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Larry Luxner

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Global ‘changemakers’ mark 75th anniversary of Fulbright Program

A veritable who’s who of American and foreign diplomats, public servants, educators, scientists, musicians and artists came together Nov. 30 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, one of the world’s most widely recognized and prestigious scholarships.

At 90, Haiti’s Ray Joseph reflects on a full life of politics and diplomacy

In the days and weeks following the 2010 earthquake that ravaged his country, Joseph—then Haiti’s ambassador to the United States—was a familiar face on CNN. And now, as the Caribbean nation descends further into a nightmare of natural disasters, political assassinations, kidnappings and lawlessness, this elder statesman cannot and will not remain silent.

Israeli, Palestinian experts revisit Madrid peace talks, 30 years later

On Oct. 30, 1991, in the presence of President George H.W. Bush, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and other leaders, the first major peace conference between Israel and its Arab neighbors got underway in Madrid. Yet 30 years after Madrid, real peace remains elusive—and there’s still no Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Azerbaijani envoy Khazar Ibrahim outlines priorities in the Caucasus

In an Oct. 5 webinar hosted by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI), Ibrahim discussed his energy-rich country’s regional priorities with S. Frederick Starr, the organization’s chairman, and Svante Cornell, its director. And the first order of business, he said, is to “define these priorities.”

Air Senegal launches BWI-Dakar flights in bid for diaspora business

Until coronavirus paralyzed the airline industry in early 2020, more than a million passengers were flying annually between the United States and West Africa. Now that international travel is gradually returning to normal, Air Senegal hopes to grab a slice of that business.

Audra Plepyté blames Belarus for migrant crisis on Lithuania’s border

The biggest immediate threat to Lithuania comes not from Russia, but from another former Soviet republic: Belarus. That’s the warning from Audra Plepyté, Lithuania’s ambassador to the United States. She says that if the autocratic regime of Alexander Lukashenko isn’t neutralized soon, all of Europe will ultimately pay the price.

Sept. 1-2 ‘Engage Nepal’ art sale to benefit COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund

During his 35 years in the US Diplomatic Service, Scott DeLisi served in four Asian capitals and three African ones. But magical, mountainous Nepal has always occupied a special place in his heart. In fact, the day he retired six years ago, the former ambassador decided to devote all his energy to Engage Nepal, a nonprofit organization that helps fight poverty in one of the world’s poorest countries.

Sports dominates Czech Embassy’s 2021 ‘Mutual Inspirations’ Festival

With the delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics as a backdrop, it’s no surprise the Czech Embassy would choose sports as the theme of its 12th Annual Mutual Inspirations Festival. This year’s edition is dedicated to Czech gymnast and patriot Věra Čáslavská, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time World Champion and 11-time European Champion.