b) Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali’s diplomatic mission to Africa, sent by President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s, showcased the unique role that cultural figures can play in diplomacy. Ali, a world-renowned boxer and civil rights advocate, was tasked with persuading African nations to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. His mission, though met with mixed success, highlighted the potential of leveraging celebrity and sports diplomacy in international relations. Ali’s efforts demonstrated the U.S. government’s willingness to engage in unconventional diplomatic initiatives during the Cold War, using his global stature and charisma to advance political objectives.