Posted By Maggie Feldman-Piltch on Nov 29, 2016, americansecurityproject.org
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On this week’s episode of “What’s Next?” Maggie Feldman-Piltch interviews Matthew Wallin, ASP Fellow for Public Diplomacy, to discuss public diplomacy strategy and priorities for the next administration.
For Matthew, the most pressing challenge facing the next administration will be appointing the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the Department of State. Although currently occupied, this position is frequently unfilled. If the incoming administration fails to appoint a new Undersecretary, there will be a lack of U.S. global engagement that will have negative consequences on U.S. positions around the globe.
Maggie and Matthew’s conversation highlights the impact of online public diplomacy on undermining violent extremism and the need to translate online initiatives into action. They also touch on how the new administration may approach Russia’s public diplomacy efforts. Matthew outlines how Russia’s laws limit the ability for the U.S. to employ traditional public diplomacy efforts, and how this negatively impacts U.S.-Russian relations and Russia’s power in the Baltic states. For both of these issues, the new leadership, or lack thereof, and the approach he or she takes to these contemporary challenges will set the tone for how the U.S. is perceived around the globe. And whether or not our efforts are effective will have a direct impact on the geopolitical balance of global powers.
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