GIS Weekly Brief #6

?? Weekly update by Prince Michael von Liechtenstein

Earlier this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited China and Russia. These trips were widely criticized in Europe, especially since Hungary currently holds the rotating European Union presidency. While it is debatable whether the trips were prudent, they were well within Mr. Orban’s responsibilities as Hungarian prime minister – he did not make them in any EU capacity.

Nevertheless, Brussels considered the visits a breach of European solidarity. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, ordered that no EU executive body be represented at most meetings during Hungary’s EU presidency, meaning the commissioners would not attend.

As a result, these meetings are taking place solely with leaders of the member states, without the participation of the European Commission. This decision, too, is of debatable prudence.

?? This week’s relevant geopolitical events

• U.S. President Joe Biden announced he will not seek reelection, shaking up the race with just three and a half months to go. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, making her the front-runner for the Democratic nomination. Read more in our recent post on LinkedIn.
• A coding error by leading cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike caused?a major international computer outage, paralyzing businesses, hospitals and air traffic. The chaos imposed high economic costs highlights the fragility of sophisticated systems.
• Ursula von der Leyen’s reappointment as president of the European Commission?was confirmed by the European Parliament, though not without contention.
• The Republican National Convention?confirmed Donald Trump as the presidential candidate?and J.D. Vance, a young senator from Ohio, as his vice-presidential candidate.
• After continued aerial attacks by the Houthis from Yemen on Israel,?the Israeli Air Force successfully struck the port of Hodeidah, 1,800 km away in the Red Sea.

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