John Kampfner
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
Author, journalist
website: www.jkampfner.net
newsletter: https://johnkampfner.substack.com/
Berlin, London
website: www.jkampfner.net
newsletter: https://johnkampfner.substack.com/
Berlin, London
Pinned
On the day of Trump's Davos-Doom, here's an animation that attempts some practical optimism. 'Braver New World'. 10 countries with lessons in radical change to improve lives & strengthen democracy. More on the book to come, including some exhilarating endorsements
Merz & other leaders made clear in Munich that US-fomented culture wars are not for them. But, as Marco Rubio visits Hungary & Slovakia to assist their ultra-nationalist govts, in Poland the battle is fierce. My latest From Our Own Correspondent report is from Gdansk
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
From Our Own Correspondent - Japan's 'iron lady' Takaichi wins landslide victory - BBC Sounds
Young Japanese voters power the country's first woman leader to an historic election win
www.bbc.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Merz & other leaders made clear in Munich that US-fomented culture wars are not for them. But, as Marco Rubio visits Hungary & Slovakia to assist their ultra-nationalist govts, in Poland the battle is fierce. My latest From Our Own Correspondent report is from Gdansk
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by John Kampfner
The true story of this @munsecconf.bsky.social, as of last year’s edition, is that there are two increasingly competing versions of what remains of “the West”, what it takes to salvage the remains and how to rebuild it.
Even Marco Rubio’s “reassurance” makes that abundantly clear.
Even Marco Rubio’s “reassurance” makes that abundantly clear.
February 14, 2026 at 8:29 AM
The true story of this @munsecconf.bsky.social, as of last year’s edition, is that there are two increasingly competing versions of what remains of “the West”, what it takes to salvage the remains and how to rebuild it.
Even Marco Rubio’s “reassurance” makes that abundantly clear.
Even Marco Rubio’s “reassurance” makes that abundantly clear.
Merz sets strong opening tone @munsecconf.bsky.social - a cold dose of reality, as he calls it. 'Europe has just returned from a vacation from history' #msc
February 13, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Merz sets strong opening tone @munsecconf.bsky.social - a cold dose of reality, as he calls it. 'Europe has just returned from a vacation from history' #msc
Why New Labour has struggled to govern - and why the problems at the heart of it are not that hard to solve. My personal thoughts after 30 years of dealing with all the different leaders
Hubris and under-confidence
Labour's woes have long been based in not knowing what to do with power
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Why New Labour has struggled to govern - and why the problems at the heart of it are not that hard to solve. My personal thoughts after 30 years of dealing with all the different leaders
Why Labour governments invariably struggle.
My latest @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/10/s...
My latest @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/10/s...
Why Keir Starmer Is on the Brink
The Labour Party’s decades of backbiting and pettiness have collapsed on it.
foreignpolicy.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Why Labour governments invariably struggle.
My latest @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/10/s...
My latest @foreignpolicy.com
foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/10/s...
Corruption: US worse (naturally). UK worse. France worse. Spain worse. Italy worse...
www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2025
www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2025
Corruption Perceptions Index 2025
The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ranks 182 countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. Find out the scores and read our analysis.
www.transparency.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Corruption: US worse (naturally). UK worse. France worse. Spain worse. Italy worse...
www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2025
www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2025
Reposted by John Kampfner
Feeling depressed about the world? Join the club. So I’m really looking forward to @johnkampfner.bsky.social new book with positive stories of countries that have made a difference in a range of fields. Just pre-ordered my copy.
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
Discover the coutries daring to do things differently with John Kampfner
YouTube video by Atlantic Books
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Feeling depressed about the world? Join the club. So I’m really looking forward to @johnkampfner.bsky.social new book with positive stories of countries that have made a difference in a range of fields. Just pre-ordered my copy.
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
Thank you @martinmckee.bsky.social
Feeling depressed about the world? Join the club. So I’m really looking forward to @johnkampfner.bsky.social new book with positive stories of countries that have made a difference in a range of fields. Just pre-ordered my copy.
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
youtu.be/Ma3LoV841mM?...
Discover the coutries daring to do things differently with John Kampfner
YouTube video by Atlantic Books
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Thank you @martinmckee.bsky.social
Thanks to the brilliant efficiency of Berlin Airport, it's been shut due to a bit of ice. My flight from Geneva on Friday was cancelled. So, shock horror, I took the train, overnighting in Bern, then visiting friends in Freiburg for a few hours today. Note to self: do that again, and again
February 7, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Thanks to the brilliant efficiency of Berlin Airport, it's been shut due to a bit of ice. My flight from Geneva on Friday was cancelled. So, shock horror, I took the train, overnighting in Bern, then visiting friends in Freiburg for a few hours today. Note to self: do that again, and again
Given the acute Putin-Trump threat, time for Poland and Germany to bury the hatchet. Notes from a recent visit to Warsaw and Gdansk
For Europe's sake: time to make up
German and Polish history has been hijacked by the far-right
open.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Given the acute Putin-Trump threat, time for Poland and Germany to bury the hatchet. Notes from a recent visit to Warsaw and Gdansk
A full hour on political courage. What is it? Who has it? What happens if you don't have it? (Clue: liberal democracy collapses). Thanks to @deutschewelle.dw.com @deutschewellerss.newsmast.social.ap.brid.gy for the chance to set out the themes of 'Braver New World'
www.youtube.com/live/ZDoicLz...
www.youtube.com/live/ZDoicLz...
Ideas that work when politics feels broken | DW News Desk
YouTube video by DW News
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:35 AM
A full hour on political courage. What is it? Who has it? What happens if you don't have it? (Clue: liberal democracy collapses). Thanks to @deutschewelle.dw.com @deutschewellerss.newsmast.social.ap.brid.gy for the chance to set out the themes of 'Braver New World'
www.youtube.com/live/ZDoicLz...
www.youtube.com/live/ZDoicLz...
I will get to the optimism agenda, I promise, as it's the central theme of my new book, Braver New World, out in April. But it would be remiss not to talk (again) about this man. I'm afraid we ain't seen nothing yet.
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/he-will-co...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/he-will-co...
Greenland was just the start
Western leaders are wargaming Trump
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:30 AM
I will get to the optimism agenda, I promise, as it's the central theme of my new book, Braver New World, out in April. But it would be remiss not to talk (again) about this man. I'm afraid we ain't seen nothing yet.
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/he-will-co...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/he-will-co...
European leaders are reluctantly coming to terms with seeing Trump as a fully-fledged enemy. They know his so-called retreat on Greenland is tactical. They're waiting to see where he'll strike next
inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
Trump has issued a stark warning: America is now your enemy
The US President is a tactician as well as a thug. He is poised, ready to strike again
inews.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 1:16 PM
European leaders are reluctantly coming to terms with seeing Trump as a fully-fledged enemy. They know his so-called retreat on Greenland is tactical. They're waiting to see where he'll strike next
inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
inews.co.uk/news/world/t...
On the day of Trump's Davos-Doom, here's an animation that attempts some practical optimism. 'Braver New World'. 10 countries with lessons in radical change to improve lives & strengthen democracy. More on the book to come, including some exhilarating endorsements
January 21, 2026 at 10:51 AM
On the day of Trump's Davos-Doom, here's an animation that attempts some practical optimism. 'Braver New World'. 10 countries with lessons in radical change to improve lives & strengthen democracy. More on the book to come, including some exhilarating endorsements
On Dec 31, I wrote a piece: '2026: Democracy's Last Stand'. It began: 'Putin & Trump want to destroy liberal democracy. Can Europe hold out against the twin threats from east & west?' Some said I was overstating the US as enemy rather than unreliable ally
www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...
2026: Democracy’s last stand
Putin and Trump want to destroy liberal democracy. Only Europe now stands in their way. Can the continent hold out against the twin threats from east and west?
www.thenewworld.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 9:12 AM
On Dec 31, I wrote a piece: '2026: Democracy's Last Stand'. It began: 'Putin & Trump want to destroy liberal democracy. Can Europe hold out against the twin threats from east & west?' Some said I was overstating the US as enemy rather than unreliable ally
www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...
I've spent the past few days in Poland. Many are fearful of a Trump 2.0 out-of-control scenario after elections next year. Yet I'm struck by the determination to keep liberal democracy alive. At the impressive European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk they haven't given up hope of something better
January 20, 2026 at 7:50 AM
I've spent the past few days in Poland. Many are fearful of a Trump 2.0 out-of-control scenario after elections next year. Yet I'm struck by the determination to keep liberal democracy alive. At the impressive European Solidarity Centre in Gdansk they haven't given up hope of something better
'What makes the Germans different?' I love the pay-off line. Who indeed might write a book like that? (although I'm not sure that's quite what he meant). Thanks to the friend who sent me this clip of the movie Nuremberg
January 17, 2026 at 8:47 AM
'What makes the Germans different?' I love the pay-off line. Who indeed might write a book like that? (although I'm not sure that's quite what he meant). Thanks to the friend who sent me this clip of the movie Nuremberg
As he acquires another Conservative defector, don’t forget what Farage is about and who wants him to win
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream
Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
As he acquires another Conservative defector, don’t forget what Farage is about and who wants him to win
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
From the get-go, Starmer learnt the wrong lessons from Estonia's popular and successful digital ID. It's about changing relationship between state and individual - not about immigration politics. Once again, he's failed to show courage
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
How not to sell an idea
In Estonia, ID cards are not a tool for snooping but to improve services. Why wasn't Starmer brave enough to tell Brits that?
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:24 AM
From the get-go, Starmer learnt the wrong lessons from Estonia's popular and successful digital ID. It's about changing relationship between state and individual - not about immigration politics. Once again, he's failed to show courage
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/how-not-to...
What is it about politicians and shades that makes me chuckle?
January 12, 2026 at 1:58 PM
What is it about politicians and shades that makes me chuckle?
On the day Reform UK welcomes another Tory defector, why Farage represents as great a danger to liberal democracy as the RN in France and AfD Germany. Trump and Putin have much invested in his success
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream
Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:51 PM
On the day Reform UK welcomes another Tory defector, why Farage represents as great a danger to liberal democracy as the RN in France and AfD Germany. Trump and Putin have much invested in his success
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/in-farage-...
A South African take on new-look American soft power
January 8, 2026 at 5:50 PM
A South African take on new-look American soft power
Reposted by John Kampfner
Also featuring:
@josephdeweck.bsky.social
@rebeccawire.bsky.social
@fraghi.bsky.social
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
@dbroessler.bsky.social
@jeremycliffe.bsky.social
@henninghoff.bsky.social
and more!
The new full issue is up now: ip-quarterly.com/en/winter-20... (2/2)
@josephdeweck.bsky.social
@rebeccawire.bsky.social
@fraghi.bsky.social
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
@dbroessler.bsky.social
@jeremycliffe.bsky.social
@henninghoff.bsky.social
and more!
The new full issue is up now: ip-quarterly.com/en/winter-20... (2/2)
Winter 2026 Issue: New Ideas for Europe
The 22nd issue of INTERNATIONALE POLITIK QUARTERLY focuses on the urgent need for Europeans to strengthen their continent and think in new ways about its structures.
ip-quarterly.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Also featuring:
@josephdeweck.bsky.social
@rebeccawire.bsky.social
@fraghi.bsky.social
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
@dbroessler.bsky.social
@jeremycliffe.bsky.social
@henninghoff.bsky.social
and more!
The new full issue is up now: ip-quarterly.com/en/winter-20... (2/2)
@josephdeweck.bsky.social
@rebeccawire.bsky.social
@fraghi.bsky.social
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
@dbroessler.bsky.social
@jeremycliffe.bsky.social
@henninghoff.bsky.social
and more!
The new full issue is up now: ip-quarterly.com/en/winter-20... (2/2)
Berlin, my adopted city, is inundated with experts talking of a hostile Putin and an out-of-control Trump. Sometimes the quieter voices are the most powerful. At an Orthodox Christmas service last night the exiled priest delivered a beautiful homily juxtaposing aggression to Christian teaching.
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Berlin, my adopted city, is inundated with experts talking of a hostile Putin and an out-of-control Trump. Sometimes the quieter voices are the most powerful. At an Orthodox Christmas service last night the exiled priest delivered a beautiful homily juxtaposing aggression to Christian teaching.
My first piece of 2026 was intended as a general look-ahead. Then the future became the present. How Trump has opened the door to Putin and Xi. The power politics of the hemisphere has been enshrined in Venezuela.
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-trump-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-trump-...
The Trump, Putin, Xi Show
After Venezuela, Ukraine and E.Europe are in the Kremlin's orbit. As for Taiwan...
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:39 PM
My first piece of 2026 was intended as a general look-ahead. Then the future became the present. How Trump has opened the door to Putin and Xi. The power politics of the hemisphere has been enshrined in Venezuela.
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-trump-...
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-trump-...