Is Hungary becoming a rogue state in the center of Europe? Most of the international criticism directed at Hungary over the past nine years has focused on domestic indicators such as the rule of law, separation of powers and press freedom. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been remarkably blunt about his designs for Hungary, citing China, Russia and Turkey as models. After an election in April...
Trump’s aid to Israel isn’t enough Every year at Passover, Jews gather to celebrate God’s freeing our forefathers from bondage. Seated around the seder table, we exult in the song “Dayenu,” which, in Hebrew, translates as “It would have been enough.” Over the course of 15 stanzas, we cite the litany of miracles God performed — “If He had brought us...
Europeans want to break up with America. Deep down, they should know that they can’t. Donald Trump ascended to the presidency challenging the basic precepts of America’s relationship with Europe: NATO, he proclaimed, was not only “obsolete,” but Washington should make its security commitment contingent upon alliance members paying “their fair share.” The European Union was not an ally but a competitor that had been “formed, partially, to beat the...
On the Soviet Origins of “World War III” Days before the 2016 presidential election, candidate Donald Trump warned: “You’re going to end up in World War III over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton.” Good thing President Trump ignored him. Dire predictions about foreign intervention leading to “World War III” aren’t merely the most predictable and laziest form of anti-interventionist “logic.” They’re...
The ‘collusion’ narrative is doing the Russians’ dirty work for them During the 2016 presidential race, then-candidate Donald Trump signaled his spiritual kinship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, basking in the thought that Putin “calls me ‘brilliant.’” A startling web of connections emerged between the Kremlin and various Trump associates. According to a declassified intelligence community report released two months after the election, Russia conducted an...
Gun-control advocates believe their activism will mirror the fight for gay marriage. They’re wrong. Could last month’s mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., be the tipping point that finally persuades Americans to accept more stringent gun control? Though mass shootings are depressingly frequent in the United States, the initial shock and horror after each massacre almost invariably segues to frustrated legislative efforts. This time, however, commentators from both sides of...
You can fight for liberal values without being liberal on immigration In this age of noisy populist movements, many commentators tend to see anti-immigration sentiment as a threat to democracy itself. “The Muslim ban will make us less safe; worse, it erodes our democracy,” wrote retired CIA officer Glenn Carle last year after President Trump tried to restrict entry to the United States by citizens from...
How will Democrats cope if Putin starts playing dirty tricks for Bernie Sanders (again)? When Russia interferes in the 2020 presidential election on behalf of Democratic nominee Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), how will liberals respond? Finish reading this piece in The Washington Post.