Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Institute & Visiting Fellow Academy of International Affairs-NRW. Leading international work to strengthen economies, our alliances, our democracies, bringing new opportunity to neglected regions.https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mlsx2jlu7223There is a clear alternative to the anti-democratic, ethnonationalism peddled by #Trump, his buddy #Putin, and now dethroned-by-the-democratic- process Hungary's Viktor #Orban. "Progressive internationalism" as Florian Ranft writes here: https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/international-leaders-organize-to?r=3q7fww&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%2Bviewer&triedRedirect=true14 May 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlsx2jlu7223https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mlqfavubs22dFor friends and colleagues committed to international economic transformation, collective security and democratic resilience, still time to apply for this Fellowship at @aia-nrw.bsky.social Great place to extend your work as I did at constructive democratic change. https://www.aia-nrw.org/de/akademie/fellowship/call-2027-28/13 May 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqfavubs22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mlny43rg5c2pEncouraging to see the international community stop "kow-towing" to Trump and other authoritarians. Leading democracies represent a much stronger moral as well as economic centerpoint for the world. Read how nations work together from @dpzberlin.bsky.social https://open.substack.com/pub/heartlandstransformationnetwork/p/international-leaders-organize-to?r=3q7fww&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer12 May 2026 14:16 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlny43rg5c2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mlnsuj46xc2pThe failures of anti-democratic authoritarians & those who peddle ethnonationalism are all around us. Great to see leaders of many remaining strong democracies beginning to team up to articulate a powerful international response. New from partner @dpzberlin.bsky.social https://substack.com/home/post/p-196817264?source=queue12 May 2026 12:43 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlnsuj46xc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mkzpt2rkhc2pRead how democracy-minded leaders across the globe can team up to rebuild economies, extend democratic governance models across emerging technologies, & offer a better political alternative than kleptocratic authoritarians. @theguardian.com @dpzberlin.bsky.social https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/04/centre-left-not-dead-new-counter-trumpian-movemen?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other04 May 2026 12:55 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzpt2rkhc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mksff6v4bs2bLast year I had the great opportunity of a Fellowship at the @aia-nrw.bsky.social I encourage colleagues who are active around international security, economic resilience & democratic stability to apply for the program. Applications are open through May 31, 2026. https://www.aia-nrw.org/en/academy/fellowship/application-2027-28/01 May 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksff6v4bs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mkpskndjf22pVoters tossing out Hungary's Viktor Orban show that a kleptocratic authoritarian inevitably wrecks the economy and alienates voters. Catch my latest on Substack: https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/democracy-goes-on-offense30 Apr 2026 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpskndjf22phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mknt3zhnos22With leadership that tunes into what people care about -- their own livelihoods & communities, functioning education and health care--democracy defenders can reclaim their countries. Read our latest Substack. https://open.substack.com/pub/heartlandstransformationnetwork/p/democracy-goes-on-offense?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email29 Apr 2026 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknt3zhnos22https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mjk7teub3s2rHungary's inspiring example--proving citizens can reclaim their country from autocrats--should encourage democrats everywhere & clearly show #Trump, #Vance and their ilk that days are numbered! https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/15 Apr 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjk7teub3s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mjetumlijc2a#Orban's defeat in Hungary shows a corrupt kleptocracy that ignores the real needs of the people--will be turned out of office. A triumph for democracy portends a similar result in US and elsewhere! Read my piece in the @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/13 Apr 2026 12:16 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjetumlijc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mjcml5mtjc2vTwenty years after we first made real the multi-billion dollar funding for #GreatLakes Restoration, in part by pointing out the tremendous potential economic impact for this industrial heartland region, we see the results all around us! https://www.healthylakes.org/latest-news/environmental-restoration-creates-economic-boom-for-great-lakes-communities12 Apr 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjcml5mtjc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mjck6ziym222We will know soon if "illiberal democracy" playbook, undermining free institutions like press & universities, while enriching family & cronies, will be Viktor Orban's undoing in Hungary! Could foretell end awaiting Trump & Vance as well. Read why via @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social lnkd.in/g2VcBurk https://lnkd.in/g2VcBurk12 Apr 2026 14:18 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjck6ziym222https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mj2wfjbcqs2tNot content to menace democracy only here at home, the President dispatched sidekick JD Vance to try & prop-up anti-democratic leader of Hungary Viktor Orban. Good News! Public is rejecting them both! Read via @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/09 Apr 2026 13:35 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj2wfjbcqs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3miya2doav22yDisturbing that JD Vance is in Hungary helping authoritarian leader Viktor Orban cling to power. The good news is that the public in Hungary, just as in the US, is sick and tired of strongman kleptocracies that make life harder, not easier for their citizens. https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/08 Apr 2026 11:50 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3miya2doav22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3miw2u2wm422zAs our President contemplates initiating war crimes against the Iranian people, his No. 2 JD Vance heads to #Hungary to try & prop up the chances of another friend of #Putin & enemy of democracy Viktor #Orban. Now wonder voters want to get rid of both! https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/07 Apr 2026 15:11 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3miw2u2wm422zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mivvui24zk2yViktor Orban has so wrecked Hungary's economy voters are ready to cast him out--which could happen in elections this weekend. #Trump, copying Orban's democracy-destroying playbook, has also turned public against him. Read my @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/07/trump-orban-authoritarian-playbook-elections/07 Apr 2026 13:42 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mivvui24zk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mitf4fxx5c2hLocal leaders can push back against authoritarians! Join us in our next Heartlands Transformation Network virtual discussion April 15, and learn how local leaders across our countries are building more resilient democracies. Hosted by Jefferson Educational Society. https://www.jeserie.org/events/details/local-leaders-build-engaged-citizenry-and-resilient-democracies https://lnkd.in/gWbuP4YU06 Apr 2026 13:37 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mitf4fxx5c2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3migqzyb2xk2tLearn how Mayors, local elected officials, civic & education leaders can push back against anti-democratic forces. Join us in this transatlantic discussion: April 15, 2026 10 am ET, 16:00 CET: Local Leaders Build Engaged Citizenry and Resilient Democracies – https://www.jeserie.org/events/details/local-leaders-build-engaged-citizenry-and-resilient-democracies01 Apr 2026 13:06 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3migqzyb2xk2thttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mieccir33s2uDemocratic nations must keep making big investments in people & places that struggle - to bring renewed optimism & pride to people left-behind by economic & social change. Read how from @jefeja.bsky.social @andywestwood.bsky.social https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/the-new-political-economy-of-place31 Mar 2026 13:37 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mieccir33s2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mibuc4ed322rAs some nations walk away from investments in heartland regions, how do leaders at the local and regional level keep these needed efforts going across our democracies? Read latest from @andywestwood.bsky.social @jefeja.bsky.social https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/the-new-political-economy-of-place?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true30 Mar 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mibuc4ed322rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhv5iff7xs2p"Climate diplomacy has become one of the defining arenas of global cooperation in the twenty-first century. When the US retreats from that cooperation, it weakens the collective ability of democratic nations to address shared challenges." https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/buried-villages-fragile-democracies?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share25 Mar 2026 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhv5iff7xs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhsmebahfs2zWhen national leadership is occupied with international damage-doing, local leaders can still link arms with peers & across Atlantic & continue the purposeful work of economic opportunity building & constructive community change. Read @postindustrial.bsky.social https://postindustrial.com/stories/voices-building-new-bonds-and-brighter-postindustrial-futures/24 Mar 2026 12:49 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsmebahfs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhq6lrrvzs2zChemical, coal & historic manufacturing communities across the heartlands of the US and Europe face similar challenges in rebooting economies to find new prosperity today. Read how they succeed, my latest just out in @postindustrial.bsky.social https://postindustrial.com/stories/voices-,building-new-bonds-and-brighter-postindustrial-futures/ https://postindustrial.com/stories/voices-building-new-bonds-and-brighter-postindustrial-futures/23 Mar 2026 13:37 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhq6lrrvzs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhq44ceack2pIn our latest substack, Athens, Ohio Mayor Steve Patterson shares how local leaders in US & Europe, whipsawed by changing national economic & climate policy--can stay the course on economic transformation & the clean energy revolution! https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/buried-villages-fragile-democracies23 Mar 2026 12:53 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhq44ceack2phttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhiklavdb22aCatch this latest about our work with partners in Europe to build a new economy, and bring a new round of economic prosperity to former industrial regions on both sides of the Atlantic. Out in @postindustrial.bsky.social From my work @gettysburg2024.bsky.social https://postindustrial.com/stories/voices-building-new-bonds-and-brighter-postindustrial-futures/20 Mar 2026 12:50 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhiklavdb22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mhijcau3w224Catch our latest Heartland Transformation Network Substack from Athens, Ohio Mayor Steve Patterson. As we face a carbon crossroads, must choose to keep building a clean, green and more prosperous future! https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/buried-villages-fragile-democracies20 Mar 2026 12:27 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhijcau3w224https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mgfxpdnup22nAs US national leadership takes many wrong turns, leaders from US states and cities can join with peers in Germany and Europe to keep advancing, not retreating, on economic transformation, ameliorating climate change, and building more cohesive societies. In Halle, Germany with my US Mayors!06 Mar 2026 18:42 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgfxpdnup22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mfrlmkgoq226Catch this good analysis in @crainschicago.bsky.social by on depth & breadth of the damage-doing by the current Administration to the people and the economies states like Illinois (that just happen to be on the other side of an unfortunate partisan divide). https://www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/trump-funding-cuts-threats-illinois-615b-and-counting26 Feb 2026 16:13 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfrlmkgoq226https://bsky.app/profile/jcaustin.bsky.social/post/3mfjsqosjrk2kGet our Heartlands Transformation Substack! Here colleague @tamaraehs.bsky.social illustrates how local leaders across democracies push back against authoritarians & preserve freedoms! @aia-nrw.bsky.social @gettysburg2024.bsky.social https://heartlandstransformationnetwork.substack.com/p/local-leadership-is-key-to-holding?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true23 Feb 2026 13:59 +0000at://did:plc:bq7aaxtoj3olcl45hopdirbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfjsqosjrk2k