New Axis Powers?

Russia, Israel, the USA and the far-right in Europe

Introduction

This is an unofficial companion article to the recent European EEAS Report on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Threats.¹

I have created a companion notebooklm for anyone interested in researching the funding and rise of autocratic and anti-democratic movements in Europe.

I have also created an AI podcast of the various Europe related articles I have written (if you are interested in trying it out):

As our politicians appear to wilfully ignore the wider range of threat actors currently seeking to undermine our societies and democracies, let us briefly enlarge the focus beyond just the Russian and Chinese threats.

Anyone (benefiting from just a few coordinating brain cells) knows that there has been obvious long-standing interference and undermining of the European Union and the UK by leaders and political parties in Israel and the USA – sometimes coordinated with the Russian masters of misinformation.

Now you might be thinking: ‘hang on a second you filthy amateur armchair analyst, I am sure our intelligence agencies have got this covered‘!’

I salute your optimism, very patriotic.

However, we live in a community whose leaders’ response to the 2016 US election – of a notorious criminal (and known prolific sexual predator) with strong links to the Russian state and mafia – was to continue to increase our military dependence on it.

‘Punching allies in the face’: Trump sparks US weapons conundrum for Europe ²

It beggars belief, what does a man need to do to be considered dangerous in Europe? Even genocide isn’t sufficient nowadays.

Let’s take a moment to give our glorious leaders a slow handclap. Bravo for their optimism³ and yours.

A new Axis powers?

We do not (at least as yet) have a formal declaration of alliance between Russia, the USA and Israel.

The USA and Israel obviously are coordinated powers (indeed at risk of belabouring a point I keep making, for geopolitical purposes, Israel is the 51st State).

China and Russia also have a well-known economic and strategic alliance. However, I believe, in respect of its European strategy, China is largely being geopolitically careful given the stupidity of Europe and the lack of options:

Europe United ? – The union is born

That said, as yet, we have no smoking gun that joins up all the new Axis powers dots, nor do we have a formal declaration (nor should we expect one).

Clearly, if I was a cautious scholarly type, I could wait for the Axis powers to show their hands conclusively – but then at that point there would be little need for scholarship at all: perspectives based on evidence and history would be irrelevant. You would write whatever the Axis powers told you was permitted or you would have a very nasty short and brutish life.

“History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.“
(George Orwell, 1984)

Politicians and leaders must be practical above all else. There is extraordinary value in a range of precautionary measures that can (and need) to be taken on the basis that a new Axis of powers is a distinct possibility.

The costs of wishful thinking on this front are incalculable, and no military or intelligence expert would advise such a plan of action (nor any sensible human being).

This article therefore relies on open source information (including deep AI research) to provide circumstantial evidence that suggest correlated attacks on democracies by Russia, the USA and Israel – as part of a wider plan to carve up weaker states and impose authoritarian regimes.

The plan involves attacks from without (e.g. Ukraine, potentially Greenland) but, more insidiously, destruction from within by funding and supporting far right groups across Europe and by appealing to corrupt, greedy, fearful (or desperate) mainstream parties and politicians. The intent is to undermine the European project and spirit so that it is easier to be broken up and digested.

The probabilistic assessment of whether correlation may suggest a hidden causation we can leave to the experts (that also have access to a wide range of secret intelligence). However, it is useful to point to helpful coincidences and overlaps, known correlations and, in some cases, coordinated action to ensure we avoid complacency (which really is a killer in this scenario).

Let us start near the end and work backwards, whilst introducing the main themes.

Let me also say, I would much rather be writing about philosophy, language, ethics and poetry. Anything but this existential threat in Europe and the American-Israeli genocide of Palestinians.

[Now dear reader, before you start, I know you might be thinking:’for God’s sake, just once, can you stop banging on about the genocide and get on with this piece on the far-right and the new Axis?’ I get it, I really do. However, I imagine all those Palestinian men, women and children are even more sick of it .. and anyway, as you will see, it is all connected (as are we all).]

Living and writing today hurts the soul. As a wise man once said to his friend:

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

(J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)

So do I Gandalf, so do I.

Back to the article and the endless hubris of fascists.

United Nations vote

On the 24th February 2025, the UN general assembly backed resolution condemning Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. 93 countries voted in favour.⁴ However, a look at the composition of power is much more telling, and frightening, particularly if you are European, Canadian or Mexican or etc.

Below are the countries in the world that are believed to have independent nuclear weapons (the UK relies heavily on the US for its nuclear capability so can be ignored for these purposes – Pakistan is included though there are question marks about how independent its technology is):

China – France – Israel – N Korea – India – Pakistan? – Russia – USA

This is the list of those nuclear powers that voted in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression in the UN resolution: France

Now, did you notice anything?

If not, look again (maybe this time count the flags?).

You don’t need to be Henri Poincaré (or good Will Hunting) to see that Houston, we have a problem. Yes, that’s right we are in deep merde. America and Israel took the side of Russia and not Europe.

We had one main geopolitical strategy for 80 years and no real plan B. That is unfortunate, to say the least.

That said, truly Vive la France ! As a British person we don’t hear that very much so it is nice to give it a shout [though strictly between you and me, I would have preferred an occasion that was slightly less al-dente)].

One other thing, I love that North Korean flag. Great 70’s retro styling, shame about the country’s leaders keeping the people imprisoned in the dark ages.

This vote, more than anything, has (it seems) at last started to stir up our comatose European political establishment. Like a baby bear with little claws, yawning in the early spring sun, after 80 years of hibernation. I do hope, for all of our sakes, it is a case of better late than never.

That said, it is really getting very late in the day. Far too many of our European politicians have a deeply ingrained trans-atlanticist background and mindset (I name it Ruttesque).

This means they instinctively favour the American psycho state and its fascist friends more than anyone else.⁵ Even more than say China which – as far as I can tell from a quick and albeit cursory glance – is not currently engaged in the live-streamed mass murder of tens of thousands of women and children in the Middle East.

I can only agree with a Chinese commentator who said (following yet another anti-China pro-American comment by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas)⁶:

“To flatter Trump, they are willing to sacrifice China, which could have been a strategic partner for Europe. … With such individuals steering Europe’s strategy, it’s hard not to feel pessimistic about Europe’s future. What awaits Europe is an even harsher blow. Facing such a Europe, we need not get angry. Having already abandoned illusions about the US, China should now also let go of expectations for Europe.“

(Guanxin)⁷

Keep going Ms Kallas! that’s it, give em hell! give more abuse to the Chinese!⁸. Everyone can see they are THE THREAT. The last thing we want now is another superpower on our side!

Those bloody Chinese are going to regret the day we pushed them away (because our American psycho friend told us to) – leaving us with France as the only independent nuclear power backing Ukraine and Europe in the UN. Jesus wept, save us from such idiocy.

This Atlantic skew also informs many of our State intelligence decisions which, as you will have noticed, seem to involve very little intelligence or autonomy. We have outsourced our defence and intelligence to America and Israel for far too long.

Still, mustn’t grumble.

Keep calm and carry on..

Ad nauseam.

What is the European far-right?

Before answering that question we have a slight categorisation problem.

The Overton window has moved very far to the right in the last 20 years. Indeed, so far, I am informed there are at least a few traditional European hard-right groups that are going to have to stand on a democratic socialist ticket in the next elections. Challenging times for all!

In this article I am going to include all known far-right groups as well as any hard-right groups and politicians that have strong links to our Axis powers suggestive of coordinated international action.

What drives this rise of extremism?

European hard and far-right groups, while diverse, share common ideologies including nativism (note: nativism promotes protecting the interests of native-born or indigenous people over those of immigrants – just not in Israel) nationalism, dislike or opposition of the European Union, and significant support for authoritarian governance.

We must also of course mention the impact of immigration. The bitter irony of immigration being linked to the rise of the far-right and anti-democratic movements in Europe is, of course, that we have responsibility for much of this immigration.

Immigration that is often by terrified and poor people fleeing countries that have been bombed, economically destroyed or have regimes of terror supported by Russia and the USA ⁹(and therefore, given our American client status, partly by our wonderful European liberal democracies).

“[In]the 2015 European migrant crisis… An estimated 1.3 million people came to the continent to request asylum, the most in a single year since World War II.”
(Wikimedia)

By Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) alexrk, CC BY-SA 2.0

It is also not surprising that as the cost of living rises and the impact of ever increasing inequality is felt by ordinary people, many will turn away from mainstream parties that they cannot identify with. All the more so when those parties largely act on behalf of the very wealthy individuals and corporations that are the cause of so much inequality.

The rise of the far-right is directly linked to economic instability, political and economic alienation¹⁰ and a perceived disconnect between the populace and mainstream political institutions.

These are historically very useful conditions for extremism, especially since the people that benefit most from unconstrained inequality are largely those that control the media and dominate in political donations and lobbying. They would much prefer to focus attention down at the marginalised and vulnerable (don’t look up!).

It is no coincidence that the American march to the far-right has happened during a multi-decade period of rising inequality that has been particularly aggressive in America.

In an overly technocratic, democratically distant and rarely honest liberal political environment these hard right movements provide alienated people with a strong sense of identity. Unfortunately, like many of the mainstream liberal parties, they have no interest in explaining to people the real reasons why they are getting relatively poorer each year (for god’s sake don’t look up – punch down at every opportunity!).

Ah, the old game of divide and conquer, there’s nothing like it…

A Great Wave Cometh

The rise of the hard/far-right

“The longstanding effort to keep extremist forces out of government in Europe is officially over.”
(Giovanna Coi, Politico.eu¹¹)

The European political landscape has seen a significant rise in hard-right and far-right groups, encompassing national conservatism, right-wing populism, and neo-fascist ideologies. These groups have achieved electoral success and, in some cases, have become integral parts of national governments.

Opposition parties of the far-right in nations like France, Germany, and Spain represent major political forces with substantial voter bases.

Countries with strongly growing far-right support

Germany: The Alternative for Germany¹² (AfD) has made substantial gains, securing over 20% of the vote in the February 2025 elections (double their previous share).
France: The National Rally (RN)¹³ (formerly the National Front) has seen a resurgence, securing the most votes in European elections and leading the first round of early parliamentary elections.
Belgium: The far-right Vlaams Belang came close behind the winning conservative Flemish N-VA party.
Austria: The Freedom Party (FPO) won 29% of the vote in September 2024 elections, the strongest showing for the far-right since World War II.
Czech Republic: Has a hard-right party ANO that seems likely to form the next government.¹⁴
Sweden: the Sweden Democrats are now the second largest political party in parliament.
Spain: Vox¹⁵, the third largest party in the Spanish parliament continues to see its popularity grow¹⁶.

Countries with hard-right parties in Government:

Italy: Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party leads the government.
Hungary: Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party holds power.
Finland: Has a hard-right party in a coalition government (though the Finns Party is more similar to the Swiss People’s Party¹⁷ – see below)
Netherlands: Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom ¹⁸(PVV) has gained significant support, leading to the formation of the most right-wing coalition government in recent Dutch history.
Croatia: Has a hard-right party Homeland Movement in a coalition government.¹⁹

In Slovakia, although the party in power is not usually classified as hard or far right, the Prime Minister (Robert Fico) is allied with Viktor Orbán.

Common goals of hard and far right parties include challenging the Brussels elite and even the EU itself, promoting national sovereignty, combating immigration (nearly exclusively of the Muslim or Arab variety), and appealing to ‘Christian’ values (except loving your neighbours, treating all people as children of God and being kind to strangers in need).

However, there is also the need for nuance, as some parties are – at least for now – not necessarily what would be considered far-right (such as the most popular political party in Switzerland, the Swiss People’s Party).²⁰

We also see a degree of sanitisation of the language used by some of these hard right groups as they get closer to or in power. Whether that reflects a genuine moderation of their stronger harder views, or whether it is a way to hide them whilst building power we shall see. Strong skepticism is clearly warranted.

We also have smaller, more radical groups at the extreme end of the European far-right, such as Golden Dawn in Greece, Reconquête in France, Alternative for Sweden, Spartans in Greece and Our Homeland Movement in Hungary.

The hard-right and far-right is organized into various alliances and groups at EU level within the European Parliament, including the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Identity and Democracy (ID), Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN), the Alliance for Peace and Freedom (APF), and the newly formed Patriots for Europe²¹ (PfE), led by the friend of Russia and autocrats everywhere, Viktor Orbán.

“The EU is therefore facing not a sweeping but a creeping gain in far-right power, as centrist political parties become more open to cooperation, and far-right positions are slowly normalised“
(Manuel Müller, FIAA²²)

External actors like Israel, Russia, and America have played a role in fostering connections and strengthening networks among European far-right groups by providing platforms, funding, and ideological support.

Hungary, under Orbán, acts as a particularly important node, facilitating alliances and offering a model of successful right-wing governance whilst bridging the USA-Israel influence on the European far-right with the Russian support.

It is fair to say that the international far-right currently seems like more of a network of connected parties and movements (that coordinate on key issues) rather than a cohesive, unified bloc.

One of the most difficult things about making sense of the level of coordination between these groups is that much of it takes place through informal bilateral channels and exchanges between far-right groups and on the margins of conferences and events (often sponsored by well funded anti-democratic and anti-environmental law networks).

That said, increased cross-regional coordination is now coalescing into a more unified and influential global far-right movement.

The rise of an ‘open’ information environment has also lowered the barriers to mis-communication for transnational hard-right and far-right political movements.

Unfortunately, as we have seen with Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X), for these new international fascists ownership and control of the media allows them to misuse freedom of speech to amplify misinformation, hate speech and anti-democratic values – all whilst posing as guardians of the truth and freedom of speech.

“An investigation²³ by NBC News showed that Musk over the past two years has encouraged right-wing political movements, policies, and administrations in at least 18 countries to push policies dear to him globally.“

(EDMO²⁴)

“’Make Europe Great Again’ (or MEGA)..was first used last year by..Viktor Orbán during Hungary’s..presidency by the Council of the European Union (EU).”

Israel: Likud, Kahanism & the rise of a fascist state

“...Awed
As you spread your wings …
Falling fast into your
Kill
Tyranny
Fully-fledged“
(from ‘Mantle‘)

Israel has always been a militarised state. It has long weaponised its apartheid regime against the Palestinian people. For example, over the past two decades and prior to October 07 2023, an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 Palestinian children, primarily boys aged 12 to 17, have been held in Israeli military detention which has a 99% conviction rate (and where physical abuse and illegal extracted confessions are routine).²⁵

However, it would also be fair to say that it is only in the last 30 years that it has descended into a fascist country.²⁶

The first signs happened with the building of alliances between Likud and the terrorist Kahanist organisation in the 1990’s.²⁷

Kahanism:

“Kahane’s followers have murdered dozens²⁸ of people and injured hundreds of others in numerous violent attacks²⁹ against Palestinians, Americans, and others in Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, and the United States. As a result, his Kach party, Jewish Defense League, and offshoots were labeled terrorist organizations³⁰ by the US government. Kahane himself was arrested approximately 70 times in the US and Israel for planning and carrying out violent attacks but never received any serious punishment for his crimes.” (IMEU³¹)

The most significant shift occurred under Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. For example, in 2019, Netanyahu facilitated mergers between far-right parties like Jewish Home and Otzma Yehudit (a Kahanist faction) to strengthen Likud-led coalitions. ³²

It is but a hop, skip and a jump from there to end up with a terrorist as your Minister for National Security (again):

“Annihilate, smash, eradicate, erase, crush, shatter, burn, be cruel, punish, ruin, crush. Annihilate!”

Echoing the very heart of the Nazi language of violence and hate:

“Close your hearts to pity! Act brutally! Eighty million people must obtain what is their right…Be harsh and remorseless! Be steeled against all signs of compassion! …Whoever has pondered over this world order knows that its meaning lies in the success of the best by means of force“

(Adolf Hitler, from ‘The Rise and the Fall of the Third Reich‘)

Netanyahu has shown himself to be one of history’s great liars³³ (as described by many Jewish Israelis and other people)³⁴, as well as being a mass murderer of women and children. He is willing to say or do anything to achieve his political goals and ensure his own survival – including sacrificing many Israeli lives.³⁵

“Hitler didn’t want to exterminate the Jews at the time”
(Netanyahu, blaming a Palestinian for the idea of the Holocaust)³⁶

I am very clear where I stand on Israel. I support Israel, but the Kahanists and Likud are going to destroy Israel, just as the Nazis destroyed Germany. It’s that simple, sadly.

“...I would have spoken out too

For your people

In their great suffering.

But not because

You are Jewish,

Or I am a Jew.“

(Chutzpah)³⁷

Israel and Europe

The relationship between Israel and the European far-right is complex but has been developing for more than 15 years.³⁸

The first major public sign of their alliance was in 2010 at an international far-right conference in Tel Aviv organised by a Likud party member.³⁹

A primary motivation is a shared anti-Islam ideology but there is also a common hatred of the European Union and immigrants of a certain ‘persuasion’ as well as support for undermining democracy and installing autocratic, or worse, rulers and regimes. A real mixed bag of racist anti-democratic discontent.

“Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son, last week called for the death of the European Union and the return of a “Christian” Europe.”
(Times of Israel, 2020)⁴⁰

Other details suggest a much deeper darker collaboration between the Likud party and the AfD:

“In 2019, the Bundestag passed a resolution condemning B.D.S. as antisemitic..The history of the resolution is telling. A version was originally introduced by the AfD“

(Masha Gessen, ‘In the Shadow of the Holocaust‘)⁴¹

Is it therefore any wonder that Israel and Netanyahu will not criticise Musk or the AfD?⁴²

This convergence has led to a strategic partnership whereby, amongst other things, Israeli leaders agree to overlook the far-right’s antisemitism (and even Holocaust denial) in favour of their current pro-Israel stance and anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Netanyahu’s government has actively cultivated relations with various European far-right parties and leaders⁴³, including Vlaams Belang, Attack, the Freedom Party of Austria, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians and the Sweden Democrats.

These parties offer strong support for Israel’s hardline policies towards Palestinians, its opposition to Palestinian statehood, and its pro-settlement stance. You could say their unifying cry is ‘get the Muslims and down with democracy’. Lovely people, I suspect, if you can overlook their hatred filled fascist hearts (as many European politicians quite happily do).

This convenient relationship has now developed into an “enduring passion“.⁴⁴ These connections often go unreported by the media and are rarely mentioned by European leaders who, like the implacably Atlanticist Kaja Kallas, will only refer to Russian and Chinese misinfo and undermining of the EU and European democracies.⁴⁵

Netanyahu has also cultivated a particularly strong bond with Orbán’s Fidesz party in Hungary,⁴⁶ a key player in the European far-right landscape and a Russian asset.The Likud party recently joined the Patriots for Europe alliance in the European Parliament as an observer member.

Israeli leaders ⁴⁷have also supported Calin Georgescu ⁴⁸in Romania.

We must also not forget the use of Israeli spyware against politicians, lawyers, journalists and human rights activists in Europe.⁴⁹ There is also evidence of Russia and Israel sharing spyware code.⁵⁰

“Germany has found itself in a muddle on the issue because it treats defending Israel—a foundational issue ⁵¹for the modern German state—as identical to the protection of Jews from hate in Germany.“

(Human Rights Watch)⁵²

Before moving on, I must note the ridiculous linguistic and legal contortionism taking place in Germany: I am not an expert in international law or theology, but I am relatively confident that you can not expiate (in court or at the Pearly Gates) shame for the genocide of Jews by supporting a genocide by Jews.

Note also the obvious inherent anti-semitism in framing the issue like this (which I do only to make my point). This anti-semitism is prevalent in German policy and quasi-law.⁵³ It equates Israel with all Jewish people and therefore criticism of Israel as anti-semitism. The point is that Israeli fascists are committing horrendous atrocities on the Palestinian people, not that they are Jewish.

Germany has become a country that arrests, imprisons, cancels and persecutes Jews for being opposed to genocide⁵⁴

We must ask how has Germany (and countries like the UK) became so compromised by Israeli fascism (cynically dressed up as concern for Jews)?

We ask the same question every day in the UK. Only in our sick world could this be reality and not dark satire.

In addition, when Europeans change the choice of tribe that can be the new vilified ‘other’ that is not a valid response to Nazism and the Holocaust. A radical proposition perhaps, but still one worth considering in the dark hours of the night (when the angel pays us a visit).

Moloch for the Minotaur

Trump, MAGA & Russia

“We have all the money we need out of Russia”
(Eric Trump)

The connections between Donald Trump, Russian criminals, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, characterised by some sources as an integration into a transnational organised crime network, date back to the 1980s.

The relationship between Trump and Russian organised crime began during a period of financial distress for Trump and coincided with attempts by Soviet intelligence to cultivate him:

Money Laundering (1984): Trump’s relationship with Russian organized crime figures started as early as 1984 when Russian mobster David Bogatin purchased $6 million worth of condominiums in Trump Tower, a transaction later determined by investigators to be a money laundering operation. Bogatin was noted by the FBI as an ally of major Russian mob boss Semion Mogilevich. This was the first documented instance of Russian criminal organisations using Trump properties to launder money through anonymous shell companies.
KGB Cultivation (1987): The KGB began cultivating Trump during his 1987 visit to Moscow, a trip allegedly arranged by Soviet intelligence services as a recruitment operation. Following this visit, Trump immediately launched his first abortive presidential campaign in 1988, promoting foreign policy positions through full-page newspaper advertisements that were aligned with Soviet interests.
Financial Dependence: After multiple bankruptcies left Trump with $4 billion in debt, American banks refused to lend him money. His business empire relied on financing from Russia, a reality inadvertently confirmed by Eric Trump in 2014, who stated, “We have all the money we need out of Russia” . Donald Trump Jr. also acknowledged in 2008 that “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets“.
Integration with State Actors: Sources emphasise that Russian criminal organisations operate as extensions of Putin’s intelligence apparatus, meaning that Trump’s business relationships necessarily involved Russian state actors.
The Bayrock Group: The financial operations that rescued Trump’s businesses during the 1990s and 2000s involved entities connected to the Kremlin, such as the Bayrock Group, co-run by Felix Sater, who pleaded guilty to massive stock fraud involving the Russian mafia.

2016 Election Interference

The Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller concluded that Russian interference in the 2016 election was “sweeping and systematic” and violated U.S. criminal law . Mueller indicted 26 Russian citizens and 3 Russian organisations. Furthermore, Paul Manafort’s willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with Russian intelligence services represented a “grave counterintelligence threat”.

Post-Presidency Alignment & Ukraine (2025–Present)

Trump’s actions in his second term have been met with approval from Putin’s government. Trump has falsely blamed Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion and labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” . Trump’s administration cut military aid to Ukraine and began working with Russia on ceasefire terms . It was reported that the US administration attempted to extort Ukraine for partial U.S. control of its rare mineral rights.

Europe United ? – The union is born

Media and Disinformation

Russian information warfare campaigns helped prime the world for the political ascendance of Trump and Elon Musk. Musk’s operation, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is aligned with groups and individuals whose agenda includes restructuring the Department of Justice to prosecute political opponents, a tactic utilised by the Soviets during the Cold War and by Putin today in Russia. Musk himself has been reported to have suppressed Ukrainian-based accounts and promoted Russian-funded propaganda on his platform X (formerly Twitter). The CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, has been reported to have regular conversations with Putin.

Geopolitical Bullying

Trump has openly discussed partnering with Russia in a geopolitical alliance, dating back to 1987, which involved threatening other countries with nuclear weapons to force diplomatic deals. This frames a new “Axis of powers” including Russia, Israel, and the USA, aiming to carve up weaker groups and states.

Russia’s involvement in Europe

Russia’s relationship with European far-right movements is complex and sophisticated, involving financial support, ideological alignment, and strategic partnerships. It is primarily driven by a strategic goal to undermine the EU.

To Russia, Europe’s far-right is a destabilising tool from which Putin can take advantage to gain legitimacy and geopolitical influence. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France has a well-documented history of ties with Russia, including financial support.

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has also faced scrutiny over its close relationship with Russia, with instances of alleged attempts to solicit political donations from Russian sources. Germany’s AfD has expressed pro-Russian sentiments, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine and energy policy.

A wide range of evidence reveals direct ties between Russian entities and European far-right parties.⁵⁵ Notable examples include the Italian politician Matteo Salvini (who is a friend of Israel too), whose nationalist League party received strategic political support from Russian proxies.⁵⁶

The Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) has actively cultivated transnational connections, providing training to neo-Nazis and other far-right extremists from various European countries, including Sweden, Germany, and Poland.

A comprehensive study by the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism⁵⁷ examined Russia’s relationships with diverse far-right actors in ten European countries. This systematic review identified “key patterns of influence” in Russia’s relationships with the far-right, suggesting coordinated approaches rather than isolated instances of cooperation.

Russian disinformation campaigns also amplify narratives that undermine Ukraine, such as the accusation of Nazism.

Hungary: a key node

Hungary, under Viktor Orbán’s leadership, has cultivated deep ties with Russia. It acts as a particularly important node in the autocratic and far-right network, facilitating alliances⁵⁸ and offering a model of successful autocratic right-wing governance. Orbán is seen as Putin’s key ally in Europe.⁵⁹

Hungary has become a significant financier and coordinator of far-right parties in Europe, including Vox in Spain.

Orbán shares a particularly close relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu,⁶⁰ with their governments holding similar views on migration and Islam and working together to block action on protection of Palestinians.⁶¹ Orbán’s government has actively worked to undermine EU values, norms and policies and makes liberal use of their veto powers on matters requiring European unanimity.

Orbán is also a vocal supporter and ally of Donald Trump, who has returned the favour and frequently lauded Orbán’s leadership.⁶²

Hungary’s hosting of multiple CPAC gatherings, prominent events within American conservatism, further illustrates the linkages between the Hungarian right and the American right (including prominent far-right and Israel supporting figures like Steve Bannon).⁶³

“The number one enemy to the people in Israel are American Jews that do not support Israel”
(Steve Bannon)⁶⁴

The Political Network for Values (PNfV), an organization with links to the United States and funded by the Hungarian government, also plays a role in connecting far-right politicians and activists from both sides of the Atlantic.⁶⁵

Networking events and conferences that bring together far-right figures from different countries, such as the CPAC gatherings in Hungary and the “Make Europe Great Again” rally in Madrid, serve as crucial platforms for building relationships and exchanging strategies.

“And while Orban was in Europe helping Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister was working to build Fidesz’s links in the US with the right-wing of the Republican Party, which is close to Israel. Netanyahu was instrumental in bringing Donald Trump and Orban together.“⁶⁶

(The Roots of Orban’s Strong Bond with Israel and its PM)

America’s influence

The historic influence of America on the European far-right is significant. Indeed, when Hitler was considering how to ‘deal’ with Jews he took his inspiration from American slavery and segregation.

“Did the American regime of racial oppression in any way inspire the Nazis? The unsettling answer is yes.“

(James Q. Whitman)⁶⁷

The term “radical right” originated in the US. The core beliefs of racial superiority and prejudice have long influenced the European far-right movements.

Shared themes such as anti-globalism, anti-immigration, and anti-establishment sentiment resonate between these groups. The long slide into extremism by the Republicans (mirroring the move by Likud) has reached its frenzied apotheosis in the presidency of Donald Trump and gives succour to the European far right and fascists.

“Putin is not the best analogue [for Trump]: Netanyahu is…Netanyahu won by gutting the judiciary, rewriting the law.. and returning to power aligned with..the Kahanists, who were once banned as terrorists…He is emulating both Putin and Netanyahu.“

(Sarah Kendzior)⁶⁸

Connections between the modern American far-right movement and their European counterparts are strongly evident and, as with Israeli influence, suggest a much deeper secret collaboration has been taking place for a long time. However, direct public financial links between Israeli or American actors and European far-right parties are harder to find. I expect these are often mediated by way of indirect benefits including those made available by a range of anti-democratic networks.

“Between Russia and Elon Musk, German Voters Face a ‘Dual Front’ of Disinformation’”
(New York Times)⁶⁹

We have some very unsavoury well funded international organisations to help oil these modern fascist wheels. These organisations have many common links⁷⁰ and a hard-core of a few major companies and billionaire families that fund their objectives⁷¹:

The Heritage Foundation has been discussing plans to overhaul and potentially dismantle the European Union, forging ties with illiberal groups in Poland (Ordo Iuris) and Hungary (MCC, linked to Orbán). As the driving force behind the American takeover ‘Project 2025‘, it is also increasingly focused on Europe and building alliances with right-wing actors and has formed strong alliances with figures like Marine Le Pen and Benjamin Netanyahu. The cheap but effective game of divide and conquer of poorer people and poorer nations.

They openly sponsor destruction of the EU:⁷²

Renaming the EU, Dismantling the Commission: Polish, Hungarian Illiberals Seek U.S. Backing

The Atlas Network⁷³ is a global network of libertarian and ultraconservative think tanks with a growing presence in the EU. It promotes ultra-free market policies, environmental destruction and radical conservative causes. Its European Liberty Forum has been closely timed and located with gatherings of the international far right, attended by figures like Marine Le Pen, Giorgia Meloni, Viktor Orbán, and Trump allies. It receives funding from right-wing billionaires and foundations and is actively involved in lobbying and funding anti-democratic anti-EU groups across Europe.⁷⁴

“A significant portion of the funding for Project 2025 comes from a small network of billionaire family fortunes. The Bradley, Coors, Koch, Scaife, Seid, and Uihlein families have contributed over $120 million to organizations involved in Project 2025.”
(Project 2025)⁷⁵

Project 2025

American influence is also obvious in the stranglehold it has over European foreign policy. I would like to think this largely derives from our reliance on American weaponry to defend ourselves, rather than a common interest in the destruction of other peoples.

“The interference in the German elections by Elon Musk and Trump’s Washington was no less radical and outrageous than that of Moscow.“⁷⁶
(German Chancellor Merz)

People like Elon Musk show that the hard-right in America are now more than happy to publicly accelerate their interference in European democracy.

EDMO: How Elon Musk’s powerful disinformation machine works

We also have links between Musk’s DOGE agency, currently helping to dismantle American federal agencies, and pro-Russian networks.⁷⁷

The UK (and Brexit)

Direct proof of a decisive impact of the Axis powers on the decision of the UK to leave the EU (Brexit) remains elusive. The evidence suggests a deliberate attempt by Russia to amplify the pro-Leave sentiment by infiltrating the political and media establishment.⁷⁸ The UK is considered to be a primary target for Russian espionage and misinfo activities, with a Cold War level of threat.

A UK report has also exposed a significant Russian online operation, a troll factory linked to Yevgeniy Prigozhin,⁷⁹ which utilized social media platforms to spread false narratives about the war in Ukraine, targeting politicians and audiences across various countries, including the UK.

The high-profile poisoning of former Russian military officer Sergei and Yulia Skripal, in Salisbury in 2018, by agents of the Russian state showed how serious the Russian threat is for the UK and highlights how high the UK is on the list of Russian attack priorities.

Personnel in hazmat suits work to secure a tent covering a bench in the Maltings shopping centre in Salisbury, where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Archive)

In 2020, the UK Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) issued a report on Russian interference, characterising Russian influence in the UK as “the new normal” and indicating that the government had underestimated the scale of the threat.⁸⁰ However, as with most Government reviews, the purpose can never be to disclose the failings of the political establishment (no one in power wants that!). In addition, too much exposure might show who has been paid off by the Russians⁸¹ and other Axis powers (particularly Israel).⁸²

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK media regulator Ofcom finally took decisive action by revoking the broadcast license of the television network Russia Today (RT). However, it has taken no serious action against media outlets like GB News (owned by Paul Marshall⁸³ who also owns Unherd and the Spectator and has links to major funders of Trump and Project 2025 like Ken Griffin)⁸⁴ despite it obviously parroting Russian propaganda (amongst its other failings):

“It was disappointing to see that so many of your employees and commentators chose to post on social media not about what was said at Zelensky’s historic address, but rather to seek to undermine the Ukrainian president by focusing on his attire.“⁸⁵

(Maria Romanenko, Byline Times, 2023)

Didn’t someone else do that recently in the White House? These people feel so sure of their status as the new master race, they don’t even try to hide it.

There was also a sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign known as “DoppelGänger“.⁸⁶ It involved creating cloned websites that mimicked legitimate media outlets and government websites,⁸⁷ using social media bots to spread pro-Russian narratives, including fear-mongering about the negative consequences of sanctions against Russia for citizens in the UK and other European countries.

The mainstream political parties (Conservative, Labour and now Reform), that benefit from funding (whether directly or indirectly) from extreme autocratic or fascist organisations or state agents see no reason to cut off their sources of funding.

On a personal level such relationships can also be very lucrative, with private engagements, directorships etc. There is also the possibility of Trump style grift or corruption⁸⁸ around people, who seem to have misplaced their soils, like Michael Gove.⁸⁹ It is notable that some of the people funding the authoritarian takeover did very well during the Covid crisis and who then used that increased wealth to further the far-right cause.⁹⁰

Sadly, everyday banal venality trumps loyalty to the British people, democracy and even the state by British politicians and media owners.

Israeli influence

Israeli influence in the UK is wide and deep. It primarily focuses on cultivating strong bilateral ties through political donations, extensive lobbying activities, and close security and intelligence cooperation.

The UK and Israel maintain a very close and long-standing partnership in the realm of military and intelligence affairs, including regular high-level meetings between top military officials from both countries.⁹¹

Leaked documents reveal instances of collaboration between a pro-Israel UK legal advocacy group, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), and the Israeli government to counter the work of human rights organizations that are critical of Israel.⁹²

A significant pro-Israel bias is also evident in UK media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.⁹³

American influence

“I am proud that The Heritage Foundation has worked to convince Americans and the British people about the necessity and mutual benefits of Brexit”
Jim DeMint (Heritage Foundation)

Like Europe, the UK is effectively a client state of America.

The Perpetual War Machine

Like Europe, the UK also suffers from the pernicious influence of Elon Musk’s X platform which spreads and amplifies lies and misinformation, hate speech and frequently attacks the UK State and democracy.

The UK also has particular exposure to Palantir Technologies in some of its major Governmentt contracts.⁹⁴

Palantir is a corporate dark arts specialist and is involved in the use of AI and other technologies for genocide ⁹⁵ in the Palestinian occupied territories which has caused some European investors to sell their shares.⁹⁶ That said, in today’s Europe, most governments seem similarly supportive of killing tens of thousands of women and children, apparently as a maligned and misunderstood form of terrorism prevention.

Palantir also has significant involvement in the Ukraine war efforts. Peter Thiel, a founder and major owner, is a particularly dangerous technofascist like Elon Musk.⁹⁷

An alliance of cannibals

Alas, as I do this in my spare time and – unlike the EEAS – have no staff, I must draw this article to a close.

To conclude (if anyone is still with me?): whether the coordination taking place between Russia and America-Israel is unified or more like a gang of fascists with overlapping interests is really not that important.

We should not forget that the Axis powers in WWII were not actually that aligned either. Hitler famously detested Mussolini’s weakness and lack of resolve and Mussolini thought Hitler was a deranged liar. In addition, there was little by way of personal relationships between the leaders of Japan with Germany or Italy. It was a marriage of convenience for all.

In any event if, like Europe, Canada, Mexico and others, you are the dinner at the buffet: all you should care about is ensuring that you are not on the menu.

“Putin-Trump call confirmed a classic idea: Russia and America dine, others are on the menu. Brussels sprouts, British fish & chips, Paris rooster for starters—main course? Kiev-style cutlet. Bon appétit!” Medvedev wrote.“⁹⁸

(Defence Blog)

We are all there is.
We are all that there will be.
We are, as they say, the ones we’re waiting for.⁹⁹
(Garrett Graff)

Empathy

Whilst I am not a product or child of war, my formative years involved domestic violence, anger and abuse. I know some of the damage it does.

If you find my writing a little too passionate or forceful, it is because my experience of hurt, and my ability to imagine the hurt of others, is ever present. Empathy, especially for the vulnerable, is all that separates us from our own darker sides and those of our adversaries.

I hope one day we will all “meet in the place that has no darkness‘.

Until then, resist the fascists with every fibre of your being in every way you can. Every day. Your family and friends are depending on you. Our children and their children are depending on it.

We must resist.