Hungarian Spectrum features daily analyses of news from Hungary—political, economic, and cultural. Its editor and primary pundit is Eva S. Balogh, who formerly taught East European history at Yale University. Guest contributors include Kim Lane Scheppele, professor of sociology and international affairs at Princeton University; Charles Gati, senior research professor of European and Eurasian studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Randolph L. Braham, distinguished professor emeritus of political science and director of the Rosenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York; and Janos Kornai, professor of economics emeritus at Harvard University and Corvinus University of Budapest.
The site, which is archived at the Library of Congress, is recognized by diplomats, journalists, scholars, and representatives of non-governmental organizations as a source of thoughtful analysis and high-level discussion of contemporary Hungarian affairs.
Dear Eva,
I’ve recently been sent a new book manuscript by Bela Pokol (Juristocracy), apparently with the intention that I would either review it or otherwise treat it as a scholarly contribution to be publisized. I never had any contact with thim, nor did I know who he was. So I googled a little bit and that made me very suspicious. The book itself is badly researched and an assault on the independent judiciary. The whole tactic of randomly emailing European legal scholars to spread an ideology veiled as scholarly work is at least problematic, if not outrightly dangerous.
I’m very glad, though, that I did came across your blog while searching for Bela Pokol online. I’d be curious to know whether you could point me to any other resources (in English, German or French; unfortunately I don’t know any Hungarian) to find out more about this person?
All my best
Jasper
—-
Dear Éva,
We had a correspondence before, but I lost your email address. Please tell me the best way to contact you, because I have two questions in regards to Grandhouse International Club – http://www.grandhouseclub.org
Hope to hear from you soon and with my kind regards, Albert Royaards
Sajnálom hogy hazám diktatúra lett.
[…] Hungarian Spectrum – Eva Balogh […]
Tisztelt Dekan-Professzor Balogh: Miutan elolvastam mind Kegyed blogjat a Hungarian Spectrumban, The Day of Honor: neo-Nazi demonstrators celebrate “defenders of European civilization”, by Eva S. Balogh mind pedig Rab Laszlo tanulmanyat, Pokorni Jozsef kabatja cimmel, a lenti ket emailt kuldtem Gabor ocsemnek es egesz csaladjanak. Sajnos amit en ateltem mint 6 eves kisfiu a Varosmajor Liget szelen 1945. januarjaban tukrozi, amirol Rab Laszlo irt. Nem hiszem, hogy edesanyam es nagymamam tudott volna a nyilasok garazdalkodasarol a Varosmajor utcaban. En kulonben elso eves muegyetemista voltam es ott voltam a nagy aulaban 1956. oktober 23-an, amikor megfogalmaztuk a ket magyar nemzeti kovetelmenyt: a szovjet csapatok vonuljanak ki Magyarorszagbol es legyen igazi szabad valasztasunk. Nagyon halas vagyok napi blogjaert a Hungarian Spectrumban. Oszinte tisztelettel: Dr. Pattantyus Janos = John Pattan From: jpattan@cox.net Sent: Sunday, February 9, 2020 8:13 AM Subject: My childhood memories of Nazi atrocities This email is a sequel to my email below. In that earlier email I referred to what I saw in November 1944 from our windows looking down on Bakats utca (Street) as a 6 year-old child: It was an overcast, cold, drizzly November day. I was playing by myself by the far end of the living room… Read more »
Harminckét évem elszelelt
s még havi kétszáz sose telt.
Az ám,
Hazám!
It is very sad, that Hungarian Spectrum do NOT present the real Hungary!
THIS PAGE IS FULL WITH ATTACKS AND HATE AGAINST HUNGARY AND THE HUNGARIAN GOVERMENT (THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE, WHO SELECTED IT)!
THIS IS “NOT” THE TRUE HUNGARY!!
THESE ARTICLES ARE FULL WITH MANIPULATIONS, THAT STIMULATE THE READERS TO HATE!
HUNGARY IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COUNTRY!
WHAT IS YOUR (MRS. BALOGH’S) GOAL WITH THIS HUNGARIAN SPECTRUM?
NOTE THAT:
Romanian martyrs are not nonsense for you!!!!!
You must respect Romanian martyrs!
You mean corruption in the real Hungary is even worse than described here? You might have a point … 🙂
Gàbor
To paraphrase an old Hu joke:
Oh no, there’s no fascism is Hu, but there’s a great demand for it.
Yes, Hu is a quite a different country – it boasts a firm tradition of being suicidal, both on personal and on a societal level (check out the statistics of you doubt this). I guess it’s the result of the most negative national psyche I’ve seen in Europe.
THESE ARTICLES ARE FULL WITH MANIPULATIONS, … can you explain manipulations?
how to get daily analyses of news from Hungary?
Take a look at
https://www.euronews.com/tag/hungary
https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/Hungary
https://dailynewshungary.com/
https://thehungaryjournal.com/
Take a look at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1764036.stm
A memorial to two Hungarian generals executed after World War II on war crimes charges has been unveiled in the capital, Budapest. Justice Minister Ibolya David laid a wreath at the memorial for Gusztav Jany and Ferenc Szombathelyi in the grounds of the Military History Museum. Jany was the commander of the Second Hungarian Army Corps, which fought on the German side on the Russian front. Detail from a memorial plaque A memorial plaque remembers the executed generals After 1945, the Budapest People’s Court sentenced Jany to death as a war criminal and he was executed on 26 November 1947. Jany was rehabilitated after the fall of communism, when in October 1993 the Hungarian Supreme Court annulled the earlier ruling. The second general, Ferenc Szombathelyi, was the Hungarian chief of general staff between 1941 and 1944. After the war he was sentenced to life imprisonment, extradited to Yugoslavia and executed there as a war criminal on 5 November 1946. Szombathelyi has also been rehabilitated in Hungary since the end of the communist era. The Second Army Corps commanded by Jany suffered huge casualties on the Russian front. Hungarian Justice Minister Ibolya David Hungary’s justice minister laid a wreath “Two-thirds of… Read more »
Hungary honours ‘war crimes’ generals
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1764036.stm
Hungarian Army’s war crimes-Part 1
Hungarian Army’s war crimes-Part 2
Hungarian Army’s war crimes-Part 1
Please stop this nonsense. If you won’t I will.
World War II criminal Albert Wass celebration in New York https://hungarianfreepress.com/2016/02/18/world-war-ii-criminal-albert-wass-celebration-in-new-york/ The Orbán government’s drive to glorify World War II‐era fascists has reached the shores of North America. A small group of Hungarian immigrants have started to organize similar events here in the US which enjoy the quiet support of Hungarian diplomats. Last year the Simon Wiesenthal Center requested the cancellation of programs honoring the Hungarian writer Albert Wass. Mark Weitzman, the Center’s Director protested when the Hungarian House in New York scheduled the event; he wrote that it is unacceptable to “celebrate Albert Wass, who has been described by prominent historian and Holocaust survivor Professor Randolph Braham, as a ‘notorious anti‐Semite’ who collaborated with the Hungarian fascist regime during World War II.” Wass murdered Jews and Romanian peasants. In 1946 he was tried and convicted in absentia for war crimes, and sentenced to death in Romania. His anti-Semitic writings are currently banned in Romania. (Wiesenthal Center protests Wass celebration) The Hungarian House in New York ignored Wiesenthal Center’s call. This year another celebration is scheduled for February 26. “In recent days we received emails and phone calls about an event related to the late Hungarian writer Albert Wass, which… Read more »
Oh my GOD!!!
Oh my GOD!!!
NOTE THAT:
Romanian martyrs are not nonsense!
Thank you, Eva for the distillation of Hungarian news. Your service to the country is immeasurable! I believe, some of the opposing voices might be of paid trolls. That’s today’s journalistic climate, sadly accepted. Just keep on thinking, writing, and caring!
Thank you.
Nem értek mindenben egyet az itt leírtakkal és megjelentekkel, de nagyon érdekes beszélgetéseket és vitákat lehet olvasni.
Amolyan igazi “Nép hangja” blog. Van benne minden, mint a valóságban… 🙂
Kár hogy nincs egy Magyar zászló a jobb felső sarokban, amire rákkattintva magyarra fordítva is lehetne mindent olvasni. Többen olvasnák és véleményeznék, jobban ismernék Magyarországon is ezt a blogot. Talán a Soros György által felajánlott 10 ezer dollárból “futná” egy ilyen fejlesztésre (csak egy ötlet)… 🙂
I am so pleased I discovered this site a good while ago. I was devastated when Népszabadság was forced to shut down, as well as Magyar Nemzet. Now, I rely on this site to get real, unbiased news about the beloved land of my ancestors.
As a Western European living in Hungary your blog helps me make sense of the extraordinarily hate filled politics of this beautiful country. Thank you.
As part of the Gender Studies teaching faculty at CEU that is currently under attack by the government, I cannot begin to repay the debt I owe to Éva Balogh for her insightful daily reflections. Since I cannot read any Hungarian-language news without assistance, and the moderate news outlets – let alone leftists – have been vanished from view, this blog provides the most important daily news account I read to remain aware of political development. Let alone the task of making clear the intricacies of state corruption, as a fellow historian I greatly appreciate the blog’s focus on illuminating how the histories of parties and individuals thread together. This is essential reading for anyone outside of Hungary who wants balanced and rational coverage of the events taking place. However, ‘on the inside’ your blog is part of a safety measure I take daily to stay informed so that I can be better prepared for what is coming. Thank you, Éva. Your work is appreciated more than you can know.
Thank you, Dr Balogh, for your important analysis of Hungarian politics. I worked in Hungary for many years during the Communist period (in the 1980’s), and I find few sources in English to understand what appears to be madness from the outside. There are (unfortunately) rational explanations to what is happpening in many East European countries (including Hungary) in my opinion, and your wise observations underline these social disfunctions. With best wishes from Italy
Re: Negativity following “A frustrated Viktor Orbán dismisses his ambassador to Washington” I was surprised by several negative comments posted after this article, and would like to bring them to the group’s attention because discussions of the caliber offered by Hungarian Spectrum are only constructive if we stay on the high ground. I visit this site to obtain detailed information about subjects of paramount importance to my society, but the following strike me as overly negative, even contemptuous: 1.) Balogh Éva wrote: “Szabó has no diplomatic experience to speak of. He finished medical school but after a few years gave up his profession and became a businessman working for pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Teva. He did spend two years at Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, but he knows next to nothing about Washington. How could Szabó possibly be more successful than Szemerkényi has been with her vast experience in diplomacy and her familiarity with the Washington scene? After the CEU scandal the new Hungarian ambassador’s job will be even harder than before. Sending an inexperienced man to replace Szemerkényi is utter madness in my opinion.” RESPONSE: Szabó László spent 17 years working for Eli Lilly, much of it… Read more »
You are not being honest by including my comment, which you took out of context. By juxtaposing our respective comments next to each other, you created the false impression that I was responding to ambator, which I was NOT. I was not even commenting on Szemerkényi’s appearance at all, which is clear when you read the comment in context.
The reason I wouldn’t want to show that picture to anyone if I were Réka Szemerkényi is because for some reason Trump is looking at her like she’s dog poo he just stepped on. That’s why it’s unflattering, not because of how she looks.
http://washington.kormany.hu/ambassador-laszlo-szabo-us-hungarian-economic-relations-are-a-model-for-improving-political-relations
I would like to read more about Sebastian Gorka. Why is his background so hard to verify (from what I read) and why can’t his activities be pinned down and confirmed? I find him to be one of the most annoying people in Washington, and in the Trump Administration. Recent reading tells me I am not alone I was referred to this blog, but am wondering where to find writing about Gorka.
Kristen, I will collect all the info I have on him and will get in touch with you via e-mail
Happy 10th belated anniversary Hungarian Spectrum. Sorry Eva B.S. for missing the actual day of tenth anniversary celebration of your blog, but I had something more pressing then elevating the quality of the comments to a higher level with my opinion. Please accept my congratulation for being able to maintain the blog for such a long time with the financial help of the Soros foundation. It must be a great feeling to be continuously rewarded for your hard work. There is an eloquent explanation of two Hungarian words that I would like to share with you and your faithful followers. SZERETET … szer-etet (love nurtures) and GYŰLÖL … gyűl-öl (hate kills). I guess your uncontrollable hatred against everything happening in the „illiberal” Hungary must be taking its toll on you. I admire the devotion you are displaying every day to unmask the wrongdoings of the Orban government. While I am missing your recognition of the goods which would give the appearance of impartiality to your blog I am not surprised by the absence of such. What I would like to really read from you (I am an optimist) a sensible explanation of how it is that in spite of all… Read more »
Quote from the first paragraph of your article “The “Let’s stop Brussels” questionnaire: Orbán’s silver bullet?” “So I think it’s time to take a closer look at the Hungarian prime minister’s state of mind.” Did you just get your new diploma as a physiatrist or psychoanalyst or just the usual “I know everything” intellect-mania? Why don’t we take a closer look at your state of mind at least once? How can someone hate the three times democratically elected PM of a foreign country with such a passion as you hate Orbán Viktor and his government? Why don’t you declare the real reason behind your blog and the relentless daily attacks on Prime Minister Orbán Viktor and the Hungarian Nation? Yes I said the Hungarian Nation because in spite of the continuous lies flowing out of this and other ultra-left liberal blogs and “main-stream-media” outlets, the current government has been elected by 2/3rd majority in free and democratic elections back-to-back. That means for any clear minded freedom loving person who (wants to) understand the meaning of classical democracy (not liberal democracy) that the Hungarian Nation stood behind Mr. Orban twice in overwhelming majority. That is a bad news for people with… Read more »
Guest
I_reborn
Eva, thank you for not blocking my access (yet). Could this be just an oversight or possibly the beginning of a truce? Is this a ray of hope that you will allow free and civil debating on the site for everybody?
Please reply accordingly for the benefit of all. Also advise if and when I will be allowed back under my real name and e-mail address to join the lucky group of your followers (as I do not get any notification until I am disguised)
Respectfully,
Eva this my the last request to open up your blog to everybody or you will find it on a collision course that will bring it down. Do not blame me for the demise of your ultra left-lib hateful invasions propaganda machine when it dies because of your stubbornness.
You are masquerading in the role of Jeanne d’Arc – Joan of Arc of democratic values while your own blog is under fascist rules. Isn’t that a bit of irony?
Eva it is time to either bring your blog under the free commenting rules by eliminating censorship and free all blocked commenters, or close the blog down all together. The choice is yours but the time to make the right one is running out.
Eva eliminate your B list and let everybody to comment or I will keep playing this cat and mouse game until you get tired of it.
It is time to break down your “fences” and allow the free flow of opinions whatever they may be. That is the essence of REAL DEMOCRACY which you are promoting in words. Follow it up with deeds too!
Eva! I am concerned about what business you have in the Hungarian Government’s “invading horde repellant program” at all as you are not a Hungarian Citizen, not an expat resident of Hungary, not a Hungarian or European tax payer that would contribute to the cost of the refugee program. What gives you the right to get involved with the issue and to comment on it at all? I know; the “kibicnek semmi sem drága”. Show your concern for the migrant crisis with support rather than criticizing those who hold the bag. Deeds speak louder than rhetoric. My suggestion to make a significant donation to a genuine humanitarian organization (e.g. HIAS) to cover the cost of at least one immigrant family of six or eight for three years and send the receipt to OV with your request to accept such family to Hungary. Let’s face it Eva, you are nothing but a tired useless Maleficent having no life other than poisoning the political atmosphere while masquerading in the role of a moral ruler who thinks her views are something that worth to be considered by decision-makers. In reality you are just an insignificant antagonizing scriber, an egotistic fossil who can do… Read more »
“Jogfosztott-Blocked-Chameleon,If you don’t stop the harassment directed against Hungarian Spectrum and against me, I will report you to the authorities.” Excerpt from https://hungarianspectrum.org/2017/05/16/boycotting-the-media-is-counterproductive/ Dear B.S. Eva, Your above quoted one sentence threat almost landed me in hospital with a heart attack. It brought up some bitter memories from the Rakosi era when you called the AVH on your neighbor for listening the Free Europe radio station and when you saw him being taken away in hand-cuffs you got the biggest orgasm in your life. It is frightening to know that you still live by the same guidelines which you learnt in your most receptive age (14-20) … if you cannot solve your problem with someone by peaceful negotiation call the authorities to take care of the matter that you have created on the first place. The only problem with this Dear B.S. Eva that 60+ years passed since and in spite of all your efforts to suppress the rights of others you must come to terms with the fact that everyone’s freedom of speech is protected by Amendment 1 not only ultra-left lib fascist dictators and their followers. I know you would if you could silence me and everybody else… Read more »
Free your hostages Eva. Stop blocking access to this block by opposing opinion commenters. Censorship is not comparable with democracy. It only acceptable and being employed by far left ultra liberal dictators and soros paid political prostitutes. Wake up Eva before too late. 48 hours and counting down!
Blockike,
You take ALL your disrepectful words BACK, you know yourself the ones!
And come back with just one real argument, before anything can be discussed with you.
Wonderful website
Dear Eva,
I want to draw your attention to your website miss configuration. this ultimately gonna be bad for you. your https protocol is inactive and not even set in the host. some browsers such as chrome try to use https by default and then they go to a wrong page. check this out https://hungarianspectrum.org . more importantly it would add to the security of your website if you setup the https protocol correctly.
As a Canadian-Hungarian who has a hard time finding high level articles and analysis on Hungarian affairs, I could not be happier to have found this site!
Thank you very much, Matthias. Welcome. We have a wonderful group of people here.
Just read an interesting article (sorry, it’s in German) on a free software add-on to wordpress called YOAST SEO (Search engine optimisation). Do you already use this, Eva, or have you looked at it?
It might make your blog more accessible – of course, only if you’re interste in it …
Thank you very much for this website — now feeling a little less lonely in Hungary.