Ivan Kalmar
@ivan-kalmar.bsky.social
Prof U of Toronto. Studying illiberalism, race, periphery: how are these three connected? East and South peripheries of the EU. Jews, Muslims, Islamophobia, antisemitism.
Author of White But Not Quite: Central Europe's Illiberal Revolt.
Author of White But Not Quite: Central Europe's Illiberal Revolt.
Czech foundations drops plan to buy Ukrainian Flamingo missiles, due to alleged corruption.
kyivindependent.com/czech-founda...
kyivindependent.com/czech-founda...
Czech foundation drops Flamingo missile donation amid Ukraine corruption probes
The Czech foundation Gift for Putin will no longer buy Flamingo cruise missiles from Ukrainian weapons maker Fire Point due to connections to a recent corruption scandal, local media reported.
"We co...
kyivindependent.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Czech foundations drops plan to buy Ukrainian Flamingo missiles, due to alleged corruption.
kyivindependent.com/czech-founda...
kyivindependent.com/czech-founda...
In Moscow, Putin told Orbán that it was Trump's idea to hold a US-Russia summit on Ukraine in Budapest, according to the Orbán mouthpiece, the newspaper Magyar Nemzet.
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
Egy lépéssel közelebb a budapesti békecsúcs? – videón Orbán Viktor és Vlagyimir Putyin találkozója
Magyarországon vannak jelenleg a legalacsonyabb energiaárak Európában.
magyarnemzet.hu
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 PM
In Moscow, Putin told Orbán that it was Trump's idea to hold a US-Russia summit on Ukraine in Budapest, according to the Orbán mouthpiece, the newspaper Magyar Nemzet.
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
I just got news from Bristol University Press that they granted translation rights to a Polish publisher. I don't know yet who that is, but I'm overjoyed. I always wanted the book to be accessible in Polish. Ale się cieszę!
November 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I just got news from Bristol University Press that they granted translation rights to a Polish publisher. I don't know yet who that is, but I'm overjoyed. I always wanted the book to be accessible in Polish. Ale się cieszę!
Orbán is not "echoing" Trump, as the article says. He was there first. Trump is echoing him, if anything.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump gives Hungary one-year exemption from Russian energy sanctions
The opt-out comes despite the US increasing pressure on allies to sever economic ties with Russia.
www.bbc.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Orbán is not "echoing" Trump, as the article says. He was there first. Trump is echoing him, if anything.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Fascinating article by James Renton on the origins of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its entanglements with islamophobia.
www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251028-mus...
www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251028-mus...
Muslim surveillance: The real story behind the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
In May 2016, an organisation of Western governments headquartered in Berlin, called the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), adopted a definition of anti-Semitism that incorporates …
www.middleeastmonitor.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Fascinating article by James Renton on the origins of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its entanglements with islamophobia.
www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251028-mus...
www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251028-mus...
What an amazing, important project.
PAMIĘĆ POLSKO-AFRYKAŃSKA
Komunikat Stowarzyszenia NIGDY WIĘCEJ
#1listopada Stowarzyszenie NIGDY WIĘCEJ uczciło pamięć polskich uchodźców zmarłych w Afryce w latach II wojny światowej i zaapelowało o humanitarne traktowanie uchodźców we współczesnej Polsce.
www.nigdywiecej.org/komunikaty/r...
Komunikat Stowarzyszenia NIGDY WIĘCEJ
#1listopada Stowarzyszenie NIGDY WIĘCEJ uczciło pamięć polskich uchodźców zmarłych w Afryce w latach II wojny światowej i zaapelowało o humanitarne traktowanie uchodźców we współczesnej Polsce.
www.nigdywiecej.org/komunikaty/r...
November 3, 2025 at 12:51 AM
What an amazing, important project.
Slovak cartoon: "Politicians have made a law to set up a walking speed limit of 6 km/h. Finally! A measure to slow down the departure of young people from the country."
October 29, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Slovak cartoon: "Politicians have made a law to set up a walking speed limit of 6 km/h. Finally! A measure to slow down the departure of young people from the country."
Hundreds of thousands demonstrate in Budapest against the Orbán government, while opposition leader Péter Magyar leads in the polls with an agenda ("moderate" to be sure) of social justice.
www.reddit.com/r/europe/com...
www.reddit.com/r/europe/com...
From the europe community on Reddit: It seems we are witnessing the largest demonstration in Budapest so far
Explore this post and more from the europe community
www.reddit.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Hundreds of thousands demonstrate in Budapest against the Orbán government, while opposition leader Péter Magyar leads in the polls with an agenda ("moderate" to be sure) of social justice.
www.reddit.com/r/europe/com...
www.reddit.com/r/europe/com...
In Egypt, Trump explicitly wished Orbán good luck in the upcoming elections. Choosing to meet with Putin in Budapest is another gift to this architectsof "illiberal democracy," who is facing a very serious electoral challenge.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Hungary to ensure Putin can enter Budapest for summit with Trump – Europe live
Russian president is facing arrest warrrant from International Criminal Court for war crimes
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
In Egypt, Trump explicitly wished Orbán good luck in the upcoming elections. Choosing to meet with Putin in Budapest is another gift to this architectsof "illiberal democracy," who is facing a very serious electoral challenge.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
It seems that in the Czech parliamentary election, there was a successful effort by voters to elect female candidates.
denikn.cz/1859395/vysl...
denikn.cz/1859395/vysl...
Výsledek je pro nás šok, překonali jsme kritickou masu, říká vedoucí iniciativy Zakroužkuj ženu
„Před čtyřmi lety jsme co chvíli četli, jak si vymýšlíme a že si tu ženy přece žijí úplně stejný život jako muži a my chceme jen tupě prosazovat jedno pohlaví bez ohledu na kompetence,“ říká v rozhovo...
denikn.cz
October 7, 2025 at 12:59 AM
It seems that in the Czech parliamentary election, there was a successful effort by voters to elect female candidates.
denikn.cz/1859395/vysl...
denikn.cz/1859395/vysl...
In the Czech parliamentary elections, parties from the left to the centre-right received 89.59% of the vote, and A. Babiš's "populist" ANO only 3.24% - among Czech voters in Canada. (Not quite so back home.)
www.seznamzpravy.cz/p/vysledky-v...
www.seznamzpravy.cz/p/vysledky-v...
Volby 2025 a Kanada - Výsledky voleb online
Volby 2025: Kanada – aktuální výsledky online – průběžné i konečné. Všechny informace o volbách a jejich průběhu přehledně.
www.seznamzpravy.cz
October 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
In the Czech parliamentary elections, parties from the left to the centre-right received 89.59% of the vote, and A. Babiš's "populist" ANO only 3.24% - among Czech voters in Canada. (Not quite so back home.)
www.seznamzpravy.cz/p/vysledky-v...
www.seznamzpravy.cz/p/vysledky-v...
Orbán's mouthpiece newspaper Magyar Nemzet revels in Trump's plans to prosecute George Soros, Orbán's long-term obsession. This is perhaps the most striking of the many parallels between Hungarian and American autocracy today.
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
Sorosék ellen hamarosan vádat emelhetnek
A Trump-kormányzat ezzel a USAID leépítése után a baloldali korrupciós hálózat másik fontos pillérét ütheti ki.
magyarnemzet.hu
September 28, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Orbán's mouthpiece newspaper Magyar Nemzet revels in Trump's plans to prosecute George Soros, Orbán's long-term obsession. This is perhaps the most striking of the many parallels between Hungarian and American autocracy today.
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/2025...
The Progressive Slovakia party is the country's most popular, ahead of the leading "populist" Smer.
www.politico.eu/europe-poll-...
www.politico.eu/europe-poll-...
POLITICO Poll of Polls — Slovakian polls, trends and election news for Slovakia
POLLING FROM ACROSS EUROPE. UPDATED DAILY. Slovakia — National parliament voting intention What is Poll of Polls and how does it work? Read more here. Slovakia — European election 2024 results…
www.politico.eu
September 12, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The Progressive Slovakia party is the country's most popular, ahead of the leading "populist" Smer.
www.politico.eu/europe-poll-...
www.politico.eu/europe-poll-...
Looks like even Fico could not refuse to sign this statement; Orbán could.
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukraine...
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukraine...
Ukraine/Russia: Statement by the High Representative on the latest Russian attacks against Ukraine
This statement is supported by 26 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembo...
www.eeas.europa.eu
September 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Looks like even Fico could not refuse to sign this statement; Orbán could.
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukraine...
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ukraine...
Even his mentor Viktor Orbán is not doing this.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Slovak Prime Minister Fico to meet Xi, Putin, Zelenskiy this week
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at China's World War Two anniversary celebrations in Beijing this week, Fico said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
September 2, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Even his mentor Viktor Orbán is not doing this.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
For his sake, let's wish him a speedy recovery and for the country's sake, let's wish this doesn't make him more likely to be elected.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Andrej Babis: Czech opposition leader hit in head with crutch at rally
Andrej Babis's party blamed the government for creating a climate of hate against the ex-PM.
www.bbc.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
For his sake, let's wish him a speedy recovery and for the country's sake, let's wish this doesn't make him more likely to be elected.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Orbán's geopolitical ideology in a nutshell: Hungary is a "Western country," but the only one with a good relationship with Russia.
telex.hu/english/2025...
telex.hu/english/2025...
Szijjártó: Trump did not call Viktor Orbán after his talks with European leaders
The reports about such a call are false according to the minister. He did not, however, exclude the possibility of Budapest hosting talks between Zelensky and Putin.
telex.hu
August 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Orbán's geopolitical ideology in a nutshell: Hungary is a "Western country," but the only one with a good relationship with Russia.
telex.hu/english/2025...
telex.hu/english/2025...
"Ukraine should not be admitted to the European Union, bringing in the war with it – even if the whole of Brussels responds by throwing a fit." - Viktor Orbán
miniszterelnok.hu/en/lecture-o...
miniszterelnok.hu/en/lecture-o...
Lecture of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the 34th Bálványos Summer Free University and Student Camp - The official website of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Attendees at the Free University.
miniszterelnok.hu
August 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"Ukraine should not be admitted to the European Union, bringing in the war with it – even if the whole of Brussels responds by throwing a fit." - Viktor Orbán
miniszterelnok.hu/en/lecture-o...
miniszterelnok.hu/en/lecture-o...
Interesting word of the day: tsundoku 積ん読 (Japanese) - to buy books and not read them or only read a part of them. Apparently this is considered to be a positive thing in Japan, as you may possibly read the works later.
August 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Interesting word of the day: tsundoku 積ん読 (Japanese) - to buy books and not read them or only read a part of them. Apparently this is considered to be a positive thing in Japan, as you may possibly read the works later.
The idea of Central (and NOT Eastern) Europe has been around for some 200 years. Is it anti-E-Eur racism? Is it the vision of a global role for a marginalized area? Nationalities Papers has now accepted our Special Issue proposal on the topic. @salvapappalardo.bsky.social @brasky.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The idea of Central (and NOT Eastern) Europe has been around for some 200 years. Is it anti-E-Eur racism? Is it the vision of a global role for a marginalized area? Nationalities Papers has now accepted our Special Issue proposal on the topic. @salvapappalardo.bsky.social @brasky.bsky.social
There is a Horizon Synergy grant call out, on antisemitism in Europe. If anyone is involved in that and would like me and the University of Toronto to come on board with a project connecting antisemitism and Islamophobia, then let me know.(Or if you know someone who might be interested.)
July 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
There is a Horizon Synergy grant call out, on antisemitism in Europe. If anyone is involved in that and would like me and the University of Toronto to come on board with a project connecting antisemitism and Islamophobia, then let me know.(Or if you know someone who might be interested.)
Remember when people said Western democracy failed in the East because the Eastern Europe was "so different"? Well it's been failing in the West too—because the crisis of liberal capitalism is global. Glad @ambpressman.bsky.social avoids that tired East-West trope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
Opinion | I Watched It Happen in Hungary. Now It’s Happening Here.
www.nytimes.com
July 25, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Remember when people said Western democracy failed in the East because the Eastern Europe was "so different"? Well it's been failing in the West too—because the crisis of liberal capitalism is global. Glad @ambpressman.bsky.social avoids that tired East-West trope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
"Ivan is a Ukrainian name. Ivan is a big guy who lives in a village and works for his family. It's a hard punch, Ivan." Might Usyk have named his left hook after Rocky's Cold War nemesis, Ivan Drago? Was Ivan Ukrainian?
www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
Usyk vs Dubois 2: Oleksandr Usyk & 'Ivan' - the untouchable duo who can't be beaten?
BBC Sport looks at where Oleksandr Usyk ranks among the all-time heavyweight greats and who in the current generation could beat him.
www.bbc.com
July 20, 2025 at 10:42 AM
"Ivan is a Ukrainian name. Ivan is a big guy who lives in a village and works for his family. It's a hard punch, Ivan." Might Usyk have named his left hook after Rocky's Cold War nemesis, Ivan Drago? Was Ivan Ukrainian?
www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
The Polish ambassador to Budapest has been recalled, marking perhaps the worst turn in Polish-Hungarian relations since Donald Tusk became the prime minister of Poland.
notesfrompoland.com/2025/07/18/p...
notesfrompoland.com/2025/07/18/p...
Poland withdraws ambassador to Hungary in row over asylum for opposition politician
notesfrompoland.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Polish ambassador to Budapest has been recalled, marking perhaps the worst turn in Polish-Hungarian relations since Donald Tusk became the prime minister of Poland.
notesfrompoland.com/2025/07/18/p...
notesfrompoland.com/2025/07/18/p...
Trump is lying again. EU-US tariffs on each other are similar overall. (The EU does protect its farm products, while the US gets a large surplus from exporting services.) Don't expect this nonsense to stop, though.
July 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Trump is lying again. EU-US tariffs on each other are similar overall. (The EU does protect its farm products, while the US gets a large surplus from exporting services.) Don't expect this nonsense to stop, though.