November 23

"Osama himself grew up watching Bonanza."

--Richard Poplak, The Sheikh's Batmobile: In Pursuit of American Pop Culture in the Muslim World (2009), p. 60; image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

As shuttle programme fades away, what comes next for manned spaceflight? - Gayle Putrich, flightglobal.com: "Obama intends to make space more of a diplomatic issue. 'The secretary of state, after consultation with the heads of appropriate departments and agencies, shall carry out diplomatic and public diplomacy efforts to strengthen understanding of, and support for, US national space policies and programmes and to encourage the foreign use of US space capabilities, systems, and services,' his June policy statement says.


The new policy calls for shifting 'routine, operational space functions' from the government to commercial sector and developing government space systems 'only when it is in the national interest and there is no suitable, cost-effective US commercial or, as appropriate, foreign commercial service or system that is or will be available'." Image from

US tasks FG on employment of varsities’ graduates - Chris Ochayi, vanguardngr.com: "ABUJA—The United States government yesterday advised the Federal Government to engage its teeming population of graduates of tertiary institutions in active productive sectors of the economy in order to accelerate socio-economic development of the country. U.S Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Mr. Bruce Wharton, who gave the advice during his visit to the National Universities Commission, NUC, said producing universities graduates every year was not the end, but providing job for them. 'Graduates need a job and this demands that the United States of America and Nigeria need to work together to find ways of creating employment opportunities for the graduates of the universities,' he said."

I facepalm more by 9 AM than most people facepalm all day ... Starbuck, Wings Over Iraq: "[A]side from the trivial matter of bombs, then, Kabul is completely safe. ... We should also exclude other trivial matters as high child mortality rates (largely due to preventable diseases), gun battles, and the occasional Taliban who decides to throw sulfuric acid in the faces of girls attending school. That's just in Kabul alone, mind you. This is what happens when we surround ourselves with concrete walls and build a Baghdad-style Green Zone in Kabul. Public diplomacy FAIL."


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Two nominees for the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy announced - Matt Armstrong, MountainRuner.us: "Last week the White House announced the President’s 'intent to nominate' two individuals to the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy: Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Sim Farar. These are the first nominations to the Commission by this White House, but certainly not the last. The Commission has seven members, no more than four of which may be from the President’s party. The Commission is charged with monitoring and improving how American interacts with people around the world. Some call this public diplomacy, others strategic communication, and others perhaps simply engagement. ... It is essential the Advisory Commission become more active and engaged on behalf of the Congress, to which the Commission is charged with submitting public reports, the White House, and the American taxpayer."

Is our federal debt a threat to our national security? - blog.constitutioncenter.org: "In the first in a two-part series entitled: 'What is National Security?', [Richard V.] Allen, the former National Security Advisor under President Ronald Reagan and Hoover Institution Senior Fellow, laid out a 'dazzling array of qualities' that contribute to our nation’s security. ... Allen was one of the first, if not the first, to publish a systematic inquiry into of the various streams of policies and government actions that formulate, by modern standards, national security back in the 1960’s. Today, Allen


warns that in these various components and sub-components of national security–in particular our attempt at public diplomacy and international broadcasting, i.e. the 'battle for hearts and minds' – America is 'woefully behind' due to a lack of funding." Allen image from

Washington Times columnist addresses the problem of VOA having an audience (updated) - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting: "Washington Times, 16 Nov 2010, Kenneth R. Timmerman: 'Until now, the United States has not used the vast broadcasting tools at its disposal to promote real change in Iran. Massive budget increases for the Voice of America's Persian News Network (PNN) since 2006 have quadrupled the number of broadcasting employees without enhancing the quality of the programs they produce or the audience they reach. Worse, when it comes to influencing behavior, or even just promoting a culture of democratic values, we are getting no bang for our bucks. In many cases, PNN's programming actually has made things worse by making the United States appear a feckless power, uninterested in the struggle of the Iranian people for freedom. ... I think the Voice of America should return to its original mission as standard-bearer of American values and hold high the beacon of liberty to oppressed peoples, starting with the people of Iran.


Unfortunately, today it serves merely as a handmaiden to the oppressors. If VOA is not transformed, it should be shut down. Anything less would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.' [Elliott comment:] No mention of good journalism here. But that is what the audience for international broadcasting is seeking: news that is more comprehensive, reliable, and credible than what they get from their domestic state-controlled media. The VOA Persian News Network audience is (ahem) conservatively estimated at nine million per week, larger than that of BBC Persian or Radio Farda, and one of the largest audiences for any U.S. international broadcasting service. (See VOA Media Watch, 5 October 2010.) Timmerman's proposition is therefore an interesting one: either VOA should switch to content that will leave it with no audience, or it should be shut down. So far this campaign against VOA Persian amounts to no more than occasional ack-ack from outside the mainstream. (See previous post.) These accusations will, however, eventually find their way into a Congressional hearing. Then will begin a more substantial discussion about U.S international broadcasting, and whether it should consist of news or propaganda. Update: VOA Director Dan Austin responds to the Timmerman oped in this letter to the Washington Times, 22 Nov 2010 (pdf)". Image from

Wife of Nigerian VP visits VOA, discusses partnership on educational programs - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

Dedicated to peaceful growth - Fang Lexian, China Daily:


"In the face of severe global challenges, China is promoting multilateral diplomacy and taking an active role in international affairs for the common good. China supports efforts to strengthen the role of the United Nations and, has been playing a positive and constructive role in multilateral frameworks, such as the Group of 20 and the Asia-Europe Meeting. Though still hindered by differences in values and social institutions, the goodwill and cooperative intentions China constantly sends out to the world through public diplomacy are there for all to see as China is committed to enhancing humanistic cooperation with other countries. An important task facing China's diplomacy in the future is how to express its legitimate and reasonable demands in a way that the international community can understand and accept." Image from

Branding Strategies in Action – Colombia: From Pariah State to Progressive Economy - Tom Buncle, aboutourism.wordpress.com: "With real changes in infrastructure and security in place, Colombia embarked on a communications campaign. A nation brand identity (i.e. covering public diplomacy, business, culture and tourism, but with an emphasis on public diplomacy and business) was developed: 'Colombia es passion'. This appeared to combine the warm heart of Colombians with the steam rising from a cup of Colombian coffee (one of its most important sources of export earnings along with tourism). More importantly, it was a strong clear, simple visual with a direct and catchy slogan. ... In a courageous attempt to turn a negative into a positive and overcome th[e] damaging lag between people’s perceptions of a past Colombia and the new, reformed Colombia, Colombia decided to challenge people’s perception of risk. It turned the notion of risk on its head and challenged people to reconsider the true nature of the risk in a positive and mildly humorous way, under the campaign slogan, in the form of a logo, 'Colombia, el riesgo es que te quieras quedar' ('Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay')."

Turkey and new approaches for Afghanistan‎ - Balkans.com Business News: "Turkey who has acceptable image in the eye of Afghan people can promote the peace process and can help the international organizations' activities, such as UN and NATO, in Afghanistan because of its being member of the NATO and having top level and qualified relations with USA and the EU. Therefore in the future continuing the constructive activities by Turkey in Afghanistan


will not only important for Afghanistan, but also for all related sides and even to the world. ... Turkish Military Forces in Afghanistan has never joined the combat operations and Afghan/Taliban forces never attack the Turkish Forces. This example show us the importance of Public Diplomacy and also importance of identity closeness in international relations." Image from

President Peres to leave on an official visit to the Ukraine‎ - press release, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "President Peres will be received by his host in an official ceremony with the Ukrainian honor guard. The President will also attend an official state lunch honoring the Israeli delegation at President Yanukovych’s Presidential Palace. While there President Peres will represent Israel is a series of media interviews with the Ukrainian and international media. In addition he will also hold a series of public diplomacy events including a town hall meeting with hundreds of political science and diplomacy students, and will speak at the Prime Minister’s Policy Forum for 300 of the country’s leading Government Ministers, Parliamentarians, and opinion leaders. During the short visit, President Peres is expected to participate in ceremonies and events that exemplify the historical connection between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples."

Democracy events - demdigest.net: "Tuesday, December 7, 2010- 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. China’s Confucius Institutes: Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones. The East-West Center in Washington invites you to an Asia Pacific Security Seminar: China’s Confucius Institutes: Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones.


Featuring: Mr. Maria Wey-Shen Siow, Visiting Fellow, East-West Center in Washington, East Asia Bureau Chief, Channel NewsAsia and Discussant: Dr. David Shambaugh, Professor of Politics and International Relations, The George Washington University. Western debates and discussions surrounding China’s soft power efforts in the Asian region are more widely known than the related discourse within China itself. Ms. Maria Wey-Shen Siow will present her research into the debates on soft power among Chinese analysts, academics and commentators. She will also present an update on the progress and development of China’s Confucius Institutes worldwide, outlining their hits and misses. Dr. David Shambaugh will also offer his insights into this recently established Chinese public diplomacy initiative. The event will take place at the 1819 L Street NW, Washington, D.C., 2nd Floor Conference Room. This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, please click this link. Kindly send your reply by December 6. Please note that seating is limited." Image from

Tomorrow – Conference on Turkish & Eurasian Affairs - "St. Mary’s College of Maryland, The Center for the Study of Democracy, and The Washington Review of Turkish and Eurasian Affairs www.thewashingtonreview.org Present A Conference on Turkish & Eurasian Affairs Tuesday, November 23 – 2010 9:30-5:15 ... [among the presentations:] Turkey’s Public Diplomacy: The Genocide Resolution Challenge Yelena Osipova, American University."

EUs Democratic Surplus - KimieDK, The New Diplomacy B: "In an era of growing economic interdependence where decisions on top have increasing influence in every corner of the world- or Europe at least, public participation and influence ought to be a matter of course and political processes should, thus, not be kept from the political agenda. Additionally, more than being a public diplomacy tool, it invests in direct participation by citizens within the EU."

I Would Win Countries Over With Jokes - JBrown: Follow me as I chronicle my journey in Guatemala and beyond...: "A couple of months ago, I decided to throw my hat into the ring and attempt the dreaded Foreign Service Written Exam, the first step in a long process to become a Foreign Service Officer, or diplomat, for the United States. I’ve tossed the idea around of pursuing this path for a number of years. But now, especially after having an absolutely horrendous experience with the Peace Corps in Guatemala, I can’t help but wonder if I should stay away from government bureaucracy.


Although working for the State Department would not directly put my health at risk like working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a country poorly managed by the Peace Corps administration, I am nervous nonetheless. Still, I decided to keep my options open and take a shot at the first step in the process, the written exam. ... Before you take the exam, which consists of English expression, job knowledge, biographical information-which, in my opinion, is a tricky little devil- and an essay, you must pick your cone. A cone is not a delectable treat, but a State Department way to say career track. Here are the five cones, pulled from the State Department website. ... Public Diplomacy: Public Diplomacy Officers explain American values and policies." See also. Blogger image from article.

RELATED ITEMS

First lady appoints communications chief - UPI, polijam.com: Kristina Schake, a California PR executive, has been named first lady Michelle Obama's communications chief, the White House announced Monday. Schake is co-founder and principal of Griffin-Schake, a California public affairs and strategic communications firm. She previously worked for Maria Shriver, wife of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the state's Women's Conference and the California Endowment's Building Healthy Communities Initiative.

The pomp and circumstance of POTUS - Guy W. Farmer, The Nevada Appeal: Presidential visits to exotic foreign lands require American embassies to drop everything in order to accommodate the hundreds of government officials, businessmen and media representatives who accompany the president of the United States (POTUS) on foreign trips. ... [I]mpossible demands add up to what the late Sen. J. William Fulbright called "the arrogance of power,"


which offends our foreign allies and partners. Enough already. Via LB. Image from

A Whistle Blown at State, Finally - Patricia H. Kushlis, Whirled View: State clearly needs to improve its performance substantially if it is to perform the difficult tasks ahead. This needs to begin with management. For starters, the department requires an independent, qualified, competent, and impartial Inspector General without political ties or other baggage and whose reports and recommendations are respected and acted upon.

Man involved in Afghan talks said to be impostor - AP: A man leading the Taliban side of peace talks with the Afghan government was an impersonator,


an Afghan close to the negotiations said Tuesday, an embarrassing revelation for Afghan officials who have promoted reconciliation efforts as the best chance for ending the war. Quickly moving to do damage control, President Hamid Karzai dismissed the reports as "propaganda," saying neither he nor any other members of his government had ever met with a man named Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour — one of highest ranking members of the Taliban council leading the insurgency. Image: Elvis impersonator from

As U.S. Mumbles, Britain Speaks Out - Roger Cohen, New York Times: The blood bond endures between London and Washington, trust’s singular human stain.

Venezuela bans unauthorised use of Hugo Chavez's image - Will Grant, BBC News, Caracas: Venezuela's government has banned the use of President Hugo Chavez's image for propaganda purposes without direct and prior permission from the leader. The use of Mr Chavez's image on public buildings was also outlawed under the new decree. Grass-roots bodies often use crudely-drawn pictures of Mr Chavez to show their support, rather than slicker, government-sanctioned publicity. However, the government will have a tough time enforcing the ban. Via HF

Football match turned into propaganda of Lukashenka (Video) - The organizers of the match the 33rd round of the Belarusian football championship “Dinamo” (Brest) – “Belshina” (Babruisk) “tried a lot” to make this game memorable not only by its result. Football fans have become accustomed to the fact that the hymn of the Republic of Belarus was performed before each bout in this championship.


Although the main melody of the country is called the main one, as, in principle, it should be heard on particularly solemn occasions. An ordinary meeting of the national championship, no matter how important it was, did not have the status of a “particularly solemn occasion”, the newspaper “Salidarnasts” writes. But the talk is not about that now. On Sunday, November 21, judges and players from both teams came to the field of the State Regional Sport Complex “Brest” accompanied by boys and girls dressed in shirts of blue, red and yellow colors, on which the portrait of Alyaksandr Lukashenka was printed with the words “Our President.”

Chance to see Disney's entire cartoon catalogue - Louise Jury, Disney's entire back catalogue of animated movies is to be shown in London in a celebration marking the premiere of its 50th feature film, Tangled. The British Film Institute will showcase 70 years of the studio's films from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937 to hits including Fantasia and Beauty And The Beast — the first animated feature to be nominated for a best picture Oscar. Lesser-known works include Saludos Amigos


from 1942 and The Three Caballeros two years later with a propaganda message in which North America joins forces with South America to fight the Nazis. Image from

Blonde on Brown: The Origins of Fake Blonde Hair - Carmel Lobello, deathandtaxesmag.com: "When I hear the word 'Russia' the images that come to mind include kitschy Soviet propaganda posters ... . What I do not think of when I hear the word 'Russia' is Miley Cyrus’s hair extensions. 'New York Times' reported Sunday that in impoverished Russian villages, the naturally blonde inhabitants are tending their gorgeous locks for years and then selling them to hair dealers like Belli Capelli for a minimum of $50 a pop. This shouldn’t be terribly shocking. Many of America’s most valued commodities– diamonds, fast fashion, and the KFC Double Down– come to us through some form of exploitation."

AMERICANA

Welcome to Abu Ghraib TSA Airport, Anywhere USA [photo essay] - John Brown, Notes and Essays

--Image (Janet Napolitano, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security) from