Pell Center receives grant to host Franco-U.S. defense dialogue

Salve Regina’s Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy has received a $200,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to support the Rochambeau Dialogue over a period of two years.

Named after one of the most celebrated French commanders of the Revolutionary War, the Rochambeau Dialogue is a programmatic effort designed to strengthen defense cooperation between the United States and its oldest ally, France. This will take the form of an annual Franco-U.S. defense dialogue, held on campus over the course of two days. Led by Pell Center senior fellow Iskander Rehman, and in partnership with a leading French think-tank, the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), the dialogue will serve as a forum for discussion with the participation of current and former French and American government officials.

“At a time of transatlantic turmoil, initiatives such as these take on a whole new importance,” Rehman said. “It is our hope that the Rochambeau Dialogue will strengthen the fraternal bond between both republics, and raise awareness among French and American audiences of the enduring value of the alliance.”

Jim Ludes, executive director of the Pell Center, praised the initiative and thanked Carnegie Corporation of New York for their support. “With the threats to liberal democracies on the rise, we’re eager to get to work to foster this important dialogue, and we are very grateful to the corporation for the grant to make this effort possible,” he said.

“FRS is thrilled to be a partner in this much-needed venture,” said Bruno Tertrais, deputy director of FRS. “At a time when the U.S. and France are more than ever key Western defense and security partners, this new strategic dialogue will help promote mutual knowledge and understanding as well as facilitate cooperation.”

“We hope the Rochambeau Dialogue will have a positive impact for years to come,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. “It is our privilege to provide a grant for this thoughtful, timely and worthwhile endeavor.”