Obama wrote North Korea's Kim Jong Il a personal letter that was delivered last week amid nuclear negotiations.

President Obama made overtures to the Muslim world during his first visit to Europe, remarking in Turkey that, "Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country -- I know, because I am one of them."

Obama acknowledged sending a letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in February offering to abandon the plan of building a missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would work with Washington to stop Iran's development of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles. Medvedev issued a response dismissing the notion of a compromise deal but agreeing to discuss the future of the missile defense plan.

Clinton announced the U.S. will send two two emissaries to Syria as part of a complex diplomatic strategy to encourage peace in the Middle East. The relationship between the two countries has been strained by allegations that Syria has supported militant groups and played a role in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri; the U.S. withdrew its ambassador to Damascus in 2005.

In his first formal interview as president -- with Dubai-based Al Arabiya -- Obama attempted to reach out to the Muslim world, pledging to talk with Iran and to work with Arab leaders toward peace in the region.

Secretary-designate of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said during her confirmation hearing that, under the adminsitration's "smart power" approach, "diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy."