Al Jazeera helped overthrow Hosni Mubarak,...and has now turned against its onetime ally Syria. The victory over Libya—won in part with Qatari money and weapons and fighters, in addition to the soft power of Al Jazeera—may have been the crowning touch.

Americans are not often heroes in the Arab world, but as nonstop celebrations unfold here in the Libyan capital I keep running into ordinary people who learn where I’m from and then fervently repeat variants of the same phrase: “Thank you, America!”

Carrie Tucker, chief executive of Rodeo China, who has been doing business in China since the 1980s, and is co-founder of Less is Forever More Inc, had said the rodeo exemplified the culture of the American West and the founding history of the US. Tucker added rodeos were still a celebrated part of rural life in the US, but welfare groups here contended it was an outmoded and cruel sport.

The Confucius Institute at UCA has been bringing the Chinese language to Arkansas for several years. Yet, it's the first year the Pulaski County Special School District has partnered with the institute. Now, more than 100 students are enrolled in classes and growing.

The author correctly argues that AFRICOM, in undermining state sovereignty, will “alter the regional balance of power, and be divisive and destabilizing…It would undermine the unity and collective decision-making.” AFRICOM was to be located in Africa, General Ward probably plans to locate it in countries such as Botswana and Namibia with pro-western leadership.

Expect to see all of these fixtures of German culture transplanted in Vandalia on Sept. 9, 10, and 11 when the Oktoberfest comes to the Crossroads of America. Hosted by Sister Cities of Vandalia at the Sports Complex on 1101 Stonequarry Rd., this event is patterned after the two-week festival held annually in Munich, Germany.

The U.S. government is struggling to coordinate the volumes of information from the many agencies and departments that make up slices of the public diplomacy and strategic communications pie. Congress needs to use its oversight to evaluate the variety of agencies, set specific goals, and ensure that the vital work of public diplomacy moves forward.

The trip was initially about much more than basketball — the exhibition games were merely a formality as the Hoya contingent toured the country, met with Vice President Joe Biden and sought to promote sports diplomacy between the world's superpower and its ascending counterpart.