“Whatever the verdict on my presidency, I’m comfortable with the fact that I won’t be around to hear it.”
--George W. Bush
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
In India, Obama faces questions on U.S. relations with Pakistan - Scott Wilson, Washington Post: "MUMBAI - An audience of Indian college students challenged President Obama on Sunday over his administration's relationship with Pakistan's government, drawing a defensive response and a challenge of his own. 'We want nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan,' Obama told the students gathered in a courtyard of St. Xavier's College to see him. 'But I'm also going to say something that may surprise you. The country that has the biggest stake in Pakistan's success is India.'
The town hall event, featuring Obama as a professorial host, was a moment of unscripted public diplomacy as he sought to bridge the divide between two bitter rivals. Not only was Obama forced to explain some of the awkward elements of U.S. policy in South Asia, from support for Pakistan to his end game in Afghanistan, but he also provided a rare glimpse at the way he approaches his work. ... After a day of talking trade and sales contracts, Obama and the first lady, Michelle, devoted their last morning in Mumbai to celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. In short, their morning of public diplomacy involved dancing." Image from; via ACP III
Obama Invokes Gandhi, Whose Ideal Eludes Modern India - Jim Yardley, New York Times: "Not long after Barack Obama was elected president, the United States Embassy in India printed a postcard showing him sitting in his old Senate office beneath framed photographs of his political heroes: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln and the great Indian apostle of peace, democracy and nonviolent protest, Mohandas K. Gandhi. The postcard was a trinket of public diplomacy, a souvenir of the new president’s affinity for India. Now that Mr. Obama is visiting India for the first time, on a trip pitched as a jobs mission, his fascination with Gandhi is influencing his itinerary and his message as he tries to win over India’s skeptical political class. 'He is a hero not just to India, but to the world,' the president wrote in a guest book on Saturday in Gandhi’s modest former home in Mumbai, now the Mani Bhavan museum."
Great Expectations, Or The Limits Of Summit Diplomacy - Swarna Rajagopalan, Asia Security Initiative News & Blog: "[W]hat makes the difference between a run-of-the-mill, ritual summit and a summit we remember for years? It’s what the state department now labels 'public diplomacy.' On the second morning of the Obama visit, it’s easy to predict the images that will linger: the Obamas at the 26/11 memorial; signing the guest book at Mani Bhavan, and at a Diwali celebration with school kids. It’s the president leading a professorial interaction with college students. It’s not going to be the business conference or even his speech in Parliament. Once the commentariat class moves on, we will likely forget those. The moments
in which the elected representatives of one people reach out to befriend another people, leave abiding memories. That’s the lesson for diplomats and journalists alike." Image from
African Partnership Solution - Sebastian Bruns, Second Line of Defense: "APS [Africa Partnership Station] is one of three so-called global fleet stations designed to framework frequent deployments of maritime forces (naval ships, coast guard, air squadrons, naval construction battalions). ... In short, APS aims to strengthen maritime domain awareness (MDA) through a number of measures. These include, but are not limited to, improving equipment and education, enlarging medical capabilities, joint exercises and capacity building by training the trainers. Furthermore, public diplomacy such as joint sports exercises; basic medical aid or U.S. Navy Seabees (engineers) efforts aimed to strengthen the smart power component of APS serve to underline the partnership aspect of the program. However, smart power successes are inherently difficult to measure.
The absence of hard military objectives, or even an ambitious political goal such as reducing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea to zero, underline that APS is at least as much about African security as about U.S. security interests. It is, in short, a highly strategically and politically charged operation." Image from article
US Blows an Opportunity in Shanghai - John Parker, American Thinker: "History will judge the US Expo pavilion as a huge missed opportunity, for two reasons. First, a well-done pavilion could have helped to ameliorate our chronic trade deficits with China by attracting a generation of mainland Chinese to America's world-class tourist attractions. Second, the Expo represented a rare opportunity to counteract some of the Chinese Communist Party's incessant anti-American propaganda by presenting a positive image of the US to millions of Chinese visitors. Regrettably,
the actual pavilion completely failed on both counts: the organizers were trying so hard to be friendly and welcoming, that they forgot to say anything positive about America, the likely result being that an entire generation of Chinese tourists will book tickets to Spain instead. As a US expatriate in China, it appalls me that 7 million Chinese people visited this slab of epic fail with high hopes, and are now equating it with America itself. Trust me: we're going to regret this one later." Image from
Terrorism, Us Policy & the UN - jonkofas.blogspot.com: "A clear definition of terrorism and its multifaceted causes was notably absent from any political and media discourse before and since 9/11. Noam Chomsky pointed out that only the Wall Street Journal, to its great credit, took the time and effort immediately after 9/11 to find out why there is such militant opposition to U.S. policy in the Muslim world. One of the State Department's responses was to hire a PR person ... to intensify 'public diplomacy' (U.S. propaganda) as a means of lessening opposition toward U.S. policies around the world. That person left her job within a relatively short period, after realizing the impossibility of the task. Not only had the Bush administration obfuscated the term 'terrorism' to the degree that it is very broad and generic encompassing all unconventional forms of opposition to U.S. policies, but the administration allowed authoritarian regimes around the world to define 'terrorism' as they see fit, as long as they back the U.S."
2010 election: Impact on international engagement and appropriations - Mark Overmann, The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. Via
Smart Vote 2010 Election: The Global Impact - U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Via
Diplomatic blogging in Paris - first steps in PD 2.0 journey - small talk 2.0: Yaron Gamburg, Israeli diplomat talking about public diplomacy, social media and what is in between - Public Diplomacy 2.0: "It's been a long time since I wrote post on this blog. 3 months ago I moved to Paris after being appointed as media advisor to the Israeli embassy in France. So, in addition to all the necessary arrangements you have to do when moving to a new country, I also opened a new blog, this time in French, which became part of my new job. All beginnings are difficult, so I had to take a break from my 2 other blogs, this one and the one in Hebrew. After all, writing for 3 different blogs,
in 3 different languages (of which none is your native language...) is not an easy task... Now I hope to be back on track on all the blogs, and I would like to tell you something about our social media efforts in the embassy, where we put into practice some ideas that were discussed in this blog: http://diplomatstalk.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-work-with-traditional-media.html. ... What I realised after 3 months of trial and error, is that as a diplomat you can say a lot more on blog than you could imagine. Using your blog and other social media tools, you could relate to the issues published in the local media that are not of interest to your headquarters, but are important if you want to engage with the local audience." Blogger image from entry
Across the Straits and around the world: some history of Taiwan's international broadcasting - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting
CULTURAL DIPLOMACY
When Indy met Indonesia - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "So here is the public diplomacy/cultural diplomacy rub. State is trying to ramp up its cultural diplomacy efforts with 'smART power' initiatives. It has also toured groups like Ozomatli around both Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It would not take much to do great cultural diplomacy with a little punk rock
here in Indonesia. Send a band to do some guitar clinics and shows on a tour around Indonesia, especially focused on outreach to the punk street kids. The punk rock here is pretty light by traditional punk standards and a little more melodious, so it wouldn't be a stretch to send a rock band to tour and give some large-scale lessons. Meanwhile, send the band on to the equally-musical Philippines and you have a great pd tour." Image from
International exchanges: Professor awarded for collaborative work with France- Rebecca DeButts, utdmercury.com: "For ten years, Arts & Humanities Endowed Chair Richard Brettell has promoted an international cultural relationship with France. Brettell was recently honored by the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres as a commandeur for his work with the French Regional & American Museum Exchange (FRAME). ... 'I am now sitting on a cloud with lots of famous people who have received this highest rank in the Order of Arts and Letters,' Brettell said. 'The arts are, in the end, the most effective medium of cultural diplomacy because they communicate across national, linguistic, religious and ideological boundaries.' FRAME was founded in 1999 in collaboration with Brettell, Francoise Cachin and Elizabeth Rohatyn as an exchange between the regional museums of France and the museums of the United States. FRAME is the first organization that has promoted this exchange. Brettell has been the director of FRAME since it began, but has recently resigned his position to move to the Board of Directors.
The American office of FRAME is located at UTD and is coordinated by Arts & Humanities Interpreter, Pierrette Lacour. '(FRAME) is a very important organization for cultural diplomacy,' Lacour said. FRAME's most recent exhibit, 'The Mourners: Tomb Sculpture form the Court of Burgundy' is currently showing at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). Lacour said this exhibit is FRAME's most ambitious project." Brettel image from article
Duly Noted - George de Poor Handlery, intellectualconservative.com: "Increasingly, China's relationship to the outside world is not defined by reliance on political-cultural diplomacy. Nor do appeals to allegedly common interests served by cooperation dominate. Of late, regarding the outside world, the ascendant instrument applied to shape these is weight and military force. Some old hopes and pious expectations, such as that economic success civilizes foreign policy and democratizes the internal order, appear to be invalidated. The playful panda is transmuting into an assertive grizzly. The big bear emerging from its cover likes to stroll beyond the limits of its marked territory."
NY Philharmonic To Receive Cultural Ambassador Award from Asia Society, Nov. 16 - broadwayworld.com: "The New York Philharmonic will receive the Asia Society's Cultural Ambassador Award at a black-tie dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. The Asia Society's Annual Awards Dinner recognizes extraordinary individuals who have contributed to promoting understanding between Asians and Americans.
The Philharmonic is being cited for its bridge-building concerts across the globe, particularly its historic concert in Pyongyang, DPRK, in February 2008, and its debut in Hanoi, Vietnam, in October 2009." Image from
Festival and series of events focus on Russia - wmich.edu: "All things Russian will be explored in a series of November events sponsored by Western Michigan University Nov. 11-13. [Among the events the talk] 'The Need for Cultural Diplomacy is Growing' by Dr. Vyacheslav Moshkalo, counselor cultural attaché with the Russian embassy."
Panama leads growth in Latin America - vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn: "The Panamanian embassy was an enthusiastic participant in Viet Nam's Year of Cultural Diplomacy 2009."
UN Sets Up Yearly World Interfaith Harmony Week - Edd K. Usman, Manila Bulletin: "On the initiative of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Nations General Assembly has unanimously proclaimed the holding of the "World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs" to be observed yearly on the first week of February starting in 2011. In support of the effort to achieve world peace, the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) headed by Amina Rasul, has joined the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in hailing the UN General Assembly resolution establishing the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW). The OIC under Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo
and the PCID also responded positively to the appeal of Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan to muster support for the WIHW. ... In an email received by the Manila Bulletin from the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Ihsanuglo hailed the UN General Assembly for passing the resolution. Ihsanuglo stressed 'that the UN resolution falls in line with OIC policies including the initiative for interfaith dialogue by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (Al-Saud) of Saudi Arabia.' The top OIC official said the furthering interfaith harmony is at the core of the pan-Islamic body's priority towards cultural diplomacy. Marking the 'World Interfaith Harmony Week will serve peoples of all faiths and beliefs to coexist in peace, harmony and goodwill,' said Ihsanuglo." Ihsanuglo image from
Aspen Institute Arts Program Leader Dana Gioia to Join USC Faculty - PRNewswire-USNewswire: "The Aspen Institute announced today that Dana Gioia will be stepping down from his position as director of the Harman-Eisner Program in the Arts, effective January 1, 2011. He was named Judge Widney Professor of Poetry and Public Culture at the University of Southern California and begins teaching in the Fall of 2011. Gioia will continue his affiliation with the Aspen Institute as the Harman-Eisner Senior Fellow in the Arts. ... Reflecting on the state of the arts and culture at the Institute, Dana Gioia said, 'It has been an exciting mission to be the first Harman-Eisner director at the Aspen Institute and help create new programs in the arts and culture over the past two years. The huge success we experienced last month at the 2010 Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum indicates how influential a role the Institute can play in culture. I am delighted to continue my involvement with Aspen in my new advisory role, and I look forward to staying active in the Institute's many projects in the arts and culture.'"
RELATED ITEMS
Bomb-proof tunnel with air conditioning: Obama's security go to extraordinary measures for his tour of the Gandhi museum 250 U.S. business executives with Obama on 'biggest ever trade mission' $200million Asia trip cost denied but the President will have huge entourage - Daily Mail: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle arrived in India's commercial hub of Mumbai on Saturday, days after voters punished his Democrats in mid-term elections.
Probably not since the days of the Pharaohs or the more ludicrous Roman Emperors has a head of state travelled in such pomp and expensive grandeur as the President of the United States of America. While lesser mortals – the Pope, Queen Elizabeth and so on – are usually happy to let their hosts handle most of the security and transport arrangements when they venture beyond their home shores, the United States creates a mini-America on the move to ensure that nothing is left to chance. Image from artcile; via ACP III
Obama's visit to India's business centers prompts look at outsourcing - Emily Wax, Washington Post: Indian industry leaders are upset at the U.S. government for doubling fees for guest worker visas, which Indian companies based in the United States say hurts their efforts to recruit Indian workers.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) would add new restrictions, fees and penalties for employers to obtain skilled-worker visas. The United States is pushing India to allow American universities to set up in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities, potentially bringing in millions of dollars in tuition fees from India's enormous student population. India's university system is vastly overcrowded. Image from (SoBO -- South Bombay)
Get Me Out of Here [Review of How Wars End: Why We Always Fight the Last Battle by Gideon Rose] - David E. Sanger, New York Times: Washington has never really figured out how to disentangle itself from wars, even “good” ones. Indeed, finding the exit is only getting harder.
ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY
"Yet if W.’s decision-making leaves something to be desired, his story-telling is good. He writes of a visit to Russia, when Putin showed him his black Labrador, Koni.
'Bigger, stronger, and faster than Barney,'
Putin bragged.
Later, when W. recounted this to Stephen Harper, the Canadian prime minister, Harper drolly noted, 'You’re lucky he only showed you his dog.'"
‘Blindsided’: A President’s Story - Maureen Dowd, New York Times; image (1) from (2) from
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