John Kampfner
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
Author, journalist website: www.jkampfner.net newsletter: https://johnkampfner.substack.com/ Berlin, London
Just read the chapter on Estonia in the @johnkampfner.bsky.social book ‘Braver New World’ -Their success in digital ID contrasts with our timid and counterproductive attempts to do something similar. In particular Starmer turned a country broadly sympathetic to the idea of ID to a hostile one.
Which of the three, Germany, France or the UK has most cause for optimism, or least cause for pessimism? The chart changes all the time, but for the moment... johnkampfner.substack.com/p/wholl-be-t...
Who'll be the first to slay the populist dragon?
The new British PM is the first out of the blocks
johnkampfner.substack.com
One of a series of 'Braver New World' events in the UK and around Europe this autumn. The Henley Lit Festival is always one of the most enjoyable. Looking forward to it. Oct 9.
The Brits’ neuralgia about the Germans is about to go into overdrive johnkampfner.substack.com/p/is-a-germa...
Is a German about to save the English?
The painful irony after 60 years of hurt
johnkampfner.substack.com
Braver New World by John Kampfner: Enlightenment under threat
Braver New World by John Kampfner: Enlightenment under threat
The active narration ensures the reader is right by the author’s side through this epic journey of discovery
irishtimes.com
Also public housing does not have to be bad: read about what they do in Vienna, which @johnkampfner.bsky.social devoted a chapter of his book to, reviewed by me here www.ft.com/content/7de3...
Braver New World by John Kampfner — how to be bold in troubled times
A rattlingly readable analysis of good public policy in 10 countries — and what the rest of the globe can learn from it
ft.com
Can democracy become more resilient by being bolder? In the latest #HowToFixDemocracy podcast, Andrew Keen speaks with John Kampfner about why resilience, imagination & political courage are essential to renewing democracy.🎧https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fRsEaQulEWLGrkpMLed90
Gah I’m buying too many books. But look at the beauties I have to read!
It was a delight to have long conversation with the folks @politico.eu about the best practice Europe can learn from others. Hope you enjoy the podcast www.politico.eu/podcast/brus...
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
This week, NATO leaders gathered in Ankara — giving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a powerful stage at a moment when Turkey’s strategic value to Europe is rising. Sarah Wheaton speaks to Aslı …
politico.eu
Europe is embracing Turkey as Donald Trump’s commitment to the continent’s security wanes. But Ankara’s human rights record makes it awkward. 🎙️ On #BrusselsPlaybookPod, @swheatonjourno.bsky.social unpacks it with @asliaydintasbas.bsky.social. + We discuss @johnkampfner.bsky.social's new book.
Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
Podcast Episode · Brussels Playbook Podcast · 10 July · 42min
podcasts.apple.com
@johnkampfner.bsky.social great to hear about what is possible for liberal democracies to succeed in this populist era
First Bluesky post with a lovely review of my book My Neighbour, The Dictator, covering four years immediately after Suharto’s brutal coup and yes, he did live in my neighbourhood. @johnkampfner.bsky.social @thenewworldmag.bsky.social @monsoonbooks.bsky.social www.thenewworld.co.uk/john-kampfne...
Looking forward to it @radixuk.bsky.social
Radix Big Tent - RBT@radixuk.bsky.social · last mo.Could things actually get better? 💭 📣 Join an interactive #webinar with @johnkampfner.bsky.social & @vicky-pryce.bsky.social on what the UK might learn from other countries' innovative policy solutions 📅 Wed 8th July, 6PM 🎟️ Register & take part 👇 www.radixbigtent.org.uk/events/could... #FreeWebinar
The 7th UK prime minister in 10 years. Will he finally be the one?
Does Burnham have what it takes?
Explaining the UK's latest prime minister to a quizzical world
open.substack.com
Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI ✏️ @johnkampfner.bsky.social
Germany wants answers from Andy Burnham
Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI
thenewworld.co.uk
Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI ✏️ John Kampfner ( @johnkampfner.bsky.social )
Germany wants answers from Andy Burnham
Britain's European allies want to know what a new PM would mean for defence, Ukraine, energy and AI
buff.ly
It wasn't about character or charisma; it was about courage
The lesson for Burnham - before it's too late
It wasn't an absence of charisma that did for Starmer; it was an absence of courage
open.substack.com
The World Tonight & Crossing Continents were the last BBC programmes that dealt in depth with global affairs. Their demise says everything you need to know about priorities in British public life, which is mired more than at any time in monolingual mediocrity and insularity. You reap what you sow.
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2mo agoBBC to axe Radio 4’s The World Tonight after more than 50 years
The World Tonight & Crossing Continents were the last BBC programmes that dealt in depth with global affairs. Their demise says everything you need to know about priorities in British public life, which is mired more than at any time in monolingual mediocrity and insularity. You reap what you sow.
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2mo agoBBC to axe Radio 4’s The World Tonight after more than 50 years
How more brazen could the attacks be? And yet British politicians and voters are in perpetual denial about the Russia threat. inews.co.uk/opinion/puti...
Putin is not even hiding his threat to Britain – but we're still in denial
This is just the latest in a string of tawdry crimes carried out by often petty criminals on behalf of the Kremlin
inews.co.uk
Opinion | Putin is not even hiding his threat to Britain – but we’re still in denial 'Yet, in terms of the Putin threat closer to home, the British public still seems in denial.' 🖋️ John Kampfner Read more: trib.al/nwXqjIo
Much of Estonia’s strength revolves around digital technology, argues John Kampfner. It is ranked among the most efficient systems of e-government, alongside one of the strongest systems of cybersecurity.
Estonia Has Lessons for Us All
The small Baltic country has refashioned the relationship between citizens and the state for the current moment.
foreignpolicy.com
When people talk about tech they focus on convenience. In Estonia, all 3000 public services are online, 2 weeks a year saved per person. But it's about much more. It's changed the relationship between state and individual, giving citizens full control of their data foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/04/e...
Estonia Has Lessons for Us All
The small Baltic country has refashioned the relationship between citizens and the state for the current moment.
foreignpolicy.com
As parliament debates digitisation of NHS, ridiculously long overdue, two examples of where data sharing is part of much stronger systems. And trustworthy
John Kampfner (@johnkampfner)
As parliament debates digitisation of NHS, ridiculously long overdue, two examples of where data sharing is part of much stronger systems. And trustworthy
substack.com