"Since the masses are always eager to believe something, for their benefit nothing is so easy to arrange as facts."
--Charles Maurice de Talleyrand ; Talleyrand image from
ARTICLES
VIDEO
The Role of Soft Power in U.S.-Russian Relations - culturalvistas.org
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Savir's Corner: Israel's demands - Uri Savir, Jerusalem Post: "As for public diplomacy in peacemaking, it is today no less important than negotiation diplomacy. We live in an age in which people are more and better informed than ever. No peace process can survive and no peace agreement can be accepted without the agreement of the majority of the people. This forces decision- makers and negotiators to engage in public diplomacy. It is about engaging not only governments in conflict resolution, but also their constituencies. It should not be confused with public relations, it is far more important as it aims to have the public participate in the peace process. If the societies do not feel that they have a say in the process, that they are stakeholders and beneficiaries of it, no peace will be sustainable. Public diplomacy is therefore a new form of diplomacy, parallel to classic diplomacy, and it is happening between governments and people, as well as between societies. The Americans are
the first to comprehend this transformation in diplomacy. John Kerry has an assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy and that section of the State Department is engaged in our current peace process. President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel was above all a public diplomacy offensive. ... [P]ublic opinion in Israel and in Palestine will matter ... Therefore the missing link to a successful process is public diplomacy by Israel, Palestine and the United States, galvanizing the constituencies to the peace process, with its difficult compromises yet many dividends. So far the public aspect of the process has been a failure. ... The leaders on both sides are, in their public discourse, creating the greatest obstacles to success and making the failure of peace a self-fulfilling prophecy. Therefore good public diplomacy is of the essence and should be composed of the following elements: a frank dialogue with the people about the purpose of peace and, no less so, about the alternative to peace; a process of humanization of the enemy after the dehumanization of war (the obvious must be understood – Israelis and Palestinians alike are humans); encouragement of people-to-people relations between the two societies, making it part of the peace and reconciliation process; the outlining of peace dividends that can be gained; the essential involvement and vital role of youth from both sides as they are the political barometer of both societies, engaging also via social networks. The only ones who engage in constructive public diplomacy are the Americans, directly addressing the fears and hopes of the two societies, inspired by Obama’s Jerusalem speech. They also engage with social network-based regional peace movements such as YaLa-Young Leaders, with 400,000 members from all over the Middle East. These youth are engaging in an Arab-Israeli peace campaign under the motto 'No More Excuses – Support a Peace Agreement Now.'” Image from
U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Midst of Middle East Turmoil - Philip Seib, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "If America’s overall foreign policy and its public diplomacy efforts are to be effective in the Arab world, they must address economic issues above all else."
The limits of Twitter diplomacy: Rather than chasing record numbers of social media ‘followers’, diplomats should be building trust on all sides - Christopher R. Hill, gulfnews.com: "Most US embassies ensure a constant stream of tweets by relying on public-diplomacy officers to get the word out about what the ambassador is doing day by day, even hour by hour. Many ambassadors have built mass followings in electronic terms and generate numerous 'likes' as they go about their daily routines of meetings and ribbon-cuttings. All fun stuff. But have social media really made for better diplomats or helped solve difficult problems? If so, why are there so many unmitigated and unmediated crises around the world — Syria’s civil war, the carnage in Egypt and deteriorating US-Russia relations, to name just a few. The much-ballyhooed 21st-Century statecraft, it seems, is really not up to the job. Advocates accurately point out that social media are a tool that is ignored at one’s peril. But what is urgently needed today is an understanding that diplomacy is not only about shouting from the rooftops and communicating with the general public. It is about working on relationships one at a time. Above all, it is about keeping the door open to deal with unsavoury governments. ... Secretary of State John Kerry has launched a courageous effort to revive the Israel-Palestine peace process. Given the dearth of public information about his strategy, it is clear that he is not an avid practitioner of 21st Century statecraft — that is, he does not think out loud. And yet he got the parties together by developing trust, which is the coin of the realm for an effective diplomat. ... US diplomats — indeed, all countries’ diplomats — might want to consider that, rather than chasing record numbers of social media 'followers,' they should be building trust on all sides in conflict-prone societies and looking for more leaders willing to take chances for peace. When the shooting has stopped and the sides are talking, diplomats can tweet to their hearts’ content."
The Limits to Obama and Xi's Smiles - Kyle Hutzler, Huffington Post: "Promoting a more balanced American view of
Babcock shares vision of lifelong learning at porch discussion - "Sherra Babcock, Chautauqua Institution vice president and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, provided an overview of the Institution’s education and youth programs and her vision for lifelong learning at Chautauqua in a Trustees Porch Discussion titled 'Lifelong Learning —Chautauqua’s Educational Impact' on Wednesday at the Hultquist Center. ... Babcock spoke of an outgrowth of the CLSC program, the CLSC in Zimbabwe program. Sharon Hudson-Dean, a career public diplomacy foreign service officer, approached the department three years ago with an idea. After her first travels to Zimbabwe, she saw an opportunity to bring together different political parties in the country who were struggling to get along.
Knowing Zimbabwe is a reading culture — the English literacy rate there is higher than in the United States — Dean thought offering a book club could unite people of different political affiliations. Her idea was to invite a group of senior leaders from the Zimbabwe government and also a younger group of people they saw as 'rising stars,' Babcock said. The group applied for a grant for innovations in diplomacy and started meeting every two months to read CLSC selections. So far, there have been 35 graduates from the program. The Department of Education is continuing to send old CLSC books to libraries in Zimbabwe so that other people can start reading the books, too." Image from entry, with caption: Chautauqua Institution trustee Jack McCredie poses a question to Sherra Babcock, Chautauqua Institution vice president and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, during last Wednesday’s Trustees Porch Discussion at the Hultquist Center.
Cultural Diplomacy: Key to international relations -- What is cultural diplomacy and why could it help with our approach to Egypt: an exclusive look at Scotland's Festival of Politics coming up this weekend - Cynthia P. Schneider, "'Cultural Diplomacy'. The name evokes exchanges of symphonies, international art exhibitions, and the Jazz Ambassador tours of the Cold War era. All these had their place, and updated versions, such as global hip hop jam session, still have value today in bridging divides of geography, culture, and language. But these examples of cultural exchange only tell part of the story of cultural diplomacy in contemporary international politics and diplomacy. In today’s world of 24/7 communication, social media, and citizen journalism, cultural diplomacy has a deeper and wider scope, one that reflects its intersection with politics. For cultural diplomacy centers on people to people communication rather than the more traditional government-to-government relations. In the era of the Arab Revolutions, and with citizens asserting their rights and holding their governments accountable from Brazil to Turkey to Cambodia, the people power of cultural diplomacy is more important than ever. Nigerian novelist and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka best explained the nature of this power when he said, 'Culture humanizes; politics demonizes'. Culture in all its forms, whether a narrative in film, theater, or literature, or a piece of music or work of art, digs beneath the surface, beyond the stereotypes to get at the truth of a situation or a person. Take a country in the headlines today: Egypt. Culture and creative expression provided a key to the Revolution of 2011 that confounded the foreign policy experts around the world, and they reveal much about the divisions tearing the country apart today. Anyone who had read contemporary Egyptian literature, such as the widely translated best seller The Yacoubian Building, had seen films such as Heliopolis or Chaos, or had listened to contemporary Arabic rap music was surprised only that the Revolution took so long in coming. Artists hold a mirror up to society, examine its faults, and peal back the veneer of stability governments carefully apply. On the surface Mubarak’s Egypt appeared stable, but writers, artists, and musicians revealed the reality of the pressure cooker beneath: no one at any level of society could advance because of the pervasive, government-led corruption, and the iron fist of the state forbad any dissent. In the Revolution turned coup of June 30th, artists and cultural leaders once again led the way, with the occupation of the Ministry of Culture to protest the Muslim Brotherhood government’s attempts to declare music and dance haram (forbidden under Islam). It was unthinkable that creative voices might be silenced in Egypt, the beating heart of Arab culture. Culture is inextricably linked to identity, and, in Egypt, the reason most frequently given to explain the backlash against President Morsi and his Brotherhood rule is: 'They tried to change our identity'. Fundamentalists and extremists recognize the power of culture, and, therefore target it in their efforts to exert absolute control. The Taliban banned music and television; the extremists expelled musicians from northern Mali, home to the roots of the blues and other forms of modern music; the Khmer Rouge targeted artists and intellectuals, killing 90 per cent of them in the Cambodian genocide of 1975-79. If the enemies of freedom, democracy, and civil society recognize the power of culture, their defenders do not always do the same. Culture plays a key, and often unrecognized, role in rebuilding societies in or post conflicts. At the Festival of Politics, to be held in the Scottish Parliament on Friday August 23rd, cultural diplomacy will be discussed in its full dimension, with important and sometimes unexpected implications for today’s international relations."
But what do you do? - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "A wonderful story of the essence of cultural diplomacy written by John Brown the Elder, kindly posted by John Brown the Younger. I am posthumously bestowing a gastrodiplomacy croix de guerrre on JB I for the coq gaul[ois] incident."
BBG Board Meets - radioworld.com: "While August is normally a time of dormancy on the Hill, that was far from true for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, whose meeting at their headquarters Aug. 21 reflected the numerous changes the board has been through in recent weeks. Three newly appointed members — Jeff Shell, Matthew Armstrong and Ambassador Ryan Crocker — all attended their first open meeting since unanimous confirmation by the Senate, and appointment by President Obama at the beginning of the month."
New BBG Board to consider extending Kevin Klose’s tenure at RFE/RL - BBGWatcher, usgbroadcasts.com: "BBG Watch has learned from multiple
sources that newly-confirmed Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) members, including the new BBG Chairman Jeff Shell, would like to keep Kevin Klose as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President." Klose image from entry
BBG Governor Matt Armstrong: ‘Agency is a tremendously important part of our foreign policy and for the United States in general’ - BBGWatcher, usgbroadcasts.com: "While introducing himself at his first open Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) meeting in Washington, DC, newly-confirmed BBG Governor Matt Armstrong said Wednesday that the the agency in charge of U.S. international broadcasting 'is a tremendously important part of our foreign policy and for the United States in general.'
'Anybody who wants to reach out and talk, I’m looking forward to the engagement,' Armstrong also said. He pointed out that he is probably the first blogger to sit on the BBG Board." Image from entry
Al Jazeera America Debuts on Cable Amid Availability Concerns in Crowded Market [video and transcript] - PBS NewsHour: Among the participants in the discussion: Philip Seib, USC Center on Public Diplomacy
Outside View: No easy fixes for NATO - Harlan Ullman, upi.com: "NATO must launch a public diplomacy campaign to make the case for its importance. The easiest way to do that is through talks, public meetings and discussions with elected leaders in parliaments and assemblies on NATO and its future role by former and respected senior military leaders with the experience and background to be credibly received by its citizens."
Image from entry, with caption: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on May 31, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
Topics: "On Tour in Germany" convinced international journalists [Google translation from the German] - kultur-port.de: "[There were] 16 participants from 14 countries of the international visitors program 'On tour in Germany.' They came at the invitation of the Foreign Office to Germany to learn about the music scene in a week at first hand. The guests came from the U.S., Canada, UK, Finland, Italy, Poland, Greece, Estonia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Cameroon, Japan and South Korea. ... In the week-long trip, the journalists saw Germany as a modern country with a vibrant, diverse and internationally recognized music scene. 'Music as a cultural asset is of great importance when it comes to shape the perception and image of Germany as a nation of culture abroad and to control,' says Uwe Heye, Head of Unit in the Department of Culture and Communication of the Foreign Office. 'That is why the visitors program of the Foreign Office, including music that invites journalists, analysts and critics from abroad to Germany, an important part of German public diplomacy.'"
Experts call for co-operation between religion, civil society: Civil society can help moderate voices in religious organisations develop a following that helps the region towards European integration - Enis Rexhepi and Ivana Jovanovic, Southeast European Times: "Petrit Selimi, Kosovo's deputy foreign minister and member of the state commission for religious freedom, told SETimes that religious communities themselves are part of the civil society. Kosovo must promote diversity and tolerance in the old tradition of respect for each other's religion, he said.
'We as foreign minister believe that interfaith dialogue is an essential instrument of public diplomacy because it helps to break some prejudices in certain political quarters, helped by the propaganda of the Serbian political past. Such prejudices may hinder Kosovo's goals for NATO and EU integration,' Selimi said." Image from entry, with caption: Men pray at a mosque in Pristina on August 8th following the end of Ramadan. Experts are urging civil society groups to work closer with the religious communities to promote moderate voices and encourage co-operation.
Syrians will win fight against terrorism: Iran deputy FM - presstv.ir: "Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Syrians will definitely emerge victorious in their fight against terrorism and Takfiri militants. 'Even though the war against terrorism in Syria has been drawn out, the Syrian nation will be the main victors of the fight against terrorism and Takfiris; and this victory is guaranteed in Syria,' Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting with Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari in Tehran on Thursday.
Amir-Abdollahian went on to hail Syria for safeguarding the legitimate rights of its nation - particularly its resistance and struggle against the Zionist regime of Israel and its allies - through international organizations as the country's 'greatest achievement in official and public diplomacy.'" Image from entry, with caption: A Syrian girl flashing the V sign at the camera
What a regional power! - Yusuf Kanli, hurriyetdailynews.com: "Diplomacy often entails give and take, bargaining, compromise… The starting point of an issue between states might be far different than what is eventually told to the public. Secrecy of background work provides flexibility as well. There is as well the need to have public diplomacy so that even some negative developments might be portrayed as great successes. The public diplomacy aspect apparently is the only concern of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. That as well was done in arrogance. Is there any other country where foreign policy is decided and implemented in front of cameras? Perhaps to enchant its long governance-exhausted supporters and cadres Turkey’s absolute ruler and his foreign policy vizier issue their firmans right away, utter their last word before saying the first… Worse, in front of cameras. Turkey is a regional power aspiring to become a global power but SOMEHOW today there is no Turkish ambassador in Damascus, Cairo or Tel Aviv."
Thomas Borer safely reached completely new target groups, but ...»: The former Swiss diplomat Max [Schweizer] sets with "diplomatic life" a new book. In the interview he expressed to professional diplomats and politicians criticism ugly headlines and unsung heroes [Google translation] - Interview: Vincenzo Capodici: "[Q:] Thomas Borer, who was forced to resign for an alleged Sexaffäre as Ambassador in Berlin, coined the 'Public Diplomacy', which was not welcome at the EDA. What's wrong with that? Perhaps more Borer reached its kind for Switzerland as diplomats of the old school. [A:] [T]he 'public diplomacy' can ultimately only be successful when they are in a harmonious lockstep 'central-Outpost' - done - or vice versa. Thomas Borer safely reached completely new target groups. But that is not the senior diplomats classic target activity. If the 'functioning' of domestic political turmoil is questioned, then the air is increasingly thin. Insofar Borer actually reached more than so-called diplomats of the old school - namely his resignation."
Image from entry, with caption: At Carnival in Aachen in 2002 was Thomas Borer - here with his then-wife Shawn Fielding - the "Medal for Combating Deadly Seriousness." Because of an alleged Sexaffäre three months later he had to resign as Swiss Ambassador in Berlin. Borer it of staging public mind. His work was for a "public diplomacy". Borer had gained notoriety in the conflict over the unclaimed assets in the 1990s, when he headed the Task Force Switzerland-Second World War.
Falklands’ lawmakers thank Cristina Fernandez for helping get the Islanders' message to the world - en.mercopress.com: “'We must be grateful for the marvelous chances afforded to the Islands by President Cristina Fernandez who has presented more opportunities than could ever have been envisaged for engaging with media worldwide and getting Islanders views expressed', said Member of the Legislative Assembly, Dick Sawle in direct reference to Cristina Fernandez and the Argentine government’s vocal and aggressive policy on the Falklands issue. ... 'We have been criticized by some (in the Islands) for spending too much time abroad and ignoring domestic issues. I would agree it is a fine balance but the rewards have been truly tremendous,' said MLA Sawle. Those rewards had culminated in the referendum in March, when a 'truly astounding' result which the world could not ignore had been made public. MLA Sawle compared the concerted effort to spread the word overseas as rather like a ship being released on a slipway. 'It starts with very little apparent movement, the bottle is smashed on the bows, nothing seems to happen until there is an almost imperceptible movement and then slowly but surely it gathers momentum,” he said, adding that he truly believed the Falklands were now gathering momentum. 'It takes time, but we must keep the pressure up,' he said. MLA Ian Hansen said the Public Diplomacy move concentrated on over the last two to three years had been a brave and controversial move, but he believed it had 'paid off.' MLA Roger Edwards said this Assembly would leave the Islands in a stronger position with regard to Public diplomacy. 'We have certainly countered the political lies and threats by Argentina and have spread the message about the Falklands across the world,' he said. MLA Mike Summers said it seemed he had spent little time in this House and little time in the Falklands. 'I apologize to those I have a duty to represent, but it is part of the Public Diplomacy process and an essential part of our work,' he said."
Nezavisimaya Gazeta posts article on Azerbaijan and international support for President Ilham Aliyev - bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua: From Russian online newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta: "A member of the Civic Chamber of Russia, deputy head of the working group on the international cooperation and public diplomacy Sergey Markov believes that 'the first visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to the South Caucasus, namely to Azerbaijan is undoubtedly an expression of the positive attitude of the Russian leadership towards Azerbaijan."
Never too late to sober up - Emily Amrousi, israelhayom.com: "We are the children of Oslo, 93 (a parody of the nationally recognized song 'the children of winter, 73' about the devastation of the Yom Kippur war) -- as sung by the comedians of the lampoon website Latma -- is a sad satire of the now 20-year-old accords. We were promised doves and olive branches, and instead we got 1,550 terror victims. That is an average of one person every four days over the span of 20 years. The elderly, mothers, babies, teens -- every four days, one is taken. I would like to be able to defend the architects of the Oslo Accords -- maybe they really did long uncontrollably for peace. But that is not how you achieve peace. Trying to achieve peace by placing the security reins in the enemy's hands is like trying to turn the Earth in the opposite direction. Want peace? What you need to do is get down to work and ensure the physical needs of the civilian population: provide assistance to the Palestinian education system and make sure the incitement against Israel stops; invest in public diplomacy; strike a neighborly relationship on the basis of commerce and a solid economy; initiate meetings in efforts to break barriers. The last thing you should do in order to promote peace is to give up control over security issues, hand out weapons and hand over semi-military sovereignty to the very people who constantly declare that they want to destroy you."
60 Years Ago This Month: The Israeli Navy Lay the Foundations for a Long Tradition of Humanitarian Aid - David Saranga, huffingtonpost.com: "Sixty years ago this month, long before the Internet was invented,
It was the first act of Israeli humanitarian aid operation in a disaster zone. The heroism of the Navy soldiers laid the foundations for a long tradition of Israeli humanitarian aid operations, used as a Public Diplomacy tool, as witnessed many years later in Japan,Haiti, Turkey, and many other places." Image from entry
Mizoram has a key role in ‘Look East Policy’ - Linda Chhakchhuak, assamtribune.com: "Building on its relationship with ASEAN countries is the cornerstone of India’s Look East Policy (LEP) and for that the Northeastern States, particularly Mizoram has a key role to play, said PS Raghavan, Special Secretary (Development Partnership Administration) in the Union Ministry of External Affairs. He was presenting his key-note address at the International Conference on Regionalism, Sub-regionalism and Connectivity: India’s Foreign Policy in the 21st Century . ... The two day conference is being organised by the Jadavpur Association of International Relations and supported by the Public Diplomacy Division of MEA, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS) and the Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR)."
Country Branding: Key lessons and challenges - Mary Kimonye,capitalfm.co.ke: "In March 2008 Kenya took a bold step to put in place a National Branding program. By so doing Kenya joined a small circle of nations that have dared to undertake this awesome and challenging journey. ... Countries often make the mistake of promising similar generic things like educated work force, youthful population, great sites and locations without regard to how potential customers perceive the country.
Most potential customers want more than these. They want stability, security, ease of movement, acceptance, respect etc. Finally, Country branding needs coordination and cooperation across all levels and sectors: trade, tourism, public diplomacy culture, investment, FDI and citizens. This will usually prevail in a situation of visionary leadership at all levels." Image from
Namibia: 2014/15 Chevening Scholarships in Namibia - allafrica.com: "Applications for the 2014/15 Chevening Scholarships in Namibia open online from 01 September to 15 November 2013. What are Chevening Scholarships? Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Scholarships are an important element in Britain's public diplomacy effort and bring young professionals, who have already displayed outstanding leadership talents, to study in the UK. Chevening Scholarships operate in 116 countries worldwide, and this year will support over 600 individuals. Awards are typically for a one-year Master's degree (although some awards are for tailor-made short courses), in the subjects Trade, Human Rights, Governance, Media, and Climate Change, and at any of the UK's leading universities."
Fall Semester Intern, NSLI-Y - serviceinternships.com: "The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) administration team at American Councils seeks a fall semester intern to assist with tasks in alumni development and program administration under the direction of co-supervisors. ... Qualifications ... Academic or professional interest in international education, public diplomacy, or related field.
Farah Amini - angsamerahclinic.blogspot.com: "Currently, as Public Affairs Specialist for Australia’s Education Partnership with Indonesia, Ms. Amini
developed the public diplomacy strategy to promote Australia’s contribution in education and assisted in the preparation of activity implementation." Image from entry
RELATED ITEMS
Enforcing a 'red line' in Syria: If new reports of a government chemical weapons attack are confirmed, the U.S. must act - Editorial, Los Angeles Times: Last August, even as he resisted the notion of U.S. military intervention in Syria, President Obama said that "a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus." If new reports of the use of nerve gas to massacre hundreds of Syrian civilians are confirmed, Obama must make good on that warning to punish the government and protect its population. Image from
The Corpses in Syria - Editorial, New York Times: We have supported Mr. Obama’s cautious approach to
The Case for Cutting Off Aid to Egypt - Max Boot, cfr.org: A suspension of U.S. military aid to Egypt would lessen our complicity in whatever horrors befall the country next and heighten our credibility when we lecture China, Russia, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, North Korea or Iran on the subject of human rights.
The choice in Egypt - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post: What, then, should be our policy? For now, we should not be cutting off aid, civilian or military, as many in Congress are demanding. It will have no effect, buy no influence and win no friends on either side of the Egyptian divide. We should instead be urging the quick establishment of a new cabinet of technocrats, rapidly increasing its authority as the soldiers gradually return to their barracks.
Jordan’s wary welcome to its Syrian neighbors - Michael Gerson, Washington Post: Jordan — a nation of about 7 million next to a collapsing country of 22 million — is in the process of being overwhelmed. And this demonstrates the yield of foreign aid. During the current crisis, the U.S. government has spent more than $1 billion in the region to limit the spread of chaos. In
The U.S. can afford to rethink aid to Egypt - Michael O’Hanlon, Washington Post: The bottom line is that, as a superpower blessed by easy access to open oceans both east and west, the United States has options. The last thing we want to signal to Cairo at this crucial moment is anything to the contrary.
State Department Says Unionizing Its Foreign National Workers Would Threaten Security - Eric Katz, govexec.com: The State Department has rejected an attempt to unionize foreign nationals working for the agency, according to a letter department officials sent a union. The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers -- a union housed within the AFL-CIO -- reached out to the State Department about the possibility of unionizing more than 40,000 “locally employed” staff in foreign countries. State responded that it does not have the legal grounds to seek a collective bargaining arrangement with the employees.
Additionally, the State Department said it simply had no interest in seeking to unionize the employees. “Such unionization at diplomatic and consular missions is fundamentally incompatible with the basic functions and operations of such missions,” Steven Polson, State’s chief labor-management negotiator, wrote in the letter. He added unionization “could, frankly put our foreign relations and national security at risk.” Image from
A Question of How Women’s Issues Will Fare, in Washington and Overseas - Sarah Wheaton, New York Times: Secretary of State John Kerry is primarily focused on forging Middle East peace, not women’s issues.
Final call for Propaganda: Power and Persuasion at the British Library - David Blackburn, blogs.spectator.co.uk: Propaganda: Power and Persuasion features more persuasion than power. Goebbels and Uncle Sam are represented, but do not dominate. Indeed, the curators challenge the notion that propaganda is negative or a necessary evil when at war. The curators openly entertain a link between advertising, the media and political parties in the great struggle for the public’s attention, votes and wallets; a struggle in which information is both a coercive and a persuasive tool. The show, then, doubles as a history of mass media and ‘spin’. It concludes that we’re entering a new epoch in which social media and micro-technology are rendering propaganda and message control obsolete. The show’s only weakness is that it doesn’t ask if the old schemes succeeded. To be fair, passing such a judgment would be tricky because many campaigns had unspecific aims. ‘Dig for Victory’ is now thought to have made a negligible contribution to the war effort, but it did boost morale through the dark days of 1940-2. It must have been clear to the government that the nation could not live by allotments alone, so was the purpose of the campaign to be seen to be proactive at a time of crisis? If so, was such propaganda truthful?
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