Meridian at Milken: Forging Global Alliances – Innovation and Strength in Modern Diplomacy
At a time of strategic realignment and geopolitical flux, diplomacy must be more agile, multidimensional, and anchored in shared purpose. That was the central theme of Forging Global Alliances: Innovation and Strength in Modern Diplomacy, curated by Meridian International Center at the 2025 Milken Institute Global Conference. The conversation—moderated by Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of Meridian International Center brought together The Rt. Hon. Kevin Rudd, Ambassador of Australia to the U.S.; H.E. Nicole Bintner-Bakshian, Ambassador of Luxembourg to the U.S.; The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the U.S.; and H.E. Alejandro Oxenford, Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S.
The panel explored how nations can forge alliances that are both resilient and forward-leaning, leveraging geography, technology, and commercial innovation to navigate the global order.
These Were the Top Takeaways from the Program:
1. Geostrategy Endures—But Innovation Now Defines Power
While globalization has accelerated connectivity, geography still informs strategic posture. Ambassador Rudd reminded the audience that the Indo-Pacific remains a fulcrum of great power competition, where “alliances are underpinned by both geography and shared strategic imperatives.” Lord Mandelson added that the UK’s enduring position as a transatlantic and Eurasian bridge reinforces its global relevance. Yet as Oxenford emphasized, traditional advantages must now be paired with innovation capacity: “You need peace, yes, but you also need digital infrastructure, tech talent, and access to capital.” Strategic geography may set the stage, but adaptive innovation wins influence.
2. Smaller States as Agile Architects of Stability
Ambassador Bintner-Bakshian outlined how Luxembourg leverages its strategic neutrality, economic acumen, and commitment to multilateralism to contribute meaningfully to European and transatlantic cohesion. “Being at the crossroads has always defined our identity,” she explained. Rather than acting as passive players, small and mid-sized nations are increasingly shaping the rules of engagement—serving as trusted brokers, conveners, and facilitators of consensus in an era of polarization. Their ability to operate across ideological divides positions them as stabilizing actors in today’s fragmented landscape.
3. Alliances Must Be Built for Purpose, Not Just for History
Reflecting on the evolution of regional and global alliances, Ambassador Rudd stressed that their long-term viability hinges on shared purpose, not just legacy ties. “You can’t build the future on nostalgia,” he remarked. Effective alliances today must encompass economic resilience, climate cooperation, digital trust, and value-based governance. Purpose-built frameworks, whether formal like AUKUS or informal like tech partnerships, must be backed by long-term strategy and political will, which holds true for both government and the private sector as they navigate interdependence.
4. Economic Diplomacy Requires Technological Trust
The shifting architecture of global commerce, especially in critical sectors like AI, semiconductors, and energy, demands a more strategic form of economic diplomacy. Lord Mandelson and Oxenford both emphasized that supply chains are no longer purely efficiency-driven; they are informed by trust, resilience, and shared regulatory frameworks. “Friendshoring” and “trusted tech corridors” are not just buzzwords—they are strategic imperatives in a fragmented system. In this context, diplomacy must engage CEOs as much as ambassadors.
5. Diplomacy Must Extend Beyond the State
Ambassador Holliday defined that diplomacy today extends beyond formal statecraft to include people-to-people engagement, commercial leadership, and cultural influence. In this multidimensional model, actors across sectors and borders create durable alliances. International cooperation will depend on new platforms and sectors that convene public and private leaders, encourage trust-building, and foster policy innovation across national and sectoral boundaries.
Project summary
| Meridian at Milken: Forging Global Alliances – Innovation and Strength in Modern Diplomacy | May 2025 | |
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| Impact Areas: | Foreign Policy |
