Europe politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 day agoWhy US and Russia are backing Viktor Orban in Hungary election
JD Vance's visit to Hungary aims to support Viktor Orban amid a contentious election, reflecting shifting US-Russian relations.
I hope that colleagues like Orban will not become accomplices of Putin and Lukashenko. Because if he blocks the EU 90 billion intended for us, for weapons-which, by the way, are not his money-then from a historical perspective, Orban will become an ally of the fascist Russian regime.
The US's clear military and economic dominance of the postwar world gave it an obvious claim to seniority; however, there was also a strong strain within English conservatism at the time that saw itself as Greeks in this American empire, in the words of former Tory prime minister Harold Macmillan. In other words, even if the Americans were to be the new Romans, extending their dominion over every corner of the globe, without the intellectual, cultural and political guidance of their wise old mother country they would quickly fall into ruin.
Grappling with the loneliness epidemic, the damaging role of social media on face-to-face socialising, and young people's struggles to interact with peers in the post-pandemic era, psychotherapists look for an explanation in the lack of 'community'. Sociologists talk about community as a solution for childcare shortages and the best way to support nuclear families. Anthropologists remind us about the power of collective rituals, and bring up examples of culturally diverse models of communal life.
The Department of Homeland Security's Facebook account recently posted a recruiting notice for ICE under the banner "WE'LL HAVE OUR HOME AGAIN"-the title of a white-nationalist anthem by the Pine Tree Riots ("By blood or sweat, we'll get there yet"). The Department of Labor recently posted a video montage referencing American battle scenes under the tagline "One Homeland. One People. One Heritage. Remember who you are, American"-a slogan close to the Nazi-era Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer.
For one thing, there were too many elements of classical fascism that didn't seem to fit. For another, the term has been overused to the point of meaninglessness, especially by left-leaning types who call you a fascist if you oppose abortion or affirmative action. For yet another, the term is hazily defined, even by its adherents. From the beginning, fascism has been an incoherent doctrine, and even today scholars can't agree on its definition. Italy's original version differed from Germany's, which differed from Spain's.
Orban is currently facing a tough re-election fight against opposition leader Peter Magyar, who has presented the first realistic challenge to Orban's grip on power in years. Last week, President Donald Trump posted a glowing endorsement on his Truth Social account, calling Orban a a truly strong and powerful Leader who fights tirelessly for, and loves, his Great Country and People, just like I do for the United States of America.