September 12-13

“In this new age, our consent is gathered every few minutes, not every few years.”

-- Anand Giridharadas, New York Times; image from

"In 1921, the famous American journalist Walter Lippmann

said that the art of democracy requires what he called the 'manufacture of consent.' This phrase is an Orwellian euphemism for thought control."

--Noam Chomsky; Lippmann image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Under the Influence: Getting Strategic Communication Out of the Cave: Andrew Bas, World Politics Review: "As adaptive and creative as the United States claims to be, one would think that, eight years after 9/11, the foreign policy establishment would have come up with a workable way to communicate its strategic message to the rest of the world. It hasn't. Call it the $10 billion bungle, because that's a reliable estimate of how much the U.S. has spent since 9/11 on the effort. …


At least in theory, State is responsible for communicating the country's message to the rest of the world. Yet, when it comes to public diplomacy, for years there has been a lack of leadership. … [I]t's important to remember that America's image problems were not created by any single president, nor will they be undone by one administration alone. Billions more dollars will likely be spent in the ongoing effort. And rather than crafting an appealing message, perhaps the best remedy to the bungle that's been underway for eight years is to simply work on explaining exactly what it is that we're doing." Image from

8th Anniversary of Sept. 11: Do We Understand Them? - Mohamed Elmenshawy - Global Arab Network: "For the Obama administration to continue its focus only on improving the image of the United States abroad, through the approach of 'strategic communication' or 'public diplomacy,' as has been the case in the years since September 2001, is to see only half of the picture. If the United States hopes to better its image in the Muslim world, there will need to be a parallel change in how Americans recognize Muslims. And to start you should listen to the voices of the Arab and Muslim world."

Hitting Bottom in Foggy Bottom: The State Department suffers from low morale, bottlenecks, and bureaucratic inepititude. Do we need to kill it to save it? – Matthew Armstrong, Foreign Policy: "Foggy Bottom could retain a small core staff for its embassies and ambassadors. All other functions -- such as public diplomacy, countering misinformation and propaganda, and development, including provincial reconstruction staffing -- could migrate to the Pentagon or become wholly independent agencies. But atomizing the State Department would ultimately prove dangerous and further the militarization of foreign policy. The Pentagon needs a counterbalance, a vertically integrated State Department that the president, Congress, and the U.S. public can count on. Change, rather than creative destruction, is what Foggy Bottom needs. See also. Image from

Ponder when apportioning blame - Amina Jilani, The Nation, Pakistan: "On September 1, writing in the publication Foreign Policy, James K Glassman, a former US Under Secretary of State for public diplomacy and public affairs in the George W Bush government … related how, on August 17, Judith McHale, his successor in office, had sat down with a Pakistani journalist in a hotel conference room in Islamabad for a one-on-one meeting, part of President Barack Obama’s strategy to convince 'the Pakistani people that the United States is their friend.' … [The journalist] told her: 'You should know that we hate all Americans.

From the bottom of our souls, we hate you.' Now, who is the 'we' to whom the journalist refers? … It is certainly not the 170-odd million who make up this nation. … There may be rightful indignation at the creeping American presence within Pakistan and the perception that it is not the freely and fairly elected democratic government with its ridiculous Cabinet that is in charge, but the Americans on whose bounty we exist. Whilst rightly fretting, the fretters must take into account the deal or arrangement made between, firstly General Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto and the US, the details of which have not been fully revealed, and subsequently, after Benazir’s engineered departure from the scene, the arrangement made with our president who is where he is thanks to his American handlers."

Making Moderates hate Extremists more than they dislike us: Lesson to Sri Lanka - Daya Gamage – Asian Tribune: "Making moderates hate extremists more than they dislike us or the basic need to undermine the message of extremists sound like good policy options the South Asian nation Sri Lanka should adopt when it is on the verge of thinking how to combat the probable rise of a global power center advocated by the pro-Tamil Tiger operatives in Western nations especially in the U.S. spearheaded by now emerged global Tiger leader Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran and his lieutenant Dr. Elias Jeyarajah. … Former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy James K. Glassman has reiterated his view that public diplomacy 'is not about us, and in order to win the war of ideas the US just needs to undermine the message of extremists' in an article for Foreign Policy."

A Visit From Roger Cohen, Part 1 - Ren's Micro Diplomacy: "New York Times correspondent Roger Cohen stopped by our class last tuesday. I tried to capture as much as possible so I could share his thoughts on post-election Iran. Obviously this is paraphrased, but I’ve tried to stay close to Roger’s original words ‘I’m a journalist, I’m not a public diplomacy expert. I observe it in action- happening or not happening. I do believe the non-relationship with Iran is very dangerous and that we should really try very hard to overcome it.’ " Cohen image from

Under Secretary of State Judith A. McHale Will Participate in the Launch of the Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge - Office of the Spokesman, U.S. State Department: "Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale will travel to the United Nations to participate in the launch of the Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge and to highlight the UN’s International Day of Democracy on Tuesday, September 15. The Democracy Video Challenge enhances the global dialogue on democracy by asking filmmakers, youth and other citizens of the world to create video shorts that complete the phrase 'Democracy is….' Partners for the online video contest include the State Department, democracy and youth organizations, academia, and the news, film and entertainment industry." See also.

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty Faces Ethnic Discrimination Charges at the European Court of Human Rights - Ted Lipien, FreeMediaOnline.org

US Embassy clarifies 'warning on crime' - Ava Turnquest, The Tribune: "US Embassy officials believe The Nassau Guardian exaggerated the importance of a statement placed on its local website, blowing a routine notice out of proportion. The Guardian led its Friday edition with the headline: 'US Embassy issues crime warning', but according to a senior embassy official, this headline might have given a misleading impression. Jeff Dubel, Political Economic Public Diplomacy Chief, said the embassy is disappointed that The Nassau Guardian did not contact the Embassy before printing the story – as much could have been explained."

BBC jazz broadcaster: Willis Conover "one of the five people who destroyed the Soviet Union"

- Kim Andrew Elliott Discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy. Image from

Joe Wilson, You're No Joe Nye – Nancy Snow, Huffington Post: "Soft power is this century's fuel efficiency for the global mind. Inspired by Joe Nye, who will be on our campus next weekend, Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor called on our students to think about their roles as influential agents of change for the public good. [Cantor said] … 'you will need to listen as well as talk, interact across chasms, and make yourselves vulnerable, letting the tables turn on who is the expert and who is the novice, playing many roles beyond the familiar student and teacher. How do you start the conversations, large and small, weighty and trivial, that constitute good public diplomacy?'"

Dep. FM Ayalon to visit the US - press release, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon will leave tonight for a visit to the United States to lay the groundwork for a strategic dialogue to take place between FM Avigdor Liberman and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The deputy foreign minister will also continue the public diplomacy campaign begun by FM Liberman."

JJ Jonker Roelants – a good friend of Turkey - Gül Demir, Niki Gamm, Turkish Daily News: "Lanky, grey-haired and oh so active, J Jan Jonkers Roelants is constantly involved in some project or other that involves Turkey. He was posted to Istanbul as Holland’s consul general a number of years ago and set in action a series of events that led to his country’s giving greater importance to Turkey.

J.J. Jonker Roelants: [']Turkey is of course a very important country from a strategic point of view but our relations with Turkey effect also the way we look at our citizens with a Turkish background. Cultural exchanges are an important tool of public diplomacy because they appeal to the hearts and minds.[']" Image from


Why Foreign Policy Matters - An Indian Perspective: Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs Government of India, eGov monitor: "I have written elsewhere of the need to develop and exploit India’s considerable 'soft power', by making this integral to the work of our territorial divisions, rather than leaving it solely to umbrella entities like ICCR and the Public Diplomacy Division. This will mean taking Indian literature, culture, music and dance abroad as an adjunct to Indian diplomacy, and doing so within a context of a coherent public diplomacy strategy that weaves together many institutions that currently function separately.” Tharoor image from article.

Leveraging Web 2.0 to engage the Indian diaspora - Madhurjya Kotoky, The Public Diplomacy Blog: "The government of India, has woken up to the potential of what the diaspora has to offer, and, the need to build a framework to engage the Indian diaspora proactively to expand their role in India’s growth story. … The Indian diaspora, especially the one spread across North America and West Europe, comprises of highly educated and qualified professionals, academics and entrepreneurs that can help India ideate, innovate, create and sustain the growth momentum."

China Embraces Soft Power for Image - Sunny Lee, Korea Times: "China has long been criticized by the Western media as an undemocratic country - lacking freedom of the press and religion. Its rise is increasingly perceived by some as a threat. Chinese industrial development, for example, is seen as stealing opportunities abroad.

'This situation prompts the necessity of launching China's initiative to institute public diplomacy to promote the correct image of China abroad,' said Zhao Qizheng, the former minister in charge of the State Council Information Office, the government's voice." Image from

Australia set up a “special group” to protect students - badboy, Study abroad: This is a Study blog - "Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade consular, public diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs Division Geleitemo reason Artie said … that the Australian Government is committed to building safe country where students are welcome to Chinese students continue to study in Australia, to condemn and combat all for the Chinese students offenses."

Aid agency taps lawmaker as pubic [sic] diplomacy envoy - Korea Herald: "Hong Jung-wook of the Grand National Party has been tapped as an honorary public diplomacy envoy for the nation's overseas assistance." See also John Brown, "Public Diplomacy Goes ‘Pubic’," CPD Blog, University of Southern California. Image from

OSCE official criticizes Azerbaijan's continued ban of BBC, VOA, RFE/RL - Kim Andrew Elliott Discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

Mueller to speak in Minot - Minot Daily News: "[Sherry] Mueller has provided leadership for the National Council for International Visitors since 1996, first as Executive Director and then as President. Before coming to NCIV, she worked for eighteen years for the Institute of International Education, first as a program officer and then as Director of the Professional Exchange Programs staff. During this time she was also an adjunct professor at American University, pioneering the first course on public diplomacy at American University's School of International Service."

Nomination for BIS under secretary lauded by Locke -
Baltimore News.Net: "President Barack Obama Friday announced his intent to nominate attorney Eric Hirschhorn to be the Under Secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). … [W]hile a member of President Jimmy Carter's reorganization project staff (1977-1980), he worked on reorganizing the government's international trade, public diplomacy, and foreign assistance mechanisms."

Meridian Spring Garden Benefit Party – Washington Life Magazine: "FIESTA: The picture-perfect Linden grove behind the historic headquarters of the Meridian International Center was aglow with lights at the annual spring garden party to support the center’s international dialogue and public diplomacy initiatives. The theme was 'An Evening in Yucatan,' and patrons sipped Casa Nobile tequila as they meandered between the garden and the mansion’s formal receiving rooms." Image of Meridian International entrance from

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

Culture warriors practise soft diplomacy: An ambitious Australian arts program aims to grab the attention of the Obama Administration. Washington correspondent Anne Davies reports - theage.com.au: "The largest contemporary indigenous art exhibition ever to leave Australian shores will open in Washington DC this week, the first event in a cultural initiative that aims to boost Australia's profile in Washington at a critical time. Culture Warriors, which has been curated by the National Gallery of Australia, will be opened by Australian Arts Minister Peter Garrett this week, at the Katzen Arts Centre at the American University. … Australian Aboriginal art is finding a strong market in the US. Among the Washington enthusiasts are the high-profile Democrat lobbyists John and Heather Podesta, who have several works in their private collection. Australian ambassador Dennis Richardson, a driving force behind this exercise in cultural diplomacy, hopes the program will put Australia at front of mind for the Obama Administration." Below image from


Flagship national theatre to be ready in three years - Gulf Times: "Furthering cultural diplomacy and improving the image of the artists and the country alike, the National Centre for Performing Arts/National Theatre of Pakistan is expected to be completed in three years. Dedicated to performing arts, the centre would be a state-of-the-art facility for numerous grand performances."

Sexy Beast: The Mysteries of the Giant Pacific Octopus - Brendan Kiley, TheStranger.com: "During the year after college I spent teaching in Japan, one of my students' favorite games was Let's See What the Foreigner Will Eat. They couldn't stop taking me to restaurants, ordering dishes they thought I would think were gross, and gleefully watching as I chewed raw horse, fish heads, cod sperm,

spaghetti omelets, otoko kaoru ('man-smell') chewing gum, and the snottier side of Japanese cuisine (raw sea urchins, fermented soybeans). The rules were simple: If I could eat it with a smile, I won. If I grimaced, I was weak. The game was a complicated mix of cultural diplomacy, table etiquette, and sadomasochism. They politely applauded my successes but savored my failures, clucking and laughing." Cod sperm image from

RELATED ITEMS

The Retreat of the Tongue of the Czars - Clifford J. Levy, New York Times: The diminishing status of the Russian language is occurring in not just the former Soviet Union, but the old Communist bloc as a whole. The Kremlin has tried to halt the decline by setting up foundations to promote the study of Russian abroad and by castigating neighbors who shove the language from public life. In some nations, a backlash against Russian has stirred its own backlash in the language’s defense.

Scandal at Camp Sullivan: Just the Latest, Most Egregious of the State Department’s Rent-a-Guard Follies - Patricia Lee Sharpe, Whirled View: The State Department had known for a couple of years that all was not well with the guard situation

in Kabul. Nothing racy, perhaps. Just continuous poor performace. Nevertheless, despite State’s many predictably wimpish warnings, followed by company officials’ predictably slimy and unfulfilled we’ll-do-better reassurances, the ArmorGroup North America (AGNA) contract was renewed through 2010. Image from

U.S. Policy to Give More Rights to Afghan Inmates: Indefinite Detention Can Be Challenged - Karen DeYoung and Peter Finn, Washington Post

The Afghan Illusion: Kabul's Forces Aren't Yet a Substitute for Our Own - Frederick W. Kagan, Kimberly Kagan and James M. Dubik, Washington Post

Is Afghanistan still worth it? It's up to Obama to convince the American people that the costly conflict remains a 'war of necessity' - Editorial, Los Angeles Times

Policy Has to Match the Sacrifice - Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times:

President Obama has to be as committed to any surge in Afghanistan as President Bush was in Iraq, because Mr. Obama will have to endure a lot of bad news before things -- might -- get better. Hamster image from; see John Chuckmanm, "The Spinning Wheel at the Times: Thomas Friedman's Life as a Pet Hamster," Counterpunch (May 2, 2003)

Rethinking our Iran strategy: The Islamic Republic's revolution may be at a crossroads. It's a possible opening for the U.S. - Robin Wright and Robert Litwak - latimes.com: Three U.S. administrations did not exploit opportunities when Iran needed to play and reached out. The challenge now is to create a confluence of factors that will make Tehran again feel that a real deal with Washington is in its interest. Then engagement has a real shot. Under the current circumstances, it doesn't.

Tehran's nuclear endgame – Editorial, Washington Times: Washington mouths platitudes about Iranian nuclear arms being unacceptable. But as the experience with North Korea has shown, it only takes one nuclear test for an unacceptable outcome to become an unchangeable reality. When Israelis say something is unacceptable, they mean it. Tel Aviv cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran, given Tehran's repeated calls for Israel's destruction.

Lessons from Nicaragua: On making friends with the left - Lawrence E. Harrison, Washington Times: Many Latin Americans of the authoritarian left almost surely experienced a sense of satisfaction at the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Consequently, any U.S. efforts to change the mind-set of those Latin Americans are almost surely doomed to failure.

Friends, Not Allies [Review of The Hawk And The Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War by Nicholas Thompson] - Mark Atwood Lawrence, New York Times:

It is difficult to accept Thompson’s too pat argument that the rivals achieved a productive symbiosis that helped end the cold war, Kennan by providing the basic strategy and Nitze by helping make the tactical decisions that brought victory. Such a judgment naturally necessitates discussion of decision making on the Soviet side. Did American military buildups provoke Moscow, as Kennan worried, or deter it, as Nitze maintained? Might the Soviets have responded positively to a different mix of American policies? Without answers to such questions, any claim about Kennan’s and Nitze’s impact must remain speculative. Image from