The Institution
Meridian is a private intelligence institution providing bespoke geopolitical analysis and strategic advisory to a discreet roster of principals. We do not publish. We advise.
Our Mission
Meridian was established to fill a gap that open-source analysis and traditional consulting cannot bridge: principal-level intelligence that is specific, verified, and operationally relevant. Our clients are not looking for public-facing commentary. They require decision-grade assessments.
We operate on the conviction that the most consequential intelligence is never published. What appears in public reporting represents a fraction of the analytical picture. Our mandate is to provide the rest.
Meridian engages on an invitation-only basis. We accept a limited number of new principals each year, selected for the alignment of their requirements with our analytical capabilities.
Our Methodology
Multi-Source Fusion
We integrate HUMINT, OSINT, signals analysis, and financial intelligence into a unified analytical picture. No single source is treated as authoritative in isolation.
Structured Analytical Techniques
All assessments employ formalised analytical tradecraft including ACH (Analysis of Competing Hypotheses), red-teaming, and scenario planning to surface and challenge analytical assumptions.
Direct Principal Engagement
Our analysts engage directly with principals — no account managers, no intermediaries. The analyst who produced the assessment is the analyst who delivers and defends it.
Continuous Monitoring
Intelligence is not a one-time deliverable. We maintain persistent monitoring of our principals' areas of interest, delivering updates as the operational picture evolves.
Leadership
Victoria Ashworth
Director General
Deputy National Security Advisor, HM Government
Victoria has spent thirty years at the intersection of intelligence, policy, and private sector advisory. Prior to founding Meridian, she served as Deputy NSA under two administrations, responsible for intelligence community coordination and principal-level briefing.
Dr. James Chen
Deputy Director, Analysis
Senior Analyst, China & Indo-Pacific Desk — Central Intelligence Agency (22 years)
James is Meridian's foremost authority on Chinese strategic intent, PLA modernisation, and Taiwan Strait dynamics. His analytical work on China's cognitive warfare doctrine has shaped policy discussions across allied capitals.
Brigadier General (Ret.) Marcus Reid
Chief of Intelligence
Director, Defense Intelligence Analysis Center, DIA
Marcus brings thirty years of military intelligence experience across three theatres of operation. His operational experience in denied environments informs Meridian's HUMINT methodology and source validation protocols.
Senior Fellows & Analysts
Meridian's analysts are drawn from intelligence agencies, special operations communities, and academic institutions. All hold relevant security clearances and active source networks in their areas of specialisation.
Dr. Elena Vasquez
Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security
Former National Intelligence Officer for East Asia. Elena's research focuses on PLA naval doctrine, grey-zone maritime operations, and the evolving US-China military balance in the Indo-Pacific.
Dr. Priya Nair
Senior Fellow, Emerging Technology & AI
Former DARPA program manager and NSA technical advisor. Priya leads Meridian's emerging technology intelligence program, with particular focus on adversarial AI integration into military and intelligence architectures.
Dr. Thomas Harrington
Director, European Programs
Former senior analyst at the European Union Intelligence and Situation Centre (INTCEN). Thomas brings two decades of Russia analysis experience and maintains active networks across Eastern European capitals.
Colonel (Ret.) David Okonkwo
Senior Fellow, African Security
Former Special Forces officer with extensive operational experience across West Africa and the Horn. David leads Meridian's Sub-Saharan Africa program with particular focus on great-power competition and PMC activity.
Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Senior Fellow, Middle East & North Africa
Former Director of Middle East Analysis, UK Joint Intelligence Committee. Sarah's expertise spans Iranian strategic doctrine, Gulf political economy, and the evolving Israeli-Arab security architecture.
Advisory Board
Ambassador (Ret.) Susan Liang
Former US Ambassador to the People's Republic of China
General (Ret.) Robert Harwick
Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO
Richard Vale
Former Deputy Director of Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency
Dame Catherine Forbes
Former Chief, Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
Admiral (Ret.) James Kowalski
Former Commander, US Strategic Command
Dr. Fatima Al-Rashid
Former Director, Policy Planning Staff, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Media Inquiries
Meridian provides background briefings and expert commentary to credentialed journalists on an attribution-controlled basis.