The military does not like to issue security clearances to people with relatives living in foreign countries because it makes them targets for blackmail. But the Russian invasion of 1956 found the Army with no Hungarian speakers. So they recruited from Hungarian immigrants who were serving in the US Army. Turns out they weren't afraid of blackmail or reprisals at all. "Here is my cousin's address. Send him guns. He will kill many communists." Lots of these guys ended up with long careers in intelligence and Special Forces.
As a Hungarophile of long standing (I visited Budapest in the twilight of the Hungarian People’s Republic and fell in love with what was beneath the layers of dirty soot), I’ve long regarded Orbán as a tragic figure in the Greek sense. He was legitimately heroic in the ’90s in establishing a free Hungary, and then somewhere along the line seems to have been suborned by the very Russians from whose tyranny he helped deliver his country.
All the post-liberal institutions out of Hungary, whatever its recipients may think, likely float on a sea of laundered Russian money. The weird pro-Russian policy tilt across the Le Pen-AfD-Orbán-Fico-et al. axis, which is often obviously against these “nationalists’” own nations’ interests is quite telling, nowhere more so in Hungary, which was always perhaps the most hostile “ally” in the Warsaw Pact.
Jay: One of the good things about aging (78 year old) is the sense of perspective time brings. (Or, should bring, to be more accurate.) Your piece on Hungary was a breath of fresh air. Since I first met my father-in-law I wanted to visit Hungary. By way of explanation, his B-24 was damaged over Linz, Austria in 1945 and limped to Hungary before the crew had to bail out. Hungarian partisans rescued them all and spirited them through the German front lines to the Russian army. He was quartered with a Hungarian family who looked after him until he could be moved to Budapest and then back to his base in Italy. The Hungarians were a generous group who gave what little they had to him and his fellow air crew. They did NOT like the Germans, for obvious reasons, but loathed the Russians just as much. Fast forward to 2023 when I finally made it to Hungary I sought out as many locals as I could in places like the Dohany Street Synagogue and the 1956 Uprising Memorial. They were very unhappy with Viktor Orban and his cronies. This loathing crossed all age groups. They remember 1956 and were incredulous at Putin/Orban love fest. I physically felt the joy of that nation at Peter Magyar's victory as I watched the news feeds. That kind of joy can't be faked. I sense the country will still be to the right of center on social and immigration issues but, I also feel the new government will reflect the will of the majority of Hungarians. Through the presidency, Orban's ilk will still try to exert some influence but Peter Magyar has what is close to a mandate. Anytime something is bad for the Russians and authoritarians in general, is a good day for humanity. Let us hope the falling of this "domino" is the first of many to come.
Always something to learn from you, Jay. Today, it was that Vance’s financial backing would have come (at least in part) from Orbanist Hungary, hence his particular support for the man. Not surprised, but glad to know the depth of that relationship. Looking forward to the “happier piece” soon, but this brings hope and gladness too. Happy Saturday.
In memory of the Mad Hungarians of the US Army.
The military does not like to issue security clearances to people with relatives living in foreign countries because it makes them targets for blackmail. But the Russian invasion of 1956 found the Army with no Hungarian speakers. So they recruited from Hungarian immigrants who were serving in the US Army. Turns out they weren't afraid of blackmail or reprisals at all. "Here is my cousin's address. Send him guns. He will kill many communists." Lots of these guys ended up with long careers in intelligence and Special Forces.
As a Hungarophile of long standing (I visited Budapest in the twilight of the Hungarian People’s Republic and fell in love with what was beneath the layers of dirty soot), I’ve long regarded Orbán as a tragic figure in the Greek sense. He was legitimately heroic in the ’90s in establishing a free Hungary, and then somewhere along the line seems to have been suborned by the very Russians from whose tyranny he helped deliver his country.
All the post-liberal institutions out of Hungary, whatever its recipients may think, likely float on a sea of laundered Russian money. The weird pro-Russian policy tilt across the Le Pen-AfD-Orbán-Fico-et al. axis, which is often obviously against these “nationalists’” own nations’ interests is quite telling, nowhere more so in Hungary, which was always perhaps the most hostile “ally” in the Warsaw Pact.
👍
Jay: One of the good things about aging (78 year old) is the sense of perspective time brings. (Or, should bring, to be more accurate.) Your piece on Hungary was a breath of fresh air. Since I first met my father-in-law I wanted to visit Hungary. By way of explanation, his B-24 was damaged over Linz, Austria in 1945 and limped to Hungary before the crew had to bail out. Hungarian partisans rescued them all and spirited them through the German front lines to the Russian army. He was quartered with a Hungarian family who looked after him until he could be moved to Budapest and then back to his base in Italy. The Hungarians were a generous group who gave what little they had to him and his fellow air crew. They did NOT like the Germans, for obvious reasons, but loathed the Russians just as much. Fast forward to 2023 when I finally made it to Hungary I sought out as many locals as I could in places like the Dohany Street Synagogue and the 1956 Uprising Memorial. They were very unhappy with Viktor Orban and his cronies. This loathing crossed all age groups. They remember 1956 and were incredulous at Putin/Orban love fest. I physically felt the joy of that nation at Peter Magyar's victory as I watched the news feeds. That kind of joy can't be faked. I sense the country will still be to the right of center on social and immigration issues but, I also feel the new government will reflect the will of the majority of Hungarians. Through the presidency, Orban's ilk will still try to exert some influence but Peter Magyar has what is close to a mandate. Anytime something is bad for the Russians and authoritarians in general, is a good day for humanity. Let us hope the falling of this "domino" is the first of many to come.
Hugh Donohue
Marvelous, Hugh. Thank you.
Excellent, helpful article. Thank you.
> Are you Hungary'd out?
NOPE
!
Always something to learn from you, Jay. Today, it was that Vance’s financial backing would have come (at least in part) from Orbanist Hungary, hence his particular support for the man. Not surprised, but glad to know the depth of that relationship. Looking forward to the “happier piece” soon, but this brings hope and gladness too. Happy Saturday.
Thank you!
My take is the election was similar to recent American presidential contests, a choice between the lesser of bad options.