Who founded the EastWest Institute?
The EastWest Institute was founded in 1980 by John Edwin Mroz and Ira D. Wallach. Mroz served as president and CEO for 34 years until his death in 2014.
Questions about EastWest Institute
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What did the EastWest Institute accomplish in 1984?
In 1984, EWI hosted the first track 2 military-to-military discussions between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries. Those talks produced an agreement requiring each side to notify the other of troop movements.
What was the EastWest Institute's Joint Threat Assessment on Iran?
Released in May 2009, the Joint Threat Assessment on Iran was produced by senior U.S. and Russian experts convened by EWI. It concluded that the Bush administration's proposed ballistic missile defense plan would not protect against an Iranian nuclear threat, and helped inform the Obama administration's decision to replace that plan.
What is the U.S.-China Sanya Initiative and how is it connected to EWI?
The U.S.-China Sanya Initiative is a series of forums between retired People's Liberation Army officers and retired U.S. military personnel, organized by EWI in partnership with the China Association for International Friendly Contact since 2008. It is supported by the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a Hong Kong-based nonprofit founded by billionaire Tung Chee-hwa.
Why did the EastWest Institute close?
EWI discontinued operations effective the 31st of January 2021. The decision followed a four-month strategic assessment, driven by challenges from the global pandemic and related financial pressures on nonprofit organizations.
What is track 2 diplomacy and how did EWI use it?
Track 2 diplomacy refers to unofficial dialogue between parties in conflict, conducted outside formal government channels. EWI used it extensively, including the landmark 1984 NATO-Warsaw Pact military talks and the ongoing Sanya Initiative between retired U.S. and Chinese military officers.