Diplomacy & Crisis News

The three men were captured by the rebel People’s Defense Army but subsequently tortured and killed by a rival outfit.

The operator responsible for security at Techo International Airport (KTI) in Cambodia, Security Aviation Kampuchea (Sakam), is currently renegotiating the [...]

The list of Ukrainian companies in Paris on 7 and 8 April to forge industrial partnerships with French firms was [...]

Since late last year, the number two at the European Union Intelligence and Situation Centre (EU INTCEN) has been Dutch [...]

Tehran needs positive incentives, not just pressure.

America’s pacts should have expiration dates.

The geopolitical uncertainties in the Gulf have created new opportunities for India and Russia to strengthen ties.

In its bid to clamp down on fake news, President Prabowo's administration is arming itself with some concerning powers.

The trip comes days after the Australian leader brokered a deal with Singapore to ensure a continued flow of fuel and gas between the two nations.

https://t.co/YAFhMBm7hA

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 12, 2026

In recent days the ONLY people benefiting from Gulf transit were the Iranians...who were extracting exorbitant fees from whatever rogue nation was willing to risk a transit. With a blockade...their economy will be choked...and the US and our allies are no worse off than we were… pic.twitter.com/K9qvHTWyhO

— Admiral James Stavridis, USN, Ret. (@stavridisj) April 12, 2026

Au Royaume-Uni aussi, le pouvoir semble promis à la droite radicale. Le parti Reform UK de M. Nigel Farage a le vent en poupe. Quinze années d'austérité et de scandales ont discrédité les conservateurs. Dix-huit mois de gouvernement travailliste ont dégoûté les électeurs. Mais un certain (…) / Royaume-Uni, Parti politique

La mort récente de l'activiste néonazi Quentin Deranque a rappelé que la politique se fait aussi dans la rue et prend parfois des formes violentes. Conscients de cette réalité, partis et syndicats se sont dotés, dès la fin du XIXe siècle, de services d'ordre. Contestées ou exaltées, affaiblies (…) / Syndicalisme, Extrême droite, France, Mouvement de contestation, Police, Histoire

« Frappes ciblées », avions de chasse guidés par satellites, missiles bourrés de technologie… La guerre par bombardements aériens, de prime abord aussi simple et contrôlée qu'un jeu vidéo, permettrait d'atteindre efficacement des objectifs stratégiques en préservant la vie des troupes. Pourtant, (…) / Histoire, Conflit, Armement, Aéronautique, Technologie

The de-escalatory logic that will shape negotiations.

Securing access agreements for Turkmen facilities would be of clear utility to Washington, but it is unclear whether Ashgabat would be willing to take the risk.

Implementing the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda and mainstreaming gender have the potential to make UN peacekeeping operations more operationally effective, including by improving situational awareness and strengthening mission planning. Within this effort, military gender advisers (MGAs) play a central role in integrating a gender perspective across the military components of UN missions.

This policy paper examines the role of MGAs in UN peacekeeping operations, drawing on interviews and survey data from gender advisers and focal points across missions.

It discusses how MGAs are situated within the UN Peacekeeping Gender Architecture, variations in recruitment and training of MGAs, and the wide range of roles and responsibilities of MGAs. Furthermore, the paper identifies persistent challenges, including unclear job descriptions, short deployment cycles, limited training, and difficulties in coordination with civilian counterparts. The paper finds that the effectiveness of MGAs is shaped by factors such as leadership support, professional background, gender and cultural dynamics, and resource constraints. It underscores that as peacekeeping operations face financial pressures and structural reforms, ensuring that gender advisers are adequately trained, resourced, and integrated into mission planning will be critical to maintaining operational effectiveness.

Download

The post The Role of Military Gender Advisers in UN Peacekeeping Operations: Implications for Operational Effectiveness and The Future of Peacekeeping Operations appeared first on International Peace Institute.

Plus de revenus pétroliers pour Moscou, et moins de munitions pour Kiev : la guerre au Proche-Orient a d'ores et déjà profité à la Russie. Pourtant, de nombreux experts russes estiment que la déstabilisation de son partenaire stratégique iranien place le Kremlin dans une posture délicate. / (…) / Iran, Russie, Conflit, Géopolitique, Conflit russo-ukrainien 2022-

Although I am currently immersed in the London local elections — speaking with residents, listening to concerns, and experiencing democracy at its most immediate level — I didn’t want to miss the chance to reflect on Hungary’s 12 April vote. I have analysed Hungarian politics for many years, and this election is among the most consequential in the country’s modern history. Balancing local campaigning with international analysis has been a reminder that democratic practice is both local and global, intimate and structural.

Tibor Illyés/EPA

Hungary will hold a parliamentary election on 12 April that many observers describe as the most significant in the country’s modern political history. After 16 years of uninterrupted rule by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz–KDNP alliance, a new political force has emerged to challenge the government’s dominance. The TISZA party, led by former Fidesz insider Péter Magyar, has rapidly reshaped the political landscape and introduced a degree of uncertainty not seen since 2010.

The stakes extend far beyond the composition of the next government. The election will influence Hungary’s economic direction, its approach to the rule of law, and its geopolitical positioning between the European Union and Russia. For many voters, the contest has become a referendum on the political model Orbán has built over the past decade and a half — a model critics describe as “illiberal democracy” and supporters defend as a sovereign alternative to Western liberalism.

How the system works

Hungary is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral National Assembly of 199 members. The PM is elected by a majority of the National Assembly members. The electoral system combines single‑member districts with proportional representation: 106 MPs are elected through first‑past‑the‑post constituencies, while the remaining 93 seats are allocated through national party lists.

Parties must cross a 5% threshold to enter parliament via the national list, although alliances face higher thresholds. A distinctive feature of the system is the “surplus votes” mechanism, which adds unused votes from winning constituency candidates to their party’s national list total. Analysts note that this tends to favour the largest party.

Recent amendments have also redrawn constituency boundaries. Budapest, where opposition parties have traditionally performed strongly, now has fewer seats, while surrounding areas that lean toward Fidesz have gained representation. These changes have prompted debate about the neutrality of the redistricting process.

The political actors 

Orbán’s Fidesz–KDNP alliance is seeking a fifth consecutive term, campaigning on themes of stability, national sovereignty and peace. The prime minister presents himself as the only leader capable of shielding Hungary from external pressures, whether from the EU, NATO or what he characterises as a “pro‑war lobby”.

Péter Magyar, left, of the Tisza Party, and Viktor Orbán from Fidesz, addressing rallies during the campaign (Balint Szentgallay and Akos Stiller via Getty Images)

The main challenger is TISZA, founded in 2024 and led by Péter Magyar. Once a high‑ranking diplomat within the Fidesz system, Magyar broke with the government and has since accused it of systemic corruption and institutional capture. TISZA positions itself as conservative, pro‑European and broadly inclusive, aiming to attract voters across ideological lines.

Other parties remain part of the landscape, though with reduced visibility. The Democratic Coalition, led by Klára Dobrev, continues to advocate for a full restoration of liberal democratic norms and closer alignment with the EU. To the right of Fidesz, the Our Homeland Movement appeals to nationalist voters dissatisfied with the government’s direction. Several traditional opposition parties — including Momentum, the Socialists and Dialogue — have withdrawn from the race to avoid splitting the anti‑government vote, effectively consolidating support behind TISZA.

The issues shaping the campaign

Foreign policy has dominated the campaign, particularly the war in Ukraine. Fidesz has framed the election as a choice between “peace or war”, arguing that the opposition and EU institutions favour escalation. The government emphasises continued cooperation with Russia, especially in the energy sector. TISZA condemns the invasion but has taken a cautious approach to questions of military involvement.

Hungary’s relationship with the EU is another central issue. Approximately €18 billion in EU funds remain frozen due to concerns about corruption and the rule of law. TISZA has pledged to implement the reforms required to unlock these funds, while Fidesz portrays EU pressure as interference in national sovereignty.

Economic concerns are also prominent. Voters face rising living costs, stagnant wages and deteriorating public services, particularly in education and healthcare. Opposition parties highlight the wealth accumulated by business figures close to Fidesz as evidence of systemic corruption. The government points to wage growth and family support schemes as signs of economic resilience.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Tuesday in Budapest. (Denes Erdos / Associated Press)

The campaign has also been marked by allegations of external influence. Reports of Russian‑linked disinformation networks and the increasing use of AI‑generated political content have raised concerns about the information environment. A visit by US Vice President JD Vance in support of Orbán has further underscored the international attention surrounding the election.

What could happen after the vote

A party or alliance needs 100 seats to form a government. A two‑thirds majority — 133 seats — grants the power to amend the constitution and change “cardinal laws”, which govern key areas such as the judiciary, media regulation and electoral rules.

If TISZA were to win a simple majority but fall short of two‑thirds, it could form a government but would face structural constraints, as many institutional reforms require supermajority support. If no party reaches 100 seats, coalition negotiations would be necessary. Analysts note that Fidesz and the Our Homeland Movement share ideological overlaps, though no formal commitments have been made.

Depending on the margin, observers have also discussed the possibility of legal challenges or disputes over certification. These scenarios reflect the high stakes and polarisation surrounding the election rather than predictions about the outcome.

What to watch on election day

 Turnout will be closely monitored, particularly among younger voters who have been highly mobilised during the campaign. The urban–rural divide remains a defining feature of Hungarian politics: while TISZA is expected to perform strongly in Budapest, Fidesz retains deep support in rural areas, where constituency results often determine the overall balance of power.

The performance of smaller parties will also matter. Whether groups such as the Democratic Coalition or the Our Homeland Movement cross the 5% threshold will influence the distribution of list seats. Diaspora votes — particularly mail‑in ballots from ethnic Hungarians abroad — have historically provided several additional seats to Fidesz. Analysts are also watching the role of AI‑generated content and disinformation in the final hours of the campaign.

Why this election matters

The April 12 election is a watershed moment that will decide whether Hungary continues its trajectory as an “electoral autocracy” or returns toward a liberal democratic path within the European Union. The outcome will redefine Hungary’s relationship with Brussels and Kyiv, potentially removing a persistent “spoiler” to EU policy or further entrenching an illiberal vanguard in the heart of Europe. Regardless of the winner, the next government will face the daunting task of navigating an entrenched legal framework and a deeply polarized society.

The post Explainer: Your Guide to Hungary’s Election on 12 April appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

The assets were connected to a network surrounding the South African businessman Benjamin Mauerberger, who is wanted on fraud and money laundering charges.