One year ago, the newly elected US President Barack Obama took to the stage at Cairo University and delivered a highly anticipated foreign policy speech...He promised to create more opportunities for bright young Muslims to study or take internships in the US, create a volunteer programme for Americans to work in Muslim countries and host a presidential summit bringing the Islamic world’s best entrepreneurs to Washington.

The Russian Press Agency inferred that international relations between Russia and the United States grew cold following the arrest of 11 suspected spies in the US on Friday. Referred to as 'burger diplomacy', Medvedev's meeting with Obama may be his last.

From Obama and Hillary, to Kobe and Michelle (Kwan), the U.S. Pavilion features some of the most recognizable celebrity “brand ambassadors” for the country.  But the most visible presence belongs to the student ambassadors.  This video blog highlights their experiences at the Expo.

In an ideal world, sanctions would be a diplomatic step to increase pressure that could be reinforced with the future threat of military force. Ultimately, if a country doesn’t cooperate and respond to sanctions, the international community can compel them to fall into line.

The U.S., admired worldwide for its leadership in technology, should pursue science diplomacy with Muslim-majority countries. Such a policy could complement efforts to promote human rights.

But when I arrived to Istanbul I was stunned more by how the media in the “West” continue to shape (or distort) our perception of the “East”. We are told to fear those in the “Islamic world”, as if such a thing exists.

It was all a far cry from the bleak old days of the Cold War. No one pounded a table with a shoe; no one threatened to bury anyone. The focus was on economic modernization, but it didn't feel especially dramatic. Maybe that's a good thing.

Do you remember candidate Barack Obama offering his hope-and-change platitudes in front of the fake Greek columns during the Democratic convention? Or earlier pontificating at the Victory Monument in Berlin? Why didn't an old cigar-chomping Democratic pro take him aside and warn him about offending Nemesis? She is the dreaded goddess who brings divine retribution in ironic fashion to overweening arrogance.