From Exile to Envoy: Iraqís Rend Al-Rahim by Larry Luxner Rend Al-Rahim fled her native Iraq in 1978, just as the lunacy of Saddam Husseinís regime was closing in on her family. ìMy uncle was sentenced to 15 years in prison for writing a letter to a friend abroad, in which he complained about the conditions of life in Iraq,î she says. ìA distant relative of mine was arrested and killed. Friends were beginning to be detained, and in some cases executed. We began to see more and more relatives and acquaintances fall under the grip of this regime, and we knew that if we didnít leave soon, we would also become victims.î Today, 26 years later, Al-Rahim is Iraqís top diplomat in the United Statesóand one of the first women ever to represent an Arab country in Washington. more... George P. Shultz Former Secretary of State Says U.S. Must Link Military Power, Creative Diplomacy by John Shaw George P. Shultz, the former U.S. secretary of state, says that as the international system undergoes tectonic economic, political and military transformations, at least one age-old truth endures: A strong nation can best advance its interests by coupling robust military power with agile diplomacy. more.... 14 Senators Who Are Shaping U.S. Security and Foreign Policies by John Shaw If the U.S. Congress has not exactly returned to the days when all 535 lawmakers sought to be de facto secretaries of state, Capitol Hillís renewed interest in foreign policy is a stark reversal from its domestic preoccupations of the 1990s. more.... Peaceful Change of Power in G eorgia Can Be Viewed as Democratic Model by Michael Coleman Government revolutions donít usually turn out like thisówith rebels using roses instead of rifles to force a government leader to leave power peacefully. But thatís exactly what happened in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in late November 2003. Levan Mikeladze, Georgiaís ambassador to the United States, views the non-violent change of power as a signal to other former Soviet countriesóand the worldóthat democracy works and has come to Georgia to stay. more.... U.S. Treasuryís Juan Zarate Enforces Sanctions, Especially Against ëRogue Regimesí by Larry Luxner Top Treasury official Juan Carlos Zarate oversees not only the Office of Foreign Assets Control but also U.S. efforts to fight money laundering by al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. more....

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See April 2004 Hotel Insert Chad Ambassador Recalled After Criticizing President for Trying to Prolong His Power by Michael Coleman Former Ambassador of Chad Ahmat Soubiane Hassaballah values old friendships, but he values his homeland even more. Soubiane served as Chadís ambassador to the United States from November 1998 until March 4. The appointment was bestowed on himóand taken awayóby Chadian President Idriss Deby, his old college friend who helped bring democracy to the impoverished country during a revolution more than a decade ago. more.... Peace With India Is Top Priority, Says Ambassador of Pakistan Qazi by Larry Luxner Pakistan has its share of serious problems, ranging from ethnic tensions and malnutrition to drug trafficking and Islamic extremism. But between now and April 17, Pakistanís 145 million people will be glued to their radios and televisions as they follow a history-making series of cricket matches against archrival India. Both sides hope the five-week Indian tour will speed up a rapprochement between the two nuclear-armed nations, which resumed full diplomatic relations less than four months ago. more.... For Seniors, A Wake-Up Call Concerning Sleeping Disorders by Gina Shaw Not sleeping well? If youíre over 50, you might assume itís simply the kind of thing that happens with age, and although sleep patterns do change as we get older, this doesnít mean that tossing and turning all night is normal. more.... See Also: Suggestions for Good Nightís Sleep