Thirteen Afghan parliamentarians just completed a visitor program on "The Role of the Legislative Branch in a Democracy." Ten young women from Iraq deepened their understanding of research in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields at Smith College.

“Subsequently, I have been asked via the Cuban Embassy in South Africa – my initial contact in South Africa – whether I would be able to have a performance dedicated to the ANC centenary celebrations in Bloemfontein on September 24. I have been working with the embassy and DAC on producing this tour which ends with this performance.”

Recently, American Voices held its annual Youth Excellence on Stage (YES) Academy in the city of Duhok, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. American Voices, the nonprofit for which I am the Director of Communications, conducts cultural diplomacy to countries emerging from conflict or isolation.

Last week, the American Center in New Delhi organized an interactive session for a young group of professionals and students from India with Ms. Heather Smith, President of the American non-profit, Rock the Vote. This was a unique opportunity for the participants to interact via digital video conferencing with Ms.

Simply put, China deploys soft power in Africa very prudently. China projects soft power by building visible infrastructure projects on the continent. From the ‘Uhuru’ Tanzam Railway project to the Indian Ocean to the African Union’s new gleaming skyscraper headquarters complex. China is making real and noticeable differences in the lives of Africans all over Africa.

As the United States embarks on a strategic “rebalance” toward Asia, Washington and its allies in the region must do a better job making the case for policies that require broad public support. This is especially true in fiscally constrained times, when the threat of sequestration may require the United States to rely more heavily on its friends and allies in the region.

A newly published study by the American Security Project (ASP), “The New Public Diplomacy Imperative,” highlights public diplomacy (PD) as a crucial element of our national security strategy and details the many obstacles for U.S. public diplomacy to reach its potential.

Six teams from the Taiwan Kitefliers Association will visit Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific region to promote the country's popular folk art and boost cultural exchanges...Between August and October, the teams will visit Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Fiji to showcase their kite-flying skills and teach locals how to make and fly kites.