Abe Newman
@abenewman.bsky.social
W/Henry Farrell, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (Holt 2023/Penguin); Georgetown; This is a private account.
Reposted by Abe Newman
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Watched Miss Congeniality with the family last night. It is still amazing. But now it appears to have been a documentary!
m.imdb.com/title/tt0212...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
m.imdb.com/title/tt0212...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Arrest warrants issued for Miss Universe co-owners in latest twist in pageant saga
Raúl Rocha Cantú is under investigation for drug, gun and fuel trafficking while Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip is accused of fraud
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Watched Miss Congeniality with the family last night. It is still amazing. But now it appears to have been a documentary!
m.imdb.com/title/tt0212...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
m.imdb.com/title/tt0212...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Abe Newman
"a lens focused on states and sovereignty may generate intellectual blinders that misreads the emerging international order. we propose an alternative account, which we label neo-royalism. it centers on an international system structured by a small group of hyper elites, which we term cliques. "
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"a lens focused on states and sovereignty may generate intellectual blinders that misreads the emerging international order. we propose an alternative account, which we label neo-royalism. it centers on an international system structured by a small group of hyper elites, which we term cliques. "
1/ Cory Doctorow lays out the dangers of relying on US-centric systems — the dollar/tech platforms — and the need for radical projects of interoperability and strategic autonomy.
doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
O(N²) nationalism
Trumpism can only be defeated throuh international nationalism.
doctorow.medium.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
1/ Cory Doctorow lays out the dangers of relying on US-centric systems — the dollar/tech platforms — and the need for radical projects of interoperability and strategic autonomy.
doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
Reposted by Abe Newman
Europe’s antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has unleashed a blistering attack on Trump administration, accusing Washington of using “blackmail” to strong-arm the EU into watering down its tech rules
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Europe’s antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has unleashed a blistering attack on Trump administration, accusing Washington of using “blackmail” to strong-arm the EU into watering down its tech rules
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
“It is blackmail,” the Spanish commissioner told POLITICO
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Unfortunately, this is a feature not a bug of the emerging international order. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Unfortunately, this is a feature not a bug of the emerging international order. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Abe Newman
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Abe Newman
The US-Russia plan includes a $300bn signing bonus for the US in the form of Russia's central bank frozen assets - for @foreignpolicy.com I outline how the EU could curb Trump’s interest in the deal if the bloc rushes to seize these assets before America grabs them
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
The U.S.-Russia Plan Gives Trump a $300 Billion Signing Bonus
If Europe moves fast to seize Russian assets, it may be able to sink this bad deal.
foreignpolicy.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The US-Russia plan includes a $300bn signing bonus for the US in the form of Russia's central bank frozen assets - for @foreignpolicy.com I outline how the EU could curb Trump’s interest in the deal if the bloc rushes to seize these assets before America grabs them
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Nothing says Black Friday like Underground Empire and Autocracy Inc! @himself.bsky.social
a.co/d/4ikbiwP
a.co/d/4ikbiwP
November 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Nothing says Black Friday like Underground Empire and Autocracy Inc! @himself.bsky.social
a.co/d/4ikbiwP
a.co/d/4ikbiwP
Reposted by Abe Newman
🚨New Shepherd.com article by James Pattison article out now! 🚨
Exploring 'The best books to understand how the global order is changing' w/ Anne Applebaum, Lucia Rafanelli Henry Farrell Abe Newman and more! 🌟
Read more about his book and his picks here 👉 https://ow.ly/MMMW50XxyAS
Exploring 'The best books to understand how the global order is changing' w/ Anne Applebaum, Lucia Rafanelli Henry Farrell Abe Newman and more! 🌟
Read more about his book and his picks here 👉 https://ow.ly/MMMW50XxyAS
The best books to understand how the global order is changing
James Pattison gives us his best books to understand how the global order is changing.
ow.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚨New Shepherd.com article by James Pattison article out now! 🚨
Exploring 'The best books to understand how the global order is changing' w/ Anne Applebaum, Lucia Rafanelli Henry Farrell Abe Newman and more! 🌟
Read more about his book and his picks here 👉 https://ow.ly/MMMW50XxyAS
Exploring 'The best books to understand how the global order is changing' w/ Anne Applebaum, Lucia Rafanelli Henry Farrell Abe Newman and more! 🌟
Read more about his book and his picks here 👉 https://ow.ly/MMMW50XxyAS
Reposted by Abe Newman
On Russia’s frozen assets, Europeans have a clear choice: use their biggest leverage to back Ukraine and shape the U.S.–Russia plan, or let Washington seize the money for the benefit of both the U.S. and Russia, argues @agathedemarais.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
The U.S.-Russia Plan Gives Trump a $300 Billion Signing Bonus
If Europe moves fast to seize Russian assets, it may be able to sink this bad deal.
foreignpolicy.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 AM
On Russia’s frozen assets, Europeans have a clear choice: use their biggest leverage to back Ukraine and shape the U.S.–Russia plan, or let Washington seize the money for the benefit of both the U.S. and Russia, argues @agathedemarais.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Reposted by Abe Newman
Very compelling frame. I typically think of Trump as mob boss or warlord, which is similar to the royal personalist clique. The absolute sovereign distinction seems to work well though. We’ll have to wait til one of these sovereigns falters or passes, to see if anyone else can capture a clique.
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Very compelling frame. I typically think of Trump as mob boss or warlord, which is similar to the royal personalist clique. The absolute sovereign distinction seems to work well though. We’ll have to wait til one of these sovereigns falters or passes, to see if anyone else can capture a clique.
Reposted by Abe Newman
Respecting the marble means respecting the grain.
Writing is the same. Feeling stuck isn’t a verdict. It’s a sign that you need a skeleton.
Link: catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/feeling-st...
Big thanks to @simonkuper.bsky.social & @abenewman.bsky.social for sharing their thoughts
/end
Writing is the same. Feeling stuck isn’t a verdict. It’s a sign that you need a skeleton.
Link: catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/feeling-st...
Big thanks to @simonkuper.bsky.social & @abenewman.bsky.social for sharing their thoughts
/end
Feeling Stuck? Start With the Skeleton
Why the Hardest Part of Writing Happens Before the First Sentence
catherineeunicedevries.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Respecting the marble means respecting the grain.
Writing is the same. Feeling stuck isn’t a verdict. It’s a sign that you need a skeleton.
Link: catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/feeling-st...
Big thanks to @simonkuper.bsky.social & @abenewman.bsky.social for sharing their thoughts
/end
Writing is the same. Feeling stuck isn’t a verdict. It’s a sign that you need a skeleton.
Link: catherineeunicedevries.substack.com/p/feeling-st...
Big thanks to @simonkuper.bsky.social & @abenewman.bsky.social for sharing their thoughts
/end
Reposted by Abe Newman
This is a pretty compelling analysis. Even if neo-royalism turns out not to be exactly the right way to think about things, the fundamental nature of the order is changing.
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 25, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This is a pretty compelling analysis. Even if neo-royalism turns out not to be exactly the right way to think about things, the fundamental nature of the order is changing.
Reposted by Abe Newman
The EU's approach to Trumpism so far is like a mashup of its greatest failures in trying to counter Orbanism and Putinism, equal parts denial and wishful thinking.
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The EU's approach to Trumpism so far is like a mashup of its greatest failures in trying to counter Orbanism and Putinism, equal parts denial and wishful thinking.
Reposted by Abe Newman
"Brussels’ focus on market influence has become a dangerous blind spot. For instance, officials may treat digital protections as bargaining chips rather than a crucial bulwark of European democracy or a defence against foreign influence. That would be a terrible mistake." 👌
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"Brussels’ focus on market influence has become a dangerous blind spot. For instance, officials may treat digital protections as bargaining chips rather than a crucial bulwark of European democracy or a defence against foreign influence. That would be a terrible mistake." 👌
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
November 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
Reposted by Abe Newman
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Abe Newman
Would be fitting for royal decree to send Thiel to a new deserved home in an oubliette
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 24, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Would be fitting for royal decree to send Thiel to a new deserved home in an oubliette
Reposted by Abe Newman
An excellent article.
To understand what is going on useful to put in context of an emerging international order—neoroyalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
An excellent article.
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Abe Newman
“Insurers increasingly view AI models’ outputs as too unpredictable and opaque to insure, said Dennis Bertram, head of cyber insurance for Europe at Mosaic. “It’s too much of a black box.”
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Insurers retreat from AI cover as risk of multibillion-dollar claims mounts
AIG, Great American and WR Berkley seek permission to limit liability from AI agents and chatbots
www.ft.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
“Insurers increasingly view AI models’ outputs as too unpredictable and opaque to insure, said Dennis Bertram, head of cyber insurance for Europe at Mosaic. “It’s too much of a black box.”
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
www.ft.com/content/abfe...
Kushner at the table at the Ukraine peace negotiations. Why? Welcome to neo-royalism. Personalist regimes need representation of the leader's interests and to put a check on other factions. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Kushner at the table at the Ukraine peace negotiations. Why? Welcome to neo-royalism. Personalist regimes need representation of the leader's interests and to put a check on other factions. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Abe Newman
Another perspective on the foreign policy chaos that may end up selling out Ukraine. 👇
1/Russia-Ukraine diplomatic freelancing underscores transformation of neo-royalist order. Courtiers can strike deals but also stir up confusion. Witcoff edition.
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Another perspective on the foreign policy chaos that may end up selling out Ukraine. 👇