The Foreign Service Journal, September 2008

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 29 he 10 million-strong Cen- tral European republic of Hungary finds itself in a deli- cate position as the Bush administration prepares to leave office. A staunch ally in what former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld hailed as “New Europe,” the country supported the launch of the war against Iraq in 2003, and currently has troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Budapest is also indirectly affected by Washington’s plans to set up a missile defense system by deploying interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar sta- tion in the Czech Republic. Finally, it has an important role to play in the debate on the future of Europe’s ener- gy supply, where Washington — concerned with Russia’s ever-growing energy muscles — wants its say. While the two governments have cooperated closely, there is a widespread perception of American arrogance among Hungarians. This has many roots, starting with opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a war that many people here deem unlawful and based on lies. News of secret renditions, human rights abuses in Guantanamo Bay and in Iraqi prisons, and alleged manipulation of intelligence data regarding the Iranian nuclear program all made matters worse. And many Hungarians see the refusal of the Bush administration to submit the Kyoto Protocol for ratification, take any real action to combat global warming or support international organizations as selfish and irresponsible decisions. Although the war in Iraq is probably as unpopular in Hungary as in the United States, being part of the “coali- tion of the willing” has contributed to one development that is welcomed by all Hungarians. It appears that Washington may admit the country to its visa-waiver pro- gram, greatly facilitating travel to the U.S. by Hungarian tourists and businessmen, as early as the end of this year. Obviating the need to endure the long, costly and tedious visa application procedure will certainly improve the somewhat negative image of the United States many Hungarians hold. Improvement Is on the Horizon Whatever its outcome, the upcoming U.S. presidential election is likely to improve the opinion of Hungarians about the United States. John McCain is respected as a war hero and as a man of principles as opposed to George W. Bush, but a win by Barack Obama would result in real F O C U S O N T H E 2 0 0 8 E L E C T I O N S B UDAPEST ’ S B ALANCING A CT W HATEVER ITS OUTCOME , THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS LIKELY TO IMPROVE THE OPINION OF H UNGARIANS ABOUT THE U NITED S TATES . B Y Á KOS B EÖTHY T Ákos Beöthy has been writing and editing for Világgazdaság (World Economy) , Hungary’s leading daily business newspaper, since 2000. He covers international and policy issues, macroeconomic trends and the European Union. Earlier this year he spent five months at The Philadelphia Inquirer as an Alfred Friendly Fellow.