May 19

"60% of Twitter neophytes don't come back after the first month."

--April report from Nielsen; image from

Social Networking and National Security: How to Harness Web 2.0 to Protect the Country - James Jay Carafano, Backgrounder #2273, Heritage Foundation: "Not only have some government agencies developed or adapted Web 2.0 systems, some have exploited existing public social networking tools. There is no consolidated list of all the on-going government initiatives, though a cursory search of the Internet reveals many examples. During the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, for example, people on the scene sent Twitter updates (limited to 140 characters), including the emergency contact number for the U.S. State Department's consular call center. Colleen Graffy, the State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy, used Twitter postings to provide updates on her personal experiences. … Washington's approach to adapting Web 2.0 to national security has not been coherent, comprehensive, or integrated. … Concerning Web 2.0, Washington's best efforts are lagging. Steps are needed now to make government a leader, rather than a follower, in using these new technologies to both strengthen and safeguard American society." Image from

Jack Lew on the FY10 State Budget - DS, Diplopundit: "The State Department’s Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew was over at the HFAC last week for the hearing on Building Capacity to Protect U.S. National Security: The Fiscal Year 2010 International Affairs Budget ….Long excerpts below: … . Smart power means using all of the tools available to reach out to the world, and the FY 2010 budget requests $1.13 billion for public diplomacy and educational and cultural exchanges, providing the resources required to engage and influence people around the world, advance understanding of our country’s principles and values, and facilitate the formation of strategic partnerships through the exchange of people and ideas. These programs connect people to people -- exchanging knowledge, information, and expertise, and bring people together around shared values. Public diplomacy programs often help build the sustainable relationships with local communities that become foundations of our development programs. And in a world in which 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30, our youth programs are among the most critical investments we can make. Extracurricular programs, educational opportunities, and exchanges help divert at-risk youth away from the influence of violent actors, and the use of innovative new media greatly expands our reach into this critical population." Image from

Replacing Huntington with Morgenthau in U.S. Foreign Policy - Madhavion, The Trajectory - Comprehending Pathways: "Whether it was President Bush’s policies based on the Clash of Civilizations theory or President Obama’s efforts at diplomatic outreach, nation-state specific policies have been replaced with references to Islam as a civilizational unit. The rhetoric of not being at war with Islam is as harmful as the policy of targeting Muslim majority states. The U.S. needs to realize that politico-strategic policy defines public diplomacy rather than vise-versa. It is imperative that use of the term ‘Islam and Islamic’ in the U.S. foreign policy discourse is minimized or at best discarded." Image from

Congressmen would label as terrorists satellite platforms used by Alhurra - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

Viennese Waltz - Derek Blasberg, Mariposa Style: The Lastest in Fashion and Style: "The Vienna Life Ball isn’t one of those fancy dress parties with a few C-list socialites in borrowed gowns. With 2.5 million liters of water trucked in to surround the town hall, in keeping with this year’s aquatic theme, and 40,000-plus guests, Saturday night’s 17th annual installment of the HIV/AIDS fundraiser could only be described as, well, splashy.

Katy Perry and Róisín Murphy performed and Pamela Anderson, Eva Longoria Parker, and Bill Clinton, whose foundation was one of the event’s beneficiaries, made cameos. 'Many of you know me as the Nanny,' said Fran Drescher, introducing Clinton. 'But I’m also the public diplomacy envoy for women’s health issues, which means I answer to Hillary Clinton. Do you think you can put in a good word for me, Bill?' The former POTUS laughed. 'She’s a tough boss,' he said." Image from

Climate Change Position of Government of India - Gopal Krishna, WaterWatch: "Validity of 'principle of historical responsibility' indisputable and incontrovertible but a document titled 'THE ROAD TO COPENHAGEN: India’s Position on Climate Change Issues' published by Public Diplomacy Division, Union Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India dated February 27, 2009 with a foreword by Shyam Saran is questionable." Image from

Jay Fleming, Undiscover[e]d Europe - Ukraine: "Undiscovered Europe is a soft-power blog whose origins came from a project for a Public Diplomacy class. The goal of this blog is to foster a greater interest in Ukraine by the American and Ukrainian public[s]. By revealing their rich and colorful, their vast landscapes and attractive sceneries, and making their move to a more free market system."

Congrats USC Masters of Public Diplomacy - nchestnut, Whose Hearts & Minds does public diplomacy target?: "Last week was hectic with finishing up my coursework and graduation. I will be back with a vengeance this week. This week, I’ll finish up my analysis of America.gov, write about the need for more media assistance in Afghanistan and the relationship between COIN and PD. Before all that, I want to take a second to thank some people who have been instrumental to my academic growth over the last two years." Image from

The Continuing Summer Saga of Don Pablo Quijote - Paul Rockower, Levantine: “Don Pablo Quijote de Los Angeles strode out into the high Angelino sun. As he trode to fairer pastures and ponds in the Valley of Saint Ferdinand, he pondered his recent adventures and exploits. He thought of the conclusion of his year's study in the chivalric art of public diplomacy, and the more mundane like how he left his silver steed Rocinante untethered in the Kingdom of Watts yet nothing befell his trusty mare.”

Without foreign coverage, we miss more than news: A lack of reporters posted abroad hampers our ability to grasp crises - Andrew Stroehlein, Christian Science Monitor

Rumsfeld Paid Tax Dollars for War Propaganda –

Catherine, A Time for Change Image from

Armenia's Karabakh propaganda on Eurovision - Vercihan Ziflioğlu, Hürriyet: "Armenian politics intervened with Eurovision this weekend. When the live feed shifted to Yerevan, a gigantic statue that is the symbol of Nagorno-Karabakh appeared onscreen."