De Franse extreemrechtse essayist Alain Soral is in Zwitserland veroordeeld tot vijf maanden effectieve gevangenisstraf wegens antisemitische en homofobe uitlatingen. De uitspraak komt van een rechtbank in het kanton Vaud, waar hij al geruime tijd verblijft.

Volgens de rechters verspreidde Soral herhaaldelijk haatdragende inhoud via zijn eigen kanalen, waaronder zijn website en sociale media. Daarbij hield de rechtbank rekening met zijn lange geschiedenis van gelijkaardige feiten. Soral werd eerder al meermaals veroordeeld, zowel in Frankrijk als in Zwitserland, voor antisemitisme, aanzetten tot haat en discriminatie.

De veroordeling past in een breder juridisch traject dat al jaren aansleept. Soral verscheen bovendien niet op een recente zitting, en er loopt al een nieuwe procedure tegen hem voor feiten uit 2025 en 2026.

Van linkse denker naar extreemrechts polemist

Soral (°1958) kent een opvallend ideologisch parcours. In de jaren 90 was hij korte tijd actief binnen de Parti Communiste Français en profileerde hij zich als cultuurcriticus met een focus op sociale ongelijkheid.

Vanaf de jaren 2000 schoof hij echter steeds verder op richting extreemrechts. Hij sloot zich aan bij het Front National en ontwikkelde een eigen ideologische lijn waarin nationalisme, complotdenken en antisemitisme centraal staan.

Hij richtte ook de beweging Égalité & Réconciliation op, waarmee hij naar eigen zeggen een brug wil slaan tussen links en rechts. In de praktijk groeide de organisatie uit tot een platform voor extreemrechtse ideeën, met een aanzienlijk online bereik.

Hardnekkige aanwezigheid online

Ondanks herhaalde veroordelingen blijft Soral actief via digitale kanalen, waar hij een trouw publiek aanspreekt. Zijn discours speelt vaak in op wantrouwen tegenover media, politiek en gevestigde instituties, en circuleert vooral binnen gesloten online netwerken.

De Zwitserse veroordeling onderstreept de strengere aanpak van haatspraak, maar illustreert tegelijk de grenzen daarvan. Figuren als Soral verdwijnen niet noodzakelijk uit het publieke debat. Ze verplaatsen zich, passen zich aan en blijven invloed uitoefenen in niches waar toezicht moeilijker is.

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L'essayiste français d'extrême droite Alain Soral condamné à 5 mois ferme en Suisse après des propos antisémites et homophobes - RTBF Actus

Concerns are growing in Germany over the spread of neo-Nazi ideas among school students, according to a report by Countercurrents.

Teachers and researchers warn of a rise in extremist language, symbols, and behaviour in classrooms, with some students openly referencing figures like Adolf Hitler or using Nazi slogans. In some cases, this is framed as provocation, but observers note that it can also signal deeper ideological influence.

The report links this trend to the broader online ecosystem, where far-right content circulates widely on social media and messaging platforms, making it more accessible to younger audiences.

Educators are calling for stronger awareness and educational responses to counter radicalisation early. Experts stress that schools are becoming a key frontline in addressing the normalisation of extremist ideas among youth.

The developments highlight ongoing concerns about the persistence and adaptation of neo-Nazi ideology in contemporary European societies.

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“Hello My Führer” – Neo-Nazis in German Schools | Countercurrents

Efforts by far-right parties are putting EU-supported abortion funding at risk, according to reporting by Euractiv.

Right-wing and conservative lawmakers in the European Parliament, including members of the European People’s Party (EPP), are seeking to restrict or redirect funding linked to sexual and reproductive health programmes. The move targets financial support for organisations that provide or promote access to abortion services, both within and outside the EU.

Critics warn that these initiatives could undermine long-standing EU commitments to reproductive rights and global health. Advocacy groups argue that limiting such funding would disproportionately affect vulnerable women and international aid programmes.

Supporters of the proposed changes frame them as a matter of ethical consistency and budgetary control, reflecting broader ideological divisions within the Parliament.

The debate highlights growing tensions over reproductive rights in Europe, as far-right influence continues to shape policy discussions at the EU level.

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Far-right push threatens EU-backed abortion funding | Euractiv

The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament, is cooperating with far-right parties more often than previously understood, according to research reported by The Brussels Times.

The findings suggest this is not incidental, but part of a broader pattern in which EPP members align with far-right actors on various legislative votes and political strategies.

Critics warn that such cooperation risks blurring the line between mainstream centre-right politics and the far right. Supporters within the EPP argue, however, that these alliances are sometimes necessary to secure majorities in an increasingly fragmented parliament.

The report is likely to intensify debate about the direction of European centre-right politics ahead of the next EU elections.

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EU conservatives collaborating with far-right more than previously thought - The Brussels Times

Leaders of Australia’s largest neo-Nazi network are reportedly encouraging supporters to reorganize in small, informal cells after the group officially dissolved ahead of new anti-hate legislation.

The organization, known as the National Socialist Network, announced in January that it would disband before new federal laws targeting extremist hate groups came into force. The legislation was introduced by the government of Anthony Albanese following a series of antisemitic incidents and extremist violence.

However, internal discussions among key figures suggest the movement is attempting to regroup. During a private online session attended by about 200 people, former network organizers reportedly urged sympathizers to build local contacts, continue spreading propaganda and remain “ready and waiting” for future instructions.

One of the speakers, former regional leader Jack Eltis, encouraged followers to stay connected and form small networks while waiting for the movement to reorganize in a new structure. Participants were also advised to cooperate with activists linked to the far-right March for Australia.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the new legislation allows the government to designate groups such as the National Socialist Network as prohibited hate organizations. Membership in such groups could carry prison sentences of up to seven years, while leaders who recruit or direct activities may face significantly longer penalties.

Security experts warn that extremist groups often attempt to evade bans by dissolving formally while continuing to operate through informal networks, online communities or smaller cells.

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Extremists regroup in secret cells, defying hate laws - The Australian

Canada’s military is investigating several soldiers suspected of involvement in WhiteDate, an online network linked to white supremacist ideology.

According to reporting by CBC News, multiple members of the Canadian Armed Forces were identified in connection with the extremist online community. The WhiteDate network operates mainly online, where participants share racist propaganda, discuss extremist ideas and attempt to connect with like-minded individuals.

Military authorities confirmed that the cases are under review and said they take allegations of extremist activity within the armed forces seriously. The Canadian Armed Forces have in recent years tightened their policies and disciplinary procedures to address the presence of extremist ideologies among service members.

Experts say online spaces like WhiteDate are part of a broader ecosystem in which white supremacist networks recruit supporters, spread propaganda and try to build connections with people in sensitive professions, including the military.

The investigations come as Canadian authorities face increasing pressure to confront extremist activity inside the armed forces and ensure that individuals linked to hate movements are removed from positions of responsibility.

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Canadian military personnel identified on white supremacist dating site | CBC Accessibility

On 23 February 2026 a 16-year-old boy from Northumberland has been found guilty of terrorism offences linked to the banned neo-Nazi organization The Base. The verdict followed a four-week trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of membership in the proscribed group as well as possessing and sharing extremist publications. However, the jury could not reach a verdict on a separate charge of preparing acts of terrorism, and prosecutors decided not to pursue a retrial on that count.

During the investigation, police discovered weapons and extremist material at the boy’s home, including knives, a crossbow and other equipment. Officers also found online messages and files revealing his involvement in numerous far-right chat groups across platforms such as Telegram and Snapchat.

Prosecutors told the court the teenager had consumed large amounts of violent extremist content online and had expressed support for white supremacist ideology. Searches for local synagogues were also uncovered during the investigation.

Counter-terrorism officials said the case highlights the dangers posed by online radicalization and the ease with which young people can be drawn into extremist networks. The teenager is expected to be sentenced later this year.

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Northumberland teen guilty over banned neo-Nazi group membership - BBC

Greece’s Supreme Court has upheld the convictions of leading members of the neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn, confirming one of the most significant rulings against a far-right group in Europe.

The court rejected appeals filed by senior figures in the movement, leaving intact earlier sentences that found the organization operating as a criminal network responsible for a series of violent attacks. The original trial concluded that Golden Dawn functioned not simply as a political party but as an organized group involved in coordinated violence against migrants, left-wing activists and political opponents.

Among the crimes examined in the case were the 2013 murder of anti-fascist musician Pavlos Fyssas and several assaults carried out by Golden Dawn members. Prosecutors argued that the attacks were part of a systematic strategy directed by the group’s leadership.

The ruling confirms earlier prison sentences for key leaders and members of the organization. It also reinforces the legal conclusion that Golden Dawn operated as a structured criminal organization rather than a conventional political movement.

Golden Dawn rose rapidly during Greece’s financial crisis in the early 2010s, entering parliament and gaining national attention. But the murder of Fyssas triggered a sweeping investigation that ultimately led to the historic trial and the dismantling of the group’s leadership.

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Appeals court confirms Golden Dawn sentences five years after conviction | eKathimerini.com

The Italian government has appointed Mario Vattani as its new ambassador to Japan, a move that has sparked criticism because of his long-standing ties to neo-fascist networks.

Vattani, a career diplomat who previously served in senior roles within Italy’s foreign ministry, has for years been associated with the Italian neo-fascist movement CasaPound. Under the stage name “Katanga,” he performed at events linked to the group and participated in far-right cultural circles that openly draw on fascist symbolism and ideology.

Critics say the appointment places a figure connected to Italy’s extremist right in one of the country’s most important diplomatic posts. They argue the decision reflects the growing normalization of far-right networks within state institutions under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.

Supporters of the appointment emphasize Vattani’s diplomatic experience, noting that he has served in several high-level positions and previously worked on relations with Asia. But anti-fascist observers argue that his past involvement with neo-fascist circles raises serious questions about the message Italy is sending internationally.

The controversy comes amid broader debates about the influence of far-right ideology in Italian politics and the legacy of fascism in the country’s public life. Critics warn that promoting figures with links to neo-fascist movements risks further legitimizing extremist networks within the state.

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Dal concerto a CasaPound ad ambasciatore in Giappone: la parabola del “fascio-rock” Vattani - la Repubblica

Polish far-right Member of the European Parliament Grzegorz Braun has drawn criticism after visiting Iran’s embassy in Warsaw, a move that has intensified debate over his political positions and foreign policy stance.

Braun, known for his hard-line nationalist views and controversial statements, reportedly met with Iranian diplomats at the embassy in the Polish capital. The visit was publicized by Iranian diplomatic channels and quickly triggered backlash in Poland, where critics accused the far-right politician of legitimizing an authoritarian regime widely condemned in Europe.

The far-right MEP has defended the meeting as part of his broader approach to foreign relations, arguing that dialogue with different governments is necessary. However, opponents say the visit is particularly troubling given Iran’s record on human rights and its tense relations with the European Union and Western governments.

Braun is a prominent figure in Poland’s far-right political scene and has repeatedly sparked controversy in both national and European politics. He has faced criticism in the past for inflammatory rhetoric, including antisemitic remarks and disruptive actions in the Polish parliament.

Analysts say the embassy visit fits a broader pattern in which some far-right politicians across Europe seek to cultivate ties with governments that position themselves in opposition to Western liberal democracies. Critics argue that such contacts risk normalizing authoritarian regimes while undermining the EU’s common foreign policy stance.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of Braun’s role within the European Parliament and his broader political agenda, with opponents warning that far-right actors are increasingly using international contacts to amplify their political messaging at home and abroad.

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Far-right leader signs condolence book at Iran’s embassy in Warsaw - TVP World

A coalition of far-right and populist parties in the Czech Parliament has rejected a motion to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, preventing prosecutors from moving forward with legal proceedings linked to a long-running European Union fraud investigation.

The vote took place in the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers considered a request from prosecutors seeking permission to continue investigating Babiš over alleged misuse of EU subsidies. The case is connected to the so-called “Stork’s Nest” project, which allegedly received European funds intended for small businesses despite being linked to Babiš’s larger corporate empire.

Parties aligned with Babiš joined forces with far-right lawmakers to block the request, allowing the prime minister to retain immunity from prosecution while he remains in office. Critics argue the vote represents a political shield against judicial scrutiny and undermines efforts to enforce anti-corruption rules related to EU funding.

The Stork’s Nest case has been one of the most controversial political scandals in the Czech Republic in recent years. Investigators have examined whether the project was deliberately structured to qualify for EU subsidies reserved for small enterprises. Babiš has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has described the accusations as politically motivated.

Opposition parties condemned the parliamentary decision, arguing that it weakens the rule of law and damages public trust in democratic institutions. They say elected officials should not be protected from legal accountability when credible allegations of fraud are under investigation.

The vote also illustrates the growing influence of far-right and populist forces within the Czech political landscape. By supporting Babiš in the immunity vote, these parties effectively prevented prosecutors from advancing the case, raising concerns among critics about political interference in corruption investigations tied to EU funds.

Source:

Far-right coalition in the Czech Parliament rejects motion to lift immunity for PM Babiš over EU fraud case - European Interest

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has filed a legal complaint after volunteers and migrants were verbally attacked by members of a British far-right group in northern France. The incident took place near migrant camps along the Channel coast, where humanitarian organizations provide aid to people attempting to reach the United Kingdom.

According to MSF, members of the British far-right group confronted migrants and humanitarian workers while they were distributing assistance. Witnesses reported that activists shouted insults and attempted to intimidate both migrants and volunteers. The confrontation was filmed and later circulated on social media, prompting outrage among humanitarian organizations.

MSF stated that the behavior constituted harassment and intimidation directed at vulnerable people and those providing medical and humanitarian assistance. The organization emphasized that its teams operate in extremely difficult conditions in northern France, offering medical care, psychological support and basic services to migrants living in precarious situations.

The area around Calais and Dunkirk has long been a focal point for migration across the English Channel. In recent years, far-right groups from both France and the United Kingdom have repeatedly traveled to the region to stage anti-migrant demonstrations or confront aid groups working in the camps.

Humanitarian organizations warn that such actions increase tensions and further endanger migrants already living in harsh conditions. By filing a complaint, MSF hopes authorities will investigate the incident and send a clear signal that harassment and intimidation of migrants and aid workers will not be tolerated.

The case also highlights the growing cross-border activism of far-right groups that mobilize around migration issues. Campaigners say these groups increasingly use social media to coordinate actions and amplify confrontations with migrants and humanitarian organizations, often framing such activities as “border defense” while critics view them as intimidation and harassment.

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MSF porte plainte contre un groupe d’extrême droite britannique après une agression verbale dans le Nord - Sudouest

A professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is facing criticism after allegedly exposing and labeling students during a campus conference by displaying their names and supposed political affiliations. Critics say the act amounts to doxxing and political profiling intended to intimidate student activists.

The conference, held at the end of February, was organized by ULB professor Éric Muraille and featured French journalist Nora Bussigny as a guest speaker. Bussigny is known for her work and commentary within far-right media circles in France. During the event, presentation slides reportedly displayed the names of specific students along with information about their studies and alleged involvement in political activism or campus protests.

According to reports from the Brussels media outlet Bruxelles Dévie, the slides went beyond political labeling. In some cases, additional personal information about students was shown, including references to their background or origin. One student, for example, was reportedly identified as “Palestinian.” Critics argue that publicly displaying such information in a lecture setting effectively amounts to compiling political files on students and exposing them to public stigmatization.

The conference focused on claims of foreign influence and radicalization within student movements. In the days leading up to the event, more than 500 students and university staff members signed a petition calling for the lecture to be canceled. The university administration refused, stating that it does not censor events and invoking the principle of academic freedom.

The meeting took place under heavy security, with police present inside and outside the building. Journalists from an antifascist media outlet were reportedly initially denied access to the conference and later escorted out of the building by police.

For critics, the incident goes far beyond a controversial academic talk. They argue that a far-right professor used his academic platform to intimidate students by publicly identifying and politically profiling them. Such practices, they warn, risk creating a climate of fear on campus and undermining students’ freedom to engage in political activism.

It remains unclear whether the university will take disciplinary action. Complaints about the professor’s conduct have reportedly been submitted to university authorities.

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ULB : UN PROFESSEUR DE L’ULB FICHE LES OPINIONS POLITIQUES ET STIGMATISE DES ETUDIANT.ES LORS D’UNE CONFÉRENCE AVEC NORA BUSSIGNY – Bruxelles Dévie

The City of Brussels will file a legal complaint after a Nazi salute was made during a demonstration at Place Poelaert on Saturday 7 March 2026. Mayor Philippe Close announced on Sunday that the city will ask the public prosecutor’s office to identify the person responsible.

The demonstration was organised by a small group describing itself as “anti-antifa”. Around thirty people gathered to commemorate Quentin Deranque, a French far-right activist who died on 12 February 2026 after being beaten during a demonstration in Lyon.

Images circulating on social media show one of the protesters performing a Nazi salute while carrying a Flemish flag marked with a Celtic cross, a symbol frequently used by far-right groups. Close described the footage as “deeply shocking”.

“Brussels is an open and diverse city. These hateful ideologies have no place here,” the mayor said. The city will pursue legal action over the incident.

Counter-protest

At the same time, around 200 antifascist demonstrators gathered nearby in response to the event. Police separated the two groups with barriers and deployed more than 100 officers to prevent clashes.

Witnesses reported that police carried out identity checks on several antifascist protesters, while the smaller “anti-antifa” group was not subjected to similar controls.

Tensions remained mostly limited to chanting between the groups. When some counter-protesters attempted to cross the police cordon, officers intervened and detained one person.

By mid-afternoon, the far-right demonstrators were escorted away from Place Poelaert towards the Louise roundabout. Police later pushed remaining antifascist protesters away from the square, at times using batons and tear gas.

By filing a complaint, the City of Brussels seeks to underline that explicit Nazi symbolism will be pursued through legal channels. The incident also illustrates how small extremist groups continue to claim visibility in public spaces and how quickly they provoke organised opposition.

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City of Brussels to lodge complaint against Nazi salutes at demonstration - The Brussels Times

Far-right rhetoric is no longer confined to extremist fringes. It is increasingly part of mainstream political debate, warns Michaela Moua, the European Commission’s anti-racism coordinator.

Moua, who has held the role since 2020 under the Commission’s anti-racism action plan, says Europe is living through a period in which “us-and-them” language has become widely accepted. Vulnerable groups including racialised communities, migrants, Roma, LGBTQI+ people and religious minorities are often portrayed as scapegoats for unemployment, economic crisis or insecurity.

According to Moua, such narratives are amplified by social media and disinformation. The danger is not only offensive speech, but repetition. When hostile language is normalised in political discourse, she says, it can lead to real-world harm. “Words have consequences,” she stresses, pointing to past cases where hate speech preceded violence.

Recent data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) supports her concern. Surveys show rising discrimination against Black and Muslim communities, with around half of Muslims in the EU reporting discrimination in daily life. Yet Moua notes that underreporting remains widespread, meaning the true scale of racism is likely higher.

The European Commission has adopted anti-racism strategies in 2020 and again in 2026. These plans aim to guide member states, improve data collection and address structural racism, patterns of disadvantage in housing, education, healthcare and employment. However, the Commission has limited powers in these areas, which largely remain national competences.

Moua also acknowledges that EU institutions themselves do not yet reflect Europe’s diversity. While some progress has been made through outreach and recruitment efforts, racial diversity targets comparable to gender quotas do not exist. “You can’t be what you can’t see,” she says, underlining the importance of representation.

For Moua, the fight against racism cannot rest on Brussels alone. Implementation by national governments, political commitment and broader public awareness will determine whether Europe can reverse what she calls the worrying normalisation of prejudice.

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Far-right prejudice now ‘normalised’ across Europe, warns EU anti-racism chief – EUobserver

A Rotterdam court has sentenced 25-year-old Thomas D., described by prosecutors as a leading figure in the far-right Geuzenbond, to two years in prison, with one year suspended. The group has been classified as extremist by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV).

Police found firearms, converted weapons, ammunition and tools for producing cartridges at a property in Erp, Noord-Brabant, where D. was living. He had modified a gas pistol into a functioning firearm and manufactured around 100 cartridges. Authorities also seized manuals and equipment linked to weapons production. The confiscated materials will not be returned.

D. had previously been suspected of planning a terrorist attack, but that charge was dropped. He was arrested in August 2025 after a warning from the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) about possible plans to target Antifa members. The court noted the earlier terrorism suspicion had a serious impact on him when determining the sentence.

Due to concerns about radicalisation, the court imposed special conditions, including mandatory meetings with a psychologist. Prosecutors said the Erp property also functioned in part as a “clubhouse” for the Geuzenbond.

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Far-right Geuzenbond member convicted for illegal firearms in Noord-Brabant | NL Times

NATO was founded in 1949 around a central assumption: that the United States would serve as the indispensable guarantor of Western security. American military power, its nuclear umbrella, and its global logistical infrastructure made Washington the core of the alliance.

But what if that same power now poses a risk to the stability of the alliance and more broadly a threat to global peace, human rights, and the international legal order?

Over the past decades, the United States has pursued an increasingly interventionist foreign policy: from Iraq and several illegal interventions in various countries in Latin America to Libya and numerous smaller military operations all over the world. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, based on false claims about weapons of mass destruction, already demonstrated how American strategy can destabilize entire regions and draw allies into conflicts they never intended to fight.

Today, a new and uncomfortable question emerges: can a defensive alliance remain credible when its dominant member repeatedly initiates illegal wars that destabilize the international system?

The recent escalation in the Middle East makes that question more urgent than ever.

An Ally That Ignites Conflicts

Just days ago, the United States, together with Israel, launched large-scale military strikes against Iran, hitting targets in Tehran and other cities.

This operation has triggered a regional escalation with global implications. Iran responded with missiles and drones targeting American and Israeli positions in the region, while European governments rushed to emphasize that they were not involved in the attack and called for immediate diplomacy.

Some European leaders went further. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the attack as a “disaster” and a violation of international law, warning that such actions increase the risk of global escalation. Other European governments also expressed serious concern. Leaders in countries such as Norway and Ireland have emphasized the importance of respecting international law and avoiding further escalation in the region. Several officials stressed that military actions that bypass international legal frameworks risk undermining global stability.

At the same time, public opinion across Europe is increasingly critical of the escalation. In many European countries, protests and political debates have intensified, with growing segments of the population opposing further military escalation. European leaders may soon face an uncomfortable reality: remaining aligned with Washington could carry increasing political and strategic costs at home.

This different reactions expose a structural problem: when Washington decides to escalate militarily, NATO allies often face the consequences of a strategy over which they have little control.

NATO was designed as a defensive alliance. But when one member repeatedly opens new conflicts, the character of the alliance changes. It risks becoming not a system of collective defense, but a mechanism that can drag its members into wars that do not necessarily serve their own security interests.

The Erosion of the International Legal Order

A second problem is that the United States is increasingly accused of undermining the international norms it once helped create.

In the twentieth century, Washington played a crucial role in constructing the postwar legal order: the United Nations, international humanitarian law, and a network of treaties designed to limit warfare.

Today, however, the credibility of that role is under pressure.

The United States continues to provide military and diplomatic support to Israel in the war in Gaza despite growing international accusations that Israel’s campaign may amount to genocide against Palestinians. Some American politicians themselves have argued that unconditional U.S. military backing has enabled these actions.

The political effect of the unconditional support of Israel is clear: a growing part of the world no longer sees Washington as a defender of human rights, but as a power that applies international norms selectively.

For an alliance that claims to defend democracy, law, and international stability, this creates a fundamental problem. When the alliance’s most powerful member is widely perceived as undermining those norms, the alliance risks losing its moral legitimacy.

A Nuclear Power With a History of Escalation

The third problem is historical and structural: the United States is not only the most powerful military actor in NATO, but also a country with a long record of strategic escalation.

The United States remains the only nation in history to have used nuclear weapons in war. It has also repeatedly launched large-scale military interventions, often with massive regional consequences.

The war in Iraq, justified by alleged weapons of mass destruction that were never found, remains one of the most notorious examples. That war destabilized the Middle East, led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, and created the conditions for the rise of extremist movements.

Today we see a similar dynamic emerging: a military escalation against Iran that risks transforming a regional conflict into a much larger war and global chaos.

In a world with multiple nuclear powers (Russia, China, and the United States among them) such escalation carries far greater dangers than in previous decades. A regional war could rapidly become a global crisis.

European countries therefore face a strategic dilemma: should their security remain tied to a power that repeatedly appears willing to risk such escalation?

Is It Thinkable to exclude the US?

For decades, the idea of excluding the United States from NATO would have sounded absurd. The alliance was built around American power and leadership.

But the real question today is simple: is it thinkable?

Yes, it is.

Not because Europe and the United States are enemies, but because the United States itself has increasingly become a driver of global instability. Over the past decades, Washington has repeatedly launched or escalated wars with devastating consequences — from Iraq and Libya to Afghanistan, alongside a long record of interventions in Latin America.

More recently, the escalation against Iran and continued military and diplomatic support for Israel despite mounting accusations of grave violations of humanitarian law have further intensified global tensions.

An alliance created to defend peace, human rights, and international law cannot indefinitely rely on a member whose actions repeatedly undermine those very principles.

If the central pillar of a security alliance becomes one of the main sources of geopolitical destabilization, the question of its role inside that alliance inevitably arises.

What once seemed unthinkable is therefore no longer impossible.

Because if NATO is truly meant to safeguard stability, the alliance must confront a difficult possibility: that the United States itself has become one of the greatest risks to the very order it claims to defend.

Hungarian prosecutors have launched criminal proceedings against the Bűnvadászok (“Crime Hunters”), a vigilante group linked to the far-right Mi Hazánk Mozgalom. The case follows a complaint filed in 2025 by a Romani man who says the group intimidated and threatened families. According to the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), the charges could include group vigilantism and violation of personal freedom.

The Crime Hunters claim they defend “decent Hungarians” against crime. In reality, their actions focus largely on Roma. The group arrives at homes where people are accused of illegal occupation. Members enter the properties, demand personal details, and pressure residents to leave. Some videos show doors and windows being removed to make homes unlivable. Many of those targeted are Romani families already living in unstable housing conditions.

The group is led by András Bartal, a local politician for Mi Hazánk in Budapest. In a media interview, he admitted that their videos “mainly” feature Roma. He argued this simply reflects who commits crimes. Critics say this logic reinforces racist stereotypes and ignores discrimination in housing and policing.

Hungary has faced similar groups before. In 2007, the Magyar Gárda marched through Roma villages, claiming to protect public order. Although the group was banned and the decision later upheld by the European Court of Human Rights, few individuals were seriously punished. In the years around that period, far-right attackers killed six Roma in a series of racist assaults. Trust in state protection remains low in many communities.

The new prosecution could signal change. Hungarian law allows prison sentences for organized vigilantism and coercion. The evidence appears strong, as the group has documented much of its own activity online. Yet past cases show that prosecutions often end in suspended sentences or quiet acquittals.

For Romani families, the issue is not legal theory. It is about safety. When organized groups enter homes and issue threats, the message is clear: protection is uncertain. Whether this case leads to real accountability will show how seriously Hungary treats the rights of its Roma citizens and whether the cycle of intimidation will finally be broken.

Source:

Roma Targeted Again: Hungary's Latest Far-Right Vigilante Group Echoes Dark History - European Roma Rights Centre

A new survey cited by Politico suggests that democratic commitment in Europe may be weakening: roughly one in five Europeans say that, under certain circumstances, a dictatorship could be preferable to a democratic system.

The polling, conducted across multiple EU member states, indicates that while a majority still supports democracy, a significant minority expresses openness to authoritarian alternatives. Support for dictatorship is reportedly higher among younger respondents in some countries and among those who express frustration with political institutions, economic insecurity, or dissatisfaction with how democracy functions in practice.

Although most Europeans continue to endorse democratic governance, the findings point to growing disillusionment and underline vulnerabilities within Europe’s political culture at a time of increasing polarization and geopolitical tension.

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1 in 5 Europeans say dictatorship might be preferable – POLITICO

A controversy has erupted in Germany after members of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) prominently used vintage Simson mopeds at party events, prompting protests from descendants of the Jewish family that founded the company.

Simson was established in the 19th century in Suhl by Jewish brothers. Under the Nazi regime, the family was forced to relinquish ownership of the company as part of the systematic “Aryanisation” of Jewish businesses. After World War II, the brand continued in East Germany as a state-owned manufacturer and later became known for its widely used mopeds, which still enjoy cult status in parts of the country.

According to reporting by The Guardian, AfD politicians, including prominent regional figures, have used Simson mopeds during campaign appearances, turning them into symbolic props associated with regional identity and nostalgia for East Germany. The descendants of the original Jewish owners have publicly objected, describing the political appropriation of the brand as inappropriate given the family’s history of persecution and dispossession.

The AfD has defended the use of the mopeds as a reference to regional culture rather than history. Critics argue, however, that invoking a brand with a history of forced expropriation under Nazism carries particular sensitivity in Germany, where the legacy of antisemitism remains a central element of public memory and debate.

Source:

‘An insult to our name’: AfD urged to stop using Simson mopeds at events | Germany | The Guardian