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Organizations: United Nations U.N. Headquarters in New York Gets Badly Needed Facelift by Michael Coleman The United Nations in New York is finally getting its highly publicized $1.9 billion facelift to overhaul the world-famous, but dilapidated, complex. Medical: Diseases Malaria: Finishing Off Relentless Global Killer by Carolyn Cosmos There’s a renewed push to finish off one of humanity’s oldest enemies: malaria, which first appeared some 150,000 years ago and has outsmarted us ever since. Travel: Tourism to U.S. Welcome? by Heather Mueller Despite the falling dollar and weak economy, foreigners aren’t exactly coming in droves to the United States. Hotels Special Section Five times a year, The Washington Diplomat publishes a special section focusing on hotels in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. This month’s section looks at the new Gaylord National hotel and D.C. development.

Cover Profile: Lebanon Lebanon Enjoys Respite of Tranquility – For Now by Larry Luxner After a year without a formal ambassador in Washington, Lebanon finally got one — Antoine Chedid — as the country claws its way back from a paralyzing political deadlock. People of World Influence: Zbigniew Brzezinski Brzezinski Says World Thirsty For Competent U.S. Leadership by John Shaw Zbigniew Brzezinski believes the world is eager for strong, or at least competent, U.S. leadership — something that’s been long overdue since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Diplomacy: Southeast Asia As Burma Stalls, U.S. Experts Ponder Nuances of Disaster Relief by Larry Luxner From a nondescript rented suite in Rockville, Md., the exiled Burmese government waits patiently for democracy to return to its poverty-stricken homeland. ALSO SEE: The history of Burma and its ruling military junta International Affairs: Organizations Problems Old and New Confront Upcoming G8 Summit in Japan by Michael Coleman When the G8 meets this month in Japan, the agenda will cover everything from climate change to the soaring cost of food and oil around the world. Politics: United States Obama’s Worldly Background Imprints Foreign Policy Views by Mark Hilpert Although critics call Barack Obama a foreign policy novice, a closer look at his life reveals extensive first-hand experience with the world abroad and its challenges. International Affairs: Southeast Asia History Key to Understanding Burma’s Military Dictatorship by Larry Luxner As Burma’s regime continues to turn its back on its desperate citizens, The Washington Diplomat looks back at how the ruling junta has held a grip on power for nearly 50 years. ALSO SEE: Burma’s Exiled Government: From Rangoon to Rockville Letter to the Editor

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