The Obama administration quietly brought in a group of Iranian musicians to learn about American folk music. It was a small diplomatic gesture, but one the White House hoped would help ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran, two longtime foes. 

Iranian Americans are (mostly) celebrating. Syrian Americans, uh, not so much. A quick survey of an important but under-covered segment. [...] I’m sure many non-Muslims are thinking that they are all cheering it because the deal helps Iran. Well, anyone holding that view clearly doesn’t know too many Muslim Americans.

The U.S.-China relationship is simply too consequential to be allowed to falter and fail. The cost of mishandling it would be enormous, if not disastrous, for all. Holding the relationship together requires political and policy imagination, as well as active, sustained engagement through public diplomacy.

Under my proposal, kids would study their second language and culture through high school, and be provided creative exchange and entertainment opportunities within their bi-national community. [...] The result would go beyond creating a far more cosmopolitan and informed citizenry. This would be the most ambitious public diplomacy ever deployed by a great power. 

The steadily downward trend in Sino-American relations was to be at least partially halted as a result of geopolitical and political developments, two in particular. The first was the fact that the 1960s had seen a major falling out between the Soviet Union and China. [...] The second development was the accession to office in Washington of Richard Nixon and of his National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger.

Through the lens of American influence and power, Bridget Kendall and guests explore how power is being adapted and deployed by countries and organisations around the World. 

To mark what would have been Frank Sinatra’s centennial year, Duke University Professor Shalom Goldman explores Sinatra’s deep connection to Israel. [...] Goldman sat down with The Jerusalem Post to discuss the connection between Israel and American popular culture.