Sports diplomacy builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power,” which embraces the full range of diplomatic tools – in this case the game of basketball – to bring people together to foster greater understanding.

APDS Blogger: Marissa Cruz-Enriquez

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo partnered with Share the Mic, a company that strategically matches emerging artists with non-profit causes, to develop the contest to empower Egyptian women...In this time of uncertainty and change, the Embassy developed an innovative program that delivers something young Egyptian women want: a platform to leverage their own voices.

Japan is known to use cherry trees as a gesture of goodwill, and in Washington DC, one beneficiary of Tokyo's flower power diplomacy, the blossom season is an annual party highlight. But in Taiwan, it is more than that.

Hedgecock’s visit is part of a project, initiated by the Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, to positively represent Israel to the international community.The project aims at bringing senior radio hosts from the United States to Israel, providing them with the opportunity and necessary tools to broadcast the facts to their American listening public.

The past month exposes the limits of leaders who try to shape the world — and how unexpected actions by individuals can influence the course of history. “The drama of a singular event can supersede years of policymaking,” says Philip Seib, director of the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy.

Pakistan-Korea cultural links are founded on a cultural agreement signed in 2006 which will be renewed during a high-level visit. The agreement provides for the promotion of cultural exchanges, photographic exhibitions and exchanges of art and artifacts.

Middle East and Asia are usually dominated by stories of war and political confrontations. But in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, Gaza and Malaysia, music, art and dance are helping to bring people together. "It's cultural diplomacy, cultural engagement,"...