Dissent from Within:
Why Hungary and Slovakia don’t need to support Russia to advance its interests — and what Europe’s war in Ukraine reveals about the cost of ambiguity.
Available Thursday, 9am.
open.substack.com/pub/gmansch...
Hungary and Slovakia are not satellites.
They are amplifiers — of delay, ambiguity, and leverage.
And Moscow doesn’t need more than that.
When Europe says, “We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes,”
but never defines what “victory” means, ambiguity becomes policy.
Ambiguity rewards dissent.
The problem isn’t personality.
It’s incentives.
Sovereignty rhetoric + domestic survival politics + EU veto rules = obstruction that pays.
Hungary and Slovakia don’t need to support Moscow to advance its interests.
They simply need to delay, dilute, and obstruct.
In a system built on unanimity, friction becomes leverage.
Europe is not short of enemies.
It is short of unity.
Two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, EU solidarity remains rhetorically strong — but strategically fragile.
New essay: Dissent from Within 🧵
Good Night Everyone
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ps...
Good Night Everyone
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/2c...
Good Night Everyone
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/jh...
Good Night Everyone
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/2c...
Good Night Everyone
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Matthew 28:20 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ma...
Good Night Everyone
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/pr...
Good Night Everyone
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/jh...
Good Night Everyone
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/2c...
Good Night Everyone
“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,”
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/1t...
Good Night Everyone
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/pr...
Good Night Everyone
“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”
Psalms 118:24 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ps...
Good Night Everyone
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
Psalms 20:4 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ps...
Good Night Everyone
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
Psalms 34:17 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ps...
Good Night Everyone
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ep...
Good Night Everyone
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/je...
Good Night Everyone
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ep...
Good Night Everyone
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/2c...
Good Night Everyone
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/is...
Good Night Everyone
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/co...
Good Night Everyone
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:2
bible.com/bible/111/is...
Good Night Everyone
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ga...
Good Night Everyone
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/is...
Good Night Everyone
“And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.””
Isaiah 6:3 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/is...
Good Night Everyone
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalms 55:22 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/ps...
