May 27

THE ADDED PUBLIC

“Among the other shifts at the NSC, a new entity, dubbed the Global Engagement Directive, will aim to coordinate public diplomacy, foreign assistance and international communications at a single White House desk.”

--Cam Simpson, Wall Street Journal

“Creating a new Global Engagement Directorate to drive comprehensive engagement policies that leverage diplomacy, communications, international development and assistance, and domestic engagement and outreach in pursuit of a host of national security objectives, including those related to homeland security.”

--Office of the Press Secretary, The White House, "Statement by the President on the White House Organization for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism"

IMAGES

Below images from Vibrant Chinese Propaganda Art, Part 2 - Lars Hasvoll Bakke, Crestock Stock Photos Design and Photography Blog: Seven Intense Years - "From the seven years between 1969-76, we are left with a vast heritage of marvelous propaganda material. In the second part of this series, we take a look at 50 carefully selected posters from that period."


1970's - Dazhai

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

North Korea: the world watches Obama - Simon Tisdall - guardian.co.uk: "Given his rhetoric about engaging with enemies, Obama’s instinctive preference will be to talk. But if the US tries, once the dust has settled and a new punitive UN resolution is in place, to draw Kim back to the negotiating table, it must be clear about its aim, said authors Robert Kagan and Dan Blumenthal, writing in the Washington Post. 'If we decide to talk again, American diplomacy should expand beyond nuclear talks to begin preparing for the outcome it wants: a democratic, unified and eventually non-nuclear Korea,' they said. Engagement, if that was the chosen policy, should be whole-hearted. That meant expansive economic, cultural and educational exchanges, ambitious public diplomacy, and a big all-round effort 'to raise North Koreans’ standing of living and exposure to the west'." Image: 1971 - To go on a thousand "li" march to temper a red heart

Waging Peace Kerry Holds Hearing on Engaging Muslims Around World - Washington Report on Middle East Affairs: "Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Admiral William J. Fallon, USN (ret.), former commander of U.S. Central Command, offered their insights on 'Engaging with Muslim Communities around the World' before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Feb. 26. … Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), the committee’s ranking Republican, called for the president to appoint and support an undersecretary of state for public diplomacy to help explain the views of the United States. He also cited Senate Resolution 49, which calls for a reassessment of whether the U.S. can safely re-establish 'American Centers' to once again offer libraries, outreach programs, unfiltered Internet access, film series, lectures and English classes in foreign cities." Image: 1976 - Revolutionary committees are good.

Obama Integrates Security Councils, Adds New Offices: Computer, Pandemic Threats Addressed - Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post: "Among other things, Obama is establishing a new global engagement directorate to coordinate U.S. communications with other countries and to streamline U.S. diplomatic, aid, environment and energy policies in support of security objectives, officials said."

Obama Revamps National Security Posts - Cam Simpson, Wall Street Journal:

"Among the other shifts at the NSC, a new entity, dubbed the Global Engagement Directive, will aim to coordinate public diplomacy, foreign assistance and international Communications at a single White House desk." See also. Image: 1969 - The invincible thought of Mao Zedong illuminates the stage of revolutionary art!

Obama’s new Global Engagement Directorate – Alex Evans, Global Dashboard: "President Obama announced a raft of reforms to the National Security Council yesterday, summed up in this White House statement … . [O]f particular interest are two new directorates within the NSC: one on resilience ('a national security directorate aimed at preparedness and response for a domestic WMD attack, pandemic or natural catastrophe, officials said'), and ‘a new Global Engagement Directorate to drive comprehensive engagement policies that leverage diplomacy, communications, international development and assistance, and domestic engagement and outreach in pursuit of a host of national security objectives, including those related to homeland security.’ This has the potential to be an important step forward. But for the new directorate to work, it will be essential to understand that engagement isn’t some sort of stand-alone area of endeavour, and nor is it just ‘the public relations bit of foreign policy’. As David [Steven] and I wrote last year in a paper commissioned by the Foreign Office, 'What we are reaching for is a theory of influence for contemporary international relations, with the new public diplomacy at its heart. … Above all … the new public diplomat must be genuinely at ease with discussion of values (rather than mere interests), understanding that without clearly stated principles – and consistent adherence to them – it will be impossible to animate coalitions of state and non-state actors, and even harder for members of that coalition to work together to deliver a common goal.'" See also. Image: 1971 - Advance victoriously while following Chairman Mao's revolutionary line.

Going Global Means Thinking Domestic Too - Matt Armstrong, MountainRunner: "Finally we may actually begin moving beyond bureaucratic structures based on quaint beliefs of US and non-US vectors and audiences [with the shifts at the NSC] … Personally, I prefer the phrase Global Engagement as a comprehensive umbrella term for public diplomacy, public affairs, foreign aid, etc. rather than stretching public diplomacy or public affairs. … [T]he White House is a learning organization and they are just beginning. More important is the intersection of the strategic thinking of President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Under Secretary McHale, and Assistant Secretary Crowley. This shift is about more than the trajectory of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. This is about the future relevance of the State Department and about a civilian counterbalance to the Defense Department. This is about transforming the Department of State into also being the Department of Non-State." Image: 1969 - The Chinese People's Liberation Army is the great school of Mao Zedong thought.

The Widening Public Diplomacy Chasm - Alvin Snyder, Public Diplomacy Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "President Obama is his own best public diplomacy spokesperson after all, and as such, White House media staffers (of which I was one for 5+ years during Nixon-Ford) can be expected to manage the big ticket items direct from Pennsylvania Avenue, with State PD batting way down in the lineup. Further diminishing things is that Ms. McHale is Hillary Clinton’s person, not the president’s, and trust and confidence are at play here. … Someday, the position of PD Undersecretary of State may be taken into the bosom of the White House, but I suspect this will not happen on President Obama’s watch — or Hillary Clinton’s."

Goodbye Clock, Hello McHale - Steven R. Corman, COMOPS Journal: "Judith McHale was sworn-in yesterday as Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

Accordingly the Countup Clock that has graced these pages for the last several weeks has been retired. The final reading was 129 days between President Obama’s inauguration and swearing in the new PD Chief. As others have noted as well, that’s not much haste relative to the importance of the job, and it does not bode well for the priority that the Obama administration plans to give public diplomacy…at least via State." Image: 1970 - A model of Patriotism and Internationalism

Polo Ralph Lauren board member accepts White House State Department position - Press Release, Trading Markets: "Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL), a designer, marketer and distributor of apparel, home, accessories and fragrance products, disclosed yesterday (26 May) that board member Judith McHale has resigned from her position after accepting an appointment as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs for the State Department in President Obama's Administration. McHale has been on the Polo Ralph Lauren board since February 2001." Image: 1970 - Struggle to increase the mechanization of agriculture.

U.S. Public Diplomacy: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight: Full Report -- Government Accountability Office[GAO]: "[T]he United States' current national communication strategy lacks a number of desirable characteristics identified by GAO, such as a clear definition of the problem, desired results, and a delineation of agency roles and responsibilities."

Government 2.0 and the web - what works, what doesn't, and why - Kurt Voelker, socialmediatoday: "We are excited about the upcoming June 4 event, 'Beyond the Hype: Government 2.0 for Decision Makers,' where we will hear from a great lineup of speakers about innovative ways government agencies are using the web … [including] Darren Krape, State Department: Social Media for Public Diplomacy. Image: 1971 - Happy voyage

Random Thoughts on "Public Diplomacy" [revised] – John Brown, Huffington Post: "I'm a great believer in educational/cultural exchanges and in what I call, for lack of a better term, 'arts diplomacy.' Bravo to all our fellow citizens that engage in people-to-people programs (I do, however, recall a wonderful passage in Kenneth Osgood's book about propaganda during the Eisenhower administration, Total Cold War, when a US P2P group involved in canine matters with overseas interlocutors concluded that dogs were the best ambassadors). But I'm also a realist, and what keeps US propaganda going -- sorry, I meant 'public diplomacy' -- is war (especially a global one)."

Who will speak for Israel?- Forecast Highs, Personal Blog of The Jerusalem Post News Editor: "Many … officials have been worried about the confusing multiplicity of government agencies and offices that manage public diplomacy.

Yet the confusing milieu of official hasbara is slowly coalescing into two distinct roles conducted by two bodies: The Prime Minister’s Office 'coordinates the message,' and the new Information and Diaspora Ministry 'develops the means to express that message,' in the words of one senior Prime Minister’s Office official. The confusion is understandable. There is a veritable hydra of distinct organizations through which official Israel speaks to the world." Image: 1971 - Hold aloft the red lantern.

Tzipi Livni & Bibi Netanyahu ...the saga continues - Elliot Jager, The Jager File: “[Tzipi] Livni has formed a 'shadow team,' not quite akin to the British concept of the 'shadow cabinet' - yet complete with shadow ministers and area experts to basically parallel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's cabinet. … While saying he does not want to rule over the Palestinians, Netanyahu won't commit to the 'two-state solution' until he knows what that entails for Israel's ability to defend itself. Here Livni's public diplomacy style is wiser. By forthrightly espousing the two-state solution, she places the onus for opposing an end to the conflict where it belongs - on the Palestinians. After all, it's their intransigence - on borders, refugees and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state - that's prevented a deal.”

Are the Stars in Proper Alignment for a New Middle East? - Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA): Mideast Youth – Thinking Ahead: "[N]o one person is in a position to orchestrate the future of the Middle East. But even given all that, in the overall scheme of things, one could argue that there is at least a decent chance of better things to come. … [W]e will use a new ideological framework to speak to one another with common sense and with a sense of personal dignity, we will begin to invest in one another to create jobs which grow our economies, protect our environment, and help to neutralize the hold of extremist thinking, we will use an Ideology of Common Sense along with some well placed Investment Dollars to sell one another on a Vision of Hope, a vision of Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom, we will sustain the hope by launching a series of public diplomacy programs, including empowering women, which will prop the vision up and carry it forward, and when necessary, and it will be necessary, we will fight against the forces of extremism, and fight hard, but we will also position the fight within a Vision of Hope." Image: 1971 - Imperialism and all reactionary forces are paper tigers.

Art in Morocco’s Embassy – Arab Forum: "Morocco’s Embassy [in Berlin] and the man in charge, Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal, have by now gained the reputation of operating an 'open house' and practicing active public diplomacy. A bridge between the Maghreb Kingdom and Germany is being built with art through regular exhibits."

TPLF apologists ambassadors being summoned home - Editor, Abbay Media: "What prompted the latest recall of several ambassadors is not clear, claims gossip. … And gossip foresees a potential need for a bit of movement within the ranks of the foreign office, after some of them have served as directors for sometime now; it may be time to step them up or aside. This may include …Teferi Melese, for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs; and Misganu Arga, who … now oversees a super sized directorate with uncharted territories of political, human rights and public diplomacy affairs." Image: 1971 - Let philosophy be transformed into a sharp weapon in the hands of the masses.

Meet the Hebrew University's student ambassadors - News atHebrewU: "The Hebrew University student ambassadors program brings together some of the University’s brightest and most articulate young talents. These students represent the University both in Israel and abroad, meeting with visitors and group missions to the University, and participating in Friends Associations events around the world. … Joanna Cohen … was born in Venezuela and is a second-year undergraduate in international relations and history. In addition to her studies, she works for the Hebrew University’s Division for Development and Public Relations and is a fellow with the StandWithUs International Fellowship for Public Diplomacy. Joanna speaks fluent Hebrew, English and Spanish."

Free-range blogging (the Canadian edition) - PalomaFriedman, Think About It: "Jakob met us at our hotel this morning, and under a cover of drizzle, we cabbed out to NATO to meet with James Appathurai, the Public Diplomacy spokesman–numero uno' mouthpiece for the world’s most powerful military alliance, and a Canadian!"

RELATED ITEMS

What Obama should tell Muslims - Juan C. Zarate and James K. Glassman, Boston Globe: When President Obama delivers his much-anticipated address in Cairo next week,

he should counter the deadly and pervasive narrative that "the West is at war with Islam" and replace it with a more accurate storyline that offers Muslims both responsibility and pride. The Bush administration's attempts to engender this alternative narrative fell flat - in large measure because, as the American presence in Iraq wore on, Muslims were in no mood to listen to President Bush. Image: 1971 - Long live Chairman Mao.

Obama to Speak in Cairo, but Where? - Michael Slackman, New York Times: The official word is that nothing has been decided about where President Obama will give his speech when he visits Cairo next Thursday to address the Muslim world. It is supposed to be a secret.

Book Review [Defeating Political Islam: The New Cold War by Moorthy S. Muthuswamy]: Reversing U.S. policy in AfPak - Diana West, Washington Times: Taking th[e] paradigm of the "non-occupying power" and other lessons from the Cold War, Mr. Muthuswamy urges, for example, a propaganda campaign against political Islam akin to that waged against communist ideology. It would target "educated Muslims" in the West, he writes, who "would benefit from the local media and the government propaganda machinery willing to discredit the theological roots of political Islam." That they would, but here's the rub: how first to deprogram the "local media" and the "government propaganda machinery" of their politically correct outlook on the world, including Islam?

NYT's Pentagon Propaganda: Misleading report on Guantánamo and terrorism – FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Media Reporting:

While former Vice President Dick Cheney has been front and center in the media debate over the current White House's national security policies, he's not the only one trying to challenge the White House's message. The New York Times published a front-page article (5/21/09) that bolstered the notion that former Guantánamo prisoners "return" to terrorist activity. Image: 1971 - Long live Marxism, Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought!

Propaganda 2.0 – Truthdig: Sure, Obama and McCain (well, actually their staffs) joined micro-blogging site Twitter for propaganda purposes. But now the nuke-happy and secretive North Koreans are getting in on the Web 2.0 revolution, offering an interesting state-controlled glimpse into the isolated country. North Korea’s state Twitter feed is available in Korean, English and Spanish.

Kremlin Launches ‘School of Bloggers’ - Nathan Hodge, Wired: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently made a foray into Web 2.0 with the launch of his own blog. Now it looks as if the Kremlin’s embrace of social media is tightening. Evgeny Morozov, who writes Foreign Policy’s fascinating Net.effect blog, stumbled upon the announcement for a series of public lectures on the “Kremlin’s School of Bloggers.” The announcement is on Liberty.ru, a sort of DailyKos for the pro-Kremlin set.


Image from