Hungary

After years of concerted post-communist political and economic reform, Hungary is an active member of both NATO and the European Union, as well as a close ally of the United States. As with the rest of the Central European region, though, Hungary’s relationship with Western institutions is under stress. Russia and China compete for Hungary’s attention, and concerns over rule of law and economic uncertainty in the country strain transatlantic ties. The United States needs to increase engagement and investment in the region to assist in Hungary’s forward momentum.

Programs

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

Content

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2024

Xi Jinping visited Europe to divide it. What happens next could determine if he succeeds.

By Zoltán Fehér

The Chinese leader's mission during his May 5-10 trip to France, Serbia, and Hungary was to sow division in Europe and to rally countries against “de-risking.”

China Economy & Business

Inflection Points Today

May 3, 2024

China and Europe confront a ‘moment of truth’

By Frederick Kempe

As Chinese leader Xi Jinping travels to France, Serbia, and Hungary, both China and Europe have some soul-searching to do, writes Frederick Kempe.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2024

NATO enlargement at twenty-five: How we got there and what it achieved

By Jerzy Koźmiński and Daniel Fried

Two and a half decades after Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic joined NATO, their membership continues to protect them from Russian aggression.

Central Europe Hungary

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2023

Experts react to the EU starting Ukraine membership talks while failing to agree on aid

By Atlantic Council experts

On Thursday, the European Council decided to open EU accession talks with Ukraine, even as Hungary blocked a proposed fifty billion euro EU aid package to Kyiv.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 23, 2023

Policy memo: How to sharpen the digital pillar of the Three Seas Initiative

By Jörn Fleck, Akshat Dhankher, James Batchik

The Three Seas Initiative and its digital pillar currently lack the credibility needed to attract sustained investments.

Central Europe Digital Policy

UkraineAlert

Jul 25, 2023

Ukraine’s gas storage facilities can play a key role in European energy security

By Sergiy Makogon

Ukraine's underground gas storage facilities are the largest in Europe and offer considerable untapped opportunities to enhance the continent's energy security, writes Sergiy Makogon.

Conflict Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

May 5, 2023

Tantardini in Longitude on Central and Eastern European involvement in space

By Atlantic Council

Marco Tantardini discusses the role of Eastern Europe in the space activities of the EU.

Eastern Europe Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 28, 2023

Hungary has approved Finland joining NATO. But its delays raise deeper concerns.

By Petr Tůma

The problem of an unreliable Hungary will long outlast this foot-dragging over Sweden and Finland, and allies should be prepared to deal with an outlier that’s weakening the system from within.

Hungary NATO

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

<strong>Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?</strong>

By Petr Tůma

The transatlantic community should motivate the opponents of nationalist Robert Fico to get together to prevent a Slovak shift toward Hungary and Russia.

Central Europe Corruption

Atlantic Debrief

Dec 17, 2022

#AtlanticDebrief – What did the European Council summit reveal? | A Debrief from Dave Keating

Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Damir Marusic sits down with Dave Keating, Brussels Correspondent for France24 and Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow, to discuss all the developments coming out of the latest #EUCO meeting.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Experts