FT News Briefing Orbán draws US support ahead of Hungary’s election
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Feb 17, 2026 
Martin Dunai, FT Southeast Europe correspondent, explains Rubio’s public backing of Viktor Orbán and the US-Hungary dialogue on energy and Ukraine. Andrew Jack, FT education editor, covers shifting MBA trends, MIT Sloan’s surge and how economic pressures reshape business-school choices. Short, sharp takes on geopolitics and higher education shifts.
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Fund Managers Bet Against The Dollar
- Fund managers hold a decade-high bearish stance on the US dollar amid unpredictable US policymaking.
- The dollar has fallen substantially this year and sits near a four-year low.
US Endorsement Of Orbán Before Election
- Marco Rubio publicly framed Viktor Orbán as essential to US interests ahead of Hungary's election.
- That endorsing gesture highlights a growing US alignment with illiberal European leaders despite EU discomfort.
Relationship Rooted In 2016 Endorsement
- Orbán's warm relationship with Trump-era figures dates back to his early endorsement of Trump in 2016.
- That long-standing bond explains the current mutual praise and political alignment between Orbán and US conservatives.