Monica Marks
@monicamarks.bsky.social
Prof of Middle East Politics at NYU Abu Dhabi. Tunisia, Turkey, Gulf. PhD St Antony's College, Oxford. Rhodes, Fulbright, Harvard WCFIA. 14 years writing on Tunisia.
Religion & democracy. Tango & bizarre travel enthusiast. Perpetually craving Istanbul.
Religion & democracy. Tango & bizarre travel enthusiast. Perpetually craving Istanbul.
Pinned
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Excellent piece. True to his typical form, Joel does not shy away from the contradictions & knotty bits, but looks them head-on.
I'll be back more regularly after my semester ends, but in the mean time, I'm in the @forward.com talking about Mamdani's response to the protest at Park East synagogue last week, and why ambivalence is sometimes okay. forward.com/opinion/7861...
What does Mamdani's response to synagogue protests mean for Jews? No one will like the answer.
Zohran Mamdani's response to a protest outside Park East synagogue satisfied no one. But it might speak to a crucial truth about Jewish life.
forward.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Excellent piece. True to his typical form, Joel does not shy away from the contradictions & knotty bits, but looks them head-on.
Reposted by Monica Marks
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Monica Marks
Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films — and the polarized responses to them — reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics.
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films — and the polarized responses to them — reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics.
At night, to stop replaying torture sessions in her mind, Elizabeth Tsurkov recited whole chapters of her PhD that she wrote in her head in captivity.
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Kidnapped and Freed, Elizabeth Tsurkov Continues Ph.D. Research
paw.princeton.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
At night, to stop replaying torture sessions in her mind, Elizabeth Tsurkov recited whole chapters of her PhD that she wrote in her head in captivity.
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
Like Deborah Amos, I was elated that Tsurkov not only survived, but that she remains herself—as fiercely intelligent as ever.
A must-read:
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
In DC for a conference. Walked up to the White House for the first time in a few years. The accompanying soundtrack here was about as American as it gets 😂
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
You can’t make my country up sometimes.
Reposted by Monica Marks
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
What makes this review-essay by @monicamarks.bsky.social so illuminating — beyond her rich insights on Civil War, The Order, Eddington and One Battle After Another — is her reading of various left-wing and right-wing responses to these films, and what they reveal about our ideological condition ⤵️
Reposted by Monica Marks
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“In American cinema, as in American life, the siren song of anti-politics is sounding.”
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
@MonicaMarks.bsky.social reflects on recent films depicting a future U.S. defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Trump is now engaging on Sudan. He likewise has the power to mitigate enormous carnage there, as he did in Gaza, by pressuring external elites—something Biden never did.
Reposted by Monica Marks
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
A good question to ponder--why are we imagining a future of fragmentation and violence as our only possibility?
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My latest piece.
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Films are increasingly depicting an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies & violence. For @newlinesmag.bsky.social, I explored what these films & polarized responses to them reveal about current U.S. politics.
Feedback is appreciated!
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
Reposted by Monica Marks
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reporter: Is it appropriate for your family to do business with Saudi Arabia while you’re president? The us intelligence concluded you orchestrated the murder of a journalist…
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
Trump: Who are you with?
Reporter: ABC News
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This was the most gilded White House visit I’ve ever seen. Replete w/ horses & flyover welcome.
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
I just watched Trump & MBS’ presser in the Oval. Trump accused ABC’s Mary Bruce, who asked this Q, of trying to “embarrass our guest.” MBS himself fielded her Q more calmly.
But it got worse: 🧵
Reposted by Monica Marks
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️
NEW: Several recent movies depict an American future defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence. @monicamarks.bsky.social reflects on what these films and the polarized responses to them reveal about the current crossroads of U.S. politics
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
newlinesmag.com/review/ameri...
America’s Unraveling on Screen
Recent movies depict a future where anti-politics has triumphed, defined by vigilantism, insurgencies and violence
newlinesmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The films Civil War, The Order, Eddington & One Battle After Another both register and reflect back at us the miasma of our moment and force us to think about anti-politics versus politics, purism versus pluralism, and violence versus coalition building. A tour de force by @monicamarks.bsky.social ⬇️
So much corruption exists.
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
So much corruption exists.
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
“The latest project adds to a string of developments undertaken by the [Trump Organization & Saudi developer Dar Global] & bearing the Trump name.
Most have been in the Gulf & span Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Qatar. Dar Global is building Trump Towers in Jeddah & Dubai.”
If Biden had enforced the Leahy Law on Netanyahu, it would’ve saved both American political parties—& Israel itself—a world of drama.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
November 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
If Biden had enforced the Leahy Law on Netanyahu, it would’ve saved both American political parties—& Israel itself—a world of drama.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
Now both Democrats & Republicans are facing civil wars within their parties that pivot on one litmus test in particular: US support for Israel.
Democracy’s death in Tunisia—home of the Arab Spring—is one of the greatest tragedies of my life.
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
November 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Democracy’s death in Tunisia—home of the Arab Spring—is one of the greatest tragedies of my life.
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Just spoke w/ London’s Times Radio on Saied’s worsening abuses.
Jailed democracy leaders are getting their ribs broken by prison guards. They’re barred from court at their own “trials.”
🧵
Reposted by Monica Marks
Essential college/university teaching thread. 👇
AI is killing the college essay as more professors ditch robot-written papers for in-class exams. So now even fewer students are being taught to write well (an energy intensive task!).
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
November 13, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Essential college/university teaching thread. 👇
Reposted by Monica Marks
This is so exactly right - AI produced writing is like Stepford Wives.
Suddenly, I’ll hit a passage that sounds stilted, sterile, and strangely… not them.
It’s like that scene in The Stepford Wives when Katharine Ross sees her old friend in the kitchen & suddenly realizes that she’s become a robot.
It’s eerie as hell.
It’s like that scene in The Stepford Wives when Katharine Ross sees her old friend in the kitchen & suddenly realizes that she’s become a robot.
It’s eerie as hell.
November 13, 2025 at 4:58 AM
This is so exactly right - AI produced writing is like Stepford Wives.
AI is killing the college essay as more professors ditch robot-written papers for in-class exams. So now even fewer students are being taught to write well (an energy intensive task!).
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 AM
AI is killing the college essay as more professors ditch robot-written papers for in-class exams. So now even fewer students are being taught to write well (an energy intensive task!).
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
Students lose out, bc good writing = good thinking: a training of the brain towards structure, style & substance.
“Practice any art… not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 13, 2025 at 2:13 AM
“Practice any art… not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
Brilliant from Vonnegut.
No amount of hotness or patrician lineage can convince me that JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, is fit to replace Nadler in Congress.
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
November 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
No amount of hotness or patrician lineage can convince me that JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, is fit to replace Nadler in Congress.
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
Hollow bravado & self-contradictions make for poor policy.
Limiting buybacks is closer to “communism” than Trump’s energy policies & could distort the market.
1/4
At least 89 Gazans, including children & elderly, are receiving medical treatment in Israel. Most have been in Jerusalem for this purpose since before the war.
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
‘A death sentence for my son’: Israel plans to deport sick Palestinians back to Gaza, patients and doctors say | CNN
Yamen Al-Najjar recalls his past life – the days when he went to school and laughed regularly. Today, the 16-year-old lives with his mother in a cramped 6-square-meter room, just large enough to hold ...
www.cnn.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
At least 89 Gazans, including children & elderly, are receiving medical treatment in Israel. Most have been in Jerusalem for this purpose since before the war.
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
But Israel abruptly decided to send all Gazan patients back to Gaza next week.
Unless third countries take them ASAP, many will die 🧵
1/
Terrible update on hunger striking political prisoner, Jawhar Ben Mbarek. His sister & lawyers say prison guards ordered inmates to beat him brutally. His condition is awful.
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
« Ils l’ont tabassé jusqu’à l’évanouissement » : Dalila Ben Mbarek dénonce une agression brutale contre son frère Jaouhar - Business News
« Ils l’ont tabassé jusqu’à l’évanouissement » : Dalila Ben Mbarek dénonce une agression brutale contre son frère Jaouhar - BN TV Business News
businessnews.com.tn
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Terrible update on hunger striking political prisoner, Jawhar Ben Mbarek. His sister & lawyers say prison guards ordered inmates to beat him brutally. His condition is awful.
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
Jawhar is a good man I’ve known personally since 2011.
He’s fighting for all Tunisians’ freedoms. Autocracy is worsening 🧵
“Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.”
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza since ceasefire
Entire neighbourhoods controlled by Israel have been levelled in less than a month, satellite images show.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:27 AM
“Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.”
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.
Many of the buildings did not appear damaged before being destroyed.