Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Thank you so much for sharing and I’m glad you found it interesting! Your article on the geographic coverage of conflict research was a big inspiration for this paper. I hope all is going great your way! 010
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 05/09/2026To what extent does conflict research engage with non-English-language sources? Pleased to share this solo-authored article where I explore this question. To do so, I examined 857 articles published about jihadist actors in 14 conflict and terrorism journals www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comLanguage Bias in Conflict Studies? Reviewing Trends in Jihadism Research, 2013–2023To what extent does conflict research engage with non-English-language sources? Recent studies have highlighted the importance of language diversity and the consequences of excluding non-English-la... 020
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Excited to share some personal news. I’ve started as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Justice, Law, Criminology & Security at American University. I’m incredibly thankful for all of the support I received from so many along the way 040
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 28/07/2026This is a great resource organized by @landgravephd.bsky.social if you’re applying for jobs in political science, public policy, or public administration. The site includes job postings, status updates, and additional information for job market candidates www.politicalsciencejobs.orgpoliticalsciencejobs.orgPS JobsThis site serves to provide a listing of jobs for PhDs in political science and adjacent fields including public administration and public policy. You can submit jobs, status updates about said jobs, ... 020
Reposted by Mark BerlinJournal of Global Security Studies @journalofgss.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Why do armed groups use extreme forms of violence? Read this #JOGSS article on how leadership transitions can shape the strategic use of extreme and costly violence, including beheadings, by jihadist organisations. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jogs... 151
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 04/07/2026Why do armed groups use extreme forms of violence? Excited to share this new open access article! Analyzing beheading attacks conducted by jihadist groups, we examine the impact of leadership succession, targeting, and tenure on organizational tactics academic.oup.com/jogss/articl...academic.oup.comLeadership succession and jihadist beheadingsAbstract. Why do armed groups use extreme forms of violence? Existing research argues that ideological beliefs, organizational alliances, and efforts to ge 065
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 30/06/2026The DC-Area Political Violence Workshop is holding its inaugural meeting in October 2026 at American University. The workshop aims to bring together DC-area researchers to share in progress work on political violence. Please reach out with any questions! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...docs.google.comDC-Area Political Violence WorkshopPlease complete this form my August 1 to apply to present at the DC-Area Political Violence Workshop. The workshop will be held Friday, October 23 at American University. 030
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Excited to share this new article! How do groups respond to competition with al-Qaeda and IS? Using novel data and a DiD design, @ilaydaonder.bsky.social and I find that groups often restrain, rather than escalate, their violence in response to pledges to AQ and IS doi.org/10.1177/0022...doi.orgSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher. 083
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Project documents, dataset updates, and information about the awesome authors are available here @mariaamjad.bsky.social @ilaydaonder.bsky.social @fawcettweiner.bsky.social jlddataset.github.io/jdldataset/jlddataset.github.ioJihadist Leaders Dataset (JLD) 070
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Excited to share “Commanders of the Mujahideen: Introducing the Jihadist Leaders Dataset” at JPR! Analyzing Arabic, French, German, Turkish, and Urdu sources, we gathered information on the backgrounds and experiences of 237 leaders across multiple regions academic.oup.com/jpr/advance-... 2278
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 22/12/2025Postdoctoral research position at the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Applications are due next month. I’m happy to answer any questions about the position! puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/app...puwebp.princeton.edu 077
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 29/10/2025Armed groups often publish denial statements to distance themselves from violent attacks. What effects do these statements have on public perceptions? Using a survey experiment, @ilaydaonder.bsky.social and I explore this question in this open access article! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...onlinelibrary.wiley.com“We have nothing to do with it”: How statements of denial by armed actors shape public perceptions and emotionsArmed groups operating in conflicts around the world publish statements of denial to dissociate themselves from acts of violence. Existing research argues that armed groups publish denial statements ... 0106
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 09/09/2025Thank you so much, Nihad! I hope everything is going great for you! 010
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 09/09/2025New publication in the Journal of Conflict Resolution! Why do rebel groups adopt different recruitment strategies? @michaeljsoules.bsky.social and I explore this question by examining the behavior of 232 rebel groups over recent decades journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...journals.sagepub.comSage Journals: Discover world-class researchSubscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher. 1165
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 03/02/2025Postdoc opening at Princeton SPIA. Applications are due this month. I’m more than happy to answer any questions about the position! puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/app...puwebp.princeton.edu 001
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 05/12/2024While this semester has had its ups and downs, my students have been consistently amazing 010
Reposted by Mark BerlinMae Nick Phra Khanong @nickjbrumfield.bsky.social · 13/11/2024Here it is! A Starter Pack for Middle East News A couple things 1) Inclusion in this list should not be taken as an endorsement, this is to crystalize the MENA ecosystem so it can grow 2) Limit's 150, so if I missed you, hit me in the replies & I'll get you in the next one go.bsky.app/2pjNYfP 58378191
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 30/01/2024Hamas regroups in northern Gaza to prepare new offensive. And on it goes. www.theguardian.com/world/2024/j...theguardian.comHamas regroups in northern Gaza to prepare new offensiveMilitant Palestinian group begins to rebuild system of governance in north after being driven out by Israeli forces 033
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 07/12/2023Self-censorship, hostile pressure campaigns, feckless administrators. Shibley Telhami and I have a new article in the Chronicle of Higher Education based on our recent MESB survey of almost 1000 academic Middle East scholars. Its chilling. abuaardvark.substack.com/p/gaza-and-a...abuaardvark.substack.comGaza and Academic Self-CensorshipOur new Chronicle essay reveals eye-opening results from the new Middle East Scholars Barometer survey. 02418
Reposted by Mark BerlinRegine Schwab @reginesonja.bsky.social · 29/11/2023New working paper with Werner Krause & Samer Massoud on the effects of targeting hospitals on violence dynamics in Northwest Syria hicn.org/working-pape... conflictsky polisky menaskyhicn.orgThe bombing of hospitals and local violence dynamics in civil wars: Evidence from Syria – HiCNCan coercive airpower quell a rebellion? Existing literature on the effects of counterinsurgent violence focuses predominantly on casualties resulting from atta 22914
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 14/11/2023Interested in how al-Qaeda and it’s affiliates responded to the October 7 attacks? Sara Harmouch, @vladimirrauta.bsky.social, and I discuss these reactions, how they relate to al-Qaeda’s past relations with Hamas, and future implications for militant cooperation irregularwarfare.org/articles/the... 010
Reposted by Mark BerlinDani Gilbert @danigilbert.bsky.social · 11/11/2023This may be too complex a topic for limited characters, but I’ll try: conventional wisdom in the hostage recovery community is the more “professional” the kidnapper, the better outcome for the hostage: less rash, more patient, better care, centralized decision-making authority about release 1/n 15316
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 03/11/2023There may be no day after in Gaza - Nathan Brown carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/03/t...carnegieendowment.orgThere Might Be No Day After in GazaAs the war continues, deterioration at the level of governance, security, and public order will likely be deepened by the absence of a political horizon, diplomatic process, or future prospects. 077
Reposted by Mark BerlinAnna Meier @annameier.bsky.social · 03/11/2023"Descriptive research—work aimed at answering 'who,' 'what,' 'when,' 'where,' and 'how' questions—is vital at every stage of social scientific inquiry." 🎉 03411
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 02/11/2023Amr Hamzaway on the Arab public response to Gaza carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/01/p...carnegieendowment.orgPay Attention to the Arab Public Response to the Israel-Hamas WarThe peaceful nature of the mass mobilization reflects a growing trend to renounce violence. 058
Reposted by Mark BerlinLisel Hintz @liselhintz.bsky.social · 27/10/2023A must-read on Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim perspectives by one of the most compelling voices on these issues @danaelkurd.bsky.social 094
Reposted by Mark BerlinAndrew M Leber @andrewleber.bsky.social · 27/10/2023Frontline uploaded their 2002 documentary on how the Oslo Accords had already fallen apart by the turn of the century. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt3P...youtube.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt3PpqaLfxo&ab_channel=FRONTLINEPBS%7COfficial 0119
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 27/10/2023How big have the protests over Gaza in the US been, what have they been saying, and how might they matter? I had a Good Chat with @jayulfelder.bsky.social and Jeremy Pressman from the Crowd Counting Consortium to find out. Check it out at @goodauth.bsky.social! goodauthority.org/news/us-prot...goodauthority.orgWill protests over the Israel-Hamas war shift U.S. policy?Free Gaza CUNY Teachers event Oct. 18, 2023 (cc Pamela Drew/Flickr) There has been a remarkable wave of protests around the world in response to Israel’s 01714
Reposted by Mark BerlinAaron Y. Zelin @azelin.bsky.social · 25/10/2023Frame your friends close & your enemies closer: how al-Masra newspaper imagines individuals - Nihad Aboud, Mark Berlin, Sam Biasi, and Tyler B. Parker, Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... menaskytandfonline.comFrame your friends close and your enemies closer: how al-Masra newspaper imagines individualsArmed groups are well-known for discussing their allies and adversaries in unitary actor terms. However, individuals also play an important part in the discourse of armed groups. Focusing on jihadi... 041
Reposted by Mark BerlinAbu Aardvark @abuaardvark.bsky.social · 26/10/2023Remarkably timely Arab Barometer survey in Gaza found deep unpopularity of Hamas government. www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/what-...foreignaffairs.comWhat Palestinians Really Think of HamasBefore the war, Gaza’s leaders were deeply unpopular—but an Israeli crackdown could change that. 29058
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 25/10/2023I’m officially an et al.! We analyzed the discourse of al-Masra, an Arabic language newspaper linked to AQAP, surrounding over 100 individuals and organizations across 1250 articles Menasky Conflictsky www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1... 063
Reposted by Mark BerlinDani Gilbert @danigilbert.bsky.social · 13/10/2023I wrote about the hostage crisis ongoing since Hamas kidnapped scores of Israelis and foreigners on Saturday. So much is unknown, but here’s what I’ve got for now, in @goodauth.bsky.social ⤵️ polisky conflictsky intsec goodauthority.org/news/why-the...goodauthority.orgWhy the Gaza hostage crisis is differentSecurity Fence at the border of the Gaza Strip courtesy of © Joyclynn, via Canva.com The Oct. 7 Hamas incursion into Israel – on the 50th anniversary of 48749
Reposted by Mark BerlinAidan Milliff @aidanmilliff.com · 24/10/2023Really pleased to share that "Making Sense, Making Choices: How Civilians Choose Survival Strategies During Violence" is accepted at the APSR. @apsa.bsky.social You can see the accepted version here! I'll post more about the paper once it's up on FirstView. aidanmilliff.com/media/Millif... 13610
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 18/10/2023Make sure to check out @erikskare.no’s pathbreaking research on Palestinian Islamic Jihad if you’re interested in learning more about the organization. Conflictsky Menasky 072
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 18/10/2023@tylerbparker.bsky.social in case you haven’t seen! 010
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 17/10/2023With the ongoing Hamas and Islamic State comparisons, @abuaardvark.bsky.social’s 2017 piece on lumping and splitting Islamist groups is still very relevant. Menasky carnegie-mec.org/diwan/68779 051
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 05/10/2023Really excited to be a Civil War Paths Fellow this coming year! Can’t wait to interact with other researchers working on armed conflict and the awesome team at the Centre www.civilwarpaths.org 160
Reposted by Mark BerlinDani Gilbert @danigilbert.bsky.social · 04/10/2023🚨🚨Bridging the Gap is searching for our next Fellow to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives! Please check out the call, share it with your networks, and apply! Happy to answer any questions ⤵️ polisky 02631
Reposted by Mark BerlinDotan Haim @dotanhaim.bsky.social · 30/09/2023Introducing Conflictsky, a new feed for political conflict and violence! Like and pin the feed here: bsky.app/profile/did:... To post, tag with 'conflictsky' or 'violencesky' It's a polisky sub-feed, so request to join that list if you haven't already: www.paulmusgrave.info/how-to-use-p... 1411847
Reposted by Mark BerlinHesham Sallam @wazirelkif.bsky.social · 27/09/2023The latest issue of MERIP is out: "Journalism and Activism in an Age of Transnational Repression." I had a blast editing this issue alongside an exceptional group of editors: Ayça Alemdaroğlu, Marc Owen Jones, and Kevin Schwartz. 12024
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 25/09/2023And hire @salahbhpolisci.bsky.social, he’s an absolute rockstar!! 120
Reposted by Mark BerlinAndrew M Leber @andrewleber.bsky.social · 25/09/2023@markberlin2.bsky.social is one of the top up-and-coming folks working on political violence & armed groups in the region (and is on the market - so hire him!) tnsr.org/2023/07/rest...tnsr.orgRestrained Insurgents: Why Competition Between Armed Groups Doesn’t Always Produce Outbidding - Te...Contemporary civil wars frequently involve numerous armed groups. How do armed groups compete with rival organizations for popular support? Existing research posits that militant organizations operati... 272
Mark Berlin @markberlin2.bsky.social · 25/09/2023Thank you so much for the kind words and sharing my research, Andrew! 010