Hey there, Meridian Readers. If you’re enjoying the long weekend, thanks for spending it with us. If you’re gearing up for work tomorrow, below is all you’ll need to know for your Monday morning chit-chat. Let’s dive in. Sports Diplomacy: The case of the two Koreas Publication: The Diplomat | By Layne Vandenberg It’s no secret that North Korea has trouble getting the world to understand what goes on within its borders. One tool the country has longed used as a means for diplomacy is sports. Mao Zedong’s China and North Korea strengthened ties through a “friendship first, competition...

The United States is home to 60 million Hispanic residents who play a key role in strengthening Hispanic-American ties. Meridian helps advance these relationships through a number of programs and delegations. Here are a few we wanted to highlight during Hispanic Heritage Month: Colombia Meridian accelerates collaboration through the exchange of leaders, ideas and culture, often via salon dinners at embassies in the District. Last spring, Meridian celebrated unique Hispanic cuisine at the Colombian Embassy. The evening centered on culinary diplomacy and featured the innovative cooking of Colombian Chef Juanma Barrientos. Mexico Mexico is a frequent destination for Meridian’s many exchanges. Next Level, an initiative of hip-hop diplomacy implemented...

Happy Sunday, Meridian Readers! It sure was an eventful week, so let’s jump in. What happened at the U.N. General Assembly Publication: The New York Times | By Rick Gladstone and Alan Yuhas Every year presidents and prime ministers come together for UNGA, the word’s most prominent convening of leaders in diplomacy. With Brexit, the climate crisis and plenty of global tensions, this year’s assembly was nothing short of eventful. Here’s a quick rundown of what went down: Boris Johnson, Britain’s new prime minister, made is UN debut just after Britain’s top court ruled that he acted unconstitutionally when...

Hey there, Meridian Readers. You know the drill by now, let’s jump on it. What an African free-trade deal means for the world Publication: The Washington Post | By Ishaan Tharoor Had a busy year? So has Africa. After more than 365 days of diplomatic effort, on September 9 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extolled the virtues of a potentially monumental African free-trade pact. How monumental? Ramaphosa said the deal is “going to be the greatest opportunity for economies on the continent to generate growth through trade.” So, pretty monumental. After Nigeria signed on to the African Continental Free Trade...

Happy Sunday, Meridian Readers! September is in full swing and we know it’s a busy time for everyone, so let’s take a second to sit back, relax and catch up.  Afghan talks could mean diplomatic opportunities for Islamabad Publication: The Washington Diplomat | By Jason Overdorf Feeling exhausted after a busy few months? Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistan’s top diplomat in Washington, feels your pain. Here’s why: At the beginning of July, the International Monetary Fund approved a $6 billion bailout package for his country that could be political kryptonite for his populist boss, Prime Minister Imran Khan. A week later,...