How is it possible that the post-regime change democracy 'boom' in the V4 countries is being replaced by a trend towards illiberal authoritarianism? We are being helped to answer this question by Tom Palmer, executive vice president for international programs at Atlas Network. He explains the phenomenon by the propagandistic exploitation of the global financial crisis and the active, destructive influence of Vladimir Putin's Russia. He details how Russia spreads illiberalism by financing extremist political movements and using immigration as a "weapon". The podcast also touches the topic of the political similarities between Hungary and the United States.