Lexington Summer Intern: Alice Pontallier

Bonjour everybody,

My name is Alice Pontallier and I am from the beautiful French city of Bordeaux. As a research intern, my work at Lexington consists of collecting information on issues like France’s defense priorities and terrorism in the Middle East and South Asia. I’m currently researching the “Atoms for Peace” non-proliferation project, and France’s views on nuclear weapons.

I am excited to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean to discover more about the thrilling atmosphere of Washington, DC. I have just finished my first year at Paris IV Sorbonne University, double majoring in history and English. This is not my first time in the U.S. Two years ago I participated on a three-week summer university session, organized by Junior Statement of America, at Georgetown University. I studied international relations and was able to attend discussions and events on Capitol Hill and at the Pentagon. My research included the main political, economic, and social events that occurred during the 1960s on the American and European continents.

I have written commentaries in The Telegraph and The Guardian about Queen Elizabeth II’s eventual abdication and British political parties. My past research also includes different international systems that succeeded one another in Europe from 1918 to 1940 that focused on the balance of powers between European nations and Wilson’s Fourteen Points.

On my spare time, I practice Russian, which I started learning six years ago. My Russian language skills allow me to partially understand several other Slavic languages such as Czech or Slovak. Other language interests include Spanish, as it is widely spoken and relatively close to French, and Arabic and an Asian language.

Apart from trying to learn as many languages as possible, I am particularly interested in foreign policy as well as defense and security issues. I am astonished by the number and diversity of events I am able to attend in Washington and that I am able to witness debates on current international challenges. Future discussions I plan to attend include ballistic missile defense systems and the Iran nuclear deal. While countries experience many challenges, I am also excited to learn more about solutions to overcome them.

I am excited to learn more about worldwide perspectives, here in Washington. Being an intern at Lexington is a unique opportunity; I am really determined to make the most of it.

Sincerely,

Alice Pontallier