Ambassador Meret B. Orazov Turkmenistan Faces the Question of Human Rights Violations by Larry Luxner Imagine a California-size desert nation where to get a driverís license citizens must first memorize the sacred writings of the countryís self-appointed president for life. Imagine that this same president has renamed all 12 months of the year after national heroes (including himself and his mother), and where journalists who dare to criticize the regime are beaten, tortured and sometimes threatened with death. Yes, such a country exists, and its name is Turkmenistanóan obscure former Soviet republic ruled by autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov ever since its independence in 1991. more... Jerrold M. Post Psychiatrist Analyzes Controversial World Leaders by John Shaw Even when he is working in his comfortably cluttered office in Bethesda, Md., Jerrold M. Post spends his days traveling to some very intriguing places: He journeys into the hearts and minds of the worldís most influentialóand often fearsomeóleaders. more.... NEPAD Seeks to Revitalize Africa But Faces Criticism and Its Own Ailments by Sean OíDriscoll Few in the United States have heard of NEPAD, yet many African leaders are banking on it to reshape their continent. In July, the African Union (AU) held its third annual summit and voted to fast track NEPAD, otherwise known as the New Partnership for Africaís Developmentóa program that the AU hopes will solve many of Africaís problems through continent-wide agreement and increased spending on health, agriculture and education, and, importantly, the introduction of new political reforms. more.... Economist Uses Jewish Principles In Fight Against Latin Poverty by Larry Luxner Itís easy to pick out Bernardo Kliksberg from among the 1,400 or so staffers working at the Washington-based Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Heís the only one wearing a yarmulke, the traditional Jewish headpiece. Kliksberg, 64, heads up the bankís Inter-American Initiative on Social Capital, Ethics and Development. And his Orthodox Jewish faith has given him an unusual air of respectability in an organization dominated by Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Catholics and Protestants. more....

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See September 2004 Automotive Insert Letter to the Editor Despite Lack of Embassies, U.S.-Libyan Trade Ties Evolve Rapidly by Larry Luxner Thereís no Libyan Embassy in Washington, and the U.S. Interests Section in Tripoli consists of a three-man team operating out of a hotel room. Yet as Col. Moammar Gadhafi remakes his image from international pariah to respected elder statesman, U.S.-Libyan relations are warming up quickly. more.... Thailandís New Ambassador Seeks To Strengthen Relationship With U.S. by Michael Coleman Kasit Piromya, Thailandís new ambassador to the United States, is a man on a missionóa brief mission.The career diplomat assumed his latest post in July, but he is set to retire at the end of next year. In the meantime, Piromya has a long list of goals he would like to accomplish. more.... Suzuki Method of Teaching Music Inspires Passionate Pedagogy by Carolyn Cosmos What is the Suzuki method, why is it so colorful and controversial, and how can you find a teacher if you want to become a Suzuki parent? Hereís a quick look at this hot-button education issue. more.... Recruitment of Foreign Nurses Helping Ease Nursing Shortage by Gina Shaw Since the late 1990s, frequent headlines have warned of a burgeoning nursing shortage in the United States, and for many hospitals, at least part of the answer lies outside the United States. more....