John Kampfner
LightNews LightNews
banner
johnkampfner.bsky.social
John Kampfner
@johnkampfner.bsky.social
5.3K followers 360 following 200 posts
Author, journalist
website: www.jkampfner.net
newsletter: https://johnkampfner.substack.com/
Berlin, London

Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
johnkampfner.bsky.social
John Kampfner @johnkampfner.bsky.social · Nov 16
Dear friends, I'm delighted to be here, not as an echo chamber (disagreement is vital), but to be part of an intelligent, non-toxic forum for discussing world events. Where I hope I can add most is on Germany, Europe and how it all fits in. Please link me up with your followers, if you'd like to
johnkampfner.bsky.social
'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
January 17, 2026 at 8:47 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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-...
In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream
Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
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?
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:24 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
What is it about politicians and shades that makes me chuckle?
January 12, 2026 at 1:58 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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-...
In Farage, Trump and Putin have a dream
Don't underestimate the work behind the scenes to turn the UK far-right
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:51 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
A South African take on new-look American soft power
January 8, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by John Kampfner
ipq.bsky.social
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)
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.
ip-quarterly.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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.
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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-...
The Trump, Putin, Xi Show
After Venezuela, Ukraine and E.Europe are in the Kremlin's orbit. As for Taiwan...
johnkampfner.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:39 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
Good morning Berlin
January 3, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by John Kampfner
thenewworldmag.bsky.social
🗞️ 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
January 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
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.
www.gov.uk
December 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
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....
www.schaubuehne.de
December 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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
December 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
A Continent of Power: Does Europe Know Its True Strength? | To The Point
YouTube video by DW News
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:56 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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
johnkampfner.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
Enemies to East and West
European leaders are fully aware of the Trump-Putin link, but dare not say so publicly
johnkampfner.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
Another European domino set to fall
The Czech Republic is heading the way of its far-right neighbours; but is anyone noticing?
johnkampfner.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
Hohenschönhausen is an amazing place. I'm pleased you went there
 Veronica @zyxwv.bsky.social · Nov 28
Hello. So glad to have read 'In Search of Berlin' before visiting the city. And look what I saw for sale in the shop at Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.
November 28, 2025 at 1:14 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
The Far Right is winning its war against the BBC
A well-meaning but frightened broadcaster in a long-term nervous breakdown
johnkampfner.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by John Kampfner
carnegieeurope.bsky.social
❔| #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...
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...
carnegieendowment.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by John Kampfner
foreignpolicy.com
The crisis in which Donald Trump is center stage is one of the deepest yet for the British broadcaster, argues John Kampfner.
Trump’s War on the BBC Is Working
The U.S. government has pushed the legendary broadcaster into a nervous breakdown.
foreignpolicy.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
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...
The Far Right is winning its war against the BBC
A well-meaning but frightened broadcaster in a long-term nervous breakdown
johnkampfner.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
Travelling this morning from Charlbury (Oxfordshire) to Manchester. Three trains, one missed connection, the last train packed liked sardines. One hour late. Could have walked more quickly. Come back German railways, all is forgiven
November 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
johnkampfner.bsky.social
This coming weekend a new museum is opening in the village of Mödlareuth in southern Germany. For decades, its 50 inhabitants were divided by a wall built over a tiny creek. The Americans called it Little Berlin. All these years later it remains incredibly moving
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Big trouble in ‘Little Berlin’: the tiny hamlet split in two by the cold war
A new museum in Mödlareuth tells the story of how a settlement of only 50 people straddled Bavaria in West Germany and Thuringia in the east
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 AM