Our decentralized culture, soul-making that depends more on the private sector than government, will not fly everywhere. Think China or Russia. Better to pass along the fruits of our tradition of innovation in the arts, to explain the philosophies and practices in which such creativity can grow and thrive.

As investigations continue into what really happened in Libya it will also be important that steps be taken to ensure that U.S. diplomacy efforts and our diplomats do not once again retreat behind ever higher embassy walls in the name of added security.

The embassy, and its sibling the consulate, is not only meant to function as a practical means to conduct the business of diplomacy; these buildings are representations of the very identity of their nation of origin.

I had the chance to meet and interview, not diplomats, nor politicians, but regular, young Pakistani citizens who happen to be in an acclaimed rock and roll band called Noori.

Nearly everyone likes cultural diplomacy in principle, but some remain skeptical about its value. It is seen by many as soft power at its softest, safe and fuzzy, with more aesthetic rewards than diplomatic ones.

Other countries that deal with this superpower need to understand the value the Chinese place on their language, traditions, and other cultural elements of their national life.

For foreign policy strategists, cultural diplomacy has great value as a trust-builder, providing groundwork on which broader, non-arts initiatives can be constructed.

For those attentive to the ongoing intellectual Cold War between the United States and China, Hu's recent words suggest the need for an American equivalent of George Kennan's "X" article of 1947.

At first glance, cultural diplomacy seems a relatively non-threatening way to project identity and influence, but its impact can be profound.

My generation stands to learn from the enfranchisement blueprint designed by Tunisian youth (ones taking cues from the Civil Rights movement). Americans of all generations stand to learn about Tunisians beyond their historic revolution.

Governmental cultural diplomacy can sometimes come off as forced or out-of-touch, but K-pop is an authentic reflection and spectacle of youth culture that is impressively close to the pulse of the "global cool."