We are pleased to announce the launch of the first global nation branding index by East West Communications, which publishes www.DiplomaticTraffic.com. Read our Opinion by Thomas Cromwell introducing the index and related services that offer countries for the first time sophisticated tools to monitor how they are viewed in leading media around the world. (For details, you can go direct to www.EastWestComs.com.)

In our Highlight section, we feature the ambassador of Greece, Alexandros P. Mallias, who explained to DiplomaticTraffic.com why and how Greece has in recent years become an extroverted economy and a leader in the Balkans. He discusses Greece's growing role in energy security and Athens' contentious relations with Skopje.

In Debate, we feature a set of articles touching on religion in society and world. Mona Eltahawy looks at recent rulings by French courts on cases involving Muslims; Frank Kaufmann points to the need for more than political forces to bring peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict; King Abdullah changes Saudi Arabia's traditional avoidance of inter-faith discussions by convening a dialog of his own; and Tikkun's Rabbi Michael Lerner discusses his encounter with some of the Kingdom's young leaders at the conference, and how they changed his views.

We welcome your opinions and commentary pieces on global affairs. Please send any contributions to info@diplomatictraffic.com.

In our Diplomatic Missions listings you will find the contact details for all the embassies in Washington, DC. Embassies are encouraged to email us with updates on personnel changes.

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Thomas Cromwell
Managing Editor