November 6

"Really, sir, a woman of my age cannot be expected to look at his passport if she has a chance of a lover."

--Coco Chanel, speaking of her lover, Hans Gunther von Dincklage, who was 13 years her junior, and who was reportedly under the direct orders of the Reich Ministry of Propaganda, using a press attache post in Paris as cover; there was also a theory that he was a double agent, secretly working against the Nazis; Chanel image from article

VIDEO

Mainstream media, US propaganda - Russia Today: "Propaganda is something you might expect from a dictatorship government but what about the United States? In the early 1980’s, the US State Department launched a covert propaganda war against its own people. Founder and President of the Institute for Public Accuracy Norman Solomon says that US government propaganda continues today through mainstream media as an extension of the government."

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN THE NEWS

Letter - Cultural Diplomacy - Robert L. Lynch, President and Chief Executive, Americans for the Arts, New York Times: "Re 'U.S. to Send Visual Artists as Cultural Ambassadors' (Arts pages, Oct. 26): It’s heartening to read of the State Department’s expansion of cultural diplomacy efforts. The arts sector has long appreciated the value of international arts exchanges to promote mutual cultural understanding, and the contributions of visual artists and public art projects can now add to the dialogue.


Recent studies make a strong argument for strengthening these endeavors, including a 2009 report by the John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress that 'recommends that international arts and cultural exchanges be integrated into the planning strategies of U.S. policy makers as a key element of public diplomacy.' The report also notes: 'History has proven that a robust public diplomacy is essential to U.S. national security and the promotion of American interests around the globe. The arts community has observed firsthand the value of international artistic exchanges in promoting moderation and tolerance among widely diverse religious and cultural groups.' Cultural diplomacy is important now more than ever. Our country should be looking for even more ways to invest in American artists


serving as ambassadors abroad—$11.75 million is a good start, but just a beginning investment considering how great the return can be." See also (1) (2) John Brown, "Arts Diplomacy: The Neglected Aspect of Cultural Diplomacy"; "America as a Shopping Mall? U.S. Cultural Diplomacy in the Age of Obama"; "The Backlash against Cultural Diplomacy"; "A Modest Proposal: Make the Pentagon Our Very Own Ministry of Culture!" Lynch image from; "I want you" image from

Recognizing businesses as public diplomats - Katherine V. Smith, Director's Blog, Boston College Center for Corporate Leadership: "I recently travelled to Washington D.C. to join a group of academics, business executives, foundation representatives and policymakers to work on an initiative of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars that aims to increase knowledge about world affairs and advance American diplomacy and strategic communication efforts. This is one of several Wilson Center initiatives since 2001 designed to ramp up efforts to promote international understanding. Our charge is to create a business plan for the creation of an independent organization that will work closely with, and receive seed funding from, the U.S. government to forge collaboration and support of public diplomacy, as well as private and NGO actors around the world, through grant-making."

The Power of Jewish Interests In Spain - blog.z-word.com: "Casa Sefarad-Israel was established in response to the commitment assumed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council to create an institution that would serve the following objectives: Further the study of the legacy of Sephardic culture as an integral, living part of Spanish culture; Foster a better understanding of Jewish culture; Promote the development of the ties of friendship and cooperation between Spanish and Israeli societies[,]Casa Sefarad-Israel also aims to become a communal space and meeting place for Jewish communities and organizations in Spain and around the world.


This communal space for Jews, Israelis and Spaniards will promote awareness of the rich historical Sephardic legacy and the political, economic, social and cultural reality of Jewish communities in today’s world, both in Israel and in Spain. Casa Sefarad-Israel seeks to be an instrument of public diplomacy insofar as it completes the institutional network formed by Casa de América, Casa Asia, Casa Árabe and Casa África, thereby strengthening the frame of reference for Spain’s foreign relations." Image from

High Level Opinion Leaders from Israel visit NATO - isria.com: "On 4 and 5 November 2010, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division organised a visit to NATO Headquarters of High Level Opinion Leaders from the Institute for Policy and Strategy, Inter Disciplinary Center Herzliya, Israel. ... The topics discussed during the visit included: NATO’s transformation and outreach to the Mediterranean and the Middle East region; NATO’s military cooperation under the Mediterranean Dialogue; NATO’s New Strategic Concept, Missile Defense, and NATO’s current operations."

China "Unswervingly Pursues" Peaceful Development - english.cri.cn: "The country ... issued a white paper entitled, 'China's Peaceful Development Road,' in 2005, which, for the first time, elaborated its firm resolution to abide by maintaining peaceful foreign relations. In the same year, China reiterated this commitment in its 11th Five-Year Program. 'China was trying to reassure its neighbors and the world that it would not pose a threat as it gained in strength, said Prof. Joseph Fewsmith of International Relations and Political Science at Boston University, the United States. 'Generally speaking, China's actions are in accordance with its words,' Fewsmith said, adding the 'China threat theory' has been replaced by talk of China's 'soft power.' ... While China's influence would continue to grow in the future, western nations would become more 'worried and vigilant' about


China's growth, and voices calling on China to 'shoulder more responsibilities' and 'play more important roles' would arise, said Zhou Qingan, a research fellow at the Center for International Communication Studies at Beijing-based Tsinghua University. ... 'During the 12th Five-Year Program period, China should follow its own pace and deal with key issues such as urbanization, increasing personal incomes and narrowing disparities between rural and urban areas,' he said. 'Public diplomacy' was also stressed in the proposal for the next five-year blueprint, Zhou said, adding that the government was not the only protagonist in adhering to the peaceful development road, and the masses should participate as well." Image from

The New Wave - Laura McGinnis, manIC: "I wrote a paper last year on free information flows and attitudes toward the United States. I was trying to find a relationship between information freedom and successful public diplomacy, but the most influential factor in how countries viewed the United States seemed to be the president. Attitudes about the United States shifted dramatically when Obama replaced Bush. Chalk it up to frustration with Bush or optimism about Obama--many pundits have. But it's fair to say that opinions of Obama (both foreign and domestic) have also changed over the past two years."

The immaculate collection - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "I arrived to the pleasant town of Bogor and found accommodation, then proceeded to get myself lost in a town that it seemed incapable of doing so. But I made a new friend, an Indonesian fellow who had just moved here a week prior.


Tantra had lived in South Africa and Madagascar, and spoke English, French and Spanish. He studied peace and conflict studies. We chatted for a long while about public diplomacy, peace and conflict, and communication between Jews and Muslims, as he helped me find my way." Image from

RELATED ITEMS

China Blusters On - Editorial, New York Times: There’s apparently no limit to China’s arrogance, not to mention its tone-deafness. According to The Times’s Michael Wines, China this week formally asked European nations to boycott the Oslo ceremony where the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded — in absentia — to the imprisoned Chinese democracy activist, Liu Xiaobo. The Chinese government is hungry for clout and respect. But bullying its own people and other governments (recently halting shipments of rare earth minerals to Japan in a territorial dispute) are unacceptable and won’t produce either. China first tried to bully the Nobel committee, warning that the award could harm relations with Norway, where the committee is based. The committee, rightly, was not intimidated.

Prague is capitalizing on its Cold War past: Hotel once reserved for Communist elite has been updated, but reminders remain - Ron Bedard, Postmedia News: During times of economic crisis, travel destinations scramble for the global tourist dollar, enticing visitors with unique and rare opportunities. During the Communist era, most Eastern bloc countries were plagued by oppression and anti-West propaganda, while the party elite lived in opulence as citizens struggled for bread and basics.


The Czech Republic and the city of Prague, as part of the former Soviet bloc, are now capitalizing on what was left by this painful part of their past. Throughout the Eastern bloc, remnants of the Cold War and the Soviet war machine abound. Immediately following the collapse of communism, the efforts of the residents to erase or transform the legacy of their communist past are now been promoted as an alternative for those seeking a niche travel experience. Image from

Why PSYOP Constitutes an Indispensable Component of Strategic Communication - The Institute of World Politics: Start: Monday, November 8, 2010 4:30 PM End: Monday, November 8, 2010 6:00 PM. Via LB.