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VIDEOS
(1) Tourist Promotion Video – for Afghanistan? - tazmpictures.com: "Not long ago, I posted a stunning video that was recently put together to promote tourism in Namibia. Now, the NATO channel, an arm of NATO’s public diplomacy machinery, has produced a video to promote tourism in Afghanistan, of all places! ... If you’ve got a sense of adventure, you may want to book your tickets soon, before the hotel in the Panjshir fills up."
(2) Here’s Russian public diplomacy talking about American public diplomacy - [scroll down for Russia Today interview with Michael Hastings] - blakestilwell.com
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Kerry: 'It matters that we get it right for the world' - dotnews.com: "If you confirm me, I would take office as Secretary proud that the Senate is in my blood – but equally proud that so too is the Foreign Service. My father’s work under Presidents, both Democratic and Republican, took me and my siblings around the world for a personal journey that brought home the sacrifices and the commitment the men and women of the foreign service make every day on behalf of America. I wish everyone in the country could see and understand first-hand the devotion, loyalty and amazingly hard, and often dangerous work that the diplomats on the front lines do for our nation. Theirs is a service which earns our country an enormous return on investment. I will be proud and honored to represent them and I will work hard to augment our public diplomacy so that the story is told at home and abroad." Below image from
Obama’s new Cabinet No Deal continuation of the first term of the basic policy - financial-post.com: "Kerry advocates maintain a more flexible stance on American foreign policy, even if not hostile countries should be excluded 'contact' option. The fight against terrorism through intelligence sharing, to strengthen law enforcement and public diplomacy, can not be too dependent on the war. In dealing with China, Russia and other countries, although he also stressed that the issue of human rights, but advocates should not involve other important issues."
Getting the Word Out: International Powers Fight for Global Public Opinion Advantage - heritage.org: "'Public Diplomacy has become a highly competitive discipline as global state and non-state actors alike have embraced the idea of influencing foreign publics and recruiting sympathizers on the web and through mass media,' writes Dean Cheng in a recent Heritage Foundation research paper, 'Winning Without Fighting: Chinese Public Opinion Warfare and the Need for a Robust American Response.
China, along with other global competitors of the United States from Russia to Iran, and terrorist recruiters like Al Qaeda and its affiliates, are all heavily engaged in promoting their ideas and causes. To keep up, the U.S. government therefore needs to refocus its own efforts and resources to respond to the ideological and informational challenges of today." Image from
Russia’s Throwback Anti-Americanism - Ariel Cohen and Benjamin Tigay, blog.heritage.org: "Faced with mounting opposition to his rule, Putin may look to history and invoke the Russian autocratic tradition of blaming the West. He’s already getting help from other Russian officials. ... The anti-American hysteria at home pales in comparison to the Russian effort to influence public opinion abroad. Russia Today, a state-funded news organization, broadcasts in English, Arabic, and Spanish and hosts one of the most popular YouTube news channels.
25 Jan 2012, Fri, SoS Clinton and Staff - posted at rushlimbaughreport.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TARA SONENSHINE 3:00 p.m. Under Secretary Sonenshine joins Secretary Clinton and former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III in celebrating the launch of the Diplomacy Center, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information. (OPEN PRESS COVERAGE) Preset for video cameras: 1:45 p.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby. Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 2:30 p.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby."
"Public Diplomacy is a cornerstone of today’s influence operations" -- PSYOP Honorary Colonel - John Brown's Notes and Essays: [Comment by Roy:] "... I know there is an institutional reticence to draw any parallel with military PSYOPS/IO [Information Operations]. ... [E]mpathy and engagement is the approach taken for pragmatic reasons - it's the best way to have an influence over others, which is the strategic role PD plays. I would question how far this approach - albeit dressed up with different language and protocols - diverges from contemporary MISO [JB - Military Information Support and/to Operations; not to be confused with "Miso (みそ or 味噌?) 'a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley, and/or soybeans with salt and the fungus kōjikin (麹菌)] objectives of learning about how to think like, understand, and win over the publics of foreign countries to meet strategic objectives. I know it's never going to be seen this way, at least in public, by PD practitioners. But I think there is certainly a convergence of practice and strategic goals between PD and MISO." On gastrodiplomacy, see.
Ambassador Hosts @america’s Second Anniversary Celebration at Comic-Con Event - thepresidentpost.com: "On January 18, U.S. Ambassador Scot Marciel hosted over 500 guests for the launch of @america’s second anniversary festival. @america, a one-of-a-kind cultural center for the U.S. State Department, opened in November 2010. Since opening only two years ago, the center has welcomed more than 260,000 guests and held over 1,300 events.
This year’s second-anniversary theme was @ameri-Con 2013, a three-day festival of comic books, writers, artists, movies, toys, gaming, and costumes. On the opening night of the anniversary celebration, the Ambassador helped judge a costume competition alongside Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Stevenson and International Information Programs Acting Deputy Coordinator Courtney Austrian, both visiting from Washington, D.C., in addition to two Indonesian panelists. During his remarks, the Ambassador expressed his condolences for victims affected by recent Jakarta flooding and thanked guests for their continued support of @america. The grand prize for best costume went to Optimus Prime, a robot from 'Transformers'. The three-day Comic-con festival included 12 separate events and more than 2,800 festivalgoers." Uncaptioned image from entry
Globalization: Gangnam Style [includes video] - The blog of Sean O'Connor: "What do Sri Lankan students, an American English Teaching Assistant (ETA), and a Korean rapper share in common? For one thing, we all possess a love of dance and music. Psy’s top charting song, Gangnam Style, has taken the world by storm. With its gripping lyrics and absurd dance, this song has profound implications on cultural communication. Gangnam Style’s success is particularly notable because it is the first song outside major American and European music labels to become so popular worldwide. It is an interesting example of shifts in cultural dominance. The most popular YouTube video in the world, Gangnam Style has been viewed over 1.2 billion times. For years America has imported consumer goods from the Korean Peninsula, now the importation of pop music has begun. Ma Young-sam, Korea’s Ambassador for Public Diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry, has expressed how important the music industry is to Korea’s soft power. The Financial Times recently quoted Mr. Ma as saying, 'as foreigners pay more attention to the singers, slowly they develop a liking for Korea … and if they like Korea, they will buy more Korean things. This is what we’re trying to promote…' The explosion of a Korean pop song may or may not mark a shift in global power; but at the very least, Gangnam Style is a catchy pop song – and it made for a great lesson in the English language. ... As a Fulbright ETA, I teach three sections of language skills at Sarvodaya’s Trincomalee Vocational Training Center. Sarvodaya is Sri Lanka’s largest NGO, it maintains 34 district centers and reaches nearly 15,000 villages. ... The community in which I work was cut off from the world for three decades by ethnic conflict. With the advent of the internet my students are now plugged into the world. As the first Fulbrighter to be placed on Sri Lanka’s East Coast, it has been both challenging and rewarding to become a resident of Trincomalee and to expose my students to new ideas and cultures. As an American teaching Sri Lankans a Korean dance based upon the most popular song of 2012, I feel my students and I prove the truth of globalization. This is just one example of how the world grows seemingly smaller each year."
Guns, Debt and Indecision….The State of America’s Brand Abroad - Cari Guittard, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "In early 2003 ... Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) came to be. BDA was the first non-partisan, apolitical, non-profit dedicated to building new bridges to the world. With many of the top global creative leaders at the helm, we researched, monitored and dissected the American brand abroad for nearly eight years. From comprehensive and on-going listening efforts we developed programs where the private sector could work in parallel to USG efforts to help shore up those areas of the American brand that fell short of our ideals.
During those years that [today non-existing] BDA was focused on the American brand, the U.S. Government and several non-profits also came together to launch a variety of unique partnerships and initiatives to expand public diplomacy efforts and re-imagine the American brand through a citizen diplomacy focused lens. Throughout the BDA era leading up to President Obama’s first election, it would seem our country’s soft power reserves were growing steadily. ... The current state of America’s brand abroad is no longer new, different or attractive. It is a never-ending montage of guns, debt and indecision. ... We need to recognize that our soft power reserves are eroding precipitously and the United States is in desperate need of a new global engagement strategy." Image from entry
Inauguration Transfiguration - Dan Whitman, punditwire.com: "A flashback, or you might say, a relapse. Anyway, it’s a true story. January, 1985. My little non-profit had been contracted to bring thirty exotic visitors from as many countries, to attend Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration. The idea had been cooked up by Charles Z. Wick, President Reagan’s trusted friend who boasted of having Thanksgiving dinner every year with the first family. Wick was the director of the U.S. Information Agency, smothered under its pillow October 1, 1999. But 1985 was a good year. My little non-profit was contracted to get the thirty visitors into the second inauguration, scheduled for January 20. Slight hitch: the Republican National Committee wasn’t forthcoming in providing tickets to the event. Those valued objects were set aside for party loyals, and domestic U.S. friends who could not be dissed. I well understood, and would have done the same myself. I told my boss that our little project would calamitize if we weren’t able to get tickets to the event. My boss called the little Front Office people of the little USIA to implore them: You asked that we give front row seats to our little international visitors, trip financed by the U.S. government. You, therefore, provide the little tickets and we will do the rest. Request denied. Mr. Zwick, who preferred to be called 'Wick,' had too much to do that week, and friends to placate. ... The next day was pretty aggressively cold, around zero degrees Fahrenheit. I met my group midday in the Dupont Plaza, and they were grateful not to have to go out. The ceremony had truly been canceled as a public event (imagine all the disappointed ticket-holders) and only television cameras and a handful of Extremely Very Important People (EVIPs) managed to be present. My group of internationals were happy, and got an exponentially better view of the swearing-in than the many thousands who hoped to be eyewitnesses. Mine were happy, and Devil take the Others."
A Review of James Farwell’s “Persuasion and Power: The Art of Strategic Communication - Bernie Lee, The Whitehead Review of Diplomacy: "The beginning of his books pecifies that he [Farwell] is not talking about all information but just strategic communication – the information operations, public affairs, and public diplomacy used by governments to disseminate information with a specific purpose to inform and also shape opinion. Even this is a loaded term that he carefully breaks down with plenty of proffered definitions from the defense, diplomatic, and news, and academic communities. Farwell first breaks down strategic communication into a two factor matrix. First, you have psychological operations and propaganda.
The lines he draws here are like trying to draw pictures in the sand while the winds keep blowing and blurring the image. Essentially, psychological operations are what your benevolent government entities use to spread information while, other adversarial governments use propaganda to shape the information you receive. This is then opposed by the concepts of public affairs and public diplomacy. Public affairs is the strategic communication that governments use to inform the public they govern while public diplomacy is the information that governments send out to other countries to inform their government and people. ... The enormous torrent of media that flashes before us through the internet, television, radio, and print media could cause seizures and trying to sort through it all is like finding your way home through the desert during a sandstorm. However, this book is a good and approachable starting point to use as a foundational reference for further research into creating a general theory on strategic communications." Image from entry
FDL Book Salon Welcomes Nick Turse, Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam - Gareth Porter, fdlbooksalon.com: "Writing about war crimes in an American war fought nearly 50 years ago is a thankless task for a journalist. But it is a subject that is more relevant than ever as the
Media, United States: Smith-Mundt Punt This Month - blakestilwell.com: “'Truth can be a powerful weapon' This was the declaration made by Congress as they recommended passage of the US Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, commonly known as the Smith-Mundt Act. It would be our weapon against Soviet misinformation. It would be the sunlight of truth, disinfecting foreign propaganda. It would protect the American people from the same communication techniques used by the Nazis, the Fascists, and the Democrats. Smith-Mundt was signed into law 65 years ago by President Harry S. Truman, despite Congressional fears that the State Department was 'chock full of Reds.' But the BBG we know today looked very different a few decades ago (because we didn’t know it as the BBG a few decades ago. It was formed in 1999 when President Clinton folded the USIA). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was under the CIA until 1972, Radio Free Asia came to be in 1996, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks appeared in 2004, in response to the Bush Administration’s complete inability to appeal to the Muslim world through invasions and the failure of peace initiatives like 'Shock and Awe.' At the height of the Cold War, the act was amended as Congress, fearful of exposing the people of the
US international broadcasting: "Defunct"? Or merely "dysfunctional"? - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting: [See; Elliott comment] "'Defunct" is a wildly inaccurate description of US international broadcasting. The United States spends more than $700 million dollars a year on international broadcasting, with three thousand hours a week in 59 languages, via radio, television, and internet, to a weekly audience of 175 million. That is not 'defunct.' ... If the US government injects 'counter-narrative' into US international broadcasting, and throws USIB into the 'ideological arena,' audiences will notice. They will conclude that what they are hearing is not the news service they are seeking. They will tune instead to the BBC. Or maybe to Al Jazeera English."
In (another) op-ed about VOA Persian, (another) critic suggests "a clear slant in favor of Iran" (updated) - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting
Al-Jazeera America – Coming to a Cable Channel Near You - Ken, mediapsychology101.wordpress.com: "Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, gave the station a huge plug while telling the Foreign Policy Priorities Committee that the
Recent developments in how the network operates may indeed back up these notions that Al-Jazeera is attempting to influence Americans. “These are ambitious plans to become a significant player in the American market, but they come at a time when internal changes at Al Jazeera threaten to compromise the brand it has built, according to Georgetown’s Adel Iskandar, a lecturer of Arab media studies and co-author of the book Al-Jazeera: The Story of the Network that is Rattling Governments and Redefining Modern Journalism. 'The Al Jazeera of 2010 is not the Al Jazeera of 2013,' he said. 'The director general of the network has left and was replaced by a member of the [Qatari] royal family. Al Jazeera Arabic has very much become an instrument of Qatari foreign policy, so it’s no longer a freewheeling network. The English network has higher standards, but still has problems. We’ve seen the departure of various people at the network who claim that it no longer practices independent journalism' (Salama, 2013)." Image from
Petrit Selimi, Kosovo - damages season 3: "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo has been selected as the author of the best National Strategy agreement letter for Digital Diplomacy from all Balkan countries, public diplomacy prestigious magazine in Turkey 'Yeni Diplomasi' ('New Diplomacy'). Digital Diplomacy Strategy of Kosovo is estimated as the best after that of the United States, Great Britain and Israel, Turkish experts have estimated the content of strategies dozen states and actions of various foreign ministries and world diplomacitë undertake to uphold agreement letter their state digital."
Time to clear the confusion around the Comprehensive Approach - Andrew Sherriff, ecdpm-talkingpoints.org: "The EU’s 'comprehensive approach' in external action policy has provoked a range of responses – but the most widespread seems to be confusion. Ask 10 people from across the EU institutions to define the comprehensive approach and chances are you’ll get 10 different answers. While the basic premise is simple enough to grasp, it’s hard to find consensus, common language or any sense that the EU is actually acting comprehensively. ... The 'what' question covers the type and scope of activities included under the comprehensive approach. Is it a narrow issue of civil-military relations? Does it cover wider security and development activities, or even comprise the '3Ds' of defence, diplomacy and development, as favoured by some EU member states in their own approaches? Some have suggested it could be even more comprehensive, mobilising the full range of external activities at the EU’s disposal from trade to public diplomacy."
Moving beyond Taliban’s Release - theafghanistanexpress.com: "Decision of Pakistani authorities to release all Afghan Taliban prisoners from prisons was hailed by Afghan officials and political circles as it was aimed to enhance bilateral ties between Islamabad and Kabul. Relations was strained between the two neighboring countries due to cross-border attacks, refugees issue, closure of Torkham gate and torture of Pakistani citizens in Afghanistan and of Afghans in Khyber Agency.
No doubts that release of Taliban from prisons would leave positive impact on mutual ties, but it would not yield the desired results until Pakistani authorities take few more steps. ... [R]elease of prisoners is not enough if Pakistan wants closer ties with Afghanistan. Pakistan should win hearts and minds of Afghans through public diplomacy. Aggressive policies could not benefit Islamabad. Pakistani authorities should be friendlier than others in order to enjoy taste of friendly ties; else in near future they would find Afghanistan that has no respect for Pakistan." Image from article
Iraq and Kuwait seek turn the page on the past and end the outstanding issues - iraqidinarchat.net: "Prime Foreign Relations Committee parliamentary head of the Iraqi delegation to Matmralathad Parliamentary GCC Islamic Hamoudi, Monday, that the relationship Kuwaiti – Iraqi witnessed positive developments resulted in ending the outstanding issues between the two countries, expressing hope to see relations between the two brotherly countries further progress in the next stage. ... He stressed that 'the former regime had criminal acts toward people and toward Kuwait alike, and that the parliamentarians of the two countries a big responsibility to restore relations between the two sides,' adding that 'governments agree and differ on certain issues, but parliamentary relations are public diplomacy that bring the distances between peoples.'”
Photographing Brand Israel - blog.gillavi.com: "Israel decided to focus on public diplomacy, to define the country as a brand, and to research the country’s values, personality, and global potential. I was hired to bring it to life.
The study and the definitions took place years before I entered the picture in order to create the official brand Israel book and National Portrait Photo Bank." Image from entry
Sri Lanka and India: Commonwealth Summit 2013 - confluence.org.uk: "We live in an age when public diplomacy and the media are often far more influential in shaping opinions than the hard lobbying of states. For example, without necessarily passing any judgement, the documentary films made and publicised across the world and on Indian TV about the events that took place at the end of the Sri Lankan civil war have been far more influential in shaping global public opinion on the issue of accountability in Sri Lanka."
RI steps up cultural diplomacy to boost trade, investment - Hendarsyah Tarmizi, The Jakarta Post: "Aside from its active involvement in business meetings and panel discussions, Indonesia will also use 'cultural diplomacy' to promote trade, investment and tourism during the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland this week. The Trade Ministry, the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry jointly held an event at the Morosani Hotel on Thursday not only to feature the country’s culture, but also showcase its fashion and beautiful heritage such as batik, jewelry and beauty products. The cultural show, often regarded as an important part of cultural diplomacy, aimed to take the advantage of the presence of over 2,500 government and business leaders at the WEF meeting. The cultural event, held under the theme 'Remarkable Indonesia', drew over 300 government officials and business leaders from different countries. At least seven trade ministers from Indonesia’s trading partners, including Australia and the US, also took part in the cultural gathering."
State Support Tends Up - The Government of the Republic of Armenia: "A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. ... The meeting passed a decision to authorize the Institute for National Strategic Studies after General Drastamat Kanayan to participate in the founding of the CSTO Academy based on the CSTO Secretary-General’s request to the President of the Republic of Armenia regarding the establishment of such an academy in Yerevan.
The project is co-financed by the “CSTO Institute” autonomous non-profit organization and its Yerevan branch, as well as the Public Diplomacy Support Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The project has been discussed and endorsed by the Armenia National Security Council Secretary, as well as the foreign ministers of Russia and Kazakhstan." Uncaptioned image from entry
Fredericks and Sport Diplomacy - Henny H Seibeb, namibian.com.na: 'Sport diplomacy is the renewed and re-energised catchphrase in international politics these days, especially since the athletic prowess exhibited by Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter, during the Beijing and London Olympic games. Dubbed the ‘Lightning Bolt’, Usain had the whole world on its feet as it followed his exploits and entertaining moments. ... International politics is no longer a sole domain of politicians. Ordinary citizens who have achieved international recognition, be it in sports, science, art, or in academia could be used to market Namibia as a destination of choice.
The Namibia Tourism Board, apart from being obsessed with the so-called Chinese market and globetrotting in attending World Tourism Expos, has arguably veered off from its main mandate, which is that of concrete and practical international tourism marketing. Alternatively, we could establish an international marketing council and/or council of international affairs to enhance our cultural and sport diplomacy worldwide. Such institutions could endeavour to acquire services of notable Namibians, retired or still active with regional or international achievements to serve in them to promote Namibia worldwide, just like the USA sometimes use Bill Clinton and Angelina Jolie. Such an integrated diplomatic strategy could cut across the above and market Namibia significantly." Seibeb image from article
Food as Communication: A Case Study of South Korea’s Gastrodiplomacy - Mary Jo A. Pham, thediplomatist.com: "I outline how food is capable of communicating national identity, make note of its historical role in foreign policy, define gastrodiplomacy, and finally, evoke South Korea as one particular example of a middle power using food as a central component of its public diplomacy campaign. I conclude that gastrodiplomacy, the practice of exporting a country’s culinary heritage in an effort to raise national brand awareness, encourage economic investment through tourism and trade, and engage on a cultural and personal level with everyday diners, is a potentially lucrative communication tool for nations seeking to distinguish their cultural and culinary assets for future boosts in exports, tourism, and nation brand awareness." Via PR
“Soft Power” & “Political Communication” - Nesrine Bouguerra, socialstudent.co.uk: "Soft power is seen as an integral element of governance in the 21st century, any lack or inexistence of soft power prevents governments from achieving desirable aims. The role of communication in the political process is becoming increasingly important and the use of modern technology facilitated the spread and fruitful outcomes of soft power.
If politics, according to Laswell, is about 'Who gets what when and how' then communication is about 'Who says What to Whom in What Channel with What Effect'. In this concept, the study of political communication will analyse the intention of soft power and its effects on the recipient environment. The crucial factor that makes communication ‘political’ is not the source of a message, but its content and purpose. Soft power is both seen at the international level (i.e. foreign policy of countries) as well as internal level 'The Powers to Lead' (i.e. decision makers in individual states and public diplomacy)." Bouguerra image from her blog
Collaborative/Creative Diplomacy/Partnerships - Robert Albro, PD News–CPD, USC Center for Public Diplomacy: "By and large, policy rationales for public diplomacy emphasize self-representation, defining the message, and identifying a common basis for cooperation (usually articulated as the promotion of 'shared values'), as these promote national interests. To take creative collaboration seriously as a model means to think more about how particular forms of collaboration engender different creative outcomes and what these outcomes have to tell us about the changing practice of diplomacy. Instead of an initial – sometimes incorrect or superficial – commitment to searching out shared values or interests to the end of building trust and goodwill, the object would be to focus on the often unscripted results of collaboration."
Michelle Kwan Weds White House Staffer Clay Pell - bittenandbound.com: "Olympic bronze-medalists Michelle Kwan exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, Jan. 19, with Clay Pell, director for strategic planning on the National Security staff at the White House. ... Kwan
was given a high profile post in December 2012 when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named her the State Department’s senior advisor for public diplomacy and public affairs." Image from entry
Harvard’s Institute of Politics Announces Spring Fellows - "Harvard’s Institute of Politics, located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced the selection of an experienced group of individuals for Resident and Visiting Fellowships this spring. Over the course of an academic semester, Resident Fellows interact with students, participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community and lead weekly study groups on a wide variety of issue areas. Visiting Fellows join the Institute for a shorter period and maximize their time meeting with students, faculty and Harvard research center staff. 'We are looking forward to welcoming a great group of Resident and Visiting Fellows to Harvard this spring,' said Harvard Institute of Politics’ Director Trey Grayson. ... The following Resident Fellows will join the Institute for the spring semester and lead weekly study groups on a range of topics: [among them:] ...
Amb. Karen Hughes, Worldwide Vice Chair, Burson-Marsteller; Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (2005-07) and Counselor to President George W. Bush (2001-02)." Satirical Hughes image from
Public Diplomacy Coordinator - jobs.prsa.org: "The Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, DC is seeking a qualified candidate for a 100% position as Public Diplomacy Coordinator for North America beginning on or about February 20, 2013."
Assistant to the Cultural Attaché - Cultural Services of the French Embassy (New York NY): "Job responsibilities: -Manage agenda, business trips, reimbursements and calls linked with the Cultural Attaché’s activities -Manage all daily activities of the Artistic Exchanges Department -Coordinate all aspects of budget, contracts and administration linked to artistic projects -Participate in project development and implementation of Artistic Exchanges Department initiatives -Coordinate and produce events in all artistic domains including architecture, art, dance, music, theatre. Events include but are not limited to exhibition openings, conferences and performances. Coordination includes public relations, communications strategies and all logistical and administrative aspects."
Head of Public Diplomacy Campaigns and Events, Grade 2 - U.K. in Russia, British Embassy Moscow
RELATED ITEMS
How to prevent the next Benghazi - James Jeffrey, Washington Post: For most of America’s history, our diplomacy was based on establishing rapport with foreign leaders, negotiating military alliances, promoting trade and reporting back to Washington on key developments, all while watching out for our citizens abroad. But since World War II, and particularly under Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, our approach has expanded: Our diplomats now move beyond host government offices to work directly with populations to help mediate conflicts, press economic development and serve shoulder to shoulder with the military in the fight against terrorism. This new type of mission, dubbed “expeditionary diplomacy,”
is hands-on and often effective. But, as we saw with the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the Benghazi outpost that killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, it can also be very dangerous. Our civilians overseas will bravely do whatever we ask of them. But we must make sure we task them only with what is necessary so their sacrifices are worth it. On "transformational diplomacy," see John Brown, "Spreading Bush's Gospel," TomPaine.com (January 30, 2006). Image from
Benghazi Hearings with Hillary Clinton: Some Take Aways - Domani Spero, DiploPundit: So after months of endless chatter and lots of ink spilled on Secretary Clinton testifying on Benghazi, the moment finally arrived on January 23, 2013. You’d think that after over four months waiting for the Secretary of State to appear in Congress to answer questions about the Benghazi attack, that our elected representatives had the time to craft questions that would help inform us better. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Did we learn anything new from the hearing? Well, not really but we did have a few take aways.
Work With China, Don’t Contain It - Joseph S. Nye Jr., nytimes.com: Containment was designed for a different era, and it is not what the United States is, or should be, attempting now. At the start of the cold war, containment meant economic isolation of the Soviets and regional alliances like NATO to deter Moscow’s military expansion. Later, to the chagrin of George F. Kennan, the father of containment, the doctrine led to the “domino effect” theory behind the escalation of the Vietnam War.
Cold war containment involved virtually no trade and little social contact. But China now is not what the Soviet Union was then. It is not seeking global hegemony, and the United States not only has an immense trade with China but also huge exchanges of students and tourists.Containment is simply not a relevant policy tool for dealing with a rising China. Power is the ability to obtain the outcomes one wants, and sometimes America’s power is greater when we act with others rather than merely over others. Image from
An Afghanistan Write-Off Isn’t an Option - Michael Keating and Matt Waldman, nytimes.com: The international approach must seek to reinforce security in its broader sense, over the long term. A U.S.-Afghanistan security agreement would send an important signal to Afghans and to regional players that this time — unlike the 1990s — the West will not turn its back on Afghanistan. Aid must be used shrewdly to create jobs, especially for young people, and promote sustainable livelihoods. It must strengthen, not undercut, accountability in the government and its police and security forces. A reduction in civilian aid is inevitable, and there is a strong case that more can be done with less. But large scale, uncoordinated cuts would be damaging, and reinforce unpredictability.
A First Step With Iran - Ray Takeyh, nytimes.com: Although the nuclear dispute between Iran and the United States is often portrayed as a disagreement over technical issues, it is important to break the psychological barriers to deal-making. Although various grand bargains and proposals have been contemplated, the level of mistrust is simply too high to facilitate comprehensive settlements. A modest compromise may not fundamentally alter the technical complexion of Iran’s nuclear program, but it may change the political milieu that has thus far obstructed an accord. Only then can the great powers and Iran move toward a more fundamental resolution of their lingering dispute.
On official business: A look at Secretary of State travel [[includes chart] - Washington Post: Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, nearly two dozen new countries have emerged, adding to the travel burden of the chief U.S. diplomat. Here’s a complete list of each country that merited a visit — and how many times each Secretary visited. SOURCE: Office of the Historian, United States Department of State.
Photos: Launch of the U.S. Diplomacy Center - U.S. Department of State. Among the photos:
Best Countries for Business 2013 - Bloomberg Rankings: bloomberg.com: For the second year in a row, Bloomberg Rankings presents its exclusive analysis of countries around the world based on how attractive they are to business. With its relatively low cost of starting a business, as well as its import and export efficiencies, among other factors, Hong Kong again takes top honors. The U.S. moves up a notch from last year to second place, and Japan jumps from seventh to No. 3. For this study, Bloomberg Rankings analyzed data from 11 sources. In all, 161 nations were ranked on six broad criteria that included the cost of starting a business, the cost of labor and materials and the cost of moving goods. The study also considered each country's level of global economic integration, the "readiness" of its consumer base to participate in economic activity and "less tangible" costs such as inflation and accounting adaptability. Via DK on Facebook
Australia Unlimited: Global Talent - Around 1 million Australians are offshore at any one time, most of them on a long-term or permanent basis. Far from being a brain drain, our ‘gold-collar’ diaspora plays an important role in Australia’s interaction with the world.
They share Australian expertise, ideas and ways of doing things, project a compelling image of Australia and provide networks and connections for Australians and Australian organisations.Some of our most successful countrymen and women are household names. But most are not. The Australia Unlimited: Global Achievers list recognises 50 Australians living and working abroad who have come to our attention. Image from article
USG-SUPPORTED PHOTO
WEEKEND BONUS PHOTO: Caption this photo! A fly lands between the eyes of U.S. President Barack Obama while he speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, January 24, 2013. (REUTERS/Larry Downing) - RFE/RL. Via Ted Lipien on Facebook, with comment: "Funny, but is this how Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty should use its time, energy, online space and U.S. taxpayers' money? Are there no other ways to attract an audience? Are there no issues that could have been addressed instead? What should be RFE/RL's online role and image?"
RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS
Report details Navy officers' drunkenness: Vandegrift officers from S.D. disregarded advice on vodka - Jeanette Steele, utsandiego.com: When the U.S. Navy frigate Vandegrift sailed into the Russian city of Vladivostok in September, the ship’s leadership made a beeline for the bars — including a strip joint called Club XXX. Before the end of the three-day visit, top officers wearing dress-blue uniforms were pulled from the nightclub and restricted to ship. And, the Russian Navy had to ask the San Diego-based frigate to turn down the music playing at an onboard party.
Details of the boozy port call — which led to the removal of the commanding officer, executive officer and two others — comes from an investigator’s report released by the Navy to U-T San Diego. The report said the officers’ behavior “placed the reputation of USS Vandegrift and our Navy at risk due to the prevalence of unbecoming conduct.” Image from article, with caption: In this Sept. 20, 2012 photo made available by the U.S. Navy, Cmdr. Joseph R. Darlak, right foreground, commanding officer of the guided missile frigate USS Vandegrift, takes a bite of a traditional offering of bread and salt after arriving in Vladivostok for a port visit during operations in the Western Pacific. Via MT on Facebook
HOW TO SUCCEED IN WASHINGTON
Obama taps McDonough as chief of staff, says goodbye to longtime adviser Plouffe - Washington Post: "McDonough, a Capitol Hill veteran who worked for former senator Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), helped set up Obama’s Senate office in 2005, showing him
where the bathrooms were . ... 'Since then, I’ve relied on his intellect and good judgment,' Obama said." Image from
AMERICANA
The U.S. ranks 17th in educational performance - rankingamerica.wordpress.com: According to the report, The Learning Curve, developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the
REVOLUTION
From, with Russian-language caption, here loosely translated: "The Egyptian naked revolution has come to Stockholm."
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