ABSTRACT
Hungarian security priorities – or threat perceptions – have undergone considerable changes since the end of the Cold War. The desire of the political elite – with the exception of the far right wing Hungarian Party of Justice and Life – was self-evident: joining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU) would put an end to the perception of insecurity. Ultimately, by the end of the nineties, Hungary had no direct threat perception remaining. The Parliamentary Resolution on the Basic Principles of Hungarian Security and Defense Policy that came into force on the date of NATO accession reflected this. The view of the Hungarian political elite on the issue of the war against Iraq was polarized. As regards public opinion, the overwhelming majority strongly opposed the attack against Iraq. The Hungarian Government supported the position of those who thought the split in NATO and the EU in wake of the Iraqi war must be brought to an end.
