Back then I didn't think a woman like that or a relationship like that could exist with complete freedom and no jealousy or possessiveness. I thought it sounded too good to be true and I was certainly convinced it wasn't the life for me!

American and Israel share a special bond. Our relationship is unique among all nations. Like America Israel is a strong democracy a symbol of freedom and an oasis of liberty a home to the oppressed and persecuted.

Justice is never given it is exacted and the struggle must be continuous for freedom is never a final fact but a continuing evolving process to higher and higher levels of human social economic political and religious relationship.

On a level of simple personal survival understanding and forgiveness are crucial... whether in an intimate personal relationship or on a global level.

I think we learn the most from imperfect relationships - things like forgiveness and compassion.

We must then build a proper relationship between the richest and the poorest countries based on our desire that they are able to fend for themselves with the investment that is necessary in their agriculture so that Africa is not a net importer of food but an exporter of food.

But Australia faces additional regional and global challenges also crucial to our nation's future - climate change questions of energy and food security the rise of China and the rise of India. And we need a strong system of global and regional relationships and institutions to underpin stability.

We are involved in youth testing internationally. We want to try to prove without a shadow of a doubt the relationship between physical fitness and health not just physical fitness and ability to perform.

At the start of his second term one wonders less about Obama's fitness than his willingness: Why doesn't he do more to build and maintain the relationships required to govern in era of polarization?

Masood Ahmed brings to the position of director of external relations extensive experience gained in a range of senior positions in international finance and development.