Ever since Ulysses S. Grant chomped down on a stogie, cigars have been an icon of American military brawn and bravado. But U.S. forces engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan have found another use for premium stogies — as diplomatic tools.

It started with a phone call between Stanley Pottinger, former Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department, and his son, a first lieutenant based in Iraq. The elder Pottinger recalls asking if his progeny needed anything: “He said, ‘Dad, I want some cigars.’ ”

Given that his son didn’t smoke, this was mildly confusing. “But he explained that with the local sheiks, there’s nothing like a cigar.” Recognizing the potential, Pottinger turned around and launched a new e-company, Cigars, Stars and Stripes, to ensure that troops have access to more than 150 brands of cigars. The site now has a blog, cigar information, and notes from troops — one of whom wrote on the site: “Not only are you supportive of us Marines — you have darn fine taste in cigars as well.”

cigarsstarsandstripes.com

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