Ambassador Imad Moustapha: 'Syria Is Not an Enemy' by Larry Luxner Itís only spring, but Imad Moustapha is already feeling the heatóand with good reason. As Syriaís top diplomat in Washington, Moustapha has found himself continually on the defensive, having to explain to the world why 20,000 Syrian soldiers and intelligence agents are still in Lebanon, 29 years after they arrived to put an end to that countryís murderous civil war. more... David Walker U.S. Comptroller General Sounds Urgent Warnings About U.S. Fiscal Policy by John Shaw David Walker, the U.S. comptroller general since 1998, is standing in to fill a role that has been ominously vacant in the United States for some time. He is a government official who is willing to tell the truth about the severity of Americaís budget problems and also outline painful solutions to fix them. more.... Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says Yushchenko Ready to Meet Challenges by Michael Coleman Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk came to Washington last month to lay the diplomatic groundwork in advance of President Viktor Yushchenko's official state visit to the nationís capital early this month. more.... Destructive Distraction: Recognizing AD/HD in Adults by Gina Shaw Many people ass ume that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a condition that only affects children, but in fact, some 8 million adults in the United States are estimated to have disorder. more.... Mind Your Manners Rising Demand for Etiquette Training Spurred by Growing Global Market by Heather Nalbone In the diplomatic community, where every word and action can count, protocol is key, and neglecting cultural codes of conduct could be the difference between a successful business encounter and a damaging blunder. more.... See Also: Social To-Dos and Taboos

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See April 2005 Hotel Insert Internet Sex-Soliciting Case of UAE Diplomat Raises Diplomatic Immunity Concerns by Craig Mauro When 40-year-old Salem al-Mazrooei was arrested in an Internet sex-soliciting case, the suspect wasnít the only one thrown for a surprise. The Bedford County police had busted a diplomat, and later that day had to let him go. more.... Intercountry Adoptions to U.S. Parents Growing Increasingly Difficult by David Tobenkin Many U.S. couples attempting to adopt from Russia and several other countries are facing new difficulties because of bureaucratic obstacles or, in some cases, absolute bars on adoptions and rising nationalism. more.... African Dignitaries Discuss Benefits of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions by Michael Coleman The Library of Congress recently invited more than a dozen African dignitaries, including several Washington diplomats, to discuss truth and reconciliation and the lessons their countries have learned from it. more.... Professor Says Diplomats Should Learn Art of Negotiating by John Shaw Michael Benoliel is a university professor and consultant who believes that negotiation is a crucial skill that all diplomats should learn. more....