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Marc Palen

@mwpalen.bsky.social
4.4K followers 737 following 304 posts

Historian. Editor, The Imperial & Global Forum. Author, Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover…. New Yorker “Best Books” list. Financial Times “Best Books.”

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Reposted by Marc Palen
Ned Richardson-Little @historyned.bsky.social · 10h
If you have ever wanted to learn more about the German Democratic Republic, from it creation to its collapse in 1989, you can check out my recent book: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/german-de...
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Dhruv Mehrotra @dmehro.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
NEW: DHS agents tracked people observing ICE arrests, photographed them, ran their plates, pulled personal information, and added them to a Palantir database, according to newly unsealed court filings. w/ @regret.bsky.social
wired.com
ICE Has Been Dumping Protester Photos Into a Palantir Database
DHS agents not only tracked and intimidated people observing ICE activity in Maine, but stored information about them in a Palantir-built database, newly unsealed court filings say.
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The Great Pumpkinsquatch - Scott Kelley Ernest 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @mxscottkernest.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
BOMBSHELL: WaPo reports Trump's ads were funded with money meant for slain officers' funerals youtu.be/GwqOZ0eaoDI?...
youtu.be
BOMBSHELL: WaPo reports Trump's ads were funded with money meant for slain officers' funerals
YouTube video by MS NOW
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Cindy 📎🇨🇦⚢🏳️‍🌈 @bilbow.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
United States is included on the Human Rights Watch List, under 10 different categories - due to blatant disregard for human rights & egregious violations. Human Rights Watch is an independent organization which regularly meets with UN officials #Pinks #HumanRights www.hrw.org/world-report...
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Sanho Tree @sanho.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Google and Apple immediately update their maps.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 26/09/2026
‘It’s just getting worse’: anger in Maine over Trump’s trade war with close neighbor Canada
theguardian.com
‘It’s just getting worse’: anger in Maine over Trump’s trade war with close neighbor Canada
President’s tariffs have hurt fishers, loggers and others in a state with deep bonds to Canada – will Mainers show their displeasure in the midterms?
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Andrés Pertierra @andrespertierra.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Not sure if this is actual plans for an occupation of Cuba or some kind of military intervention, on the one hand, or if this is yet more saber rattling meant as domestic fodder ahead of fall elections in the US. www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-gro...
cbsnews.com
U.S. military lays groundwork for potential action around Cuba
Some units would "possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days," according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News.
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Boyd van Dijk @boydvandijk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My new article examining the ICRC's visits to political prisoners in 1960s Apartheid South Africa, including its encounters with Mandela and Sobukwe, is out now in the Journal of Global History. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
Humanitarianism, race, and the late colonial global order: Red Cross prison inspections in Apartheid South Africa | Journal of Global History | Cambridge Core
Humanitarianism, race, and the late colonial global order: Red Cross prison inspections in Apartheid South Africa
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Dr Laura Sangha @lsangha.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Another thing that can tackle disinformation is critical thinking, of the sort humanities students are trained in. Oh look, here's my post about it from yesterday: manyheadedmonster.com/2026/09/22/a...
manyheadedmonster.com
A plea for critical thinking humans in our world of extremes
Laura Sangha A companion piece to: What is history for? Or: Doing history/thinking historically The train to Totnes this weekend was full of late holiday makers heading for Cornwall. They were grat…
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
To understand and counter disinformation, language skills, area studies expertise, historical knowledge and a wide range of arts, humanities & social science disciplines are requisite. SHAPE subjects are strategically vital for national interests. Is it strategic to let 'the market' shrink them?
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
Mapping SHAPE provision in UK higher education
This new project from the British Academy maps changing provision of SHAPE subjects in UK higher education institutions. It uses data to visually depict contractions and expansions in provision by a v...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants" [everybody up in arms, as they should be, but for those who have been paying close attention, this has pretty much already happened - the realization just hasn't sunk in yet] www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/s...
nytimes.com
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
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Eddie Smith @eddsmitty.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
🧵 Today, we're going to delve into the remarkable story of James Forten—a Revolutionary War veteran and former P.O.W. He became one of the most influential Black abolitionists in early American history. Pull up a seat🪑, my friends. (cont) #ProudBlue #ResistanceRoots #USDemocracy #Voices4Victory
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Brynley Heaven @brynleyheaven.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
All true (via @lordbonkers.bsky.social)
lincolnshirelive.co.uk
30 years ago, Lincoln was 'on its knees' - then the university arrived
The construction of the University of Lincoln marked a turning point in the city's fortunes
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Naomi Smith @pimlicat.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
All but four constituencies would support reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU
New in-depth polling finds 35 per cent of voters would choose to rejoin the EU – with just 11 per cent wanting looser ties with the bloc
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Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 16/09/2026
More than any higher ed development in recent memory, institutional subsidies for AI at R1 universities prove that austerity is a choice. It is not “too expensive” to invest in a humanities research infrastructure; rather, it is a choice that R1 universities make not to & subsidize AI instead.
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons | BBC www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons
The US Air Force Secretary says the weapons are necessary to defend the country against enemy action.
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Sharon 🪳🌹 @sharonk.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Canada should become an EU state in all but name. Here’s how to make that a reality | Fabian Zuleeg
From the UK to Japan, so many countries need to quickly be brought inside the European tent without the rigours of full membership, says economist Fabian Zuleeg
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Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 15/09/2026
EXCL: UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank British officials examining proposals for UK to join the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) under Burnham, after proposal was rejected by Starmer W/ @pickardje.bsky.social & Ilya Gridneff www.ft.com/content/4e14...
ft.com
UK ‘actively’ exploring joining Canada-led global defence bank
The DSRB aims to provide low-cost financing for military initiatives
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Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
***URGENT PLEASE SHARE*** University of Brighton management have announced today that they ‘give notice of termination of all collective agreements’. This is a fundamental erasure of workers' rights. Management have announced the termination of all contractual documents, which includes:
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Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
dooo iiiiiiittttt www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
euronews.com
Canada eyes ‘associate member’ status with EU amid US tensions
Carney reportedly seeks ‘associate’ EU membership as Ottawa-Washington ties hit fresh low. He will address the European Parliament next week. #EuropeNews
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12/09/2026
Trump on Irish unification: "I don't want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified"
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 12/09/2026
mackenzie scott really seems like the only billionaire to figure out that you can be a literal hero to millions with a relative pittance
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Reform is the richest party in Britain. Its leaders are almost all millionaires. It is funded almost exclusively by billionaires. It has a supportive TV station and widespread media backing. So naturally, this donation comes with the usual attack on "elites". www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
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NPR @npr.org · 11/09/2026
For decades, the U.S. and Canadian auto supply chains have been tightly woven together. The trade war is threatening to unravel a complex system. n.pr/4hjQ9D0
n.pr
The U.S.-Canada trade war is creating a headache for auto-parts makers
For decades, the U.S. and Canadian auto supply chains have been tightly woven together. The trade war is threatening to unravel a complex system.
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historianmemory.bsky.social @historianmemory.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I've been following this closely, especially recent attacks. Everyone should watch this about AI. youtu.be/i30jVPqQeOM?...
youtu.be
Ex-Anthropic insider tells CNN how AI could kill all humans by 2030
YouTube video by CNN
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 08/09/2026
NEWS: Iceland has summoned the U.S. ambassador after Trump posted a map depicting Iceland, Canada, Greenland and other countries and territories under the American flag.
meidasnews.com
Iceland Summons U.S. Ambassador After Trump Posts Image of the Nation as Part of the U.S.
Official diplomatic summons is the first step towards the dissolving of relations
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Bodie A. Ashton @manwithoutatan.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Pals I’ve got a new listening recommendation for you! First episode coming 14 September, and featuring some amazing historians doing amazing history!
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Chris Terry-Enescu @cjterry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Truly wild to have lived through moral panics about teenagers wearing hoodies and Muslim women wearing the head dress to now experience 'but is a large group of organised far right activists in balaclavas really that scary'
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Martin Bayly @mjbayly.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
My new article with CRIA is about the role of narrative in Historical IR and the study of world orders. With some notable exceptions, IR scholars have shown a surprising lack of interest in the way that history is pre-arranged into narrative structures ... 1/ www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
What’s historical about historical IR? narrativity, the philosophy of history and world order studies
Historical International Relations (HIR) represents a growing subfield within the wider discipline, offering a ‘history-first’ approach, lessening the grip of more theory and/or methods-driven scho...
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Applications are open for our (free) early career researcher leadership programme. We will provide 62 ECRs from humanities and social sciences with coaching, mentoring and peer networking. We can contribute to childcare costs. Apply by 28th October www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/early-career...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
British Academy Elevate Programme - Leadership Stream: key information
An intensive, CPD‑accredited leadership programme for Early Career Researchers delivered through training, mentoring and coaching.
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The Fletcher School @fletcherschool.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Trump Isn’t Just Trolling Canada. He’s Helping Push It Apart. Featuring Academic Dean @dandrezner.bsky.social. @washingtonpost.com
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 03/09/2026
Reform officials ‘plotted to break law on foreign donations’ in undercover film
theguardian.com
Reform officials ‘plotted to break law on foreign donations’ in undercover film
Investigation broadcast by Channel 4 shows man posing as ‘impermissible donor’ paying for polling that helped Reform Nigel Farage is facing fresh criticism on the eve of the Reform UK party conference after some of his team were filmed appearing to plot to avoid electoral laws on foreign donations in an undercover investigation broadcast by Channel 4. A group of investigative journalists called Verbatim, funded by the Centre for Climate Reporting, posed as a potential Reform supporter and his wealthy American father, an impermissible donor, who paid for £30,000 of polling commissioned by Reform and which benefited the party. Continue reading...
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John Carl Baker @johncarlbaker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Good piece about the Trump administration (and MAGA generally) stoking separatism in Alberta www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | MAGA Is Feeding a Separatist Surge in Canada
Drawing inspiration from MAGA, separatists in Alberta are pushing for a break away from Canada.
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Larry Glickman @larryglickman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
In my edited collection on consumer society in U.S. history, I was pleased to include Wendell Berry's prescient essay, "The Pleasures of Eating" about the disconnect between consumers and producers of food and the importance of "eating responsibly." R.I.P. cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801...
cornellpress.cornell.edu
Consumer Society in American History by edited by Lawrence B. Glickman | Paperback | Cornell University Press
This volume offers the most comprehensive and incisive exploration of American consumer history to date, spanning the four centuries from the colonial era to the present.
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Caroline Dodds Pennock @carolinepennock.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
In which fearless LGBTQ+ and women’s-rights advocate, BLM-supporting, vaccine-funding, literacy activist Dolly Parton is propagandised as ‘neutral’.
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I may be invisible, but you're transparent. @invisiblelad7.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This is going to ruin a lot of college towns slowly.
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Christopher Deutsch @drchrisdeutsch.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
When horse is cheaper than cattle, slaughterers will be tempted to use it as a cheap beef. Such scandals roiled the US throughout the post-WWII era. One such scandal was so egregious that the US completely revamped meat inspection as a result.
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Dael Norwood @dael.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Well worth your time. You might think you’ve got a handle on how the current US administration, the US’s cowardly elites, & the US electorate are doing harm – but unless you’ve got an understanding of the damage American failure has done to global shipping, you’re missing most of the disaster.
acoup.blog
Collections: Global Trade and United States Navy
This week we’re doing another one of our series of military theory primers, this time focusing on a fairly simple contention: that the United States Navy is a load-bearing component of the gl…
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Alex Prichard @profalexp.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
My 3rd thread on the dispute at Exeter Uni. What are we fighting for? Is it just to save jobs? No. We need a workplace that is run by the expert professionals that make up the staff body. This 🧵 explains the governance reform proposals we have put to Council, Senate and the Uni Exec #DefendExeterUni
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Dissent Magazine @dissentmag.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Leadership at The New School has declared war on its own workforce, fired tenured professors, and shuttered whole departments. But what’s happening to the progressive university is an increasingly common story across all of higher education.
dissentmagazine.org
What’s Left of The New School? - Dissent Magazine
Leadership at the iconic progressive university has declared war on its own workforce, fired tenured professors, and shuttered whole departments. But what’s happening to the school is an increasingly common story across all of higher education.
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 29/08/2026
If this were happening somewhere else, we would call them what they are: Internally Displaced People.
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Joshua Collins @murosinvisibles.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
US assuming majority ownership stake in Venezuelan oil reserves The reported deal would also involve Venezuela leaving OPEC and forming a similar alliance with Washington LATEST for PWS
piratewireservices.com
US assuming majority ownership stake in Venezuelan oil reserves
The reported deal would also involve Venezuela leaving OPEC and forming a similar alliance with Washington
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My suggestion is to cancel your subscription to any media company that refers to Lake Ontario as Lake America.
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Tom Joscelyn @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This is appalling. These Haitians were here legally under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The Trump regime spread racist lies, ended the program, declared them illegal and rounded them up in chains for deportation. Now DHS is proudly posting videos of Black Haitians in chains.
Trump’s Department of Homeland Security posted a video of Black Haitians in chains after ending the TPS program
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lastpositivist.bsky.social @lastpositivist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
It's being treated as a policy victory that we have less of the world's smart young people coming to learn from us, participate in our society and economy. This is just so depressing to me, it feels like a complete victory for know-nothing ignorant bigotry over enlightened sensibilities.
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ACLU @aclu.org · 28/08/2026
BREAKING: A federal court granted our emergency request to block USPS from implementing President Trump's order to restrict mail-in voting for the November election.
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Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Could be solved at the stroke of a pen with freedom of movement. But we must appease the racists.
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Sanho Tree @sanho.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
“The Trump-installed board that runs the Kennedy Center told a federal judge the building will have to be torn down unless President Donald Trump's name goes on it.“ Even Hitler would have blushed at such an insane demand, but it’s totally normal behavior for Needy Amin.
rawstory.com
Trump board threatens to destroy 'unsafe' Kennedy Center in apocalyptic court filing
The Trump-installed board that runs the Kennedy Center told a federal judge the building will have to be torn down unless President Donald Trump's name goes on it.Justice Department lawyers made the a...
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brent 🌹🗽 @therealbrent.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Unfortunately their pivot to doing quiet ethnic cleansing instead of having bozo agents murder people in the streets has worked and there has been basically zero coverage lately of any of this and all those whose lives are being ruined
apnews.com
ICE arrests jumped to nearly 50,000 in July, the highest monthly total of Trump’s second term
Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested nearly 50,000 people in July. That marks the highest single-month total during the second Trump administration.
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Astrid M. Eckert 🇺🇦 @astridme.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Call for postdocs at the Mahindra Humanities Center (Harvard) in Environmental Humanities (e.g. humanistic approaches to climate change, biodiversity, social justice, env justice, food justice, landscape, and animal studies) Due date Nov. 20, 2026 #EnvHist #EnvHum networks.h-net.org/jobs/70205/h...
networks.h-net.org
Harvard University - 2027-28 Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellowships | H-Net
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