Early in 2006 Chinese President Hu Jintao signed an oil exploration contract with Kenya; the latest in a series of deals designed to expand Chinese overseas economic engagement with Africa.

Even for established stars prestigious overseas engagements increase their home status.

The title was appropriate because Sills had purposely limited her overseas engagements because of her family.

The mood was buoyant and at that moment, at least, no one was grumbling about the domestic toll of overseas military engagements.

The Duke is based in London, but spends much of his time on UK and overseas engagements, ensuring that his diary is varied and busy.

One of Scottish Airlines' first overseas engagements was its participation in the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift.

In contrast to problems such as unemployment, inflation and crime, where elite viewpoints are not as influential, Americans are less informed of overseas engagements.

It comes almost exactly 18 years after the last American troops left Vietnam and on the heels of another American overseas engagement with a far different outcome.

"I do believe that history shows us Americans will not continue to support an overseas engagement involving the loss of American lives for an unlimited period of time unless they see some success," he added.

In 1948, the firm embarked on its first overseas engagement.