April 16

“Well, technically my boss’s boss’s boss’s boss.”

--Michelle Austein Brooks, a U.S. government and politics writer, regarding Judith McHale, nominated to be the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs; Ms. Brooks's image from her article

Q: “Why didn’t you quit?"
A: “In hindsight, maybe I have should have.”

--Avi Lewis interviews former Deputy Secretary of State David Armitage for Aljazeera English [including on the use of torture during the previous administration]; video at; via; Armitage image from
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Americas Summit: Chance for new start: President must go beyond platitudes, address important topics - Our Opinion, Miami Herald: “If a president's job performance could be judged solely by public diplomacy, it would be easy to forecast success for President Barack Obama at the Summit of the Americas. The president turned in a stellar performance on his recent visit to Europe and Turkey. There's no reason to think he won't do the same on his first foray into Latin America and the Caribbean. …


Even though Mr. Obama has never been south of the border and is new on the job, he may be the most popular U.S. chief executive in the region since John F. Kennedy. He will be the star of the show. Unfortunately, that raises expectations unlikely to be met, given the economic crisis at home and a foreign-policy agenda that includes two nasty wars, expanding nuclear arsenals by rogue nations and piracy on the high seas. Indeed, it may be asked why Mr. Obama should bother to do anything at the Summit except drop by, shake hands and wave to the crowds before hurrying back home to tend to real business. The answer is that neglect of our closest neighbors, be it benign or expedient, carries too many risks.” Image from

Another Summit After Trinidad? - Carlo Dade, Latin Business Chronicle: “One of the most important issues to be decided, either openly or by default, at the next Summit of the Americas is whether there will be another one after the April meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and, if yes, what type of Summit it will be. … While there is great benefit from a public diplomacy standpoint in having the Summit take place in countries throughout the hemisphere, there is no concomitant benefit to having these countries organize the meeting and set the agenda."

Bitterlemons-International.org Middle East Roundtable: Obama's initial deployment: Turkey, April 16, 2009 – posted at Snuffysmith's Blog: "Major Foreign Policy Commentary and News of The Day: President Barack Hussein Obama swooped into Turkey on April 6 for two days of fence-mending bilateral relations with erstwhile, if sometimes prickly, ally Turkey while disseminating a message of friendship to the wider Muslim world. Obama cut a dashing figure, mesmerizing the normally skeptical Turkish public with self-deprecating references to his inspirational life story of struggle and achievement. This trip can be characterized as a success in terms of public diplomacy. ... Public diplomacy was the easy part. Delivery is a far harder prospect." Image from

The Obama Visit and After: Changing Style and Substance in U.S.-Turkish Relations - Ian O. Lesser, The New York Turkish Times: "By almost any measure, U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey was a success. Obama’s open, informal style offereda striking contrast to the wary and often hectoring tone of the last eight years. … [T]he demanding and closely-measured discourse of the post-2001 period seems to have been set aside in an effort to repair the United States’ very badly damaged image with the Turkish public and policymakers, and a pervasive climate of mutual suspicion. In the wake of the Obama visit, leaderships on both sides of the Atlantic should look to turn this public diplomacy success to operational advantage. Some new thinking will be needed before old habits reassert themselves."

you are now watching: Fehl Am Platz – kirstin, youdisgest: "After the last eight years of public diplomacy gaffes, I was heartened to hear that our President was making an appearance in Turkey. This move, along with the YouTube address to Iran, strike me as smartly strategic uses of incongruity to take a new diplomatic tack."

Pentagon Closes Office Accused of Issuing Propaganda Under Bush - Thom Shanker, New York Times: "A Pentagon office responsible for coordinating Defense Department information campaigns overseas has been abolished in an effort by the Obama administration to distance itself from past practices that some military officers called propaganda, senior officials said Wednesday. Military and civilian critics said the office, the Defense Department office for support to public diplomacy, overstepped its mandate during the final years of the Bush administration by trying to organize information operations that violated Pentagon guidelines for accuracy and transparency. Pentagon officials said the position of deputy assistant secretary of defense for support to public diplomacy had been eliminated, with the staff members reassigned and the office closed." See also. Image from

Hearts, Minds and Hollywood - Nathan Gardels & Mike Medavoy, Nation: "Though facing intense challenges, the core of the global information economy today remains America's media-industrial complex, including Hollywood entertainment--broadly defined as the commercial and professional production of American popular culture for mass distribution. If culture is on the front line of world affairs in the times to come, then Hollywood, as much as Silicon Valley, the Pentagon or the US State Department, has a starring role. … In international affairs, public opinion doesn't pick apart policies analytically but forms its sensibilities based on images. Where the Statue of Liberty was once the symbol of America, to many that symbol became the hooded prisoner at Abu Ghraib during the Bush tenure (though the very fact of Barack Obama's nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate did more than all the years of Bush's public diplomacy to restore some shimmer to America's image)." Image from

When Helping Hurts - Mauro De Lorenzo, American Enterprise Institute: "When we think of U.S. 'soft power' and influence, we do not always have to create a new government bureaucracy or program. These do not tend to work very well, as the underwhelming results of aid programs and so-called 'public diplomacy' attest. Yet the United States wields tremendous influence through the activities of its private citizens, as long as we approach our humanitarian efforts with a healthy skepticism."

Faith-Based Diplomacy: Faith In Action - Katherine Marshall, Washington Post:

"How can the United States harness the extraordinary organizational capacity of global religions and turn them into a force for peace and welfare? That's a question the Obama administration should confront early on. The faith factor can and should be a critical part of America's public diplomacy--and not a piece apart but integrally linked to the core question of how the 'smart' new diplomacy needs to unfold." Image from

A List of Women Nominated for Government Posts This Week - Alice Krause, News on Women: “Obama nominated Judith A. McHale (pictured left) to be Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State. Judith is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Communications.” See also (1) (2) (3) (4)

Some real questions about Gov 2-oh - jjohnson47 Weblog: "State has converted some of its own pages to Web 2.0 and at the same time established pages on YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and other places where most Americans already go. (See my post on January 6.) A recent account in National Journal shows that the State Department’s wholly-owned public diplomacy sites are attracting visits at a rapid rate, although their use is a blip compared to Facebook - never mind YouTube. … However, the reach of the medium outside the United States may not be well understood in Washington. Huge populations like China, India and some in the Middle East use different sites to different degrees, including some that are unfamiliar in the United States. By all accounts most Africans still lack access to the social Web, although cell phones are becoming a shortcut to participation. The people who know these audiences in detail don’t live in the Beltway. They reside mostly in the 200-plus embassies, consulates and missions around the world. Many are deeply into Web 2.0, but many are not. Some don’t need to be … yet. Getting a true global picture of social networking is another interesting challenge to add to the 'real questions' for government and Web 2.0." Image from

Nicholas Kristof Leads Luncheon Discussion - NY Leadership Circle: "Women for Women International’s New York Leadership Circle will spearhead public diplomacy and support for women survivors of wars and other conflicts on June 3, 2009 with an in-depth panel discussion of the unique challenges and opportunities that the global economic crisis presents to women affected by conflict, including clear examples of how improving the life of women in post conflict countries helps to secure and stabilize communities with far reaching benefits. The panel of experts will be moderated by New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nicholas D. Kristof." Image from

An American in Moscow – John Freedman, Moscow Times: Philip Arnoult is an American everyone knows in the Russian theater world. A former actor, director and producer and the founder of the Theatre Project in Baltimore, he has traveled the world for over two decades helping theaters in the United States find directors in Hungary, introducing dancers in Kenya to choreographers in Chelyabinsk, and bringing innovative productions in Russia to the attention of festival managers in Poland. This is the work, that of a cultural ambassador, that he now does with his own organization, the Center for International Theatre Development.

North Korea's Public Diplomacy – Manith, Perspectives on Public Diplomacy: "Did you know that North Korea has a PD website? Because I didn’t until now. Many Western media have portrayed North Korea as a threat to the world (but who would blame them?), yet at the same time there is a website online http://www.korea-dpr.com/ displaying photos, videos, music clips and information (history, culture, and much more) about North Korea. North Korea’s public diplomacy is managed by the Foundation of the Korean Friendship Association."

It's only sinister when you accept a paid visit to Israel - The Australian: “[The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]'s public diplomacy programs advanced Australia's global, regional and bilateral interests by shaping and influencing international opinion, projecting an accurate and positive image of Australia and generating goodwill. Our media, cultural and special visits programs brought a wide range of opinion and decision-makers from priority countries to Australia, engendering a better understanding of our identity, interests and values.” Image from

Before opening of the Armenia-Turkey border we should think about possible consequences - Public Radio of Armenia: "The framework of cooperation between Armenia and Turkey will broaden as a result of opening of the shared border, Director of the 'Sociometer' center, sociologist Aharon Adibekyan told a press conference today. 'The citizens of Armenia launched public diplomacy with Turks long ago. Throughout years the peoples of the two countries have been cooperating in the field of economy, namely trade and tourism,' he said."

Kazakhstan Parliamentary delegation visits Sofia Kazinform - ‎ “The main objective of the visit is to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations, as an effective mechanism of 'public diplomacy', deepen mutual understanding and friendship.” Image from

Basescu: Accusations against Romanian state are unacceptable – Financiarul: "The attempt of externalization of the origin of the domestic problems of the Republic of Moldova and the accusations against the Romanian state are unacceptable, said, on Tuesday, president Traian Basescu, before the plenum of Parliament. … [T]the leaders from Chisinau have launched, by a public diplomacy wrongly understood, the most diverse ungrounded accusations, against Romania."

Obituary Notice: Claude B. (Cliff) Groce, former VOA and USIA Worldnet Official‏: “Claude B. (Cliff) Groce, former deputy program manager of the Voice of America and retired senior official of USIA’s Worldnet Television and Press and Publications services, died Tuesday at his home in Washington, DC, after a long struggle against Parkinson’s disease and other ailments. He was 84 years old.” Courtesy Len Baldyga.

RELATED ITEMS

President Obama and the Summit of the Americas - Abraham Lowenthal, Huffington Post: Obama would do well to remember Ronald Reagan's comment on returning from his first trip to South America as President: "These Latin American countries are all very different from each other."

What Can Obama Do in Latin America? - Greg Grandin, TomDispatch:

For the first time in many decades, an American president might find that the days when the U.S. could use Latin America as an imperial rehearsal space are drawing to a close. Image of 1631 map of the Americas from

Wrong Subject: It is easier to demand concessions for Cuba than to defend Venezuelan democracy – Editorial, Washington Post: The Obama administration rightly is attempting to focus its Latin America diplomacy on big countries and constructive players such as Mr. Lula and Mexico's Felipe Calderón. But Obama ought to make clear that for the United States, at least, foreign policy will continue to be linked to democracy -- both for those countries that have denied it to their people for decades and those that now may seek to abolish it.

Electoral Exclusion in Haiti: Obama's First Foreign Policy Disaster? - Kevin Pina, CounterPunch: If the polling is correct, the upcoming elections in Haiti may be first real foreign disaster of the Obama administration since it took office.

The Pirates Might Prefer Fish to Guns - William Pfaff, Truthdig: American diplomats today are reported to be keen to take over from the military in putting order back into the world. Why not a big international effort to get an EU, U.N. or NATO-policed agreement governing who can fish in Somalian waters, along with one more try to put together a provisional government?

Pirates Vs. the Rest of Us - Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal:


When it was over, President Barack Obama said the right thing. "Those who commit acts of piracy," he said, should be "held accountable for their crimes." One may assume the president was speaking only of Somalia's pirates. But that pirate assault on an American-flagged ship, its captain's bravery, and his rescue by one U.S. Navy ship should be seen for what it is: A metaphor of the world as it is today. It is a world awash in pirates. Image from

Obama deserves credit - Cal Thomas, Washington Times: The United States should start calling these "pirates" by their true name. They are Islamic terrorists who make millions in ransom from ship hijackings and kidnappings. And if the president takes on the terrorists, he should have the full support of all Americans, conservatives included.

Speaking Truth to Muslim Power: Obama does no favors to Islam by ignoring its internal debates, Wall Street Journal: To devise a hearts-and-minds counterterrorist policy for the Islamic world without openly talking about faith is counterproductive. We -- the West -- are the unrivalled agent of change in the Middle East. Modern Islamic history -- including the Bush years -- ought to tell us that questions non-Muslims pose can provoke healthy discussions.

Pakistan Dodges A Bullet - David Ignatius, Washington Post: A month ago, Pakistan came close to a political breakdown that could have triggered a military coup. A detailed account of the March political confrontation emerged last week during a visit to Islamabad by Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Adm. Mike Mullen. As described by U.S. and Pakistani officials, it's a story of political brinkmanship and, ultimately, of a settlement brokered by the Obama administration. Image from

Iran's Latest U.S. Hostage: Goodwill begets an espionage trial – Review & Outlook, Wall Street Journal: In late January, Roxana Saberi, a U.S.-born reporter of Iranian descent who had been living in Iran for several years, was indicted for espionage and on Monday her case went to trial, which lasted a day; a verdict is expected within weeks. Ms. Saberi's prosecution is as good an indication as any of the real nature of the regime, and of how the mullahs intend to reciprocate Mr. Obama's open handshake.

10 Policemen Killed in Kirkuk Bombing; 85% of Iraqis Killed by US Aerial Bombing Women and Children - Juan Cole, Informed Comment: Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion: A study of Iraq War deaths at King's College and Royal Holloway College in the UK has found that 85% of the deaths caused by US aerial bombardment of targets in Iraqi cities have been women and children.

Occupied by Big Coal: From Iraq to Appalachia - Ronald Teska, CounterPunch: What do the Iraq and Appalachia have in common? More than you may think. Both are occupied by U.S. energy corporations, resulting in colonization. It's oil in one case and coal in the other, but make no mistake about it: The modus operandi and consequences are strikingly similar.

A step toward ending Israel's impunity - George Bisharat, Baltimore Sun: The appointment of Richard Goldstone to head a United Nations fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip represents an important first step toward ending Israel's impunity from international law. The Obama administration should back the Goldstone mission in word and in deed. Image from

Obama's Bubble of Ignorance: Solving Palestine While Israel Destroys It - Kathleen and Bill Christison, CounterPunch: To a greater degree than perhaps ever before, Washington today is engulfed in denial about Israel and its stupefying behavior, about its murderous policies toward the Palestinians, about the efforts of Israel and its U.S. defenders to force us to ignore its atrocities.

A bold Plan B for North Korea: The US should consider inducing China to topple the Kim regime - Ted Galen Carpenter, Christian Science Monitor

How to deal with N. Korea - Dr. Hui Zhang, Boston Globe: As long as Pyongyang sees its nuclear weapons as the key to regime survival, it can't afford to give them up. Washington, however, can show more strategic flexibility. Left North Korea image from

Lack of news about China has nothing to do with bias: Comprehensive foreign coverage doesn't fit into the financial structure of traditional mainstream media - Timothy Garton Ash, Los Angeles Times: The real problem with China coverage in the mainstream Western media is not its negativity; it's simply that there's too little of it, given the growing importance of China and the fact that Chinese culture and society is so different from ours.

An Appeal for a Chinese Dissident - Xia Liu, Washington Post: “My husband, Liu Xiaobo, was one of the primary drafters of a document known as Charter 08. … I implore President Obama to intervene on my husband's behalf and to express to the Chinese government his wish that my husband be freed.”

New Hope for the Bush Six - Scott Horton, Daily Beast: In a dramatic turn, Spain’s attorney general has intervened in the prosecution of Alberto Gonzales and five other Bush lawyers for permitting torture.

The End Of The U.S. War On Terror - Heather Maher, RFE/RL: Critics both inside and outside the United States have long complained that the language used by Bush and his top aides to describe the fight against terrorism turned world opinion against the U.S. effort.

"With us or against us," "a battle for the civilized world" -- these phrases cast the effort as a unilateral and Biblical-sounding struggle. See also John Brown, Why World War IV Can't Sell (TomDispatch, March 30, 2005). Image from

New US administration, new take on the 'war on terror': Definitional nuance will strengthen world response to terrorism - oah Bialostozky, Christian Science Monitor: The US must continue to recognize that terrorism is a heinous act, but one that involves specific conduct. The indiscriminate use of "terrorist" not only has been devastating to groups to whom the label has been unfairly attached, but it also has damaged efforts to isolate those who deserve international condemnation as terrorists.

Our New Sort of War: It might be the most dangerous of all - Victor Davis Hanson, National Review: Our new “overseas contingency operations” seem similar to Bush’s old “War on Terror.” Guantanamo Bay will still be open for at least a year. The Obama administration cannot find a country that wants back its expatriate terrorists -- nor a legal solution to try terrorists caught without uniforms on the battlefield who may not be fully protected under the Geneva Convention.

A New Fight: Defining Obama's foreign policy doctrine - E.J. Dionne, Jr., New Republic: The Obama Doctrine is a form of realism unafraid to deploy American power, but mindful that its use must be tempered by practical limits and a dose of self-awareness.

Is America Becoming Europe? Where once we were citizens, we have become clients – Paul Rahe, National Review: In consequence of our abandonment of our religious and moral heritage, of our rejection of the spirit of individual responsibility and the principles of limited government, over our own people today, as over the French, there “is elevated an immense, tutelary power,” whose aim is to take “sole charge of assuring their enjoyment and of watching over their fate.” Image from

Film festival continues with 'I Am Cuba' - The Daily Toreador; Cuba will come to Lubbock with a showing of the film "I Am Cuba" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts' Firehouse Theater.

The 1964 black-and-white film will be accompanied by commentary from Michael Schoenecke, a cinema professor at Texas Tech, who will focus on two narrative principles of the art film. It's an excellent piece of art cinema," he said, "and it's also an excellent piece of propaganda. Although, you don't have to buy into it to enjoy the film." "I Am Cuba" is the first movie jointly presented by filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola and uses visually appealing and advanced camera techniques that have been duplicated in many modern films, Schoenecke said. Image from

AMERICANA

Domino's nightmare holds lessons for marketers - Bruce Horovitz, USA Today:

It's a PR nightmare scenario: A national fast-food chain has to respond to a video, spreading rapidly online, that shows one of its employees picking his nose and placing the result in the food he's making. That's exactly what Domino's (DPZ), the nation's largest pizza delivery chain, has spent the past several days doing. Image from article

IMAGE


Image from: Princess Sparkle Pony's Photo Blog I STILL keep track of Condoleezza's hairdo so you don't have to