January 13

"Money is a wonderful thing."

--Philip Seib, Director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy; image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

What WikiLeaks reveals about the changing map of global power - Andrew Hammond, Reuters: "[K]ey dangers from the WikiLeaks episode for Washington (and certain of its allies) is potential backlash from some international publics, and also foreign elites proving more cautious in sharing information and cooperation going forwards. ... Taken overall, the WikiLeaks affair thus intensifies the already massive global public diplomacy and alliance-building challenge that President Barack Obama inherited from the Bush administration. While the Obama team has begun to make strides in the right direction, including on the strategic communications dimensions of the campaign against terrorism, its focus continues to be distracted by major political headaches


such as this latest one. Looking specifically at the campaign against terrorism, the scale of the public diplomacy task which Obama still faces is regularly highlighted in opinion polls. For instance, the 2010 Pew Global Attitudes Survey revealed that in Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, just 17% of people have favourable perceptions of the United States. In the space of just twelve months, U.S. favourability in Egypt has dropped to 17% from 27%. This public diplomacy problem, however, is not restricted to the Muslim world. Indeed, the 2010 Pew survey showed that in nine of 15 key countries public favourability towards the United States continues to lag behind that recorded at the end of the Clinton administration a decade ago. It is important that the Obama team turns this climate of perception about the country around. This is because, in common with the Cold War, the challenges posed by the campaign against terror cannot be overcome by military might alone. In addition, the United States must redouble its efforts to win the battle for 'hearts and minds,' especially in the Muslim world. This will help create an enabling (rather than disabling) environment facilitating both covert and overt cooperation and information sharing with U.S. officials." Image from

No closer friend, no greater ally - Aaron Ellis, Thinking Strategically: "American readers, and French ones, and anyone who lives outside the United Kingdom might have missed that the Special Relationship ended this week. President Obama ended it with a shocking ‘kick in the teeth’, when he said the United States doesn’t ‘have a stronger friend and a stronger ally than Nicolas Sarkozy and the French people.’


This caused much outrage here, and seemed to confirm that Obama is anti-British. I have spent the past couple of days arguing with a British neoconservative (yeah, they exist here too…) basically saying he and his ilk should man the fuck up. One has to appreciate that the remarks were simply polite public diplomacy, like in November when Obama told Julia Gillard that the United States ‘does not have a closer or better ally than Australia.’ Surprisingly, our media did not behave like such massive girls then. I think one also has to keep in mind that there seems to be no evidence that Obama is anti-British; my neoconservative friend couldn’t show me any, at least." Image from article

Clinton calls for more exchanges between Oman and the U.S. - Lisa Retterath, alliance-exchange.org: "At a town hall meeting today with the Omani Civil Society in Muscat, Oman, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed the importance education in general, and exchange programs with the U.S in particular, have for Oman’s future." Via LB

Political reform: China's next modernization? - Daniel Twining, Washington Post: "The Obama administration should not shy away from promoting universal values


in its China policy. Ultimately, U.S. policymakers may find that a reluctance to speak out in defense of human freedom and the rule of law in China leaves them on the wrong side of a debate whose outcome will have enormous consequences for the Chinese people - and the 21st-century world. ... American assistance and exchange programs to strengthen the rule of law, free media, labor rights and local elections could help Beijing manage a graduated reform agenda." Image from

Building a Civilian Communications Strategy in Afghanistan [video] - newamerica.net: "The New America Foundation National Security Studies Program hosted David Ensor, the Director of Communication and Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and former CNN national security correspondent, for an invitation-only, on-the-record discussion of the challenges, achievements and goals of building an effective civilian communications structure in Afghanistan." Via

Selling Planes, Pipelines and College Degrees - Patricia H. Kushlis, Whirled View: "After the State Department took over USIA in 1999 and the student counseling function declined, Commercial Attaches became active in promoting foreign student study through participation in international education fairs, website and other recruitment activities. You have to hand it to Commerce for recognizing the economic potential of


foreign students – USIA could and should have done more to promote 'study in the USA' itself but State’s lackluster approach is even more Neanderthal or Commerce would not have jumped in." On USIA, see. Image from

State Department Daily Snapshot – US Foreign Policy - The Communicator: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS JUDITH MCHALE 1:00 p.m. Under Secretary McHale meets with Dennis Mulhaupt from the Broadcasting Board of Governors, at the Department of State."

BBG strategic review seeks to empower (whatever that means) customers (whoever they are) - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

If you want to know when VOA broadcasts in [insert language here], first you must learn [insert language here] - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting: "[I]f you speak English, and you want to know when, and on what frequencies, VOA broadcasts in Burmese, first you learn Burmese,


then go to the VOA Burmese web page, where, theoretically, the schedule can be found. Same procedure for all other VOA languages." Image from

During Hu Jintao visit, Obama should grant interview to Radio Free Asia rather than Chinese media, she [Kelley Currie in the Wall Street Journal] writes - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

Is Radio Free Asia involved in South Korea's "wishful thinking" about reunification? - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)'s] Radio Azadi's SMS news service in Afghanistan receives 150-200 messages a day - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

"During 2010, RFE journalists suffered intimidation, physical attacks and arbitrary arrest in 12 of the 21 countries forming its broadcast region" - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

Qatar's Well-Funded Public Diplomacy‎ - Philip Seib, Huffington Post: "Qatar has plenty of it [money] and is putting it to use in its expanded public diplomacy. With wealth rather than weaponry, Qatar


is becoming a new kind of superpower. ... Al Jazeera's channels serve as Qatar's virtual ambassadors to much of the world, providing an invaluable public diplomacy presence. ... Qatar's public diplomacy is proving successful." Image with caption: In Qatar, there is a monument to pearls because for a long time it was just about their only export.

Israel - Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press,11 Jan 2011 - isria.com: "Ma'ariv refers to the appointment of Col. (res.) Lior Lotan as the next IDF Spokesman and says that 'With all due respect to Col. Lotan's medal, it cannot be that someone without any quality professional experience is appointed IDF Spokesman.' The author commends Col. Lotan's 'extensive command and operational experience,' and lauds his 'administrative, negotiating and research abilities,' but asserts that 'At a time when Israel's public diplomacy is at such a nadir, along with Israel's foreign relations, it would be better if the country's most charged public diplomacy front were led by someone who understood a thing or two about the media.'"

Israeli President Peres inscribed a poem for Hahui’s New Ceremonial Music -hahuichina.com: "President Peres is 87-year-old this year and in his legendary life,


he has made great efforts at the world peace. In the reception of Chinese National Day, he showed his deep affection to Chinese people. His praise and appreciation for the Chinese young artist Hahui and her new ceremonial music also tells us the positive role in the public diplomacy as the young artists. Hahui is more than delivering Chinese thousand-year’s culture through her art; she also passes down the benevolence and Chinese rites and music as the state of ceremonies." Peres image from

Finland - Finnish know-how in an imaginative package - ISRIA (registration): "Focus magazine is a pivotal tool in Finland’s public diplomacy, the work carried out by Finland’s more than 90 missions abroad."

PD in a Nutshell: A PD news roundup from around the world - Laura McGinnis, maNIC

Three Different Responses to Public Diplomacy - royster, The New Diplomacy D: A reflective group blog by some of the students on The New Diplomacy module at London Metropolitan University: "Hugo Chavez, President of Venezeula [sic], gained a public diplomacy coup in reaction to the recent flooding in Venezuela. He moved himself and his entourage out of their home in the Miraflorres Palace to make room for homeless flood victims, while he moved into a tent


given him by the Libyan leader Gaddafi. He ordered that the military make room for more homeless in the military nerve centre of Tiuna Fort and forcibly leased many tourist hotels to cope with the problem. ... Compare this reaction with that of Pakistan’s President Zardari, who left Pakistan to visit the West while his country was inundated with similar floods. ... President G. W. Bush managed to engage in negative public diplomacy in his reaction to the flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina." Chavez-in-his-tent image from

'First Impressions' changes with knowledge: My understanding of diplomacy today - Merlyn, The New Diplomacy F: A reflective group blog by some of the students on The New Diplomacy module at London Metropolitan University: "When I began the New Diplomacy module in early October 2010 my perception of diplomacy was very limited. But after twelve weeks of lectures and seminars, I can honestly say that I have gained an immense wealth of knowledge . ... I have a greater awareness of the arguments for and against Public Diplomacy ... "

Interview with Dr. Ganor on Radical Islam - progressivethink.com: "Israeligirl ... [is] co-founder of Giyus.org a pro-Israeli public diplomacy group."

Brand Kenya Board Jobs Career Opportunity - kenyanvacancies.com: "Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director Marketing will be responsible for both the national and international marketing/branding functions of the Board and will work closely with the Strategic Communications team to deliver quality country branding programmes. ... The Marketing Director will formulate and implement the Board’s marketing strategy; branding policies and procedures;


and track and manage the country’s image and identity. He/she will be responsible for identifying and managing the key pillars of country branding at both National and International levels which include but not limited to the sectors of tourism; culture; investment; Kenyan people; Kenyan goods and services; governance and public diplomacy. He/she will also advice the Board on all matters regarding internal and external branding of Kenya." Image from

RELATED ITEMS

Friend or Foe? How Americans See China: For the first time, the public thinks Asia is more vital to U.S. interests than Europe - Andrew Kohut, Wall Street Journal: When Chinese President Hu Jintao visits Washington next week, he will be greeted by an American public that looks to Asia—rather than to Europe—as the region of the world most important to U.S. interests. This marks a major change from the 1990s, when Americans still considered Europe more important than Asia, even despite concern about Japan's supposed ascendance. Today, Europe has taken a back seat. A new nationwide poll by the Pew Research Center finds Americans considering Asia more important by a 47% to 37% margin. In 1993, the balance of public opinion was the opposite: 50% considered Europe most important, 31% Asia. Questioned today about their interest in news from various countries, 34% of Americans say they are very interested in news from China, while far fewer say the same about France (6%), Germany (11%), Italy (11%) and even Great Britain (17%). The bottom line is that Americans don't want to demonize China, but they have reservations about the effects of U.S.-Chinese trade. Few see China as an adversary, but most see it as a problem that needs addressing.

Russian TV channel to challenge Kremlin-grip on news - Andrew Osborn, georgiandaily.com: A new TV channel intent on challenging the Kremlin's monopoly on news inside Russia is being launched in neighbouring Georgia in a move likely to enrage Moscow. The channel, which will be run by Robert Parsons, former BBC Moscow correspondent, and three other international journalists, will start broadcasting on January 25, a little more than two years after the Russo-Georgian war. Called PIK,


it will be funded by the Georgian state, and will beam Russian-language news and documentaries into Russian homes via satellite and the internet as well as into other countries around the world. Image from

'Overconnected': Can too much Internet hurt us? - Lori Kozlowski, Los Angeles Times:


Interview with William H. Davidow, the author of "Overconnected: The Promise and Threat of the Internet".

Pleasing propaganda: Exhibition of Vietnamese communist-era art from late 20th century opens at the National Gallery - Cat Contiguglia, praguepost.com: Those who lived under communist regimes might have a hard time ever perceiving the propaganda of the times as art, but a new exhibition of posters from Vietnam at the National Gallery undermines that assumption. The exhibition at the Veltržní palác branch of the National Gallery in Prague runs through Jan. 30 and features more than 100 posters created under communist rule, all hand-painted. Responsibility for the bold and bright designs depicting proud workers and soldiers was often left up to individual artists.


The images were then paired with government-mandated slogans. Most of the artists were students of fine arts schools in Hanoi and Gia Dinh, according to Richard Asianari di San Marzano, the curator of the Dogma collection, one of the largest collections of North Vietnamese propaganda art and the source of more than 20 original works in the exhibition. "It was never controlled in the way propaganda art was controlled in China, North Korea, Russia or Nazi Germany. These [North Vietnamese] artists signed their work, which didn't occur in other places, and what's very interesting is to see the individualism in their work," he said. Contrary to propaganda art under other totalitarian regimes, the Vietnamese posters are infused with deeply personal art styles and symbolism unique to specific artists, who for the most part did the work willingly and passionately, San Marzano said. Image from article

Interview: "Vladimir Putin Action Comics" Creator Sam Derse - Vladimir Putin Action Comics first came to our attention through Facebook, and we were immediately fascinated by the strip's tone and the way it skewered the staged propaganda photos of Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a virile leader for the Motherland.


The strips also bring to mind the absurd and caustic satire of similar strips like "Get Your War On," "This Modern World," and "Red Meat." Image from article

Here Is Germany - watch-online.in: A 1945 propaganda documentary film directed by Frank Capra. Like its companion film, Know Your Enemy: Japan, the film is a full-length exploration of why one of the two major Axis countries started World War II and what had to be done to keep them from “doing it again”.

AMERICANA



Robert Rizzo is serving time behind cars: The former Bell city administrator, who is accused of misappropriating public funds, is working as a parking lot attendant at the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach - Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times. Image from article: Former Bell City Administrator Robert Rizzo has a new gig, as a parking lot attendant in Huntington Beach.

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Ketchup dispensing mobile robot [VIDEO]

MORE QUOTATIONS FOR THE DAY

"space is endless on line"

--Monica Hesse, "Wikipedia is turning 10, and founder Jimmy Wales has big plans," Washington Post

"'Next week, Chinese President Hu Jintao will be at the White House.' The 'good news' is that 'he has no plans to foreclose. We can stay another month.'"

--Talk show host Jay Leno, cited in LLC Bulletin