June 30-July 3

"This Tweet is from someone you're not following. The media they're mentioning could be anything, even something you might find offensive."

--The result of clicking "tweeted" in a The Hill article which states "the State Department tweeted a picture of [former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith] McHale responding to questions via computer at the Department of State." Image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Revolving Door at State Department's Public Diplomacy Post‎ - Helle Dale, Heritage.org: "Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Judith McHale recently announced that she is moving on, leaving the job after just two years in office. Of her Bush Administration predecessors—Karen Hughes, Patricia Harrison, and James Glassman—only Hughes lasted as long. The United States has faced great global challenges in the aftermath of 9/11 in the fight 'for hearts and minds'

among Muslim populations. When looking at the attitudes towards the United States in the Middle East, it is clear that we have not made a dent. Regrettably, the turnover at the U.S. State Department in public diplomacy has produced sporadic performance and a see-saw of differing priorities. ... [W]hen McHale spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations on June 21, the only tangible accomplishment she mentioned in her 'Review of U.S. Public Diplomacy' was working 'aggressively to reform the structures and processes of the State Department to enable better outcomes.'” Image from article

State Department hosts global Twitter Q and A - Alicia M. Cohn, The Hill:  "Using the Twitter hashtag #AskUSA, the State Department continued its digital media outreach Wednesday with a Q andA conducted entirely on Twitter in 10 languages. In what the agency promoted as it's [sic] 'first global Twitter Q and A,' interested Twitter users were invited to submit questions and ideas' directly to the State Department. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale answered eight English language questions on Wednesday. The global Q & A took place over two and a half hours, and the State Department tweeted a picture of McHale responding to questions via computer at the Department of State. ... Twitter co-founder Biz Stone recently noted the 'cozy' relationship the State Department has with Twitter. Although the State Department recently shifted the focus of its digital resources to social media, abandoning static website projects in favor of new media, Stone has a more cautious perspective on the State Department's use specifically of Twitter. 'You don't want your technology, you don't want Twitter, to look like it's simply a tool for spreading U.S. democracy around the world,' he said Tuesday at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. 'I maintain that it has to be a neutral technology because there are different forms of democracy.'"

Public Schedule for June 30, 2011 - U.S. Department of State: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS JUDITH MCHALE: 10:00 a.m. Under Secretary McHale meets with Ambassador-designate to Bangladesh Dan Mozena, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE) 2:00 p.m. Under Secretary McHale meets with Marc Lynch of the Center for a New American Security, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)"

Clinton on the relationship with Russia - Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: "A couple of days ago, I saw this interview on Russia's 24/7 news channel. The interview wasn't too long, but she also touched upon public diplomacy among several other issues. ... Here is what she said on public diplomacy: Q: You are the coordinator from the American side of the Presidential Medvedev-Obama Commission. Do you think it’s effective enough, and what do we have to do to improve it perhaps? H.C.: I think the commission that our two presidents established has been very important because it provided an organizing mechanism for our governments and for our citizens to find ways to cooperate. So look at what we’re doing, of course, in the media,

as you are one of the leaders of. But on energy efficiency and renewable energy, on nuclear security, how we protect nuclear power plants, especially after what happened in Japan. On sports exchanges – there were a group of young Russian basketball players who came and played basketball with President Obama on the White House court. So I think what we’re doing is building these connections. In international politics, countries have to work hard to find ways of cooperating, and we have done that on this New START Treaty, on Iran’s nuclear threat, on Afghanistan, on counternarcotics, on counterterrorism. We have a very important and growing set of activities between our two governments, and then the commission takes that and then adds onto it cultural exchanges, artistic exchanges. We’re going to have a year-long exchange of cultural programming coming to Russia – the seasons of America, everything from ballet to jazz to hip-hop. So this commission that Foreign Minister Lavrov and I co-chair for our presidents, I think, has made a lot of progress." Image from

Wanted: A CMO for Brand USA - Barry Silverstein, brandchannel.com: "The Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) is a partnership between the travel industry and the federal government established late last year. The first funding for marketing will become available in October 2011, part of what is expected to be a $200 million budget. In May, CTP appointed Jim Evans, a long-time leader in the hospitality industry, as CEO. Its next big hire: the organization is looking for a CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) to promote 'Brand USA' internationally and improve America's tourism revenues — and reputation around the world. ... In a related high-profile 'Brand USA' job opening, the U.S. State Department is looking for someone to replace former Discovery Communications CEO Judith McHale, when she leaves her position as Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs on July 1st. While the

CTP's CMO will be all about marketing the U.S. as a travel destination, the State Department position 'isn't about marketing,' commented McHale to Ad Age, but rather, 'It's about entering into what we call the marketplace of ideas, and debating and discussing with people and listening to what they have to say, on the theory that that's the best way to get your message across.' ... The Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project tracks the country's favorability ratings. Over the past ten years (2000 to 2010), those ratings have declined in several countries, including Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, the UK, and Turkey, while they've improved in France, Russia and South Korea. It will be no easy task to turn Brand USA around. ... The CTP is a good start, though — it was warmly received in May at International Pow Wow, the inbound travel industry's major annual marketplace." Image from

Job Openings For Those Who Will Improve Global Perception Of USA‎ - Emma Hutchings, PSFK: "The U.S. government is seeking a pair of highly motivated individuals to help market ‘Brand USA’ to the rest of the world. Congress has a job opening for a Chief Marketing Officer at the new corporation for travel promotion and the State Department is looking for a new undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs.

The travel corp’s job listing reads: ['] The individual filling this high-profile role will have the historic opportunity to create ‘Brand USA’, improving the worldwide reputation of the United States. ['] The government wants to build relationships and improve global perceptions of the country. Their favorability ratings have seen a decline in many places recently, especially Jordan and Pakistan, which were already very low." Image from article

US Educational Exchange programs in India - Madhurjya Kotoky, publicdiplomacyblog.com: "The role of educational exchanges in Public Diplomacy caught my interest since the discussion on Australia-India relations in April. When it comes to educational exchange, the United States has a strong recall in India (Nearly 100,000 Indians study in the US every year). It also contributed to building strong ‘generational bonds’ between both countries with a promise to deepen the strategic partnership further.

To explore educational exchanges between India and United States, I thought it worthwhile to meet with Ms Stephanie F. Morimura, Cultural Attaché for Exchanges, Embassy of United States of America, in New Delhi. Stephanie helped me understand the ‘policy connection’ behind educational exchanges between India and United States better. Stephanie received me at the American Centre and what followed was a stimulating discussion on the role of education in Indo-US relations." Image from article, with caption: Stephanie Morimura at the American Centre in New Delhi

Full agenda for new foreign secy‎ - Jyoti Malhotra, Business Standard: "Foreign Secretary-designate Ranjan Mathai has been variously described as 'mild-mannered', 'gentlemanly' and 'non-combative' over the 36 years he has served in the Indian Foreign Service. It is precisely these qualities that could hold him in good stead when he takes over the reins of the foreign office, for two years from August 1. ... It must be said for outgoing Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao that she brought a new level of skill to the handling of the media. Not only is there now a separate department for public diplomacy — whose initiatives on the traditional seminar-cum-conference circuit, as well as progressive spaces such as Facebook and Twitter are the considerable source of envy across government — but the foreign secretary herself responds to messages from the citizenry (including journalists) on Twitter. A former spokesperson of the ministry, Rao will definitely be able to use her skills in her new job as ambassador of India to the US, a country given to enormous media-savviness."

A Brief History Lesson for Americans on Zimbabwe from Delta Ndou [VIDEO] - Kevin Gosztola, firedoglake.com: "Here in America as part of the Washington Foreign Press Center (FPC) reporting tour on Blogging for Social and Political Change, Ndou had the task, as she describes in a blog post, of deciding whether to 'silently endure whatever remarks were made about Zimbabwe (which remarks would naturally reflect on me) or whether [to] stand in defense of [her] country and consequently in defense of [herself].' She had to bear the burden of talking to Americans (wholikely had no clue where Zimbabwe is located on a map let alone anything about the social or political culture/history in the country). When talking, she

had to choose between displaying 'fierce patriotism' or 'a desperate desire to repudiate and disassociate' herself from Zimbabwe. ... [R]ead her take on President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. ['] My stay in America presented me with numerous opportunities and platforms to correct a few misconceptions about Zimbabwe and it was gratifying to realize that my views found a receptive audience in the persons of senior, high-ranking US Government officials because the meetings had an exciting no-holds-barred atmosphere that allows for candid dialogue. It was this atmosphere of candor that allowed me to quiz the Under Secretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith McHale on the great amount of blame that I felt America should take for the systematic demonizing and distortion of Zimbabwe and its image internationally that has prevailed in recent years.'" Ndou image from article

Jam Session exhibit-An important part of US musical diplomacy - www.lolsb.com: "Art and culture can often be effective instruments of global diplomacy. They can transcend political and economic differences, winning hearts and minds of people around the world. One of the most successful US public diplomacy efforts of the late 20th century was a program known as the 'Jazz Ambassadors,' and music today remains an important part of US cultural outreach." Includes video.

Public Relations 2011 Abstracts - AEJMC: Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication: "A network approach to public diplomacy: A case study of U.S. public diplomacy in Romania • Antoneta Vanc, Quinnipiac • Few studies have attempted to explore public diplomacy practices around the world and the scholarship that investigates public diplomacy practices in the newly democratic countries now members of the European Union is even scarcer. Hence, this exploratory case study looks at U.S. public diplomacy practices in Romania and aims to explore in more detail diplomats’ functions abroad. By employing the relationship management theory of public relations, this case study seeks to explore diplomats’ roles of

facilitators of relationships between people of the two countries and their role of catalysts of relationships within the Romanian civil society. Data collected through in-depth interviews with former U.S. diplomats who served in Romania during 2001-2009, reveal diplomats’ new roles of creators and managers of networks of relationships, which ultimately aim to establish the embassy as a social, cultural, professional, and business network hub in the host society." Image from

Babylon reconstruction team based in the U.S. decides to close within weeks - nenosplace.com: "Alsumaria News / Babel team announced the reconstruction of Babylon of the U.S. embassy in Iraq, Saturday, on his way to shut down its headquarters at the base of Kalsu northeast of Hilla in a matter of weeks, at the time said he spend the amount of $ 544 million to finance projects in the governorate. A statement received 'Alsumaria News', a copy of it, by the Head of PRT Babil Rick Roberts, saying that 'the team's reconstruction of Babylon will close its headquarters base Kalsu north of Hilla, in the coming weeks,' noting that 'the team has contributed significantly to economic growth in the province of Babylon.' said Roberts [.] 'Over the past six years, completed the team 3678 projects in the infrastructure sectors, and matters of governance, heritage, and public diplomacy, and basic services and the rule of law, and made ​​the team a lot in terms of security and stability and economic growth in this province.'"

U.S. Agency Programs Involved in ocean acidification research - oceanacidification.wordpress.com: "Department of State [:] The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recognizes the importance of ocean acidification and its role in addressing this issue on an international scale with the cooperation of international partners. Although it does not currently manage any dedicated programs or funds for ocean acidification, DOS, along with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is already progressing the understanding and acknowledgement of this issue.

For example, DOS has raised ocean acidification in relevant international fora to advance public diplomacy, such as the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, and has provided funding to various international ocean acidification activities, including the international workshop 'Economics of Ocean Acidification.' Involvement by DOS in this issue will likely increase and become more proactive, especially in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs." Image from

Lebanon: CIA in the trap - Mariam Ali, realisticbird.wordpress.com: "Revealing the resistance’s achievement in uncovering the CIA’s recruitment, the Secretary General of Hizbullah, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah highlighted that the US intelligence officials have been wandering throughout Lebanon under the title of US diplomats, which sheds light that the US Embassy in Awkar is indeed a warren for recruitment and espionage. ... 'The U.S. Embassy denial of the Islamic resistance’s revelation of a spy network working for the CIA is a traditional fact. There is no state in the world that admits espionage.' Coordinator of the Safety net for Research and Strategic Studies Anis Nakash said. In an exclusive interview with moqawama.org, Nakash explained that this denial has both political and security dimensions. 'US is afraid of the feedbacks of this incident. It also foreshadows the future fearing a certain clash link after Sayyed Nasrallah described the US embassy in Lebanon as a spy nest.' ... It is not secret that all people working in politics know that Lebanon forms a catchy intelligence base. 'However, some members publicly introduce themselves as official representatives of CIA or the French or UK’s Intelligence when meeting politicians, businessmen, bank managers,

and security officials in sake of information.' Nakash stressed. Exposing that there are other nets than the CIA and FBI that carry espionage acts under the title of gathering information, the strategic coordinator uncovered that US Development Agencies, US NGOs (public diplomacy) that are related to US foreign embassy are seeking to attract various affecting young men and women, journalists, and intellectuals who affect the mass community. 'US intelligence establishes relations under the title of workshops, training sessions, and cultural visits to US. This is a new type of intelligence recruitment that is done in public. Hundreds of Lebanese citizens and activists have fallen in the trap of establishing relations in this way.' Nakash confirms." Image from article

U.S. Must Improve Internet Freedom Outreach Effort - Helle Dale and Jessica Zuckerman WebMemo #3303, Heritage Foundation: "In February, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reasserted the Department of State’s dedication to Internet freedom, committing to 'a comprehensive and innovative approach—one that matches our diplomacy with our technology, secure distribution networks for tools and direct support for those on the front lines.'... The actions of the department, however, have not fully matched this commitment. While the State Department dragged its feet on doling out its funding, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) stepped up. With its modest amount of funding—$1.5 million—the BBG gave a grant to the Global Internet Freedom Consortium, run by the Chinese-exiled Falun Gong religious sect, specializing in developing and deploying anti-censorship technologies. The Global Internet Freedom Consortium supports the proliferation of the anti-censorship programs Ultrareach and Freegate, just two of the proven circumvention technologies on the market."

In Ethiopia, BBG delegation was "given a lecture" and asked to censor VOA Amharic, Tigrigna, and Afan Oromo - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

VOA Africa Health Network will soon launch. Nigerian VP has plans for VOA - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting

Japanese government awards local attorney for fostering friendships - Charles McMahon, seacoastonline.com: "Charles Doleac is a man of many worlds. Locally, he is a well-known attorney and civic leader who helped keep the Portsmouth Indoor Pool from closing last year. But in the international realm, Doleac appears to be much more than your average diplomat. The local resident's star status recently skyrocketed when the government of Japan announced him as a recipient of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. ... In learning of the award, Doleac said he was personally honored.

He said the award is, however, a sign of the community's involvement in international affairs. 'This is really a testament to the importance of what the community of Portsmouth and the state community did to recognize the Treaty of Portsmouth and its historical relevance,' he said. 'It really is a testament to public diplomacy.' Doleac, who is president of the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire, was recognized for his significant contributions to promoting friendly relations between Japan and the U.S." Doleac image from article

Chinese state radio takes to local airwaves‎ - Johnny Diaz, Boston Globe: "Tune in to WILD-AM 1090 these days, and you can learn to speak Chinese, hear Beijing pop songs, and follow breaking news out of China. That's because the station that catered for decades to the local African-American community with talk and news programs sold all of its airtime last month to China Radio International, the English-language news service produced by the Chinese government. ... The Chinese government is trying to improve its image, said Joseph Fewsmith, an international relations professor at Boston University. It's consistent with China's public diplomacy efforts, he said. They are trying to tell their side of the story to persuade other populations that China is basically a good and reasonable government, and that it's not a threat."

Germany and China's new 'entente commerciale' - The European Council on Foreign Relations: "[T]he picture of Germany jumping out of Europe and into the arms of China might still prevail. This will be due to Germany’s inept strategic culture and public diplomacy.

Germany is still a ‘premature hegemon’ in Europe that does not realise the amount of convincing it now has to do about its motives and show how it can trace a path for the whole of Europe." Image from

Pakistan encourages exchanges between political parties: President Zardari - Associated Press of Pakistan: "Zardari said, 'I have confident that through our joint work, the torch of the Pakistan-China friendship will be carried forward from generation to generation, century to century, millennium to millennium.' When asked about new growth points for bilateral relations, Zardari said the goodwill between China and Pakistan must act as a precursor for adding greater 'commercial' and 'cultural' content to the economic and public diplomacy between the two countries. He said consolidating the economic content of China-Pakistan relationship is a major priority for Pakistan in the future."

FLOTILLA2 - Israel: 'We will unmask the true face of the hate-filled provocateurs' (Shlomo Cesana-IsraelHayom) - bibireport.blogspot.com "Israel's Public Diplomacy Corps is also preparing for the upcoming flotilla. An exercise was conducted Tuesday to see how the corps would respond to a scenario in which 500 activists aboard 10 ships entered Israel's territorial waters. Public diplomacy officials from the

Prime Minister's Office, Foreign Ministry, Public Diplomacy Ministry, IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Government Press Office, Jewish Agency and other organizations took part in the simulation. The diplomats were asked to respond to a scenario in which the IDF approached the ships and was then attacked with stun grenades and even a live grenade, causing several injuries to our troops. The IDF took control of the ship, neutralized the attackers, who had used both lethal and non-lethal weapons. Ten IDF soldiers were injured, two flotilla activists killed, and another 14 injured. The public diplomacy corps practiced how to respond to the ensuing flood of media disinformation, with special attention to misleading reports on Facebook and Twitter, some of which were disseminated by private individuals and others by Hamas."

Gilad Atzmon: Gaza Flotilla vs. Diaspora Jewry - The Intercept: "The Israelis are preparing themselves for another massacre on the high seas. This should not take us by surprise: after all, people who are detached from a true notion of history, and driven by a continuous fantasy of destruction, would be the last to draw a lesson from their past. Earlier today I learned that The Israeli Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry held a simulation practice, ahead of the Gaza flotilla: in the course of the exercise, Minister Yuly Edelstein formed a ‘special situation room’ that is designated to disseminate ‘public diplomacy' on the internet, via messages, 
photos, video clips and additional materials, with emphasis on Diaspora 
communities, Jewish organisations, and friends of Israel around 
the world. Just in case you weren’t sure what the expected role of Diaspora Jews is, I guess that by now Minister Edelstein has provided the answer. However, the most interesting part of the story is the detailed description of the flotilla

simulation itself: the imaginary scenarios depicted by Minister Edelstein and the IDF provide a glimpse into Israeli collective psychosis. 'The exercise was based on a scenario in which approximately 500 activists on
approximately ten ships reached Israel's territorial waters at 10:00,' says the Israeli document. 'Despite having been warned by the IDF, the ships continued on their way. At 10:30, the Israel Navy began approaching the ships. Stun grenades were
thrown at the IDF soldiers, as well as one live grenade that caused a number of casualties to our forces.'” Image from article

Israeli Anti-Freedom Flotilla II Propaganda - Stephen Lendman, mostlywater.org: "On June 28, Israeli Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister Avigdor Lieberman ... [said flotilla] participants plan 'confrontation and blood,' adding: 'They are clearly there to create a provocation, looking for confrontation and blood and for many pictures on television screens....hard core....terror activists' are among them. At the same time, his Foreign Ministry and Israeli security and defense officials told a June 26 cabinet meeting that no information indicates terrorists or anyone affiliated with terror groups participating. Those coming, they said, include EU, US, and Canadian human rights activists, not bomb-throwing, gun toting, knife wielding, chemical carrying extremists planning violence. Moreover, they added that peaceful participants present a 'more difficult public diplomacy challenge' if clashes with Israel soldiers occur."

Actor in suspected hoax video: Gov't had no hand in this‎ - Ben Hartman, Jerusalem Post: "The actor in an online anti-Gaza flotilla video that has been branded as a hoax said Wednesday that the video was not produced by the Israeli government or an affiliate. Contacted in Paris by The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, Tel-Avivian Omer Gershon said he was the man portraying gay rights activist 'Marc' in the video, but laughed off a question about whether or not any government agency was behind the video, adding certainly not. When asked who did produce the video, Gershon said, 'I'm not commenting on this at the moment.' The video, titled 'Who you get in bed with – human rights, gay rights,” has made the rounds across the blogosphere since it was uploaded last Thursday night. In the clip, Gershon portrays Marc, a young gay rights activist who tells his story of contacting the Gaza Flotilla with the intent of joining their journey to Gaza, only to be told that gay activists are not welcome. ... While it is still unclear who produced the video, bloggers and anti-Israel activists were quick to allege that the video was part of some sort of 'pink-washing' hasbara (public diplomacy) campaign launched, if not by the government, then by an NGO or advocacy group associated with the government with the intention of smearing flotilla supporters.

'Pink-washing' is a term used to describe hasbara efforts by Israel supporters that highlight the country’s tolerance of homosexuals in contrast to the rest of the region. ... Gershon, 36, is a well-known figure on the Tel Aviv nightlife scene, managing at least two nightclubs in the city. He has been featured in the entertainment and lifestyle pages of many publication in the Israeli media and in a number of commercial campaigns." Gershon image from

Jewish Parliamentarians Visit Knesset, Noam Schalit - Chana Yaar, Gavriel Queenann & Hezki Ezra, israelnationalnews.com: "Viviane Teitelbaum-Hirsch, a Jewish Member of Parliament from Belgium, said that in her own legislative body, the term 'Israel' was viewed as a 'dirty word.' Dan Diker, Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress, said creating a common voice among

Jewish Parliamentarians is one of the most important public diplomacy objectives for Israel and the Jewish world. 'The coming months will be ones of unprecedented challenge for all those looking to defend the interests of the Jewish State,' he said. 'Ensuring that these lawmakers can maximize their influence to support Israel and world Jewry’s basic rights will therefore be critical in overcoming the many obstacles that we know lie ahead.'” See also. Image from article, with caption: Shait visit

Businessman Defuses Anti-Israel Protest in London‎ - David Lev, Arutz Sheva: "It's not just IDF officers and Israeli government officials who are targets of anti-Israel mobs when they speak in London. Israeli businesspeople are now apparently also on the firing line. Earlier this week, an anti-Israel mob stormed a show in London, where Israeli real estate officials were promoting investments in Israel. But they met their match when a quick-thinking businessman defused the situation. ... Shlomo Grofman, head of Israel's Faire Fund (First American Israeli Real Estate Fund) real estate investment firm, decided to go outside and conduct a dialogue with the group. Speaking to an Israeli business reporter, Grofman said that he didn't fear for his safety when he confronted the group. ... Grofman said that after about a half hour, the group decided to end the demonstration, and left the site peacefully. Grofman said that he felt good about his contribution to Israeli hasbara [public diplomacy -- Ed]. 'Perhaps they should include real estate folks as part of the groups that travel around presenting Israel's point of view, and not just have us speak about property investment opportunities,' he said."

Off with their heads - Amir Mizroch -- Forecast Highs: "PM Netanyahu wisely overruled and rescinded the threat made by his new head of the GPO, Oren Helman, who came up with the idea, probably by himself, to ban any foreign media on board the flotilla from Israel for ten years. And if it wasn’t Helman but someone else at the Foreign Ministry or National Information Directorate or Ministry for Public Diplomacy, or the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit,

then Helman, the person tasked with keeping the world’s media very close to him, should have overruled them all, should have banged his fist on the table, should have threatened to resign." Image from, with caption: Off with their heads: Helena Bonham Carter, with an oversized head, is the Red Queen

Vote on creation of Israeli channels in English and Arabic postponed - Kim Andrew Elliott reporting on International Broadcasting: "Having a satellite that can cover the region is one thing, but convincing Arabs to point their dishes to that satellite is a more difficult matter. If the new Israeli Arab channel is not granted access to the popular Arabsat and Nilesat satellites, it may have to settle for smaller, niche audiences. Another reason pan-Arab news channels succeed is their ability to cover news within the Arab countries. This task will be more problematic for an Israeli channel. And the content must be news, not hasbara. If it must be hasbara, Israel is better off purchasing 60-second spots on already existing channels. All told, an Israeli international television effort faces many impediments. So, as they say, !בהצלחה ."

The Obama Administration Opens Formal Contacts With the Muslim Brotherhood - Andrew C. McCarthy, nationalreview.com: "The Brotherhood’s approach is popular in Egypt and throughout the Islamic Middle East. Indeed, shortly after Mubarak fell, the Brotherhood’s leading jurisprudent, Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi, was given a hero’s welcome in Tahrir Square, where he had been banned from inciting Islamist revolutionaries for 30 years. The sheikh is the most influential Islamic cleric in the world. ... I’m sure you’ll be shocked to learn that the State Department has nevertheless long regarded Qaradawi as an 'intelligent and thoughtful voice from the region' who is 'an important figure that deserves our attention'

(to quote Alberto Fernandez, State’s director of public diplomacy in the Middle East during the Bush years)." Fernandez image from

Nile countries are at the mercy of Ethiopia - The National: "Active public diplomacy won a promise from the Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi, to form a technical committee to look into the effect of a planned new dam on Ethiopia's neighbours. But this success seems to have been short-lived, the Egyptian daily Al Ahram noted in its editorial. In principle, Ethiopia agreed to make any necessary changes to the initial plan for the Millennium Dam on the Blue Nile river, if it emerges that the project will affect the interests of downstream countries, mainly Sudan and Egypt. However, the dam project manager confirmed recently that his country will step up efforts to continue its construction. It will be in partial operation in six months, he said, and there are plans for four more dams to generate electricity."

A dedicated agency for Canadians abroad - Yuen Pau Woo, theglobeandmail.com: "This week, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada released its report Canadians Abroad, the product of a three-year research project. We estimated that 2.8 million Canadians live overseas. This figure – nearly 9 per cent of the population – is higher than the equivalent statistic for the United States, Australia, France, India and China. ... There’s growing awareness in government about Canadians abroad.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade has been looking at global Canadians as part of public diplomacy and international business development; other federal departments also share an interest. But there’s little communication among these departments on Canadians abroad, and virtually no co-ordination of policy or, indeed, a vision of an overall approach to the Canadian diaspora. ... The creation of a dedicated agency to address issues of Canadians abroad would pave the way for a more fundamental reassessment of underlying issues that drive outmigration, return migration, attachment and the beneficial linkages that overseas citizens can bring to the Canadian interest." Woo (president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada) image from

Canada Day in D.C. just one victim of cuts to embassy hospitality budgets - Lee-Anne Goodman, The Canadian Press: "Canadian heads of mission were stunned during a conference call in July 2009 when they were told that the so-called program budgets for all missions were being immediately slashed by 50 per cent. Many ambassadors and high commissioners were already struggling after being ordered to cut their budgets a year earlier by 25 per cent. Among other things, program budgets pay for diplomats to attend and host events and to travel beyond the embassy, as well as for public diplomacy efforts and human rights initiatives. Since then, diplomats have complained to Foreign Affairs that the cuts have made it difficult for them to make crucial contacts and build solid relationships abroad."

Nationalism and Public Diplomacy - procquehanley, collegenationalist.wordpress.com: "For those unfamiliar with the term; 'public diplomacy' as a concept came of age during the Cold War when it essentially doubled as propaganda. 'Freedom and Democracy' for the United States, 'Revolution and Socialism' for the USSR, etc. PD manifested itself in broadcast informational messages from governments to foreign publics, engaging them in diplomatic struggles. Exchange programs, 'sister cities,' celebrity participation, 'nation-branding' all fall under the general field of public diplomacy. Over the last decade, the field has been shifting. Now public audiences are more important than they have ever been; and their opinions and actions affect (and effect)

policy results. Public diplomacy is uniquely capable of creating perceived independence in place of political sovereignty. If nationalist agencies contribute and engage publicly, creating a narrative of independence, key audiences will likely begin to participate in the narrative and pave the path to a successful independence referendum. I argue that embracing public opinions as political realities and acting above the statist international system, nations can achieve the perception of independence that can then be leveraged against the system. Interesting notion and by no means novel-we could all benefit by more research and writing on the relationship between PD and nationalism (not just paradiplomacy, which focuses on intrastate diplomacy)." Image from

Digging into British Public Diplomacy History: The Drogheda Report - Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence: "I don’t seem to have much time to blog at the moment but one of things that I’m doing is reading up on UK ‘public diplomacy’ in the post 1945 decades. It’s an interesting exercise which I’ll write more about later – one striking thought is that the high point for official interest in external communications at least measured in the volume of official reports about it is actually the 1950s rather than the 2000s. ... [T]he Report of the Independent Committee of Enquiry in the Overseas Information Services of April 1954 (better known as the Drogheda Committee) ... was an effort to take a comprehensive look at the state of affairs and indicated a growing willingness to spend more on these activities."

Libya, the next Dubai? - räuber, unitedcasting: "During a conference at the Maxwell School of Public Diplomacy, Richard Griffiths spoke of his programs in Colombia and the re-branding projects he initiated in Colombia to bring a stronger country image to the South American Nation. Currently in projects in Colombia, Richard Griffiths explained the importance of social programs to a countries image and urged the list of Government officials to continue with social marketing a way to change a country image. The topic of Libya was discussed by Mr. Griffiths and the need for strong and direct country branding strategies can be applied to the Middle eastern nation headed by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi (Muammar Gaddafi’s son) and the strong turn around that Muammar Gaddafi is making in his country since the 80′s. Country branding of Libya is possible with the right programs, projects aimed at social development, womens issues and progressive cultural projects. Finally, the need for eco friendly tourism infastructure is also a key to the development of Libya."

No Knowing - Kersamäni: Reflections of a Foreign Service couple heading to Riga, Latvia 2011: "One of the things that has surprised me most taking classes at FSI [Foreign Service Institute] is that you never know what courses might sneak up on you disguised as sleeper 'check the box' classes, and instead change the way you see your work altogether. After 11 months at FSI, I do indeed feel like a professional student, so I may have some semblance of authority on this topic. So, I am going to leave alone what courses may have been a bit of a shipwreck, and focus on my recently completed Consular

Duty Officer course. It sounds dry, and coming into it, I had no idea what the Duty Officer does or what the expectations might be. Nonetheless, it was a great class…engaging, relevant, and interesting enough to make me momentarily re-consider my choice of Public Diplomacy for a career path (but not enough to think about Conal Rectification, seriously the term says it all). Well done Consular training folks!" Image from article

Public Diplomacy via Private Sector? - Power and Persuasion: "[P]ublic diplomacy (in this case, winning the hearts and minds of people outside the U.S.) aren’t just for government agencies anymore. Businesses and their communicators should also act as ambassadors of 'the American way,' which ... can be embodied in each individual’s story. ... [P]ublic diplomacy should be on the mind of any actor capable of showing others just how great America still is (not perfect, but still great in so many ways),

and our businesspeople seem to be wonderful candidates for this special duty. In a world where international trade and open economies are beginning to level the playing field, and where interdependence prevents all-out war between trading countries, we are left with diplomacy, and who better to reach the people of other countries (not just the political elite) than the very actors that the international trade regime grants the most access to?: businessmen and -women, each with a story to tell…and Brand America to sell." Image from article

RELATED ITEMS

The United States needs to put its own house in order - Dick Virden, minnpost.com: We spend $10 billion a month on our war in Afghanistan while we lay off teachers and firemen, deny food stamps to the poor and turn our eyes away from 30 million countrymen who cannot afford health care. Is that faithful to the constitutional imperative to promote the general welfare?  Dick Virden is a retired Foreign Service officer who now serves as Diplomat in Residence at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict. Via LB

Facebook Can Make a Revolution, Can It Make a Brand? - Bob Jeffrey, Huffington Post: Although digital media can put us in touch with the entire world, the world is not like the United States. Via LB

More propaganda: US claims Iran sending arms to Taliban, Iran calls it “ridiculous lies” - M. Ruppert, Truth is Contagious: If the tensions between Iran and the United States were not apparent enough, it just became that much clearer today. According to a Wall Street Journal report, senior US officials have claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s most elite military unit, has provided lethal arms to Iran’s allies in Iraq in Afghanistan, including the Taliban.

According to the report, the Guard smuggled rocket propelled grenades in order to allow longer range attacks on American troops in the region. Apparently this is an attempt to speed up the United States’ withdrawal from these countries. However, the WSJ and the “senior US officials” seem to lack any ability to think with even a remote semblance of logic. Image from

Flotilla II: The Merchant Ships of Hamas Propaganda - Joseph Klein, frontpagemag.com: The pro-Hamas flotilla of international ships planning to defy Israel’s lawful naval blockade of Gaza is getting underway, despite some delays caused by insurance and mechanical problems. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was spot on when he told Israel Radio that the so-called Freedom Flotilla II participants are nothing more than “terror activists, seeking to create provocation and looking for blood.”

The merchant ships of Hamas propaganda are supporting the terrorist organization that is the governing authority in Gaza and whose covenant calls for the killing of all Jews, the destruction of Israel, and the replacement of Israel with an Islamic state. The flotilla’s purpose is to rally international public opinion against the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state, striving to achieve on the propaganda front what Hamas is aiming to do with rockets and suicide bombers. Image frrom article

Al-Qaeda propaganda forum 'forced offline': A website that served as al-Qaeda’s main channel for spreading its extremist ideology has been shut down by what experts said had the hallmarks of a hacking attack by a Western intelligence agency - Christopher Williams, telegraph.co.uk

Raw Story Publishes Fully Uncorroborated Stupid Propaganda About Gadhafi - Scott Creighton, willyloman.wordpress.com: The idea that Gadhafi’s forces are running around kidnapping the tens of thousands of Libyans necessary to force nearly a million to show at the rally is just plain stupid.

Pack Journalism Anti-Gaddafi Propaganda - Stephen Lendman, indybay.org: Western media, especially America's, mostly ignore multiple Obama wars (including against Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia), focusing mainly on promoting terror bombing Libya, slaughtering civilians to save them.

Islamonazi Propaganda - Hypnosis Scripts: Antisemitism in Arab societies and is the most potent and menacing form of hostility to Jews that exists anywhere in the contemporary world. It has become thoroughly embedded in recent decades in the body politic of Islam. The reams of hate literature against the Jews constantly appearing in mainstream Arab newspapers and magazines, radio stations and TV channels, and the anti-Semitic propaganda pervading Middle Eastern media has reached staggering proportions.

Major leak sheds light on Chinese propaganda strategy - Edmund Downie, blog.foreignpolicy.com: The Danish daily newspaper Information has obtained classified documents about propaganda strategy from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that would have been approved by top party leaders like President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

It's rare for foreign outlets to get a leak of this scale, with documents approved by figures of this importance within the party. The 60 pages of documents lay out a strategy of pretending to allow greater access to information while actually clamping down more harshly at home. Image from article

How to Update the Communist Party’s 90-Year-Old Propaganda - Yiyi Lu, Wall Street Journal: The Party has often urged its members to “advance with the times.” Its propaganda system needs to do the same. Only by discussing problems frankly can it more convincingly present the hard work, dedication and achievements of good officials of China.

You Can’t Have a Party Without Music: A Red Song Primer - Wall Street Journal: China is gearing up to celebrate July 1st – the 90th anniversary of the founding of

the ruling Communist Party. Central to the celebrations – a revival of ‘red songs’, many of them from the glory days of Communist propaganda in the Mao era. Image from article, with caption: Performers dressed in Red Army uniforms sing during a revolutionary songs singing event to celebrate the upcoming 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Chongqing municipality June 28, 2011.

Preserving propaganda - Eric Jou, China Daily: The Propaganda Poster Art Center houses the private collection of founder and director Yang Peiming, 65, and is the culmination of 17 years' work by Yang,

who dedicated himself to collecting propaganda posters and paraphernalia all over China. Image from article, with caption: Yang Peiming has a collection of more than 10,000 pieces of original propaganda posters and paraphernalia. Provided to China Daily

Miami professor aims to tell Cleopatra’s full story: Lecture to tackle Roman image of her that endures today - Gin A. Ando, middletownjournal.co: When the name Cleopatra is mentioned, images of a powerful, exotic seductress may come to mind. While that may not necessarily be false, a Miami University professor is looking to flesh out the infamous femme fatale in a presentation working in conjunction with the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal’s exhibit of the Egyptian queen. Associate professor of classics Denise McCoskey’s presentation, “Cleopatra, a fatale monstrum? Encountering the Egyptian Queen in Roman Literature and Propaganda,” examines Cleopatra’s entire person, both as an able, multicultural ruler of a powerful state as well as how the Augustan propagandists presented her in the midst of Rome’s civil war — an image McCoskey said endures to this day. “The Romans really elevate the image of Cleopatra,” McCoskey said.

Five O’Clock Fan Art: Mushroom Kingdom Propaganda - Dylan Duarte, www.ripten.com: Oh, propaganda.

Why is something that’s so inherently evil also so much damn fun? Image from article

Your portrait painted like a Chinese propaganda poster - maoreport.com: Maoart

paintings integrate with virtuosity real people’s faces into faithfully reproduced propaganda posters. Based on a photograph provided by you and a poster of your choice, an artist renders you as a socialist hero. Image from article

ONLY IN FINLAND?

Overburdened Finnish army recruit, Boing Boing