May 11

"I have with me two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion."

--Themistocles; image from

"With soft power, unlike hard power, it matters very much what the target thinks."

--Joseph S. Nye, Jr

Below images from Scientific American, "169 Best Illusions--A Sampling: You won't believe your eyes when you see these visual illusions"; via Boing Boing

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East: Charting the Next Steps for US Engagement - Brookings Institution: "Almost a year ago, when President Obama gave a historic speech at one of the most prominent public education institutions in the Middle East, Cairo University, he promised a new thrust of engagement between the United States and Muslim-majority countries. The recent Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship took this effort another step further by bringing together key changemakers leading the way in business and social development. The summit was a showcase of public diplomacy. Amid the line-up of speeches and panel discussions, a bevy of

partnership initiatives were announced, but perhaps the most significant outcome for delegates in attendance was the motivational recognition by policymakers that entrepreneurs are integral players in development. The United States’ relations with the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries around the world have long been shaped through the lenses of Arab-Israeli conflict, religious extremism, military aid, oil, and nuclear proliferation; hence the Obama administration’s intentional focus on youth, social entrepreneurship, and economic growth may be viewed as a welcomed new tack."

Looking for entrepreneurs in the Muslim world - Amy Wilkinson,CNN: "The Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship late last month marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy. ... President Obama pledged in Cairo, Egypt, last June to build a new beginning with Muslim nations, and entrepreneurship provides an innovative new tool. ... If the goal of the summit was to get participants to collaborate, the buzz in the room provided a positive indication. 'People are happy to be with each other,' said Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, a nonprofit venture fund aimed at eradicating global poverty. It remains to be seen if the summit will turn into more than a successful public diplomacy event. ... Noticeably absent from the summit were U.S. entrepreneurs. Of the Americans participating, most represented U.S. government, not business. And, for Muslim entrepreneurs, the absence of their U.S. counterparts was a disappointment."

Obama Invites Visit from French “Outer Cities” - Corine Lesnes, Le Monde: "The presidential summit for entrepreneurs was part of the efforts outlined in President Obama’s Cairo speech on June 4, 2009.

The U.S. press, which had immediately understood the nature of the speech, a vast program based on public diplomacy aimed at America’s potential enemies, did not bother to make the trip to cover the summit. But Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and half of the government spoke to the 250 delegates from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey ... and France. Imagine George Bush doing the same! 'We would not have come,' said the young people. Nevertheless, according to experts, Barack Obama’s projects strangely resemble those of his predecessor."

William McKenzie: Hearts, minds and homegrown terror - Dallas Morning News: "We're back at that old game of winning the hearts and minds of people who want to kill us. Except the problem is becoming a homegrown one. ... This trend raises a disturbing question about how we win hearts and minds at home. Last week, I put that issue to Jim Glassman, who ran public diplomacy for George W. Bush at the end of his administration, and Kristin Lord, who this month will release a report from the Center for a New American Security about the Obama administration's public diplomacy work. ('Public diplomacy' is basically State Department-speak for engaging the world to achieve our national security goals.) Both rightly concur that we can't stop every attack but that we can minimize the chances. And American Muslims can best do that domestically. ... 'In the war of ideas, our core task is not how to fix foreigners' perceptions of the United States,' he [Glassman] said, 'but how to isolate and reduce the threat of violent extremism. In other words, it's not about us.' He and Lord largely agree on that, which seems to be a new wave in public diplomacy. The aim is to expose the conflict within Muslim societies. ... Social media like Facebook present new opportunities. Before Glassman, Karen Hughes led public diplomacy efforts at the State Department. She got staffers to go online, identify themselves and engage in international discussions. To some extent, the Obama administration gets the need for a new narrative. But the pace needs to pick up. Reaching people abroad is one way to reach the next Faisal Shahzad at home. As we saw in Times Square, it can’t happen soon enough."

Book Review: A Necessary Engagement—Reinventing America’s Relations With the Muslim World - Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net: "Name of the Book: A Necessary Engagement—Reinventing America’s Relations With the Muslim World Author: Emile A. Nakhleh Publisher: Princeton University Press, Princeton & Oxford Year: 2009 Pages: 162 ... Nakhleh brings together years of experience, first as a scholar in residence at America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and then as director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Programme ... . Far-reaching changes in US foreign policy vis-à-vis the ‘Muslim world’, Nakhleh suggests, must go along with well-designed public diplomacy initiatives directed at Muslim communities globally, in order to win Muslim hearts.

These include a presidential declaration that reaches out to Muslims, convincing them that America is not at war with Islam and stressing what Nakhleh regards as common values and interests of America and the ‘Muslim world’, and various initiatives to promote ideas of good governance, transparency, democracy, accountability, fairness, human rights and the rule of law in Muslim countries. The public diplomacy package should include initiatives to promote moderation and tolerance, and should involve Muslim leaders who are committed to the rule of law and gradual and peaceful change. Efforts must also be made to dialogue and work with moderate Islamist groups and parties, who, while they may be critical of certain American policies, support ideas of good governance and democracy. ... Much of what Nakhleh suggests by way of American foreign policy and public diplomacy measures with regard to the ‘Muslim world’ is laudable and eminently sensible. But what he fails to engage seriously with are the very real practical difficulties that some of these suggestions are bound to face. If America continues to define its ‘national interests’ (which, Nakhleh writes, would be served by the policy recommendations he offers) in a very narrow way, will it at all be willing to promote democracy in Muslim countries, especially oil-rich ones, where democratically-elected regimes are likely to stop slavishly toeing American dictates?"

US Needs a New Public Diplomacy Strategy for Russia – Philip Seib, Huffington Post: "In a ... recent poll, a solid majority of respondents picked the United States as 'the biggest threat to Russia's national security,' with North Korea and Iran trailing far behind. The United States Embassy in Moscow is well equipped to respond to this. Ambassador John Beyrle is fluent in Russian (he writes a Russian-language blog) and is highly visible. ... In addition to the ambassador's efforts, the embassy staff works hard on exchange programs and other useful projects. Lacking, however, is support from Washington in the form of a carefully thought-out and articulated U.S. public diplomacy policy toward Russia. With so much emphasis on public diplomacy toward the Arab world, crucial matters such as improving relations with Russia get too little attention. Needed is a coherent, cohesive strategy for Russia, endorsed by the White House and State Department, as the foundation on which American diplomats in Russia can build. This should include greater use of new media technologies, connecting with the Russian diaspora, developing partnerships between U.S. and Russian businesses, expanding student and arts exchanges, and finding new ways to create non-governmental connections."

Iran News Roundup May 10, 2010 - Critical Threats Project:

"Ramin Mehmanparast, Foreign Ministry spokesman, addressing theological students at Marvi Seminary in Tehran: ... 'For the present our main target audience must be international public opinion. We must talk with the people of the world and explain our viewpoints in various ways...the supreme leader has again and again pointed at the importance of public diplomacy and at our latest meeting with him he stressed this issue strongly...'"

New lobbying organizations - and government - Klavs A. Holm, kommunikationsforum.dk nn - [Google translation from the Danish]: "[Holm is] Ambassador for Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... Public Diplomacy spreading. It is a sort of reverse lobbying, where the political system targeting NGOs to influence. The idea is that the government not only has an effect out of thin air crash landing Public Diplomacy, but current builds a reciprocal relationship up through the take-off Public Diplomacy."

Social media brings power to the people - Javeria Rizvi Kabani, The Local: "On May 10, 25 high-profile opinion leaders from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa arrive in Sweden to participate in the Young Leaders Visitors Program (YLVP), a leadership training that will equip them with the latest tools to help promote freedom of expression and social change in their respective contexts.

They will be joined by five Swedish leaders. ... YLVP is a Swedish Institute initiative, in line with the public agency’s goal to create mutual relationships with the Middle East. We call these efforts public diplomacy. The program focuses on improving the participants’ leadership and social media skills in order to empower them and help maximise their potential. Human rights, freedom of expression and democracy are some of the topics that are presented and discussed via lectures, workshops by prominent speakers and study visits. The participants are encouraged to come up with ideas for future social networking platforms that can help improve the level of freedom of speech and social change around the world."

CPD/APDS Blog- A Report on the AUD-USC Exchange – John Nahas, Rockower Post: "In late March, twelve students from the Masters in Public Diplomacy (MPD) program at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism participated in a weeklong conference in Dubai as part of a student exchange with the American University in Dubai’s (AUD) Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC). ... UAE Minister of State H.E. Reem Al-Hashimy welcomed the MPD students for a discussion about the UAE and broader Middle East (see above). The Minister spoke about the vision of Dubai and the UAE, its Public Diplomacy efforts, and the successes and setbacks that it has incurred over the past few years. The MPD students’ discussion with Al Hashimy involved ways to improve U.S.-UAE and Middle East relations and the possible public diplomacy efforts that can be undertaken by both parties, who have positive relations, to help facilitate mutual understanding between other parties in the region."

ITVS and USIP Convene Third in a Series of Day-Long Leadership Meetings on the Role of Media in Peace and Conflict at D.C.'s Newseum - press release, Article Ant: "ITVS announced today its third in a series of collaborations with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP): a leadership summit on the role of media in resolving conflict and building peace, to be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the Newseum on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

The summit, dubbed 'Seizing the Moment,' brings together more than 20 thought leaders, CEOs, media makers, and policy gurus to tackle the tough questions around leveraging today's global media to facilitate conflict resolution and contribute to the expansion of peace. 'Our Global Perspectives Project, a documentary exchange program between the U.S. and abroad, was conceived for exactly this purpose,' said ITVS International Vice President Tamara Gould. 'Independent filmmakers have become valuable partners in public diplomacy because they find authentic stories that inspire real dialogue and engagement around tough issues.'"

Historical Relativism? – Lena, Global Chaos: "Even if one is to leave out current political motives behind the distortion of history, it is obvious that the 'single truth' perspective is internalized so well over time, that it falls into a cycle that is constantly reinforced by the media, popular culture, other countries' propaganda (I cannot call it 'public diplomacy' in such instances), etc. The trouble is, people seem to increasingly rely on popular culture - 'embodied' by Hollywood, or Channel One Russia (seemingly, the major movie production company at present) - for their lessons in history. ... That, in turn, reflects the general society's view of the events, which, initially constructed by government officials and interested parties, has been perpetuated by the media, history books, etc. A perfect cycle. Countries, then, see this not just a propaganda opportunity in terms of shaping other nations' (past or future) narratives of history ... , but also as a major public diplomacy challenge, since these deeply held internalized 'truths' (i.e. myths) are not easy to get rid of, even if the circumstances and initial reasons are gone. Therefore, 'shaping the narrative' works not just in terms of the present, but also in the depiction of the past (walking a thin line between PD and propaganda, though)."

Betty White Propaganda – Laura McGinnis, manIC:

"Even casual consumers of pop culture are by now aware that Betty White is comedic gold, handing SNL its best ratings in 18 months when she hosted the show last week. ... The 'Betty White to Host SNL' page on Facebook has more than 514,000 fans. How many fans do you think we'd need to convince the State Department to confer on Ms. White the title of cultural ambassador?" On Betty White, see.

End of the road for the Google Ambassadors – Google Ambassadors: "I started the Google Ambassadors in part to complement the Facebook Ambassador and Public Diplomacy I had started, the only difference was the Google Ambassadors were technically focused and the Facebook Ambassadors program requires time in the study of etiquette, public relations, and diplomatic protocol. In any case the Facebook Ambassadors has become a success, now being adopted officially as a Facebook Community and has had a page created. ... I will continue to work in the Facebook Diplomacy Corps & Ambassador Training Group while the Facebook Community people have initiated a page called Facebook Ambassadors, but remember it is not tech based, but Facebook is helping with all bells and whistles using applications. See you all at Facebook. -David J. Wright."

Too Much (Political) Excitement – Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence: "I’m currently working through R.S Zaharna’s, Battles to Bridges: US Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy after 9/11 which I’m really enjoying."

Paul Hellyer vs. Stephen Hawking: Will contact with ETs lead to spaceweaponization and space war? - Alfred Lambremont Webre, Examiner.com: "Transparent public diplomacy and cooperation with ethical extraterrestrial civilizations, by the evidence, is not a threat to humanity, and is in the strategic best interest of the U.S. and the entire world community."

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 – Soldierdeb, It Started Like This: "Nomination of a Supreme Court Judge that has never been a judge is like nominating a lawyer to Secretary of State that has never practiced public diplomacy. I am just thinking out loud today."

International Consultant: Conduct Training Course On Writing Pr Web Articles - canadem.ca: "Jobs posting ... Location : Home-based and mission to Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN The Project 'Enhancing the Capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Better Respond to the Emerging Issues of the New Millennium' aims to facilitate the delivery of main inputs required for the effective formulation and implementation of Uzbek foreign policy. These inputs include the establishment of the adequate (1) technological, (2) human resource and (3) public diplomacy capacity for the comprehensive, thoughtful and timely provision of foreign policy response in line with Uzbekistan’s national priorities.

Within these three main activities, project is aimed to deliver top-notch trainings to career diplomats on various topics, including public diplomacy, diplomatic correspondence, basic and advanced English language trainings. ... Qualifications Requirements [:] Advanced university degree in journalism and mass communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, public diplomacy, international relations, political science; with Ph.D. as a distinct advantage."

RELATED ITEMS

Failed N.Y. attack highlights mistrust that still marks U.S.-Pakistani relations - Pamela Constable and Karin Brulliard, Washington Post: Many Pakistanis have condemned the attempted bombing, saying Shahzad's alleged actions were un-Islamic and hurt both countries. But in editorials, sermons and protests, activists have blamed the West for spotlighting Pakistan as a source of terrorism because of one incident.

President Obama has much to untangle with Hamid Karzai – Editorial, Washington Post: It's too early to evaluate President Obama's strategy in Afghanistan. Many of the additional U.S. troops have yet to arrive, and a crucial offensive in the southern city of Kandahar is just getting underway. But there are causes for concern -- chiefly, the lack of strategic and tactical cohesion among the Afghan government, U.S. military commanders and the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. lost in Afghan vote: President Hamid Karzai's sham win in 2009 was bad enough; coming parliamentary voting could be worse in terms of corruption - Peter W. Galbraith, latimes.com:

Our counterinsurgency strategy depends on an honest and competent Afghan government that can win the loyalty of the population. During eight years in office, the Karzai administration has been ineffective and corrupt.

Maliki's actions, and Obama's inaction, threaten an Iraq democracy: Unless the U.S. does more to address the Iraqi prime minister's postelection moves, billions of dollars and thousands of lives could be for naught - Max Boot, latimes.com

Iranian internet filtering even affects pro-regime sites - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

Activists to Float More Propaganda Balloons to N.Korea - The Chosun Ilbo: Activists on Monday said they will send 500,000 propaganda leaflets to North Korea by helium balloon. They will do so on five occasions from May 13 until June 7 near Baeknyeong Island, where the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan sank on March 26.

A Movement of Hate, Pt. II – Robert Harris, frontpagemag.com: It appears that most Palestinian propaganda is believed uncritically in the media even though it is very well known that Palestinian terrorist groups have been economical with the truth for a very long time.

Boston Activists Disrupt Israeli Propaganda Event at Museum of Science - Al-Jazeerah: Local activists protested the so-called “Israeli Innovation Weekend” (IIW) at the Museum of Science in Boston through multiple, disparate actions on Sunday. IIW’s sponsors, including the Consulate General of Israel to New England, were left flummoxed by the activists’ efforts and largely unable to prevent their successful, multi-pronged disruption of the event. Protesters targeted IIW because it was part of a state-sponsored campaign to “greenwash” Israel’s discriminatory, apartheid regime and atrocious human rights record.

American-born Shabaab commander releases recruitment tape - Bill Roggio, The Long War Journal: An American-born member of Shabaab, al Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, has released a propaganda tape that is aimed at recruiting Westerners to wage war against their home countries and establish an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East.

The audiotape, titled "First Stop Addis," features Abu Mansour al Amriki and other members of Shabaab. On the tape, Mansour and three unidentified "North American Brothers," and a Somali, sing a nasheed, or a song without music, in English, extolling the virtues of global jihad. Images of Shabaab forces in combat appear throughout the tape. Amriki, whose real name is Omar Hammami, is a US citizen who converted to Islam and traveled to Somalia in 2006. Once in Somalia, he quickly rose through the ranks, and now serves as a military commander. Amriki also began appearing in Shabaab propaganda tapes.

Shanghai Expo's ‘Heavenly Tibet’ Pavilion a Farce, Says Group - Joan Delaney, Epoch Times: The Canada Tibet Committee (CTC) is asking Canadian officials and tourists visiting the Shanghai 2010 World Expo to stay away from the pavilion showcasing Tibet. The CTC’s Dermod Travis says the pavilion, called “Heavenly Tibet,” is an attempt by the Chinese regime to whitewash China’s human rights abuses in Tibet. Travis also warns Canadian officials of the possibility that a visit to the pavilion could be used for propaganda purposes by the regime—as happened when a Tibet exhibit toured Canada last year.

Baku propaganda machine seeks to create a myth of mighty Azeri army - PanARMENIAN.Net - RA Defense Minister’s statement on the intention to strengthen Armenian army aroused serious concerns in Baku, according to military psychologist, member of RA Defense Ministry Public Council Davit Jamalyan. “With neighbors like ours, strengthening of army is gaining a vital importance,” Jamalyan stressed. As the psychologist noted, Baku propaganda machine seeks to create a myth of a mighty Azeri army through exaggerating vulnerability of Armenian army and lauding advantages of their own forces.