The "Most-Worsened" Country

Posted: November 3rd, 2016

By J.J. Messner

J.J. Messner became the Executive Director of The Fund for Peace in October 2014 after having been the Director of FFP's Sustainable Development & Security program for nearly four years. He has also co-directed FFP's Fragile States Index and coordinated the country data and trends analysis program as well as FFP's media and communications outreach. Prior to joining The Fund for Peace, from 2006 to 2010, J.J. was Director of the International Stability Operations Association (formerly the International Peace Operations Association), a non-profit organization focused on private sector support for operations in conflict and post-conflict environments. He was also the founder and Editor-in-Chief for four years of the Journal of International Peace Operations. J.J. also has experience in the fields of corporate antitrust law and educational non-profits. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, J.J. received his Bachelors degree in Politics and International Studies from the University of Adelaide, Australia and a Masters of Science (Peace Operations) from George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. His academic work has also included research abroad in Costa Rica, India, Mexico and Timor-Leste as well as a study abroad at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Fund for Peace’s (FFP) 2016 Fragile States Index ranks Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as the “most-worsened” country this year, due in part to its recent track record on refugees, human rights, and rule of law. FFP Executive Director J. J. Messner, who is also the editor of the fragile states report, speaks with The Cipher Brief about Hungary’s shaky position.

The Cipher Brief: This year’s index finds Hungary is the “most-worsened” country, year-on-year, for 2016? What does this mean?

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