Alison Lewis
@alilewis1.bsky.social
Retired professor with interests in German culture, literature & politics, especially East Germany, the Stasi, Cold War & intelligence. Obsessed with textile art.
Author, A State of Secrecy: Stasi Informants and the Culture of Surveillance (Potomac 21)
Author, A State of Secrecy: Stasi Informants and the Culture of Surveillance (Potomac 21)
Reposted by Alison Lewis
⚡️Ukraine denies Russian occupation of Klynove in Donetsk Oblast.
"The informational 'victories' that the Russian Defense Ministry announces daily on paper have nothing to do with the real situation on the front lines," Ukraine's 11th Army Corps said.
"The informational 'victories' that the Russian Defense Ministry announces daily on paper have nothing to do with the real situation on the front lines," Ukraine's 11th Army Corps said.
Ukraine denies Russian occupation of Klynove in Donetsk Oblast
"The informational 'victories' that the Russian Defense Ministry announces daily on paper have nothing to do with the real situation on the front lines," Ukraine's 11th Army Corps said.
kyivindependent.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:44 PM
⚡️Ukraine denies Russian occupation of Klynove in Donetsk Oblast.
"The informational 'victories' that the Russian Defense Ministry announces daily on paper have nothing to do with the real situation on the front lines," Ukraine's 11th Army Corps said.
"The informational 'victories' that the Russian Defense Ministry announces daily on paper have nothing to do with the real situation on the front lines," Ukraine's 11th Army Corps said.
Reposted by Alison Lewis
“Europe is losing confidence, sinking into fatalism and justifying its passivity with the soothing thought that it has no real choice, as its cards are weak. Besides, in the long run, things will work out. Just wait for the U.S. midterms.”
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe’s psychology of weakness
It’s time the EU ditched its failing strategy of “react, hope, repeat.”
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
“Europe is losing confidence, sinking into fatalism and justifying its passivity with the soothing thought that it has no real choice, as its cards are weak. Besides, in the long run, things will work out. Just wait for the U.S. midterms.”
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
I'm confused 😕. This extremely reliable source states the Ukrainian front line in Pokrovsk has not collapsed.
And yet, 2 German newspapers say it has. Are they just repeating Russian propaganda or is there something we in Australia don't know yet ... 🤔
And yet, 2 German newspapers say it has. Are they just repeating Russian propaganda or is there something we in Australia don't know yet ... 🤔
2/ ISW continues to assess that the frontline in Ukraine is not facing imminent collapse. bsky.app/profile/thes...
NEW: The frontline in Ukraine is not facing imminent collapse despite recent Russian gains and Kremlin assertions. (1/4)
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 28, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112825
More Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 28, 2025: isw.pub/UkrWar112825
More Key Takeaways ⬇️
December 1, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I'm confused 😕. This extremely reliable source states the Ukrainian front line in Pokrovsk has not collapsed.
And yet, 2 German newspapers say it has. Are they just repeating Russian propaganda or is there something we in Australia don't know yet ... 🤔
And yet, 2 German newspapers say it has. Are they just repeating Russian propaganda or is there something we in Australia don't know yet ... 🤔
So I get an email apology from Microsoft offering me a downgrade to my plan--previously denied when they upped their fees. So I click on the link to cancel current plan and find that no cheaper plan is available. So now I have no word, no office... grrrr. 900 ppl are ahead of me in chat 🙄 😒
November 5, 2025 at 11:43 PM
So I get an email apology from Microsoft offering me a downgrade to my plan--previously denied when they upped their fees. So I click on the link to cancel current plan and find that no cheaper plan is available. So now I have no word, no office... grrrr. 900 ppl are ahead of me in chat 🙄 😒
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Ha ha - Putina in action
August 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Ha ha - Putina in action
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Thank you very much, Excellency, for welcoming @karen-leeder.bsky.social, #KaiUwePeter, #MadeleineBrook and me on the occasion of the intensification of the partnership between #ModernLanguages #German @ox.ac.uk and @dlamarbach.bsky.social!
The Oxford Bodleian Libraries and German Literature Archive (DLA) in Marbach have a long history of cooperation, famously jointly purchasing Franz Kafka's letters and preventing them falling into private hands. Great to hear from @dlamarbach.bsky.social about this important 🇬🇧🇩🇪 partnership.
March 8, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Thank you very much, Excellency, for welcoming @karen-leeder.bsky.social, #KaiUwePeter, #MadeleineBrook and me on the occasion of the intensification of the partnership between #ModernLanguages #German @ox.ac.uk and @dlamarbach.bsky.social!
Reposted by Alison Lewis
At least the penguins are wearing suits
He did it because those tux-wearing bastards never once said "thank you."
April 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
At least the penguins are wearing suits
Reposted by Alison Lewis
There are no tariffs being put on Russia. Hmmm
April 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
There are no tariffs being put on Russia. Hmmm
Reposted by Alison Lewis
AfD reading German literature through an Orwellian doublethink lens, led by a bookstore owner - book clubs, reviews, and a book fair:
„Susanne Dagen ist Buchhändlerin, ihr gehört das BuchHaus Loschwitz in Dresden und sie ist Teil der Dresdner AfD-Fraktion. Thorsten Hoffmann schreibt ihr eine Scharnierfunktion zwischen der ‚Neuen Rechten’
und Literatur zu.“
www.tagesschau.de/kultur/neue-...
und Literatur zu.“
www.tagesschau.de/kultur/neue-...
Neues Forschungsprojekt: Literatur als Türöffner der Neuen Rechten
Lesekreise, Rezensionen und eigene Buchmesse: Die Neue Rechte hat die Literatur für sich entdeckt, um ihre Ideologien in die Mitte der Gesellschaft zu tragen. Das zeigt auch ein neues Forschungsprojek...
www.tagesschau.de
March 27, 2025 at 10:09 PM
AfD reading German literature through an Orwellian doublethink lens, led by a bookstore owner - book clubs, reviews, and a book fair:
Reposted by Alison Lewis
It appears even Canada is looking elsewhere.
Canada is paying a lot of attention to the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet because it is more versatile and better suited for a Canadian Northern Climate.
Maintenance costs are cheaper than the F-16, F-18, and the F-35.
Canada is paying a lot of attention to the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet because it is more versatile and better suited for a Canadian Northern Climate.
Maintenance costs are cheaper than the F-16, F-18, and the F-35.
March 14, 2025 at 12:27 AM
It appears even Canada is looking elsewhere.
Canada is paying a lot of attention to the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet because it is more versatile and better suited for a Canadian Northern Climate.
Maintenance costs are cheaper than the F-16, F-18, and the F-35.
Canada is paying a lot of attention to the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet because it is more versatile and better suited for a Canadian Northern Climate.
Maintenance costs are cheaper than the F-16, F-18, and the F-35.
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Canada Could Scrap $13 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Deal With US
Canada Could Scrap $13 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Deal With US
Ottawa's reported move comes amid growing trade and political spat with the Trump administration.
www.newsweek.com
March 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Canada Could Scrap $13 Billion F-35 Fighter Jet Deal With US
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Repeat after me: „Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung“
March 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Repeat after me: „Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung“
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Is our Aussie Prime Minister Albo a fan of our 2025 Eurovision entry Milkshake Man? Seems so! www.aussievision.net/post/austral...
Australian Prime Minister vibes to Milkshake Man in viral moment
It's been a whirlwind 48-hours for Australia's Eurovision 2025 representative Go-Jo and the fun keeps on coming! On Wednesday morning SBS revealed viral pop sensation Go-Jo would head to Basel, Switze...
www.aussievision.net
February 28, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Is our Aussie Prime Minister Albo a fan of our 2025 Eurovision entry Milkshake Man? Seems so! www.aussievision.net/post/austral...
Eurovision and Basel here we come. 🥰🤪🤩
www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-a...
www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-a...
Meet the 29-year-old Perth pop star ready to shake up Eurovision
Go-Jo, a rising pop star from Western Australia, will represent Australia at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland in May.
www.theage.com.au
February 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Eurovision and Basel here we come. 🥰🤪🤩
www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-a...
www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-a...
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Marianne Faithfull: As Tears Go By
YouTube video by The Tone Poets
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Reposted by Alison Lewis
When you can't let the cat go out because he might invade Poland
December 5, 2024 at 1:08 PM
When you can't let the cat go out because he might invade Poland
Reposted by Alison Lewis
When men rage, they blow and shoot things up and start wars.
When women rage, we create.
We knit, do embroidery and cross stitch. We create new things ... while we figure out how to fix the broken things.
Behold rage project #1
When women rage, we create.
We knit, do embroidery and cross stitch. We create new things ... while we figure out how to fix the broken things.
Behold rage project #1
December 4, 2024 at 4:12 PM
When men rage, they blow and shoot things up and start wars.
When women rage, we create.
We knit, do embroidery and cross stitch. We create new things ... while we figure out how to fix the broken things.
Behold rage project #1
When women rage, we create.
We knit, do embroidery and cross stitch. We create new things ... while we figure out how to fix the broken things.
Behold rage project #1
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Oh, die Aufmachung gefällt mir. Die Analyse zum "Friedenswahlkampf" aus der nächsten @zeit.de, unsere Titelgeschichte, kurz vor Redaktionsschluss. Und damit gute Nacht!
November 26, 2024 at 10:50 PM
Oh, die Aufmachung gefällt mir. Die Analyse zum "Friedenswahlkampf" aus der nächsten @zeit.de, unsere Titelgeschichte, kurz vor Redaktionsschluss. Und damit gute Nacht!
Someone needs to do a PhD on election communication styles. I'm not sure what to make of the German Greens candidate's attempt at a Youtube clip--I never made it to the end.
I kept comparing it to the Harris clips. Hmmm
youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-a...
I kept comparing it to the Harris clips. Hmmm
youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-a...
youtube.com
November 24, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Someone needs to do a PhD on election communication styles. I'm not sure what to make of the German Greens candidate's attempt at a Youtube clip--I never made it to the end.
I kept comparing it to the Harris clips. Hmmm
youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-a...
I kept comparing it to the Harris clips. Hmmm
youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-a...
Reposted by Alison Lewis
At the phenomenal #PeoplesBlockade of the world's largest coal port in Newcastle today with @risingtideaus.bsky.social
The energy and determination of the crowds here is amazing. Thousands have gathered to demand a safer climate future with #NoMoreCoal and #NoMoreGas
The energy and determination of the crowds here is amazing. Thousands have gathered to demand a safer climate future with #NoMoreCoal and #NoMoreGas
November 22, 2024 at 5:43 AM
At the phenomenal #PeoplesBlockade of the world's largest coal port in Newcastle today with @risingtideaus.bsky.social
The energy and determination of the crowds here is amazing. Thousands have gathered to demand a safer climate future with #NoMoreCoal and #NoMoreGas
The energy and determination of the crowds here is amazing. Thousands have gathered to demand a safer climate future with #NoMoreCoal and #NoMoreGas
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Today Rising Tide triumphed in the Supreme Court of NSW with the judge dismissing the NSW Government's overreach attempt to curb our rights to protest on the water and the beaches of Newcastle, the world's largest coal export port!
November 21, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Today Rising Tide triumphed in the Supreme Court of NSW with the judge dismissing the NSW Government's overreach attempt to curb our rights to protest on the water and the beaches of Newcastle, the world's largest coal export port!
Reposted by Alison Lewis
Discussion and debate over East German history is in a new phase in the past couple of years, instrumentalized for various purposes. A useful thread here by @historyned.bsky.social on the label of dictatorship. #GDR #DDR #CulturalMemory
The Berliner Zeitung has been running a number of pieces along these lines attacking the idea that the GDR was a dictatorship and claiming that this is part of some kind of new Historikerstreit. There is a lot of sleight of hand going on here...
November 21, 2024 at 9:49 PM
Discussion and debate over East German history is in a new phase in the past couple of years, instrumentalized for various purposes. A useful thread here by @historyned.bsky.social on the label of dictatorship. #GDR #DDR #CulturalMemory
Orion's audition for the circus is coming up .... he takes his training seriously. #catsonbluesky
November 21, 2024 at 7:25 AM
Orion's audition for the circus is coming up .... he takes his training seriously. #catsonbluesky
Didn't Merkel repeat this myth in her memoirs? The ones just about to be released next week?
It's time to kill this "NATO expansion promise" myth excusing russia's unproveked invasion of Ukraine once and for all. Even Gorbachev himself debunked it. Watch. ⬇️
November 21, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Didn't Merkel repeat this myth in her memoirs? The ones just about to be released next week?
Note to self--order for the University library and READ!!
the new (and fascinating) @OUPLaw volume 'Socialism and International Law: The Cold War and Its Legacies' is out now - congrats to @HistoryNed & Raluca Raluca Grosescu.
academic.oup.com/book/58976
academic.oup.com/book/58976
Socialism and International Law: The Cold War and Its Legacies
Abstract. This volume explores the overlooked role of state socialist intellectuals, experts, and governments from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia in deve
academic.oup.com
November 20, 2024 at 8:52 PM
Note to self--order for the University library and READ!!