November 15

“And breakdance is something peculiar. ... This really is propaganda for a healthy lifestyle because it is hard to imagine breakdancing having anything to do with drinking and dope.”

--Statement attributed to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin; above image from



PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Hillary converse with real Pakistan - Syed Farooq Hasnat, The Nation, Pakistan: "Under normal circumstances, nations communicate through traditional diplomatic channels. The American Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s three-day October visit of Pakistan was out of the ordinary, as she made extra efforts to enter into a dialogue with the vibrant civil society, visibly bypassing the establishment and government functionaries. A sharp rejection of the Kerry-Lugar Bill had sent a strong message to Washington that the views presented by Pakistani bureaucrats and politicians do not synchronise with 'real Pakistan'. Therefore, itinerary of her visit was designed to be an exercise in public diplomacy.

But soon it turned out to be more of a damage control than anything else." Image from

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."

In Florida newspapers, dubiousness about Radio and TV Martí - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy:

Elliott comment: "The fiscal efficiency of US broadcasts to Cuba can be debated. But, given Cuba's continued control of domestic media and limitations on press freedom, Cuba remains a logical target for US international broadcasting. As for helping Cuban bloggers 'tell the story themselves,' fine, but there are limitations to this. Bloggers, for the most part, are not journalists. Furthermore, the internet, involving landlines within Cuba, can be blocked, whereas international radio and even satellite television, dropping into Cuba wirelessly, are more difficult to interdict." Image from

More mentions of music in VOA's history - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

US diplomacy lacks moral imperative in war of ideas with al-Qaeda - Michael Hughes, Examiner.com: "U.S. is not losing the battle of perception against al-Qaeda in the Muslim world purely because they see America as a Godless society. Due to a systematic failure in public diplomacy, Muslims also see the U.S. lacking any foundational moral code whatsoever – divine, Kantian or otherwise. In his article in The Journal of International Security Affairs, Former director of Voice of America Robert R. Reilly asserts that the persistent focus on image over content in diplomatic policy since the end of the Cold War has yielded nugatory policies that inhibit our ability to effectively promote American values.

I tend to agree because the United States always seems to want to constantly communicate 'how we look' to the world as opposed to telling them 'who we are.'” Image from

The Glocalization of Diplomacy - Kate F, Group3SIS640: "Persuading with soft power is easier said than done. Hard power is accomplished with a gun or a law but the root of soft power's influence is much less concrete. However, as the readings noted, it is just as important. Nye notes that a country's soft power stems from its culture, values and policies. The main vehicle for transmitting this is normally public diplomacy. The most crucial resource for soft power and pubic diplomacy lies in the credibility backing it. This credibility can be undercut by illegitimate policies or culturally unacceptable points of view. If this happens, the soft power of a country is diminished and it becomes more difficult to persuade a country or government to agree with them."

Combating the Threat of Israel’s Global Delegitimization - Daphna Kaufman, Vision to Reality: The Reut Blog -- Daily Analysis of Pressing Issues on Israel’s National Agenda: "Could utilizing the personal networks of Israel’s large Diaspora help stem the tide of de-legitimacy? ... One possible approach to relationship-based engagement is to empower

an informal public diplomacy network, based on the role Israelis abroad can play in building and leveraging personal relationships in a range of arenas." Image from

Breakout Session Ideas for iDiplomacy Initiatives – Liriel, idiplomacy.org: "On Nov. 11 the groups reconvened after a breakout session to present their ideas for public diplomacy initiatives (mostly with a social media angle). "

"PSYOP is slow, indirect, and subtle" - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

Obama adds star power to arts panel - Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"Ronald Reagan picked Frank Sinatra and Bill Blass. Bill Clinton appointed Quincy Jones, Rita Moreno and violinist Isaac Stern. The Bushes, father and son, chose a whole bunch of people you probably never heard of (except for Pittsburgh's own Bill Strickland). But when it comes to sheer glitz and celebrity firepower, Barack Obama may have outstripped them all with his recent nominees to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. They include 'Sex and the City' star Sarah Jessica Parker, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, actors Edward Norton and Alfre Woodard, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and ballet dancer Damian Woetzel. Oh, and Teresa Heinz, the Pittsburgh philanthropist and senatorial spouse. The committee's 25 members -- an eclectic list that, besides performing artists, includes business executives, educators, arts organization trustees, lawyers and political supporters -- were sworn in Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C. Their appointments ensure a higher profile for the committee, which promotes public-private partnerships for arts programs, cultural diplomacy and support for arts in education. 'We don't have a ministry of culture in this country and the arts are very decentralized,' said Kimber Craine, a spokesman for the committee, which 'creates a bridge between the private and public sector in supporting the arts.' ... Cultural diplomacy, a big focus of the previous administration, will also continue under the current committee, which is partnering with the American Film Institute and other agencies to showcase films in six countries." Image from

NEA Increases Cultural Spending - Neil Thakor, New University Online: "On Tuesday of last week, President Obama made a historic move for the art scene by signing the Interior Appropriations Bill for 2010. This bill, among other things, provided $167.5 million dollars to both the National Endowments of Arts (NEA) and the National Endowments of Humanities (NEH). The bill would increase funding for establishments like the Smithsonian Museum and National Art Gallery by millions. ... Things seem to be looking up for the art world now, though. Barack Obama, a self-proclaimed champion for the arts, seems to appreciate the value of creativity and self-expression through art more than past presidents. Even his presidential campaign gave Americans a glimpse of a president more in-tune with the art world; his campaign gained attention and controversy when street artist Shepard Fairey created the ubiquitous 'HOPE' poster, that soon found their way on to t-shirts and bumper stickers across the country. His 'Platform in Support of the Arts' includes plans to expand public/private partnerships between schools and art organizations, provide healthcare for artists, attract foreign talent, promote cultural diplomacy and, most importantly, increase funding for federal programs like the NEA, a plan he’s already implementing."

Obama Appoints Miami Businessman Ricky Arriola to Presidential Arts Panel - Rob Kuznia, HispanicBusiness.com:

"Miami businessman, local arts leader and President Obama fundraiser Ricky Arriola has been appointed by Obama to serve on the President's 26-member Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which includes creative luminaries such as actors Edward Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker and musician Yo Yo Ma. ... In Miami, the 41-member board of the Performing Arts Center Trust has helped guide the creation and financial viability of the new Adrienne Arsht Center, the third-largest performing-arts center in the United States, which opened in 2006." Arriola image from

Russian jazz czars rising - Tony Sauro, recordnet.com: "Natalya Bayrak's 'life' is linguistics. She speaks Russian and British-accented English. Also jazz. For the fifth year, students in University of the Pacific's Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet and a group of Russian musicians - escorted by Bayrak for the third time - are sharing ideas, rhythms, chops and lots of smiles during a two-week program that culminates with three public performances this week. ... Bayrak, 28, appreciates the impact it has on 'political diplomacy.' 'It's absolutely immense,' said Bayrak, who also has facilitated Open World trips to the U.S. with environmentalists, health-care personnel, female aviators and youth groups. 'One great thing is it gets you into situations in which you might not ever end up in real life. You get much, much closer contact to people. With regular gigs, (musicians) never get to actually talk to people and see how they live.' ... 'In terms of cultural diplomacy, when somebody is nice to you, it makes you think of them in a positive way. It definitely is important.'"

RELATED ITEMS

Time For Obama To Talk With Al-Jazeera: The Administration Is Missing An Important And Easy Opportunity To Change Hearts And Minds In The Arab World - Richard Grenell, CBS News:

Much has been said by the Obama Administration about reaching out to the Arab world and much was made of the President's sit-down interview with al-Arabiya Television, but speaking to al-Arabiya is nothing new for an American President, and their reach is far less. President Bush, who sat with al-Arabiya several times for interviews, never sat down with al-Jazeera despite my urging. It was and still is my belief that there is no better way to bring the American message of democracy and hope to 200 million Arab households than to speak directly and unfiltered to the network they are watching. President Obama should follow the lead of all four of the Bush administrations' U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations and speak directly to these millions of Arab households by sitting down for an on-the-record interview with al-Jazeera Television. Richard Grenell served as the spokesman for the last four U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations: Zalmay Khalilzad, John Bolton, John Danforth and John Negroponte. Image from

Remaining detainees leave Guantanamo's closure up in air: Trying five 9/11 suspects in the U.S. leaves the fate of more than 200 others unclear. Some may have to be held long-term -- but where? - Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times

Obama must rethink rethinking Afghanistan: His strategy deliberations are starting to look like dangerous indecision - Doyle McManus, latimes.com

The Missing Link From Killeen to Kabul- Frank Rich, New York Times: Our hawks, for all their certitude, are as utterly confused as the rest of us about who it is we’re fighting in Afghanistan and to what end.

Obama’s Foreign Policy at Ten Months: the Limits of Consensus- Harvey Sicherman: One can draw some conclusions about what may be called the end of Obama’s beginning. Administrations should be judged less on the efficacy of their initial strategies, which sometimes do not survive contact with reality, and more on whether they can make timely adjustments. Via LB.

It's a propaganda war in South Waziristan - Rediff: Pakistan has dragged India's name into its South Waziristan mess. Tahir Ali finds out why. Does India have a role in restive South Waziristan? Most experts in Pakistan feel talk about India's alleged role in the trouble-torn area is part of a propaganda war being conducted by the Pakistan army, which is feeling the heat in its battle against the Hakimullah Mehsud-led Tehrik Taliban Pakistan.

Image (from article): A man and a girl walk past men fleeing a military offensive in South Waziristan

'Qaeda men smuggling propaganda material out of UK prisons' - Hindustan Times

Many Arab TV channels 'propaganda outlets' - Maktoob Business

MORE QUOTATIONS FOR THE DAY

“Remember that when you are overseas you are an ambassador of America.”

--One of the recommendations of the iDiplomacy conference, a statement which it suggested should be added to US passports

“Provide free luggage carts at U.S. airports.”


--Another recommendation from the above-cited conference; image from