Klub Kompromat is now in session
by Daniel Barge
Recently President Viktor Orban visited the USA to kiss the anti-globalist ring down at Mar-a-Lago. It was mutual session it seems, and Trump also kissed his ring.
Over the years Orban, probably under instructions from Moscow, which is rumoured to have plenty of kompromat on the dude, has played a highly disruptive anti-globalist role. This was partly understandable before the outright invasion of Ukraine by Putin's Orcs emphasised the actual utility of a strong global rules-based system.
Even with the deaths of tens of thousands in a country bordering his and the possibility of nuclear war, Orban's views and messaging on globalism have not changed one iota. They have, if anything, become even more of a anti-globalist caricature. The suspicion that the Kremlin has extremely compromising material on this guy is the only rational explanation for this.
Over the years Orban, probably under instructions from Moscow, which is rumoured to have plenty of kompromat on the dude, has played a highly disruptive anti-globalist role. This was partly understandable before the outright invasion of Ukraine by Putin's Orcs emphasised the actual utility of a strong global rules-based system.
Even with the deaths of tens of thousands in a country bordering his and the possibility of nuclear war, Orban's views and messaging on globalism have not changed one iota. They have, if anything, become even more of a anti-globalist caricature. The suspicion that the Kremlin has extremely compromising material on this guy is the only rational explanation for this.
But, assuming Orban is not being blackmailed by his Kremlin handlers, how stupid is his position?
While many countries would do fine in a de-globalised world, even one where global trade fell off a cliff, it is also clear that many would not. Despite its flaws, the global system and its component parts (G7, NATO, the EU, African Union, ASEAN, etc.) provide a framework of security, relatively unhindered trade, and general fairness that tends to benefit those weaker nations that would not be able to cut it in a more dog-eat-dog World.
Some might say that the global system is a bad thing for this reason, and that "Geopolitical Darwinism" should be allowed to take its course. There is some merit in that idea, but also there are some rather bad examples of what happens when you move this sort of thing off the page of theory into the World of reality, as we are seeing in the Ukraine:
Women protesting the rapes going on in occupied Ukraine
In a truly de-globalised world, most big, rich, strong countries with access to the sea and nuclear weapons would be OK -- or at least survive. But the countries that would suffer the most and go under would be the small, weak ones. Especially those with indefensible borders, zero access to the sea, and proximity to large, aggressive nations.
Ring any bells?
Yes, Hungary, it seems, ticks all the negative boxes.
Ring any bells?
Yes, Hungary, it seems, ticks all the negative boxes.
Hungary: an indefensible blob that can be starved in weeks
Indeed, this is why it exists at all, as it was the only part of Europe where a central Asian horde could easily ride in and graze their horses long enough to get established -- the original Hungarians!
But the only reason modern Hungary can now survive is because of the kindness and generosity of its stronger neighbours, and because there is an international system that protects its soft, feeble, toad-like body.
Yes, Hungary, the "great crusader against globalism," is exactly the same country that couldn't exist more than a couple of years or possibly even weeks without a globalist system.
Orban's worthless version of Hungary is the ultimate freeloader and bullshitter in the World. It is not a serious country at all. By the very logic its leader promotes, it should not exist at all, except as a mere province of some greater entity, which is exactly how the international globalist system found it, when it helped liberate it from collapsing Communism.
Anti-globalism for a country like Hungary is totally fake.
Yes, Hungary, the "great crusader against globalism," is exactly the same country that couldn't exist more than a couple of years or possibly even weeks without a globalist system.
Orban's worthless version of Hungary is the ultimate freeloader and bullshitter in the World. It is not a serious country at all. By the very logic its leader promotes, it should not exist at all, except as a mere province of some greater entity, which is exactly how the international globalist system found it, when it helped liberate it from collapsing Communism.
Anti-globalism for a country like Hungary is totally fake.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from but at the end of the day NATO and the EU actively undermine the interests of Europeans by pushing endless mass immigration and the all the chaos that that brings. I wouldn't say they are fair or care about security, well not for your average prole anyway. Is the migration pact fair? Is the EU not even bothering to try and defend the boarders secure? Obviously not.
NATO has no involvement in immigration issues. And prior to Putin's schizo war, NATO was just a nerdy military club, even labeled as being „brain dead“ by President Macron. As for the EU, it’s true that it has its shortcomings. However, it’s important to note that the EU’s policies are always a reflection of the national policies of its member states. The EU is bureaucratic and undemocratic, yes. But at the end of the day, its policies are just carbon copies of the actions taken at the national level by its member states.
DeleteBrexit serves as a prime example of this. Despite the promise of improved conditions, Brexit has led to trade disruptions, increased costs, decreaese in income, fewer jobs, travel chaos and most ironically, to record levels of immigration with white Euopeans being replaced with Pakis and other brown folk. But hey, at least they're from the former Empire, right? Not like those white poles. Add to that the first indian PM, truely a BIG WIN for conservative Britons.
So No !! NATO does not undermine European interests. Trump does when he says he'll withdraw american support for the alliance. The EU, while it has its flaws, does not undermine national governments any more than they do themselves. Mass immigration was orchestrated by member states. The inadequate judicial response to both the escalation in crime and the surge in terrorism was caused by member states. The expansion of welfare state expenditures is also a result of decisions made by memeber states. Furthermore, the total relinquishment of our conventional military deterrence is a consequence of a profound lack of foresight by member states. The EU is just a reflection of how member states have been undermining the interests of Europeans for decades. And despite all that, the EU also has its benefits/good side, like this article and the exemple provided by brexit shows.