Brazilian Embassy cultural attache Raphael Tosti de Almeida Vieira has an ace up his sleeve. (...)His ace is Brazilian music. “It’s the Brazilian soft power,” Tosti says of his country’s rich musical heritage that includes internationally beloved genres such as samba and bossa nova.

U.S. President Barack Obama has recited Persian poetry in his efforts to engage Iran, as has State Department Persian language spokesman Alan Eyre, who frequently uses poetry in his media appearances and video messages to Iranians.

As donor darling Myanmar gets ready to hold general elections in late 2015, the United States is increasing its diplomatic presence in the former military state — with the U.S. Agency for International Development as one of the main arms.

Gordon B. Lankton, founder of the Museum of Russian Icons, will be honored by the Ballets Russes Cultural Partnership for his "commitment and contributions’’ to promoting relations between the United States and Russia and an improved understanding of the history of Russian icons.

Washington needs a holistic counterterrorism strategy that ensures its Arab allies do not use U.S. assistance to perpetuate terrorism and that supports those in Arab societies best able to combat radicalization.

The real question is not whether the State Department is still relevant but how we can sustain, strengthen, and adapt the tradecraft for a new century unfolding before us.

Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel will travel to Kuwait to lead the U.S. delegation for the October 27 conference of coalition partners focused on countering ISIL messaging and combatting violent extremism in the region.