Sports diplomacy builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power.” It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including sports, to bring individuals together in order to foster a greater understanding of societal norms and cultures.

Three current and former basketball players will be in Venezuela this week, part of a State Department “sports diplomacy” effort at a time of icy relations between the two countries. The State Department will announce that Memphis Grizzlies guard Greivis Vasquez and others are participating in the people-to-people exchange starting this Thursday

Sports diplomacy builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power diplomacy.” It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including sports, to bring individuals together to foster greater understanding.

University of Kentucky men's basketball senior Eloy Vargas, along with other collegiate players, will travel with Reach USA, to Far East May 17 through May 31 to play nine total games against a Lithuanian club team and a Brazilian all-star squad.

The Georgetown University men's basketball team will travel to Shanghai and Beijing this summer as part of a "people-to-people" exchange program between the U.S. and China geared toward strengthening ties between the countries.

To most Long Islanders, it’s just the Suffolk County JCC. But admirers of Semitic sportspeople also know the Commack building as home of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.And on March 27, the Hall will get its latest inductee: Tal Brody, “Israel’s first modern-day sports hero…

Sports have often been a bridge between cultures. Even when politicians have tried to use sports for propaganda purposes, the spirit of sports has often overcome political problems. The 1936 Olympics come to mind. Hitler’s “master race” blew up in his face because of Jesse Owens.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the NBA announced a "sports envoy" program today, tipping off with with a Feb. 22-March 2 mission to India. Hall of Fame player George Gervin...and women's NBA star Katie Smith will visit Mumbai and New Delhi...