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Abe Newman

@abenewman.bsky.social
9.7K followers 401 following 1.9K posts

W/Henry Farrell, Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy (Holt 2023/Penguin); Georgetown; This is a private account.

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Reposted by Abe Newman
Tobias Harris @tobiasharris.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Update: my review of the book is here. observingjapan.substack.com/p/a-weberian...
observingjapan.substack.com
A Weberian bureaucrat in King Donald's court
What Akazawa Ryōsei reveals about negotiations with the Trump administration
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Baker🇺🇦🌻 @bakerblue.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Recommended-having experienced generations of tech implementation in logistics-“de-skilling”ends worker power..do displaced warehouse workers, Uber drivers, paralegals-programmers become “System Operators”? The last industrial displacement has brought our republic inches from collapse..and this one?
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Francis Wilkinson @franciswilkinson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is a compelling political argument amid mounting worker fears. I wonder if an opposition party somewhere might take note.
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Rebekah Young @rebekahwyoung.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🧵🧵
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
1/Forget AI existential threat. This is far scarier. Jensen Huang lays out a dystopian future of computer outsourcing, human deskilling, and firm recklessness shrouded in the notion that these firms are unleashing an ayn randian paradise. Take a listen. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Jensen Huang Thinks A.I. Alarmism Has Gone Too Far
Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, does not want you to be afraid of A.I.
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
1/Enough with the lectures on great power balancing or spheres of influence. This is something else. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/u...
nytimes.com
In Trump’s White House, China’s Dictator Is Welcome. American Media, Less So.
The showdown over President Trump’s partial media ban played out as he welcomed President Xi Jinping, whose government is ranked among the most repressive in the world.
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Jacqueline L. Hazelton @drjlhazelton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
@pkrugman.bsky.social talks to Farrell and Newman about weaponized interdependence @himself.bsky.social @abenewman.bsky.social Read the original article direct.mit.edu/isec/article... @belfercenter.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social @intsecurity.bsky.social paulkrugman.substack.com/p/henry-farr...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Henry Farrell and Abe Newman on Weaponized Interdependence
SWIFT, the Strait, and a world of economic confrontation
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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
@pkrugman.bsky.social on weaponized interdependence and much else besides @abenewman.bsky.social paulkrugman.substack.com/p/trade-peac...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Trade, Peace and War
Welcome to the dark side of globalization
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
@himself.bsky.social and I got to join @pkrugman.bsky.social in a wide ranging conversation on weaponized interdependence and the lessons of Underground Empire. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/henry-farr...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Henry Farrell and Abe Newman on Weaponized Interdependence
SWIFT, the Strait, and a world of economic confrontation
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Reposted by Abe Newman
Adept@Life @adeptatlife.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
“The Trump administration is destroying the bureaucracy in favor of some corrupt, neo-royalist husk of an apparatus that mostly posts memes and occasionally deploys the 82nd Airborne to extract rents.”
danieldrezner.substack.com
The Devolution of the Policy Planning Staff
A career dream dies of shame and embarrassment.
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
James I calling. He would like his divine right speech back. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
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
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
1/As @pkrugman.bsky.social says, Weaponized Interdependence is now everywhere. But where did it come from? US-China is all over the news, but its origins go back 25 years. 9/11 transformed the world and we are still grappling with its repercussions. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/weaponized...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Weaponized Interdependence
Who has the power in a trading world?
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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
or as @abenewman.bsky.social and I used to say, #weaponizedinterdependence is happening. And I wish to fuck it was not.
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
1/ When @himself.bsky.social and I wrote weaponized interdependence, it tried to explain how global politics has been transformed AND a warning. As @pkrugman.bsky.social deftly explains, WI is now everywhere and policy-makers have largely ignored the warning. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/weaponized...
paulkrugman.substack.com
Weaponized Interdependence
Who has the power in a trading world?
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Lauri Snellman @laurijosnellman.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The Divine Right of Kings and their oligarch retainers? 😝 #NoKings www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
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
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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
reframed in my and @abenewman.bsky.social terms - what happens when weaponized interdependence direct.mit.edu/isec/article... hits hegemonic enshittification? www.wired.com/story/enshit...
direct.mit.edu
Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion
Abstract. Liberals claim that globalization has led to fragmentation and decentralized networks of power relations. This does not explain how states increasingly “weaponize interdependence” by leverag...
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Weaponizing information flows has consequences. New in @isq-jrnl.bsky.social w/ @gbeaumier.bsky.social and Rong Qin on how new vulnerabilities are linked to data restrictions. Data sovereignty has increasingly shifted from a commercial to national security issue.
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Guillaume Beaumier @gbeaumier.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
What explains the growing closure of digital ecosystems? In a new article with @abenewman.bsky.social and Rong Qin, we show that states are more willing to prohibit information flows when they perceive a risk that these flows could be weaponized by foreign adversaries🧵
academic.oup.com
The Politics of Information in an Age of Weaponized Interdependence
Abstract. Global communication flows increasingly face efforts to renationalize information control, most visibly through data localization rules requiring
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Alex Dukalskis @alexdukalskis.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
"The Janus Face of the Liberal International Information Order: When Global Institutions Are Self-Undermining" by @himself.bsky.social & @abenewman.bsky.social in @iojournal.bsky.social (2021) #SummerReading
cambridge.org
The Janus Face of the Liberal International Information Order: When Global Institutions Are Self-Undermining | International Organization | Cambridge Core
The Janus Face of the Liberal International Information Order: When Global Institutions Are Self-Undermining - Volume 75 Issue 2
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Ben Heath @jbentonheath.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
One of the best lenses for understanding int'l politics today is Weaponized Interdependence by @himself.bsky.social @abenewman.bsky.social. Its value lies in its transposability—the ability to grasp parallel developments in finance, satellites, and semiconductors. 2/x direct.mit.edu/isec/article...
direct.mit.edu
Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion
Abstract. Liberals claim that globalization has led to fragmentation and decentralized networks of power relations. This does not explain how states increasingly “weaponize interdependence” by leverag...
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
1/A case of self-harm in two acts. US drops R&D lead to China threatening its economic future and national security. asia.nikkei.com/business/sci...
asia.nikkei.com
China overtakes US to lead global R&D spending, hitting $615bn
Corporate, university expenditures for 2024 include computers, electronics
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
1/@himself.bsky.social and Dan Wang out did themselves! Living in Dick's world indeed. There are also so many pieces in todays @financialtimes.com that further confirm their thesis. www.ft.com/content/bdcf...
ft.com
Does Silicon Valley dream of Philip K Dick?
His 1960s science-fiction visions are a guide to our age of erratic billionaires, wild space fantasies and glitchy, invasive technology
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Danielle Myles @dmyles.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I spoke with @abenewman.bsky.social about how the US started weaponising control of international networks in the wake of 9/11 and how globalisation laid the foundations for economic coercion we see today. Watch the Economic Security Watch's podcast here: www.fdiintelligence.com/video/ed0d7a...
fdiintelligence.com
Economic Security Watch podcast | The weaponisation of globalisation
Political scientist Abraham Newman on the genesis and future of modern-day economic statecraft
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Great conversation with @financialtimes.com Economic Security Watch on the weaponization of interdependence in the global economy. One key takeaway: weaponized interdependence is proliferating and governments and business need to be ready. www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2qo...
youtube.com
Weaponised interdependence: How the US, China and AI are rewriting economic statecraft
YouTube video by fDi Intelligence
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Lauri Snellman @laurijosnellman.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Oh no, the French press is already calling Bolsanaro's son "the heir". Fits well into @abenewman.bsky.social 's account of neo-monarchism. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
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
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New in EW magazine. Time for Europe to recognize that the rules of the global game have changed. To navigate, it takes political vision as much as any new economic resources. www.ewmagazine.nl/buitenland/a...
ewmagazine.nl
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Following Charles II precedent, Trump lends pardon power to corporations. Neo-royalism anyone... www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
bloomberg.com
Trump Extends Pardons to Companies, Echoing a 17th Century King
The president is the first in modern US history to issue clemency to businesses, with nine so far in his second term.
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Lots of eyes on Canada but Brazil tariff just as bonkers. US going after a trade surplus country because of its internet content regulation and its bank payment system. This is not about manufacturing jobs but political dominance. www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2026...
www1.folha.uol.com.br
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Kevin Collins @kwcollins.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
BTW, both "Underground Empire" by @himself.bsky.social and @abenewman.bsky.social, and "Chokepoints" by @edwardfishman.bsky.social were great in this regard, individually but especially listened to back-to-back
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 03/07/2026
$500m for Trump, access for Pakistan: How a crypto-diplomatic bet paid off aje.news/ni2rou
$500m for Trump, access for Pakistan: How a crypto-diplomatic bet paid off
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Quinn Slobodian @quinnslobodian.com · 01/07/2026
Nice to be @npr.org's Book of the Day www.npr.org/2026/06/30/n...
npr.org
A new book argues Elon Musk is the architect of a new world view : NPR's Book of the Day
A new book argues that Elon Musk has an influence in the 21st century similar to what Henry Ford had in the 20th. He's not just a businessman, but the architect and proponent of a world view. Historia...
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
This is what neo-royalism looks like. International relations serves the interests of the court not the nation. The goal is to funnel wealth and status to the sovereign. Here, crypto is a means to that end. www.cambridge.org/core/journal... www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Pulled in at Least $2 Billion After Returning to the White House
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Quinn Slobodian @quinnslobodian.com · 22/06/2026
can imagine @himself.bsky.social @abenewman.bsky.social drafting preface for new edition now.
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Quinn Slobodian @quinnslobodian.com · 22/06/2026
The outcome of the war (so far) has been to show that weaponized interdependence cuts both ways, leaving the US no choice but to ease up on one of its own key chokepoints, incredible. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
wsj.com
U.S. Allows Iran to Sell Oil in Dollars for First Time in Decades
The decision temporarily dismantles sanctions imposed on Tehran’s oil industry, making it easier for the regime to repatriate profits from its crude exports.
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K. T. Petty @ktp128.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
🧵
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
1/As G7 pledges more action on Russia sanctions, Asia increasingly calling out weaponization of insurance market. See this from Editor in Chief at SCMP. @southchinamorningpostrss.newsmast.social.ap.brid.gy. www.scmp.com/opinion/chin...
scmp.com
Opinion | Can Hong Kong break London’s maritime insurance grip?
An alternative system is needed to end Washington and London’s ability to weaponise maritime insurance for their geopolitical ends.
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Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Days before EU leaders gather in Brussels to discuss more forceful trade measures against China, Germany is wavering on key elements of the European Commission’s plans, including the use of safeguards to protect struggling industries from unfair competition nbarkin.substack.com/p/germany-is...
nbarkin.substack.com
Germany is wavering on China (again)
The German government is reluctant to support tougher EU trade measures against China. Instead, it would like Brussels to develop new instruments. That could take years.
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Quinn Slobodian @quinnslobodian.com · 12/06/2026
Expansive post on our book by @himself.bsky.social whose work with @abenewman.bsky.social has been so illuminating. Interestingly, some of his points about Musk's geopolitical vulnerabilities we pick up on in a piece for @foreignpolicy.com coming later today. open.substack.com/pub/programm...
open.substack.com
What would Muskism be without Musk?
The mode of production behind the man
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Kings love gladiators. Unfortunately now my kid cant get to school because of a security corridor... #neo-royalismisapain www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
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
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
experienced new circle of hell: AI agent telemarketing.
static.klipy.com
Estelle Getty: I Hate That! (Golden Girls)
ALT: Estelle Getty: I Hate That! (Golden Girls)
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
As weaponized interdependence proliferates, the risk is that countries will substitute one dependence for another eg ME oil with Chinese clean energy tech stack or US natural gas. www.wsj.com/world/hormuz...
wsj.com
Hormuz Crisis Exposes a Global Flaw That Will Take Years to Fix
Iran’s stranglehold on the strait demonstrates the power countries can exert over economic pinch points.
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Jeremy Wallace @jeremywallace.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
I'm thrilled to be writing GREEN GIANT for PublicAffairs.
Professor at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and author of The China Lab newsletter Jeremy Wallace's GREEN GIANT, a deep exploration of how China became the leading player in remaking the world's energy system, to Meagan Levinson at Public Affairs, by George Lucas at Inkwell Management (world English).
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American-German Institute @amgerinst.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
More states are seeking to play at the game of “weaponized interdependence.” @abenewman.bsky.social and Leonard Schütte join #TheZeitgeist podcast to discuss this new phenomenon and how U.S. allies, particularly in Europe, have struggled to react:
americangerman.institute
Episode 148: Weaponized Interdependence in a Changing International System
The United States has exploited strategic networks and dependencies to its advantage in foreign policy. As the international system has transformed, more countries seek to play at the game of …
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Blaise Agüera y Arcas @blaiseaguera.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
My 4 book picks this month from some incredible authors 🧵↓ - @sussillodavid.bsky.social - @stewartbrand.bsky.social - @himself.bsky.social and @abenewman.bsky.social - Katalin Karikó
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
#neo-royalism…
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Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Several stories today showing how fear of retaliation can paralyse EU planning on China 1. Germany & Spain lead opposition to Brussels plans to ban Huawei & ZTE from telecoms networks. They want to keep state-level control amid concerns that bans risk retaliation from Beijing
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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
My sense is that this was part of a larger debate about extraterritoriality. @abenewman.bsky.social and I have long been interested in how we moved from a world where Helms-Burton etc were seen in terms of interstate dispute resolution to fights over states exercising power through networks
papers.ssrn.com
Extraterritoriality in a Globalized World
This article examines doctrines governing extraterritorial jurisdiction and their evolution in response to the forces of globalization. These doctrines were sha
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Liz Loveland @lizlgenealogy.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
I meant to send you this yesterday for your interdependence file: www.dw.com/en/canada-to...
dw.com
Canada to buy Swedish surveillance plane over US models
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Canadian Armed Forces need the plane to detect and deter threats across the Arctic.
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
It is hard not to see AI intimacy economy as mass commercialization of cults run by Big tech. Humans lured into turning their emotional energy towards machines. Given enshittification of attention economy, things that look quaint today could quickly turn dystopian. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
nytimes.com
To Stay in Her Home, She Let In an A.I. Robot
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Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
#neo-royalism
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