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

‘One of the more striking consequences of the Sept. 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt was that the AfD energized people who had stopped voting, people who had largely given up on politics,’ @johnkampfner in @TIME time.com/article/2026/09/12/…

Enjoyed doing @RidgeandFrost @WilfredFrost - though I'm not sure enjoyment is quite the feeling atm

'The AfD results were seismic' - @johnkampfner The Berlin-based author and journalist goes on to tell @WilfredFrost that the momentum behind the party is "being fomented by voices in Silicon Valley"

He loves being called Germany's most dangerous man. Who is Ulrich Siegmund, the leader of the far right AfD in the eastern German state of Saxony Anhalt and now on the verge of power? I discuss on the Guardian's Today In Focus podcast. theguardian.com/news/audio/2…

Five years ago (next week) I became a German citizen. These are my reflections now, written on the eve of the expected far-right triumph in Saxony-Anhalt theguardian.com/commentisfre…

Tari Lang’s memoir discusses growing up under Indonesia's military dictatorship while much of society carried on as normal ✏️ @johnkampfner buff.ly/xN78U4X

Finished another three books this week. 📚 If We Tolerate This, @trillingual 📚 Braver New World, @johnkampfner 📚 Can We Be Rich Again?, @Jeremy_Hunt Three different perspectives, each asking important questions about Britain’s future, our economy, democracy and the society we are building. I do not read merely to reinforce what I already believe. I read to understand how others see the world, to challenge my own thinking and to test ideas against evidence. Reading widely does not guarantee the right answers, but it usually leads to better questions. What is on your reading list this week? 📚

Why do good ideas rarely travel? @johnkampfner joins @swheaton to discuss Braver New World - and what 🇪🇺 can learn from places that get big things right. Plus: @asliaydintasbas on EU-Turkey ties after the NATO summit. @POLITICOEurope #BrusselsPlaybookPod politico.eu/podcast/brussels…

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts: pod.link/1244862657

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, @swheaton unpacks it with @asliaydintasbas. + We discuss @johnkampfner’s new book. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcas…

Andy Burnham’s determination to take risks, to confront outdated shibboleths, will be key to his success, writes John Kampfner. foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/30…

Of all the various events surrounding 'Braver New World', this one I'm particularly excited about. The How To Academy at the Conduit Club, Mon 6 July, with my old colleague @Peston howtoacademy.com/events/brav…

It wasn't about character or charisma; it was about courage. substack.com/home/post/p-203…

It wasn't about character or charisma; it was about courage. The lesson for Burnham - before it's too late substack.com/home/post/p-203…

It wasn't about character or charisma; it was about courage. The lesson for Burnham - before it's too late substack.com/home/post/p-203…

It wasn't about character or charisma; it was about courage. The lesson for Burnham - before it's too late open.substack.com/pub/johnka…

John I have huge respect for you & your amazing record @BBCNews. Unspun World is a great discussion show with correspondents. That's not the same as on-the-ground reportage, filmmaking and audio-making. The BBC's international output is unrecognisably less ambitious than before

The World Tonight & Crossing Continents were the last BBC programmes that dealt in depth with global affairs. Their demise says everything about priorities in British public life, which is mired more than at any time in monolingual mediocrity & insularity. You reap what you sow.