Last week was a whirlwind but energizing lecture circuit across Europe. I kicked off in the UK with a talk at @UniofNewcastle Population Health Sciences Institute as part of a symposium on the politics of deindustrialization and health—many thanks to @DrMcNamara & @caraleavey for organizing. I also had the privilege of getting an introduction to Newcastle as a working-class city, thanks to my brilliant political theorist friend, @BortunVladimir. From there, I traveled to Vienna, where I had the pleasure of reconnecting with political comrades from the 2010s. At @ceu, I joined @bernadett_szel's class for a sobering yet empowering discussion on democracy and illiberalism with her engaged students. Later, I gave a talk at the @ceuPERG / Political Science Department on the politics of deaths of despair in Eastern Europe and the United States. Vienna also brought the chance to catch up with another old friend with whom we fought against Orban together, @david_dorosz, who has transitioned from frontline politics to an inspiring writing career. It was truly refreshing to reconnect with so many old and new friends in Europe. From Monday, back to teaching @GUQatar. These are dark times in international politics, but they feel a little less daunting when you know you’re not alone. Democracy withers in cynicism but thrives on commitment. Let’s keep pushing forward. – at Doha, Qatar