The U.S. Congress returns from its summer recess to try to pass a budget for federal discretionary programs before the fiscal year ends and avoid a government shutdown; the United States and other Western allies accuse Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, raising concerns over intensified strikes on Ukraine; Hungary faces a second deadline to pay a $221 million fine for breaking European Union asylum law, which President Viktor Orbán remains unwilling to follow; and China gifts Cambodia two newly built Type 056 corvette warships, raising questions about Beijing’s naval ambitions.
Far-right candidate Geert Wilders emerged as the biggest political force in Dutch politics in November’s general elections. What does his win mean for the Netherlands and Europe?
Iran and Russia aim to broker a rapprochement between Syria and Turkey; the Israeli Knesset begins its summer session in the face of mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms; Pope Francis makes a three-day visit to Hungary, where he is expected to raise concerns about migration and the war in Ukraine; and a cease-fire fails to put an end to conflict in Sudan.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban won a fourth term in elections where he enjoyed unfair advantages, presenting a thorny challenge for European unity on Russia and the rule of law.
President Trump’s hosting of Prime Minister Viktor Orban will be viewed as a boost to populists and another blow to Europe’s strained political center.
Tensions between the United States and Iran flare, Hungary’s far-right prime minister visits the White House, and Congress and the Trump administration prepare for a showdown.
The European Parliament’s vote to reprimand Hungary over its growing authoritarianism has tested the EU’s readiness to stand up to illiberalism within the bloc.
During his upcoming visit to Washington, marking ninety years of U.S.-Hungarian diplomatic relations, please join Hungarian foreign minister János Martonyi for a discussion of the current state of affairs in Europe from the Hungarian perspective.
Eventwith János Martonyi and Nancy G. Brinker October 19, 2012
Council of Councils
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