János Radványi

János Radványi (born 1922) is a Hungarian-born American diplomat, politician, political scientist and academic professor, who served as Hungarian Ambassador to the United States between 1962 and 1967, when he applied for asylum from the U.S. government.

Biography

He was born in Budapest in 1922. He fought the Germans in the partisan underground until the Second World War ended. He entered diplomatic service in 1947 and was posted in Turkey, France, Switzerland, and Syria. He was appointed to head the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1962. Five years later for political reasons, Ambassador Radványi cut his ties with the Hungarian government and issued a statement that said in part: "I have always tried to work for peace and better understanding in this troubled world. However, in recent months I came to realize that it was impossible for me to act in good conscience and continue to be the representative of the Hungarian Government to the American Government."

After being granted political asylum, he and his family moved to California. He earned a doctorate in History at Stanford University in 1971. Shortly thereafter, he joined the faculty of the History Department at Mississippi State University. In 1982, he founded and directed the Center for International Security and Strategic Studies. In June 1996, Radványi became the first chair holder of the newly established Endowed Chair for International Security and Strategic Studies at Mississippi State University.

In 1978, Radványi and his family were granted American citizenship.

Books

• Radványi, János: Hungary and the Superpowers. Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, 1972.
• Radványi, János: Delusion and Reality: Gambits, Hoaxes and Diplomatic One-Upmanship in Vietnam. Gateway Editions, Ltd., Southbend, Indiana, 1978.
• Radványi, János (ed.): Psychological Operations and Political Warfare in Long-Term Strategic Planning. Praeger Publishers, New York, 1990.
• Radványi, János (ed.): The Pacific in the 1990's: Economic and Strategic Change. University Press of America, Bethesda, Maryland, 1990.
• Radványi, János: The Survey Reports on Japan-Related Regional Activities in the U.S.. Mississippi-Japan Center for International Exchange Press, March, 1993.

References

• Diplomatic Representation for Hungary
• A diplomata halálos ítélete 168 Óra (Hungarian)