September 5

"I have been assigned as a staff officer to a headquarters in Afghanistan for about two months. During that time, I have not done anything productive. Fortunately, little of substance is really done here, but that is a task we do well."

--Col. Lawrence Sellin, cited in "The PowerPoint rant that got a colonel fired," Army Times

Below images: kid-themed Vintage Ads contest via Boing Boing

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Bad news for Public Diplomacy. APSA panel on "US PD in the Muslim World: Realities, Lessons and Directions" outweighs its audience 3:1 - via Twitter for iPad .grahamlampa.

New Green Movement TV channel to Iran, because Farda, BBC, and DW "have to follow the guidelines" of their governments - Kim Andrew Eliott reporting on international broadcasting

Tolerance "key value" at Radio Free Iraq, says former director - Kim Andrew Eliott reporting on international broadcasting


Arab NewsPeter Gubser: A true friend of the Palestinians - Barbara Ferguson, Arab News: "Dr. Peter Gubser, humanitarian, author and devoted friend of Palestinian communities throughout the Middle East, died Sept. 2 at the age of 69 after battling cancer.A determined optimist, he never stopped seeking a better future for the Middle East even after retiring from the American Near East Refugee Aid, ANERA, in 2007, where he served 29 years as ANERA's president. ... Marjorie Ransom, a Middle Eastern specialist and retired State Department Public Diplomacy Officer, remembered that 'Peter’s job was particularly difficult because he worked on aid for Palestinians, something that was not always an easy sell. Peter tackled his job with enthusiasm and skill. He won the respect of those he worked with because he always knew the specific detail of where ANERA’s money went. Beyond this he was an extraordinary individual who touched everyone with his great humanity.'”

Soft Power: Taiwan's Public Diplomacy - Jonathan, Hear in Taiwan: "This week, I welcomed Mr. Paul Rockower back to the program.

Paul is currently a research fellow at the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy in Taipei. The last time I had him on the show, Paul talked about how gastrodiplomacy – or using food to spread awareness of culture – is getting Taiwan’s name out into the culinary world. On this week’s program, Paul spoke with me about the broader concept of ‘public diplomacy’, and how Taiwan uses it. He also talked about the real meaning of ’soft power’. Check out our interview on this week’s ‘Soft Power’ here."

American Jews 'still connected' to Israel: Brandeis University survey shows most believe flotilla incident was provoked, not Israel’s fault; 75% feel "caring about Israel is an important part of being a Jew" - Ron Friedman, Jerusalem Post: "The Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs expressed satisfaction with the survey’s findings. 'The survey proves that Israel is an excellent product, which should be continued to be marketed around the world in an effort to improve its image, Minister Yuli Edelstein said. 'Likewise, there is no substitute for visiting Israel and for that reason the government has decided to significantly increase its funding of Taglit-Birthright, which I have the honor of chairing it’s steering committee, in order to enable a situation where a majority of young Jews in the world will visit Israel,' he said."

Selected passages from the Internet debate on Strathcona - aeac.ru: "Berlin peer portal Atlantic Community held public debates on the new NATO strategic concept, which in addition to well-known experts from NATO and experts from institutes and centers from various countries took part and YATA YATA-Russia. Обсуждение было заочным – посредством представления своих идей в статьях; и очным – в ходе международной аудио-интернет-конференции: Skype-семинара. The discussion was in absentia - by presenting their ideas in articles, and full-time - during the international audio and web conference: Skype-seminar.
III. Public Diplomacy
1. Expand reach of NATO Public Diplomacy Division to focus on general public rather than specialist circles. Stress NATO’s civilian structure. Klaus Spiessberger,
Three Goals for a Modernized Alliance http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/Open_Think_Tank_Article/AC_Policy_Team%3A_Three_Goals_for_a_Modernized_Alliance
2. Clearly state commonalities that exist between Alliance members, NATO and Russia, and NATO and the Muslim world to reinforce development of shared global vision. Olga Kolesnichenko, New Secretary Gives New Vision
http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/Open_Think_Tank_Article/New_Secretary_General_Gives_New_Vision
3. Launch public diplomacy initiative focused on Greater Middle East. Provide materials on Internet in Arabic and organize annual seminars with MD and ICI states.
Donatella Scatamacchia, Public Diplomacy in the Greater Middle East

http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/Open_Think_Tank_Article/Public_Diplomacy_in_the_Greater_Middle_East"

Think tanks can dare to be bold - Economic Times: "Think tanks in India are a relatively new phenomenon, dating back to about 30 years when bodies like the Centre for Policy Research were established. They have proliferated since, largely with foreign funding but have increasingly found more Indian programme funding and, gradually, some core funding as well. ... Communications and globalisation have created an instant world and changed the parameters of government and governance which is becoming more participative and has to be more responsive to public sentiment than ever before. In this milieu, think tanks have become a tool of public diplomacy—searching, prodding, pointing to new directions and dangers. They enable those in power to think beyond and outside themselves if they are willing to see through other lenses and listen to other voices. Governments and other large public institutions can no longer be closed shops."

Facebook facelift for Foreign Ministry - Hindustan Times: "The ministry of external affairs is getting itself a digital makeover and moving up the Internet’s pecking order to web 2.0 — interactive, integrated and, ministry mandarins are hoping, interesting. At its core are social networking sites. Shedding its conservative sarkari mindset, the MEA’s website will integrate itself to Facebook, Youtube, blog sites along with e-publishing and webcasts. It’s already on Twitter — despite the irony that the MEA lost a minister of state partly due to his devotion to that micro-blogging site. The MEA’s twitter site does follow Tharoor, though. The initiatives are being taken by the ministry’s Public Diplomacy (PD) division. PD’s twitter account already has 2,400 plus followers. And as of now, the tweets are information-bases, updating the press releases and speeches. But the division is also responding to comments from followers on issues varying from China to Pakistan to passport through direct messages."

The World Cup – nation branding opportunity for small states - Vedrana Trbusic, Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence: "Being a small country Slovenia faces certain challenges common to small states such as the lack of recognisability or interest of the global public.

Competing at the World Cup ensured Slovenia the attention of world-wide public at a scale which standard advertising or public diplomacy efforts could not achieve. Slovenia was the smallest country at the World Cup and I think it is safe to say that being so small and relatively unknown played to its advantage especially because after winning Algeria it competed against much bigger states with strong nation brands – USA and UK."

Public Diplomacy - Jualie Lanting, phifocy: "Last August 28, 2010, we attended the SEM-CDA seminar on Public Diplomacy. Supposedly there were three speakers but only one came. He is from the Department of Tourism and I was not able to hear his name. Throughout his speech, he kept on saying that experience is the best teacher and he strengthened that by stating his experiences abroad and understanding the culture of other countries."

Public Diplomacy - Faiza, First topic: "We had a seminar about public diplomacy and for me it was a little funny for me, anyway, the first speaker start the blog with an introduction and brief story about his experiences, and the favorite fact that he said that if your going to another country you should never let your country down, because whenever I'm out of the country I keep forgetting about our country, seriously because sometimes I'm embarrass.

Tourism is a good chance to participate in big trade shows like the one in London World Federal Market that in tourism it is a good venue to discuss the value of the products and negotiate product's rates."

Philippine Advancement through Security and Promotion of information AM session August 28, 2010 - renzie29, phifocy: "A group of SEM CDA students organized a seminar about Public Diplomacy and Promotion of information last August 28, 2010. ... Diplomacy might be described as the ways in which government leaders communicate with each other at the highest levels, the elite diplomacy we are all familiar with. Public diplomacy, by contrast focuses on the ways in which a country or multi-lateral organization such as the United Nations communicates with citizens in other societies. A country may be acting deliberately or inadvertently, and through both official and private individuals and institutions. Effective public diplomacy starts from the premise that dialogue, rather than a sales pitch, is often central to achieving the goals of foreign policy: public diplomacy must be seen as a two-way street. ... A speaker from the Department of Tourism was invited to share some of his knowledge and practices about Public Diplomacy and also convey his concerns and thoughts about the Hostage Crisis that had happen and how it shape on our country. The speaker keeps on telling us that Filipinos should support our own country for us to develop our sense of nationalism and to help our own country on promoting some investors from different country since tourism plays a big pat on increasing our economy. On the other hand, too much promotion is also bad according to the speaker. We should also consider people around us. Because it might just turn a negative image to our country."

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

Jazz Legend Mike Clark Plans Russia Tour to Promote Cultural Diplomacy - Music Industry News Network: "Jazz legend Mike Clark has confirmed plans for a tour of Russia next month, to promote cultural diplomacy and to introduce audiences

in Moscow, Siberia, St. Petersburg and elsewhere to his acclaimed Owl Studios release, ‘Carnival of Soul’. Clark’s Russia tour, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, will consist of the Mike Clark Organ Trio featuring Rob Dixon on tenor saxophone and Jerry Z on organ."

Iran cultural exchanges rooted in Islam‎ - ABNA.ir: "Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi says the activities of Islamic Republic's cultural attachés are embedded in the rich Islamic principles. Addressing the sixth gathering of Iran's cultural attachés themed 'The Cultural Diplomacy of the Islamic Republic,' the minister said the influence of Islamic Republic in the region and the world originates from Islamic ideology. 'Any attempts stemming from such ideology will certainly be influential in the world,' he said. The official underscored the necessity of eradicating superstitions unjustly attributed to pure Islamic thoughts and said, 'Conflicts among different Muslim sects is only in the interest of enemies.' He described introduction of Iranian culture and initiating cultural exchanges with other nations that are both consistent with Islamic teachings and in agreement with present-day circumstances as the core responsibility of cultural officials."

Mint tea in the Medina; Invited to sing at the International Arts Festival in Morocco Vidya Shah returns with a vivid account of her experience - Vidya Shah, hindu.com: "This Assilah International Festival established in 1978, is an annual cultural extravaganza that takes place in the month of July/August.

Both studio and performing artists from all over the world, journalists, writers, painters, musicians and dancers gather here imparting the setting with colour, exuberance and dynamism. Over the last three decades, the event has promoted cultural dialogue, exchange and solidarity. It hosts more than 100,000 visitors. ... Assilah is a case of political will in moving culture from a softer focus to an issue of cultural diplomacy between communities and countries, leaving me a craving for such approaches here – creating an international platform for not only performance, but on deliberating how culture can become a powerful vehicle to centre-stage syncretism in the sub-continent."

RELATED ITEMS

Freedom’s Just Another Word - Frank Rich, New York Times: While we were distracted searching for Iraq’s nonexistent weapons of mass destruction, Iran began revving up its actual nuclear program and Osama bin Laden and his fanatics ran free to regroup in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We handed Al Qaeda a propaganda coup by sacrificing America’s signature values on the waterboard. We disseminated untold billions of taxpayers’ dollars from Baghdad’s Green Zone, much of it cycled corruptly through well-connected American companies on no-bid contracts, yet Iraq still doesn’t have reliable electricity or trustworthy security.

The Poodle Speaks - Maureen Dowd, New York Times: Blair -- Phony Tony or Bliar -- concedes that the invasion of Iraq was more about symbols than immediate security, about sending “a message of total clarity to the world,”

after 9/11, that defying the will of the international community would no longer be tolerated. In other words, Osama bin Laden had emasculated America, and America had to hit back, and did so against a country that had nothing to do with him or 9/11.

War -- what is it good for? Cartoonists were right before the Iraq war. Seven years later, we can say we told you so - Joel Pett, Los Angeles Times: Before WMD went AWOL, as the war machine was being cranked up and the dreaded "yellow cake" was being served and the French and the Dixie Chicks were being vilified, no group of journalists questioned the war louder and longer than editorial cartoonists. We have the hate mail to prove it.

The true cost of the Iraq war: $3 trillion and beyond - Joseph E. Stiglitz and Linda J. Bilmes, Washington Post: It seems clear that without this war, not only would America's standing in the world be higher, our economy would be stronger.

The question today is: Can we learn from this costly mistake?

Endless War [review of Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War By Andrew J. Bacevich 286 pp. Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt & Company] - Gary J. Bass, New York Times: “Washington Rules” is a tough-minded, bracing and intelligent polemic against some 60 years of American militarism. Barack Obama campaigned on change and getting out of Iraq, but when it comes to the war in Afghanistan or military budgets, he is, Bacevich insists, just another cat’s-paw for the Washington establishment. Bacevich, in his own populist way, sees himself as updating a tradition — from George Washington and John Quincy Adams to J. William Fulbright and Martin Luther King Jr. — that calls on America to exemplify freedom but not actively to spread it. Im

Research Shows Public Anger Grew With Bush Speeches and Bin Laden Propaganda on 9/11 - norcaltruth.org.

Confirmed: Machete Is A Race War Epic - Kurt Nimmo, Prison Planet.com: This movie is sickening. Myself and six members of the Infowars team all left the theater feeling physically ill.

The film opens with Texans butchering pregnant illegal aliens and the propaganda only gets more virulent, including references to serial killer Charles Manson’s Helter Skelter vision of race war, sterotyping the Minutemen as murderers of illegal aliens, when in reality they have never harmed anyone, showing Texans butchering a priest, and talk of “resettling America” in the context of the extremist reconquista racial movement. Image in article: World War One propaganda poster depicting Germans as baby killers. Rodriguez’s film portrays the border Minutemen in much the same light.

How Propaganda Became Known As “Public Relations”(1of2) - Ask Questions, Get Answer: “When I came back to the United States, I decided that if you could use propaganda for war, you could certainly use it for peace. And ‘propaganda’ got to be a bad word because of the Germans using it, so what I did was to try and find some other words so we found the words ‘public relations’.” – Edward Bernays This is the first part of a two part clip about a man named Edward Bernays who saw how propaganda in war time could also be used to manipulate the masses during peace time, only in this sense, doing it for commercial gain. This is part of a documentary called “The Century of Self” by Adam Curtis and the BBC.

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY


"The beauty of mobile telepresence is it challenges the notion of what it means to be somewhere.”

--Colin Angle, chief executive of one of the largest robot manufacturers, iRobot; cited in John Markoff, "The Boss Is Robotic, and Rolling Up Behind You," New York Times; image from