John Kampfner

On the day of Trump-Davos-Doom, here's an animation that sets out some optimism. 'Braver New World'. Ten countries with lessons in radical change to improve lives & strengthen democracy. More on the book to come, including some thrilling endorsements

There is a way out: it's called courage. New on my #Substack this week johnkampfner.substack.com/p/there-is-a-w… #CitizenOfEverywhere #Politics #PoliticalBravery

Here it is. Braver New World. Publication date April 16. You can pre-order already (from Amazon, Waterstones or wherever). I'm told pre-sales are already v strong. I hope it triggers debate about political courage and what it takes to tackle the world's problems. I hope you enjoy

The German chancellor is in Washington meeting Trump, a man who sees Europe as irrelevant, who supports Merz’s opponents and who is political poison. What can he hope to gain? ✏️ @johnkampfner thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfner-…

It hurts me more than you that I have to hit you over and over again

The true story of this @MunSecConf, 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.

How much longer do Germans need work to get the economy back on track? Thanks for the invitation to @dwnews talkshow "to the point" with @vahavb (@TheEconomist) and @johnkampfner, hosted by @javierarguedas @IJ_Online @TU_Dortmund youtube.com/watch?v=eYYEAh…

Keir Starmer has little of Tony Blair’s charisma—or political acumen. Unlike Blair, he quickly lost control of his party, argues @johnkampfner. foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/10/sta…

Given the acute Putin-Trump threat, time for Poland and Germany to bury the hatchet. Notes from a recent visit to Warsaw and Gdansk open.substack.com/pub/johnkampfn…

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...

Greenland was just the start open.substack.com/pub/johnkampfn…

This was sobering to write. 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/tru…

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-tr…

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-pu…

The continent's three big players have come together to back Ukraine. But with stuttering economies, surly electorates and pro-Kremlin and pro-Trump extremists bidding for power, will it be enough? 🔍 Analysis by @johnkampfner ➡️ Read more: trib.al/9EMeUoh

The UK's decision to rejoin Erasmus is a rare bright spot in a bleak year. As Deputy Chair of the German British Association I've been pushing hard for links to strengthen. That requires political courage. But we need to realise who our friends are gov.uk/government/new…

Opening of Christmas concert for Ukrainian community in Berlin. Across town Zelenskyy under pressure from the Americans to agree to a peace that would sell out his country

How Europe must - and can - fight back against the twin threats of Putin and Trump. As ever, enjoyed doing the 'To the Point' discussion show on @DeutscheWelle. We do it in German and English. This is the English one. youtube.com/watch?v=yFRqbW…

@DeutscheWelle debate on Europe’s strengths at a time of renewed Trump attacks, w Gerhard Elfers @11ers, @johnkampfner and Stormy-Annika Mildner of Aspen - thanks for including me. We agreed Trump is wrong - but, of course, Europe must act. m.youtube.com/watch?v=yFRqbW…

Good to be with Mark Rutte, Sec Gen NATO, and Johann Wadephul, German Foreign Minister, at a @MunSecConf event in Berlin. "We are Russia's next target. We are in harm's way", Rutte said. It's important that politicians are being so blunt. johnkampfner.substack.com/p/enemies-to-e…