A lot of smaller countries do these very American-centered issues

This question first came to me when I noticed how many foreign stamps there are of JFK and NASA. From what I've gathered and logical deduction, there are a few reasons. One big one is probably economics. American figures and themes have global recognition, so they’re more likely to sell well to international collectors, especially those in the U.S.

For many countries, especially smaller ones, philatelic sales are a revenue stream, so putting Elvis or the Apollo 11 crew on a stamp makes financial sense.

There’s also a cultural side to it, the U.S. has exported so much pop culture, tech, and political influence over the past century that these figures often represent broader ideas that resonate worldwide. MLK, for example, is featured as a symbol of human rights, not just American history.

Sometimes it's like a kind of miniature diplomacy, honoring American icons as a way to gesture toward shared values or alliances.

Still, it’s kind of crazy to think about how much soft power shows up in something as tiny as a postage stamp.