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.
apparently my Uni used to have classes Mon-Tue before Thanksgiving. Students skipped so now they have the whole week off. So students skip Friday. And some Profs are cancelling classes today. So more students are skipping Wed-Thur classes before Thanksgiving. When will it end? #academicsky
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
apparently my Uni used to have classes Mon-Tue before Thanksgiving. Students skipped so now they have the whole week off. So students skip Friday. And some Profs are cancelling classes today. So more students are skipping Wed-Thur classes before Thanksgiving. When will it end? #academicsky
considering how this admin works it was probably a directive issued to offices--I think the leak came from a local MA office--without real coordination or discussion. Doesn't make it less threatening, though
We don't know if the viral ICE is planning to raid churches story is accurate-- ICE denies it-- but a real person wrote it
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
considering how this admin works it was probably a directive issued to offices--I think the leak came from a local MA office--without real coordination or discussion. Doesn't make it less threatening, though
great discussion by scholars I admire (some of whom taught me). But I don't think we should be surprised, and wonder if the only reason we are is the liberal biases that informed so much of liberal and constructivist IR thinking since the '90s.
We are on the brink of a once in a generation transformation in world politics. @erikvoeten.bsky.social @segoddard.bsky.social and I talk neo-royalism as one future.
Give a list: goodauthority.org/news/the-new...
Check out the article it is based on here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Give a list: goodauthority.org/news/the-new...
Check out the article it is based on here:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
great discussion by scholars I admire (some of whom taught me). But I don't think we should be surprised, and wonder if the only reason we are is the liberal biases that informed so much of liberal and constructivist IR thinking since the '90s.
on my way to work, I got to a 3-way stop. Stopped as another car was pulling up to my left. Started to go, but the dude rolled through the stop sign. After I honked, he honked back and flipped me off. Guess the plate.
November 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
on my way to work, I got to a 3-way stop. Stopped as another car was pulling up to my left. Started to go, but the dude rolled through the stop sign. After I honked, he honked back and flipped me off. Guess the plate.
those who teach terrorism- do you teach anything on contemporary left-wing terrorism concerns? I feel like students should have context when Trump brings up Antifa, but I'm not sure it'd fill a lecture. I teach earlier left-wing threats
#academicsky
#academicsky
November 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
those who teach terrorism- do you teach anything on contemporary left-wing terrorism concerns? I feel like students should have context when Trump brings up Antifa, but I'm not sure it'd fill a lecture. I teach earlier left-wing threats
#academicsky
#academicsky
I think we need to abandon the phrase "middle-aged." Technically I'm middle-aged in that I'm halfway through my expected life span, but I'm not "middle-aged" in the way people think of middle-aged men. No Corvette, no bald spot, etc.
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I think we need to abandon the phrase "middle-aged." Technically I'm middle-aged in that I'm halfway through my expected life span, but I'm not "middle-aged" in the way people think of middle-aged men. No Corvette, no bald spot, etc.
last night I noticed the "low battery" indicator was flashing on my thermostat. I worried about it not functioning properly, so I replaced the batteries. But while trying to get it back on I dropped it and it broke. That's the definition of irony, right?
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
last night I noticed the "low battery" indicator was flashing on my thermostat. I worried about it not functioning properly, so I replaced the batteries. But while trying to get it back on I dropped it and it broke. That's the definition of irony, right?
I'm assigning @jacobware.bsky.social & Bruce Hoffman's Gods, Guns and Sedition in my spring terrorism class, planning to reduce focus on AQ/IS to allow more time on right-wing extremism. For someone who started his career in '05 it's weird to think of Islamist terrorism not being the main threat.
November 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I'm assigning @jacobware.bsky.social & Bruce Hoffman's Gods, Guns and Sedition in my spring terrorism class, planning to reduce focus on AQ/IS to allow more time on right-wing extremism. For someone who started his career in '05 it's weird to think of Islamist terrorism not being the main threat.
the Trump administration is reportedly planning to raid Spanish-speaking churches over the Advent and Christmas season
thisweekinworcester.com/exclusive-tr...
thisweekinworcester.com/exclusive-tr...
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
the Trump administration is reportedly planning to raid Spanish-speaking churches over the Advent and Christmas season
thisweekinworcester.com/exclusive-tr...
thisweekinworcester.com/exclusive-tr...
as the UNSC approves Trump's Gaza peace plan, I wonder if Middle East studies experts who dismissed it will update their takes. Yes, Netanyahu is still playing both sides but this is a significant move forward, due in part to Arab state support
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
In Major Breakthrough, U.N. Security Council Adopts U.S. Peace Plan for Gaza
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
as the UNSC approves Trump's Gaza peace plan, I wonder if Middle East studies experts who dismissed it will update their takes. Yes, Netanyahu is still playing both sides but this is a significant move forward, due in part to Arab state support
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
textbook rep came by recently, and I had to explain why I don't use a textbook for intro to IR- I put it gently as they don't fit w/ how i teach it, but really they aren't accurate. #academicsky
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
textbook rep came by recently, and I had to explain why I don't use a textbook for intro to IR- I put it gently as they don't fit w/ how i teach it, but really they aren't accurate. #academicsky
in my 1st book I found that designations of states as terror sponsors had no correlation w/ their actual CT performance. Purely political. I suspect domestic "designations" (really prioritizations) are similarly content-free.
www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
November 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
in my 1st book I found that designations of states as terror sponsors had no correlation w/ their actual CT performance. Purely political. I suspect domestic "designations" (really prioritizations) are similarly content-free.
www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
www.cambridge.org/core/books/i...
more arrests of clergy by the Trump administration, and continued silence by religious freedom activists. I suspect some don't see this type of faith as worth protecting--they've said as much to me--but others seem to think they can do more by working w/ Trump.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Nearly two dozen arrested as faith leaders protest outside Chicago-area ICE facility
Nearly two dozen people were arrested as faith leaders protested on Friday outside a federal immigration facility near Chicago, authorities said, the latest sign of tensions over the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement push.
www.reuters.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
more arrests of clergy by the Trump administration, and continued silence by religious freedom activists. I suspect some don't see this type of faith as worth protecting--they've said as much to me--but others seem to think they can do more by working w/ Trump.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
I just went to search for the Killers' first album (Hot Fuss) in Spotify and typed "Hot mess." I'm getting my millennial nostalgia confused.
November 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I just went to search for the Killers' first album (Hot Fuss) in Spotify and typed "Hot mess." I'm getting my millennial nostalgia confused.
Typical Google search in 2025:
Into Google: [YOUR SEARCH TERM]
Google: Here are the results for [UNRELATED SEARCH TERM]. Did you want to show results for [YOUR SEARCH TERM] instead?
Into Google: [YOUR SEARCH TERM]
Google: Here are the results for [UNRELATED SEARCH TERM]. Did you want to show results for [YOUR SEARCH TERM] instead?
November 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Typical Google search in 2025:
Into Google: [YOUR SEARCH TERM]
Google: Here are the results for [UNRELATED SEARCH TERM]. Did you want to show results for [YOUR SEARCH TERM] instead?
Into Google: [YOUR SEARCH TERM]
Google: Here are the results for [UNRELATED SEARCH TERM]. Did you want to show results for [YOUR SEARCH TERM] instead?
as someone at a school w/o a poli sci PhD I agree. Although I think this study does point to an issue in terms of what is being taught and how--if the same small set of schools produce most future PhDs, what does that say about intellectual diversity in the field? #academicsky
Agree that these are important and sobering findings for Political Scientists who aspire to a job at 1 of 122 PhD granting political science departments.
This does *not*, however, mean that you won't get a good job if you don't go to a "top 20" program.
(1/3)
This does *not*, however, mean that you won't get a good job if you don't go to a "top 20" program.
(1/3)
Important—and sobering—findings about the state of the discipline and the academy.
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
as someone at a school w/o a poli sci PhD I agree. Although I think this study does point to an issue in terms of what is being taught and how--if the same small set of schools produce most future PhDs, what does that say about intellectual diversity in the field? #academicsky
I feel like the Onion has kind of gone the route of the Babylon Bee. It's no longer really a satire site, it makes jokes that the in-crowd--in this case progressives--likes, but they're not funny.
November 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I feel like the Onion has kind of gone the route of the Babylon Bee. It's no longer really a satire site, it makes jokes that the in-crowd--in this case progressives--likes, but they're not funny.
Reposted by Peter Henne
Our analysis shows why his victory is no model for Democrats elsewhere
Zohran Mamdani lost in parts of NYC that look most like America
Our analysis shows why his victory is no model for Democrats elsewhere
econ.st
November 7, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Our analysis shows why his victory is no model for Democrats elsewhere
I'm struggling to see how this would even be a question. What is her standing to sue over this?
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sup...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sup...
Supreme Court considers Kim Davis petition to overturn same-sex marriage ruling
The Supreme Court on Friday will consider the appeal of former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who has asked the justices to overturn same-sex marriage rights.
abcnews.go.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I'm struggling to see how this would even be a question. What is her standing to sue over this?
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sup...
abcnews.go.com/Politics/sup...
assigning this in my IR class today on NGOs, and it argues some of the apparent importance of NGOs was an artifact of the 90s. I wonder how much of IR--namely its liberal & constructivist variants--is the same
www.foreignaffairs.com/world/end-ag...
www.foreignaffairs.com/world/end-ag...
The End of the Age of NGOs?
How civil society lost its post–Cold War power.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
assigning this in my IR class today on NGOs, and it argues some of the apparent importance of NGOs was an artifact of the 90s. I wonder how much of IR--namely its liberal & constructivist variants--is the same
www.foreignaffairs.com/world/end-ag...
www.foreignaffairs.com/world/end-ag...
does anyone else feel guilty when the textbook reps come by? I'm always polite and chat with them for a bit, but I just don't like the textbooks for my intro course
#academicsky
#academicsky
November 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
does anyone else feel guilty when the textbook reps come by? I'm always polite and chat with them for a bit, but I just don't like the textbooks for my intro course
#academicsky
#academicsky
interesting, but I wonder if the media now assumes it's the norm. As the author notes, this is a minority religious group. But they command most media attention. All we hear from are evangelicals, ex-vangelicals. No editor wants to publish the views of mainline Protestants.
Traditional media never took the Christian Right seriously, argues longtime investigative religion reporter Sarah Posner
Trump has been propelled to power by a radical religious movement that is a minority in America
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/tradi...
Trump has been propelled to power by a radical religious movement that is a minority in America
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/tradi...
Traditional Media Never Took the Christian Right Seriously
Back in the early 2000s, when we were outraged by the excesses...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
interesting, but I wonder if the media now assumes it's the norm. As the author notes, this is a minority religious group. But they command most media attention. All we hear from are evangelicals, ex-vangelicals. No editor wants to publish the views of mainline Protestants.
I like to read reviews of albums I'm listening to as I write. Today it's Beck. And it's frustrating how dismissive critics were of so many of his albums that weren't Sea Change pts 3 and 4. I'll die on the hill of The Information being his best album, despite what critics say.
November 4, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I like to read reviews of albums I'm listening to as I write. Today it's Beck. And it's frustrating how dismissive critics were of so many of his albums that weren't Sea Change pts 3 and 4. I'll die on the hill of The Information being his best album, despite what critics say.
ICE has detained an Episcopal priest in Texas. As someone who used to catalogue religious freedom violations for the Pew Research Center this would definitely count.
religionnews.com/2025/11/02/e...
religionnews.com/2025/11/02/e...
Texas Episcopal diocese says one of its priests has been detained by ICE
(RNS) — 'We do not know yet why he was targeted,' said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, who leads the Diocese of Texas.
religionnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
ICE has detained an Episcopal priest in Texas. As someone who used to catalogue religious freedom violations for the Pew Research Center this would definitely count.
religionnews.com/2025/11/02/e...
religionnews.com/2025/11/02/e...
submitted a R&R that was a few paragraphs, touching on the main things Ito be revised. Maybe the reason the peer review process doesn't work is that too many write pages and pages, so it never gets done. Do you really need to point out every typo, every tiny issue with the graphics?
#academicsky
#academicsky
November 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
submitted a R&R that was a few paragraphs, touching on the main things Ito be revised. Maybe the reason the peer review process doesn't work is that too many write pages and pages, so it never gets done. Do you really need to point out every typo, every tiny issue with the graphics?
#academicsky
#academicsky