Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov Macedonia Discovers Whatís in a Name by Larry Luxner At 32, Nikola Dimitrov is the youngest ambassador in Washingtonóand his country is even younger. Rising out of the ashes of the dying Yugoslavia, the Republic of Macedonia was born only 13 years ago. And by the way, itís now politically correct to call the country Macedonia, now that the Bush administration has finally done away with the awkward and contrived Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) moniker that had been forced upon the country since 1991. more... Correction to Macedonia Profile Marc Gopin Scholar Says Diplomats Should Consider Religious, Cultural Insights to Solve Conflict by John Shaw Marc Gopin has devoted his professional career to studying the connections among religion, diplomacy and conflict resolution, and heís convinced that diplomats should consider using religious symbols and cultural traditions in their work. more.... After Presidential Election, Uruguay Latest South American Nation to Veer Left by Larry Luxner Uruguay has taken a dramatic turn to the left, with last monthís election of socialist physician TabarÈ V·zquez as presidentówhich follows a recent trend in which Latin American countries have replaced their pro-Washington, conservative governments with leftist ones. more.... Diplomats, Foreign Visitors Generally Accept Tightened Security and Delays at Local Airports by Alan B. Nichols Tightened security at the nationís airports and seaports is well understood and accepted by the diplomatic community in Washington, according to an informal survey of area diplomats. more.... Behring Gifts Philanthropist Finds Fulfillment Donating Wheelchairs Around World by Victor Shiblie Kenneth Behring built a multimillion-dollar business from scratch. He owns his own private jet, and he once owned an NFL football teamóthe Seattle Seahawksóyet his greatest joy is handing out wheelchairs to disabled people anywhere in the world through his Wheelchair Foundation. more....

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See December 2004 Luxury Living Insert Crises in Several African Nations Rival Sudanís But Getting Little Attention Worldwide by Craig Mauro The current crisis in Sudanóundoubtedly a massive human tragedyóhas captured the attention of the worldís media and political leaders in recent months, but tensions are simmering in a range of places, from the vast Democratic Republic of Congo to the tiny Central African Republic. more.... After Bushís Re-election, World Leaders Stress Need for More U.S. Cooperation by Michael Coleman Their views might not perfectly reflect those of their countrymen, but foreign leaders abroad and diplomats working in Washington generally tried to put a positive spin on President Bushís reelection last month. more.... Ex-Soviet Republic Countries Evolving Into High-Tech, Competitive Economies by David Tobenkin Forget those Pieter Bruegel-esque images of peasants toiling with scythes and drab, inefficient state factories churning out inferior goods. The countries of the former Soviet bloc are rapidly evolving into high-tech showcases with some of the most competitive economies in Europe. more.... With Treatment, People Suffering From Social Phobia Need Not Be SAD by Gina Shaw Imagine winning a Nobel Prize and missing out on the ceremony honoring you for this singular achievementóall because of a crippling fear of interacting socially. Thatís the dilemma facing Elfriede Jelinek, the Austrian author who received the 2004 Nobel Prize for literature. more....