Finding Order in Chaos — An Interview with Dr James Carafano

At the 5th Geopolitical Summit in Budapest, hosted by the Danube Institute and The Heritage Foundation, we spoke with a leading policy strategist about the collapse of liberal institutionalism, the rise of sovereign realism, and the future of conservative foreign policy. As global power shifts, how can nations preserve sovereignty in an era of deep uncertainty?

Echoes from the Balcony: Media and Culture During the Ceaușescu Regime

‘Even in December 1989, with the dictatorship collapsing, state television aired rallies staged in Ceaușescu’s support—only to have them interrupted by live images of his downfall. Journalists, tightly bound to the Party, had no autonomy; their function was transmission, not inquiry. The very system designed to preserve his rule ended up revealing…the fragility of a regime built on spectacle.’

Jacopo Ligozzi, A Chimera (between 1590 and 1610). Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain

(Post)Humanism: Proving Fukuyama Right?

‘Without Christianity, there are no human rights, nor any democracy. Therefore, Fukuyama’s “Last Man” is not the triumph of human history at all, but quite the opposite: as he puts, that will indeed be the “End of History” for humanity. So, will Fukuyama be proved right in terms of humanism and the fallible fate of the “Last Man”? He has always been right.’

The Sanctuary of the Holy Crown: The Castle of Füzér after Mohács

‘Later that same year, on 11 November, Perényi renewed his oath as Guardian of the Crown at Székesfehérvár, pledging loyalty to both the crown and the retainers stationed in the castle. After Ferdinand’s coronation, the crown was kept at Visegrád. However, in 1529, following the castle’s capture, it fell into the hands of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.’

Simon Cottee on Apostasy, Caribbean Jihad, and the Allure of Death

‘Cottee defended cover stories and evasions as part of his work. “Maybe there isn’t a real story at all,” he mused. Hugo Martin wondered aloud if Cottee had found more questions than answers. He admitted that he had, but insisted that the point was to map motives and evasions rather than to hammer out a grand theory.’

Robert Fico Launches Peace Mission Similar to PM Orbán’s Efforts

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, fresh from nearly an hour-long private meeting with Vladimir Putin in Beijing, announced he will deliver a ‘very serious message’ to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Fico’s role echoes Viktor Orbán’s earlier peace missions, though the Slovak leader emerges at a moment when Putin insists no peace is possible without addressing NATO expansion.