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The Latest Breaking News from John Kampfner

The shadow of the AfD hangs over German democracy – but I still have faith in my adopted country

As I celebrate five years of citizenship, the far right is poised to take control in Saxony-Anhalt. Courage is needed to defeat it, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Sep 2

For three years I scoured the world for answers to Europe’s big problems – here’s what I found

Japan and Taiwan have enviable care systems because they had the courage to plan – some solutions are radical, most are hiding in plain sight, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · May 14

In a dangerous world, Britain needs its diplomats more than ever – this is no time to axe them

Cut off from Europe by Brexit and cast adrift by Donald Trump, maintaining diplomatic expertise and connections is crucial, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Mar 18

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After a torrid 100 days, Germany’s Friedrich Merz is mocked as a ‘dead man walking’. He must fight back

With the AfD surging, it could soon be the largest party here. But, if he acts now, that dark scenario need not come to pass, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Aug 11, 2025

The British-German conversation deserves more than tired old cliches. Over to you, Merz and Starmer

The chancellor’s first London visit is an opportunity for a modernising reset – on business, defence and even school trips, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Jul 17, 2025

Germany is finally getting a new government – and it will be plunged straight into crisis mode

With the country enveloped in gloom and facing mayhem from the US and Russia, it’s hard to imagine a more fraught time to take power, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Apr 10, 2025

Europe is crying out for leadership. After years of drift, Germany is finally ready to answer

A historic vote to boost spending on defence and infrastructure shows the country is shedding its excess of caution – and its complacency, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Mar 21, 2025

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It’s the liberal German dilemma: Merz is anathema, but he might stand up to Trump

Amid the gloom, the truth is dawning: the country faces hard political choices, and needs a more muscular approach to defence, says journalist and author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Feb 27, 2025

Wednesday briefing: From Berlin to Helsinki – and even in London - barriers excluding the far right are disintegrating

In today’s newsletter: Mainstream political parties are struggling to maintain traditional political boundaries – and have few alternative solutions available

The Guardian - UK · Feb 19, 2025

What it’s like to hike Japan’s sacred Kumano Kodo trail

This tranquil walking route that takes in waterfalls, temples and hot springs is the perfect antidote to Japan’s overtourism, as John Kampfner discovers

The Independent UK · Jan 20, 2025

As the far right gains ground, Germany deserves better from its mainstream politicians

It’s not just the AfD that poses a major threat in this weekend’s regional elections – while traditional moderate parties are failing to inspire voters, says commentator and broadcaster John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Aug 27, 2024

After Robert Fico’s shooting, Slovakia is heading full throttle towards authoritarianism

Since the attempted assassination of the prime minister, the far right has wasted no time in silencing its critics, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Jun 28, 2024

Whether Robert Fico survives and resumes office or not, Slovakia stands on the brink

The shock of an assassination attempt could heal deep divisions Fico exploited, but the omens are not promising, says author and broadcaster John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · May 16, 2024

As Germany’s postwar constitution turns 75, threats to its democracy are looming

The 1949 Basic Law is a source of national pride – but is it still enough to protect the country from the rise of populism? asks author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · May 9, 2024

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The Guardian - UK · Apr 5, 2024

Germany’s murderous history should give it clarity about the Middle East. Instead, it is paralysed

Both domestically and internationally, Germany is struggling to disentangle its past from events today in Gaza, says the commentator and broadcaster John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Feb 2, 2024

In Finland, the ‘existential threat’ of Russia looms – and US rescue is far from certain

As Finns elect a new president in the shadow of Putin’s hostility and a possible Trump return, all eyes are on national security, says author and commentator John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Nov 4, 2023

Germany’s bond with Israel has been admirable – but it is becoming a straitjacket

As the relationship is tested by the Israel-Hamas war, it’s clear a more flexible dynamic is needed to help secure a lasting peace, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Sep 27, 2023

German politics has a built-in firewall against the far right. It’s beginning to crack

Germany is far more resilient to populism than its European neighbours, says John Kampfner, author of In Search of Berlin

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The Guardian - UK · Sep 5, 2023

At a stroke, Slovakia could soon become Russia’s newest ally

Robert Fico, the former PM who showers praise on Moscow and models himself on Viktor Orbán, is leading the polls for the coming elections, says documentary-maker John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Jun 13, 2023

Clowns belong in the circus – but unless we take politics seriously there will be more like Boris Johnson

The former prime minister was a symptom, not the cause, of a political culture that gorges on spectacle and trivia, says author John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · May 18, 2023

The view from Germany on its change of heart about military aid for Ukraine

Letters: Marrie Powell and Renata von Toerne respond to John Kampfner’s article about Germany’s pivotal role in the war

The Guardian - UK · May 15, 2023

Germany’s change of heart is now pivotal to the war in Ukraine. Here’s why

Olaf Scholz’s about-turn on military aid policy will be transformative, says author and broadcaster John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Apr 14, 2023

The Nuremberg trials and the world’s judgment on Putin

Letters: The Soviets had to be dragged into the Nuremberg approach, writes Dianne Hayter, while Maureen Jack says victors’ crimes should also be dealt with

The Guardian - UK · Apr 10, 2023

If we want Vladimir Putin brought to justice, Nuremberg has much to teach us

The blithe indifference of too many countries means Putin may feel safe, but history shows a determined world can prosecute evil, writes author and broadcaster John Kampfner

The Guardian - UK · Mar 13, 2023

BBC cowardice caused the Gary Lineker rebellion. And there will be more unless it finds some courage

The corporation needs clear and consistent rules. But more than anything it must learn to stop cowering before politicians, says writer and broadcaster John Kampfner

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