Rabiya Shamsheer, Eurasia Review
Image from article, with caption: Flags of Israel and United States
In 21st century world states interact with others frequently as they cannot live in isolation. The process of globalization has acknowledged the technological advancement and encroachment, enabling the world to transpire as a global village. States interact with other states more openly in this technological advance globalized world; without any kind of secrets. Their interaction is driven by many factors such as economic interdependence, security issues, movements of people from one state to other, environmental issues etc. States have been intertwine with each other in this anarchical international order; to accomplish their collective goals. They come together to promote their positive image at international level, where as a result they can be considered a responsible state at global forum for maintaining world peace and order.
Diplomacy is one of the most important tool in foreign policy which is used by states, in order to achieve their foreign policy objectives and goals. In 21st century, the concept of traditional diplomacy is transformed in another dimension which is called as Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis]. It’s a new concept in which the interaction between foreign audiences is facilitated to promote and achieve states foreign policy objectives in abroad. The interaction within states call for openness rather than secrecy. It is not only confined between states rather interaction can be done within civil societies and foreign audiences. This specific concept is further facilitated by other actors such as private companies and non-state actors. Furthermore, serves as a key tool for softening attitudes and soothing tensions between countries in the times of tensions and crisis.
USA being a super power is advancing day by day in every sphere. It is an economical and technological giant. Public diplomacy is an essential foreign policy tool of USA. A super power which is pursuing its soft power image around the globe. Soft power is a concept where states never use any coercive military mean to achieve goals for states, rather, it uses different non-military means. Global domination is one of the most important foreign policy objective pursued by USA to ensure its presence in every part of the world. For that it uses every possible way to ensure its domination and presence around the globe.
The government of USA uses a number of ways to practice American’s [sic] public diplomacy.These include: sending American musicians, theatre groups, art and photographic collections, and speakers abroad in order to promote American culture. American public diplomacyobjectives and their image as a soft power are also sustained and promoted by the help of American libraries, book programs abroad, and book translations. In addition, the educational and cultural exchange programs that bring foreign students and professionals from all over the globe to United States help them experience and witness different aspects of American society and culture. USA invests a huge amount of its money in these exchange programs to invite and allure foreign people towards their state. English teaching programs are promoted as a part of USA public diplomacy effort, especially, those taught by American citizens; also help convey aspects of American society and culture.
All of these programs are planned to present characteristics of soft power that help USA to attract foreign audiences towards their values and policies. It also enhances American leadership and global competitiveness by reaching out to diverse constituencies in other countries. American art, education, entertainment, sports, technology, free enterprise and other features of life have made eternal impressions and admiration of themselves across the globe. Its admiration also depends on the engagement in the private sector, including corporations, non-governmental organizations, universities, and individual citizens. All play a significant role in forming America’s good image on a global perspective. Supreme manifestation; USA holds a responsibility to maintain world peace and stability across the globe. For this it keeps itself actively engage with the foreign audience, and states through different forums.
Despite the physical distance between the United States and the Middle East, USA exercises their influence in every country within the region. It is said in International Relations that there are no permanent friends or enemies; one thing that is permanent is state’s national interests. States uses every possible mean to fulfill their national interests. Israel is the political and economic ally of USA. It also receives a huge amount of aid and assistance from USA. The strong and cordial relations between Israel and United States are deep. Both allies share values, have economic ties, strategic collaboration, humanitarian assistance and cultural ties. USA is a promoter of human rights, however, never took any harsh action against Israel over the violation of human rights in Arab-Palestine issue.
Besides, USA is unable to solve this issue, but it always stands directly or indirectly with Israel due to Israel lobby. Israel lobby helps USA to fulfill its goal in the Middle East, and to ensure its presence in the region. The region is strategically significant for the foreign policy of USA. The government officials and representatives meet with other state officials often.
Likewise, USA invites number of speakers, students, researchers from Israel on exchange program to work and study in USA. Different exchange programs like UGRAD and Full-Bright [sic] scholarship are created for this purpose. USA has their embassies in the state of Israel, Tel Aviv. Moreover, America-Israel Friendship League is a non-profit organization which was established to further strengthen the relations between USA and Israel. Its pinnacle and foremost purpose is to improve the image and perceptions about Israel in America, and other parts of the world. It is done by people to people exchange programs within these two states.
Youth Ambassador Student Exchange (YASE) Program is only bilateral formal program between these two states. The firm has given number of American public high school students of completely diverse backgrounds, nationalities, religions and ethnicities the opportunity to engage or participate in a one-month study exchange program in Israel. Not only in educational sector, the two states has signed number of agreements related to the sectors of agriculture, economy, health, publications, technology, security, social services, peace and friendship.
To conclude, it can be scrutinized that public diplomacy is one of the essential foreign policy tool in 21st century globalized world. It is a tool which leads the states of world to reach and fascinate the foreign audience, meanwhile, they could improve their global image and promote their values or possibly fulfill their national interests. USA is working even more to further strengthen its relations with Israel and promote its values, culture, art, food, language around the globe. The tool of foreign policy i.e. public diplomacy is efficiently practiced by USA; still it faces certain issues like security threats which are continuously being counter by USA.
*Rabiya Shamsheer is a student of Defence and diplomatic studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University.
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