Jonathan Derbyshire
@jderbyshire.ft.com
US opinion editor at the Financial Times. Moynihan Center Public Scholar, 2025-26, CCNY
Thanks to @tanjilrashid.bsky.social for
inviting me on to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social’s excellent new culture podcast to revisit one of the first pieces I ever wrote for the magazine and to talk about David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at 30 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
inviting me on to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social’s excellent new culture podcast to revisit one of the first pieces I ever wrote for the magazine and to talk about David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at 30 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Infinite Jest is a novel for 2026
Podcast Episode · The New Society | culture from the New Statesman · 31/01/2026 · 26m
podcasts.apple.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Thanks to @tanjilrashid.bsky.social for
inviting me on to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social’s excellent new culture podcast to revisit one of the first pieces I ever wrote for the magazine and to talk about David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at 30 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
inviting me on to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social’s excellent new culture podcast to revisit one of the first pieces I ever wrote for the magazine and to talk about David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at 30 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
One of my first and most vivid childhood memories is of my father’s bewilderment as a relative drove us into Manchester from the airport after we'd been living abroad for a few years, through streets entirely denuded of familiar landmarks. “Where are we,” he kept asking, “where are we?”
January 30, 2026 at 10:31 PM
One of my first and most vivid childhood memories is of my father’s bewilderment as a relative drove us into Manchester from the airport after we'd been living abroad for a few years, through streets entirely denuded of familiar landmarks. “Where are we,” he kept asking, “where are we?”
The mighty Hudson at bay
January 30, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The mighty Hudson at bay
Reposted by Jonathan Derbyshire
My latest Swamp Note: as.ft.com/r/ae01cce7-b... Occupied America @jderbyshire.ft.com
Occupied America
[FREE TO READ] The Trump administration is over-reaching in Minneapolis and creating a sense of dread and anxiety in the process
as.ft.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:47 PM
My latest Swamp Note: as.ft.com/r/ae01cce7-b... Occupied America @jderbyshire.ft.com
In the latest FT Swamp Notes newsletter (and before the seizure of Maduro), I asked @constelz.bsky.social, @michaelrstrain.bsky.social, @sohrabahmari.bsky.social, Lauren Fedor and Rebecca Katz to offer some guidance to the year ahead in US politics as.ft.com/r/faed7e98-5...
The year ahead in US politics
[FREE TO READ] Friends of the Swamp look forward to what is likely to be a pivotal period, culminating in November’s midterm elections
as.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:22 AM
In the latest FT Swamp Notes newsletter (and before the seizure of Maduro), I asked @constelz.bsky.social, @michaelrstrain.bsky.social, @sohrabahmari.bsky.social, Lauren Fedor and Rebecca Katz to offer some guidance to the year ahead in US politics as.ft.com/r/faed7e98-5...
My contribution to the FT’s Year in a Word series: Affordability as.ft.com/r/f5b79447-4...
Year in a word: Affordability
[FREE TO READ] Americans are feeling the pinch and some Democrats are reaping the electoral dividends
as.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
My contribution to the FT’s Year in a Word series: Affordability as.ft.com/r/f5b79447-4...
In the latest edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter, James Politi and I discuss whether Trump is now a lame duck as.ft.com/r/d490805c-9...
Donald Trump’s affordability crisis
[FREE TO READ] The issue reflects deeper shifts in the US economy that probably cannot be reversed ahead of next year’s midterms
as.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In the latest edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter, James Politi and I discuss whether Trump is now a lame duck as.ft.com/r/d490805c-9...
It's time to restore the civic function of US universities, argues Carlo Invernizzi Accetti
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
It’s time to restore the civic function of US universities
[FREE TO READ] Focusing on research at the expense of teaching has left institutions vulnerable to Trumpian attack
as.ft.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It's time to restore the civic function of US universities, argues Carlo Invernizzi Accetti
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
In this piece for @financialtimes.com, @lioneltrolling.bsky.social fears for the future of New York's poker clubs if the casino approvals go ahead as.ft.com/r/e6eb3203-3...
Casinos could deal New York’s poker dens a losing hand
[FREE TO READ] They are among the few truly democratic spaces left in the city
as.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In this piece for @financialtimes.com, @lioneltrolling.bsky.social fears for the future of New York's poker clubs if the casino approvals go ahead as.ft.com/r/e6eb3203-3...
Me on the 'Trump corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine and the laws of war for FT Swamp Notes (with Steff Chavez weighing on where this all leaves Hegseth) as.ft.com/r/2537067d-3...
America, the western hemisphere and the laws of war
[FREE TO READ] The new national security strategy advocates the use of force in the US’s backyard
as.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Me on the 'Trump corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine and the laws of war for FT Swamp Notes (with Steff Chavez weighing on where this all leaves Hegseth) as.ft.com/r/2537067d-3...
Reposted by Jonathan Derbyshire
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
Europe’s fateful moment
[FREE TO READ] The EU faces a historic choice: whether or not to unlock frozen Russian assets and save the Ukrainian war effort
as.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
It's that time of year. This seems about right.
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It's that time of year. This seems about right.
In the latest edition of the FT Swamp Notes newsletter, Alec Russell and I examine American foreign policy in the 'age of the envoy' on.ft.com/48bZ0lR
US foreign policy in the age of the envoy
[FREE TO READ] Trump favours ‘dealmakers’ over diplomats — what does that mean for peace in Ukraine?
on.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In the latest edition of the FT Swamp Notes newsletter, Alec Russell and I examine American foreign policy in the 'age of the envoy' on.ft.com/48bZ0lR
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social prepares to meet Trump at the White House, in today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I ask how the Democrats will deal with the 'Mamdani effect' - with a response from the great Lauren Fedor on.ft.com/3JNZYvj
How will Democrats handle the Mamdani effect?
[FREE TO READ] Centrist incumbents are facing challenges from leftwing insurgents
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social prepares to meet Trump at the White House, in today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I ask how the Democrats will deal with the 'Mamdani effect' - with a response from the great Lauren Fedor on.ft.com/3JNZYvj
In today's FT Swamp Notes, @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I pick the bones out of last week's election results in the US on.ft.com/49chSlE
What lessons to take from last week’s Democratic victories?
[FREE TO READ] Zohran Mamdani, for one, has a difficult job ahead of him
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
In today's FT Swamp Notes, @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I pick the bones out of last week's election results in the US on.ft.com/49chSlE
Trump's defence of the destruction of the East Wing of the White House essentially relies on running a version of the Ship of Theseus paradox: "Over the years, many presidents have made changes."
October 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Trump's defence of the destruction of the East Wing of the White House essentially relies on running a version of the Ship of Theseus paradox: "Over the years, many presidents have made changes."
In which I explore the history of socialism in America from Eugene Debs to DSA and the Milwaukee ‘sewer socialists’ to Zohran Mamdani on.ft.com/47quBib
Will Zohran Mamdani’s rise mark a new dawn for American socialism?
[FREE TO READ] Tens of thousands of volunteers mobilised by the Democratic Socialists of America are working to elect a torchbearer for a beleaguered US left
on.ft.com
October 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
In which I explore the history of socialism in America from Eugene Debs to DSA and the Milwaukee ‘sewer socialists’ to Zohran Mamdani on.ft.com/47quBib
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine -- Friedrich Merz writes for @financialtimes.com on.ft.com/48176hn
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine
[FREE TO READ] We need the mobilisation of resources on a scale that will secure Kyiv’s military resilience
on.ft.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine -- Friedrich Merz writes for @financialtimes.com on.ft.com/48176hn
In which @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I discuss the 'Donroe doctrine' on.ft.com/4mCkigl
Trump’s U-turn on China
[FREE TO READ] There has been a discernible shift in how this administration is dealing with Beijing
on.ft.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In which @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I discuss the 'Donroe doctrine' on.ft.com/4mCkigl
"Trump namechecked Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell — authors whose works he has undoubtedly devoured."
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
Donald Trump’s adventures in Windsorland
[FREE TO READ] The US president luxuriated in a warm bath of royal pomp and circumstance
on.ft.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Trump namechecked Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell — authors whose works he has undoubtedly devoured."
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
Desmond King, professor of American government at Oxford, for @ftopinion on Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence on.ft.com/46iaWQL
Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence
[FREE TO READ] The killings of an activist, politician and CEO in the past year show the resurgence of violent means across the spectrum
on.ft.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Desmond King, professor of American government at Oxford, for @ftopinion on Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence on.ft.com/46iaWQL
In today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I examine the idea of 'state capitalism with American characteristics'. @ranaforoohar.bsky.social responds on.ft.com/4mNZmno
American capitalism: inspired by China?
[FREE TO READ] How are we to understand Trump’s meddling in the US economy?
on.ft.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
In today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I examine the idea of 'state capitalism with American characteristics'. @ranaforoohar.bsky.social responds on.ft.com/4mNZmno
@sohrabahmari.bsky.social and I debate Trump’s federalisation of the Washington DC police force on.ft.com/3JiOmjb
Donald Trump says DC is a ‘horror show’. How should Democrats respond?
[FREE TO READ] Simply denying the president, who rose to prominence in New York’s 1970s crime wave, is not effective politics
on.ft.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
@sohrabahmari.bsky.social and I debate Trump’s federalisation of the Washington DC police force on.ft.com/3JiOmjb
Great to have @gideonrachman.bsky.social writing today's edition of FT Swamp Notes on Wang Huning's vision of America (with a brief response from me) on.ft.com/41L6BE6
China’s vision of America
[FREE TO READ] A book published more than 30 years ago by a close confidant of Xi Jinping now looks uncannily prescient
on.ft.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Great to have @gideonrachman.bsky.social writing today's edition of FT Swamp Notes on Wang Huning's vision of America (with a brief response from me) on.ft.com/41L6BE6