Károly Patkó, Zebegény (1934). Private Collection

The (Habsburg) Empire Strikes Back

‘The Danubian Compact could serve as a modern, flexible framework for cooperation, focusing on shared economic interests, energy security, infrastructure development, and more. What if the real future of Central Europe does not lie in resurrecting the past, but in reimagining it for a new era? The pieces are there, the question is whether the leaders of these nations are willing to make that leap.’

Hungary, Architect of a New Europe

‘It remains evident that the main actors of the architectures, systems, and organizations of the old world order are stubbornly clinging to their positions, unwilling to acknowledge the need for change. However, Hungary stands ready to take the lead in building a new Europe that prioritizes a more decentralized cooperation among nation-states.’

Initiative to Tackle Cancel Culture in Academia Launched in Hungary

In response to the growing number of reports of party political and ideological bias in Hungarian universities, the Foundation for Transparent Journalism has launched the ‘Transparent Education’ initiative. The project includes the development of guidelines, workshops, and a hotline for students to report such cases.

European Political Community Summit in Budapest – Here’s What You Need to Know

This week, the largest diplomatic event in Hungary’s history, the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, takes place in Budapest. The meeting will be unusual in several respects: the leaders of the states are convening just two days after the US presidential election, which could significantly influence the focus of the issues discussed.

MOL Executive Calls Out Western Hypocrisy on Russian Oil

Chief Operating Officer for the Hungarian oil company MOL György Bacsa recently spoke to the Financial Times about Western powers trying to pressure Hungary into giving up Russian oil imports, while they themselves continue to buy refined oil from Türkiye and India, countries that are still refining Russian crude oil, essentially ‘laundering’ the energy import.

The author at the statue of the Pest Lad, an iconic symbol of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight, at Corvin köz, Budapest.

East Toward Home — An Exiled American Finds His Place Among the Magyars

‘Before I left for America on this trip, I complained to a Magyar friend about how stubborn Hungarians are, and how they refuse to change their ways of doing things, even when there is a plainly better way. “You’re right, we are like that,” she said. “But consider that our hard-headed temperamental conservatism is also the thing that makes us willing to stand up to Brussels and tell them to go to hell.” Touché.’