“We really hope that the students get an opportunity to learn about Mexico’s history and traditions and we encourage our students to participate and to get to know more about the Mexican culture,” Barrio said. “Our strategic location at the US-Mexico border provides a unique opportunity for our students to live a binational experience.” 

The United States has been the largest individual donor to mine action in Angola making it the third largest recipient of U.S. mine action support in the world -- totaling more than $110 million since 1993. Our extensive efforts have saved thousands of lives through the clearance of roads, contaminated land, and allowed for the safe return of families displaced by conflict.

The tripartite nature of the Islamic State creates a policy dilemma. On the one hand, it is important to use hard military power to deprive the caliphate of the territory that provides it both sanctuary and legitimacy. But if the American military footprint is too heavy, the Islamic State’s soft power will be strengthened, thus aiding its global recruiting efforts.

Pope Francis is not a politician, but likes a good political dustup. And the Holy Father couldn't have packed his trip to the United States this month with more politically charged issues. [...] "People who think the world revolves around Washington politics don't realize that the Pope is a global leader," said Francis Rooney, who was U.S. ambassador to the Vatican for four years under President George W. Bush.

While changing sheets and scrubbing bathtubs, walking to Taco John’s, shopping at Walmart or taking trips to Omaha or Denver — even attending a rodeo — these grassroots ambassadors are experiencing slices of American culture and improving their English-language skills.

The U.S. Department of State is proud to announce Global Diaspora Week (GDW) [...] and calls for the Department, organizations, and individuals to participate by hosting diaspora-related events and activities around the world. GDW is held annually to create awareness, enable collaboration and enhance learning amongst those working with diaspora communities in different locations around the world. 

The [CIEE Civic Ledership] Summit focused on teaching motivated young leaders from around the world about the power of diplomacy and how to become “changemakers.” These elite fellows were chosen through a competitive application process that received 1,200 applicants. 

As it stands, the funding and coordination of America’s soft-power strategy is inadequate. But we know that hard power is not enough, particularly to contest the cyber territory that the Islamic State occupies – for example, by developing a capacity to take down botnets and counter hostile social-media accounts.