That Meddlesome Monkey, Viktor Orbán

 I do not understand why American Republicans find Viktor Orbán so fascinating, so worthy of emulation. Then, too, I really do not understand much about the Grand Old Party. What had once been the party renowned for shrewd businessmen has become a gathering of the gullible.

Viktor Orbán exists because he is sheltered within the European Union. 

Secret EU plan ‘to sabotage Hungarian economy’ revealed as anger mounts at Orbán

The plan, reported by the Financial Times, reflects the fury mounting across European capitals at what one diplomat called the “policy of blackmail” being pursued by the Hungarian prime minister, who leads the bloc’s most pro-Russia state.

The FT said the strategy involved targeting Hungary’s economy, weakening its currency and reducing investor confidence.

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Hungary’s economy is heavily reliant on the single market, with nearly all its exports going across the border to neighbouring countries. According to European Commission data, intra-EU trade accounts for 78% of Hungary’s exports (Germany 28%, Romania, Slovakia, Austria and Italy all 5%), while 3% goes to the US and 3% to the UK.

This leads us to EU agrees €50bn package for Ukraine as Viktor Orbán bows to pressure.

Strong man? No, just another blowhard of a grifter.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch: US launches airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for deadly drone attack.

Joe Biden has warned “If you harm an American, we will respond” as US forces attacked more than 80 targets in Iraq and Syria in a wide-ranging air assault on sites belonging to Iran-linked militias and Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard.

The US president said in a statement that the strikes had been launched in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three US troops in Jordan, adding: “Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing.”

Leo the Lion, or the elephant? 

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