Kasper Braskén
@kasperbrasken.bsky.social
Academy Research Fellow, University of Helsinki. Transnational & global history, antifascism, resistance, solidarity, memory & urban history. Cape Town - NYC - Chicago - London – Berlin | https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/kasper-brasken
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Oil of unknown origin is washing up along 1,200 km of South Africa’s coast, closing beaches and alarming conservationists.
Tar balls and oil-filled barrels have been reported on 20+ beaches, with no confirmed source — raising fears for wildlife, including critically endangered African penguins.
Tar balls and oil-filled barrels have been reported on 20+ beaches, with no confirmed source — raising fears for wildlife, including critically endangered African penguins.
Unidentified oil washes up on South African beaches
A mysterious oil spill is raising concern among South African conservationists and coastal communities. On Jan. 22, reports started emerging of congealed oil washing up on South Africa’s southeast…
news.mongabay.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Oil of unknown origin is washing up along 1,200 km of South Africa’s coast, closing beaches and alarming conservationists.
Tar balls and oil-filled barrels have been reported on 20+ beaches, with no confirmed source — raising fears for wildlife, including critically endangered African penguins.
Tar balls and oil-filled barrels have been reported on 20+ beaches, with no confirmed source — raising fears for wildlife, including critically endangered African penguins.
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
#OTD Am 11. Februar 1916 wird #EmmaGoldman in New York verhaftet, weil sie vor ~3000 Menschen über Geburtenkontrolle spricht & Schriften zur Verhütung verteilt. Sie fordert Gleichberechtigung der Frau + Recht auf Abtreibung, was bis heute kriminalisiert wird, gerade in den USA … /1
February 11, 2026 at 4:22 PM
#OTD Am 11. Februar 1916 wird #EmmaGoldman in New York verhaftet, weil sie vor ~3000 Menschen über Geburtenkontrolle spricht & Schriften zur Verhütung verteilt. Sie fordert Gleichberechtigung der Frau + Recht auf Abtreibung, was bis heute kriminalisiert wird, gerade in den USA … /1
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Right-Wing Halftime Show Was Worse Than We Imagined
YouTube video by The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder
youtu.be
February 10, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Since the audience is supposed to tell you what it wants, I'm the audience. I want more stories like this. Great combination of data reporting and vivid detail. Story link is further down the thread and is worth the click through.
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Since the audience is supposed to tell you what it wants, I'm the audience. I want more stories like this. Great combination of data reporting and vivid detail. Story link is further down the thread and is worth the click through.
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
This is absolutely insane. The sort of Kafka-esque nightmare you would find in a Philip K Dick book set far in the dystopian future. A window on America tumbling into autocracy.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:59 AM
This is absolutely insane. The sort of Kafka-esque nightmare you would find in a Philip K Dick book set far in the dystopian future. A window on America tumbling into autocracy.
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
'Consulting historian' is a growth industry.
Bad Bunny has a consulting historian. news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 9:22 AM
'Consulting historian' is a growth industry.
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
My essay on the Popular Front is now also available in English via the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung website @rosaluxstiftung.bsky.social www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/5...
The Popular Front’s Enduring but Ambivalent Legacy - Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Unity against the far right is a vital precondition for social transformation, but socialist strategy must go further
www.rosalux.de
February 5, 2026 at 10:50 AM
My essay on the Popular Front is now also available in English via the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung website @rosaluxstiftung.bsky.social www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/5...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
"Voter suppression is one of the core tools of authoritarianism. It is how you shift from democracy to autocracy. And for millions of Americans, it’s about to become the norm"
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
How Autocrats Meddle With Elections
The Trump administration has its eyes on the midterms and beyond.
www.theatlantic.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:09 PM
"Voter suppression is one of the core tools of authoritarianism. It is how you shift from democracy to autocracy. And for millions of Americans, it’s about to become the norm"
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
February 6, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
Goodbye Berlin! My heartfelt thanks go to my very generous host, professor Michael Goebel @mgoebel.bsky.social at @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social. The past 4 months have been an indispensable time for research, writing, and connecting with wonderful new and old colleagues. 🙏
I guess it's real, when you can find my profile on the Freie Universität Berlin website 😀 Honoured to be a part of the Global History team for 4-months as visiting researcher.
www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/e/fmi/bereic...
www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/e/fmi/bereic...
Kasper Braskén
www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de
February 6, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Goodbye Berlin! My heartfelt thanks go to my very generous host, professor Michael Goebel @mgoebel.bsky.social at @freieuniversitaet.bsky.social. The past 4 months have been an indispensable time for research, writing, and connecting with wonderful new and old colleagues. 🙏
My essay on the Popular Front is now also available in English via the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung website @rosaluxstiftung.bsky.social www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/5...
The Popular Front’s Enduring but Ambivalent Legacy - Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Unity against the far right is a vital precondition for social transformation, but socialist strategy must go further
www.rosalux.de
February 5, 2026 at 10:50 AM
My essay on the Popular Front is now also available in English via the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung website @rosaluxstiftung.bsky.social www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/5...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
For anyone interested in our 18-month post in British Studies please follow the link below. @ihr.bsky.social
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Jacob Price Fellowship in British Studies (18 month FTC):London Senate House - Hybrid
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
February 4, 2026 at 6:59 PM
For anyone interested in our 18-month post in British Studies please follow the link below. @ihr.bsky.social
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
www.jobs.london.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Bei einer Kollision zwischen einem Flüchtlingsboot und einem griechischen Patrouillenboot starben 15 Menschen, darunter auch Kinder. Dutzende wurden teils schwer verletzt.
www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1197...
www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1197...
15 Tote bei versuchtem Pushback in der Ägäis
Bei einer Kollision zwischen einem Flüchtlingsboot und einem griechischen Patrouillenboot starben 15 Menschen, darunter auch Kinder. Dutzende wurden teils schwer verletzt.
www.nd-aktuell.de
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Bei einer Kollision zwischen einem Flüchtlingsboot und einem griechischen Patrouillenboot starben 15 Menschen, darunter auch Kinder. Dutzende wurden teils schwer verletzt.
www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1197...
www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1197...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
A powerful essay by Ncebakazi Makwetu (Department of Liberation Studies at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa): "Africa, the Dumping Ground of the West: Colonial Legacies, Fascism and the Racialised Logic of Deportation" helsinkinotebooks.com/2026/02/02/a...
Africa, the Dumping Ground of the West: Colonial Legacies, Fascism and the Racialised Logic of Deportation
In early 2025, the Trump administration moved to bypass further process and deport five men — from Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Cuba, and Yemen respectively&…
helsinkinotebooks.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:42 AM
A powerful essay by Ncebakazi Makwetu (Department of Liberation Studies at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa): "Africa, the Dumping Ground of the West: Colonial Legacies, Fascism and the Racialised Logic of Deportation" helsinkinotebooks.com/2026/02/02/a...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Senior Reform U.K. councillors at Kent county council have admitted their Elon Musk-inspired cost-cutting drive has not found any significant waste to cut, despite bombastic claims made by senior figures in the party
Reform UK admits Kent council’s Musk-inspired cost-cutting drive found little waste
County councillors say former Conservative administration ‘weren’t crazy, they were business people’
www.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Senior Reform U.K. councillors at Kent county council have admitted their Elon Musk-inspired cost-cutting drive has not found any significant waste to cut, despite bombastic claims made by senior figures in the party
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
The Western politicians and press are silent about #Israel cutting water and electricity to @unrwa.org health centres and schools in #Palestine 's occupied East #Jerusalem.
European Union etc are supporting the attack on #UNRWA by refusing to act.
And so is the media.
bsky.app/profile/unrw...
European Union etc are supporting the attack on #UNRWA by refusing to act.
And so is the media.
bsky.app/profile/unrw...
🔹 Both water and electricity supplies were cut to UNRWA installations in Shu’fat Camp, Occupied East Jerusalem, across 27-28 January, as provisions of the Israeli anti-UNRWA laws came into effect
Latest update on #Gaza and the Occupied #WestBank: www.unrwa.org/resources/re...
Latest update on #Gaza and the Occupied #WestBank: www.unrwa.org/resources/re...
January 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Western politicians and press are silent about #Israel cutting water and electricity to @unrwa.org health centres and schools in #Palestine 's occupied East #Jerusalem.
European Union etc are supporting the attack on #UNRWA by refusing to act.
And so is the media.
bsky.app/profile/unrw...
European Union etc are supporting the attack on #UNRWA by refusing to act.
And so is the media.
bsky.app/profile/unrw...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
While I’m at it: the English version of @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social’s edited collection “Erinnerungskämpfe” has also emerged into the world! Entitled “Germany’s History Wars”, it covers a range of vital controversies that dot the German historical landscape. www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Germany’s History Wars
Like no other country’s Germany’s identity is shaped by its history or rather by the critical engagement with this history. The book traces the most important public debates on history since the new m...
www.degruyterbrill.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:17 PM
While I’m at it: the English version of @juergenzimmerer.bsky.social’s edited collection “Erinnerungskämpfe” has also emerged into the world! Entitled “Germany’s History Wars”, it covers a range of vital controversies that dot the German historical landscape. www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Als Lisa Ekstein (später Fittko) am 30. Januar 1933 aus der Hochbahn am Halleschen Tor stieg, hörte sie das Gegröle der Braunhemden und war perplex, dass auch in ihrer Nachbarschaft die Machtübernahme akzeptiert wurde. In ihren Memoiren fragt sie: „Aber hier, bei uns – mitten in Kreuzberg?“ 🧵
January 30, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Als Lisa Ekstein (später Fittko) am 30. Januar 1933 aus der Hochbahn am Halleschen Tor stieg, hörte sie das Gegröle der Braunhemden und war perplex, dass auch in ihrer Nachbarschaft die Machtübernahme akzeptiert wurde. In ihren Memoiren fragt sie: „Aber hier, bei uns – mitten in Kreuzberg?“ 🧵
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Can you imagine trying to learn when your classmates and their parents are disappearing? All of these kids are going to carry trauma for life.
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Can you imagine trying to learn when your classmates and their parents are disappearing? All of these kids are going to carry trauma for life.
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
"They did not remove my handcuffs for meals, so it was very difficult to eat. They restricted access to my medications."
We're in court challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions that our clients experienced when they were detained at Alligator Alcatraz.
We're in court challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions that our clients experienced when they were detained at Alligator Alcatraz.
Sworn court testimony reveals conditions at hastily assembled Alligator Alcatraz
Former detainees also shared stories of “abuse” and being forced to sign deportation papers.
www.miamiherald.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"They did not remove my handcuffs for meals, so it was very difficult to eat. They restricted access to my medications."
We're in court challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions that our clients experienced when they were detained at Alligator Alcatraz.
We're in court challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions that our clients experienced when they were detained at Alligator Alcatraz.
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
As a EU citizen, I don’t want to see Trump’s neo-fascist militia in Italy nor in any other European state.
ICE out of our cities has become a global unstoppable force!
ICE out of our cities has become a global unstoppable force!
January 29, 2026 at 10:13 PM
As a EU citizen, I don’t want to see Trump’s neo-fascist militia in Italy nor in any other European state.
ICE out of our cities has become a global unstoppable force!
ICE out of our cities has become a global unstoppable force!
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
BREAKING: New Jersey Governor Sherrill is creating an online portal for New Jersey residents to report encounters with ICE agents. She wants you to record as much as you can!
January 29, 2026 at 10:36 PM
BREAKING: New Jersey Governor Sherrill is creating an online portal for New Jersey residents to report encounters with ICE agents. She wants you to record as much as you can!
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
Trump hasn't just insulted the troops of our allies. He's insulted the Black service members who fought bravely for a country that wasn't even giving them the full measure of equality. Great piece by Pulitzer winner Matt Desmond: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Celebrating Black military service is not “DEI shit.” It’s essential to America’s defense.
The Trump administration has sullied the legacy of soldiers our nation relies on.
www.motherjones.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Trump hasn't just insulted the troops of our allies. He's insulted the Black service members who fought bravely for a country that wasn't even giving them the full measure of equality. Great piece by Pulitzer winner Matt Desmond: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
We invite you to explore an indispensable resource – PEN International’s handbook, A Guide to Defending Writers at Risk.
This manual is designed for PEN members, supporters and activists to plan and implement advocacy, campaigning, and media strategy in the fight for human rights.
buff.ly/XhkB8k0
This manual is designed for PEN members, supporters and activists to plan and implement advocacy, campaigning, and media strategy in the fight for human rights.
buff.ly/XhkB8k0
January 29, 2026 at 4:15 PM
We invite you to explore an indispensable resource – PEN International’s handbook, A Guide to Defending Writers at Risk.
This manual is designed for PEN members, supporters and activists to plan and implement advocacy, campaigning, and media strategy in the fight for human rights.
buff.ly/XhkB8k0
This manual is designed for PEN members, supporters and activists to plan and implement advocacy, campaigning, and media strategy in the fight for human rights.
buff.ly/XhkB8k0
Reposted by Kasper Braskén
“[Liam] keeps asking about that hat and that backpack that are in the picture,” the congressman said. “I think they took that from him.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
Rep. Joaquin Castro meets with the 5-year-old boy held with his father at a Texas detention facility | CNN
US Rep. Joaquin Castro met Wednesday with Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old Minnesota boy taken from his family’s suburban Minneapolis driveway last week after federal agents apprehended his father, t...
www.cnn.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:52 AM
“[Liam] keeps asking about that hat and that backpack that are in the picture,” the congressman said. “I think they took that from him.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...