George Shultz once asked, “If you plant a garden and go away for six months, what have you got when you come back?” The former Secretary of State answered, “Weeds.” Shultz went on to explain “diplomacy is kind of like that: You go around and talk to people, you develop a relationship of trust and confidence, and then if something comes up, you have that base to work from.” Meridian International Center has been cultivating the diplomatic garden since its founding in 1960. While we never envisioned that in our 60th year the world would confront a faceless, stateless...

The private and public sector are in an essential marriage that’s being tested now amid COVID-19 more than ever.

“The real crucial link in international exchange is the last three feet, which is bridged by personal contact, one person talking to another.” -Edward R. Murrow While renowned American broadcaster Edward R. Murrow reminds us the most important work of diplomacy occurs across “the last three feet” between individuals, the threat of COVID-19 puts this fundamental principle into question at the time when we need international cooperation the most. As Meridian celebrates its 60th anniversary year, we do so immersed in one of the worst medical crises to ever affect the world. The transnational nature of COVID-19 underscores the...

Hey there, Meridian Readers. You did it- you made it to another weekend and the beginning of a new month. Let’s celebrate by catching up on the news. Trump’s visit highlights importance of US-India relationship Publication: CNBC | By Saheli Roy Choudhury Last week marked President Trump’s first official state visit to India, signifying the the growing strength of a bilateral relationship between Washington and New Delhi. The biggest area of collaboration between the U.S. and India? Defense procurement. India approved plans to purchase 24 military helicopters worth $2.6 billion from American defense firm Lockheed Martin for the Indian...