Based on the leaked U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), the Trump administration would reshape Europe’s future along cultural and political lines.

One of the most important elements of the document is that it mentions Hungary among the “key countries” with which Washington would strengthen ties with the aim of weakening the EU.

The document leaked by Defense One outlines a completely new direction in U.S. foreign policy, especially towards the European Union. It is much more sharply worded than the officially published NSS: the U.S. wants to form closer alliances with countries that are committed to “preserving traditional European values” – and that represent a political shift to the right.

Four countries are mentioned by name in the list: Hungary, Austria, Italy, and Poland.

This American approach represents a clear break from previous EU-centered diplomacy. Based on the document, Europe is heading toward a “civilizational breaking point” due to immigration and restrictions on freedom of speech, so Washington believes that the continent’s future can only be reshaped by allying with right-wing, pro-sovereignty governments.

Part of the document is practically addressed to Hungary: “We must support those parties, movements, and cultural actors who serve to preserve sovereignty and the traditional European way of life — while being pro-American,” the document reads.

Washington considers it a priority to protect partner countries from Brussels’ influence, and to this end, diplomatic and economic support can be expected.

This would be a huge diplomatic boost for the Hungarian government: the U.S. would see the country as a partner through which it could counterbalance the influence of EU institutions.

Another key element of the strategy is that the Trump administration would relinquish Europe’s military defense, saying that “striving for hegemony was a mistake.” However, this does not mean that they would hand over the continent to Moscow or Beijing. The document proposes a new model: the U.S. would work with regional “champions” who would ensure stability in their own regions.

In Europe, this “champion role” would not be based on NATO alliance logic, but on political and ideological proximity. This is where the aforementioned countries reappear—primarily Hungary and Poland, which Washington would consider a kind of “cultural and pro-sovereignty counterweight” in its attempt to rewrite the European status quo.

The document also contains another radical idea: replacing the G7 with the C5, a new group of populous powers. Its members would be the U.S., China, Russia, India, and Japan.

This would make it clear to Washington that Europe, under its current leadership, cannot be part of Trump’s geopolitical priorities, as Brussels has no place at the table as a great power and U.S. ally.

The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political and economic forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; additionally, the European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated member.” It is organized around shared values of pluralism, liberal democracy, and representative government.

Based on the proposal, the agenda for the first C5 summit would be the settlement of the Middle East, mainly the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

If this strategy becomes real policy, the following can be expected:

* Hungary’s influence would grow in Washington’s eyes because it would be at the center of a culture-based policy.
* In the event of conflicts with Brussels, the U.S. could side with Hungary more openly, especially on issues of sovereignty.
* The Hungarian government’s diplomatic weight could increase because the U.S. would also support the right-wing European power bloc.

The White House denies for now that any longer or secret version exists. But if the leaked material truly reflects strategic thinking, then Hungary’s role could be dramatically enhanced in U.S. European policy, at a time when the rift between Washington and Brussels is deepening.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

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