“eunice007: RT @jilliancyork Why no young faces at #usip? Why very few non-white faces? The problem with media conferences: old and white Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:24:27 PM"
--From United States Institute of Peace Tweets on Twitter regarding the "Media as Global Diplomat" conference
IMAGES
Old Soviet Union Propaganda Posters
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Obama's charm offensive and the global jihad - Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe: “Ever since taking office two weeks ago, Obama has been at pains to proclaim a change in US-Muslim relations. In his inaugural address he invited 'the Muslim world' to embark on 'a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.' Six days later he gave Al-Arabiya, an Arabic-language satellite channel, his first televised interview as president. This week he continued his charm offensive with a friendly letter to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. He has promised to deliver a major address in an Islamic capital by spring. The president cannot be faulted for using his bully pulpit to reach out to the world's Muslims, especially given his Muslim roots and family ties. But running through his words is a disconcerting theme: that US-Muslim tensions are a recent phenomenon brought on largely by American provincialism, heavy-handedness, and disrespect. Missing is any sense that the United States has long been the target of jihadist fanatics who enjoy widespread support in the Muslim world.”
The Impending Obama Meltdown - Victor Davis Hanson, National Review: Evidently re the Al-Arabiya interview: “[T]here were the inflated lectures on historic foreign policy to be made by the clumsy political novice who trashed his own country and his predecessor in the most ungracious manner overseas to a censured Saudi-run press organ (e.g., Bush is dictatorial, the Saudi king is courageous; Obama can mend bridges that America broke to aggrieved Muslims—apparently Tehran hostages, Rushdie, serial attacks in the 1990s, 9/11, Madrid, London never apparently occurred; and neither did feeding Somalis, saving Kuwait, protesting Chechnya, Bosnia/Kosovo, billions to Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinians, help in two Afghan wars, and on and on).”
Obama on Al Arabiya: perhaps the last entries - Kim Andrew Elliott Discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy
Obama's Arab-TV interview - Helle Dale, Washington Times: The Arab world remains in a tizzy of excitement over the interview given last week by President Obama with the Arabic news service Al-Arabiya … . One thing is for sure, Mr. Obama will never be able to live up to the expectations he has now generated unless he has a magic wand hidden in the Oval Office. Still the interview was an inspired piece of public diplomacy, more so than anything one has been able to glean about the public diplomacy plans of the Obama administration. … In terms of the public diplomacy institutions of the U.S. government, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in charge of, it appears some of the mistakes of the Bush years could be repeated. In her confirmation hearings as secretary of state, Mrs. Clinton had little to say on the subject, devoting only a few paragraphs to public diplomacy in her written testimony. Furthermore, in the reported choice of Judith McHale as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, the Obama administration has chosen someone from the rank of its major donors with Hollywood background, but with no diplomatic experience. Sending out the president to talk will be a powerful public diplomacy strategy for the new administration, but much more will be needed in the long run.“
More Bad Signs for Public Diplomacy at State - Steven R. Corman, COMOPS Journal: “[A]fter a name was floated about a week ago for potential Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, nothing further has been heard on this issue. … Meanwhile in another signal of potential low status for the PD function, Carolyn O’Hara at Foreign Policy reported last week that the PD offices may be getting moved off of the 6th floor. … I continue to hope that these signs are misleading and that we can expect a robust effort to renew PD in the new State Department. But I must admit, my optimism is getting harder to maintain by the day.”
Upstairs Downstairs – Charles J. Brown, Undiplomatic: Regarding the report that “Where the R folks [‘ R’ offices, normally occupied by the under secretary for public diplomacy] are going is anyone’s guess, but it’s presumably the far-from-coveted 6th floor — hardly a good message to send about the importance of public diplomacy under a new administration this blog comments that “[T]he foreign service … need to get over themselves. Yes, proximity is power, and yes it’s nice to be close. But it’s far more important to have the ability to influence power than it is to have the office next to it.” Also notes that “When I was at State, one of my responsibilities was to manage what is known as press guidance — the talking points produced each day for the spokesman. I learned early on that press guidance was policy — that if you got the spokesman to say something, then it was the official policy of the U.S. government.”
Can social networking fix U.S. image? - Victoria Esser, Politico: “Is social media diplomatic window dressing or can the U.S. Twitter its way into the hearts and minds of other countries? While the answer is somewhere in between, the U.S. cannot afford to wait while these channels are perfected in order to direct them in service of President Barack Obama’s priority of renewing America’s global leadership. Indeed, Mr. Obama can use the themes and technologies that helped him generate huge grass-roots support in his presidential campaign to build support for America on the world stage. … There are limits to this virtual dialogue, and so it must be continued on the ground with engagement in 'retail' public diplomacy — the critical dialogue with political leaders, opposition, minority groups and others needed to demonstrate that the U.S. is willing to come to the table.”
PSYOP and the 2009 QDR - Lawrence Dietz, Psych Ops Regimental Blog: "With regard to Strategic Communication, the QDR [2009 Quadrennial Defense Review] reinforces and restates ‘We are committed to using our operational and informational activities and strategic communication processes in support of the Department of State’s broader public diplomacy efforts. This cooperation will better enable the U.S. Government to engage foreign audiences holistically and with unity of effort.’ This lofty goal falls into the easier said than done box. … One way to attack this problem is to develop country and regional Information Engagement (IE) teams. These teams would be run as a joint venture between State and Defense and managed by the senior person on the ground.“
Public Diplomacy and Electronic Perestroika - Steve Sanford, MediaMarkup: musings, thoughts and ideas about digital media and today's economy: “I spent the morning in the Newseum at the Media as Global Diplomat panel ... . My key takeaway is ‘Networks’ (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, BBC) have been replaced by ‘networks’ (the myriad channels through which words and ideas propagate) -- and everyone, from print and TV media to Web 2.0 gurus and PD practitioners, is still grappling with the implication. … One issue quickly emerged as both the most important and the most nettlesome of the morning. How to make PD authentic when it is government funded, especially in overseas markets that have both a checkered history with and a natural suspicion of state-run, state-funded media.”
Media As Global Diplomat – dtearl, Softer Power: “Today, the Newseum hosted a remarkable day of panels and discussion on the 'Media as Global Diplomat.' It was organized by the United States Institute of Peace, and contained some highly qualified men and women representing non-profit charitable organizations, the mainstream media (and Al Jazeera), and government. Major comments were delivered by Ambassador James Glassman … . Steve Sanford, who attended the conference and wrote a useful recap, notes that moderator Ted Koppel doesn’t necessarily share th[e] opinion of the media’s role as global diplomat. Ted Koppel, ever the devil’s advocate, prodded the panel into motion by proffering his own definition: that public diplomacy is ‘an oxymoron.’ He said that publics are involved in many things, but ‘diplomacy’ is never one of them. This yielded up a variety of working definitions of PD from the panel. … Public television (in more of BBC and PBS model than perhaps the Al Hurra model) may be the only way to have media serve as a global diplomat on the Arab television. If that’s the case, we’re going to have to get better. From my observations, little discussion was really made of the ‘New media.’”
Blogging From Washington With Lois Vossen - phil_zimmerman, ITVS Beyond the Box: “Ted Koppel welcomed back the attendees for the second panel, titled ‘The Global Media Marketplace’ … . Smita Singh of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation made a call for more public funding of media that will advance public diplomacy, but also stipulated she’s not advocating that government create media but rather they need to be arms length away from the content creation.” SEE ALSO
ISA Conference in NYC - T Deos, DyNaMiX:A discussion of current public relations, public diplomacy and communications topics: “Only two weeks to go before the International Studies Association (ISA) conference in New York, NY. The conference will be chock full of amazingly intelligent and well known researchers of all possible fields of study. Of paramount interest for me, of course, will be the presentations on international communications, public diplomacy and communication and information technologies. I, myself, will be presenting on the use of public diplomacy in conflict resolution and economic development.”
Willis Conover remembered in Special English - Kim Andrew Elliott Discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy
Expanding internet connectivity in Afghanistan – News, North Atlantic Treaty Organization: “Named after the Great Silk Road trading route linking Asia and Europe, the NATO Virtual Silk Highway (SILK) provides affordable, high-speed Internet access via satellite to the academic communities of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The SILK project is operational at Kabul University, Afghanistan, since 2006, and is now looking into expanding the network to the provinces. Under the Declaration by NATO and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to maximize the potential of the Virtual Silk Highway, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) Science for Peace and Security (SPS) programme is assisting the Afghan authorities in paving the way for developing their educational system.”
Obama has constitutional cover to veto protectionist bill: Day – The Canadian Press: “The Conservative government is waving U.S. law books as a possible shield against new protectionist measures now before the U.S. Congress, telling President Barack Obama he has constitutional cover for blocking them. …
Allan Gotlieb, a high-profile ambassador under prime minister Brian Mulroney's Conservative government in the 1980s, says the situation is so critical that cabinet ministers need to make personal appeals to their counterparts in Washington, to key committee chairs and other chief advisers. A phone call from Stephen Harper to Obama on the subject would be completely in order, Gotlieb said. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff also suggested during question period in the House of Commons that Harper should ring Obama. [Ignatieff said that] ‘[p]rotectionist measures will harm U.S. businesses that depend on Canadian imports. We used to be able to mount an effective campaign to rally American support to our side. Public diplomacy, remember that?"
A Chinese Al-Jazeera - Five Reasons This Is a Good Thing - David Wolf, Silicon Hutong: Among the reasons: “1. China Needs to Care About What the World Thinks - the fact that China is ready to undertake this effort means that China's senior leadership acknowledges that global opinion matters to China. This may be obvious to those of us steeped in communications, international relations, soft power, and/or public diplomacy, but it is a light-bulb moment for China's leaders. … 3. Propaganda Fails - … propaganda is dead as a tool of public diplomacy. This is not only a rejection of previous practice but of orthodox Communist communications doctrine.”
Nobel Laureate, Calls for Direct Diplomacy with Iran – IPS, Sustainabilitank.info: “A human rights activist and 2003 Nobel winner, Ebadi called for broad-based engagement between Iran and the U.S. … She called for public diplomacy, president to president talks, and talks between the governing houses of the two countries.”
Pomegranates and Welshcakes, Simon, Perfect Way: “In 2007, Demos published a report entitled Cultural Diplomacy, which successfully articulated its value as an alternative to military power and traditional diplomacy while aligning itself with the UK’s international priorities. However, the main conclusion was that cultural diplomacy should not be an instrumental tool of public diplomacy, but that: ‘The value of cultural activity comes precisely from its independence, its freedom and the fact that it represents and connects people, rather than necessarily governments or policy positions.’ … The Demos report cannily built on the aspirations articulated for the first time by the government that culture should have an international dimension that was strategic.”
'Treasury blocked plan for Jewish al-Jazeera' - Haviv Rettig Gur and Jerusalem Post Staff, Jerusalem Post: “[A]t the Herzliya Conference devoted to exploring the global assault on Israel's legitimacy and seeking tools to combat the phenomenon … Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief David Horovitz argued that success on the ‘second battlefield’ of media and public diplomacy required a far more serious and strategic approach than is the case at present. In his remarks, Horovitz urged the establishment of a well-resourced hierarchy, with cabinet-level clout, to act on that second battlefield, overseeing official PR, mounting information campaigns in the foreign media, reaching out to politicians and opinion-leaders worldwide, coordinating campus activities and more."
Delo Says Slovenia, Croatia Communicating Through Media Ljubljana – STA, Slovenska Tiskovna Agencija, Slovenia: “The broadsheet adds under 'Public Diplomacy' that this was the furthest the two countries ever came in 17 years of negotiations.” [Note: entry in quotation marks from Google].
College calendar - tampabacy.com: “Eckerd College 4200 54th Ave. S St. Petersburg, 864-7979 [:] Academy of Senior Professionals' Public Forum Series, Friday, 4 p.m., Lewis House:
'The Elements of Smart Power: Reinventing Public Diplomacy in the Obama Administration' — Donna Oglesby, diplomat-in-residence at Eckerd College. Oglesby teaches courses on the politics and process of U.S. foreign policy and the relationship between media, public opinion and foreign policy. She brings to her courses more than 25 years of experience as an American diplomat culminating in service as counselor of agency, the ranking career position in the United States Information Agency.”
Middle East focus of Global Agenda 2009 series – UDaily, University of Delaware: “March25 - Dana Shell Smith, U.S. Foreign Service officer who has served in public diplomacy positions in the Middle East, ‘Dousing the Flames: Public Diplomacy in Action.’”
Faith group takes action to help man - Jewell Cardwell, Akron Beacon Journal: Diplomat honored – “Heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Howard Kea, University of Akron graduate (bachelor of science in electronic technology) and former Akron Beacon Journal copy runner (while he was in college). Howard … was recently appointed to a four-year term with the Human and Societal Dynamics Panel by the NATO Committee for Peace and Security. The panel, which will meet twice a year in Brussels, will oversee the review of international grants in the areas of public diplomacy.”
RELATED ITEMS
Clinton's Asian inaugural romp: Japan first, but China key - Laura Rozen, Foreign Policy
Don’t Try This at Home - Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times: “In recent days, some have questioned whether Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was making a big mistake in appointing so many 'special envoys,' such as George Mitchell, to handle key trouble spots, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I think they are right to question Mrs. Clinton about this plethora of envoys. But I don’t think the problem is that she has too many; it’s that she doesn’t have enough.”
George Mitchell and the end of the two-state solution: Israel's settlement growth means we have to find a different plan - Sandy Tolan, Christian Science Monitor:
Mr. Mitchell would do well to listen to people who are thinking beyond two-state options, and foster an openness and creativity absent from American diplomacy since the beginning of this tragedy 60 years ago.
A new day in US Middle East policy - Samuel W. Lewis and Edward S. Walker, Boston Globe: America’s seeming indifference toward ending the Arab-Israeli conflict during the past eight years helped turn public opinion throughout the Muslim world against the United States, to the disadvantage of a myriad of US interests. President Obama can reverse this situation and convey that it is a new day in US Middle East policy. The era of neglect -- benign and not so benign -- must be seen as over. If the cease-fire in Gaza holds, the Obama administration should lead an international effort to arrange a long-term armistice.
More Troops, More Worries, Less Consensus on Afghanistan - Jim Lobe, Antiwar.com: Even as U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to deploy more military forces to Afghanistan – what he has called "the central front" in former President George W. Bush's "global war on terror" – a consensus on overall U.S. strategy there remains elusive.
New Troop Deployments to Afghanistan Will Only Feed Insurgency, Says Report - Bruce Falconer, Mother Jones: Figuring out how to take time away from the Taliban is the puzzle now facing the Obama administration. It won't be an easy one to solve.
Fear Will Be Our Name: Why are We Still at War? - Norman Solomon, CounterPunch: For anyone who believes that the war in Afghanistan makes sense, I recommend the Jan. 30 discussion on ‘Bill Moyers Journal” with historian Marilyn Young and former Pentagon official Pierre Sprey. A chilling antidote to illusions that fuel the war can be found in the transcript.”
Holbrooke's Dangerous Game in Pakistan - M.J. Akbar, Daily Beast: To be successful, Richard Holbrooke will have to square the most difficult circle in the world: He must unite Pakistan against the Taliban and then ally India with Pakistan and America in the war against theocracy.
No Quick Fix for FATA [Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas] - Robert Dreyfuss, Nation:
By squeezing Pakistan to escalate its war against its own people, by firing missiles into FATA from the sky, we're creating enemies by the hundreds. And if President Obama eventually decides to escalate the war in Afghanistan along the same lines, by doubling US forces there, the size and strength of our enemies will grow astronomically.
Iraq's Winning Vote: Elections strengthen secular moderates who seek to curb Iran's influence. Will President Obama support them? – Editorial, Washington Post: While such a drawdown is certainly a desirable goal, the president would do well to recognize, value and exploit the very real political progress Iraq has made -- and to be careful not to undercut it by acting too quickly on his exit strategy.
Fruits of the surge – Editorial, Washington Times: Without the politically courageous (albeit unpopular) support of last year's surge by Mr. Bush and politicians like John McCain, President Obama would not be able to discuss Saturday's successful elections or the much-improved security conditions on the ground that may make it possible to responsibly draw down U.S. troop levels.
Letter From Europe: Obama team also offers EU a chance for change - Judy Dempsey, International Herald Tribune: Even if none of the U.S. visitors to the Munich Security Conference can yet spell out in detail how they intend to open a dialogue with Iran or deal with Hamas in Gaza, Obama has made one hugely important decision that goes to the heart of the trans-Atlantic alliance: He will close the Guantánamo detention center.
10 Things That Obama Should Do (To Prepare for Going to Beijing) - Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Huffington Post
Africa's "King of Kings": Qaddafi takes over the African Union - Joseph Loconte, Weekly Standard:
If the Obama White House intends to elevate human rights within U.S. foreign policy, then the State Department and its new boss, Hillary Clinton, should re-acquaint themselves with their file on Libya.
Let the indestructible friendship and cooperation of the Soviet and Chinese people live and prosper!
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