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.
Pinned
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
Reposted by Monica Marks
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
Reposted by Monica Marks
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
Reposted by Monica Marks
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Reposted by Monica Marks
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reposted by Monica Marks
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️
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.”
If Biden had enforced the Leahy Law on Netanyahu, it would’ve saved both American political parties—& Israel itself—a world of drama.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
November 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
If Biden had enforced the Leahy Law on Netanyahu, it would’ve saved both American political parties—& Israel itself—a world of drama.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
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.”
🧵
Reposted by Monica Marks
Essential college/university teaching thread. 👇
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 3:48 AM
Essential college/university teaching thread. 👇
Reposted by Monica Marks
This is so exactly right - AI produced writing is like Stepford Wives.
Suddenly, I’ll hit a passage that sounds stilted, sterile, and strangely… not them.
It’s like that scene in The Stepford Wives when Katharine Ross sees her old friend in the kitchen & suddenly realizes that she’s become a robot.
It’s eerie as hell.
It’s like that scene in The Stepford Wives when Katharine Ross sees her old friend in the kitchen & suddenly realizes that she’s become a robot.
It’s eerie as hell.
November 13, 2025 at 4:58 AM
This is so exactly right - AI produced writing is like Stepford Wives.
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.
“Practice any art… not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 13, 2025 at 2:13 AM
“Practice any art… not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
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
At least 89 Gazans, including children & elderly, are receiving medical treatment in Israel. Most have been in Jerusalem for this purpose since before the war.
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
‘A death sentence for my son’: Israel plans to deport sick Palestinians back to Gaza, patients and doctors say | CNN
Yamen Al-Najjar recalls his past life – the days when he went to school and laughed regularly. Today, the 16-year-old lives with his mother in a cramped 6-square-meter room, just large enough to hold ...
www.cnn.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
At least 89 Gazans, including children & elderly, are receiving medical treatment in Israel. Most have been in Jerusalem for this purpose since before the war.
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
Terrible update on hunger striking political prisoner, Jawhar Ben Mbarek. His sister & lawyers say prison guards ordered inmates to beat him brutally. His condition is awful.
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
« Ils l’ont tabassé jusqu’à l’évanouissement » : Dalila Ben Mbarek dénonce une agression brutale contre son frère Jaouhar - Business News
« Ils l’ont tabassé jusqu’à l’évanouissement » : Dalila Ben Mbarek dénonce une agression brutale contre son frère Jaouhar - BN TV Business News
businessnews.com.tn
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Terrible update on hunger striking political prisoner, Jawhar Ben Mbarek. His sister & lawyers say prison guards ordered inmates to beat him brutally. His condition is awful.
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
“Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.”
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza since ceasefire
Entire neighbourhoods controlled by Israel have been levelled in less than a month, satellite images show.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 AM
“Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.”
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
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
Toronto friends 🇨🇦: If you’re interested in Sudan 🇸🇩, where the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is unfolding, journalist Yousra Elbagir is a must-listen.
She’s dynamic, knowledgeable & deeply connected to events on the ground.
Her talk is Friday at UT. Register:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-convers...
She’s dynamic, knowledgeable & deeply connected to events on the ground.
Her talk is Friday at UT. Register:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-convers...
In Conversation with Yousra Elbagir
Welcome to In Conversation with Yousra El bagir! Join us at the OISE Building on November 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM (Eastern Time).
www.eventbrite.ca
November 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Toronto friends 🇨🇦: If you’re interested in Sudan 🇸🇩, where the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is unfolding, journalist Yousra Elbagir is a must-listen.
She’s dynamic, knowledgeable & deeply connected to events on the ground.
Her talk is Friday at UT. Register:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-convers...
She’s dynamic, knowledgeable & deeply connected to events on the ground.
Her talk is Friday at UT. Register:
www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-convers...
Reposted by Monica Marks
In #Tunesien befinden sich drei inhaftierte, führende Oppositionelle in Hungerstreik: Jawhar Ben Mbarek (56), Issam Chebbi (67)u Rached Ghannouchi (84) in parteiübergreifender Solidarität. @monicamarks.bsky.social ordnet ein
I’m deeply concerned for the welfare of 3 Tunisian political prisoners—Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Issam Chebbi & Rached Ghannouchi—who are hunger striking now.
This is a cross-ideological & pro-democracy group of leaders who oppose Saied’s authoritarianism. They are 56, 67 & 84 yrs old.
1/4 🧵🇹🇳
This is a cross-ideological & pro-democracy group of leaders who oppose Saied’s authoritarianism. They are 56, 67 & 84 yrs old.
1/4 🧵🇹🇳
BusinessNews.com.tn on X: "https://t.co/7Z4EFKPZdM« En soutien à la lutte pour l’indépendance de la justice et la défense des libertés en Tunisie »" / X
https://t.co/7Z4EFKPZdM« En soutien à la lutte pour l’indépendance de la justice et la défense des libertés en Tunisie »
x.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
In #Tunesien befinden sich drei inhaftierte, führende Oppositionelle in Hungerstreik: Jawhar Ben Mbarek (56), Issam Chebbi (67)u Rached Ghannouchi (84) in parteiübergreifender Solidarität. @monicamarks.bsky.social ordnet ein
Trump campaigned all over the country last year with a foldout table of groceries, featuring their prices before & after Biden.
It was brilliant visual politics.
But he seems to have forgotten why it worked, & is now throwing lavish Gatsby-themed parties while egg prices rise. 🧵
It was brilliant visual politics.
But he seems to have forgotten why it worked, & is now throwing lavish Gatsby-themed parties while egg prices rise. 🧵
Trump arrives in FL for another weekend of parties and golf while his attorneys fight in the Supreme Court to deny food to SNAP beneficiaries despite a court order.
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Trump campaigned all over the country last year with a foldout table of groceries, featuring their prices before & after Biden.
It was brilliant visual politics.
But he seems to have forgotten why it worked, & is now throwing lavish Gatsby-themed parties while egg prices rise. 🧵
It was brilliant visual politics.
But he seems to have forgotten why it worked, & is now throwing lavish Gatsby-themed parties while egg prices rise. 🧵