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Extraction Summary

15
People
10
Organizations
8
Locations
9
Events
5
Relationships
5
Quotes

Document Information

Type: Report/analysis
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Summary

This document analyzes the Trump administration's policy towards the Hungarian government, describing it as a radical departure that allows the Orban government to dismantle democratic institutions without U.S. intervention. It details specific instances of this, including the targeting of NGOs and universities, and highlights high-level meetings between U.S. and Hungarian officials. The document also explores potential Hungarian motivations for appeasement and the hopes of some Hungarians for a stronger U.S. stance on democratic values and anti-Semitism.

People (15)

Name Role Context
Orban Head of government, Prime Minister of Hungary
Dismantling democratic institutions, subject of U.S. policy, welcomed energy investments, potential endorsement of Trump
Leon Botstein Scholar of economics/Judaism and nationalism
Associated with Central European University, listed on 'enemies list'
Allen Feldman Scholar of economics/Judaism and nationalism
Associated with Central European University, listed on 'enemies list'
Fiona Hill Council's senior director for European and Russian affairs
Led National Security Council's policy coordinating committee meeting on Dec 18, 2017
Mitchell Assistant Secretary
Attended National Security Council meeting on Dec 18, 2017
John Bolton Trump's national security adviser
Received Jeno Megyesy at the White House on May 15
Jeno Megyesy Orban's chief adviser on the United States
Met John Bolton on May 15, official point of contact for Carter Page's meetings
Carter Page Then-Trump aide
Had meetings in Budapest during the campaign
Peter Szijjarto Foreign Minister of Hungary
Scheduled to meet Mike Pompeo, visited Washington seven times in 18 months
Mike Pompeo Secretary of State
Scheduled to meet Peter Szijjarto
Donald Trump U.S. President
Administration's policy towards Hungary, insistence on NATO payments, potential recipient of Orban's endorsement
Hillary Clinton Former U.S. presidential candidate
Opponent whom Orban might endorse Trump over
Barack Obama Former U.S. President
Trump's desire to be different from him
David Cornstein New U.S. ambassador to Hungary
Will arrive in Budapest, spoke before Senate Foreign Relations Committee about promoting American values and fighting...
Sen. Benjamin Cardin U.S. Senator (D-Md.)
Expert on Hungarian politics, expressed support for David Cornstein

Organizations (10)

Name Type Context
Figyelo
Pro-government weekly in Hungary, issued an 'enemies list'
Central European University
Soros-funded institution, targeted by Hungarian government, based in Budapest
Open Society Foundations
U.S.-based, harassed by Hungary, moved operations from Budapest to Berlin
Magyar Nemzet
Hungarian newspaper, shut down due to government opposition
Budapest Beacon
Hungarian newspaper, shut down due to government opposition
State Department
U.S. government entity, silent on Hungarian issues, cleared Cornstein's remarks
U.S. Embassy in Budapest
Silent on Hungarian issues, cleared Cornstein's remarks
National Security Council
Held a policy coordinating committee meeting on Dec 18, 2017
NATO
Hungary's defense spending is among the lowest for its members
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
David Cornstein appeared before it in early May

Timeline (9 events)

2017-12-18
National Security Council's policy coordinating committee meeting on U.S. approach to Hungary.
2018-05-15
First high-level meeting between U.S. and Hungary at the White House, John Bolton receives Jeno Megyesy.
White House
Orban government issues an 'enemies list' of ~200 opposition individuals, including U.S. citizens and scholars.
Hungary
Hungarian government erects legal barriers to close Central European University.
Budapest
Hungary harasses Open Society Foundations, leading them to move operations from Budapest to Berlin.
Hungary, Budapest, Berlin
Peter Szijjarto visited Washington seven times in the past 18 months.
Washington
Early May (relative to document date)
David Cornstein's appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Spring (implied)
Magyar Nemzet and Budapest Beacon shut down due to advertisers vanishing over their opposition to the government.
Hungary
This coming week (relative to document date)
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto scheduled to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Locations (8)

Location Context
Central European University is based here, Open Society Foundations moved from here, Hungarian newspapers shut down h...
Open Society Foundations moved operations here from Budapest
Location of high-level meeting on May 15, potential location for Trump to receive Orban
Peter Szijjarto visited seven times in 18 months
Location of Russian Paks II nuclear plant
David Cornstein committed to fighting anti-Semitism here
Source of 'different America' longed for by Hungarians
Primary country of focus, political situation, U.S. relations

Relationships (5)

Trump administration friendly and intensive contacts Orban government
Opening sentence of the document
Jeno Megyesy chief adviser Orban
Jeno Megyesy is Orban's chief adviser on the United States
Jeno Megyesy official point of contact Carter Page
Megyesy was also the official point of contact for then-Trump aide Carter Page's meetings
Peter Szijjarto scheduled to meet Mike Pompeo
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
David Cornstein received support from Sen. Benjamin Cardin
He received strong expressions of support from Republican and Democratic senators, including Sen. Benjamin Cardin

Key Quotes (5)

"The Trump administration's friendly and intensive contacts with the Orban government represent a radical departure: It watches idly as Orban dismantles his nation's democratic institutions."
Source
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Quote #1
"It was time to try something else."
Source
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Quote #2
"The only step left would be for Trump to receive Orban - the first European head of government to endorse Trump over Hillary Clinton and congratulate him on his victory - at the White House."
Source
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Quote #3
"The policy of appeasement signifies abandonment. They would like Washington to keep hope alive."
Source
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Quote #4
"People who suffer from, or are ashamed by, the government's anti-Semitic discourse and attacks on liberal norms long for a different America."
Source
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Quote #5

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