Matthew D. Stephen
@mstephen.bsky.social
Prof of IPE @ Helmut Schmidt Uni Hamburg, IR stuff, 🇳🇿, 🇩🇪, DFG Heisenberg Fellow, formerly WZB Berlin, rando
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=k0d0H2QAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
sites.google.com/view/matthewstephen
https://www.china-hegemony.com/
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=k0d0H2QAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
sites.google.com/view/matthewstephen
https://www.china-hegemony.com/
Pinned
Matthew D. Stephen
@mstephen.bsky.social
· Aug 27
The Diffusion of Global Power and the Decline of Global Governance | Ethics & International Affairs | Cambridge Core
The Diffusion of Global Power and the Decline of Global Governance
doi.org
New, somewhat bleak, piece from me on the decline of global governance:
doi.org/10.1017/S089...
Part of a Roundtable on Global Governance in Hard Times with @benjaminfaude.bsky.social, @ninareiners.bsky.social, @yoramhaftel.bsky.social, @stephofmann.bsky.social, John Karlsrud, & Julia Morse
doi.org/10.1017/S089...
Part of a Roundtable on Global Governance in Hard Times with @benjaminfaude.bsky.social, @ninareiners.bsky.social, @yoramhaftel.bsky.social, @stephofmann.bsky.social, John Karlsrud, & Julia Morse
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Crazy idea, can't imagine this ever happening in reality
January 26, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Crazy idea, can't imagine this ever happening in reality
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Good news moment.
The new @deutschebahn.com ICE trains now run between Amsterdam and Berlin 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 🚊
And the departure was on time 🤞🏽
#trainlife
The new @deutschebahn.com ICE trains now run between Amsterdam and Berlin 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 🚊
And the departure was on time 🤞🏽
#trainlife
January 25, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Good news moment.
The new @deutschebahn.com ICE trains now run between Amsterdam and Berlin 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 🚊
And the departure was on time 🤞🏽
#trainlife
The new @deutschebahn.com ICE trains now run between Amsterdam and Berlin 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 🚊
And the departure was on time 🤞🏽
#trainlife
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
As the sovereign of at least four countries who shed blood in Afghanistan and Iraq I don't think King Charles should visit the United States for their 250th anniversary.
Trump's cold-blooded belittling of British and other non-US Nato sacrifices in Afghanistan apparently leading all British broadcast bulletins. Trump lied to avoid military service. Hopefully his diatribe will boomerang onto Nigel Farage.
January 24, 2026 at 1:18 AM
As the sovereign of at least four countries who shed blood in Afghanistan and Iraq I don't think King Charles should visit the United States for their 250th anniversary.
January 23, 2026 at 7:56 AM
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Donald Trump's AI-generated "Board of Peace" logo is so bad it doesn't even have Greenland on it, the territory he almost took the US to war this week to seize. No, really, look closely:
January 22, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Donald Trump's AI-generated "Board of Peace" logo is so bad it doesn't even have Greenland on it, the territory he almost took the US to war this week to seize. No, really, look closely:
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
“I never thought the anarchic multipolar world would eat MY face” sobs Russian president who voted for the Multipolar World Eating People’s Faces Party
President Macron:
❗️This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea,coming from Russia,subject to international sanctions
A judicial investigation has been opened.The vessel has been diverted.
The activities of the "shadow fleet" contribute to financing the war in 🇺🇦
❗️This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea,coming from Russia,subject to international sanctions
A judicial investigation has been opened.The vessel has been diverted.
The activities of the "shadow fleet" contribute to financing the war in 🇺🇦
January 22, 2026 at 3:19 PM
“I never thought the anarchic multipolar world would eat MY face” sobs Russian president who voted for the Multipolar World Eating People’s Faces Party
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
“The strong do what they can" is what Athens said right before destroying itself. New piece on the Carney Doctrine, Vaclav’s grocer, and American hubris.
hegemon.substack.com/p/the-strong...
hegemon.substack.com/p/the-strong...
The Strong Will Suffer What They Must
Vaclav's Grocer and American Hubris
hegemon.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:54 PM
“The strong do what they can" is what Athens said right before destroying itself. New piece on the Carney Doctrine, Vaclav’s grocer, and American hubris.
hegemon.substack.com/p/the-strong...
hegemon.substack.com/p/the-strong...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Rutte's job is to keep NATO's dying body on life support until others are ready to use its vital organs
Trump announced tonight that he and NATO chief Mark Rutte have “formed the framework of a future deal” on Greenland.
What or who is behind the sudden reversal?
Follow our live blog as reactions come in from Europe 👉 www.politico.eu/article/trum...
What or who is behind the sudden reversal?
Follow our live blog as reactions come in from Europe 👉 www.politico.eu/article/trum...
January 22, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Rutte's job is to keep NATO's dying body on life support until others are ready to use its vital organs
💯
I cannot tell you how absolutely infuriatingly this stuff comes across to Europeans.
When we say America is no longer a reliable ally, it goes considerably deeper than Donald Trump himself. This kind of complacent, condescending shit is a *huge* part of it.
When we say America is no longer a reliable ally, it goes considerably deeper than Donald Trump himself. This kind of complacent, condescending shit is a *huge* part of it.
Newsom: "It was remarkably boring. It was remarkably insignificant. He was never going invade Greenland. It was never real."
January 21, 2026 at 4:52 PM
💯
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Mafia goon: Nice house you got here...it'd be a shame if something happened to it
Media outlets: Mafia goon rules out use of force. Expresses regret at the mere thought of it
Media outlets: Mafia goon rules out use of force. Expresses regret at the mere thought of it
January 21, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Mafia goon: Nice house you got here...it'd be a shame if something happened to it
Media outlets: Mafia goon rules out use of force. Expresses regret at the mere thought of it
Media outlets: Mafia goon rules out use of force. Expresses regret at the mere thought of it
Trump's "Board of Peace" seems to be an attempt to globalise his domestic model of graft and swingeing corruption.
I predict it will go nowhere and become an embarrassment to all involved.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
I predict it will go nowhere and become an embarrassment to all involved.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Netanyahu to join Trump ‘board of peace’ despite previous objections
Israeli prime minister accepts position on US-proposed body with initial remit to oversee Gaza ceasefire
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Trump's "Board of Peace" seems to be an attempt to globalise his domestic model of graft and swingeing corruption.
I predict it will go nowhere and become an embarrassment to all involved.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
I predict it will go nowhere and become an embarrassment to all involved.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Anekdote vom DAVO Kongress 2025 in Erlangen:
“Per E-Mail forderte der AS-Beauftragte uns auf, den Begriff ‚Genozid‘ nicht zu verwenden & Vortragstitel anzupassen. Durch den wenig subtilen Hinweis, er habe den Oberstaatsanwalt informiert, drohte er implizit mit juristischen Folgen.”
“Per E-Mail forderte der AS-Beauftragte uns auf, den Begriff ‚Genozid‘ nicht zu verwenden & Vortragstitel anzupassen. Durch den wenig subtilen Hinweis, er habe den Oberstaatsanwalt informiert, drohte er implizit mit juristischen Folgen.”
Deutsche Israelpolitik: Die Truppen der Staatsräson
Hierzulande hat sich ein autoritärer Anti-Antisemitismus etabliert. Nur bekämpfen seine Anhänger nicht Antisemitismus, sondern das Völkerrecht.
taz.de
January 21, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Anekdote vom DAVO Kongress 2025 in Erlangen:
“Per E-Mail forderte der AS-Beauftragte uns auf, den Begriff ‚Genozid‘ nicht zu verwenden & Vortragstitel anzupassen. Durch den wenig subtilen Hinweis, er habe den Oberstaatsanwalt informiert, drohte er implizit mit juristischen Folgen.”
“Per E-Mail forderte der AS-Beauftragte uns auf, den Begriff ‚Genozid‘ nicht zu verwenden & Vortragstitel anzupassen. Durch den wenig subtilen Hinweis, er habe den Oberstaatsanwalt informiert, drohte er implizit mit juristischen Folgen.”
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
January 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
While #US-#Europe conflict over #Greenland accelerates, this weekend also brought some good news for #multilateralism & #EU!
1️⃣ #EU #Mercosur #trade agreement signed
2️⃣ #UN #HighSeasTreaty in force #BBNJ
Map by Muso, Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Se...
1️⃣ #EU #Mercosur #trade agreement signed
2️⃣ #UN #HighSeasTreaty in force #BBNJ
Map by Muso, Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Se...
January 19, 2026 at 11:17 AM
While #US-#Europe conflict over #Greenland accelerates, this weekend also brought some good news for #multilateralism & #EU!
1️⃣ #EU #Mercosur #trade agreement signed
2️⃣ #UN #HighSeasTreaty in force #BBNJ
Map by Muso, Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Se...
1️⃣ #EU #Mercosur #trade agreement signed
2️⃣ #UN #HighSeasTreaty in force #BBNJ
Map by Muso, Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Se...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
How do Chinese thinkers view EU today? From Matthias Hackler
Jin Canrong: "Europe is like late Qing Dynasty, with decayed mentality, crying & whining. It’s useless; facing a rogue, stand up, pick up an iron rod and fight him; if you cry, the rogue becomes even more interested"
Jin Canrong: "Europe is like late Qing Dynasty, with decayed mentality, crying & whining. It’s useless; facing a rogue, stand up, pick up an iron rod and fight him; if you cry, the rogue becomes even more interested"
January 19, 2026 at 8:50 AM
How do Chinese thinkers view EU today? From Matthias Hackler
Jin Canrong: "Europe is like late Qing Dynasty, with decayed mentality, crying & whining. It’s useless; facing a rogue, stand up, pick up an iron rod and fight him; if you cry, the rogue becomes even more interested"
Jin Canrong: "Europe is like late Qing Dynasty, with decayed mentality, crying & whining. It’s useless; facing a rogue, stand up, pick up an iron rod and fight him; if you cry, the rogue becomes even more interested"
Is the Democratic Peace Theory now all dead or mostly dead?
an elderly woman behind bars with the words mostly dead is slightly alive
ALT: an elderly woman behind bars with the words mostly dead is slightly alive
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Is the Democratic Peace Theory now all dead or mostly dead?
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Planlos wie in der Pandemie. Seit 11/2024 hätte es in der BuReg eine hochrangige Taskforce zu Trump-Autokratie/Zerstörung der US-Demokratie geben müssen. Bis heute gibt es keine systematische & umfassende strategische Beschäftigung mit dem innenpolitischen Wandel beim wichtigsten Sicherheitspartner.
January 18, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Planlos wie in der Pandemie. Seit 11/2024 hätte es in der BuReg eine hochrangige Taskforce zu Trump-Autokratie/Zerstörung der US-Demokratie geben müssen. Bis heute gibt es keine systematische & umfassende strategische Beschäftigung mit dem innenpolitischen Wandel beim wichtigsten Sicherheitspartner.
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
My Greenland prediction:
1.) The U.S. won't attack.
2.) It won't attack because it was stopped.
3.) It being stopped will be used to tar people urgent about it being stopped as hysterics
1.) The U.S. won't attack.
2.) It won't attack because it was stopped.
3.) It being stopped will be used to tar people urgent about it being stopped as hysterics
January 18, 2026 at 5:21 PM
My Greenland prediction:
1.) The U.S. won't attack.
2.) It won't attack because it was stopped.
3.) It being stopped will be used to tar people urgent about it being stopped as hysterics
1.) The U.S. won't attack.
2.) It won't attack because it was stopped.
3.) It being stopped will be used to tar people urgent about it being stopped as hysterics
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Australians are deciding USA is not a place to visit… oddly they still are going to Canada. Almost like there is something specific about the US..
#ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
#ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
January 18, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Australians are deciding USA is not a place to visit… oddly they still are going to Canada. Almost like there is something specific about the US..
#ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
#ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Madrid 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Helsinki 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Oslo 2019: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Brüssel 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Paris 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Amsterdam 2023: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Rom 2026: Führt im Stadtzentrum Tempo 30 ein.
Währenddessen in München und Berlin🤦♂️
Helsinki 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Oslo 2019: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Brüssel 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Paris 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Amsterdam 2023: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Rom 2026: Führt im Stadtzentrum Tempo 30 ein.
Währenddessen in München und Berlin🤦♂️
January 17, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Madrid 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Helsinki 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Oslo 2019: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Brüssel 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Paris 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Amsterdam 2023: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Rom 2026: Führt im Stadtzentrum Tempo 30 ein.
Währenddessen in München und Berlin🤦♂️
Helsinki 2018: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Oslo 2019: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Brüssel 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Paris 2021: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Amsterdam 2023: Führt Tempo 30 ein
Rom 2026: Führt im Stadtzentrum Tempo 30 ein.
Währenddessen in München und Berlin🤦♂️
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Very much worth reading by @wlacher.bsky.social & @yguichaoua.bsky.social -- especially for those who have been involved in the peace/statebuilding & "stabilization" industry over the past decades.
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
January 17, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Very much worth reading by @wlacher.bsky.social & @yguichaoua.bsky.social -- especially for those who have been involved in the peace/statebuilding & "stabilization" industry over the past decades.
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
Our volume “The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China: Contesting the Curating State” with fantastic chapters about the intersection of digital technologies & memory politics in China is freely accessible. It introduces new ways to study heritage and memory struggles in authoritarian states.
The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China: Contesting the Curating State on JSTOR
How is memory in China curated in the digital era?This pioneering volume investigates the transformation of collective memory in China amid rapid technological ...
www.jstor.org
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Our volume “The Digitalisation of Memory Practices in China: Contesting the Curating State” with fantastic chapters about the intersection of digital technologies & memory politics in China is freely accessible. It introduces new ways to study heritage and memory struggles in authoritarian states.
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
French troops deploying to Greenland because the United States might try to take it over.
Today in 2026 sentences.
Today in 2026 sentences.
❗️An initial group of 🇫🇷French mountain troops has arrived in 🇬🇱Greenland to prepare for the reception and deployment of the main contingent. French authorities have stated that additional land, aviation, and naval units will be dispatched in the coming days.
January 16, 2026 at 8:59 PM
French troops deploying to Greenland because the United States might try to take it over.
Today in 2026 sentences.
Today in 2026 sentences.
This new age of empires is just so much stupider than the last one.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘Unacceptable’ for Greenland not to be in US hands, says Trump
US president’s comments come hours before high-stakes talks between Denmark, Greenland and US
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:46 PM
This new age of empires is just so much stupider than the last one.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Matthew D. Stephen
I just finished a three-year term as an editor at an international relations journal. I began at the start of the LLM era but ended right in the middle of it. Our volume of submissions tripled and our desk reject rate rose to 75%. I have some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
The Age of Academic Slop is Upon Us
what happens when AI automates "normal science"?
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I just finished a three-year term as an editor at an international relations journal. I began at the start of the LLM era but ended right in the middle of it. Our volume of submissions tripled and our desk reject rate rose to 75%. I have some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...