EDITOR’S LETTER
MODERN DIPLOMACY
D
iplomats are an essential element
of life in the nation’s capital.
It’s hard to imagine Washington
without embassies, consulates,
chanceries, military missions and grand
ambassadorial residences. The envoys
representing 176 nations help the local
economy, make cultural contributions
and are our neighbors and friends.
German Ambassador Peter Wittig,
who graciously opened his residence for
this month’s Insi de Homes feature, notes
that while his chief mission is talking
about major issues with serious decisionmakers, the social aspects of his job are
important as well. “We love to host a great
variety of events — political, diplomatic in
the traditional sense, but also cultural and
intellectual things,” he told us. “That’s part
of our vision on how modern diplomacy should be.”
This is why we produce this issue each year. Not only is our
annual Diplomatic Directory a comprehensive guide to Embassy
Row, it’s also a very personal way to introduce readers to the current
ambassadors and provide glimpses into various aspects of their lives.
We would be remiss not to mention Pope Francis’ historic trip to
the U.S. last month.While documenting the visit for the Archdiocese
of Washington, our principal photographer Tony Powell managed to
snap this selfie with the pontiff. See more of his photos inside, where
we also highlight papal diplomacy with a feature on the Vatican’s man in
Washington, Archibishop Carlos Maria Viganò.
The global sphere is changing all around us, and perhaps
nowhere is that more evident than in Latin America and
the Caribbean, where last year Pope Francis helped score a dramatic
breakthrough in the 56-year economic and diplomatic rift between
Cuba and the United States by playing a crucial role in the
negotiations that led to reestablishing bi-lateral ties.
Associate Publisher John Arundel traveled with five other journalists
to Havana and Cuba’s fertile Vinales Valley, interviewing Cubans
embracing a reinvigorated friendship with Americans, and witnessing first
hand some of the early changes forged by the easing of sanctions and
travel restrictions by President Obama.
Senior Editor Kevin Chaffee also traveled south to explore the many
wonderful sights of Peru, including Lima, Cusco and of course the
incredible Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” — one of the
most impressive monuments in the world.
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On the global level, we are seeing the
largest migration of refugees to Europe since
World War II. Associate Editor Erica Moody
highlights the Near East Foundation, an
organization that has been influencing
American philanthropy abroad since 1915.
In sports, the boys of the ice are back
and more ready than ever to vie for the
Stanley Cup. For this month’s Dine and
Dish column, Managing Editor Laura
Wainman went to Pepito and Kapnos
Taverna with the Washington Capitals’
young physical forwards Tom Wilson and
Michael Latta, who are both expected to
step up and play bigger roles
on the team this year.
New York Fashion Week
proved that the back-tothe-’70s trend is here to stay
and our fashion team went
to the chic Italian Embassy
to celebrate “Boho Glam”
in all its flared-pants-andwhite-fur glory.
Fall social season calendars are jam-packed and our October issue
features coverage of many WL-sponsored events, including After Dark @
THEARC, the Joan Hisaoka Make a Difference Gala, the Ambassador’s
Ball, NOFAS Gala, N Street Village’s Empowerment Luncheon and the
Harvard Business School Gala, as well as exclusive coverage of a dinner
honoring Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum
Director Lonnie Bunch, Jane and Calvin Cafritz’ annual Welcome Back
from Summer Soiree, an Evening with Sharon Stone, dinners honoring
the King of Saudi Arabia and so much more. In November, we’ll
highlight the WL-sponsored Susan G. Komen Honoring the Promise
Gala, the Mentor Foundation’s International Gala, CharityWorks’ Dream
Ball and the Boys and Girls Clubs’ National Youth of the Year Awards.
Nancy R. Bagley
Editor in Chief
Readers wishing to contact Nancy Bagley can email her
at [email protected]
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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