November 16

“Propaganda is a soft weapon; hold it in your hands too long, and it will move about like a snake, and strike the other way.”

--French author Jean Anouilh; image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY:

Secretary Clinton's Interview With David Gregory of NBC's Meet the Press - newsblaze.com: "SECRETARY CLINTON: I have traveled consistently for the last nine months. I think I've been in more than 40 countries. I've met with countless leaders. I've done a lot of public diplomacy, getting out there, listening to people. I don't think I can overstate how damaged our country was in the eyes of people around the world when President Obama took office. And we've been working very hard to just get us back to a point where we can have the kind of open, candid conversations

that lead to decisions being made that will benefit the United States and move us toward goals like more peaceful, prosperous outcomes for us and - on many parts of the world.” Image from "American Corners in Hungary": Talk Time: Your Free English Class! Wednesday, April 2nd, 3:00 pm American Corner Conversation club!Come to the American Corner to practice your English and get to know other people through casual, informal discussions about your chosen topics! Native speakers will help you loosen up and engage in interesting conversations).

Comment: In throes of a change —Shahzad Chaudhry, Daily Times: "Hillary Clinton’s recent visit to Pakistan has been instructive on many counts. Here was a case of the newer form of diplomacy at its best. Steeped in tradition and closeted in the safeties of staying mum even as Rome burns, our classic diplomats need to learn a thing or two in the art of public diplomacy from the US Secretary of State. Twenty-first century’s conduct of foreign relations is far different than the archaic teachings that are fed to our young diplomats: 'better to keep shut than to betray your lack of capacity and capability as an envoy'! Where all shall we need to change and when will that ever happen? Less said of her capacity to work — 24/7; a 62 year old, does she ever get tired? There is so much to learn; and, I better not go that route for I carry a pained heart when it comes to the great Pakistani proclivity to detest and detract from hard work — especially amongst our elite."

'Obama should speak to Al Jazeera' - Aljazeera.net - "In 2001, George Bush, the former US president, appointed Richard Grenell as the director of communications and public diplomacy for the US permanent representative to the UN. ...

[Q:] You were appointed by George Bush, the former president, to serve as director of communications and public diplomacy for the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations and you worked with John Negroponte, John Danforth, John Bolton and Zalmay Khalilzad throughout the entire eight years of the Bush administration. All four ambassadors spoke to Al Jazeera at one time or another ... [A:] I pushed for George Bush, the former US president, to speak to Al Jazeera but I was unsuccessful. I wish President Bush would have have been able to do it, but now I am urging President Obama to do it." Grenell image from

Global influence: Students from abroad find a fit in Utah - Wendy Leonard, Deseret News: "According to the annual Open Doors report, released today [November 16] by the Institute of International Education, the number of inteational students in America increased by 8 percent to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008-09 academic year. The growth is driven largely by increases in the number of undergraduate students from China, which sends more students to the U.S. than any other country. The numbers 'testify to the quality and diversity for which American higher education is known around the world,' said Judith A. McHale, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. She said a large network of advisors in the U.S. play a key role in matching international students with various institutions that are 'just right for them.' 'We strongly encourage international students to study in the United States, and are committed to helping them choose the American college or university that best meets their needs,' McHale said."

The Importance of 'Democracy Promotion' - J. Brian Atwood, Huffington Post:


"A 'smart power' foreign policy assumes a realist's understanding of geo-strategic considerations, but it also appreciates the benefits of positive American values in a world arena where ideology still has a role to play. We promote these values through public diplomacy, foreign assistance programs, and diplomatic and citizen initiatives that reflect our nation's democratic ideals." Image from

On Missile Defense - M. Duncan, The Westphalian Post: "Given changes in U.S. intelligence assessments about Iranian ballistic missile (BM) capability and technological developments, the president decided to change the focus of the U.S. missile defense (MD) architecture. The new phased adaptive approach (PAA) will enhance the U.S. ability to counter current threats to U.S. forces deployed abroad and U.S. Allies and adapt to meet future changing threats. ... The views of European and American publics will be important in making these programs succeed. Governments can be convinced by technology transfers and assurances to remain supportive, but a solid public diplomacy campaign is necessary to win the public’s approval. The U.S. has to demonstrate that it is committed to the new program through investment and implementation. It must demonstrate the value a PAA shield adds to the population."

Words of support for the exile radio stations broadcasting to North Korea (updated) - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

Shining Light on Roots of Terrorism - Ray McGovern, Consortium News: “[I]n an unclassified study published by the Pentagon-appointed U.S. Defense Science Board on Sept. 23, 2004 ... [t]he board stated: “Muslims do not ‘hate our freedom,’ but rather, they hate our policies. The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favor of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the longstanding, even increasing support for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, and the Gulf States. “Thus, when American public diplomacy talks about bringing democracy to Islamic societies, this is seen as no more than self-serving hypocrisy.” The report directly contradicted what Bush had been saying about 'why they hate us,'

letting the elephant out of the bag and into the room, so to speak." Image from

Iran media plans stir talk of elite force at helm - Brian Murphy, Associated Press: "Iranian authorities have closed several pro-reform newspapers and dozens of Web sites and blogs since the outrage over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. One of his challengers, Mahdi Karroubi, described the silencing of dissent as worse than the measures imposed by the former Western-back shah before he was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. At the same time, Iran has opened an information offensive. Its state-backed news agencies and broadcasters — including English-language Press TV and Al-Alam in Arabic — have churned out a blitz of policy statements, negotiating points and news breaks as the main soapboxes for Iran's public diplomacy."

Israeli Hasbara – Benjamin, From the Furthest West: "At the Do the Write Thing Jewish Journalism conference last week, many panelists highlighted the need to improve Israel’s public diplomacy, called Hasbara (which unsurprisingly is Hebrew for 'explanation')."

Al-Jazeera as International Actor - zoestath Group3SIS640: "Powers and Gilboa, authors of this week’s reading on the public diplomacy of Al-Jazeera, provide a comprehensive overview and understanding of the multi-leveled dynamics of Al-Jazeera, namely its role as a political actor with a specific political agenda.

This article’s discussion regarding the internal and external roles of Al-Jazeera is insightful, and I found it interesting when the author’s discussed America’s tendency to ignore the internal role (discussing taboos and criticizing Arab regimes), and to focus on criticizing Arab and Muslim perspectives." Image from

IBSA – Paul Rockower, Levantine: "I have stumbled upon my perfect job: Public Diplomacy Director for IBSA, the trilateral organization that connects India, Brazil and South Africa to carry out 'southern' leadership. Now I just have to create the position...."

RELATED ITEMS

Asian excursion is Job No. 1? - Donald Lambro, Washington Times: Mr. Obama is traveling abroad, again, to promote his popular global image, while Gallup says his daily average job-approval score has dropped to 50 percent, 19 points below his 52-week high. Below image from

Obama's quagmire: Antiwar base renders victory abhorrent - Jeffrey T. Kuhner, Washington Times: President Obama is in Asia - instead of at home making a key foreign-policy decision. He has said he will not clarify his strategy in Afghanistan until he returns Thursday, thereby further kicking the Afghan can down the road.

President Obama in China – Editorial, New York Times: A China that respected its own people and its neighbors would be more stable, economically stronger, have more international influence and be a much better American partner. But the most important single thing the two countries can do is join in moving a new climate agreement forward. Below image from



The Great Wallop - Niall Ferguson and Moritz Schularick, New York Times: For as long as the People’s Republic has existed, the United States has been the principal upholder of a world economic order based on the free movement of goods and, more recently, capital. It has also picked up the tab for policing the oil-rich but unstable Middle East. No country has benefited more from these arrangements than China, and it should now pay for them through a stronger Chinese currency.

New York's 9/11 trial justice: Putting the 9/11 suspects on trial in New York is the right move - but seeking the death penalty would be a strategic error - Ken Gude, guardian.co.uk: The Obama administration may unintentionally hand al-Qaida a propaganda tool should it – as Holder strongly suggested – seek the death penalty for these men. It is in the strategic interests of the US to deny these most heinous al-Qaida terrorists what they want most: martyrdom. Below image: At left a 2003 photo shows Khalid Sheikh Mohammed shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan. At right, a photo allegedly taken in July 2009 by the Red Cross.

The KSM Trial Will Be an Intelligence Bonanza for al Qaeda: The government will have to choose between vigorous prosecution and revealing classified sources and methods - John Yoo, Wall Street Journal: Even more harmful to our national security will be the effect a civilian trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will have on the future conduct of intelligence officers and military personnel. Will they have to read al Qaeda terrorists their Miranda rights?

A blue line in Afghanistan: Police give reason to be optimistic - Michael O'Hanlon, Washington Post: As Obama contemplates McChrystal's troop request while also looking for ways to gain leverage with Karzai and boost anticorruption efforts, we should remember that in Iraq, systematic reform of the national police was a key element in the success of the 2007 surge. It helped with security as well as anticorruption efforts. The same thing is beginning to happen in Afghanistan -- and is a key reason there should be more hopefulness about our mission.

Liberate Iraq’s Economy - Frank R. Gunter, New York Times: After returning from the second of two tours in Iraq, I can attest to notable progress. Iraqi civilian casualties have dropped sharply, the result of both the United States surge and negotiations with Sunni groups. There has been political progress as well. Provincial elections were held this year and national elections are scheduled for early 2010. The future of the Iraqi economy, however, remains bleak.

Violence lull spurs timid revival in Iraqi art - Khalid al-Ansary and Deepa Babington, Reuters: A lull in violence has sparked a timid renaissance in Iraqi art after years of dictatorship and bloodshed restricted artistic freedoms. None of it is groundbreaking in a nation historians consider the cradle of civilisation. But after decades as a propaganda vehicle for Saddam Hussein followed by years of living in fear of religious militia after the 2003 U.S-led invasion, the artists are content to simply be allowed to pursue their craft.

How to do business abroad [review of Carry a Chicken in Your Lap Or, Whatever It Takes to Globalize Your Business by Bruce Alan Johnson and R. William Ayres] - Peter Hannaford, Washington Times:

In 14 short, readable chapters, the authors deal with major considerations in selecting executives to take on overseas assignments. Image from