Hey there, Meridian Readers! Happy Sunday. We’re feelin’ good, we hope you are too – now let’s sit back and catch up on the latest news. US economy slows to 2.1 percent growth in second quarter Publication: The Hill | By Sylvan Lane We know that the slowing of the economy is never a good thing, but what does this actually mean? According to data released Friday (7/26) by the Commerce Department, the U.S. GDP grew at a rate of 2.1 percent between April and June, in line with expectations, but well below the 3.1 percent growth-rate notched in the first...

Happy Sunday, Meridian Readers! We hope you beat the heat this weekend. Now, let’s jump into this week’s #MeridianReads… China’s envoys try out Trump-style Twitter diplomacy Publication: The Guardian | By Lily Kuo Twitter is banned in China, but that isn’t stopping officials from using President Trump’s favorite outreach tool. How are they doing this if it’s banned? Well, the app is mostly being used by diplomats based in other countries. The surprising factor? Most of the foreign service officers who are taking to Twitter to confront Beijing’s critics more directly aren’t usually outspoken. “It is a new communication...

Morocco has been called a cool country with a hot sun; those who visit may also call it a hot country with cool people. Meridian International Center had the opportunity to see the North African nation’s many facets as part of a delegation dispatched to examine the political economic and cultural landscape in Morocco. Much of Morocco’s dynamism is related to its history as a melting pot of cultures; from Berber to Arab to Jewish to European to African, elements of each culture was incorporated into its evolution as a nation. The country has also managed to weather the...

Hi there, Meridian Readers — we’re back and better than ever. A lot happened in the diplomatic community while we were gone, so let’s dive in and catch up. What Happens If the 2020 Election Is a Tie? Publication: The Atlantic | By Norm Ornstein We get it. It feels like 2019 just started, you’re thiiiis close to using that gym membership you signed up for on January 1– but it’s already time to look ahead to 2020. Because politics. Polls are already suggesting the 2020 presidential election will be neck and neck, and may result in a tie....

There’s only a few days left before the holiday weekend, Meridian Readers. Hang in there. You got this. Now, let’s chat about diplomacy. Iran slams new US sanctions, says they mean end of diplomacy Publication: CNBC | From The Associated Press We know we talked about Iran last week, but tensions between the U.S. and the Middle Eastern country haven’t eased. On June 24, President Trump hit Iran with new sanctions against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his associates. U.S. officials also said they planned sanctions against Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Yikes. Who’s not so thrilled about these...