Assad’s Trap for the West Assad and ISIS appear to be perfect opposites. In reality, however, they are rather complementary. Whatever aspirations one may have for a cooperation with the regime, neither an end to the war nor safety will be gained through it. By Bente Scheller
Where the “Good Guys” get their motivation from There's little hope for an improvement of the Syrian situation. Nonetheless, there are civil society activists who are still working on non-violent resistance and democratic change. By Sarah Schwahn
On the Run in Their Own Country More than six million Syrian refugees are in search of a different, a safer place in their home country and yet only arrive at places that are currently slightly less ghastly. By Bente Scheller
Radical Goals for Sustainable Development The coming set of Sustainable Development Goals will seek to protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and, as with the Millennium Development Goals, lift millions of people out of poverty. Now that solid legal ground must be developed further. By Barbara Unmüßig
The 12th Hungarian Contemporary Drama Festival How do you organise a drama festival with international guests on a 6,000 € state subsidy? Well, you need a lot of enthusiastic volunteers, as well as visitors, who are completely committed to the cause. By Anna Frenyó
At Home in Homelessness “We were born to the world to be at home in it somewhere,” wrote the Hungarian author Áron Tamási. Yet not only the feeling of being at home, but also that of homelessness may be a common denominator among people who live in the same space – in the same cyberspace. By Anna Frenyó
Theatre financing and the independent theatre scene According to its mission statement, Trafó House of Contemporary Arts in Budapest is a receptive venue unique to Hungary, where various genres are presented in an individual and authentic manner. An Interview with Managing Director György Szabó. By Anna Frenyó
“Annus mirabilis” in the Hungarian-Russian energy relationship? Hungary continues to extend its energy relations with Russia causing another major tension in the already heavy-loaded Hungarian-EU relations. By András Deák
A social catastrophe in the making: Social policy in Hungary since 2010 It is not only constitutional democracy that Viktor Orbán’s regime treats as its enemy; the Hungarian government has also launched a forceful attack on the welfare state. A concise overview of the latest reforms - and an assess of their consequences for poverty and social inequality. By Bálint Misetics
Orbán's education system in the mirror of equality and justice Almost three years have passed since the enactment of changes to the general law in Hungary. The overall message of the Orbán government’s new education system is: you belong where you were born. An analysis. By Lajos Molnár