South Asia
![Photo reprinted courtesy of NHD-Info President Joko Widodo shakes hands during the election.](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Guvern%C3%B8r_Joko_Widodo_og_statsr%C3%A5d_Trond_Giske.jpg?itok=Jk7fyzjg)
The time is right for Indonesia's President to strengthen his country's image and policies.
![Photo courtesy of Alice Carrier's Flickr stream](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/violin.jpg?itok=Xm-XOySr)
An American violinist and cultural diplomat explores the unifying power of music.
![Paul Rockower hiphop](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Hiphop%20title%20image_0.jpg?itok=wHU-FatR)
In Patna, Bihar, students learn how to express themselves and the world around them through dance.
![](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/LAWAC%20Logo.jpg.jpg?itok=koNbu5F1)
![wikipedia.org Obama plays ball](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Barack_Obama_2009_MLB_All_Star_Game_first_pitch.jpg?itok=q-BsS5Ak)
For years, the rest of the world has looked to America – either with gratitude or resentment – as the world’s policeman. Now, that 911 call may be rerouted.
![Photo from Indian Embassy Cairo Facebook page](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/indinile%202.jpg?itok=toHw-nCj)
How an annual Indian festival is forging permanent friendships in Egypt.
![](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Goethe%20608x373.png?itok=rbV0Zc4W)
![Source: US Dept of State (france.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html)](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/AmbassadorCharlesHRivkin%20608x373.jpg?itok=T0fcfmD1)
As Secretary of State John Kerry has pointed out, “Now more than ever, economic policy is foreign policy.” Rivkin’s appointment to lead the Economic and Business Affairs bureau comes after a long, entrepreneurial career in the entertainment industry, making him the first non-career bilateral ambassador to hold the position.