Jonathan Derbyshire
@jderbyshire.ft.com
US opinion editor at the Financial Times. Moynihan Center Public Scholar, 2025-26, CCNY
In the latest FT Swamp Notes newsletter (and before the seizure of Maduro), I asked @constelz.bsky.social, @michaelrstrain.bsky.social, @sohrabahmari.bsky.social, Lauren Fedor and Rebecca Katz to offer some guidance to the year ahead in US politics as.ft.com/r/faed7e98-5...
The year ahead in US politics
[FREE TO READ] Friends of the Swamp look forward to what is likely to be a pivotal period, culminating in November’s midterm elections
as.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:22 AM
In the latest FT Swamp Notes newsletter (and before the seizure of Maduro), I asked @constelz.bsky.social, @michaelrstrain.bsky.social, @sohrabahmari.bsky.social, Lauren Fedor and Rebecca Katz to offer some guidance to the year ahead in US politics as.ft.com/r/faed7e98-5...
My contribution to the FT’s Year in a Word series: Affordability as.ft.com/r/f5b79447-4...
Year in a word: Affordability
[FREE TO READ] Americans are feeling the pinch and some Democrats are reaping the electoral dividends
as.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
My contribution to the FT’s Year in a Word series: Affordability as.ft.com/r/f5b79447-4...
In the latest edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter, James Politi and I discuss whether Trump is now a lame duck as.ft.com/r/d490805c-9...
Donald Trump’s affordability crisis
[FREE TO READ] The issue reflects deeper shifts in the US economy that probably cannot be reversed ahead of next year’s midterms
as.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In the latest edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter, James Politi and I discuss whether Trump is now a lame duck as.ft.com/r/d490805c-9...
It's time to restore the civic function of US universities, argues Carlo Invernizzi Accetti
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
It’s time to restore the civic function of US universities
[FREE TO READ] Focusing on research at the expense of teaching has left institutions vulnerable to Trumpian attack
as.ft.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It's time to restore the civic function of US universities, argues Carlo Invernizzi Accetti
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
as.ft.com/r/fd995cdd-c...
In this piece for @financialtimes.com, @lioneltrolling.bsky.social fears for the future of New York's poker clubs if the casino approvals go ahead as.ft.com/r/e6eb3203-3...
Casinos could deal New York’s poker dens a losing hand
[FREE TO READ] They are among the few truly democratic spaces left in the city
as.ft.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In this piece for @financialtimes.com, @lioneltrolling.bsky.social fears for the future of New York's poker clubs if the casino approvals go ahead as.ft.com/r/e6eb3203-3...
Me on the 'Trump corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine and the laws of war for FT Swamp Notes (with Steff Chavez weighing on where this all leaves Hegseth) as.ft.com/r/2537067d-3...
America, the western hemisphere and the laws of war
[FREE TO READ] The new national security strategy advocates the use of force in the US’s backyard
as.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Me on the 'Trump corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine and the laws of war for FT Swamp Notes (with Steff Chavez weighing on where this all leaves Hegseth) as.ft.com/r/2537067d-3...
Reposted by Jonathan Derbyshire
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
Europe’s fateful moment
[FREE TO READ] The EU faces a historic choice: whether or not to unlock frozen Russian assets and save the Ukrainian war effort
as.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
It's that time of year. This seems about right.
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
It's that time of year. This seems about right.
In the latest edition of the FT Swamp Notes newsletter, Alec Russell and I examine American foreign policy in the 'age of the envoy' on.ft.com/48bZ0lR
US foreign policy in the age of the envoy
[FREE TO READ] Trump favours ‘dealmakers’ over diplomats — what does that mean for peace in Ukraine?
on.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In the latest edition of the FT Swamp Notes newsletter, Alec Russell and I examine American foreign policy in the 'age of the envoy' on.ft.com/48bZ0lR
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social prepares to meet Trump at the White House, in today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I ask how the Democrats will deal with the 'Mamdani effect' - with a response from the great Lauren Fedor on.ft.com/3JNZYvj
How will Democrats handle the Mamdani effect?
[FREE TO READ] Centrist incumbents are facing challenges from leftwing insurgents
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
As @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social prepares to meet Trump at the White House, in today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I ask how the Democrats will deal with the 'Mamdani effect' - with a response from the great Lauren Fedor on.ft.com/3JNZYvj
In today's FT Swamp Notes, @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I pick the bones out of last week's election results in the US on.ft.com/49chSlE
What lessons to take from last week’s Democratic victories?
[FREE TO READ] Zohran Mamdani, for one, has a difficult job ahead of him
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
In today's FT Swamp Notes, @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I pick the bones out of last week's election results in the US on.ft.com/49chSlE
Trump's defence of the destruction of the East Wing of the White House essentially relies on running a version of the Ship of Theseus paradox: "Over the years, many presidents have made changes."
October 22, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Trump's defence of the destruction of the East Wing of the White House essentially relies on running a version of the Ship of Theseus paradox: "Over the years, many presidents have made changes."
In which I explore the history of socialism in America from Eugene Debs to DSA and the Milwaukee ‘sewer socialists’ to Zohran Mamdani on.ft.com/47quBib
Will Zohran Mamdani’s rise mark a new dawn for American socialism?
[FREE TO READ] Tens of thousands of volunteers mobilised by the Democratic Socialists of America are working to elect a torchbearer for a beleaguered US left
on.ft.com
October 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
In which I explore the history of socialism in America from Eugene Debs to DSA and the Milwaukee ‘sewer socialists’ to Zohran Mamdani on.ft.com/47quBib
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine -- Friedrich Merz writes for @financialtimes.com on.ft.com/48176hn
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine
[FREE TO READ] We need the mobilisation of resources on a scale that will secure Kyiv’s military resilience
on.ft.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A new financial impetus for peace in Ukraine -- Friedrich Merz writes for @financialtimes.com on.ft.com/48176hn
In which @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I discuss the 'Donroe doctrine' on.ft.com/4mCkigl
Trump’s U-turn on China
[FREE TO READ] There has been a discernible shift in how this administration is dealing with Beijing
on.ft.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In which @ranaforoohar.bsky.social and I discuss the 'Donroe doctrine' on.ft.com/4mCkigl
"Trump namechecked Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell — authors whose works he has undoubtedly devoured."
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
Donald Trump’s adventures in Windsorland
[FREE TO READ] The US president luxuriated in a warm bath of royal pomp and circumstance
on.ft.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Trump namechecked Shakespeare, Dickens, Orwell — authors whose works he has undoubtedly devoured."
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
@jemima.bsky.social on the US president's adventures in Windsorland on.ft.com/4nbU45u
Desmond King, professor of American government at Oxford, for @ftopinion on Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence on.ft.com/46iaWQL
Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence
[FREE TO READ] The killings of an activist, politician and CEO in the past year show the resurgence of violent means across the spectrum
on.ft.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Desmond King, professor of American government at Oxford, for @ftopinion on Charlie Kirk and America’s inability to escape political violence on.ft.com/46iaWQL
In today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I examine the idea of 'state capitalism with American characteristics'. @ranaforoohar.bsky.social responds on.ft.com/4mNZmno
American capitalism: inspired by China?
[FREE TO READ] How are we to understand Trump’s meddling in the US economy?
on.ft.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
In today's edition of FT Swamp Notes I examine the idea of 'state capitalism with American characteristics'. @ranaforoohar.bsky.social responds on.ft.com/4mNZmno
@sohrabahmari.bsky.social and I debate Trump’s federalisation of the Washington DC police force on.ft.com/3JiOmjb
Donald Trump says DC is a ‘horror show’. How should Democrats respond?
[FREE TO READ] Simply denying the president, who rose to prominence in New York’s 1970s crime wave, is not effective politics
on.ft.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
@sohrabahmari.bsky.social and I debate Trump’s federalisation of the Washington DC police force on.ft.com/3JiOmjb
Great to have @gideonrachman.bsky.social writing today's edition of FT Swamp Notes on Wang Huning's vision of America (with a brief response from me) on.ft.com/41L6BE6
China’s vision of America
[FREE TO READ] A book published more than 30 years ago by a close confidant of Xi Jinping now looks uncannily prescient
on.ft.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Great to have @gideonrachman.bsky.social writing today's edition of FT Swamp Notes on Wang Huning's vision of America (with a brief response from me) on.ft.com/41L6BE6
Reposted by Jonathan Derbyshire
George called Dave who called his mate Johnny who owns the manor then George called Robert and Chris to come for drinks and Nigel for breakfast! All united by their determination to bring down the elites!
August 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
George called Dave who called his mate Johnny who owns the manor then George called Robert and Chris to come for drinks and Nigel for breakfast! All united by their determination to bring down the elites!
Reposted by Jonathan Derbyshire
One of the many consequences of Trump is that he strips all our old ambitions down to simple preservation. A year ago I wanted a better Fed, with better tools, one that actually thought about productive loans, like the law says it should. Now I just want the old Fed to survive.
August 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
One of the many consequences of Trump is that he strips all our old ambitions down to simple preservation. A year ago I wanted a better Fed, with better tools, one that actually thought about productive loans, like the law says it should. Now I just want the old Fed to survive.
What if Trump picks an inflation nutter for Fed chair?
@chrisgiles.ft.com asks the question on everyone's lips on.ft.com/47bLqPp
@chrisgiles.ft.com asks the question on everyone's lips on.ft.com/47bLqPp
What if Trump picks an inflation nutter for Fed chair?
[FREE TO READ] With US checks and balances on the retreat, it is unwise to be an optimist
on.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
What if Trump picks an inflation nutter for Fed chair?
@chrisgiles.ft.com asks the question on everyone's lips on.ft.com/47bLqPp
@chrisgiles.ft.com asks the question on everyone's lips on.ft.com/47bLqPp
I've written today's edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter on the Texas redistricting affair (with a reply from our esteemed Washington bureau chief, James Politi) on.ft.com/3UZ5FrS
You say ‘redistricting’, I say ‘gerrymandering’ — let’s call the whole thing off
[FREE TO READ] Democrats face some uncomfortable choices in the face of the GOP’s cartographical shock and awe
on.ft.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I've written today's edition of the FT's Swamp Notes newsletter on the Texas redistricting affair (with a reply from our esteemed Washington bureau chief, James Politi) on.ft.com/3UZ5FrS