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.
Live in the Oval Office just now, Trump was extremely defensive of MBS, attempting to shield him from uncomfortable questions.
He even said this:
He even said this:
November 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Live in the Oval Office just now, Trump was extremely defensive of MBS, attempting to shield him from uncomfortable questions.
He even said this:
He even said this:
So much corruption exists.
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
So much corruption exists.
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
Tunisia’s dyed-in-the-wool democrats, like Dalila Msaddek, are also showing up to protest the unjust sentencing of political prisoners like Abir Moussi.
Moussi, pictured below, supported the pre-2011 dictatorship of Ben Ali & helped make Saied’s 2021 coup possible.
Such solidarity is just & wise.
Moussi, pictured below, supported the pre-2011 dictatorship of Ben Ali & helped make Saied’s 2021 coup possible.
Such solidarity is just & wise.
November 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Tunisia’s dyed-in-the-wool democrats, like Dalila Msaddek, are also showing up to protest the unjust sentencing of political prisoners like Abir Moussi.
Moussi, pictured below, supported the pre-2011 dictatorship of Ben Ali & helped make Saied’s 2021 coup possible.
Such solidarity is just & wise.
Moussi, pictured below, supported the pre-2011 dictatorship of Ben Ali & helped make Saied’s 2021 coup possible.
Such solidarity is just & wise.
Jawhar’s lawyer Dalila Msaddek is being tried now by Saied’s regime for having given a *radio interview*—two years ago!—on behalf of her clients.
Saied jailed Jawhar Ben Mbarek & dozens more political leaders (the entire opposition, essentially) in 2023.
Their only crime is democracy.
Saied jailed Jawhar Ben Mbarek & dozens more political leaders (the entire opposition, essentially) in 2023.
Their only crime is democracy.
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Jawhar’s lawyer Dalila Msaddek is being tried now by Saied’s regime for having given a *radio interview*—two years ago!—on behalf of her clients.
Saied jailed Jawhar Ben Mbarek & dozens more political leaders (the entire opposition, essentially) in 2023.
Their only crime is democracy.
Saied jailed Jawhar Ben Mbarek & dozens more political leaders (the entire opposition, essentially) in 2023.
Their only crime is democracy.
The leader of a cross-ideological democracy coalition that opposes Saied’s dictatorship, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, was beaten by 5 prison guards this week.
Why?
Because he started a hunger strike on Oct. 29 after being sentenced, from jail where he’s already been for 2 yrs, to 18 more years in prison.
Why?
Because he started a hunger strike on Oct. 29 after being sentenced, from jail where he’s already been for 2 yrs, to 18 more years in prison.
November 14, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The leader of a cross-ideological democracy coalition that opposes Saied’s dictatorship, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, was beaten by 5 prison guards this week.
Why?
Because he started a hunger strike on Oct. 29 after being sentenced, from jail where he’s already been for 2 yrs, to 18 more years in prison.
Why?
Because he started a hunger strike on Oct. 29 after being sentenced, from jail where he’s already been for 2 yrs, to 18 more years in prison.
We also discussed the EU’s complicity in his regime’s gravest human rights abuses—those against Black migrants.
Tunisian security forces have raped & even sold Black migrants. In June 2024 Tunisia ended all paths to amnesty.
But the EU prioritises stopping migrants over all else. At any price.
Tunisian security forces have raped & even sold Black migrants. In June 2024 Tunisia ended all paths to amnesty.
But the EU prioritises stopping migrants over all else. At any price.
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
We also discussed the EU’s complicity in his regime’s gravest human rights abuses—those against Black migrants.
Tunisian security forces have raped & even sold Black migrants. In June 2024 Tunisia ended all paths to amnesty.
But the EU prioritises stopping migrants over all else. At any price.
Tunisian security forces have raped & even sold Black migrants. In June 2024 Tunisia ended all paths to amnesty.
But the EU prioritises stopping migrants over all else. At any price.
Democracy’s death in Tunisia—home of the Arab Spring—is one of the greatest tragedies of my life.
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
November 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Democracy’s death in Tunisia—home of the Arab Spring—is one of the greatest tragedies of my life.
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Final thought: Robbing students of the ability to write well robs them of the ability to understand themselves & their own views better.
Before writing this 🧵, I reread the late Kurt Vonnegut’s 2006 letter to high schoolers who’d asked him for advice.
His second paragraph hits at the crux of it.
Before writing this 🧵, I reread the late Kurt Vonnegut’s 2006 letter to high schoolers who’d asked him for advice.
His second paragraph hits at the crux of it.
November 13, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Final thought: Robbing students of the ability to write well robs them of the ability to understand themselves & their own views better.
Before writing this 🧵, I reread the late Kurt Vonnegut’s 2006 letter to high schoolers who’d asked him for advice.
His second paragraph hits at the crux of it.
Before writing this 🧵, I reread the late Kurt Vonnegut’s 2006 letter to high schoolers who’d asked him for advice.
His second paragraph hits at the crux of it.
AI is killing the college essay as more professors ditch robot-written papers for in-class exams. So now even fewer students are being taught to write well (an energy intensive task!).
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 AM
AI is killing the college essay as more professors ditch robot-written papers for in-class exams. So now even fewer students are being taught to write well (an energy intensive task!).
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
No amount of hotness or patrician lineage can convince me that JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, is fit to replace Nadler in Congress.
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
No amount of hotness or patrician lineage can convince me that JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, is fit to replace Nadler in Congress.
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
Meanwhile, tent camps make the sick sicker as more Gazans’ homes are destroyed.
Satellite data reviewed by BBC Verify’s @benedictgarman.com shows 🇮🇱 has razed 1500+ buildings in Gaza since the Oct. 10 ceasefire.
Many “did not appear damaged prior to being destroyed.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Satellite data reviewed by BBC Verify’s @benedictgarman.com shows 🇮🇱 has razed 1500+ buildings in Gaza since the Oct. 10 ceasefire.
Many “did not appear damaged prior to being destroyed.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Meanwhile, tent camps make the sick sicker as more Gazans’ homes are destroyed.
Satellite data reviewed by BBC Verify’s @benedictgarman.com shows 🇮🇱 has razed 1500+ buildings in Gaza since the Oct. 10 ceasefire.
Many “did not appear damaged prior to being destroyed.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Satellite data reviewed by BBC Verify’s @benedictgarman.com shows 🇮🇱 has razed 1500+ buildings in Gaza since the Oct. 10 ceasefire.
Many “did not appear damaged prior to being destroyed.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Here’s what credible news outlets & NGOs like Reuters, Doctors Without Borders, and Oxfam have to say about the current state of Gaza’s healthcare system.
It’s horrific ⬇️
4/
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/one-m...
www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/emer...
It’s horrific ⬇️
4/
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/one-m...
www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/emer...
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Here’s what credible news outlets & NGOs like Reuters, Doctors Without Borders, and Oxfam have to say about the current state of Gaza’s healthcare system.
It’s horrific ⬇️
4/
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/one-m...
www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/emer...
It’s horrific ⬇️
4/
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/one-m...
www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/emer...
Another person CNN interviewed for this report is on kidney dialysis. “I’d die [in Gaza] within two days,” he said.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel calls Gaza’s healthcare system “nonfunctional.” It says that Israel is violating international humanitarian law by deporting patients to Gaza ⬇️
3/
Physicians for Human Rights Israel calls Gaza’s healthcare system “nonfunctional.” It says that Israel is violating international humanitarian law by deporting patients to Gaza ⬇️
3/
November 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Another person CNN interviewed for this report is on kidney dialysis. “I’d die [in Gaza] within two days,” he said.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel calls Gaza’s healthcare system “nonfunctional.” It says that Israel is violating international humanitarian law by deporting patients to Gaza ⬇️
3/
Physicians for Human Rights Israel calls Gaza’s healthcare system “nonfunctional.” It says that Israel is violating international humanitarian law by deporting patients to Gaza ⬇️
3/
This boy, Yamen, wants to be an artist.
He has a bleeding disorder & would die within days back in Gaza.
His dad & siblings are displaced in a tent camp in southern Gaza after their home in Gaza City was bombed. Yamen went to Jerusalem for treatment on 5 Oct 2023 & hasn’t seen them in 2 years.
2/
He has a bleeding disorder & would die within days back in Gaza.
His dad & siblings are displaced in a tent camp in southern Gaza after their home in Gaza City was bombed. Yamen went to Jerusalem for treatment on 5 Oct 2023 & hasn’t seen them in 2 years.
2/
November 12, 2025 at 10:44 PM
This boy, Yamen, wants to be an artist.
He has a bleeding disorder & would die within days back in Gaza.
His dad & siblings are displaced in a tent camp in southern Gaza after their home in Gaza City was bombed. Yamen went to Jerusalem for treatment on 5 Oct 2023 & hasn’t seen them in 2 years.
2/
He has a bleeding disorder & would die within days back in Gaza.
His dad & siblings are displaced in a tent camp in southern Gaza after their home in Gaza City was bombed. Yamen went to Jerusalem for treatment on 5 Oct 2023 & hasn’t seen them in 2 years.
2/
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Endlessly inspired by my friend Elizabeth Tsurkov’s determination to discuss the torture she endured in Iraq.
Iraq’s election is Tuesday. Some candidates are linked to her torturers.
On behalf of the Iraqis whom Kataib Hezbollah still tortures in its dungeons, she is speaking out.
1/2
Iraq’s election is Tuesday. Some candidates are linked to her torturers.
On behalf of the Iraqis whom Kataib Hezbollah still tortures in its dungeons, she is speaking out.
1/2
November 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Endlessly inspired by my friend Elizabeth Tsurkov’s determination to discuss the torture she endured in Iraq.
Iraq’s election is Tuesday. Some candidates are linked to her torturers.
On behalf of the Iraqis whom Kataib Hezbollah still tortures in its dungeons, she is speaking out.
1/2
Iraq’s election is Tuesday. Some candidates are linked to her torturers.
On behalf of the Iraqis whom Kataib Hezbollah still tortures in its dungeons, she is speaking out.
1/2
Zohran: Goes from complete unknown to NYC’s first Muslim mayor in 1 yr w/ great ground game. Dramatically expands Overton Window for pro-🇵🇸 speech in US politics.
Popular post (1.3k likes) w/ 🔻🪂 accounts: “Zohran’s win shows the futility of electoral politics. Join a Leninist reading group instead!”
Popular post (1.3k likes) w/ 🔻🪂 accounts: “Zohran’s win shows the futility of electoral politics. Join a Leninist reading group instead!”
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Zohran: Goes from complete unknown to NYC’s first Muslim mayor in 1 yr w/ great ground game. Dramatically expands Overton Window for pro-🇵🇸 speech in US politics.
Popular post (1.3k likes) w/ 🔻🪂 accounts: “Zohran’s win shows the futility of electoral politics. Join a Leninist reading group instead!”
Popular post (1.3k likes) w/ 🔻🪂 accounts: “Zohran’s win shows the futility of electoral politics. Join a Leninist reading group instead!”
The splits within 🔻🪂 on Mamdani’s win are fascinating. His calling 10-7 a “horrific war crime,” “discouraging” globalize & working w “liberal Zionist” Brad Lander seem to be seen as either:
1. shameful but necessary tactical feints
2. bad omen compromises
3. disqualifying sins
1. shameful but necessary tactical feints
2. bad omen compromises
3. disqualifying sins
November 6, 2025 at 2:45 AM
The splits within 🔻🪂 on Mamdani’s win are fascinating. His calling 10-7 a “horrific war crime,” “discouraging” globalize & working w “liberal Zionist” Brad Lander seem to be seen as either:
1. shameful but necessary tactical feints
2. bad omen compromises
3. disqualifying sins
1. shameful but necessary tactical feints
2. bad omen compromises
3. disqualifying sins
What a metaphor for potential change that Cheney died on the same day Mamdani will be elected NYC mayor.
Cheney was chief architect of the War on Terrorism. He created a less accountable presidency in 🇺🇸 & empowered Trump’s rise by reducing establishment credibility.
1/
Cheney was chief architect of the War on Terrorism. He created a less accountable presidency in 🇺🇸 & empowered Trump’s rise by reducing establishment credibility.
1/
November 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
What a metaphor for potential change that Cheney died on the same day Mamdani will be elected NYC mayor.
Cheney was chief architect of the War on Terrorism. He created a less accountable presidency in 🇺🇸 & empowered Trump’s rise by reducing establishment credibility.
1/
Cheney was chief architect of the War on Terrorism. He created a less accountable presidency in 🇺🇸 & empowered Trump’s rise by reducing establishment credibility.
1/
There’s a genuinely funny side of Vance, like when he laughs at himself as we wish more politicians could do.
But the side of him that cheers on cruelties—that socks a petty punch when his victim is immobilised—is stronger.
His sense of humour makes him more dangerous for Dems.
But the side of him that cheers on cruelties—that socks a petty punch when his victim is immobilised—is stronger.
His sense of humour makes him more dangerous for Dems.
November 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
There’s a genuinely funny side of Vance, like when he laughs at himself as we wish more politicians could do.
But the side of him that cheers on cruelties—that socks a petty punch when his victim is immobilised—is stronger.
His sense of humour makes him more dangerous for Dems.
But the side of him that cheers on cruelties—that socks a petty punch when his victim is immobilised—is stronger.
His sense of humour makes him more dangerous for Dems.
Those who want Tanzania to embrace autocracy w/ a woman’s hands clenching the rod may admire Samia Suluhu Hassan.
But those looking for a female head of state w/ genuine confidence—to face her first election without cheating, killing & erasing more freedoms—should look elsewhere.
4/4
But those looking for a female head of state w/ genuine confidence—to face her first election without cheating, killing & erasing more freedoms—should look elsewhere.
4/4
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Those who want Tanzania to embrace autocracy w/ a woman’s hands clenching the rod may admire Samia Suluhu Hassan.
But those looking for a female head of state w/ genuine confidence—to face her first election without cheating, killing & erasing more freedoms—should look elsewhere.
4/4
But those looking for a female head of state w/ genuine confidence—to face her first election without cheating, killing & erasing more freedoms—should look elsewhere.
4/4
Samia is disappearing opponents right & left. She won’t even let Tanzania’s main opposition party compete in a rigged game, as was traditionally the case.
This BBC article by Alfred Lastecki explains it well. Though the title could read “no serious opposition.”
3/4
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This BBC article by Alfred Lastecki explains it well. Though the title could read “no serious opposition.”
3/4
www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 1, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Samia is disappearing opponents right & left. She won’t even let Tanzania’s main opposition party compete in a rigged game, as was traditionally the case.
This BBC article by Alfred Lastecki explains it well. Though the title could read “no serious opposition.”
3/4
www.bbc.com/news/article...
This BBC article by Alfred Lastecki explains it well. Though the title could read “no serious opposition.”
3/4
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Samia Suluhu Hassan’s tenure as Tanzania’s president is a case study in the shallowness of symbolic representation.
Her substantive record brought more authoritarianism. She’s banned the opposition, disappeared critics & prohibited pregnant girls from school—all while naming women ministers.
1/4 🧵
Her substantive record brought more authoritarianism. She’s banned the opposition, disappeared critics & prohibited pregnant girls from school—all while naming women ministers.
1/4 🧵
November 1, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Samia Suluhu Hassan’s tenure as Tanzania’s president is a case study in the shallowness of symbolic representation.
Her substantive record brought more authoritarianism. She’s banned the opposition, disappeared critics & prohibited pregnant girls from school—all while naming women ministers.
1/4 🧵
Her substantive record brought more authoritarianism. She’s banned the opposition, disappeared critics & prohibited pregnant girls from school—all while naming women ministers.
1/4 🧵
President Kais Saied is making Tunisia an ever more repressive authoritarian regime.
He’s placed suspensions on FTDES (leftist economic think tank), ATFD (feminist NGO) & Nawaat (leftist media outlet).
All 3 groups, ironically, had many members who cheered his coup in 2021. 🧵
1/6
He’s placed suspensions on FTDES (leftist economic think tank), ATFD (feminist NGO) & Nawaat (leftist media outlet).
All 3 groups, ironically, had many members who cheered his coup in 2021. 🧵
1/6
October 31, 2025 at 4:58 PM
President Kais Saied is making Tunisia an ever more repressive authoritarian regime.
He’s placed suspensions on FTDES (leftist economic think tank), ATFD (feminist NGO) & Nawaat (leftist media outlet).
All 3 groups, ironically, had many members who cheered his coup in 2021. 🧵
1/6
He’s placed suspensions on FTDES (leftist economic think tank), ATFD (feminist NGO) & Nawaat (leftist media outlet).
All 3 groups, ironically, had many members who cheered his coup in 2021. 🧵
1/6
Read this interview w/ Tunisian lawyer Ahmed Souab for @jeuneafrique.com from 2022, when he could still speak w/ press.
Saied completely eviscerated Tunisia’s hard-won judicial independence, a key achievement of its 2011 Arab Spring revolution.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1295213/poli...
Saied completely eviscerated Tunisia’s hard-won judicial independence, a key achievement of its 2011 Arab Spring revolution.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1295213/poli...
October 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Read this interview w/ Tunisian lawyer Ahmed Souab for @jeuneafrique.com from 2022, when he could still speak w/ press.
Saied completely eviscerated Tunisia’s hard-won judicial independence, a key achievement of its 2011 Arab Spring revolution.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1295213/poli...
Saied completely eviscerated Tunisia’s hard-won judicial independence, a key achievement of its 2011 Arab Spring revolution.
www.jeuneafrique.com/1295213/poli...