John Kampfner

For Europe's sake: time to make up German and Polish history has been hijacked by the far-right

Given the acute Putin-Trump threat, time for Poland and Germany to bury the hatchet. Notes from a recent visit to Warsaw and Gdansk

Ideas that work when politics feels broken | DW News Desk YouTube video by DW News

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...

Greenland was just the start Western leaders are wargaming Trump

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...

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

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...

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

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?

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...

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

In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right

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-...

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?

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...

What is it about politicians and shades that makes me chuckle?

In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right

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-...

A South African take on new-look American soft power

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.

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)

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.

The Trump, Putin, Xi Show After Venezuela, Ukraine and E.Europe are in the Kremlin's orbit. As for Taiwan...

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-...

Good morning Berlin

🗞️ Our latest issue is now on sale - 2026: year of the great reckoning

Featuring Paul Morley, Matthew d'Ancona, @johnkampfner.bsky.social, Paola Totaro, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com, @jamesrball.com and more

Get 10 weeks for £10: buff.ly/yexUlEP

Young people from all backgrounds to get opportunity to study abroad as UK-EU deal unlocks Erasmus+ The UK and EU have agreed that the UK will join the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027, along with further progress in other areas of the UK-EU reset.

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

Glaube, Geld, Krieg und Liebe A new play by Robert Lepage, devised in collaboration with actors from the Schaubühne ensemble. When rehearsals began, there was no text, no story, no characters, and just one object: a deck of cards....

Faith, Money, War and Love at the always-strong Schaubühne in Berlin. If you get a chance to see this here or anywhere else, do. It lasted 5 hours but I didn't notice. I was transfixed (and there were 2 intervals). The best thing I've seen in 2025.
www.schaubuehne.de/en/produktio...

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

YouTube video by DW News A Continent of Power: Does Europe Know Its True Strength? | To The Point

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.dw.com. We do it in German and English. This is the English one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFRq...

Enemies to East and West European leaders are fully aware of the Trump-Putin link, but dare not say so publicly

Good to be with Rutte, Sec Gen NATO, and Wadephul, German Foreign Minister at a @munsecconf.bsky.social 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...

Enemies to East and West European leaders are fully aware of the Trump-Putin link, but dare not say so publicly

This piece of analysis which I have just posted, first @foreignpolicy.com and now updated in my newsletter, is the result of several conversations with defence and security officials and politicians. It is stark in its warning. We are in grave danger
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/enemies-to...

Another European domino set to fall The Czech Republic is heading the way of its far-right neighbours; but is anyone noticing?

During a recent trip to Prague, I was struck by the mismatch between the mood on the street (especially to foreigners) & the political convulsions. You can see the same in Budapest, Bratislava & elsewhere. That is the sinister smartness of far-right populism
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/another-eu...

Hohenschönhausen is an amazing place. I'm pleased you went there

The Far Right is winning its war against the BBC A well-meaning but frightened broadcaster in a long-term nervous breakdown

As BBC bosses - and their denouncers - appear before parliament, a reminder of the hard-right plotting against the Corporation and of the haplessness of its governance and management in trying to counter it.

johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-far-ri...

Taking the Pulse: Are Europe’s New Asylum Policies a Betrayal of its Values? Hard-line approaches to asylum policy are increasingly common, with crackdowns proposed even by parties that traditionally hold liberal views on migration. Does this shift represent a break with Europ...

❔| #TTP: Are Europe’s New Asylum Policies a Betrayal of its Values?

Hard-line approaches to migration are being proposed even by parties that traditionally hold liberal views. But does the shift break with Europe’s fundamentals?

Nine experts give their takes ⤵️
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...

Trump’s War on the BBC Is Working The U.S. government has pushed the legendary broadcaster into a nervous breakdown.

The crisis in which Donald Trump is center stage is one of the deepest yet for the British broadcaster, argues John Kampfner.

The Far Right is winning its war against the BBC A well-meaning but frightened broadcaster in a long-term nervous breakdown

For as long as I've known it, the BBC has been a wonder for the world - and a mess. It is characterised by some brilliant, but many embattled journalists, some editorial errors, fearful management, hapless governance & far right forces ranged against it
johnkampfner.substack.com/p/the-far-ri...