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James McDougall

@jamesrmcd.bsky.social
883 followers 428 following 54 posts

Teaches history, writes stuff, is in theatres whenever possible.

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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Every word of this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Belfast riots, Palestine Action protests. What is terrorism now – and why the hypocrisy? | George Monbiot
The right is obsessed with ‘two-tier policing’. This is indeed a two-tier government – but the real victims are progressives, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Laura Tisdall @lauratisdall.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
We have an 18-month temporary lectureship in early modern British and European history just advertised at Newcastle - closing date 9th July www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRW166/l... #skystorians
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in Early Modern British and European History at Newcastle University
Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Lecturer in Early Modern British and European History on jobs.ac.uk!
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Middle East Research and Information Project @merip.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
NEW: Rethinking Political Change in Iran from Protest to War Sociologist Mohammad Ali Kadivar details how political protest has, and will continue to shape Iran's political culture over the past two decades.
buff.ly
Rethinking Political Change in Iran from Protest to War
One month before the United States and Israel began the current war against Iran on February 28, 2026, mass uprisings within the country resulted in the severest government crackdown in its modern…
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Of course none of this should need saying but all of it does. www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
theguardian.com
The chaotic, unique, beautiful Lebanon I knew has been reduced to rubble. When will it end?
Suspected war crimes happen almost daily as Israel continues its bombardment, which Unicef estimates is killing nearly 14 children a day. We cannot write this off as just another war in a war-torn reg...
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Evan Urquhart @evanurquhart.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
January 2020 has become my benchmark - there were already signs of the GOP pivot to anti-trans politics as their top issue, but no legislation had been passed in any state. If you think trans people had too many rights six years ago, there's no common ground on which we can meet.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Despicable if true. 😡https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/20/burnham-to-back-shabana-mahmoods-immigration-changes-allies-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
theguardian.com
Burnham to back Shabana Mahmood’s immigration changes, allies say
Exclusive: Greater Manchester mayor understood to support home secretary’s push to limit legal and illegal migration
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Craig Johnson @cajohnson-craig.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
i wrote a book about these kids, what's happening to them, and how to stop it
routledge.com
How to Talk to Your Son about Fascism
How to Talk to Your Son about Fascism is a practical guide for parents, carers, and others with young men in their lives on how to talk with those young men about fascism and the right-wing, which spe...
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Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
This is a shocking example of one of the big reasons why, right now, there is no way I’d use AI for any of my historical work. If you don’t look at the documents yourself, and if you don’t know how the AI you’re using was coded, you have no idea what it may be leaving out – or adding in.
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
It’s very hard to digest how the explicit antimuslim racism on display in the streets of London on Saturday is passing by with no consequences. Very hard not to feel like we’re regarded as second class citizens and fair game to be sacrificed on the alter of pacifying angry voters. Very hard & scary.
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Bruno J. Navarro @brunojnavarro.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
primary every centrist democrat
If Democrats want a role model ahead of this year's midterm elections, they could not do better
than Analilia Mejia, the newest member of Congress. The winner of an April special election to fill a suburban New Jersey seat that party insiders thought would favor a centrist, Mejía, a former political director for Senator Bernie Sanders and the director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, ran as a progressive who was prepared to take on the "bosses and bullies in both parties to get things done." After emerging as the victor in a crowded and complicated primary—in which she backed Medicare for All, guaranteed paid sick leave, and a moratorium on AI data centers; accurately described Israel's assault on Gaza as a genocide; and declared that "it's time to abolish ICE"—Mejía won the general election by a 20-point margin (more than double the margin that the district gave Kamala Harris in 2024). Mejía embraced her mandate by immediately proposing to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
How absolutely brilliant. ❤️
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Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
You can see from his disbelief and confusion that these tech bros don’t get booed nearly enough. Bravo, University of Arizona! The rest of us need to boo harder. Let them know what ordinary people think of them.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
You’ve probably already seen this, but in case not: Add your name to the open letter, and stand against hate and division. goodlawproject.org/s/4ca10b
goodlawproject.org
Misan Harriman Handraiser | Good Law Project
Far right newspapers are trying to run a smear campaign against Misan Harriman. Add your name to the open letter, and stand against hate and division.
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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
"The rise of extreme wealth is one of the clearest signs of this imbalance. In 1987, billionaires held wealth equal to 3% of global GDP. Today this tiny elite, just 0.0001% of the world population, owns the equivalent of *16%* of world GDP in wealth."
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Your Tax Day reminder that Trump and Republicans’ big, ugly bill gutted food stamps and healthcare to dole out tax cuts for giant corporations and the billionaires that run them. The midterms are just months away. Remember this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hbwm7LrKW0
youtube.com
Is This Trump’s Biggest Scam Yet?
The Trump-Republican “Big Beautiful Bill” is actually a “Big Ugly Nightmare.”Much of what’s included in it will begin in
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Like Twitter, like the WaPo, they bought it so they could destroy it.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
First time in a long time I’ve actually been able to listen to the news in the morning
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Laleh Khalili @lalehkhalili.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
😭😭😭😂😂😂😂
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Abu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
October 2025 Arab Barometer Palestinian opinion survey finds “widespread frustration with existing leadership. Fatah’s support has eroded sharply, Hamas has largely maintained its base, and political alienation has become the dominant stance.” www.arabbarometer.org/media-news/p...
arabbarometer.org
Press Release: Two Years of War on Gaza Reshape Palestinian Priorities, Politics, and Social Norms – Arab Barometer
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
🫣☺️🙏
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Xavier Bonilla @xavierbonilla.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
I am very pleased to share the conversation I had with @jamesrmcd.bsky.social about a global history of Islam. Hope everyone enjoys! open.substack.com/pub/convergi...
open.substack.com
#466 - A Global History of Islam: A Dialogue with James McDougall
Listen now | In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with James McDougall about a global history of Islam.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
😂
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Had a great chat to @xavierbonilla.bsky.social about Islam in global history and you can hear it now!
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
What a nice thing to say. (New book out today.)
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Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
In any other context, requiring a high-productivity sector to offshore the production of its highest value-added exports would be seen as the economic illiteracy it so obviously is... www.ft.com/content/a23c...
ft.com
UK drops target for international student recruitment
Government to encourage education providers to open campuses overseas as it focuses on reducing migration
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Hey Bluesky ppl in the US! The nice folks at @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social are offering 20% off my new book : use code WORLDS20 valid through 26 Feb. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/james...
hachettebookgroup.com
Worlds of Islam
A sweeping global history of Islam, tracing the 1,400-year evolution of a diverse community of faith and its place in the modern world “Anyone who wants to...
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Richy Craven @richycraven.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama. Us: Across your entire career? Reiner: In a 6 year period. Us: That sounds- Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Extract from Rob Reiner's Wikipedia 

Filmography 
1986 - Stand By zme
1987 - The Princess Bride
1989 - When Harry Met Sally
1990 - Misery
1992 - A Few Good Men
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Literally everybody take note. 👇
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
I can confirm that this is an extremely wonderful job, #MiddleEast #historians please do apply 😁 www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/vacancies
trinity.ox.ac.uk
Vacancies
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Anaclet Pons @clionauta-ap.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Today, the popular view prevails that Muslims have never been part of European history. It is an environment in which populist right-wing polemics critical of Muslim migration can reach a receptive a mass audience. By David Motadel www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
newstatesman.com
Islam is part of European history
Historians’ dismissal of the continent’s Muslim legacy is helping to feed contemporary divisions
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Aliènor Bertrand @alienorbertrand.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Le colloque censuré, et maintenu, visible en ligne. Prise de parole d'Henry Laurens à l'instant. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sSU...
youtube.com
Colloque : la Palestine et l'Europe, poids du passé et dynamiques contemporaines
YouTube video by CAREP Paris
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Very much noticed. It’s all part of the same tiny Tufton St circle, a few grumpy retired right wing Brexiters banging on about Rhodes & what a good thing the empire was, but with money and amplification. See also Legatum Inst., Scruton/Pharos lectures, etc etc
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
"History has already shown us how this story unfolds. Fascism is not built only in the camps and cells. It is built in the shrug, the silence, the insistence that life can go on as if nothing has changed" Frederick Joseph"A Thought on Normalcy in Fascism" frederickjoseph.substack.com/p/normal-tim...
frederickjoseph.substack.com
Normal Times in Dire Times
Fascism does not break normal life, it feeds on it.
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Exactly this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
We must act now: without a written constitution, Reform UK will have carte blanche to toxify our nation | Goerge Monbiot
It means breaking with hundreds of years of tradition, but it can’t wait. As hard-right figures spread division and laud autocrats, a fail-safe is vital, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 18/09/2025
Whatever you do, please don’t stop reading. Read for joy. Read for education. Read for resistance. Read banned books. Read books by marginalized authors. Read about experiences that differ from your own. Just. Keep. Reading.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Still waiting for it to trickle down...
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Dr Dion Georgiou 🇨🇾❤️🇬🇾 @drdiongeorgiou.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Am of the opinion we should just respond to the current flag epidemic by flying a wider range of random national flags from lamp posts, roundabouts etc until the situation gets ridiculous and they give up.
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Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
the other half of this that I've never really gotten over: this all but explicitly amounts to valorizing being "asleep". people are really out here wielding "I have no idea what's going on, historically speaking" as a credential
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Robert Heinze @rheinze.myatproto.social · 28/09/2025
Fantastic piece, I hope it’s widely read
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Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
The wounded knee thing is really Trumpism distilled to its essence. It’s not enough to be able crush people who can’t fully defend themselves, it’s not enough to actually crush them, you also have to love and admire those who do the crushing otherwise the Trumpists’ delicate feelings are injured
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Karl Jacoby @karl-jacoby.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Only an administration intent on committing war crimes in the present and future would stoop to calling Wounded Knee a "battle" rather than what it truly was: a massacre of over 250 Lakotas, mainly women, children, and the elderly. 1/
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
This. 👇
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Your occasional reminder that it was imperially minded British politicians trying to influence America & ignoring Palestinians’ political rights that started this whole thing off in the 1st place.
theguardian.com
Is Trump’s new Palestine plan a breakthrough or diplomatic mirage?
Washington’s roadmap aligns surprisingly closely with a UN-backed plan – but key differences could prove unworkable
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 25/09/2025
Speaking of voices under attack…can we be just as loud about Black journalists and comedians who are silenced, even by our so-called liberal outlets. • Joy Reid • Don Lemon • Melissa Harris-Perry • Tiffany Cross • Jemele Hill • Marc Lamont Hill • Karen Attiah • Amber Ruffin
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James McDougall @jamesrmcd.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
This isn’t getting as much attention as it should. Orgs like Medical Aid for Palestinians running essential, life-saving clinical services in Gaza face having to suspend their work. Deliberate, cynical move by Isr govt, pls listen to the Israeli historians of medicine who are calling it out.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 24/09/2025
If you're starting a postgraduate course in History this autumn, please do consider joining the Royal Historical Society bit.ly/41mTuck Postgraduate Membership brings access to research funding, events, publications and networks. You'll join an international community of more than 6500 historians.
Image of 'Trust me, I'm a Historian' badges and text: 'Postgraduate Membership of the Royal Historical Society. Applications invited for next closing dates of 13 October and 15 December 2025'.
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Liesbeth Corens @onslies.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
AN #EARLYMODERN POST!! They still exist! And a lovely one at that, for five years and with the brilliant people at KCL who have turned that place in quite the hub of exciting early modern research. Run, don’t walk.
jobs.ac.uk
Lecturer in the History of Early Modern Europe and the World at King's College London
Discover an exciting academic career path as a Lecturer in the History of Early Modern Europe and the World at jobs.ac.uk. Don't miss out on this job opportunity - apply today!
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Yair Wallach @yairwallach.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
In other words, 94% of those killed in Gaza since March 25 were civilians - up from 83% in the first 1.5 years of this genocidal war. Another symptom of stage 2 of the Gaza Genocide under Trump: fewer casualties so far, but targeting almost entirely civilians. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
theguardian.com
Civilians made up 15 of every 16 people killed by Israel in Gaza since March, data suggests
Report from independent conflict tracker Acled indicates one of the highest civilian death rates since start of war
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Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Stuart Hall Essay Prize. Please disseminate: www.stuarthallfoundation.org/foundation/s...
stuarthallfoundation.org
Stuart Hall Essay Prize reopens to submissions - Stuart Hall Foundation
The second Stuart Hall Essay Prize is reopening to submissions. The new submission window is open from now until Monday 3 November. Open to submissions from UK-based entrants aged 18 to 30 inclusive, ...
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