Me! To some extent haha, I mostly follow Middle Eastern politics because I find it fascinating/have family involved, but I could definitely benefit from learning about other topics as well from other players

At this time, I think it is important for American relations with Middle Eastern countries to be maintained, due to our current (and unfortunate :-/ ) dependence on their resources. I am certainly wary of how the new governments will turn out, since we haven't really gotten to see them work independently yet (this also includes nations affected by the Arab Spring-- I do NOT want to see the Muslim Brotherhood in power in Egypt, although it is certainly a risk). However, I am glad that the troops are finally leaving, I hate to see how many soldiers' lives were lost while policing a nation that is not yet ready for autonomy under a new system. It's complicated, and I'm not sure there is any right answer. Ideally, I wish we would put more effort and funding into finding alternative sources of fuel, so that we may wean ourselves from this oil dependency.

When you say "orthodox politics in Israel", are you referring to the growing problem of ultra-orthodox power in the political/social scene, or something else?

Sorry for the delay, my bimbo went on vacation!

I actually do not know much about the US politics towards Hungary (I am a product of the American public education's history/social science curriculum in that area, I'm afraid), what can you tell me about it?

The growing power of haredim (ultra-orthodox) in Israel has been a problem for many years, and it is currently reaching a critical point in certain areas, such as haredi-dominant Beit Shemesh. I for one cannot stand the subset of haredim who feel the need to shove their views down secular/non-haredi throats, and their disgusting treatment of women ("we respect women, therefore we will threaten and curse and humiliate those who do not follow our standards of modesty", etc). It should be noted that not all haredim are that extreme; in fact, it is a minority of haredim who are extremist enough to harass people. I hate the mandatory segregation in the PUBLIC sphere. It is fine to segregate in synagogue, as that is a tradition of haredim as well as modern orthodox, but that should never extend to outside houses of worship. Especially if you enforce that view on non-orthodox. Otherwise we end up with "Little Iran", as Beit Shemesh was nicknamed. Honestly, with how they enforce their distorted views of "modesty" and how they oppress women, they are worse than (religious) muslims and it is ridiculous. I hope this issue is resolved soon. One wonderful organization targets women's rights in Israel: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-of … 72?sk=info

However, the issue that concerns me most is their monopoly in religious courts in Israel, as well as in governmental positions. In recent years, they have essentially taken over many leadership positions. That would be fine, if they accepted the legitimacy of other, more liberal sects of Judaism. Today, some people who converted to regular orthodox Judaism and migrated to Israel ("made aliyah") are having their conversions revoked as invalid. Who are they to say? They act similarly with marriages: the only legally recognized religious marriage in Israel (civil unions are different) is a haredi-officiated wedding. Many Jews of mixed parentage (even a maternal grandmother who wasn't fully Jewish) are not considered "Jewish" by their standards, and are thus forbidden to marry in Israel, and must leave the country to do so. I am not "pureblood" by their status, and this would have impacted me if I were to live in Israel.

Lastly, many to most haredim are BUMS! They have tons of children (5+ on average, easily), and contribute close to nothing to society. They use their religious obligations as an excuse to evade the mandatory draft for men and women (every Israeli must serve a few years in the IDF), they usually do not hold jobs or do anything besides pray all day and work as wageless rabbis (men) and pop out/raise babies (women). With the birth rates as they are, haredim will soon become a dominant demographic. What then, if the majority of the country won't work, serve in the military or otherwise contribute to the nation? How do they expect an all-haredi nation to function and (more importantly) defend itself?

That's my rant. As you can see, it's something I'm very upset about right now haha. I'm not sure if that rambling post made any sense! In short: I feel the situation is reaching a breaking point, secular Israelis are getting fed up and fighting back. I only hope this will resolve in as peaceful and smooth a way as possible.

I personally like the present government of Hungary.

Surely you are not alone because I know that many politicians would support you. Unfortunately, politicians are not the foreground. Therefore, it is what it is. In Europe and the U.S. politicians are terrible governed, at least in the majority.

I agree that the U.S. want to decide too much about the internal politics of other countries.
I think the current policy U.S.A. for some time will have bad consequences.
I do not know what will happen with the euro area. For now, Poland and other countries have to try to rescue the euro, but as for me is a bad idea. Poland is not even in the euro area.

Many think that the common currency is not a good idea, and Poland also is not ready to adopt the euro as their common currency.
And probably they are right.

I think that if we adopted the euro is now our situation would deteriorate. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think so although I'm not an expert on finance.
I think that we're doing well, despite the crisis, just among other things, because now we are not in the euro area.
Sorry for my English.   I'm still learning.

Yes, that's a strange story. I don't know what to think about that. Maybe he was too much under someone pressure. I don't like this case to be honest.

I think England will never join to the Euro Area, because...well, it's England. There's England and there's the continent Am I right?
Although I think with the Euro it would be better for Hungary. Earlier, ' EUR was 250 Hungarian Forints, then 280, and then 325 and right now it's 307 Forint. So for those, who use EUR regularly, it's a great loss.

Yes, because it's just England
And do you think the that Euro Area will collapse?