Tuesday, January 31, 2012

January 31



"I take possession of the old world -- I inhale it -- I appropriate it!"

--Henry James (1875); cited in The Times Literary Supplement (January 20, 2012), p. 7; James image from

DOCUMENT

United States Department Of State Bureau Of Diplomatic Security: Vigilant in an Uncertain World. This item has been described as "propaganda."

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Countering Violent Extremism - Press Release: US State Department - posted at scoop.co.nz: "Remarks Daniel Benjamin Coordinator, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism [,] Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) Washington, DC January 25, 2012 [:] ... The Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications (CSCC) was launched over one year ago, and is tightly focused on undermining terrorist propaganda and dissuading potential recruits. The center is housed at the State Department, but is a true whole-of-government interagency endeavor, with a mandate from President Obama in the form of an executive order.


As part of this effort, a group of tech savvy specialists – fluent in Urdu and Arabic – that we call the digital outreach team are contesting online space, media websites, and forums where extremists have long spread propaganda and recruited followers. With timely posts, this team is working to expose the contradictions and abuses employed by violent extremists. This is not broad public diplomacy. We are reaching out to a specific, narrowly defined overseas audience: People who are or may be sympathetic to the views of violent extremists and are thus vulnerable to its propaganda; people who could be persuaded or enticed into crossing the boundary between sympathy and action." Benjamin image from

An Opportunity to Engage: U.S. Public Diplomacy and the Rise of Islamist Parties - Lina Khatib, PD News – CPD Blog, US Center on Public Diplomacy: "For the first time in the Arab world’s history, there is a real opportunity for the U.S. to match its words and actions towards the region, and to have foreign policy become the basis upon which to formulate a truly engaging public diplomacy."

Discussing the BBG’s (dys)function) - Matt Armstrong, MountainRunner: "Information is power.

The Congress and the State Department appreciated its importance over sixty years when it made permanent activities we now call public diplomacy: Voice of America and other informational programs, and educational and technical exchanges. So important were these activities that those involved were, by the direction of the Congress, subject to a 'loyalty check' [security clearance in today's world] equal to that of the protection of 'our atomic secrets' in World War II. What then is the role of the BBG, and its networks, in today’s communication environment? Few would argue the current structure and strategy of the BBG is flawed and that it is a dysfunctional organization. Those that argue otherwise lack sincerity or knowledge, or both. The topic of reform is fraught with emotions and subjectivity too often framed by by past glories and not the demands of today’s, and tomorrow’s, communication environment. Those that truly care about the BBG, across the Government and the Congress, are too few and those that want to actually understand the issues are fewer. We need a vigorous public debate on the role and direction of U.S. Government broadcasting." Image from

Former VOA director takes his Pentagon Papers play to China (updated again) - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

NCIV National Meeting is February 15-18 - uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org: "This February, over 500 citizen diplomats from across the world will come together in Washington DC for NCIV's largest annual event: The NCIV National Meeting. This year's theme--One Story at a Time: The Impact of Citizen Diplomacy. Using stories that highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of citizen diplomats over the years, the annual conference will showcase the power of citizen diplomacy. This will be a 'unique and memorable' conference, according to the NCIV

website. ... There will also be a variety of speakers and leaders in the field of citizen diplomacy. For example, the Opening Plenary on Thursday the 16th includes a welcome from Ann Stock, the State Department's Acting Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs." Image from

Soft Power and Public Diplomacy in Turkey - Ibrahim Kalin, sam.gov.tr: "Abstract [:]Turkey’s soft power capacity comes from its history, culture and geography. Rather than seeing them as obstacles or burdens, the Turks are now turning them into strategic assets in both domestic and foreign policy. The new Turkish public diplomacy is building on Turkey’s expanding soft power in the Balkans, the Middle East and the Caucasus. As Turkey engages new regions and emerging actors as well as continues relations with its old allies, it develops new capacities for the various elements of soft power and strategic communication in regional and global contexts. The new Turkey that is emerging is also creating a new Turkish narrative with multiple dimensions and faces. The task of the new Turkish public diplomacy is to tell the story of the new Turkey to a wide ranging audience across the globe. As Turkey overcomes its old fears and builds a new identity for itself, the process of change transforming the country will have a deep impact on Turkish domestic and foreign policy."

U. S. – China Medical Exchange & Humanitarian Outreach (Part 1) - brucemoranconsulting: "STATE DEPARTMENT: An avenue of public diplomacy that has not been explored with China is the creation of bi–lateral dialogue in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] is highly honored and revered by the ‘average Chinese citizen.’ TCM is at the very heart and soul of the Chinese community."

deepening the foreign military relations - joseph.relocation-winner.com:: "Xinhua Beijing January 16 (Reporter Lixuan Liang, Wang Jingguo) ... Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office Ministry of Defence

recently told Xinhua News Agency reporters interview, said ... We actively carry out various forms of public diplomacy activities. PLA Military Band to the United States access to performances, cultural exchange delegation to Laos Culture Week organized by the Chinese army, the navy Our men and men with foreign people close communication and extensive interaction, show excellent professionalism and energetic spirit, spread the good military culture, established a military peace, cooperation, and open a good image." Qian Lihua image from

Live Interview with Public Diplomacy General in Foreign Minister [video] - diretube.com

Public Diplomacy and Political Warfare: Part 2 - Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence: "The PWE [Political Warfare Executive?] document makes the point that there are different modes of acting towards friends and enemies[:][']The attitude to the enemy and to his subject peoples is belligerent; the attitude to friendly and still independent peoples is persuasive. One is disruptive behind the lines of the enemy; the other is conciliatory in the councils of our friends. One requires the mentality and techniques of subversion; the other, in open relationship, means frankness and information. The one seeks to destroy the confidence of the enemy; the other seeks to win the confidence of friends.['] The PWE paper also makes the point that action towards friends and enemies make use many of the same communication techniques. Contemporary Western public diplomacy in some parts of the world it has elements of both these approaches."

Wondering about Propaganda, Rhetoric, and Public Diplomacy - John Brown, Notes and Essays: "Tone: Aristotelian rhetoric is based on logic and poetics. Modern propaganda, at its worst, is based on irrationality and violence to language. Audience: Aristotelian rhetoric is an appeal to those who think and who can control their feelings. Modern propaganda aims to manipulate the crowd by over-heating atavistic emotions. Purpose: Propaganda exists for one purpose and one purpose only: for the benefit of the propagandist and/or her organization (nothing wrong with that, by the way; but it's how you do it). Aristotelian rhetoric 'reaches out' beyond the propagandist for the benefit of the polis. ... Walter Isaacson, who's decided to leave his position as Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, characterized the Declaration of Independence as 'in effect, a work of propaganda

-- or, to put it more politely, an exercise in public diplomacy intended to enlist other countries to the cause.' I am not quite sure whether our Declaration reflects classical rhetoric or modern propaganda. It's maybe a reflection of both, in part because of the historical period when it was written (George III took quite a beating in the Declaration, as did native Americans)." Image from

Campaigns Officer, British Embassy Beijing - chinadevelopmentbrief.cn: "Campaigns Officer The British Embassy is in process of looking for a qualified candidate for the position of Campaigns Officer. Main purpose of job: The Communications Team is responsible for coordinating all public-facing aspects of the network of UK Embassies and Consulates in China. The Campaigns Support Officer will have an important role in promoting the UK’s ‘soft power’ messages across China. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and delivering public diplomacy projects that support the UK’s messages. The jobholder will be tasked with executing campaigns and running events that engage and influence our target audiences."

RELATED ITEMS

War propaganda has finally moved onto Twitter; WAR Tweets – Global Perspectives on America - American Opinion - turkishcentralnews.com: if social media

is emerging as a refreshing tool for explaining the wars of the past, how useful is it for illuminating the conflicts and crises of the present? And might it also provide a way of shaping them? Recently, Twitter has begun to feature as a vehicle for strategic communication and information warfare in two armed conflicts: Afghanistan and Somalia. From Iraq to Afghanistan, jihadists have long made innovative use of media for propaganda and influence. They have sought to shape the narrative of the conflicts, not least by trying to be first with the news, including through promptly posting their footage of attacks online while some Western forces were still clearing their talking points. Image from

Russia Today’s Creative Destruction - Avadoro Worden: When you’re taking on an establishment larger than yourself, generally the best strategy is attrition through asymmetry. The fact that RT(Russia Today) is Russian, obviously, shouldn’t surprise anyone. Which leads to the question, what is RT’s relationship with the Putin regime. RT is essentially a state supported News service that is frequently accused of pro-Putin propaganda and connections with Russian intelligence. It was established in 2005 to provide a response to the western anti-Putin media, and in 2010 established an American division, with in the US itself. There is no particular ideology that RT follows, apart from being softly anti-western or anti-American. But even its anti-western orientation is complicated. RT frequently provides air-time for intellectuals who are often verging on conspiratorial from anarcho-libertarian to avowed third-world Marxists, and far from the general consensus of news media.

China’s Soft-Power Offensive in Taiwan - Yuriko Koike, project-syndicate.org: Will Taiwan become more like the mainland, or vice versa?

To ask that question is to reprise a debate that was heard when Hong Kong and Macau reverted to China, but that is seldom encountered nowadays. Whether serious moves toward unification change that fact will depend on the effectiveness of China’s soft-power approach, which cannot be limited only to the attractiveness of its economy if it is actually to succeed. Image from article

Hello from Ottawa: The Canadian War Museum and Its Special Exhibit ”Weapons of Mass Dissemination – The Propaganda of War” - Susanne Pacher, itaxi.info: The new Canadian War Museum has special exhibition: “Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War." The term “propaganda” itself is defined as the “organized dissemination of information to influence thouths, beliefs, feelings and actions." The exhibition was originally developed by the Wolfsonian-Florida International University and highlights visual propaganda tools used in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Holland. Propaganda posters date back to the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Spanish Civil War. Numerous colourful posters from different countries illustrate the powerful impact of war-time propaganda and its powerful impact on the masses.


Emotional headlines, bright colours and strong symbolism evoke powerful feelings fear, anger, pride and patriotism. Here are a few examples of how nations engaged in war use propaganda posters: - to exhort men, and even women and members of different ethnic groups to join the army ["There is still a space for you in the Waffen SS"]- to promote the purchase of war bonds ["I buy bonds and I build bombs"]- to increase production and output of military equipment- to reduce the civilian consumption of tobacco products so soldiers can enjoy smoking- to plant seeds and vegetables to create oil for the hungering masses- to portray the enemy in the most negative way, using unflattering and threatening images- to warn the population of “careless talk” implying that foreign spies could pick up important information and use it against the nation- to instruct soldiers and the population in the use of protective equipment such as gas masks. In addition to the posters from the Wolfsonian …#34; Florida International University, the Canadian War Museum has added a Canadian component to add to this exhibition. The development of propaganda in Canada is featured in the form of posters from the Museum’s collections, footage from the National Film Board, as well as special hands-on programming. Screenings of NFB propaganda films, creative workshops and a popular speaker series round out the programming on the topic of mass media and propaganda. Image from Weapons of Mass Dissemination: The Propaganda of War Malloy Wing Galleries

British WW1 propaganda posters
- empirecall.blogspot.com: In 2006, King's College, London, purchased a collection of colour propaganda posters from the Moravian Church of North America.

The posters were collected by the Reverend Kenneth G Hamilton (1892-1975), while working as a YMCA chaplain during World War One, and at some stage were placed with the Moravian Church. You can see them on their very interesting website, The Serving Soldier, which will doubtless reward a little exploration. Image from entry


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Meet Mexican tattoo diva "La Mujer Vampira," Maria Jose Cristerna - Xeni Jardin, Boing Boing: Mexican tattoo star Maria Jose Cristerna, better known as "La Mujer Vampiro" (Female Vampire), poses during the Venezuela Tattoo Expo in Caracas, January 27, 2012. She is a 35-year-old attorney. 98 percent of her body is covered in tattoos. She also has prosthetic fangs, and platinum implants in her forehead.

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