Benjamin Novak

Benjamin Novak is a Researcher affiliated with the CEU Democracy Institute at Central European University. Previously a journalist and New York Times correspondent in Hungary (2013–2022), he holds a master’s in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a doctoral thesis on political memory in international relations. His work focuses on authoritarianism, EU politics, and Hungary’s governance under Viktor Orban. His research explores topics like energy policy, democratic backsliding, and the intersection of populism with cultural and economic issues. Articles analyze Orban’s economic challenges, EU-Russia tensions, and Hungary’s role in shaping post-Ukraine war geopolitics. The Democracy Institute’s research areas include democratization, inequality, and media-technology dynamics. Novak’s investigations often highlight Orban’s consolidation of power, including legal maneuvers, media control, and reliance on Russian energy ties. His reporting appears in NYT and other outlets, contributing to global discourse on Eastern European politics.