Here it is. Braver New World. Publication date April 16. You can pre-order already (from Amazon, Waterstones or wherever). I'm told that pre-sales are already v strong. I hope it triggers wide debate about political courage and what it takes to tackle the world's many problems. I hope you enjoy
Hungary would hardly seem a major theatre for battle for MAGA. But if Orban turns around a big poll deficit and win - again - it would be a huge boost for Trump, and his plan to paralyse the EU. That's why they're doing all they can to help. My report from Budapest
foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/h...
Even if he loses the general election, Viktor Orbán will retain his grip on the country’s institutions. That could spell disaster for whoever wins – and for Hungary
✏️ @johnkampfner.bsky.social
Buried amid the torrent of MidEast news, but relevant in terms of Trump seeking to divide-and-rule across Europe. If Starmer wants definition - and to be like Churchill? - no better place to start than improving EU ties
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Takeaways: Merz's silence as Trump slates Spain & UK calculated not to antagonise brittle host. Briefing after was that he was robust in private. But does that work? Starmer & Macron tried slavishness & it got them nowhere. Now Trump's new bestie in Europe, Merz will have to decide which way to jump
Merz: a study in body language. He adjusts his tie, holds tightly to the arm of his chair, desperate not to betray any emotion while sitting next to Trump in full flow
As Merz arrives at the White House, the first European leader to do so since the start of the Mideast crisis, the lose-lose politics of dealing with Trump open.substack.com/pub/thenewwo...
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.bsky.social
Tonight of all nights, I’m in Frankfurt speaking to a sell-out audience hosted by the Frankfurt Press Club and Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft on the fate of the UK. On my way I couldn’t resist this visual metaphor. (A famous U-Bahn station in case you were wondering)
Young Königswinter, which I co-chair, brings together smart & innovative Brits & Germans aged 25-30. This year's takes place in Berlin July 29-Aug 2. Keen to get widest voices & backgrounds.
Deadline: March 22.
Info & applics:
ykw.debrige.de/.../02/20/in...
Do pass on. It's an amazing event
Ten countries. Ten solutions to some of the world's biggest problems.
Just seen that Amazon have done a massive deal on the pre-order price of 'Braver New World'. Secure your copy - before the offer runs out. Publication date April 16
www.amazon.co.uk/Braver-New-W...
[Opinion] #EUPolitics: #Merz wants to be #Europe’s #Carney, by @johnkampfner.bsky.social | Politico
www.politico.eu/article/frie...
Excellent piece by @thomaslfriedman.bsky.social @nytimes.com. It's happening right in front of us. And we're all being played
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/o...
Could Poland replace Hungary as the EU’s biggest internal nightmare?
✏️ John Kampfner
With less than two months to go before Hungary's elections, posters such as these are everywhere. Ukraine and the EU are now, according to Orban and Fidesz, public enemy number one
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/...
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.
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
Why Labour governments invariably struggle.
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
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?...
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
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...
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...
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...
