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Alexander Sorg

@alexsorg.bsky.social
577 followers 601 following 329 posts

Postdoc, Hertie School | European security, nuclear umbrellas

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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Both @liviuhorovitz.bsky.social and I had published on Russian nuclear deployments to Belarus separately, but third time’s a charm ☘️ Examning official statements, we find that the deployments are primarily motivated by a desire to deter NATO and to further Russian influence sjms.nu/articles/10....
sjms.nu
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
"""Minefield""" 🙂🙂🙂🙂🔫
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Nick Turse @nickturse.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Top Pentagon Official Admits Boat Strike May Have Killed Victims of Human Trafficking If this boat was running drugs, why was it loaded with so many people? theintercept.com/2026/06/10/t...
theintercept.com
Top Pentagon Official Admits Boat Strike May Have Killed Victims of Human Trafficking
If this boat was running drugs, why was it loaded with so many people?
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Joerg Lau @joerglau.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
The Middle East is a place where you can threaten to bomb „them“ back „to the Stone Ages“ (after having initially promised „help is on the way“), and it will be reported by major news outlets as if it is just another totally normal strategic objective.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 18/03/2026
Trump does not think strategically, historically, geographically, or even rationally. He does not connect actions he takes on one day to events that occur weeks later. Allied leaders know that if they help him in the Gulf, he won't be grateful, or even remember www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
Everyone but Trump Understands What He’s Done
Allied leaders know that any positive gesture they make will count for nothing.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
We dont share *any* values with this administration and thinking that nevertheless they will protect Europe if we are just nice enough is wishful thinking
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Elizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Fun fact: my dissertation was called "Wars of Choice" (became Leaders at War: How Presidents Shape Military Interventions @cornellupress.bsky.social). Tl;dr: they rarely go well. 1/ www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
cornellpress.cornell.edu
Leaders at War by Elizabeth N. Saunders | Paperback | Cornell University Press
Examining the the role played by the threat perceptions of heads of state in national foreign and military policies.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
I am two posts away from becoming an advisor to Trump
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
😀😀😀 brilliant. Just one little problem: you have just given them all the reasons to proliferate as fast as they can
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
The only thing prohibiting me to publish in top tier journals is reviewers shooting rejections at me
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
A new paper shows that less than 2 months of exposure to Twitter’s algorithmic feed significantly shifts people’s political views to the right. Moving from chronological feed to the algorithmic feed also increases engagement. This is one of the most concerning papers I’ve read in awhile.
The political effects of X's feed algorithm
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10098-2
Received: 16 December 2024
Accepted: 4 January 2026
Published online: 18 February 2026
Open access
• Check for updates
Germain Gauthier,5, Roland Hodler?5, Philine Widmer35 & Ekaterina Zhuravskaya3,4,5 m
Feed algorithms are widely suspected to influence political attitudes. However, previous evidence from switching off the algorithm on Meta platforms found no political effects'. Here we present results from a 2023 field experiment on Elon Musk's platform X shedding light on this puzzle. We assigned active US-based users randomly to either an algorithmic or a chronological feed for 7 weeks, measuring political attitudes and online behaviour. Switching from a chronological to an algorithmic feed increased engagement and shifted political opinion towards more conservative positions, particularly regarding policy priorities, perceptions of criminal investigations into Donald Trump and views on the war in Ukraine. In contrast, switching from the algorithmic to the chronological feed had no comparable effects.
Neither switching the algorithm on nor switching it off significantly affected affective polarization or self-reported partisanship. To investigate the mechanism, we analysed users' feed content and behaviour. We found that the algorithm promotes conservative content and demotes posts by traditional media. Exposure to algorithmic content leads users to follow conservative political activist accounts, which they continue to follow even after switching off the algorithm, helping explain the asymmetry in effects. These results suggest that initial exposure to X's algorithm has persistent effects on users' current political attitudes and account-following behaviour, even in the absence of a detectable effect on partisanship.
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Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
This is a technical story with stunning strategic implications. It is quite possible the US launched a massive war because Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff lacked the technical expertise to even understand what the Iranians were offering in negotiations. Absolute idiocy. www.ms.now/news/trump-i...
ms.now
Nuclear experts undercut White House claims about Iran reactor at heart of case for war
The Trump administration sent negotiators without nuclear expertise to lead talks on Iran’s enrichment program. Now, its public case for war centers on a facility that experts say cannot do what offic...
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Project on Managing the Atom @managingtheatom.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
In an episode of The Arms Control Primer, MTA Associate @alexsorg.bsky.social joins @bollfrass.bsky.social & Elena Sokova to examine Belarus’s post-Soviet nuclear disarmament and the implications of Russia deploying nuclear-capable systems on its territory today. www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
iiss.org
Better know a non-nuke: Belarus
From Soviet nuclear host to renewed nuclear deployments: Belarus’s complex role in the past and present of nuclear arms control.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Together with Elena Sokova, I was invited to talk about the Soviet nuclear legacy - HEU and warheads ☢️ - in Belarus after 1991 and today's deployments 🚀 on the IISS "Better know a non-nuke" podcast series www.iiss.org/podcasts/arm...
iiss.org
Better know a non-nuke: Belarus
From Soviet nuclear host to renewed nuclear deployments: Belarus’s complex role in the past and present of nuclear arms control.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
In Trump I rules of engagement were losened and US caused civilian casualties sharply increased. Now there is major war. Maybe we should not blindly support governments who only express disdain for the idea of protecting civilians. No matter how one views the regime change idea
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
This is so insanely embarrassing
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The Nonproliferation Review @thenonproreview.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
In our newest issue of the NPR, @alexsorg.bsky.social of @managingtheatom.bsky.social has written an article looking into Russian security guarantees to Belarus. Check it out here: doi.org/10.1080/1073...
doi.org
Nuclear Belarus: explaining Russian security guarantees
In 2022, Russia announced its plans to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus, which would mark the first such deployment in an allied state since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Deploying nuclear weapons ...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Brainwashing, 2026 edition. This paper shows how X's algorithmic feed shifts people's views rightwards. It's a sophisticated, highly effective form of reorientation. And it is utterly chilling. If you're still on that platform, unhook yourself now. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
The political effects of X’s feed algorithm - Nature
Among users initially on a chronological feed, 7 weeks of exposure to X’s algorithmic feed in 2023 shifted political attitudes and account-following behaviour in a more conservative direction compared...
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Adam Scharpf @ascharpf.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Russia, Venezuela, Iran, China, the Sahel region, the United States ... Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups? Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com: tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Vorschlag zur güte: social media verbot für jugendliche und ü60
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Nick "The Media Guy" @newsman.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
this AP headline is written correctly.
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Centre for International Security - Hertie School @hertiesecurity.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
⏳ 1 week to go! Don’t miss this fascinating research talk. 👉 Register here: lnkd.in/dise8SeE
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Incredible energy (derogatory)
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Oh no! Anyways, here is my take on what the second paragraph on page 23 of the US National Security Strategy means for the future of transatlantic relations 🤗 ..1/28
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
It is largely useless to infer anything from official foreign policy documents under this 🇺🇸 administration. Europe is suppossed to take the lead on Ukraine? Well, only until Trump decides to have another half baked peace proposal drafted over night that forces Ukraine to disarm of course etc etc
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
✨✨trademark bargaining strategy✨✨
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Watch out ICELAND 🙂
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Vassili Golod @golod.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Russland nimmt den Menschen in der Ukraine Licht und Wärme. Die Folge für alle, die hier leben: es ist dunkel und kalt. Auf der Arbeit, draußen, zu Hause. Ich habe versucht, das in einem kurzen Video für euch festzuhalten.
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
It would be an ironic turn in Alfred Nobel's legacy if we are about to be hit by "The Great Nobel War"
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Make America Obese Again ✨
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Just to note: the number of people who tolerate a website designed to promote racist and fascist content, and which allows child abuse, just to engage in self-promotion is actually insane
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ae @aelkus.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
musk could livestream himself shooting someone and journalists, technologists businessmen, and politicians using x would barely bat an eye
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Centre for International Security - Hertie School @hertiesecurity.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
🚨 Calling nuclear security scholars! 🚨 The Hertie School Centre for International Security is now accepting paper proposals for its Nuclear Security Workshop 2026, taking place 25 – 26 June 2026 at the Hertie School in Berlin. Find out more: www.hertie-school.org/en/news/allc...
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
I frequently have conversations with officials (and sometimes experts) from various European NATO countries who insist that the US wants Europe to shoulder more of the burden, but that otherwise nothing has changed. When Pete Hegseth came to Europe he was actually ✨really nice✨. Great 😊
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NY Times Pitchbot @nytpitchbot.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Congressional Democrats have implored members of the military to reject any illegal orders they may receive. President Trump has responded with Truth Social posts reading "HANG THEM" and “punishable by DEATH.” Weary voters just want both sides to turn down the temperature.
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 21/11/2025
Sorry to be obnoxious about this but all the criticisms of Grok's blatant pro-Musk tuning ring just absurdly hollow if no one is actually willing to give up directly contributing to Elon Musk's website and in doing so, creating the conditions that make millions of people use the fucking chatbot
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Centre for International Security - Hertie School @hertiesecurity.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
In DIE ZEIT, our postdoc researcher Christian Gläßel & Adam Scharpf draw troubling parallels between ICE’s raids, rapid hiring & loyalty incentives and past authoritarian regimes, showing the importance of personnel decisions in driving repression. 📖 Read more: lnkd.in/d4vvTHyq
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Centre for International Security - Hertie School @hertiesecurity.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
The Stanton Foundation awards a new major grant to @hertieschool.bsky.social's Centre for International Security, funding annual Stanton Fellowships & the Frank Stanton Distinguished Visiting Chair to grow nuclear security research & transatlantic collaboration. Read More → lnkd.in/dNega9gP
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Just found this fascinating 2019 poll conducted by Pew Research. Unfortunately, this question does not appear to have been repeated since then.
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Sharon 🪳🌹 @sharonk.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
i now believe in the Chinese century
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
😀😀😀😀🫠
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Jack Sapoch @jacksapoch.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
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River_Tam @rivertam.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
This might be the clearest example ever of media false equivalence ever where literally the entire leadership of the Republican Party, which currently controls every branch of the Federal government, insists Donald Trump was cheated in 2020 vs like four podcasters in a trenchcoat doing 2024 BlueAnon
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Joni Askola @joniaskola.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
These four types of political violence are all unacceptable. The right can’t frame this as a left-wing issue. It’s an American problem—one that affects all sides, but hits harder on the right
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Liviu Horovitz @liviuhorovitz.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Available evidence suggests that Russia’s nuclear deployment to Belarus was primarily motivated by extended deterrence, but also by power projection to intimidate NATO & by desire for future arms control leverage - less by assurances, argues @alexsorg.bsky.social in The Nonproliferation Review 6/10
tandfonline.com
Nuclear Belarus: explaining Russian security guarantees
In 2022, Russia announced its plans to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus, which would mark the first such deployment in an allied state since the Soviet Union’s collapse. Deploying nuclear weapons ...
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Alexander Sorg @alexsorg.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Thanks @lanoszka.bsky.social for the kind words, and for reminding me to engage in SELF PROMOTION ☝️ Russian ☢️-deployments to Belarus are driven by 🇷🇺 interests: preventing interference in 🇧🇾 and using them as a lever against NATO. At least, that is what I deduce from the limited evidence available.
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Michael Evans @colombiadocs.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
It's not a big leap from the govt sending people to a death prison for having the wrong tattoo to blowing up 11 people that may or may not have had drugs on their boat.
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Maik Hamjediers @mhamjediers.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
In the context of debates on military capacities, this small research note uses the exact date of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an unexpected event during a survey to corroborate that willingness to fight rises with proximity to conflict (cf. doi.org/10.1017/eis.2025.12) Any feedback is welcome!
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 11/08/2025
Israel is assassinating journalists
theguardian.com
Anas al-Sharif, prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, among five journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza
Israel admits deliberate attack on the journalist, known for frontline coverage, in a strike on a tent outside al-Shifa hospital
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