Today the cohort of International Relations fellows visited both the American Red Cross headquarters (DOCC – Disaster Operations Control Center) and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB). We received a fantastic tour of the Red Cross with Mr. Chad which included a great overview of the positions held by Red Cross members around the nation,  the purpose served by the Washington D.C. headquarters, how they prepare for and respond to many levels of disaster and how they interact with the greater International Red Cross.  After enjoying lunch at our hotel from Panera Bread we set out again on the Metro and headed toward the EEOB.  We met Alex Macgillivray President Obama’s Deputy Chief Technology Officer.  We received a super tour of this amazing office complex adjacent to the White House.  We delved into how the President’s cabinet works, the inter agency process and how policy is made within Washington.  What an insight!  We then walked down to the National Mall and visited the statue of Einstein and the Vietnam War .  For dinner we immersed ourselves into the Asian world of Hotpot!

– Arman Shekarriz