Dear Readers,

Following a short but tumultuous period, Hungary has a new prime minister. Ferenc Gyurcsány has taken the reigns of power and introduced the country to his program and team of ministers. This month, we have looked into who Gyurcsány is and how he was propelled to power in such a short time. We look at how this charismatic man rose to the forefront and shook up the inner power structure inside the Hungarian Socialist Party.

In our cover story this month, we delve into the issue of Hungary’s strategy for the developing world. Not so long ago, Hungary was a recipient of aid to develop its physical and intellectual capacities. With European Union accession came the recognition that the country is past transition and must look to help less developed parts of the world - from Asia to Africa and beyond. This month we also look into the increasing number and magnitude of terror attacks Russia has recently witnessed. Such instability makes it evident that more resources and energies must be dedicated to assisting the development of a more stable region. Peace in Russia and its neighbors, the Caucasus and Central Asia, is an integral part of our own stability in Hungary.

In this issue we traveled to Western Transdanubia, where our journalist discovered castles, mansions and fortresses that form an important part of Hungary’s heritage. Over the years, these monuments to Hungarian history have been neglected, robbed and sometimes ruined. The gargantuan but noble task of restoring the former splendor of these locales has begun with different levels of success thus far. Some of these venues have become museums, while others have become hotels. With the re-development of these buildings, naturally a rejuvenation of the country’s cultural heritage will be seen along with anticipated jumps in tourism figures.

Peter Freed
Publisher - Kiadó