupting a church service to protest ICE is wrong, morally and strategically. But take outrage over this with a grain of salt: ICE has been roughing up pastors who are part of the protests in MN to little outrage.
www.ncronline.org/news/minneap...
www.ncronline.org/news/minneap...
The Trump Administration placed restrictions on FEMA aid to a Kentucky church, requiring cooperation with enforcement efforts. This is a blatant violation of religious freedom, and one I hope religious freedom advocates will speak out on.
January 16, 2026 at 6:33 PM
The Trump Administration placed restrictions on FEMA aid to a Kentucky church, requiring cooperation with enforcement efforts. This is a blatant violation of religious freedom, and one I hope religious freedom advocates will speak out on.
I was complaining about unproductive meetings at my church, and my wife contrasted them w/ work meetings where people actually make necessary decisions (she works in the private sector). Thinking of academic meetings, I laughed.
#academicsky
#academicsky
January 16, 2026 at 3:33 PM
I was complaining about unproductive meetings at my church, and my wife contrasted them w/ work meetings where people actually make necessary decisions (she works in the private sector). Thinking of academic meetings, I laughed.
#academicsky
#academicsky
I'm trying to finish Stranger Things S.4 and I just can't do it. I think it's the finale. I can't remember what's happening anymore, because the season has been so long, and everyone is giving long boring speeches. I don't think I'll make it to season 5.
January 14, 2026 at 8:08 PM
I'm trying to finish Stranger Things S.4 and I just can't do it. I think it's the finale. I can't remember what's happening anymore, because the season has been so long, and everyone is giving long boring speeches. I don't think I'll make it to season 5.
When I play Civ IV (I never moved on past that one), occasionally another player has a city near mine, and I just want to take it so my border looks better. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that logic is now driving our foreign policy.
January 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
When I play Civ IV (I never moved on past that one), occasionally another player has a city near mine, and I just want to take it so my border looks better. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that logic is now driving our foreign policy.
I wrote a piece for Arc Magazine on Pope Leo's approach to international relations, and how he is following a more consensus-based approach to peacebuilding than Francis.
arcmag.org/a-new-direct...
arcmag.org/a-new-direct...
A New Direction in Vatican Diplomacy? | ARC: Religion, Politics, Et Cetera
Pope Leo XIV’s recent statement in response to the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela likely left both its supporters and opponents unsatisfied. Pope Leo called for the “good of the beloved Venez...
arcmag.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
I wrote a piece for Arc Magazine on Pope Leo's approach to international relations, and how he is following a more consensus-based approach to peacebuilding than Francis.
arcmag.org/a-new-direct...
arcmag.org/a-new-direct...
I know there's a lot going on now, but it's worth paying attention to this. Some have been cautiously optimistic about Syria's new government. I've been pessimistic. And these hostilities make me even more so.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/w...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/w...
Syrian security forces enter Aleppo neighborhood after clashes with Kurdish fighters - The Boston Globe
Syrian security forces have deployed in Aleppo after intense clashes with Kurdish fighters.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I know there's a lot going on now, but it's worth paying attention to this. Some have been cautiously optimistic about Syria's new government. I've been pessimistic. And these hostilities make me even more so.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/w...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/w...
just got the notice that an article I'd reviewed was rejected. Three tough but do-able R&Rs from reviewers. I guess all together the editors thought it was too much to do, but I worry
editors are too wary to allow an R&R w/o overly positive reviews
#academicsky
editors are too wary to allow an R&R w/o overly positive reviews
#academicsky
January 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
just got the notice that an article I'd reviewed was rejected. Three tough but do-able R&Rs from reviewers. I guess all together the editors thought it was too much to do, but I worry
editors are too wary to allow an R&R w/o overly positive reviews
#academicsky
editors are too wary to allow an R&R w/o overly positive reviews
#academicsky
my new @duckofminerva.bsky.social post, noting the false terrorism charges against Renee Goode have failed, which may make a just outcome to her murder easier to achieve
duckofminerva.substack.com/p/renee-good...
duckofminerva.substack.com/p/renee-good...
Renee Goode and the limits of false terrorism charges
On 7 January, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents opened fire on Renee Goode, killing her.
duckofminerva.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
my new @duckofminerva.bsky.social post, noting the false terrorism charges against Renee Goode have failed, which may make a just outcome to her murder easier to achieve
duckofminerva.substack.com/p/renee-good...
duckofminerva.substack.com/p/renee-good...
for the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, here is my @duckofminerva.bsky.social piece arguing why we should consider it a terrorist attack
www.duckofminerva.com/2022/01/why-...
www.duckofminerva.com/2022/01/why-...
Why we should call 1/6/21 a terrorist attack
One year ago today, a pro-Trump crowd attempted to shut down the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory. America is still making sense of it. We’re debating how it could have be…
www.duckofminerva.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:20 PM
for the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, here is my @duckofminerva.bsky.social piece arguing why we should consider it a terrorist attack
www.duckofminerva.com/2022/01/why-...
www.duckofminerva.com/2022/01/why-...