First international conference on IMEC
Building Bridges of Connectivity was cohosted by SIGNAL Group on May 12–13, 2025, in Budapest. This inaugural conference marked the first multilateral convening dedicated to advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) through practical and actionable strategies.
The conference brought together senior representatives from 14 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States to explore ways to strengthen cross-regional connectivity, economic integration, and sustainable development.
Keynote addresses were delivered by The Hon. Tony Abbott AC, former Prime Minister of Australia, and H.E. Saud Hamad Al-Shamsi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Hungary. Panelists included Dr. Thanos Dokos, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and Francesco Stanislao Parisi, President and Managing Director of Headquarters Trieste, Italy, among others.
With increasing pressure from the West, can Israel resist a China charm offensive?
Chinese Ambassador to Israel Xiao Junzheng has been on a charm offensive since arriving to his new post in December. In contrast with his predecessors, who shied away from the Israeli media, Xiao has been blanketing the airwaves and acting in ways unprecedented for Beijing: condemning Hamas and calling to free the hostages.
Route through Israel proposed as rival to China’s Belt and Road
A proposed trade route connecting India and Europe, via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, was the topic of a conference held in Budapest this month.
The May 12-13 conference, “Realizing the Vision of IMEC: Building Bridges of Connectivity,” was sponsored by the Danube Institute, a Budapest-based conservative group; and the Sino-Israel Global Network and Academic Leadership (SIGNAL Group), an Israeli policy think tank.
The UAE’s Huawei Gamble: What It Means for Military Power
In this interview, Carice Witte breaks down the complex strategic dance between China, the Gulf states, and the U.S. – from Huawei and the F-35 to shifting BRICS dynamics.
She offers sharp insights into how regional powers are playing both sides to maximize economic and security leverage.
Israel and the Eastern Super Powers - Jewish News Syndicate Summit 2025
Carice Witte, Founder and Executive Director of SIGNAL Group, delivered a talk at the JNS inaugural International Policy Summit 2025. It was the first time that an Israeli news outlet conference hosted a plenary that featured Israel and the East. A bold, forward-looking Indo-Pacific strategy was emphasized as critical to Israel’s future. While Asia has long been overlooked due to Israel’s historical security concerns, shifting global dynamics—marked by China’s rise and new regional alignments—are reshaping strategic priorities.
About
The Global Israel Initiative (GII) is SIGNAL Group’s new strategic initiative to advance Israel as a middle power. GII’s purpose is to strengthen Israel’s position vis-à-vis China and amid the U.S.-China great power rivalry. Therefore, its priority is the evolving Indo-Pacific arena.
SIGNAL Group is a think tank that empowers Israel to address China’s rise on the world stage. A hub for capacity building and policy entrepreneurship, SIGNAL Group and its global network are a resource for Israel’s policy community regarding Chinese statecraft, China in the Middle East, and the US-China rivalry.
