‘BRI is about China, but IMEC encompasses various geopolitical interests’ — An Interview with Happymon Jacob
What drives India’s interest in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)? Could the project boost not just economic ties but also geopolitical cooperation—and signal a shift in India’s neutral stance toward a more Western alignment to counter China? We asked a leading Indian analyst at the Danube Institute’s IMEC conference.
‘I don’t see the IMEC as a zero-sum game’ — An Interview with Ophir Gore
What is Israel’s interest in participating in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project? Why is India or Saudi Arabia important for the Jewish state? And why is connectivity a wise idea? We spoke with the Senior Deputy Chief Economist for International Affairs at the Israeli Ministry of Finance at the Danube Institute’s conference on the IMEC initiative.
Should We Be Afraid of China? — An Interview with Yan Xuetong
What is China: an enemy of Europe and America, or just a competitor, or maybe a friend or ally? Is it a real threat to the Western economy and security? What new world order does China want, and why is Hungary important for Beijing? We asked a prominent Chinese foreign policy expert about the nature of the rising star and the unstoppable giant, China.
Szijjártó: A Revolution of Common Sense Is Reshaping the World Order
Speaking at the Budapest Global Dialogue 2025, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó warned of a new global order shaped by war, crisis, and division. He called for a ‘revolution of common sense’ and criticized EU isolationism, energy policy, and liberal dogmas.
Pearls Among the Hills — The Story of Lavender Tihany
‘Tihany somehow brings peace in every season: it is a joy to see Balaton, to walk around the area, to eat delicious food together, and of course, June gives the biggest joy when you can smell the scent of lavender everywhere. This peninsula is a gem that cannot be explored enough.’
Man Arrested for Assassination Plot Against PM Orbán
A 44-year-old man in a small town in Tolna County, Hungary has been arrested after he published a video on TikTok threatening to kill Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary and other public figures. The local court ordered his detention for one month while the investigation is ongoing.
Vietnamese Values in the Digital Age: Budapest Forum Marks 75 Years of Friendship
On 15 June 2025, Budapest hosted the forum Positioning Vietnamese Values Abroad in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Era at the Hungarian Parliament. The event explored how diasporas use AI to preserve national identity and marked a deepening of cultural ties, led by the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe.
‘Satans’ in the Buda Castle: Undercover Investigations Against the Lutherans
In the early 1950s, Hungary’s secret police targeted the Bécsi Kapu Square Lutheran congregation in one of its most extensive church surveillance operations. Despite amateur methods and critical errors, including mistaken identity, the investigation dragged on—highlighting both the paranoia and inefficiency of Rákosi-era state security.
Oil Prices Surge in Response to Israeli Strike on Iran
In response to the Israeli air strike on Iran last week, oil prices rose about 10 per cent on the international commodity markets, which, in turn, raised gas prices in the US. This is not good news for the Trump administration, as so far it has been served well by low gas prices and favourable monthly inflation reports.
Orbán Calls for Suspension of Russian Energy Ban Amid Middle East Conflict
Hungary is demanding the EU suspend its plan to ban Russian energy imports in light of the Middle East war, warning that further supply shocks could cripple the European economy. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán urged Brussels to reassess the risks.
