May 15-May 18

"[A]lmost every single foreign male has a deeply held belief that all American girls are desperate to get laid by anything with a dick that talks in non-American English ... in the minds of foreign men, American girls are even better than prostitutes-cheaper, that is. All it takes is a well-developed foreign accent, which comes easy for those who grew up outside of America."

--Kamilla, who, according to her blog, My New Life, is a future US public diplomacy officer; Kamilla image from her blog

"Surtout, pas trop de zèle."

--Talleyrand

VIDEOS

5 Funniest War Propaganda Films Ever Made – meredithkreisa, coedmagazine.com

Below Images from 50 Vintage STD Propaganda Posters – Curious? Read

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Karzai’s Changed Behavior in Washington, Afghan Culture of Guest and Host - Kabul Perspective: Perspective of a Journalist from Kabul: "Friedman of NY Times had once written that in the political diplomacy of Middle East, leaders do not mean what they say in behind-the-door meetings or press conferences to western media, they mean what they say in public in their own language. That[']s the case with President Karzai. According to Afghan culture, when you are guest somewhere, you must not talk something against the views of your host, neither oppose them.

It[']s considered very rude and against Afghan pride and traditions to go against the views of your host, until you are his guest. Once you come out, you are not obliged to say yes to his views at your home. I suspect this is what happened in Washington! President Karzai was a guest there. His hosts were President Obama and his Administration. The 'diplomatic success' and 'change of behavior' on both sides is not what actually exists. And Thomas Friedman got it exactly right about the public diplomacy in Middle East."

Briefing on Secretary Hillary Clinton's Upcoming Visit to the 2010 Shanghai Expo Jon Huntsman Ambassador to China Elizabeth Frawley Bagley Special Representative, Global Partnership Initiative U.S. Commissioner General Jose Villarreal – U.S. Department of State: Huntsman: "I want to thank the Chinese Government and the city of Shanghai for their very, very hard work in organizing the 192 countries and countless organizations that are part of the Expo.

It has allowed us to participate in a meaningful and significant way, in public and commercial diplomacy, in ways that would otherwise be absolutely impossible. So to put this in perspective, as it plays out over six months, I guess the only way to properly describe it is it will likely be the biggest event that ever was with 70 million people funneling through the various national pavilions during that time. So is it an opportunity for the United States to hit a homerun on the public diplomacy side and on the commercial diplomacy side where the creation of jobs is so critically important for us right now? Absolutely. I also want to point out that we have about 70 student ambassadors who were there to greet me the day that I opened it, all fluent in Chinese – I tested them – and greeting wave after wave of visitor groups, and they, too, also represent the best that America has to put on display. But most important to me, and what I think the Secretary is going to see when she is there, is that we have a very unique opportunity to leave a lasting impression with the people of China, which is what we try to do through public diplomacy."

Celebrating Shanghai - David Littlejohn, Wall Street Journal: "Overlapping the Expo, an extensive exhibition called 'Shanghai: Art of the City' is on display at the Asian Art Museum here [San Francisco] through Sept. 5. Thirty other Bay Area institutions are celebrating Shanghai with programs of and about that city's architecture, emigrants, fashion, film, food, music, nightclubs, photography, propaganda posters and refugees. San Francisco and Shanghai became 'sister cities' 30 years ago, which has a certain logic to it, despite the vast difference in the size of their populations. Shanghai's emergence as a city of importance began only around 1850, at the same time a dozing hamlet by the Bay was turned into a Gold Rush boomtown almost overnight. Both cities were born and (barring the three-decade Maoist interlude) have stayed international and open to the world. ... Of the 128 items (a total of 158 works) in the San Francisco exhibition, 23 come from these repressive, regimented years. Of these, 13 are clearly works of socialist criticism [realism?] or Communist propaganda, created at a time when all 'art' shown in public had to meet the standards of party inspectors. Almost all artists who continued to practice on the mainland were salaried government employees who turned out thousands of brightly colored propaganda posters (a few of which are here), worshipping Mao, celebrating heroic workers and peasants, denouncing foreign devils and most of the Chinese past, whether imperial or capitalist."

How the US Engages the World with Social Media - Greg Ferenstein, Mashable: "The perception of the U.S. abroad varies widely, and is subject to many forces, including world events, media coverage, policy changes, and presidential administrations. In response, the U.S. State Department, America’s public relations branch, has been charged with the difficult task of engaging in the dialogue surrounding the controversial policies discussed in almost every corner of the world. Social media has proven to be a valuable tool in this regard, and the State Department has made impressive gains in their mission to turn conflict into conversation.

Cabinet officials, foreign dignitaries, and embassies are experimenting with ways to inject America’s voice into the global chatter. ... Bill May, Director of the State Department’s Office of Innovative Engagement (i.e. social media), being at the epicenter of online chatter is what he thinks of as the 'new version of the last three feet.' May was invoking Edward R. Murrow’s famous public diplomacy strategy where he wrote, 'The real crucial link in the international exchange is the last three feet, which is bridged by personal contact, one person talking to another.' In public diplomacy, there are a latent number of people throughout the world who will befriend America’s vision after a thorough conversation. The reverberation of Obama’s message, coupled with the hyper-local follow-ups from America’s Embassies, can reach more of those hidden friends than ever before. ... It should be noted that members of the State Department often disagree with their bosses on best practices. But, they also understand that conversation, even in 140 characters, may one day mean the difference between conflict and peace."

U.S. radio project aimed at Iran delayed - Charley Keyes, CNN: "A 'high priority' part of U.S. efforts to reach out to Iranians has been silenced because of a two-year delay in building an important radio transmitter, according to a new government report. The State Department inspector general's report says the delays hurt U.S. efforts to broadcast news and information into Iran in crucial periods during the 2009 Iranian election and the following civil unrest. 'U.S. interests require the immediate completion of a transmitter that can reach all of Iran,' the report says. The 600,000-watt transmitter -- designed to reach a high priority audience in Iran -- was initially slated to be operational by May 2008. But a two-year delay of the $5.2 million project meant "the powerful transmitter was not available following the June 12, 2009, disputed election in Iran, and it remains unavailable," the inspector general report notes. ... The Broadcasting Board of Governors, the U.S. government agency that oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other broadcasting services, says problems with the Kuwait transmitter have been overcome, and predicts it will be beaming radio programs to more Iranians in the coming months. ... Helle Dale, senior fellow for public diplomacy at the Heritage Foundation, said the Kuwait transmitter delays are just a symptom of larger management problems. 'There is an overall problem with the United States' international broadcasts and how they are being led,' Dale told CNN in a telephone interview. "Things are in slow motion perpetually and their review processes are very, very long. We need to take a very hard look at the way U.S. international broadcasting is organized and overseen."

Edward Lucas is a Propagandist for National Resource Wars - Karl Naylor, easterneuropewatch.blogspot.com: "[T]he USA now finds itself in two Vietnam like situations. The first is obviously Iraq where the USA has sunk trillions of dollars and caused, according to Lancet, 1.3 million deaths.

The second is increasingly in Afghanistan where all mention of opportunist motives in constructing a pipeline were termed 'conspiracy theories'. That was a curious way of screening out from public perception or what is called now 'public diplomacy' the fact that in 2008 the TAPI pipeline was decided upon as a means of reducing dependence on Russia."

Pakistan to soon become a 'prosperous' nation - The Express Tribune: "Pakistan will soon come out of its economic problems and become a prosperous nation, a US official claimed. The head of a two-member US delegation, Professor David Westbrook, was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday. He said that societies are built with the regulation of laws and rules and he being a public diplomacy representative of the US society likes to study the problems of Pakistan so that these may be highlighted." See also

The End of Al-Hurra? - ta3beer.blogspot.com: "The satellite broadcaster Al-Hurra ('The Free One') was conceived as a counter-narrative to Al-Jazeera and other networks in the Arab world that were deemed hostile to US national interests in the region and beyond.

More than six years since its conception, it is about time to reconsider its reach, impact and whether it has accomplished its prescribed goals."

Appointment of admiral seen as key in 9/11 trial switch - Rowan Scarborough, Washington Times: "The appointment of a well-respected ex-Navy lawyer to oversee war-crime trials is being seen in military legal circles as a sign the Obama administration might reverse its decision to bring Khalid Shaikh Mohammed to New York for a civilian trial. At the same time, a pending speedy-trial ruling in a second terror case in New York could give Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. an escape route through which he could switch the trial of Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) from federal court back to a military system set up by former President George W. Bush and Congress. … Gen. Hemingway, who was recalled to active duty in 2003 to become the chief legal adviser to the then-convening authority, said moving KSM back to a tribunal is 'the right decision to make.' He said Congress has improved the military tribunal system so that the defense has access to all the evidence. 'There is no ' ' hide the ball,' ' he said. 'Evidence derived from torture is clearly excluded. … There's nothing wrong with military commissions now that transparency and public diplomacy cannot address.'"

Media, Mahdi & Machiavelli - Jim Higdon, PBS: "Shervin Nekuee was born in Tehran in 1968 and is now an Iranian-Dutch sociologist, writer and chief editor of Tehran Review, which launched this year. ... Nekuee: ['] President Obama's Iranian New Year (Norouz) congratulation to the Iranian public last year and this year was a grand move. This was public diplomacy at its best.

I think that the Iranian quest for democracy, justice and freedom should be decided on an internal battlefield by Iranians. Any attempt to 'bring democracy' to Iran will be met with resistance by the Iranian people.[']"

Culture: The Singing Diplomat - Avuncular American: "[P]ublic diplomacy and cultural diplomats are made in the doing, not the preaching. Short of hiring writers, composers, or artists for the US PD function, maybe the most that can be done in the US way of diplomacy is appointing a few cultural people as political ambassadors. Instead of only rewarding the bundlers who bring in the big bucks, maybe send Oprah as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and shake things up a bit. Or how about Angelina Jolie to Burma - she's already a UN Goodwill Ambassador. I vote for the Dixie Chicks as special Middle East Peace envoys. They have a certain amount of cred."

Creative diplomacy - Kimberly Curtis, Human rights news from FPB: "Although not directly related to human rights, James Ketterer posted a story about an interesting, if unusual, take on cultural diplomacy or just plain cultural understanding between the US and Iran over on the Global Engagement blog. The intro: ['] The role of U.S. films in cultural diplomacy is not new, nor is the distribution of American films around the globe. But those phenomena bear a reexamination every once in a while. In this case, it is through the movie Shrek, a worldwide blockbuster (with various sequels and spin-offs).

That big green ogre has something to tell us about how different societies interpret and reinterpret American films, and more broadly how those societies view themselves and others. Understanding processes like this is, to my mind, the key to public diplomacy. Listening, analyzing and understanding are at the core of what makes day in, day out diplomacy work. Why Shrek? The end point to keep in mind is that without understanding, the chances for progress on any front will be slim. Iran poses a special set of circumstances as the US has no embassy and no official presence there to build from.['] The thoughts put forth by James and the articles he links to illuminates new ground from which we can hopefully build to increase that understanding, if we first acknowledge how we are different and where we are coming from."

Is it a good thing to send 1,000,000 U.S. students abroad? – David Comp, International Higher Education Consulting Blog™: "I asked this question over on IHEC Blog's Facebook page last week and thought I would ask here as well. For the record, I support the Simon legislation and the goal of sending 1,000,000 U.S. students to study abroad. For the sake of discussion I wonder, from a public diplomacy perspective, if it a good thing to send so many students abroad? What are your thoughts on this?"

Iraqi baseball team checks out America's pastime on U.S. visit - Nancy A. Youssef, McClatchy Washington Bureau: "The players on Iraq's premier national baseball team saw a baseball stadium for the first time on a recent 10-day visit to the United States, courtesy of the State Depart State ment.

It was also the first time they had an appreciation of why the game is considered America's pastime. ... Department officials said the trip was sport serving as public diplomacy. The hope is that the team will speak wistfully of baseball and the United States back in Iraq."

American Songwriter Kareem Salama Sings in Jerusalem - WAFA: Palestine News Agency: "During his visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank, American country and pop singer and songwriter, Kareem Salama, will give free live concerts on Thursday, May 20 at 7:30pm at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem and on Friday, May 21 at 7:30 pm at Al Hamra Palace in Ramallah, the US consulate-General in Jerusalem said. ... The Kareem Salama Tour is designed to bring to audiences in the Middle East a rising American musical talent, representative of America’s diversity of faith and heritage, who can serve as a bridge between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East. Funding for the tour is being provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem and the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of Press and Public Diplomacy."

Spreading Democracy: Victory for US & Israel - Abu Tasha Abdallah al-Miqdad, Al-Birr البر Blog: "Obama … seeks to spread democracy … . He wants to achieve that … through the programs of public diplomacy, and the increase of the US aid to the world’s countries in the fields of countering poverty, education, and health care programs, and encouraging the bilateral trade and economic partnership with the United States.

In this regard, Obama backs the concept that the US aids [sic] should hinge on the progress achieved in the reform and democracy efforts in the countries that seek to get this aid."

Israeli-Palestinian negotiations resume–no fanfare and no new peace religion - Daniel Levy, Foreign Policy: "[I]t's probably advisable to offer some suggested reframing or new thinking. Not a comprehensive peace plan (for now) but some considerations to bear in mind, a partial list to be sure [including]: ... A meaningful U.S. effort will need to be capable of leveraging some of America's enormous untapped influence with Israel. The U.S. may well have to sustain over multiple months its advocacy for a package of proposals and find meaningful ways to demonstrate that rejectionism will not be met by a business-as-usual approach. That does not mean dropping Israel as an ally, ending aid or security cooperation. It does mean being able to launch an effective public diplomacy campaign with Israelis, to communicate the benefits of the proposals being made."

Gidi Shmerling to join PM’s Office as spokesman - Herb Keinon, Jerusalem Post: "The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Monday that Jerusalem Municipality spokesman Gidi Shmerling would be brought in as an additional spokesman. This is the second additional spokesman brought into the Prime Minister’s Office in the last two weeks, following the appointment of Ofir Gendelman as its first spokesman for the Arabic media.

Shmerling will take on the duties of dealing with the Israeli press, and Nir Hefetz – who currently serves in that capacity – will serve as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s communications adviser and head of public diplomacy inside the Prime Minister’s Office. In addition to Hefetz, Shmerling and Gendelman, Mark Regev serves as Netanyahu’s spokesman for the foreign press, and Yarden Vatikai is head of the National Information Directorate, charged with coordinating the government’s message with the various government ministry spokespeople and the IDF."

Why must Israel studies be laden with politics? At the 26th annual gathering of the Association for Israel Studies, politics intrudes at every moment - Gal Beckerman, The Forward: "[I]n Toronto, where the annual gathering of the Association for Israel Studies is taking place, politics intrudes at every moment. The language might be more lofty — 'empirical' or 'normalized' — but the debates at their core are that same old slugfest of left versus right. ... The most dramatic and depressing presentation was Amal Jamal’s. A professor at Tel Aviv University, he is one of only two scholars of Palestinian origin at the conference. He said there was no mystery why more Arabs weren’t in attendance. He had received angry e-mails from many friends, imploring him not to stand behind a podium that said 'Israel Studies.' He called the conference a piece of Israel’s 'public diplomacy.' But he was there, and he took the opportunity to paint the various options for Israel’s Arab population if nothing changes: As he put it, 'apartheid, expulsion or genocide.'”

Peace and Friendship Avenue-Haris Alexiou - Ariana Ferentinou, Hürriyet: "[T]he mayor of Seydikoy Mr. Halil Ibrahim Şenol ... [gave] the name of Haris Alexiou to one of the central streets of his city. ... [N]aming the street with the name of your 'enemy’s' [Greek] best known

popular artist was indeed a bold exercise of public diplomacy which could teach a few lessons to the politicians and professional diplomats."

Libya-UK: A bold new development - Diane Spencer, University World News: "The Libyan government wants to establish a 'multiversity' as part of the country's plan to become an educational hub for its own students and for those from other parts of Africa. The Libyan National Economic Development Board will host a two-day seminar in Tripoli in late June with the UK's International Unit where academics can develop the concept and discuss roles and responsibilities, finances and partnership agreements. ... The potential benefits of having students on international exchange are prolific, and are linked to skill migration, economic growth, public diplomacy and, more importantly, to research and innovation for a knowledge society."

Cameron's Foreign Policy: Neoconservatism in Disguise? - Jeetblog, Usblog: "As a liberal, [British prime minister] Cameron supports 'spreading freedom and democracy,' but as a conservative he remains sceptical of 'grand schemes to remake the world'.

Cameron’s is a call for ‘realism’ in light of what’s happened since 2003 in Iraq and Afghanistan: greater multilateralism, exploring military and non-military options, including winning 'hearts and minds', development aid, public diplomacy and strategic communications."

Public Diplomacy in the Middle East and Afghanistan [video] - stimyoul.us: "Fellow Gerard Russell presents 'Challenges and Opportunities of Public Diplomacy in the Middle East and Afghanistan.' Gerard Russell was tasked by Tony Blair in October 2001 to set up and run a British effort to engage Muslim opinion worldwide. He subsequently worked within the Iraqi government in late 2005, providing advice to its elected Prime Minister on public diplomacy. He was head of the UK political team in Afghanistan in 2007-8. His talk will draw on those experiences, as well as his research at the Carr center, to explore these questions and highlight potential ways forward."

Tendo and British Embassy Launch Revamped Website - insuranceasked.com [scroll down link for item]: "Tendo Communications, a strategic custom publisher producing print and Web communication programs, and the British Embassy today announced the success of a revamped site for the embassy's science and technology sector. Sponsored by the British Embassy, the UK Science & Technology (S&T) Network embarked on a $2 million public diplomacy campaign designed to generate interest from U.S. and Canadian researchers and investors.

The UK S&T Network highlights initiatives ranging from stem cell research and nanotubes to renewable energy and wireless technology."

Liberal Democrat gets OTs - Cayman News Service: "The man who will now make the decision on any further borrowing requests from the Cayman Islands Government is a member of the Liberal Democrat arm of the UK’s new coalition government. Jeremy Browne MP has been appointed Minister of State with responsibility for South East Asia/Far East, Caribbean, Central/South America, Australasia and Pacific, Overseas Territories, human rights, consular, public diplomacy and the Olympics."

“Kyrgyzstan will not split” – Russia Today: RT: "The interim government in Kyrgyzstan claims it now has the situation in the country under full control and aims to unite and stabilize the country, told RT Temir Sariev who is the deputy head of the new administration. ... Sariev: Before the elections, the interim government will fulfill all of the functions I have mentioned.

At the moment we have full control of the situation in Kyrgyzstan. There are a few local problems like in Dzhalal-Abad and in Osh, but these problems are being solved by means of public diplomacy, auxiliary police, and the military."

Seat on Human Rights Council a saving grace for Thailand - The Island: "[T]he two-month political lockdown of the capital’s business centre has ... caused confusion and drawn mischievous responses from the Bangkok-based diplomatic communities against the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA). Strange as it may seem, the demonstrations have attracted various reactions, including sympathies from the US, Latin America and Europe. ... All things considered, joining the [UN] Human Rights Council is a much-needed boost for Thailand’s sagging image. Fortunately, the Abhisit government’s commitment to protect and promote human rights still carries weight internationally. Otherwise, its reputation would remain in the bunker due to the prolonged political impasse. ... In days and weeks to come, to salvage Thailand’s reputation (once again), would be a huge task. First of all, the government needs better public diplomacy and public relations campaign to explain the current situation and what lies ahead."

US recipe for reconciliation and accountability for Sri Lanka - Daya Gamage, Asian Tribune: "The salient point for Sri Lanka to take note of the [May 27, 2009] New York Times editorial was (1) minority 12% Tamils in Sri Lanka were long oppressed by the Sinhalese majority (2) most were driven to the guerrillas as a desperation move after decades of abuse (3) until the government treats all of its citizens fairly, there is no chance for the peace (4) more autonomy in provinces where historically they (Tamils) have lived.And, these are the four main arguments that the United States, many nations of the European Union, some nations of the international community and the United Nations have been forwarding for a very long time.

Strangely, Sri Lanka has not made any effort to use her overseas public diplomacy and strategic communication to meet these arguments allowing principal players of the international community to bring ‘undue’ pressure on Sri Lanka, which is fighting to safeguard her sovereignty and territorial integrity."

My Word: Rejection and acceptance - Liat Collins, Jerusalem Post: "Many years ago I met the Dalai Lama during one of his visits to Israel and asked him about the phenomenon of Bu-Jews and young Israeli backpackers who set off on a post-army trek in the Indian subcontinent and return months or years later as Buddhists. He told me he thought people should stick with their original religion and just adopt those customs and beliefs that they want from others. So the story of the Bhutanese minority being persecuted for refusing to adopt Buddhist traditions is even more disturbing. I thought I’d share their plight with you because it was hard to get it out of my mind once it had entered. And they obviously need help when it comes to public diplomacy. Various groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are on the case, but the Far East is not the Middle East. Bhutanese refugees aren’t particularly good front-page headline material for some perverse reason. There is even a version of 'proximity talks' taking place between Bhutan and Nepal, but I haven’t seen any dire warnings from President Barack Obama and his staff on what might happen if the situation isn’t resolved."

Boy Abunda expects nothing in return for having endorsed President-elect Noynoy Aquino - philippine entertainment: "'Pabiro, kasi nga, di ba, International Relations and Public Diplomacy? Sabi ko, gusto kong maging ambassador!' natatawang sabi ng TV host. Dagdag niya, 'Ngayon ang tinatapos kong masteral ay in Communications but I've had four semesters already of International Relations and Public Diplomacy.

Hindi yun paghahanda para sa isang elective post or appointive post. Ito ay pampalawak ng perspektiba ko bilang isang interviewer. Pero kung ano ang mangyayari in the future, I don't really know.'"

Canada: Diversifying But Getting Closer? - Thomas Townsend, globalbrief.ca/blog: "Canada wants to, and can play, a larger role in the hemisphere. Recently, Canadian actions in Haiti following the January earthquake have been cited as a vehicle for positive involvement, and that role is taking shape in coordinated partnership with the US, which is also looking to remake its role in the region. Canada has a unique opportunity over the next few years to capitalize on a significant and credible public diplomacy effort. This also must occur in close awareness of US interests and the changing needs and ambitions of other regional players."

Product Description - engagetoday.org: "The communications revolution and increased democratisation and globalisation have made every country more aware of its image and reputation – its ‘national brand’. Whether a country needs to build international coalitions against terrorism, encourage cooperation to protect the environment, or attract investment and skilled labour, influencing foreign public opinion is now as crucial to national success as negotiating with foreign governments.

Evan Potter analyses how the federal government has used the instruments of public diplomacy – cultural programs, international education, international broadcasting, trade, and investment promotion – to exercise Canada’s soft power internationally. He argues that protecting and nurturing a distinct national identity are essential to Canada’s sovereignty and prosperity, and suggests ways to achieve this through the strategic exercise of public diplomacy, at home and abroad. In offering the first comprehensive overview of the origins, development, and implementation of the country’s public diplomacy, “Branding Canada” offers policy advice on Canada’s approach and advances the thinkingand advances the thinking on public diplomacy in general. Branding Canada: Projecting Canada’s Soft Power Through Public Diplomacy."

The duty of governments to respect thea [sic] - xianren's blog: "According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said in a statement, the conclusions of the four panels of the meeting of Cordoba were presented at the plenary session today, to be subsequently transferred to the High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Jorge Sampaio. ... The third panel, 'The prevention of radicalism and religious extremism', has focused on factors contributing to violent phenomena. From a pedagogical approach and treatment of the formation, have taken a number of specific conclusions designed to have direct impact on European societies, such as the inclusion of educational initiatives aimed at tolerance and respect for diversity or development training programs for police, teachers and social workers. She has also proposed the creation of a code of ethics for journalists, as well as promoting public diplomacy operation designed to prevent religious extremism."

Milton Wolf Seminar – Tori Horton: Exploring public diplomacy, new technology, civil society, education, NGOs, and communication: "As a student of public diplomacy with an interest in new technology I have watched governments around the world struggle to adapt to new media in a similar process as NGOs and journalists. While they have not become information intermediaries for news; governments continue to push their own agendas and content. Governments can now be found in virtual worlds, on Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.

They can be found twittering and blogging. They have created entire offices such as the US Bureau International Informational Programs Office of Innovative Engagement, designed specifically for media outreach to foreign publics through engagement in networked mediums. Spaces like Second Life are at the convergence of these practices as traditional organizations adapt to new technology and create networks."

About the Publisher - on the Defense: "Aaron J. Henninger is a former military officer. Mr. Henninger is a lecturer on the topics of Public Affairs and Strategic Communication at the United States Air Force’s Air War College. He frequently writes and lectures on the topics of public diplomacy, strategic communication, crisis communication and imaging."

Moratinos receives Jewish Award, Spanish political contradictions and antisemitism - Wickus, unsealedprophecy.wordpress.com: "[W]e remember Dr. Stephanie Babst (of the World Security Network) when [s]he wrote 'The new NATO public diplomacy' of 2009, 'Public diplomacy must be credible to be effective.

If it comes to manipulating and lying, it immediately loses credibility.' ”

Another Dangerous Player to Watch - NH Tea Party Coalition: "Behold Erica Payne and her new website, the Agenda Project, created for a group formed to counteract the growing counter-revolution to restore the country to Constitutional government. ...

She is on the Board of Advisors of the Public Diplomacy Collaborative at the Kennedy School at Harvard University."

Send Chomsky to Nome – Five Minutes for Israel: "At best, Chomsky gives moral support to Israel’s enemies. At worst, he actively assists in the war of Public Diplomacy against us."

Mississippi Jazz Band - Elk & Clogs: "One of the benefits of working at the US Embassy, especially in combination with being friends and neighbors with someone from the Public Diplomacy section is getting free tickets to fun stuff! On the 11th of May we went to see the Mississippi Jazz Band, which sounds totally American but is really all-Uruguayan. When you simply look at them you know it's going to be fun, but to actually hear them play live is just great. They're so good!"

After "The Call" - FSO-In-Waiting, Throwing Off The Bowlines: "Many people have been asking me exactly what I'll be doing in the Foreign Service. That's a hard question to answer, since job functions can change with every post, and every day seems like it brings new and different challenges, depending on what is going on in the country in which you are serving.

Additionally, every FS officer is required to be a 'generalist,' meaning that you can serve in any position. There are five job tracks in the FS, and you are required to select one during the hiring process. The tracks are known as consular, economic, management, polical, and public diplomacy (PD). It is almost impossible to change tracks after you are hired, but you can serve in positions outside your job track. So, although I'm a PD officer, I can serve as an economic officer or a consular officer, etc. for a tour or a part of a tour."

RELATED ITEMS

A superpower -- and a president -- with declining clout - Richard Cohen, Washington Post: America's power is diminished -- relatively, for sure, but absolutely as well. In a sense, we have more wars than we have cash.

Understanding State's Budget Woes – Matt Armstrong, Mountainrunner.US

Itching to Fight Another Muslim Enemy - Robert Parry, consortiumnews.com:

If you read the major American newspapers or watch the propaganda on cable TV, it’s pretty clear that the U.S. foreign policy Establishment is again spoiling for a fight, this time in Iran.

Daring Saudi propaganda - The Angry Arab News Service/وكالة أنباء العربي الغاضب

North Korean Propaganda Series: Anti-USA 5 – On My Way to Korea


Propaganda: Powers of Persuasion - Keith Schoch, How to Teach a Novel: When does persuasion become propaganda? Is it only when the "other guy" does it? For teachers who want to teach the power of persuasion, propaganda can't be ignored. The fact is, propaganda runs both ways. Americans have been guilty of it since before our nation was born.

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