"The blog is mightier than the sword."

--Headline for article by journalist Amit Lewinthal, israelhayom.com (2012), perhaps relevant eons ago (by social-media standards); image from

PDCAST

[LISTEN] On Culinary Diplomacy: Culinary diplomacy utilizes food as a relationship-builder, but does it meet the standards of new public diplomacy? Michael Ardaiolo discusses the different facets of culinary diplomacy with Sam Chapple-Sokol. Via PR; uncaptioned image from entry


UKRAINE UPDATE

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PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN THE NEWS

Kerry’s Proposed “Framework” Offers Way Forward for Israel/Palestine- Philip Wilcox, mei.edu: "John Kerry’s extraordinary efforts to make peace between Israel and Palestine through six months of bilateral talks have produced no significant results. Kerry, determined to succeed, is turning to a 'framework' that would create a new basis for continued negotiations. The framework has not yet been released. But if it is a clear outline of an American plan for peace, not just a collection of ideas that avoids laying out U.S. positions, it could be a game changer. ... Ultimately, diplomats in secret talks will not bring peace. American diplomacy must at an early stage begin to engage more fully the Israeli and Palestinian publics, who will ultimately decide their futures. A fresh approach to public diplomacy aimed at both sides and based on an American framework will be needed."

Ambassador to leave Saturday - Liu Yunlong, globaltimes.cn: "US Ambassador to China Gary Locke, the first of Chinese descent in the position, delivered a public speech in Beijing on Wednesday and is set to leave the country on Saturday. In the speech, Locke said he felt sad to leave China, but would leave with a sense of achievement and optimism for the Sino-US relationship, the Phoenix TV reported Wednesday. 'China has a great future ahead of it,' Locke told Chinese students at Beijing American Center on Wednesday, but noted that reaching full potential will depend on 'a neutral and respected judiciary, an active set of dedicated lawyers, wise leadership' and 'reverence toward the rule of law.' Locke also called on China to have more tolerance for media criticism, saying 'as a permanent member of the UN Security Council that has hosted the Olympics and sent a spacecraft to the moon, China should have the national self-confidence to withstand the media scrutiny.' China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Wednesday said that China is willing to talk and exchange ideas with other countries to make progress together on the basis of equality and mutual respect. ... Li Haidong, a professor with the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the relationship between China and the US has indeed moved forward during Locke's term as ambassador. ... Locke also attracted widespread attention in China with his Chinese-American background and his everyman image. Locke was photographed carrying his own backpack and ordering his own coffee at an airport on his way to assume the envoy post two years ago, triggering a wave of public attention on the Internet. 'His behavior model is new and a good example of public diplomacy, which effectively promoted the US image in China,' said Li. Locke will leave the Chinese capital on Saturday and will be replaced by 72-year-old Senator Max Baucus."

Lend Venezuelans a hand - Jennifer Rubin, washingtonpost.com: "As is the case about everywhere on the planet, President Obama has shown little interest in South and Central American democracies or in helping dissidents in despotic regimes. To the contrary, he relaxed sanctions on Cuba, one of Maduro’s [Chavez’s successor, Nicolas Maduro] best allies. What would help (aside from a different president)


is a continual and consistent message from our administration. Through public diplomacy (Voice of America can be heard there, but programming can be beefed up with Radio Marti personnel crafted specifically for Venezuela while the protests last) and financial support for democracy promotion we can at the very least show we stand with free peoples."Image from entry, with caption: A man walks past a burning barricade in Caracas

The Full Scale of What’s Happening in San Cristóbal Isn’t Getting Through Because of the Media Blackout - Francisco Toro, caracaschronicles.com: "[Comment by] SMB [:] Those who embraced Venezuela’s petro-populism


should hang their heads in shame for having given celebrity endorsement and cover to a corrupt, authoritarian and violent petro-regime. ... Is CITGO still spending money on public diplomacy through subsidized heating oil in the US Northeast?" Uncaptioned mage from entry

Are We Witnessing the Demise of Venezuela’s Soft Power? - Colin Hale, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Maduro’s [Chavez’s successor, Nicolas Maduro] government


has seemingly failed to understand that the public diplomacy capital built up through aid diplomacy and careful communications strategies by Hugo Chavez has been destroyed in one fail swoop by sloppy tactics and violent crackdowns by the police and military."Uncaptioned image from entry

The University is for Counterrevolutionaries: A government-sponsored program to educate visiting Cuban students at U.S. universities has been hijacked by right-wing Cuban-American groups - Arturo Lopez-Levy, fpif.org: "A rapper, a graffiti artist, a blogger, two independent lawyers: In all, 17 students have arrived from Cuba with U.S government-sponsored scholarships to study at Miami Dade College. Having students from Cuba in the United States is a welcome development. Reforms to Cuba’s migration policy, in place since 2013, now allow Cubans to travel abroad, increasing their access to education, work opportunities, and information. The reform comes on the heels of modest efforts by the Obama administration to expand contacts between the two societies, including issuing more visas and allowing more purposeful travel to the island. But what could have been a positive educational exchange has become an exercise in political ideology. The right-wing Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) — which runs the selection process — is only accepting students opposed to the Cuban political system. By sticking to that demographic, the program ends up reproducing in the United States the same logic of exclusion applied by the Cuban government to its citizens, in reverse. If a Cuban student wants to come to the United States, he or she essentially has to obtain support from a pro-embargo opposition group. It should come as no surprise that Cuban exile groups in the United States have extended an invitation to Cuban dissidents — many of whom were excluded from Cuban educational programs due to their political opinions — to study here in the States. Offering them an education in Miami serves as a remedy to that violation of their rights. But it is important not to equate pro-embargo opposition with Cuban civil society writ large. U.S. government-sponsored educational exchanges between Cuba and the United States should be open to all Cubans, without the kind of political coercion that this program entails.


Instead of developing a non-partisan, post-Cold War educational exchange, the U.S. government and the FHRC have expanded the reach of regime-change propaganda in the United States and Cuba alike. ... This is not to say that private money can’t be used for such ends. If Jorge Mas Santos — and the CANF [Cuban American National Foundation; FHRC, in turn, is a subsidiary] organization he leads — wants to spend his money on scholarships for activists who favor his goals, then that’s his business. But to funnel U.S. taxpayer money toward his pet projects amounts to opportunism, and ultimately harms U.S. foreign policy. It does no service to U.S. values or interests to partner in a public diplomacy program with supporters of terrorists and admirers of the Batista dictatorship."Image from entry, with caption: What could have been a positive educational exchange between the United States and Cuba has become an exercise in political ideology.

Global diplomacy is not for beginners- Earle Scarlett, jamaicaobserver.com: "For many years it has been common practice for US Presidents to nominate as ambassadors personal friends and significant contributors to their election campaigns. In this instance, over one-third of current ambassadors are political appointees. As a result, some retired diplomats are expressing indignation and even public outcry. As expected, aspiring active diplomats are dispirited and presumably grumbling sub rosa about this practice, which diminishes their chances to become chiefs of mission or to land desired senior positions in the US Department of State and other departments with a foreign service, such as Commerce and Agriculture, as well as the US Agency for International Development (before its amalgamation into the State Department over a decade ago, USIA was responsible for public diplomacy). These appointments, with Senate consent, customarily take place early in a new Administration or as vacancies arise, although frequently delayed by the vetting process and partisan politics. Nominating ambassadors is a presidential prerogative and not in question here. However, the central issue is whether


the choices are based on two pre-eminent considerations: capability and morale. Both are critical for diplomatic readiness as the US deploys skilled representatives to pursue its national interests abroad. With this in mind, it is imperative that new ambassadors possess appropriate skills and training to promote in a timely fashion the country's objectives even in difficult and dangerous situations. ... Earle Scarlett is a retired senior career US diplomat with gobal [sic] experience. He was director of political training at the George Shultz Foreign Affairs Training Center, Department of State; oral examiner of candidates for the foreign service; and Dean Rusk Fellow at The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service."Image from entry, with caption: Nominating ambassadors is a presidential prerogative and not in question.

"Under Secretary of for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs - posted at rockycoastnews.blogspot.com - Department of State Public Schedule, February 26, 2014: "2:00 p.m.


Under Secretary Stengel hosts a town hall for the employees of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs bureaus, at the Department of State."Image from blog heading

Development of News Broadcast in US: Ziauddin University organises interactive session - brecorder.com: "Brian Ferinden Managing Public Diplomacy Program for the Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad had an interactive discussion with the students of Institute of Communications and Media Studies (ICMS), Ziauddin University on the topic 'The History and Development of Broadcast News in the United States' on Tuesday.  Brian began his talk by quoting Thomas Jefferson who said, ‘Democracy cannot exist without free press.’ This was to emphasise the fundamental purpose of journalism, which was the theme of the day. Adding, that President Jefferson was a great fan of media and championed the cause of press freedom, although, he was constantly criticized by the media.  He shared his insight on the evolution of broadcast media in the United States."

State Department Insures Artwork for $200M - Jeryl Bier, Weekly Standard: "The Art in Embassies program of the U.S. State Department just turned 50 last year, but its growth in the last decade has been particularly dramatic if the insured value of the artwork is any indication. Although Art in Embassies purchases original works, such as the $1 million sculpture for the new U.S. Embassy in London, much of the artwork on display at various State Department installations throughout the world is in fact borrowed.  In 2002, the State Department maintained a $20 million policy for artwork.  By 2010, it had grown to $65 million.  This year, the agency is looking to renew its current level of coverage, informing interested providers that '[i]nsurance must cover all items in any location in a Department of State facility abroad up to a value of $200,000,000.' Last year, the $200 million policy cost the government $86,932. ... [A]lthough Italy is not included on the values by location list, the solicitation also seeks 'War and Terrorism Coverage for $15 million for Rome, Italy.' That coverage may be intended to cover a permanent display of a significant body of artwork at Villa Taverna in Rome, although an inquiry to the State Department to confirm this has not yet been answered.  The display in Rome includes this untitled 1970 work by artist Cy Twombly:


... When asked in December for a response to the latest round of purchases for Art in Embassies, the State Department released the following statement about the program: ['] The Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies curates permanent and temporary exhibitions for U.S. embassy and consulate facilities. For the past five decades Art in Embassies has played a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy with a focused mission of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and artist exchange. Art in Embassies is a public-private partnership engaging over 20,000 participants globally, including artists, museums, galleries, universities, and private collectors, and encompasses over 200 venues in 189 countries['.]" Image from entry

Hip Hop Puts America In A Good Light Through The State Department's Cultural Ambassador Program [includes video]- Ruth Blatt, Forbes: "One of America’s greatest strengths is its culture.


Which is why the State Department runs a cultural diplomacy program that engages in efforts around the world to build bridges through culture. Our nation’s first hip hop ambassador is Toni Blackman, a veteran hip hop performer and educator. I spoke with Blackman about hip hop’s role in creating positive social change." Via PR; uncaptioned image from entry

Economic Development as Public Diplomacy - Philip Seib, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Successful public diplomacy is based on providing foreign publics what they need, be it information, a vaccination program, or help in securing economic well-being. ... When the United States provides help along these lines it will win friends and advance its national interest. That is what public diplomacy, done correctly, can accomplish."

Voice of America White House correspondent told BBG Board why VOA reporters are leaving - BBG Watcher, BBG Watcher - "Experienced and highly respected journalists are leaving Voice of America, blaming it on mismanagement and hostile work environment."
Reflections From Kyiv: One Year Later - Tara Sonenshine, takefiveblog.org: "It was less than one year ago when I visited Kyiv as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Today, seeing the unrest, I am reminded of the importance of US-Ukrainian cultural ties. While in Kyiv, I helped launch the construction of the new American Center to build ties between our two nations. Former US Ambassador John Teft and I


knocked down a wall as contractors worked to create a convening place to keep Ukrainians and Americans connecting with one another. I also met with bloggers and media, and was the keynote speaker at the Women’s Forum."Image from entry, with caption: Sonenshine and Ambassador Teft help to launch the construction of the new American Center in Kyiv, April 2013.

Victor Pinchuk - Manlio Dinucci, piazzadcara.wordpress.com: "Are you familiar with Viktor Pinchuk, the second wealthiest man of Ukraine? This steel magnate has developed a strong network of ties in the West, be it in the United States or in France. A philanthropist, he supports artists and is now sponsoring a 'revolution.' ... Pinchuk bonded with the Clintons, by supporting the Clinton Global Initiative established in 2005 by Bill and Hillary, whose mission is to 'convene global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.' Behind this shimmering slogan lies the real goal: to create a strong international support network for Hillary Clinton, the former first lady who, after serving as New York Senator in 2001-2009 and Secretary of State in 2009-2013, is undertaking her second climb to the presidency. Their fruitful collaboration began in 2007 when Bill Clinton thanked 'Viktor and Elena Pinchuk for their vigorous social activity and the support provided to our international program.' That Pinchuk support translates into a first 5 million dollar contribution, followed by others, to the Clinton Global Initiative. This opened the doors to Pinchuk in Washington: for 40,000 dollars a month, he hired lobbyist Daniel E. Schoen, who organized a series of contacts with influential figures, including a dozen meetings in one year, between 2011 and 2012, with State Department officials. This proved to be excellent for business, allowing Pinchuk to increase his exports to the United States, although metallurgists in Pennsylvania and Ohio now accuse him of undercutting U.S. steel tube prices. To further strengthen his ties with the United States and the West, Pinchuk launched the Yalta European Strategy (YES), 'Eastern Europe’s largest social institution of public diplomacy,' whose official objective is to 'help Ukraine develop into a modern, democratic and economically efficient country.'Thanks to Pinchuk’s financial capacity (he just splurged more than $ 5 million for his 50th birthday celebration in a posh French ski resort), the YES was in a position to set up a wide network of international contacts , which came to light at the annual meeting held in Yalta. It brought together 'over 200 politicians, diplomats, statesmen, journalists, analysts and business leaders from more than 20 countries.' Among these, the names that most stand out are Hillary and Bill Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Tony Blair, George Soros, José Manuel Barroso and Mario Monti (who attended the meeting last September), alongside other lesser-known characters, but not any less influential, including leaders of the International Monetary Fund.


As Condoleezza Rice put it at the YES meeting in 2012, 'Democratic transformations require time, require patience, require support. From outside as well as from inside.' An excellent summary of the strategy adopted by the West under the cloak of 'outside support' to promote 'democratic change.' A strategy amply consolidated from Yugoslavia to Libya, from Syria to Ukraine, which consists in driving a wedge between the cracks existing in any State and shake up its foundations by supporting or fomenting anti-government riots (like those in Kiev, too punctual and organized to be considered as merely spontaneous ), underpinned by a fever-pitch media campaign against the government marked for elimination. As regards Ukraine, the objective is to bring down the State or break it in two: one part that would join NATO and the EU; one that would remain largely connected to Russia. The Yalta European Strategy of the Clintons’ oligarch buddy fits into this context. Source Il Manifesto (Italy)"Uncaptioned image from entry

A Few Ukraine Coup Links - moonofalabama.org: "Paula Dobriansky was on of the neo-cons in the Bush administration: According to her State Department biography, Dobriansky's background includes having 'lectured and published articles, book chapters, and op-ed pieces on foreign affairs-related topics, ranging from U.S. human rights policy to East European foreign and defense policies, public diplomacy, democracy promotion strategies, Russia, and Ukraine.[']"

Hillary Clinton biographer Kim Ghattas speaks at Powell's City of Books on Feb. 27 - oregonlive.com: "Kim Ghattas, the State Department correspondent for the BBC, spent years traveling the world with Hillary Ciinton. Ghattas' book 'The Secretary: A Journey with Hillary Clinton from Beirut to the Heart of American Power' received mixed reviews when it was published last year. The Huffington Post called it 'a remarkable book. Not only does it provide an insightful record of life on the road with


Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but also it treats public diplomacy seriously.' The Boston Globe was less impressed and thought Ghattas'"access leads to nought as (her) insights can largely be gleaned from the daily newspaper. Again, little new is offered other than the trivial. Ghattas was born in Beirut and weaves her personal experiences and history into 'The Secretary.' She's still on the State Department beat, now chasing John Kerry around the world."Image from entry, with caption: Hillary Clinton left the Senate to become Secretary of State in the Obama administration.

Death, drones and Camp Delta - Derek Gregory, geographicalimaginations.com: "In the early morning of 10 June 2006 three prisoners held at the military detention facility at the US Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, two from Saudi Arabia and one from Yemen, were found dead in their cells. Although the three men had been detained without trial for several years and none of them had court cases or military commissions pending (none of them had even been charged), the commander of the prison dismissed their suicides as ‘not an act of desperation but an act of asymmetric warfare against us’.


Although the three men had been on repeated hunger strikes which ended when they were strapped into restraint chairs and force- fed by nasal tubes, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy described their deaths as ‘a Public Relations move to draw attention’ – to what, she did not say – and complained that since detainees had access to lawyers, received mail and had the ability to write to families, ‘it was hard to see why the men had not protested about their situation’. Although by presidential decree prisoners at Guantánamo are subject to indefinite detention and coercive interrogation while they are alive, when President George W. Bush learned of the three deaths he reportedly stressed the importance of treating their dead bodies ‘in a humane and culturally sensitive manner’."Image from heading of entry

Maritime Strategy and Control of the Seas with Seth Cropsey, on Midrats - cdrsalamander.blogspot.com: "Seth Cropsey, Senior Fellow and director of Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower . [:] During the period that preceded the collapse of the USSR, from 1982 to 1984, Cropsey directed the editorial policy of the Voice of America on the Solidarity movement in Poland, Soviet treatment of dissidents, and other issues. Returning to public diplomacy in 2002 as director of the US government’s International Broadcasting Bureau, Cropsey supervised the agency as successful efforts were undertaken to increase radio and television broadcasting to the Muslim world."

A Shadow US Foreign Policy - Robert Parry, Consortium News: "NED [National Endowment for Democracy]was founded in 1983 at the initiative of Cold War hardliners in the Reagan administration, including then-CIA Director William J. Casey. Essentially, NED took over what had been the domain of the CIA, i.e. funneling money to support foreign political movements that would take the U.S. side against the Soviet Union. Though the Reagan administration’s defenders insist that this 'democracy' project didn’t 'report' to Casey, documents that have been declassified from the Reagan years show Casey as a principal instigator of this operation, which also sought to harness funding from right-wing billionaires and foundations to augment these activities. ... To organize this effort, Casey dispatched one of the CIA’s top propaganda specialists, Walter Raymond Jr., to the National Security Council. Putting Raymond at the NSC insulated the CIA from accusations that it institutionally was using the new structure to subvert foreign governments – while also helping fund American opinion leaders who would influence U.S. policy debates, a violation of the CIA’s charter. Instead, that responsibility was shifted to NED, which began doing precisely what Casey had envisioned. Many of the documents on this 'public diplomacy' operation, which also encompassed 'psychological operations,' remain classified for national security reasons to this day, more than three decades later. But the scattered documents that have been released by archivists at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, reveal a whirlwind of activity, with Raymond in the middle of a global network. Reagan’s White House was so nervous that the press corps might zero in on Raymond’s CIA propaganda background that it prepared guidance in case anyone should ask, according to a document recently released by the Reagan library. If a reporter questioned White House claims that 'there is no CIA involvement in the Public Diplomacy Program'– by asking, 'isn’t Walt Raymond, a CIA employee, involved heavily?'– the scripted answer was to acknowledge that Raymond had worked for the CIA but no longer. ... [T]he network that Casey and Raymond built has outlived both of them and has outlived the Cold War, too. Nevertheless, NED and its funding recipients have pressed on, trying to implement the strategies of hardliners such as former Vice President Dick Cheney, who wanted not just the dismantling of the Soviet Union but the elimination of Russia as any kind of counterweight to U.S. hegemony. Indeed, the momentum that this three-decade-old 'public diplomacy' campaign has achieved – both from NED and various neocons holding down key positions in Official Washington – now pits this shadow foreign policy establishment against the President of the United States. Barack Obama may see cooperation with Vladimir Putin as crucial to resolving crises in Iran and Syria, but elements of Obama’s own administration and U.S.-financed outfits like NED are doing all they can to create crises for Putin on his own border."

How the Israel lobby is courting US Latinos- Rania Khalek and Adriana Maestas, The Electronic Intifada: “After Latino voters propelled President Barack Obama to re-election victory in 2012, Michael Freund, the former deputy communications director for Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu, took to the pages of The Jerusalem Post to demand that Israel “launch a comprehensive and coordinated hasbara, or public diplomacy, campaign that makes Israel’s case to Hispanics directly and ‘en Espanol’” (‘Fundamentally Freund: Time for Hispanic ‘hasbara,’ ’ 14 November 2012). Citing America’s rapidly growing Latino electorate, Freund explained rather candidly, ‘the face of America is rapidly changing, and so too should Israel’s hasbara.’ Israel, he said, must follow the example of Project Interchange. Unbeknownst to Freund, Israel was already on it. As Israeli bombs pulverized Gaza’s defenseless population in November 2012, a group of Latino journalists were touring Israel at the invitation of the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, which is tasked with deploying hasbara, or propaganda, abroad to counter the country’s increasingly negative image as a violent colonizer that subjects Palestinians to shocking levels of brutality. While Gaza’s besieged and immiserated population was dodging ruthless Israeli weaponry, a writer in Israel Hayom, one of Israel’s most popular newspapers, openly celebrated rocket blowback as an opportunity to propagandize the journalists. ‘An air-raid siren that sounded in Jerusalem this week startled … a group of Hispanic journalists from the United States,’ the article stated with delight ('The blog is mightier than the sword,' 23 November 2012).


‘Fear, terror and helplessness washed over the group. But some good came of the incident, at least from the Israeli perspective. The foreign journalists got a taste of the war situation in Israel and felt the rocket threat firsthand. Back at the hotel that evening, they translated their experience into articles, radio broadcasts and blog posts that were seen and heard all over the world.’ Yuli Edelstein, the minister of public diplomacy at the time, remarked that such incidents are ‘the best public relations for the State of Israel.’” Image from entry, with caption: Palestinian protest near the illegal Israeli settlement of Efrat. Pro-Israel propaganda delegations such as those of Project Interchange are carefully shielded from such sights.

Ambassador Danny Ayalon Assails UN Policy of Injustice in YouTube Film [includes video] - theyeshivaworld.com: "Amidst increasing international pressure against Israel and intensifying calls for commercial boycotts of the Jewish State, former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon has released a new You Tube video entitled 'The Truth About the UN.' The film, launched earlier this week, is designed to raise awareness about the United Nation’s history of systematic and disproportionate policies of biased attacks on Israel. According to the film, some 85 percent of resolutions adopted by the international body are against Israeli interests. ... Ambassador Ayalon is the Founder of The Truth About Israel, a public diplomacy (hasbara) organization designed to promote the reality of Israel’s policies and existence. In recent years he has released several highly popular You Tube educational videos garnering millions of views. His efforts are largely focused on exposing global hypocrisy and injustice regarding Israel, with the goal of more effectively swaying public opinion in Israel’s direction."

What is Israeli Apartheid Week? [includes trailer] - Jack Moore, "The 10th annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is being celebrated in 87 cities across the world. But what is it? IBTimes UK details the nuts and bolts of the occasion below. When? UK and US: 24 February - 2 March[;]Europe: 1 March - 8 March [;] Canada: 3 March - 11 March [;]Palestine: 8 March – 15 March [;] South Africa: 10 March - 16 March [;] Brazil: 24 March - 28 March . ... British Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM) believe that the week represents an 'apartheid smear' and a lie that 'damages the peace process'. A new publication released by BICOM details how Israel is not an apartheid state but offers 'every citizen equal rights under the law'. It claims that Israeli Apartheid Week is an 'anti-Semitic anti-Zionist campaign' and that Israel is 'not a theocracy (rule by clerics) or a state exclusively for Jews, but a democracy'. In 2012, the Public Diplomacy Ministry of Israel sent the 'Faces of Israel' mission to countries which host IAW; it comprised of 100 Israelis including 'settlers, Arabs, artists, experts in national security, homosexuals, and immigrants from Ethiopia' in order to defend Israel against the week."

[Alumni news] Historic meeting between Mahmoud Abbas and young Israelis organized by Hilik Bar MK - acypl.org [American Council of Young Political Leaders]: "Hilik Bar visited the US on his ACYPL exchange in June 2001 as Chairman of the National Student Organization-Israeli Labor Party, and since that visit he has risen through the ranks to become the Secretary General of the Labor Party, and Knesset member, and most importantly, the Chairman of the Knesset Caucus to Resolve the Arab-Israeli Conflict.


It was in this role that he and the OneVoice movement organized a rare and unprecedented meeting for 300 Israeli youth leaders and students with Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah last week. ... Mutual respect, difficult questions, complex, encouraging– these are the words of ACYPL and of public diplomacy. We can only hope that these meetings become less rare because every ACYPL alum knows that there is no substitute for substantive, in-person conversations to establish strong, lasting relationships and understanding."Uncaptioned image from entry, with caption: Mutual respect, difficult questions, complex, encouraging– these are the words of ACYPL and of public diplomacy. We can only hope that these meetings become less rare because every ACYPL alum knows that there is no substitute for substantive, in-person conversations to establish strong, lasting relationships and understanding.

Into the fray: Can Israel survive the Jews? The vindictive, borderline treasonous malevolence of the Left and the inept, borderline imbecilic impotence of the Right are emerging as the gravest threat to the sustainability of Jewish political independence- Martin Sherman, Jerusalem Post: "[T]hings got off to a not so bad start last Wednesday, when European Parliament President Martin Schulz gave what was, overall, a rather positive address to a plenary Knesset session that was far more laudatory toward Israel than critical. He was even unequivocally emphatic that 'the EU has no intention to boycott Israel.' But things went seriously awry when Schulz foolishly insinuated that Israel was depriving Palestinians of water, citing wildly inaccurate figures, which he admitted were uncorroborated, and which he had heard in a passing conversation with a Palestinian youth. This incident prompted an irate walkout of the Bayit Yehudi faction. Of course the 'water libel' against Israel is nothing new. Totally unfounded – indeed, outlandish – accusations that it is denying the Palestinians access to adequate water supplies have been leveled against it for years. But in the case of the furor over Schulz’s remarks two points should be made. The first is that it was of course discourteous and injudicious to makes such serious allegations in such a public manner, when the most cursory inquiry, made discreetly to the proper authorities, would have quickly dispelled his misconceptions and avoided the unfortunate and unnecessary brouhaha. ... This brings me to the second point. The very fact that such a senior foreign politician is still laboring under such grave misapprehensions is a devastating indictment of Israeli public diplomacy. For in the case of water, all the facts are crystal clear, and overwhelmingly exonerate Israel of any allegations of discriminatory deprivation toward the Palestinians. Accordingly, the very fact that anyone can still raise such absurd charges, however obliquely, without being subjected to withering ridicule, reflects an inexcusable failure of Israel’s diplomatic apparatus to discharge its functions."

Intervention – ‘Eastern partners or chaotic neighbors? The contested geopolitics and geoeconomics of integrating Ukraine and Moldova’ - Austin Crane and Adam Levy: "[T]he EU’s new PR campaign shows what it has learned from Ukraine in its approach to Moldova. This campaign seeks to counter Russian 'disinformation' by promoting 'the engagement of public diplomacy experts', and anticipates the 'constant flow of high-level EU officials' to enhance preparedness 'in expectation of further external and internal threats or actions [...] such as trade embargoes, restrictions against migrant workers, increased tension in protracted conflict'. In the wake of Ukrainian uncertainty, it is reasonable to think that a pro-West Kiev makes work easier for pro-European Chisinau."

How People-to-People Diplomacy is Warming Chilly Arctic Relations -  blog.meridian.org: "Norwegian Barents Secretariat ... is responsible for coordinating pretty interesting exchange programs, such as hockey games between Norwegian and Russian youth. This is one of their people-to-people diplomacy programs, with which they bridge relations between


Norwegians and Russians in the Barents region. ... The Barents Region border was one of the least porous borders in history. During the Cold War, it was easier to communicate over the Berlin Wall. ... Public diplomacy is, therefore, essential for promoting understanding and economic cooperation in this area. And it’s working.” Image from entry

Russia’s Coming Out Party? Public Diplomacy Success at Sochi - Geoff Pigman, sabc.co.za: "The resounding success of the Olympic Games at Sochi by many measures has probably surprised the global public, given the drumbeat of negative media coverage in the run-up to the opening ceremonies. Russia’s public diplomacy at Sochi has indeed been successful, but it has achieved a different kind of success from what we have come to expect in recent times. As a Great Power, Russia has said to the world in a straightforward and unvarnished way, ‘get to know us better, this is how we really are for good and for ill, deal with it.’ Media criticism prior to the event notwithstanding, Russia has hosted an excellent Winter Games that is in all respects the equal of its peers of recent times. ... The public diplomacy of Sochi makes the point that Russia as a contemporary Great Power, as a member of the BRICS, has arrived, even if not at the place to which Western commentators wish they might have arrived."

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: February 24th, 2014: Kung Fu Diplomacy, New Books and Remembering Ark Yuey Wong - Ben Judkins, chinesemartialstudies.com: "As a political scientist I am very interested in the ways in which the martial arts are invoked in public diplomacy, both in terms of imagery and institutional exchanges.


There have been an unusually large number of articles on this topic in the last few weeks, all pointing to the growing profile of these fighting systems as markers of national identity and mediums of 'cultural exchange' between states."Image from entry, with caption: Putin watches a Kung Fu exhibition with the Abbot at the Shaolin Temple in Henan. Shaolin has become an important stop for visiting VIPs.

Ex-UN envoy: PH must consider Sino-US relations - Dharel Placido, ABS-CBNnews.com: "Former Philippine representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja said the Philippines must consider the extent of the relationship between its traditional ally the United States and China before it engages the Asian giant in another spat. Baja, also a former Foreign Affairs undersecretary, said although the US has obligations to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty, the emerging Southeast Asian nation must put into consideration the relationship of the world's two largest economies. ... Baja made this suggestion following another spat between the two Asian neighbors over the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines earlier accused the Chinese Coast Guard of using water cannon against Filipino fishermen at the Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), located 124 nautical miles off Zambales. The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China but the latter rejected it, saying it enjoys sovereignty over the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). ... Baja said the South China Sea dispute is hurting other aspects of the Philippines' relationship with China, and that Southeast Asian nation must still engage China in talks even though it is firm on pursuing its arbitration case. 'The Philippines and China are engaged mostly on public diplomacy, through pronouncements by the respective spokespersons. In negotiations, private diplomacy is as important than open diplomacy,' he said."

Chinese bloggers promote people-to-people ties with S. Korea - english.yonhapnews.co.kr: "South Korean Ambassador to China, Kwon Young-se, on Wednesday asked a group of influential Chinese bloggers to promote people-to-people ties with Seoul and help the two nations further cement bilateral relations. Kwon made the remarks at a meeting with more than


100 Chinese bloggers after naming them 'work as civilian' delegates to promote South Korea's image in China. The move is part of the embassy's public diplomacy drive aimed at enhancing friendship between the two countries, embassy officials said. The Chinese group, comprised of 103 bloggers who have a total of over 50 million followers, will try to promote mutual understanding and trust between the two nations through the embassy's Weibo account, officials said. Weibo is China's version of Twitter."Uncaptioned Image from entry
‘Build brands, lift national image’: Bangladesh can ‘best use’ its relations with Korea to diversify its exports and grow, the South Korean ambassador in Dhaka has said - “'Five decades ago Korea was poorer than Bangladesh,' Lee Yun-Young said in an interview. 'Bangladesh may do well to gain from our experiences and the lessons we learnt,' he said. ... The Korean envoy said it was time Bangladesh focussed in boosting its national image . ... He appreciated


the government’s move to ensure building safety and workers rights in garment factories, but said more should be done to raise the country’s image globally. He suggested extensive public diplomacy abroad using Bangladesh’s eminent personalities, civil society members, singers and artists. 'By any means it is important to raise national image (globally),' he said, 'even France focuses on how to improve their image globally.'"Image from entry, with caption: Bangladesh can ‘best use’ its relations with Korea to diversify its exports and grow, the South Korean ambassador in Dhaka has said.

A Little on the Australian-Indonesian Crisis - The Dragon's Tales: Ramblings of a Curiosity Seeker: "The United States has thus far avoided getting publicly involved in the Indonesia–Australia spying row; however, it can’t afford to do so any longer. Australia has demonstrated a naiveté in thinking that public diplomacy rows such as this can be settled using traditional ‘cocktail diplomacy’. Likewise, its apathy to public diplomacy on social media may be indicative of an inability to plan and conduct strategic communications campaigns. Indonesia is home to 50 million Facebook users, 35 million Twitter users and a projected 42% social media penetration of the population by 2017. As broadband internet access penetrates further into rural Indonesia, US–Allied strategic communications and public diplomacy are only going to grow in complexity and importance. ‘Cocktail diplomacy is dead,’ reads the simple Facebook post from retired Admiral James Stavridis after attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. Indeed, as information technology continues to mature and proliferate across the globe, public diplomacy via social media will be increasingly important as citizens become more aware of international politics and attempt to shape policy by exerting influence over their respective leaders. Nowhere does this statement resonate more profoundly than in the current Australia–Indonesia row. Following the Snowden revelations, Indonesia’s highly socially networked population took to Twitter, Facebook and the blogosphere to denounce the Australian spying. While Indonesia’s government tried to get ahead of the popular outrage and launched its own statements on social media, Australia maintained silence on its official Twitter/Facebook accounts, promising only to send a formal démarche within a week. This thumb in the eye of public diplomacy in favor of more traditional ‘cocktail diplomacy’ did nothing to assuage the growing outrage and resulted in Indonesia’s suspension of elements of the Lombok Treaty such as coordination of counter human-trafficking operations, leading to confusion, misunderstanding, accusations of violations of sovereignty/territorial waters, increased military patrols/redeployments and an escalating war of words both at the civilian and military levels."

Too many Indians blind to country’s still pervasive racial bigotry- Himanshu Kumar, Global Times: "Indians are grappling with complex ethical dilemmas, as growing intolerance manifests itself in serious social problems. ... There is a deeply divided and polarized society in the country. The invisible barbed wire around these social problems reveals that there is regionalism and stereotyping because the urban and rural areas are separated by economic and cultural chasms. Sixty-six years of democratic statehood have not been effective to curb bigotry. Successive governments for years have ignored the problem and failed to make anti-racism a part of the education system, even though the northeast has 25 members of parliament. Expat communities in our hyper-connected world engage in cultural and public diplomacy toward their homelands, and help to build up a framework for all cross-border cooperation programs between countries. As India changes mindsets to transform, one might expect xenophobic attitude to dissolve and disappear, which is so vexing in everyday lives."

UNESCO finds Indian poet-diplomat’s idea of an Earth Anthem inspiring - truthdive.com: "UNESCO finds the idea of an Earth Anthem creative and inspiring, but shows reluctance to walk the talk citing resource crunch. =UNESCO’s Assistant Director General (ERI) Mr. Eric Falt in a reply to a query said, 'We find that the idea of having an Earth Anthem is a creative and inspiring thought which would contribute to bringing the world together.' Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K’s proposal of an official Earth Anthem selected from the best judged entries through a global online competition was recommended for UNESCO’s consideration in January 2014 by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris. ... Indian poet-diplomat Mr. Abhay Kumar, the author of the Earth Anthem, when asked about the way forward, offered to help UNESCO with preparing a comprehensive conceptual plan and ways to implement it, if requested by UNESCO, as he had the experience of organizing ‘India Is-Global Video Challenge’ earlier while serving at the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs."

Cultural Diplomacy in Emerging Markets: China, UAE, Indonesia, and Russia- Henrietta Levin, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Though it lacks the high profile of China or Russia, Indonesia’s 6.2% annual GDP growth makes it a country to watch. Recently, Indonesian leaders have sought to build their cultural power along with their economic standing, and extensive public diplomacy programming is spreading Indonesian dance, music, and art throughout the Islamic world. ... You can learn more about cultural diplomacy strategies in emerging markets at the 9th Annual CPD Research Conference—A New Era In Cultural Diplomacy: Rising Soft Power in Emerging Markets on Friday, February 28, 2014."

New paper on the Dolma, Gastrodiplomacy, and Conflict Resolution between Armenia and Azerbaijan-  Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: “Last April, the Public and Cultural Diplomacy Forum at AU hosted an event on 'Gastrodiplomacy', featuring an impressive panel of speakers on this intriguing subject. I was live-tweeting the event, when I started getting responses from some Armenian tweeps suggesting that I write something about the culinary question of the South Caucasus -- the dolma. Soon after, a friend pointed out that USC's Public Diplomacy Magazine is planning a special issue on the topic of gastrodiplomacy. That's when I decided to dive in.


The long-awaited Winter 2014 issue is now out, and you can get the electronic copy of the entire issue here.  My paper, titled 'From Gastronationalism to Gastrodiplomacy: Reversing the Securitization of the Dolma in the South Caucasus', deals with the culinary controversy surrounding the origins of dolma that has been keeping quite a few people and organizations very busy over the past few years (in both Armenia and Azerbaijan). I tried to provide a short, yet a more-or-less comprehensive perspective on what the issue entails, and how, instead of fueling the conflict between the two countries further, dolma can become a tool for public diplomacy -- gastrodiplomacy -- to bring the nations closer and begin a process of conflict resolution and reconciliation.” Image from entry

Cooking up a business cluster: The Peruvian gastronomic revolution, continued - The Economist: "No fewer than seven of the leading 15 gourmet eateries in Latin America are in Lima, according to Restaurant. The Peruvian capital has become a gastronomic mecca. ... From guano in the 19th century to copper and gold today, Peru


has long been known as a commodity exporter. Through its cuisine it is now adding value to many of its raw materials. ... Peruvian cooking is a 'knowledge industry' based on cultural fusion. ... Peru’s gastronomic revolution, along with rapid economic growth over the past decade, has helped to restore national self-esteem in a country that a quarter-century ago was wracked by terrorism and hyperinflation." Via PR; image from entry

Pop Culture Diplomacy: Non-Japanese artists recognized in 7th International Manga Award
- InterAksyon.com: "MANILA - Out of 256 entries from 53 countries, 15 manga creations were recognized in the 7th International Manga Award at the Iikura House of the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on 14 February 2014, the Japanese embassy here said in a news release. ... The International Manga Award


was founded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 2007 as part of the active use of pop culture in public diplomacy. It is through this cultural exchange that will deepen the understanding of Japanese culture and manga among artists of different nations."Image from entry, with caption: Filipino [sic] manga award winner Elmer Damaso created Ravenskull.

Time for a Presidential Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy- Srinath Fernando, ft.lk: "Sri Lanka has once again come under the microscope of the international community. The image of Sri Lanka has been and is being tortured by the global media organisations worldwide. With the advent of the internet and online media, there has been a steady increase in the proliferation of news websites. The pro-separatist lobby seems to have made inroads into global media and adverse news reports have been and are being aired by the global media organisations. It would be an uphill task for Sri Lanka to counter each and every news story that is being hatched by the pro-separatist lobby. ... Countering foreign media and hiring lobbyist overseas are a costly business and citizen participation is therefore imperative and must be officially mobilised. 'It is high time a Presidential advisory committee was set up so as to advise the President of Sri Lanka on the strategies that need to be adopted in countering the separatist agendas overseas. The committee must comprise experts in the field of public diplomacy, strategic communications and psychological warfare'."

Debate in Lisbon on the current political process in Catalonia - help.catalonia.cat: "On the 24th February, the University of Lisbon will host a debate with Portuguese and Catalan experts, politicians and journalists organized by the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia. Participants include Francesc Homs, Minister for the Presidency Office of the Catalan government, and Francesc Vendrell who has held high-ranking posts in the EU and the United Nations. ... On 13th March 2013, 104 of the 135 MPs who form the Catalan Parliament voted in favour of a resolution requesting the Catalan government to start up talks with the Spanish government on the possibility of holding a referendum – a referendum in which Catalans will decide their own future. Consequently, the Catalan President formally requested the Spanish government to allow a referendum on Catalonia becoming an independent state."

Research institute founded at Renmin University - chinadaily.com.cn: "Renmin University of China founded its research institute on public diplomacy in Beijing on Wednesday. The institute, which will be headed by Zhao Qizheng, former director of State Council Information Office, will consist of research teams from the School of Journalism and Communication, School of International Studies and the peking opera research center of the university. The institute will carry out research on public diplomacy by the government and all kinds of social organizations and institutions. Dai Bingguo, former state councilor and honorary president of the newly founded institute, said at the opening ceremony that it is the first public diplomacy institute established in a Chinese university, and it was founded at the right time to meet the demand as China has been developing relations with countries around the world. In an era of information and globalization, public diplomacy plays a unique role in opening up channels of communication beyond official diplomacy, and more studies and teaching on public diplomacy should be carried out at Chinese universities, he said."

Daily News of 2014-02-27: European Commission [scroll down for item] - europa.eu: "Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou (Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth) will participate in two major events at HarvardUniversity in Boston, Massachusetts, over the coming days. On Friday, 28 February, she will address staff and students at the US University's Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs on the role of culture in European integration and international public diplomacy, and set out the European Union's role in safeguarding diversity. Mrs Vassiliou will also be a keynote speaker at the HarvardKennedySchool's 'Europe 2014: Re-Generation' conference on Saturday, 1 March. She will argue why the European Union urgently needs a new narrative as it emerges from crisis, and how public education can empower young people in both civic life and the world of work."

Awardee News: Sharon Hudson-Dean Writing for USC Blog - pdaa.publicdiplomacy.org: "Sharon Hudson-Dean, a 2012 Public Diplomacy Achievement Award winner, is now a regular contributor to the Center for Public Diplomacy (CPD) blog, published by University of Southern California. Her most recent story, posted on 14 February, describes the value of expert language skills in public diplomacy, written while learning Latvian in preparation for her assignment as deputy chief of mission in Riga.

220,000 People Are Becoming Victims Of Crime In Hungary Per Year - xpatloop.com: "220,000 people are becoming victims of crime each year - said the Minister of Interior at the the conference organized on the International Day for Victimes of Crime, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, the Institute of Public Administration and Justice and the National Council on Crime Prevention in Budapest this Friday. ... Monika Balatoni, the Minister of State for Public Diplomacy and Relations of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice described the Child-friendly Justice Program of the ministry on the conference and stressed the responsibility of the media. Her opinion is that the press should not only recognize the crimes, but also should be able to demonstrate a solution, e. g. that for what organzations [sic] and where to look for in such cases. The Minister of State also talked about the government's zero tolerance in case of crimes committed against children."

Keene High graduates dedicate lives to foreign service, by Steve Gilbert - Steve Gilbert, sentinelsource.com: "Anne Slack and Anastasia Kolivas don’t really know each other, though they know of each other. The 1998 Keene High graduates have taken parallel yet unique international career tracks that recently intersected in Washington, D.C., where they are diplomats in the State Department’s Foreign Service. ... All newcomers start out as consular officers, whose duties range from issuing visas to aiding in border-fraud investigations. The other four positions in Foreign Service are more specific: economic officers, management officers, political officers and public diplomacy officers."

Cynthia Ferman - jewlicious.com"Cynthia Ferman works in the Foreign Affairs and International Media Office for the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat. ... Cynthia spent three years with


 the U.S. State Department working in U.S. public diplomacy in Washington, DC and at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina."Uncaptioned image from entry

College Humor Shakes Orange Nation With Fits Of Laughter - Sadé A. Spence, thenewshouse.com: "Syracuse University was the home of our four favorite class clowns last night. The guys of College Humor, Jake Hurwitz, Amir Blumenfeld, Streeter Seidell, and our very own SU alum Dan Gurewitch, took the stage to a packed Goldstein Auditorium. Students were buzzing with excitement before the show began. ... The University Union’s Performing Arts Presents: College Humor was well received by the student body, leaving students on a comedic high despite the Orange Nation’s basketball team falling to Boston College. Public diplomacy student, Timi Komonibo, said she has been watching Jake and Amir for years. 'It’s funny to see that they’re as hilariously inappropriate in person as they are on their web series.'”

RELATED ITEMS

Pentagon wants contractor to pick propaganda audiences - Ray Locker, USA Today: Military officials are moving ahead with a plan to pick potential target audiences for U.S. propaganda and see if the messages work, according to a newly released Pentagon document. Potential contractors, the draft said, need to be experts in why certain groups become radical and/or violent. The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which is assuming an ever-larger share of military propaganda efforts, calls the effort the Global Research Assessment Program. One requirement is that the new contractor is not currently working on propaganda efforts. Potential contractors are supposed to detail the criteria they would use to determine target audiences for propaganda programs and how they would conduct the research needed to determine if the messages sink in. That research will include "face-to-face" interviews with local citizens, the document said.

Peace Corps Evacuates Over 200 Volunteers From Ukraine - Domani Spero, DiploPundit: On February 24, Peace Corps HQ announced the successful evacuation of volunteers from Ukraine: "WASHINGTON, D.C., February 24, 2014 – The Peace Corps today announced that all Peace Corps Ukraine volunteers are safe and accounted for, and have been successfully evacuated out of the country. The agency will continue to assess the safety and security climate in Ukraine. And while the Peace Corps hopes volunteers can return, the safety and security of its volunteers are the agency’s top priority. Over 200 Peace Corps Ukraine volunteers were working in the areas of education and youth and community development. Volunteers will participate in a transition conference this week. Since the program was established in 1992, over 2,740 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Ukraine."

Russian Propaganda Operations Target The U.S. - Cliff Kincaid, newswithviews.com: The Moscow-funded propaganda channel, Russia Today (RT), is featuring a Ron Paul column titled “Leave Ukraine alone!,” even while Russia threatens an invasion of the sovereign nation and former Soviet republic. “The usual interventionists in the US have long meddled in the internal affairs of Ukraine,” Paul says, promoting the Kremlin line to an American audience. Using an American to reinforce a policy favored by Moscow is a technique from old Soviet propaganda operations.

America plays its role in a changing world right - Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post: The world is not in great disorder. It is mostly at peace with one zone of instability, the greater Middle East, an area that has been unstable for four decades at least The fact that people can make these pleas for more intervention right after a decade of aggressive (and costly) American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is surprising.

Putin’s Ukraine gambit - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post: American neutrality doesn’t allow an authentic Ukrainian polity to emerge. It leaves Ukraine naked to Russian pressure. What Obama doesn’t seem to understand is that American inaction creates a vacuum. His evacuation from Iraq consigned that country to Iranian hegemony, just as Obama’s writing off Syria invited in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah to reverse the tide of battle.

Any More U.S. “Stabilization” and Africa Will Collapse - Peter Van Buren, We Meant Well: The basic rule for any investment is what do you gain in return for risk? It applies to buying stocks as well as investing a nation’s blood, resources and prestige. In the case of Africa, the U.S. investment has been a disaster. Chaos has replaced stability in many places, and terrorists have found homes in countries they may have once never imagined. The U.S., in sad echo of 19th century colonialism, has militarized another region of the world.

Debunking propaganda about Israeli apartheid - Waleed Ahmed, rabble.ca:
While South Africa had 'white-only' beaches, Israel has allocated entire colonies for exclusive Jewish use in Palestine. Schools, parks, roads and hospitals are all 'Jewish-only.' There might not be signage to say this in large font, but only Jews are allowed to live and reside in these areas -- despite them being in occupied Palestinian land.

Fort Belvoir holds cache of art the Nazis made and a WW II U.S. Army officer tracked down - Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post: The haul was brought to the United States in 1947, Forgey said.


Over the following decades, the U.S. government returned all but the 456. Images that showed Nazi leaders; the Nazi symbol, the swastika; or overt propaganda were kept. Image from entry, with caption: Nazi art held at Fort Belvoir: A U.S. Army officer took hundreds of works of art glorifying Hitler’s Germany.

IMAGE


--Via MD on Facebook; rough translation: "V. Lenin shares impressions about events in Ukraine with [former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation] Michael McFaul

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“The greatest service this country could render the rest of the world would be to put its own house in order and to make of American civilization an example of decency, humanity, and societal success from which others could derive whatever they might find useful to their own purposes.”

--George Kennan

"[M]eat is the culinary equivalent of gasoline."

--Maureen Ogle, in her new book “In Meat We Trust,” a history of what she calls “Carnivore America"; image from, with caption: Lady Gaga's Meat Dress, 2010

UKRAINE

March 1 Update

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Big Adjustment: Five things Richard Stengel should know about his new job - Jonathan Kaplan: "The job of enhancing and repairing that image and building support for U.S. policies rests with the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. In February, after a protracted process, the Senate confirmed Richard Stengel, the former editor of Time magazine, for the post. ... Stengel should know five things to succeed. First, as Stengel learned, Senate confirmations are like divorces: Even the easy ones are difficult. It's well established that the confirmation process takes too long and is too intrusive. Stengel was nominated last September; he was confirmed in mid-February. ... That said, to succeed in government, Stengel will have to shed his identity as an author and editor. ... Second, running a government bureaucracy is one of the toughest jobs out there. ... Third, Stengel's relationship with Secretary of State John Kerry will change. As head of Time, he and Kerry were peers, insofar as they each ran big, important enterprises.


But now, Kerry is the principal and Stengel is a staffer. ... Meanwhile, he will be overshadowed by the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Doug Frantz and the cheery, unflappable State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. ... Fourth, the White House will expect him to implement some policies, and foreign policy crises will force some policy development, but Stengel will want to have his own bold prescriptions, too. That's a difficult balancing act, and that's why Stengel hopefully went into the job with his eyes open. ... Fifth, finding the time to do everything he wants will be his biggest challenge. ... Stengel should forget the 'Morning Joe' crowd. He should pour all of his considerable intellectual and physical energy into making and figuring out how to package and message U.S. foreign policy. Let Joe and Mika talk about decisions already made. Stengel will be making them."Uncaptioned image from entry

Voice of America had no correspondent at the White House when Obama warned Russia about Ukraine - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch.


Image from entry, with caption: Voice of America had only 87 words on President Obama’s statement on Ukraine and made a grammatical error. There was no video or audio from the White House on the VOA website. Both BBC and Germany’s Deutsche Welle (DW) had video of President Obama speaking about Ukraine

Former BBG member disturbed and saddened by Voice of America’s management - BBG Watcer, BBG Watch: "Writing on her public Facebook page, former Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) presidentially-appointed member


Blanquita Cullum said that she was 'very disturbed and very sad to read that brilliant journalist Dan Robinson is leaving the Voice of America.' Robinson made it clear in his farewell message and in a separate letter to current BBG members that he made his decision to leave because of mismanagement and intimidation of journalists by senior VOA and International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) officials. Robinson wrote that one official, whom he did not name but who is believed to be a senior VOA executive, bullied and threatened him with dismissal."Cullum image from entry

Notice of Meeting: U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy - Media Note, Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC, February 28, 2014: "The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy will meet in open session at the Capitol Visitor’s Center (First Street, SE, Washington, D.C.) in Room SVC 203 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on March 5. The Commission Members will discuss the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative with featured guests Brett Bruen, Director of Global Engagement at the National Security Council, The White House; Elizabeth Berry Gips, Coordinator of the Young African Leaders Initiative at the U.S. Agency for International Development; and Macon Phillips, Coordinator of the International Information Programs Bureau at the Department of State. Members of the public planning to attend any of the meetings should refer to the Federal Register notice for further details and instructions, including information pertaining to notification deadlines and reasonable accommodation. Questions concerning the meeting should be directed to Katherine Brown, Executive Director, U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy Department of State at (202) 203-7386, or by e-mail at BrownKA4@state.gov."

How Nuclear Talks Help the Mullahs Dominate the Middle East - defendingiraniandemocracy.wordpress.com: "Despite the attacks on the United States by the Supreme Leader and other Iranian officials, and apparently to support the Iranian diplomatic effort in Vienna, Khamenei published on his Twitter and Facebook accounts (social networks are off limits to ordinary Iranian citizens) a summation of his statements about nuclear weapons being in violation of Islamic law. Iran claims that Khamenei has even


issued a fatwa prohibiting the possession and use of such weapons. This, however, is part of Iran’s public-diplomacy campaign, and in reality he has never published any such fatwa."Image from

Hundreds of NATO troops located in western Ukraine [Google "translation'] - Paul Martin, revolutionradio.org: "On Tuesday, the Public Chamber of Russia held a hearing on the situation in Ukraine. The event was attended by well-known Russian, Ukrainian experts, government representatives. Bombshell information caused people’s deputy of Ukraine Oleg Tsarev. According to him, began to disembark in Lviv … NATO soldiers. 'In March, planned exercise line' Ukraine-Atlantic alliance.' Until the spring is still far, but hundreds of Western troops have already started landing in Lviv. ... The event was organized in the OP RF spoke Russian Public Council for International Cooperation and Public Diplomacy, Inter-Commission working group on international cooperation and public diplomacy."

Cultural policy in shaping the image of the European Union - mgs.org.ru: "Abstract: In contemporary world politics the factor of culture has become highly influential. Due to this fact the states pay more and more attention to cultural policy, since export, distribution and promotion of national culture proved to be a very effective to reach national goals and shape the country’s image. As for the EU, due to the complexity its formation this is a special case. The European Union has a difficult task to present itself as united, but connecting different 'elements' with their own culture, history and social structure. Cultural diplomacy makes a great deal in this process. It has the ability to unite Europeans, build common European identity and promote the advantages of being EU-citizen.


Also it promotes the positive respectful image of the United Europe on the international level that is highly important for any entity, since the capacity to address the competitive challenges, the success of foreign policy, the development of trade and economic relations, touristic and educational attractiveness, internal political processes depend on how this entity is perceived by others in the world. ... There is no single opinion concerning the term 'foreign cultural policy'. Anglo-American politicians and scientists prefer to use the terms 'cultural and public diplomacy' instead. German scientists reject the term 'cultural diplomacy' insisting that only foreign cultural policy can be designed to achieve political objectives and promotional purposes. In France, alongside several of the terms are used 'action culturelle exterieure' (website of the Foreign Ministry), 'politique culturelle exterieure', 'diplomatie culturelle' (in scientific literature). In the Russian science the concept of 'cultural diplomacy' and 'foreign cultural policy' are equal (A. Golubev) ... . Never the less according to Russian school, cultural diplomacy is an important instrument of foreign policy, including in the field of culture; it’s the work of diplomats in culture, whereas in the implementation of foreign cultural policy may involve a variety of ministries and departments."Image from

More on French Cultural Relations - Public Diplomacy, Networks and Influence: "I finally got the end of Francois [sic] Chaubet (ed.),La Culture [sic] Francaise [sic] dans le Monde [sic]: Les Defis [sic] de la Mondialisation [sic], 1980-2000 (Paris: Harmattan, 2010)[.] If you’re interested in the development of French cultural relations over the last three decades  I’d certainly recommend it. The title is a bit of a misnomer because many of the chapters cover the period up to about 2006, as such it gives quite a good sense of the debates behind the reorganizations and changes that have gone on over the last 3-4 years. The coverage is quite comprehensive in terms of themes; The Culture Ministry under Jack Lang, the Alliance Francaise [sic], changing concepts of support for higher education, books, arts, cinema, television, Sciences Pom [sic] the national library although the approach of the chapters differ [sic].  Full contents are here. The overall picture is of a system that is having to adapt to a world that is changing and if anything you got the impression that the debates here are converging with those in the UK in becoming a bit more instrumental."

Indonesia: “A Thousand Friends,” But No BFF - Ellen Huijgh, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Indonesia ... envisions itself as having 'a thousand friends and zero enemies' and


no BFF (Best Friend Forever), whether from North or South, East or West. ... [W]hile Indonesia’s relations with the U.S. may have deepened over the years, especially under the Obama presidency, this is not the only country with which Indonesia has developed greater ties . ... U.S.-Indonesian engagement through public diplomacy ... must be put into perspective. It does not really reflect an Indonesian preference for the U.S. ... It is also unlikely that Indonesia will be a fervent supporter of the propagation/promotion of U.S. values (as is partly intended by U.S. public diplomacy programs in Indonesia)."Image from

Presidency to help tell the Dutch story - timesofindia.indiatimes.com: "Coinciding with the recent interest in conservation of the Dutch settlement in Chinsurah, Presidency University has stumbled upon a storehouse of data at the West Bengal State Archives. The documents are related to the Dutch colony in Chinsurah that started flourishing from the late 16{+t}{+h} century. Presidency scholars, led by English department teacher Soubhik Mukherjee, have not only accessed the documents but also figured out the yet unknown Dutch settlement story, complete with names and faces of people who ran the flourishing colony at that time. The university has now established the Digital Humanities Centre that was inaugurated on Tuesday as part of a new tri-department initiative that will help reconstruct Dutch heritage. The centre organized a workshop with all the stakeholders in the project that will look into heritage, urban planning and academics as the Dutch built heritage is gradually brought back to life. The three departments involved in the project are English, History and Bengali.. ... Tuesday's seminar was preceded by a presentation by Paul Meurs, chair of restoration, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands, who spoke on 'The Chinsurah Initiative and the cultural value of a place' organized by the Victoria Memorial on Monday. ... Introducing him along with head of political affairs and public diplomacy, Marielle van Miltenburg, Victoria Memorial curator Jayanta Sengupta said on Monday: 'There is poetic justice in hosting the event here because this building was set up by our colonial ancestors. The Chinsurah Initiative is part of the much broader initiative of what we call Europe-on-Ganges.' The project will promote tourism along the 30km stretch where the Portuguese (Bandel), Dutch (Chinsurah), French (Chandernagore) and Danes (Serampore) established flourishing colonies."

China gears up a “high-end think tank” to work all issues in South China Sea - johnib.wordpress.com: "China is building a national think tank on South China Sea research to boost the country’s maritime power strategy and deal with looming maritime disputes. Established in October 2012, the Collaborative Innovation Center for South China Sea Studies, based at Nanjing University in Jiangsu province, is among the 14 national-level research projects prioritized and supported by the government since 2011. ... Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for


South China Sea Studies, said Chinese think tanks traditionally place more emphasis on historical studies than legal studies, and the aging of scholars is also a problem. 'With such serious challenges in the maritime situation, the center functions as a national think tank and is capable of integrating resources and addressing challenges, which is of huge significance,' Wu said. The center will facilitate China’s ambition of having a bigger say in the world as well as its public diplomacy, and it is expected to reduce the waste of research resources, Wu said."Image from

Joel Harding is announced as Director of the NSE Information Strategy Center - toinformistoinfluence.com: "Joel Harding, the well-known information and influence operations authority in Washington DC, is joining us as Director of the NSE Information Strategy Center. The Center will develop training programs in the areas of information operations, psychological operations, public diplomacy, and strategic influence. ... Joel has also researched and written extensively about IO, Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication, most notably on his blog: To Inform Is To Influence."

Some Dreamers of the Impossible Dream: Is it possible that the various ethnic groups in the Balkans might finally be in the process of overcoming the region’s fractious history? - James Thomas Snyder, afsa.org: "James Snyder is a former member of the NATO international staff. This article is adapted from his book, The United States and the Challenge of Public Diplomacy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). Names have been changed to protect the identities of those who spoke with the author."

Required: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist– Education Partnership Outreach Services - "URS is the managing contractor of the Education Partnership Outreach Services (EPOS), providing project management and technical support.


The objective of EPOS is to deliver a public diplomacy and outreach program that will ensure Australia’s profile as a partner supporting Indonesia’s education development goals are both visible and recognised."Image from

RELATED ITEMS

Condemnation isn’t enough for Russian actions in Crimea - Editorial, Washington Post: Stripping Ukraine of Crimea would be Mr. Putin’s way of putting his foot on the neck of the country’s fragile interim government, which is already facing a severe economic crisis. As Mr. Obama noted, it would also be a blatant violation of Russia’s commitments, including the 1994 Budapest memorandum, in which Moscow pledged to the United States and Britain that it would respect Ukraine’s independence and borders in exchange for the removal of its nuclear weapons. It could create another chronic trouble spot in Europe — particularly as Crimea’s population includes a large minority of Ukrainian speakers as well as Crimean Tatars, a Muslim group that rejects Russian rule. Mr. Obama and European leaders must act quickly to prevent Ukraine’s dismemberment.

What Is Russia’s Aim in Ukraine? - Editorial, New York Times: President Obama, speaking at the White House, was right to warn Russia against any military move and to indicate that the United States would join the world in condemning a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.


He also said that “there will be costs” for any intervention in Ukraine, though it was not clear what, if realistically anything, that might involve. Image from

How the West Can Shape Ukraine: Room For Debate - New York Times: "Together with the United States and Britain, Russia is a guarantor of the indivisibility of Ukrainian territory — a pledge the three countries made to Ukraine in return for the surrender of its nuclear arsenal in 1994." (Serhii Plokhii). "Ukraine is a divided country. Without Russia, Ukraine's problems are unresolvable, and ignoring Russian interest will be a disaster." (Fyodor Lukyanov) "Instead of jumping at the opportunity to engage Ukrainian leaders and people on the merits of capitalism and liberty, President Obama let the socialists argue for us." (Richard Grenell) "The prospects of NATO assimilating Ukraine represents taking Russia’s 'heart': the very ancestral home where Russia was founded and on which it repelled the fascist invasion in the Great Patriotic War." (Jeffrey Sommers)

Ukraine: The Haze of Propaganda - Timothy Snyder, New York Review of Books: Whatever course the Russian intervention may take, it is not an attempt to stop a fascist coup, since nothing of the kind has taken place. What has taken place is a popular revolution, with all of the messiness, confusion, and opposition that entails.


The young leaders of the Maidan, some of them radical leftists, have risked their lives to oppose a regime that represented, at an extreme, the inequalities that we criticize at home. They have an experience of revolution that we do not. Part of that experience, unfortunately, is that Westerners are provincial, gullible, and reactionary.

Venezuela revokes CNN journalists’ press credentials for ‘war propaganda' - rt.com: Venezuela has revoked or denied press credentials for seven CNN journalists working in the country for what President Nicolas Maduro called “war propaganda” amid coverage of anti-government protests. Image from entry, with caption: Supporters of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez stand at a barricade during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's government, in a middle-class neighbourhood in Caracas February 20, 2014

From Nieman Reports: Detecting threads of Chinese government propaganda over time: “Fished out of the shadows, old news coverage in China’s media can provide clues to the family connections of government officials as reporters investigate their financial dealings” - Qian Gang, niemanlab.org: In the past, relying


purely on manual analysis, it had been virtually impossible to accurately determine how phrases like “Mao Zedong Thought” or “dictatorship of the proletariat” — terms that had had a deep impact on the course of the Cultural Revolution — had been used over time. Now, computer technology made it possible to enter a simple keyword and arrive at these results almost instantly. All at once, the numbers hidden within a sea of language revealed themselves. Image from entry

Upside-Down Propaganda: How China Keeps Fooling The New York Times, The BBC, And Other Wishful Thinkers - Eamonn Fingleton, Forbes: In a one-hour program predicting the coming collapse of China, BBC economics editor Peston spoke in apocalyptic terms about alleged fatal weaknesses in the Chinese banking system. In doing so he fell for one of the most sophisticated propaganda ploys of modern times. For nearly two decades now, Beijing has worked through various witting and unwitting surrogates, many of them Westerners, to persuade the United States and Europe that China’s rise is somehow an illusion. Beijing is playing on an apparently limitless capacity for wishful thinking in the West and, to anyone who has been following the story, the motive is obvious: to foster complacency and procrastination.

Dodging the Pyongyang Propaganda Trap - Sohn Gwang Joo, dailynk.com: With regards to South Korea, the North is using the humanitarian issue of separated families as a decoy to foster domestic opposition to the upcoming joint ROK-U.S. military drills, and, vis the United States, Kim Jong Eun is getting the most out of his “friend” Dennis Rodman. There is no chance of Rodman grasping the concept of a “propaganda war," but he certainly fulfilled his role as a “useful idiot” by offering to “invite CNN to Pyongyang” to repay the lavish hospitality that was bestowed upon him. What is motivating North Korea to engage in this propaganda war beyond its shores? The answer is that, at the current juncture, they simply have no other option.

Propaganda in DPRK - Kinga Dygulska-Jamro, international.ucla.edu: The purpose of this talk [February 25] is to examine the mythologization of Kim Jong Il, his father Kim Il Song and his son Kim Jong Un in the North Korean propaganda. We will explore the leader’s mythologization in six different spheres: Kim Jong Il’s official biography, his character, personal outlook, internal politics and leaderships, attitude toward the USA, and toward unification issues. We will also look at the links between literature, press and politics.


While past research offered multiple perspectives to advance our understanding about the nature of the North Korean regime, this talk singles out some of the unanswered questions that deserve further attention, e.g. how Koreans see themselves and their Dear Leader, or what is an influence of the leader’s mythologization on Korean society, what are the visible results of progressive propaganda techniques. Finally, what are the similarities between North Korean and American propaganda? Uncaptioned image from entry

"I find this faith breathtaking; Americans making all those mistakes that can be avoided by being American."

--University of Manitoba Professor Vaclav Smil, reacting to the quotation from the book by writer and editor Cullen Murphy, Are We Rome? (2007), p. 206, "Are we Rome? In important ways we just might be. In important ways we're clearly making some of the same mistakes. But the antidote is everywhere. The antidote is being American." Image from


PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Fact Sheets: Highlights of the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development Budget - newsroomamerica.com: "Highlights of the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development Budget[:] Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC March 4, 2014... Public Diplomacy and Education and Cultural Exchanges ($1.1 billion). Continues


to counter violent extremism, expand and strengthen people-to-people relationships, inform policy making, and deploy resources in strategic alignment with foreign policy priorities; fosters support for academic programs, professional and cultural exchanges, and continued growth for strategic partnerships around the world."Image from

Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: Atrocity Prevention is a Core National Security Interest for the United States: High-Level Dialogue With Relevant United Nations Entities on the Promotion of Preventative Approaches Within the UN System (as delivered) [not clear by whom -- JB] - press release, EIN News: "We believe a structured inner organizational framework and effective assessments of early warning signs and indicators will give us a better chance to spot problems early on, and allow us to use the tools we have available to influence the context and actors that could trigger violence. This may include sharing information about early warning, establishing national and multilateral focal points, and coordinating responses – be those in the form of deploying mediators or public diplomacy— to stress the importance of preventing a situation from escalating into a mass atrocity."

Opportunities and Challenges in US-Japan and US-Republic of In Us-Japan and Us-Republic Of Korea Alliances – Testimony - Eurasia Review: "Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Washington, DC [.] Chairman Cardin and Members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you today to discuss this important topic. Early in his first term, President Obama began implementing his vision for the Asia-Pacific rebalance, based on America’s enduring stake in a prosperous and stable region. The United States has been, we are, and we will remain a Pacific power.


In the second term, the Administration is building out this strategy. The Department of State is focused on dedicating diplomatic, public diplomacy, and assistance resources to the region in a way that is commensurate with the truly comprehensive nature of our engagement. And under Secretary Kerry we are intensifying our support for U.S. companies, climate and energy cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, youth and exchange programs, education, women’s empowerment, and other initiatives."Image from

Ukraine: Is It Time for Public Diplomacy? - Brian Carlson, Public Diplomacy Council: "The U.S. and the European Union may not have military options to turn the Ukraine situation around. Therefore this is precisely the time to think creatively about public diplomacy."

Michelle Obama to Stress Education on China Trip - Bree Feng, New York Times: "Michelle Obama, the American first lady, will travel to China this month for a visit that will focus on 'the power and importance of education' and include a meeting with Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping of China, the White House has said. Ms. Peng is China’s most visible first lady in decades.


As a popular folk singer, she was better known than her husband for many years before he began ascending the top ranks of the Chinese leadership. The meeting of the two women is expected to be a high-profile, and popular, public diplomacy event in China."Image from entry, with caption: Michelle Obama with her daughters, Sasha, left, and Malia, who will travel with the first lady to China this month. See also.

Montana’s Role in Global Sports Diplomacy- Deena Mansour, mtpr.org: "The Mansfield Center is an academic unit of the University of Montana, which entails the usual conferences, research, and academic exchange. But one thing that is special about our Center is our emphasis on community engagement. This effort centers on public diplomacy: fostering people-to-people relations in a long-term approach to forestall global crisis. While we’ve worked with people across the state on such critical issues such as natural resources and trade, we’re excited to approach new territory for the Mansfield Center: the realm of Sports Diplomacy. ... Sports diplomacy is just one of many ways that the U.S. government follows U.S. law as regulated by the Fulbright Hays Act of 1961. This act requires the U.S. government to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange, and thus to assist in the development of peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world. To fulfill this mandate, the U.S. Department of State has created the SportsUnited Division, which has involved thousands of people from around the world in sports exchanges. The Mansfield Center is honored to have been awarded the first SportsUnited grant in the state to manage an exchange between Montana and China. ... Our namesake Mike Mansfield understood the value of sports diplomacy. In November 1984, as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, he invited the UM football team to Tokyo to play against Army before a crowd of 50,000 people."

Ex-Time executive gets ethics waiver to communicate with press: Richard Stengel now media strategist- By Jim McElhatton, washingtontimes.com: "The Obama administration is waiving its ethics rules for former Time magazine managing editor turned State Department official Richard Stengel, one of a half dozen officials at Foggy Bottom who have received special exemptions from provisions aimed at cracking down on the revolving door between special interests and government. Mr. Stengel becomes the third former media executive now advising Secretary of State John Kerry to require a waiver that lets him communicate with journalists he’d otherwise be barred from contacting.


The waiver, released by the Office of Government Ethics last week, allows the former Time managing editor to 'engage in regular decisions and discussions' with more than 200 subsidiaries of Time Warner Inc.The four-page waiver portrays Mr. Stengel, the new undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, as part media gatekeeper and strategist.'Mr. Stengel may be asked to weigh in on high-level strategic decisions about which media outlets are best suited for certain access or interviews with Department officials, and on how best to frame news coverage of Department policies, operations, and activities,' the waiver reads. The waiver doesn’t extend to Time magazine or Time Warner itself, but covers Mr. Stengel’s ability to communicate with journalists at any of more than 200 other Time Warner subsidiaries. 'Many of these subsidiaries are regularly engaged in covering the department’s activities and require the Under Secretary to be able to weigh in on decisions that might impact individual outlets’ news coverage,' Richard Visek, deputy legal adviser at the State Department, wrote in a letter justifying the waiver for Mr. Stengel. A State Department declined to comment on the waiver Tuesday. ... In November, The Washington Times reported on Mr. Stengel’s financial disclosure forms, which showed he received a more than quarter-million dollar bonus around the same time he oversaw layoffs at Time magazine." Image from entry, with caption: The Obama administration is waiving its ethics rules for former Time magazine editor Richard Stengel, now an advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry.

Fact Checking Twitter: Venezuela Protests Highlight Key Weakness of Social Media - indypendent.org: "The adoption of  social media as a tool to advance US foreign policy objectives, including regime change, did not end with President George W. Bush’s administration. Actually, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton further developed it as a coherent policy tool labelled ‘21st Century Statecraft.’ I wrote about this and how Venezuela and other ALBA countries were targets for this new technological imperialism back in 2012.


In the article I noted how Judith McHale, former under secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the State Department, provided clarity about how exactly Washington planned to use these new technologies in a forum hosted by John Hopkins University in March 2011. “New media and connective technologies enhance our ability to listen...Social media provides new ways for us to keep our ear to the ground,” said McHale. ‘Of course, we are not interested in developing social media platforms for the sake of having them. We are interested in applying social media to promote our strategic objectives in the Americas.’ A few months later at a June 2011 Senate Hearing Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson said that the State Department ‘has programs that support media training in Bolivia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Ecuador; these programs address the use and impact of social media….’ McHale’s remarks and Jacobson’s admission seem salient now in light of the use of how social media in Venezuela has been used to spread misinformation in attempts to destabilize the country and delegitimize that country’s democratically-elected government."Uncaptioned image from entry

Humanitarian aid is the best, and only, solution for Syria: The US and international community have run out of other options for addressing Syria’s bloody civil war. Greater humanitarian assistance can have a stabilizing effect, brings factions together, and paves the way for future cooperation. Without it, broken societies never mend - Tara Sonenshine, csmonitor.com: "She [Sonenshine] was formerly ... served as undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs."See also.


U.S. Senate Resolution: Sri Lanka's rare display of public diplomacy - Daya Gamage, asiantribune.com: "At a time Sri Lanka is battling the rise of 'Global Diplomatic Insurgency', well replenished by the former acolytes of Prabhaharan's terror-separatist group LTTE who are now covertly and overtly advocating a bifurcation of Sri Lanka within the Tamil Diaspora, Sri Lanka has displayed a rare public diplomacy victory in engaging in a fruitful dialogue with a group of U.S. Senators to move a resolution to bring the U.S. and Sri Lanka to the same page on 'national issues' concerning this South Asian nation. The significance is that the Senate Republican Resolution moved and tabled on 27 February urges the Obama White House to recognize Sri Lanka's sovereignty and maintain relations to safeguard it. The movers of the resolution expect the State Department to take note of what they have written in it. ... The evidence is that the handlers of Sri Lanka's external affairs and its Washington diplomatic facility seem to have done just that, to the delight of this Online Newspaper which has been advocating to use public affairs, public diplomacy and strategic communication in a more effective manner to 'explain Sri Lanka' to the rest of the world who have succumbed to misinformation, misrepresentation, half-truths and diabolical falsehood to haul the country all way to Geneva."

Ukraine partisans hire former U.S. lawmakers to lobby their case: It’s among a number of countries undergoing political upheaval that have turned to former elected and government officials to make their case in Washington - Jonathan D. Salant, kjonline.com: "For a decade, Democrat Jim Slattery and Republican Vin Weber represented opposing parties in the House. Today, the two former representatives are aligned in advocating for a western-leaning Ukraine. The two ex-lawmakers were among the lobbyists paid more than $1 million last year to represent partisans in the Ukrainian conflict, Senate records show. It’s a familiar tactical move as a number of countries undergoing political upheaval, including Egypt and Libya, are turning to former elected and government officials to make their case in Washington. ... The Egyptian government in October hired the Washington- based Glover Park Group, whose principals include veterans of former President Bill Clinton’s administration, for 'public diplomacy, strategic communications counsel and government relations services,' according to a Justice Department registration form. The current Egyptian government took power in July after a military coup ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi."

Post-Oscars, PM unveils tourism TV show in Hollywood: Israel-focused episode produced by ‘Travel Detective’ Peter Greenberg expected to bring 200,000 more to Israel - timesofisrael.com: "After meeting with US President Barack Obama, addressing American officials and speaking at this week’s annual AIPAC policy conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday made his way from Washington to California to unveil a TV tourism program that, once aired, is expected to bring hundreds of thousands more tourists to Israel. The program, produced and hosted by CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg, is an hourlong show


presenting Israel’s tourist sites in a new light. ... The show received support from the Tourism Ministry due to its contribution to Israeli efforts in the fields of 'public diplomacy, economy and tourism.'"Image from entry, with caption: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu floats in the Dead Sea with TV producer Peter Greenberg

Scream and shout that Iran is lying - Dan Margalit, israelhayom.com: "Israel disrupted its neighbors' afternoon nap on Wednesday. In fact, the nuisance had the world wake up from its siesta. That West, that sleeping beauty that has all but passed out, had been dreaming about Iran being gradually transformed into a moderate nation when those rude Israeli commandos raided a Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away from home, seizing M-302 missiles that had been dispatched from Syria to the Gaza Strip, by way of Iran. ... Yes, the news of the operation was made public before the troops were safely back home. Was the decision motivated by a desire to improve the coverage of Netanyahu's trip [to the U.S.]? If I were speaking on behalf of the government, I would have this answer: Yes! Many Israelis have lamented that Israel's public diplomacy efforts have lacked a proactive posture that prepares public opinion rather than reacts to it. Remember that botched operation to divert the Gaza-bound Turkish-led flotilla in 2010? This time around, public diplomacy took a front-row seat. The world may be tuned out, but Israel must nevertheless scream and shout. The attempted shipment of arms through the Klos C was in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions (why has the Israeli Foreign Ministry yet to lodge a complaint with the U.N.?). The intercepted delivery shows that Tehran is engaging in illicit activity behind Egypt's back, forging new ties with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Eventually people will realize that for the ayatollah regime, lying is just part of its daily life, part of a routine."

The Objective: To Embarrass Iran: Amir Rapaport's interpretation of the IDF Navy's raid on the Iranian weapons boat: what really happened and what Israel wanted to achieve through that naval action off the coast of Sudan - israeldefense.com: "[T]he military effort in Africa was accompanied immediately


by a political effort against Iran, and a wide Israeli public diplomacy effort." Image from entry, with caption: The Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff during the operation

Pope Francis forced to cancel Israel visit: Foreign Ministry source confirms trip planned for May scrapped due to ongoing strike by Israeli diplomats- timesofisrael.com: "A source at the ministry confirmed to The Times of Israel on Thursday that the pontiff’s trip was cancelled because Foreign Ministry workers are currently on strike and are unable to make the necessary arrangements


for the high-profile visit. ... No diplomatic cables are being sent by diplomats and the cadets course and distribution of pro-Israel public diplomacy materials has been put on hold."Image from entry, with caption: Pope Francis dines with Argentine Jewish leaders.

Why the United Nations’ policies on Israel matter now - Danny Ayalon, Jerusalem Post: "[R]ecognizing the fact that the anti-Israel campaign in what should be the world’s preeminent international organization has continued largely unchallenged for years, I would argue that countering the


UN deserves to be among our most pressing public diplomacy agenda items– even more so than fighting BDS [boycott, divestment, sanctions)."Image from entry, with caption: The meetinghall of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Moscow engages with ‘Old Europe’ to calm Ukraine - M K Bhadrakumar, Indian Punchline: "Diplomats may say one thing while facing the camera while knowing fully well that facts do not bear out what they say. Call it propaganda and posturing — or, ‘public diplomacy’ — but at the end of the day, the sensational disclosure to the effect that the violence and bloodshed that Kiev witnessed in the crucial run-up to the fall of President Viktor Yanukovich was not due to ‘repression’ ordered by him but was perpetrated by the ultra-nationalist elements and their hit men completely demolishes the narrative propounded by the United States."

As Sochi 2014 comes to close, ‘New face of Russia’ is celebrated - Alan Abrahamson, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Sochi didn’t boast the raucous atmosphere of some Games."

"Banana"

--Term used in the state-run China News Service to characterize recent U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke, meaning  "that he is yellow on the outside, but white at the core"; image from

EVENT

Briefing on Trends in U.S.-Sponsored Broadcasting - "PDAA [an association for public diplomacy professionals and formerly the USIA Alumni Association], together with Syracuse University’s Maxwell in Washington Public Diplomacy Program is organizing a briefing on new trends in U.S.-sponsored broadcasting, Wednesday, March 12, 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m. Senior officials of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) will discuss recent initiatives by the VOA and other U.S. broadcasting entities, including the increasing use of social media to reach audiences around the globe. The event is held at the IBB/VOA headquarters building, 301 C St S.W., near the Federal Center SW Metro stop on the Orange or Blue line. A box lunch will be available; the cost is $10.00. Please RSVP by e-mail to Mike Schneider – mischnei [at] maxwell [dot] syr [dot] edu – no later than March 5. Space is limited."

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN THE NEWS

Harassment and Misinformation Against Ukraine Journalists - Voice of America, posted at Malaysia Sun: "With Crimean media effectively under Russian control, Ukrainians have begun organizing to counter what they say is a flow of misinformation [.] FakeControl.org and StopFake.org are websites that seek to dispel myths and misinformation being propagated by Russian media outlets. The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center (UCMC) launched March 4 with the stated mission of providing the international community objective information about events in Ukraine and 'threats to national security.''We are a group of different professionals from different fields in international relations in corporate and public communications, in translations, and we feel that Ukraine is under a serious security threat of losing its sovereignty and territorial integrity and really needs an additional serious voice delivering the message to media outside Ukraine and also to people in Ukraine's southeastern regions and Crimea,' said spokesperson Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, executive director of Yalta European Strategy (YES), the largest social institution of public diplomacy in Eastern Europe. ... In Washington, U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator Paige Alexander said her agency was working with the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and local journalists to help ensure the free flow of information around the country."See also.

A Crucial Time for Diplomacy in Ukraine - Tara Sonenshine, takefiveblog.org: "Ukraine


will need good public diplomacy from the U.S. ... Let’s hope public diplomacy and diplomatic talks result in a win-win for everyone. ... Tara Sonenshine ... served as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs."Image from entry

Ukraine Up-Date, What Now? Responding And Keeping Our Head And Looking Ahead- Harry Blaney, cipnationalsecurity.wordpress.com: "[W]e need a strategic vision to counter Putin’s imperial and dictatorial ambitions at home and abroad. We need do so in a way that also demonstrates we are FOR the well being of the Russian people and for Russia becoming a place of true democracy, openness, rule of law, and prosperity alongside much of the rest of the developed world. We need to do more to make this distinction via public diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, and our words and deeds over the decades."

The Daily: Cashing in on Soft Power - Michael Ardaiolo, thepublicdiplomat.com: "As the events in Ukraine call for immediate action, the fruits of longterm public diplomacy efforts are (or 'would be') utilized.


Public diplomacy is not an immediately actionable device; that’s called 'diplomacy.'” Uncaptioned image from entry

"The Great White House Jeans Caper: Updated! - Tom, tomnichols.net: [W]e’ve been in the midst of a deep and serious crisis with Russia. ... In the midst of this, President Obama called the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. And the White House photographer took a picture of it, as you can see here.


Now, there are a few things to know about talking to Putin. First, he’s a guy who takes image seriously. Second, he has a macho fixation, as do many powerful Russian men. Third, he is mightly pissed off these days over perceived slights to his honor from the uppity people of Ukraine, who actually want a say in their own future. And finally, it’s no secret that he and our President don’t like each other. Not one little bit. So I saw the picture of the President, and I immediately winced. The picture of the leader of the Free World talking to America’s top competitor in his casual Saturday outfit was a lousy idea. Hand on his hip, looking annoyed rather than angry, in jeans and casual sleeves…the whole thing is a case study in poor optics that projected a lack of urgency, a lack of gravitas, a general lack of seriousness, at exactly the time it would have been useful for Putin to know that we weren’t kidding around."

Ukraine, Russia, Options, and the False Choice between Capacity and Capbility [sic] - informationdissemination.net: "[Comment by: Roberts150 mike_wheatley • 6 days ago:] I think this is a case where the remaining signatories [of the Budapest memorandum; see] are supposed to at the least take the issue to the Security Council (where of course Russia's veto makes it a dead duck, but it's a public diplomacy move) and the intent and the spirit of the deal comes into play."

The View From DC on Russia, Putin and the Ukraine - Sean Paul Kelley, agonist.org: "[Comment by:] JustPlainDave 03/04/2014 at 7:47 am Log in to Reply Whoa down there Jeane Kirkpatrick. Where is this 'moral high ground' of which you speak? You mean the original neo-con public diplomacy construct? That moral high ground? Given that that moral high ground led very linearly to that self-same invasion of Iraq, I’m more than a little wary of calls to arms over it and extremely wary of the notion that it should have a significant place in great power relations[.]"

Videos in times of Crisis: U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines [includes video] - seven10productions.com: "The State Department’s videos expand public diplomacy’s reach to the broadest possible public in foreign countries and provide U.S. Embassies with innovative programs such as videos to inform, engage, and influence foreign audiences. The video produced by the Public Diplomacy’s Informational Information Programs Bureau introducing Ambassador Phillip Goldberg to the Philippines offered a positive, forward-looking message emphasizing the U.S. commitment to help the country rebuild in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. Scripted and filmed just five days before the Ambassador’s arrival in country, the simple statement-to-camera format conveyed an empathetic-and timely-expression of support and amplified President Obama’s pledge 'When our friends are in trouble, Americans help.' All major Filipino television channels picked up the video including the top networks in the Philippines, with a 44% audience share of the Philippines TV viewership. Embassy Manila’s social media properties saw over 2,500 views, 144 shares, 338 likes and 42 comments on the product."

A Racist Farewell to Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke -- A China File Conversation - chinafile.com: "Reacting to departing U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke’s February 27 farewell news conference in Beijing, the state-run China News Service published a critique by Wang Ping that called Ambassador Locke a 'banana.' ... [Comment by: Hyeon-Ju Rho:] Calling an Asian-American person a banana means, of course, that he is yellow on the outside, but white at the core. ... [Comment by: Robert Kapp -- Robert Kapp began his working career as an historian of twentieth century China at RiceUniversity and the University of Washington. However, his main career contributions have been to the building of U.S.-China relations, most notably through his presidency of the Washington D.C.-based U.S.-China Business Council from 1994 to 2004]: China News Service is an official body. Simply noting that this essay was not an official statement by CNS is not sufficient.

“Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation.”

--W.H. Auden

"I'm on Facebook so I don't have to talk to people."

--A university student (paraphrased); image from

VIDEO

Martha Bayles: Through a Screen Darkly: Popular Culture, Public Diplomacy, and America's Image Abroad - frequency.com

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

A Blunder in US Public Diplomacy - Shao Yuqun and Ji Yixin, chinausfocus.com: "On March 1st, in a shocking terrorist attack, eight knife-wielding terrorists slashed and stabbed at innocent civilians at the Kunming Railway station in southeast China’s Yunnan Province, leaving twenty-nine dead and more than one hundred injured. Terrorized victims’ memories and photos of the scenes showed how deadly the attack had been and the strong impacts it imposed on the whole nation. ... However, as foreign media released their coverage of the attack, Chinese netizens’ response became filled with anger at the United States. ... They ... questioned the journalistic objectivity and impartiality long advocated and boasted of by the American press as CNN remained so suspicious about the nature of the tragedy, which was so clear to all. On March 2nd, the U.S. Embassy at Beijing wrote on its own Weibo and Wechat the following statement in Chinese.


'The United States condemns this terrible and senseless violent act in Kunming. We express our condolences to the families of the dead and all that have been victimized by the tragedy.' Once again, many Chinese netizens questioned the U.S. position, noticing the words 'senseless violent act'. They asked why U.S. embassy had deliberately avoided the words 'terrorist attack', why some US politicians, and the media, had kept regular contacts with representatives of separatist forces plotting for Xinjiang independence and Tibet independence, and why the Americans, who were once the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, should have held such double standards when seeing others suffering from terrorist attack. Microblogs on Weibo and Wechat serve as an important component of U.S. public diplomacy in China, aiming at expressing U.S. government’s positions and opinions to win popularity with the ordinary Chinese. But in this case, this strategy seems counterproductive as far as the public reaction is concerned. US has been strong and smart in public diplomacy, but this time it failed to reach the Chinese public. For instance, they should learn how to convey their messages more accurately to the Chinese audience, especially when it comes across the language translation. ... Jennifer Psaki, spokeswoman for U.S. State Department finally acknowledged the terrorist nature of the Kunming attack on March 4th as she said 'Based on the information reported by the Chinese media, this appears to be an act of terrorism targeting random members of the public, so we are calling this an act of terrorism'. Nonetheless, this delayed acknowledgment cannot undo the blunder."Image from

Stanford University Welcomes Chinese Regime’s Propaganda - Gabriel Feinstein [February 24, 2014] - Gabriel Feinstein, theepochtimes.com: "America’s most prestigious centers of learning are eagerly signing contracts to open exchanges with the Chinese Ministry of Education, but this exchange is unequal and poisoned by the propaganda and covert machinations of the CCP. The Chinese-regime-funded Confucius Institutes teach language and culture courses that are strictly controlled by the CCP. American students, even in elementary schools, are being taught Han-chauvinist values, where ethnic minorities, such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Mongols, are Sino-fied, and any truthful examination of the sixty-plus years of genocide/repression that has existed is casually brushed aside. Western Intelligence agencies have always considered these institutes soft power tools of the CCP apparatus, and recently the Canadian Association of University Teachers, which represents over 70,000 academic professionals, has demanded a complete ban on Confucius Institutes within Canada. American schools are sorely behind in efforts to purge themselves of such influences. ... Gabriel Feinstein is a member of the Tibetan National Congress." Via DB

Public Schedule, Department of State, March 14, 2014 - state.gov: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL Under Secretary Stengel participates in the Global Chiefs of Mission Conference, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)"

An Empty Statement - Gideon Israel, americanthinker.com: "The State Department’s ambiguity on Israel as a Jewish State and Jerusalem as its capital is longstanding. ... In 2012, the State Department issued a routine statement announcing the visit of the Acting Under-Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Kathleen Stephens to the Middle East. The statement began by stating the purpose of the trip and the people she


would meet.  Then the press release mentioned that she would be visiting, 'Algeria, Qatar, Jordan, Jerusalem, and Israel.'” Jerusalem image from

EU Heads of Missions’ report on Gaza 2013 - eccpalestine.org: "The EU has consistently worked to ensure that Gaza remains high on the international agenda and has undertaken extensive public diplomacy efforts, inter alia, through regular high level visits to Gaza including the EU High Representative and Member States’ foreign and development ministers."

Events Calendar for John Jay College - johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu: "Tuesday, March 11, 2014 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Professionals in Residence: Practicing Public Diplomacy"

Thematic US History: Content + Confidence + Community = Success - historyfriend.wordpress.com: "Public Diplomacy– What is the effectiveness of strategies like divestment, specifically examining the case of South Africa under apartheid?"

PSC midterm: Political Science 413 with Gibler at University of Alabama -- Tuscaloosa - studyblue.com: "(Selective) Engagement Public diplomacy, international aid, 'smart power'."

Allview organises Android programming marathon - telecompaper.com: "Romanian electronics firm Allview, the Centre for Public Diplomacy (Centrul pentru Diplomatie Publica)


and Universitatea Transilvania in Brasov have announced the opening of the first edtion of a programming marathon called 'Entrepreneurship' which will take place on 28 and 29 March at Universitatea Transilvania in Brasov. The event's aim is to promote applications made by Romanian students passionate about programming in the EU." Image from

Mathias Holm Pedersen [Google "translation'] - kommunikationsforum.dk: "[Pedersen] is 1 March was appointed senior consultant at Holm Kommunikation A / S, where he has worked for 3 years. ... he has previously worked for Agriculture and Food and the work of public diplomacy and communications at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC."

Summer 2014 Internship: Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan Internship in Washington DC for Summer 2014 - "Requirements ... Major in International Studies, Japanese Studies, Asian American Studies, Public Diplomacy, Political Science, or a related field."

Exhibition Manager - Public Diplomacy and Outreach in India and SAARC, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, India - UNjobs: Programme Overview The main objective of this programme is to continue to build on the current political, economic and cultural relationships that the EU and India have developed since the 1960s, as well as deepening those ties within the SAARC's (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) eight member countries. The programme's actions will be in line with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy with Asia.


Purpose In consultation with the EUD to India; under the supervision of the Team Leader (TL) of the EU Public Diplomacy and Outreach in India and in the SAARC; closely supported by the Logistician and the Communication and Outreach Expert, s/he will: ... Advise on the structure of the fair in the three cities it will take place. This will take into consideration the results of the EU Public Diplomacy in India and in the SAARC survey which will address a relevant target groups among graduate students; EU Member States' existing plans and it will be prepared in close coordination with the EUD."Image from

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The British Empire, the Eagle and the Bear: Non-Options for Crimea and Ukraine - Peter Van Buren, We Meant Well: The more the U.S. swaggers hollowly about the Crimea, the sadder it all sounds.

The United States’ wavering commitment to the Ukrainian constitution - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post: Running a sitting president out of town and replacing his government with a bunch of well-meaning stand-ins is also a violation of Ukraine’s constitution. Yet the one thing President Obama and his hawkish domestic critics agree on is that the new provisional regime is the legitimate government of Ukraine.


Let’s come out and say that we don’t want a referendum in Crimea because a majority might vote to return to Russia and Vladimir Putin would get away with grand larceny. Let’s not pretend we have an unwavering commitment to a constitution whose recent trampling we so lustily cheered. Image from

How to provide the best aid to Ukraine - Lawrence Summers, Washington Post: First, immediate impact is essential. Second, avoid “Potemkin money” — the tendency to announce huge assistance packages that grab the headlines but belie the inevitable truth that much of the cash will take time to arrive. Third, be realistic about debts. Fourth, honest management is as important as prudent policy. Fifth, countries need to pursue broad polices in a way that benefits Ukraine.

Obama and the diplomacy pendulum: Every foreign policy action produces 'an unequal and opposite overreaction' - Doyle McManus, latimes.com: Ukraine is not the ideal place for Obama to begin correcting what he says is the mistaken idea that the U.S. is withdrawing from the world. But he doesn't have much choice. If the president wants to avoid cementing the image of the United States as a weakened superpower, he needs to push back there.


To paraphrase his former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, this is a crisis that should not go to waste. Image from entry, with caption: Demonstrators hold a large national flag of Ukraine during a rally to support Ukraine and denounce Russia outside the White House on Thursday. President Obama has said that a proposed referendum in Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and international law.

Crimea, a Pyrrhic Victory? - Vali R. Nasr, New York Times: Russia’s grab for Crimea is not the start of a new Cold War, but Americans now know they will contend with a troublesome Russia over the coming years — one that fears American encroachment on its turf in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, and is confident that it can defy the West. The United States should declare an end to its partnership with Russia on Syria, escalate diplomatic and military pressure on Mr. Assad and seek a diplomatic solution on its own.

Will America heed the wake-up call of Ukraine? - Condoleezza Rice, Washington Post: The events in Ukraine should be a wake-up call to those on both sides of the aisle who believe that the United States should eschew the responsibilities of leadership. If it is not heeded, dictators and extremists across the globe will be emboldened.

How the West is losing Ukraine - Gary Schmitt, santamariatimes.com: There will be no peace for Ukraine until and unless Putin sees the cost for his behavior as being greater than the rewards, and there will be no permanent stability in Eastern Europe absent NATO expansion.

Just how do Americans see Cuba? Nothing about U.S. relations with Cuba is simple. But a recent Atlantic Council poll examined none of the nuances - Robyn J. Wapner: The only way we will know when Americans really want a change in policy toward Cuba is once they force that change through their representatives in Congress.


Image from entry, with caption: An American classic car passes in front of the Russian warship, The Viktor Leonov CCB-175, docked in Havana's harbor in Havana, Cuba. Despite the absence of official diplomatic relations, Cuba remains a major component of U.S. foreign policy.

Dear Vladimir: Congratulations. You Read My Book: Niccolò Machiavelli sends a message on power politics to Moscow and the West - Josef Joffe, Wall Street Journal: Given the West's dismal record in Afghanistan and Iraq, even the supposed "last remaining superpower"—the U.S.—is now loath to resort to the ultima ratio. And that offers you wondrous opportunities.


When the supply of force contracts, even a little bit goes a long way, as you have proved in Crimea. When American power recedes, you can forge ahead with little risk—as you already did in Syria. Machiavelli image from entry

How to Put Military Pressure on Russia: NATO now has reason to station nuclear forces in front-line member states - Jim Thomas, Wall Street Journal: The Ukrainian crisis raises fundamental questions about the wisdom of the Obama administration's attempt to "lead from behind" on foreign-policy issues with clear U.S. interests, its pursuit of "global zero" (the elimination of all nuclear weapons world-wide) and most directly its "reset with Russia." Leaders in Washington and Europe have allowed NATO's defenses to deteriorate to the point that Mr. Putin seems to think he can act with impunity. It is past time to start rebuilding those defenses, and Mr. Putin's Ukrainian gambit should be the catalyst.

It’s winter in Ukraine, but it’s spring break for Obama - Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post: While more Russian forces were pouring into Crimea this past weekend, and Russian legislators announced their readiness to annex the Ukrainian province, where was our commander in chief? Monitoring events in the Situation Room? Meeting with the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon? Holding an emergency meeting of NATO leaders? Nope. He was enjoying the Florida sunshine with his family at an oceanfront resort in Key Largo.

15 Former AFSA [American Foreign Service Association] Presidents Urge Senators to Oppose Confirmation of Ambassadorial Nominees to Norway, Hungary, and Argentina - Domani Spero, DiploPundit

Al Qaeda to launch English-language Web magazine ‘Resurgence’ - Guy Taylor, Washington Times: A media-oriented group tied to what’s left of Al Qaeda’s original core leaders says it will soon launch the terrorist network’s first-ever English-language Internet magazine called “Resurgence.”

U.S.-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS

"By a 52%-46% margin, Americans are against economic aid to Ukraine."

--From a CNN poll released March 10

"After the Russian Army invaded the nation of Georgia, Senator Obama's reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence, the kind of response that would only encourage Russia's Putin to invade Ukraine next."


--American Republican politician Sarah Palin (2008); Palin image from

AMERICANA

Diversity reaches new levels in Honey Maid ads - usatoday.com: On Monday, Honey Maid will jump on the diversity bandwagon with a far-reaching campaign by the 90-year-old graham cracker brand that raises the use of diversity in mainstream ads to a whole new level. In one 30-second Honey Maid ad, viewers will see everything from a same-sex couple bottle-feeding their son to an interracial couple and their three kids holding hands.


The ad also features a Hispanic mother and an African-American father with their three mixed-race children. And there's even a father covered in body tattoos. This is not some shockvertisement for Benetton. It's an ad for one of America's oldest and most familiar brands. The people in it are not actors, but real families. The message of the ad: These are wholesome families enjoying wholesome snacks. Image from entry

RUSSICA


--From; via HS on Facebook

"At the State Department history is just one damn thing after another."

--Ambassador Laurence Pope; image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Interview: Ambassador Laurence Pope on the State Department, the Foreign Service, and Public Diplomacy in the 21st Century - Donald Bishop, Public Diplomacy Council: "The Demilitarization of American Diplomacy: Two Cheers for Striped Pants by Ambassador Laurence Pope has just been published by Palgrave Macmillan. He was Ambassador to Chad from 1993 to 1996 and Charge d’Affaires to Libya in the aftermath of Benghazi. At other times during his career, he was Director for Northern Gulf Affairs, Associate Director for Counter-Terrorism, and Political Advisor to General Zinni at Central Command. He now lives in Maine. The book is fresh, direct and uncommonly blunt. I posed some questions. ... Q: The Department has embraced the social media to re-shape public diplomacy and transform American diplomacy. What contribution can it make? POPE: There is nothing wrong with the use of Twitter and Facebook and Zillow and Youtube and all the rest of it, but diplomacy requires speech on behalf of the state, and social media are individual expressions by definition. This can easily create confusion —think for example of Susan Rice tweeting about the need to bomb Syria while the President was changing his mind about that.


I don’t know how many Facebook pages and Twitter accounts there are at the State Department —hundreds if not thousands. When individuals speak through them, one of two things are true: either they are expressing American policy, in which case 140 characters is unlikely to be a useful way of doing so, or they aren’t, in which case their views may be interesting, but there is a risk of confusion. Broadly, the State Department’s fascination with social media reflects a view that its job is to speak over the heads of governments, or under their heads, or something. That is a dangerous illusion. With Ambassador McFaul tweeting away in Russia as we were trying to reset the relationship, we saw some of the problems with digital diplomacy. The Youtube videos newly minted ambassadors make are downright embarrassing. They give an impression of proconsular self-regard which is in bad taste. Diplomacy is premised on a world of sovereign states. The State Department’s fascination with social media suggests that it no longer thinks that is the world we live in, a strange notion for a foreign ministry. ... POPE: Public diplomacy is an ancient art. ... When I was consulting at the Defense Department they loved to talk about strategic information, a term which has infiltrated the civilian world along with much else, and I used to remind them that information is the air we breathe, not a weapons system. In the age of Louis XIV, a carefully placed article could have an impact, given the limited number of European decision-makers. Even then it was hard to explain away the bombing of Genoa by a French fleet to outraged Italians. Today’s information technology makes that even harder, and official statements can easily be drowned out by the din of the news cycle. What matters in the end is what we do, not what we say, as Charlotte Beers and her successors discovered. ... Are there new ways to measure foreign opinion? What metrics can be extracted from Big Data? What are people in the Crimea thinking this morning, on the eve of a possible confrontation with Russian forces? Twitter is a new tool, obviously, I follow the feeds of a number of folks at #Libya, but we need to be careful about drawing conclusions from small samples. Techniques for measuring foreign opinion aside, for public diplomacy as for diplomacy tout court, the place to start is not the world we would like to live in, but the world as it is. We Americans are much given to utopian fantasies, and that is not a harmless occupation. Reality has a way of taking revenge."Pope image from entry

US: Operational Failure – We Knew 7 – 10 Days Out - toinformistoinfluence.com: "The use of information, Public Diplomacy, diplomacy, military shows of force, starting economic measures – all elements of national power that the United States had at its disposal – none were used in advance of Russian moves to intimidate Ukraine and sieze [sic] Crimea. As a leader, Mr. President, you failed to elicit or seek the proper advice from your key advisors in time to prevent a crisis. Perhaps your team is trying to insulate you from blame. Perhaps your team has their priorities mixed up. Perhaps your team is composed of the wrong people. Perhaps your team isn’t good enough. This was not an intelligence failure. Mr. President, you failed."

Department of State Public Schedule Tuesday, March 11, 2014 - posted at rockycoastnews.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL


Under Secretary Stengel participates in the Global Chiefs of Mission Conference, at the Department of State." Image from

Speakers Program in India Focuses on Variety of Opportune Topics - blog.meridian.org: "Meridian International Center, in conjunction with the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi (NDPAS), has created the U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program in India. The program, which started in November of 2013, has already sent eight representatives from the United States to different locations around India to speak on various policy-related topics. To ensure topics were discussed as competently


and fully as possible, speakers chosen are US citizens with the best expertise and qualifications in their respective fields. The program was organized by Meridian Program Officer Bogdan Banu and Program Associate Tai Ford, and will include two additional speakers in the next month. Topics covered during the Speaker and Specialist Program were chosen not only for their timeliness, but also their pertinence and significance for both countries." Image from entry, with caption: Speakers Program In India

Intelligence and Public Diplomacy: The Changing Tide - Jonathan Pinkus, scholarcommons.usf.edu: "This article argues that the executive branches of governments will need to change the way that they employ intelligence for public diplomacy in the context of military action. Intelligence assessments that have been 'politicized' through distortion and/or omission have led to poor decision-making and a decline in public trust. These propositions are demonstrated using the American and British public diplomacy that preceded the 2003 invasion of Iraq as a case study. This case is then compared to a second case study, the American and British public appeals for a strike on Syria following the 2013 Ghouta chemical attack. The article concludes by reflecting on what changes are still needed and how the strategy of using intelligence for public diplomacy is likely to evolve in the future."

Interview: James Thomas Snyder on Public Diplomacy, seen from NATO - Donald Bishop, PublicDiplomacy Council: "After some years working on Capitol Hill, James Thomas Snyder became an information officer in the NATO Public Diplomacy staff in Brussels from 2005 to 2011. Explaining NATO’s policies in the Balkans, Kosovo, and Afghanistan was part of his job, so he was naturally in touch with American public diplomacy. His new book, published by Palgrave Macmillan, The United States and the Challenge of Public Diplomacy, is 'about how the United States can communicate better with the world.' I posed some questions. ... SNYDER [:] Public diplomacy for an international organization is very different from the same work done for a country.


NATO is a constituent body of the Allies. It’s more abstract. We had fewer resources to work with than probably any individual Allied nation. So getting acceptance from foreign audiences for NATO was a unique challenge. ... If we give more and show a concerted effort to protect and preserve more art, it will go far to overturn the foreign perception of Americans as cultural Neanderthals, which is untrue to begin with. ... Hollywood is consumed, happily, by millions of people abroad and would be consumed by many more if content restrictions were lifted in more overseas markets.  And if the State Department worked with Hollywood the way the Pentagon does, we might have more influence over content that would reflect foreign – and American! – culture better. ... Good PD focuses on audience first, adapts the message, and then finds the right delivery mechanism to reach them. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to feel accomplished looking at social media metrics that you forget who’s not following you. But that’s your real target. ... Our public diplomacy has gotten a lot better by reaching out to religious leaders here at home and abroad. But we still underestimate how much religion matters in everyday life especially to the audiences we are trying to reach. ... We have an advantage over more secular Western countries because of our belief traditions, but we have to learn how to apply that better."Snyder image from

Twiplo-blunders: they’re fun, and necessary - petecranston, diplomacy.edu: "Sebastian Pinera, the President of Chile (for four more days!) was an early adopter of Twitter in 2008 and regularly provides good copy for journalists, through spelling mistakes and his famous, 'Looking at Tierra del Fuego....' tweet. And it's a fine line between vigorous engagement in the public space, typified perhaps by the online turmoil around 
Uncaptioned image from entry

Imperial arrogance: Voice of America executives pay little attention to foreign leaders Obama calls about Ukraine - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "VOA executives are responsible here for a double loss: a loss of important objective news for foreign audiences generated from Washington from a U.S. perspective by American-trained news reporters, and a public diplomacy loss abroad when foreign leaders and foreign audiences begin to realize that a phone call from President Obama to leaders of China, Spain and Kazakhstan means very little to those who are in charge of Voice of America. They see foreign leaders and foreign audiences the same way they see VOA reporters and other employees — with imperial arrogance."

Opinion: Safeguards and Public Diplomacy - "Treaties are verified because people and nations are not necessarily trustworthy, especially when they act in the interests of power and wealth. The verification tool keeping watch over the world’s deadliest potential arsenal is called Safeguards. Just as the seeds of the European Union are found in counting steel that could be used for cannons, IAEA Safeguards keep track of nuclear-bomb material at proliferation risk. The base value of every gram of transmogrified uranium on Earth may be seen as the cost to deploy the people and machines needed to count it. ... Last week’s Reuters story about a suppressed report alleging new evidence against Iran similarly shows how weak public diplomacy undermines the Agency.


It took the IAEA 24-hours to deny that the watchdog even considered barking. That was long-enough for the (apparently false) news to be amplified by capitals. It surely put IAEA officials in an awkward position. Confirmation would have shown that despite the new information-security restrictions, people were still recklessly divulging confidential safeguards information. Denial may have cast doubt on the quality of information that it was provided. ... If the Agency really wants to answer questions about the possible military dimensions allegedly concealed in Iran’s nuclear past, it may start by recognizing public diplomacy’s value and make sure people are getting facts straight and on time. ... Post submitted by Strontium-90, a professional writer and long-time IAEA observer. With a background in network analysis, Sr90 maintains a soft spot for journalism."Image from entry, with caption: IAEA headquarters in Vienna

China, Amano, and Japan’s Plutonium - hibbs.armscontrolwonk.com: "IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano on March 3 had this to say about recently-voiced Chinese concerns about Japan’s plutonium inventory: ['] We have drawn (the) conclusion that all nuclear materials in Japan stay in peaceful purposes… Therefore, I do not have (a) reason to have concern that this (material) … will be diverted. ['] ... When Amano this week brushed aside Chinese concerns about the plutonium, the U.S. ambassador in Vienna in a statement reinforced Amano’s message that weapons-grade materials in Japan were of 'no concern.' That’s not the view of U.S. officials who have been discussing this issue with Japan since 2009. On less public occasions, they have pointed out that with respect to Japan’s comparative openness–the weapons-grade materials are clearly civilian and located in facilities where international research is ongoing–there is a residual security risk associated with them. The U.S. view is that removing weapons-grade nuclear materials from Japan to the U.S. would enhance their security. Japan now appears to clearly share that perspective.[Comment by:]Strontium-90 March 7, 2014 Yet another round of bungled public diplomacy. Mr. Amano left the appearance of consciously avoiding reference to nuclear security mere weeks before the next NSS convenes. Astonishing."

Could the Flight MH370 Rescue Bring China and Japan Closer Together? If Japan had volunteered to join the search for Flight 370, could that help thaw tensions between Tokyo and Beijing? - Jin Kai, The Sino-Japanese bilateral relationship has reached a deadlock and there seems to be no panacea for this conundrum in the near future. Under these circumstances, more indirect approaches might help to make some changes, if not outright diplomatic achievements. Such indirect actions could simply serve to send intended messages, especially at a time when high-level inter-governmental channels have basically failed.


One such notable case, reported by media from both countries, took place in mid-November 2013, when the Japanese government recognized a Chinese student for saving a Japanese boy from drowning. Unfortunately, that moment was just a flash in the pan, and reconciliation between these two neighbors is still nowhere to be seen. According to Xinhua (Chinese), on February 28, Japan’s Foreign Ministry held a meeting with Japan’s 30 ambassadors to Asia-Pacific countries such as China, South Korea, and Australia. The Foreign Ministry urged the ambassadors to 'defeat the opposite side [China] by substantially utilizing their personal charm and hit hard on those governments.' Obviously, Japan’s Foreign Ministry intends to fight back against China’s previous round of public diplomacy in global media. However, a spiraling escalation of confrontation ultimately is not what can help to solve territorial disputes, especially between China and Japan, both of which are giant economies with growing military capability. At this moment when war preparations seem to appear in both countries, it is critically urgent to find all possible opportunities to take a step back and to give each country a way out. It may not be another award for a notable deed, but could be something more emotionally and intuitively acceptable and thus helpful to ease the bilateral confrontation. Both China and Japan should find or create these opportunities."Image from

No need to fear Chinese media in Africa - bdlive.co.za: "Many have worried that the present entry of Chinese media into Africa poses threats to the practice of journalism in democracies. Analysts have looked at state-party media control systems in China and concluded that these would be exported to Africa. Fears of an ideological co-option are mostly misplaced if one cares to analyse content in recent Chinese entrants, such as China Daily and CCTV. There is hardly a bent towards a communist persuasion even in the opinion and commentary slots of these Chinese media. Rather, one sees Chinese media on a public diplomacy mission, angling stories to show the benefits of China-Africa relations while avoiding narratives that cast China in a negative light. Once in a while, Xinhua News Agency — the sole Chinese news agency — is compelled to counter articles or statements from western media and politicians vociferously. But this is often in the context of responses to US and European elites’ framing of China as a neocolonial predator in Africa. In the case of CCTV Africa, the broadcaster may indeed be advancing the cause of pan-African coverage, seeing as it is the only TV station that airs a 90-minute daily news programme exclusively focused on Africa. Indeed, CCTV Africa has challenged BBC’s Focus Africa and Reuters’ Africa Journal with a suite of programmes such as Faces of Africa, a weekly features programme, and Talk Africa, a talk show often dominated by African thought leaders. In these respects, CCTV Africa may be doing what broadcasters such as the SABC and the Union of National Radio and Television Organisations of Africa tried to do in the past, but whose goals of going continental largely faltered. Knowing that CCTV Africa is on a public diplomacy mission would perhaps spur pan-African entities — the African Union for example — to roll out a similar effort."

RT is bleeding... anchors - Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: "RT - despite being in the business of public diplomacy, that is international and cross-cultural communication - chooses to stay in its own informational universe (call it a 'balloon', if you will), just like many in the Russian government do these days."

Netanyahu's message on Iran arms ship: It's the world against Israel -- As PM rebukes the world for abandoning Israel to Iran, U.S. reminds who steps up to Israel’s defense time and again - Amos Harel, haaretz.com: "If the Prime Minister’s Office and Israel’s public diplomacy apparatus doesn’t understand that quite yet, at least the army does."


Image from article, with caption: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, holding a bullet and standing next to missiles seized on the Klos C

Did Australia really 'scuttle' New Zealand's nuclear-weapons diplomacy? - lowyinterpreter.org: "The nuclear-free antennae worn by many New Zealanders have been bristling at news of a counter-campaign by Australian diplomats at the UN. At the core of the Kiwi-led statement is the line that 'It is in the interest of the very survival of humanity that nuclear weapons are never used again, under any circumstances.'  Australia's opposition to this sweeping judgment entered the public record at the time. In one stinging piece of criticism,  Ramesh Thakur observed that Canberra had presented a separate view 'on behalf of 17 countries, mainly those protected by US nuclear weapons under extended nuclear deterrence'.


(Clearly wanting to have a bet each way, Japan had also signed up to this dissenting opinion.) All of this is public diplomacy. But yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald article (Federal government worked to scuttle New Zealand statement against nuclear weapons) has drawn attention to Australia's efforts behind the scenes, implying that DFAT was working a little too hard to undermine the New Zealand-led position."Image from entry

Twiplomacy gets Kevin Pietersen Indian visa - Shubhajit Roy, indianexpress.com: "Twitter diplomacy — or, Twiplomacy — came to the rescue of star English cricketer Kevin Pietersen, as he got an Indian visa within hours of him complaining about the lack of one on the micro-blogging site. Pietersen, who tweets from the handle @KP24, wrote on his twitter page that his passport is lying with the Indian embassy in the UK for the past 10 days for a job that he claimed requires barely 24 hours, and subsequently requested the MEA to help him in this regard. ... While the @MEAIndia is the twitter handle of official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbaruddin, the @IndianDiplomacy is the handle for the Public Diplomacy division — also headed by Akbaruddin. Pietersen’s tweet was re-tweeted over 100 times, and the MEA official spokesperson swung into action. It is learnt that Akbaruddin immediately sent a DM (direct message) to Pietersen, and asked him for the visa application details and contact number. Upon getting the required details, the MEA spokesperson asked the Indian High Commission in London to look into the matter. ... The Indian High Commission in UK worked the phones, and by about 7pm IST, the official clearance was granted. And Pietersen was contacted and informed about the visa approval."

Young Diplomats Forum 2014‏, London - armacad.blogspot.com: "The Young Diplomats Forum (YDF) is set up to recognise, enhance and develop the next generation of diplomats. This community of exceptionally bright and accomplished future leaders will gain further insight, tools and opportunities to engage with key stakeholders at a crucial time in their careers and broaden their connections to influence global leaders.


The YDF will play host to an exceptional elite of young diplomats from across the world in a weeklong event that develops their skills and knowledge in areas around international affairs. The forum includes exciting field trips, interactive workshops, simulations, case studies, presentations and speeches from leaders from the diplomatic world. The event will excel in facilitating exchange of ideas and fostering international relationships. ... Our 2014 programme is varied from foreign policy, to sport and public diplomacy, to energy security and other topics."Image from entry

Shaikh Mohammed Al Sabah lectures on sustainable development governance - bna.bh: "Shaikh Mohammed, holder of a Ph.D. degree in economics from Harvard University, is a member of the High-Level Informal Advisory Panel for the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).


He has a long governmental, academic and diplomatic service career and was awarded the R & J B Award for Public Diplomacy from the World Leadership Institute in recognition of his diplomatic career and lectures at several international universities and institutes."Uncaptioned image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

Kerry in Kiev - Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal: Kerry’s trip to Kiev and statements had a tactical purpose within an emerging overall strategy: to isolate Russia diplomatically and politically in what used to be called the court of world opinion. It is something between daring and cheeky to go into a potential foreign war zone and address the aggressor from there. But Kerry’s words were sober, and the trip seemed a success. Throughout this crisis Mr. Kerry has been more impressive than his president. His words have commanded more serious attention.

A Russian Test for Obama: The White House must forge a strong and united international response to Putin's grab in Ukraine - William A Galston, Wall Street Journal: Mr. Obama must remind the Russian president in the firmest terms of an agreement that Russia signed in 1994. In exchange for Ukraine's decision to give up the nuclear weapons it inherited during


the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia affirmed that it would respect Ukraine's "independence and sovereignty and the existing borders," recognize that "border changes can be made only by peaceful and consensual means," and refrain from the threat or use of force against Ukraine's "territorial integrity or political independence." Image from

How About Aiding Freedom Instead of Autocrats? The U.S. has given more than $1 billion to dictator-ruled Tajikistan, one of many nations in the aid blind spot - William Easterly, Wall Street Journal: Democracy cannot be imposed by force from outside, nor induced or micromanaged by Western experts. Aid from Western governments or international organizations should support homegrown transitions toward freedom like Ukraine's and not go to governments that repress and abuse their citizens.

Ukraine’s ultra-nationalists present a need for U.S. caution - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post: Ukrainian far-right parties have long championed Ukrainian-only laws that ban the use of the Russian language in official business. They have ideas about rewriting history books and celebrating Ukrainian — as opposed to Russian or Jewish — ethnic heritage. Obama should anticipate that if far-right figures shape the policies of the new government, tensions between the eastern and western parts of the country will get worse, not better.

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

“'grand strategy,' I think I know what it means, but more important I think I know what it is not……….it is NOT training someone with some 'methodology,' it is not 'war games' on machines or otherwise………it is really thinking


about your vital goals and values, all real options and all consequences and not least second and third order and beyond consequences, and getting your facts right, having a moral universe, and knowing the art of the possible and the impossible. The rest is crap!"

--Harry C. Blaney III, Senior Fellow Center for International Policy, via email; image from

AND YET ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Sharing their feelings is what U.S. diplomats now think is necessary to convey real engagement and sincerity: I’m so upset, my heart is exploding and will soon deposit clumps of tissue all over your unmarked uniform.

They should cut it out. They should also stop tweeting their emotional reactions to events. They’re diplomats. They’re supposed to be grownups. They’re supposed to be mature.


I suspect they do it because they believe they are talking to an ignorant and emotional world. (It is also possible they do it because they are themselves ignorant and emotional.) But what they do only encourages ignorance and emotionalism. And in any case their audience is the informed and aware, some of whom are capable of critical thinking.

All of this is a reflection of the age of narcissism: My feelings, my emotions—me, me, me. Do they think the world is impressed? Or is the world, full of people who every day use a dozen platforms to share the urgency of their feelings, secretly impressed by intelligence, knowledge and logic? Discuss, but not emotionally."

--Columnist Peggy Noonan; image from

"If you are not doing good public diplomacy in this town you are dead."

--The reaction of Australian ambassador Kim Beazley upon learning that the Melbourne Theatre Company was bringing its new production -- David William's cabaret on the life of Rupert Murdoch -- to the Kennedy Center in Washington; image from, with caption: David Williamson’s play “Rupert,” at the Melbourne Theater Company in Australia.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Putin’s Precedent: Give Siberia to China? - Michael Rubin, Commentary: "It is too bad that the Obama doctrine continues to be one of empty redlines that the United States neither has the power nor the will to enforce, and U.S. public diplomacy emphasizes tweeting for the sake of tweeting, with absolutely no evidence that officials using twitter adds an iota of credibility or effectiveness to American diplomacy. Perhaps it is time to play hardball and suggest publicly and often that the United States respects the rights of minorities within the borders of Russia to independence or to join neighboring states if those minorities so choose."

Reagan-style hypocrisy and Ukraine crisis - Robert Parry, presstv.ir: "Official Washington’s hearty disdain for anyone who cites U.S. hypocrisy toward the Ukraine crisis can be traced back to a propaganda strategy hatched by the Reagan administration in 1984, dismissing any comparisons between U.S. and Soviet behavior as unacceptable expressions of 'moral equivalence.' ... As an Associated Press reporter, I encountered this 'moral equivalence' attack line when I questioned State Department officials about their hypocrisy in applying strict human rights standards to Nicaragua’s Sandinista government while excusing far more serious abuses by the Contras and other U.S. allies in Central America. Neocon intellectual Robert Kagan, who then was a senior official in the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy for Latin America, warned me that I was edging dangerously close to the line on 'moral equivalence.' Ironically, Kagan’s wife, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Victoria Nuland, is now at the forefront of U.S. support for the Ukrainian coup, which relied on neo-Nazi militias to overthrow a democratically elected president, though the official U.S. narrative is that this was a 'democratic' uprising."



of events in Ukraine and Crimea. The expert believes that US policy is counterproductive and irrational toward Russia. The political crisis in Ukraine influences significantly Russian-American relations."Grishenin image from entry

UN refugee chief warns world powers not to forget Syria conflict - Lesley Wroughton, Reuters: "The head of the United Nation's refugee agency said on Tuesday it must be ready in case Ukraine's crisis causes refugees to flee Crimea, but his biggest worry is that 'a total disaster' could occur if the international community diverts its attention away from Syria's conflict.  Antonio Guterres, the head of the U.N.'s High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), said in an interview that little progress was being made in efforts by the United States and Russia, now at loggerheads over Ukraine, to bring Syria's warring sides together after the collapse of talks in Geneva last month. ... ‘I don't think there are reasons to be optimistic,’ he said of the possibility of resolving the Syrian war. ‘We see the war going on and on and on, not only with tragic humanitarian consequences with suffering of Syrian people that is unimaginable, but also becoming a serious threat to global peace and security, not


only to regional stability but also to global peace and security.’ Repeating what political leaders have said that the conflict can only be resolved through political dialogue, Guterres also said that 'discreet diplomacy' was needed among the main players - the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran - to narrow differences and avoid a prolonged deadlock in talks. ‘There was never any major international crisis that was solved without a lot of silent, discreet diplomacy behind the scenes to support the public diplomacy process,’ he said. ‘That is lacking in the Syrian crisis.’" Image from entry, with caption: U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres speaks during a news conference in Amman November 28, 2013.

Afghanistan Has Changed and America Needs To See It - Akmal Dawi, eurasiareview.com: "Despite so many good and new things which I saw in Kabul this February, I also saw several things stuck in the past and unimpressive. The Kabul airport road abruptly ends at a roundabout adjacent to the Health Ministry with a scary view. Barbed wires, ‘no photo’ warnings and intimidating armed men block the road to the US Embassy. It is reported that the Embassy has over 1,000 American employees but you never hear from an ordinary Kabuli about meeting an American public diplomacy officer. Since relations between Kabul and Washington are also at their lowest, one wonders what the hundreds of diplomats are really doing."

Michelle Obama’s China Choice: Public Diplomacy vs. Politics - Elizabeth C. Economy, blogs.cfr.org: "Public diplomacy matters, but it is no substitute for policy. As First Lady Michelle Obama prepares to travel to China, she should consider weaving some policy into what appears to be almost entirely a week-long public diplomacy push. With her mother and two daughters in tow, the first lady will be visiting educational institutions and historical sites and discussing education in the United States and China. As media have reported, Mrs. Obama will ‘talk to young people about the power of education to help them achieve their aspirations,’ speak with them about their lives, and tell them 'about America and the values we hold dear.' Fine and good, but the First Lady


has the opportunity to do much more. While the Chinese media have positively reported on the fact that the first lady will not touch the sensitive issues, the U.S. media have been less supportive, drawing some relatively unfavorable comparisons between the limited political aspirations of Mrs. Obama’s trip and those of previous first ladies. Mrs. Clinton’s speech at the 1995 women’s conference in Beijing, for example, stands out for its bold call for China to improve its human rights, and her successor Laura Bush called on China to do more to influence the repressive regime next door in Myanmar."Image from entry, with caption: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) participates in a language class with teacher Crystal Chen for pre-school students at the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School ahead of her upcoming trip to China, in Washington on March 4, 2014.

China, US 'should unleash' potential of cooperation - ecns.cn: "China and the United States should respect each other's core interests and properly manage differences to further improve the bilateral relationship, Premier Li Keqiang


said on Thursday. Common interests far outweigh the countries' differences, Li told a news conference shortly after the conclusion of the annual legislative session. He urged both sides to do more to further 'unleash the potential' of bilateral cooperation. ... Ma Zhengang, deputy president of the China Public Diplomacy Association and former Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, said Sino-US relations have been stable despite Washington's strategic 'pivot' policy, which has contributed to the tension between China and some US allies over territorial disputes in the region."Image from entry, with caption: Press conference is held after the closing meeting of the second annual session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 13, 2014.

Smarter Diplomacy: Doubling Down on People-to-People -- Citizen exchanges are an easy and cost-effective means for countries hoping to build influence overseas - Joshua W. Walker and Daniel Gaynor, thediplomat.com: "Last week, the U.S. government released its 2015 budget request for diplomacy efforts, ringing in at $46 billion. While this funding covers everything from AIDS prevention in Vietnam to peacekeeping in the Congo, there is one sliver of the budget that deserves more attention: the roughly $1 billion set aside for 'public diplomacy' and 'citizen exchanges.' Despite its lack of buzz, this funding – which amounts to only around 1/500th of the defense budget – figures to be one of the most important investments in expanding U.S. global influence and innovation for years to come. ... Throughout history, every nation has attempted to get greater influence abroad. But today, instead of doubling down on expensive 20th-century mechanisms of garnering global sway – like Russia’s approach in Georgia and now Ukraine – connecting citizens across borders is a far more effective (and cheaper) way of projecting power. Instead of reinventing diplomacy for each generation, emerging and traditional powers can learn from each other, by building on the best qualities each bring to the table. In short, diplomacy must move from the hands of lawmakers into the palms of citizens. ... Yet, government does have a role to play. Together with our allies, America must be a 'seed investor' of sorts, and fund ... exchanges of our best and brightest. (The new TechWomen initiative, which brought dozens of Middle Eastern and African women leaders in science, technology and math to Silicon Valley, is a great place to start.) And with a relatively tiny cost – the U.S. public diplomacy budget is, to be specific, 0.002 percent of our defense budget – any investment in these exchanges will be marginal in cost, but massive in dividends. ... By getting like-minded innovators to collaborate, citizen exchanges reveal that despite differences in language, religion and culture, the world’s brightest young minds have far more common interests than most would ever expect. If the U.S. – or any ambitious nation – hopes to expand its global influence in today’s diplomatic arena, looking to its own people is the best place to start."

Kerry salutes SHS - Jorge Castro, President, AFS-USA and a former AFS Exchange Student to Paw-Paw, Michigan, Letter to the Editor, thesewardphoenixlog.com: "Last week, U.S. Secretary of State, John F. Kerry, issued a communication to exceptional schools in the U.S. that support public diplomacy efforts by hosting high school exchange students sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. AFS has just learned that Seward High School received this commendation from Secretary Kerry, and we want to express how proud we are to work in educational partnership with this outstanding school and its visionary leaders. Nearly 30 years ago, I was welcomed into a U.S. high school as an exchange student from Argentina. The experiences I had while living with a host family, attending school, and becoming a member of a community are what led me to an international career and eventually to become the president of AFS-USA. As global headlines continue to focus on issues of conflict that affect us all, regardless of where we live, I cannot think of anything more important than creating opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to understand one another better."

Hip-hop propaganda: How the U.S. enlists rap music to fight “jihadi cool”: There's a new counter-"extremist" program coming from U.S. and European governments -- "moderate" Muslim hip-hop- Hisham D. Aidi, Salon: "European officials (along with U.S. embassy officials) are scrutinizing hip-hop practices in their cities’ immigrant neighborhoods, trying to decide which Muslim hip-hop artists to legitimize and which to push aside. The debate over hip-hop, Europe’s dominant youth culture, stands in for a much larger debate about race, immigration, and national identity. With many of the biggest stars being Muslim, the disputes over which Muslim hip-hop artists are 'moderate' or 'radical' are also disagreements over what kind of Islam to allow into the public space. This debate is playing out most poignantly in France, the country with the largest Muslim community in Europe, the second-largest hip-hop market in the world, and a place whose traditions of laïcité aggressively restrict expressions of religion in the public sphere. ... The Obama administration’s move to reengage with more conservative European Muslim groups would create rifts within the American government. As journalist Ian Johnson writes, efforts to talk to the organizations affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood 'created the strange spectacle of the legal arm of the government trying desperately to prosecute these groups while, at the same time, the diplomatic arm held them up as models of integration.' American willingness to engage with Muslim Brotherhood– affiliated groups would rankle European politicians as well. In 2007, for instance, the U.S. Consulate in Munich supported the creation of an Islamic academy in the Bavarian town of Penzberg. The Conservative Party, then in power, opposed the project because the school was tied to Milli Görü¸s, a Turkish version of the Muslim Brotherhood. ... Partly to influence the debates taking place among Muslim-American youth, in July 2013, Congress amended the 1948 Smith- Mundt Act, long known as the 'anti-propaganda law.' The Smith-Mundt Act was passed at a time when Congress suspected that the State Department was staffed with Communists, and prohibited websites and media outlets financed by the U.S. government—like the Arabic-language TV channel Al-Hurra—from broadcasting at home to prevent the government from aiming propaganda at its own citizens. The Smith-Mundt Modernization Act repealed this prohibition, allowing government information produced for foreign audiences to be disseminated within the United States; thus programming produced by Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and other entities controlled by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) can now be carried by local radio stations. Scholars and journalists quickly warned of the perils of domestic propaganda. And the Washington Post broke a story of a 'counterpropaganda' program run by the Pentagon that targeted a Somali-American journalist in Minneapolis by flooding his website, United Somalia, with comments by readers opposed to Al-Shabaab. 'The Pentagon is legally prohibited from conducting psychological operations at home or targeting U.S. audiences with propaganda, except during ‘domestic emergencies,’ ' explained the Post, adding that Defense Department rules also forbid the military from using psychological operations to 'target U.S. citizens at any time, in any location globally, or under any circumstances.'The defenders of the Smith-Mundt amendment, in turn, would argue that their law only covers information programs produced by the State Department and the BBG, not the Pentagon or the CIA, who are subject to different laws. To Muslim-American leaders, this was not reassuring. When Obama assumed office in 2008, cultural diplomacy initiatives toward Muslim communities continued, but the Bush administration’s aggressive attempts to mobilize Sufism and provoke an 'Islamic Reformation' were shelved. Yet by mid-2013, perhaps in response to the sectarianism unleashed by the Arab revolts, the U.S. government again began taking a more active role in shaping Islamic discourse. Not only was the 'anti-propaganda law' amended, but in July 2013 the State Department created an Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives to engage with 'religious actors,' and then in September—days after Al-Shabaab launched a horrific attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi—the U.S. and Turkey announced the creation of a $200 million program to battle extremism, called the Global Fund for Community Engagement and Resilience. ... American embassies were implementing 'diversity management' programs just as David Cameron, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Angela Merkel had declared multiculturalism was dead. Referring to a cultural event she organized in Denmark, Deborah Maclean, a public-diplomacy officer at the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen, explains: 'We wanted to encourage these youths to realize that it is okay to be different.' European officials take offense at the implicit criticism that Europeans cannot deal with difference, and that they are overwhelmed by an urban crisis that has never reached American proportions. American politicians can now take tours of 'sensitive' European neighborhoods. After one such junket, in May 2008, to the northern Parisian suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, congressional aide Kevin Casey laughed and told the French press, 'You think this is the ghetto, come see the Bronx—I’m going to take photos of this to show my friends.'


French journalists have expressed anger at this exercise of American 'soft power,' saying that the 'head hunting' for future Muslim leaders constituted 'direct interference' that was infringing on French sovereignty and undermining the authority of French institutions. In April 2010, when the American ambassador Charles Rivkin, a former Hollywood executive, brought actor Samuel L. Jackson to visit a community center in the banlieue of Bondy in northern Paris, and Jackson, addressing a group of youths, compared their struggle to the hardships of his childhood in segregated Tennessee, French media resented the comparison. ... The State Department’s outreach to Muslims, conceived in response to Europe’s 'nativist surge,' seems to be further inflaming the right, who see Washington’s rap-infused initiatives as infringing on their sovereignty and are even more chary of their Muslim compatriots’ allegiance. In April 2008, the daily Le Parisien ran a frontpage story on alleged CIA initiatives in the banlieues. ... If the aim of the 'minority programs' was to create positive impressions of the U.S., the effort is working. European-Muslim activists appreciated the brutal candor of the Wikileaks cables. In France, in particular, perhaps because of the country’s contentious alliance with the U.S., positive opinion of the U.S. has risen sharply since 2008. And young Muslims are aware of the delicate politics involved in accepting American offers. Widad Ketfi, a twenty-seven-year-old blogger who participated in an embassy-sponsored program, told the Times that she knows she was targeted by the U.S. embassy because of her Algerian-Muslim background, but added, 'What bothers me is being the target of the French state.'And while they resent the NSA surveillance and importation of American policing methods to European cities, Muslim activists and entrepreneurs think their relationship with the American embassy can help leverage better concessions from their governments."Image from entry, with caption: Vanilla Ice

How Government-Funded Media Outlets Are Viewed - hereandnow.wbur.org: "Jeremy Hobson takes a look at RT, as well as CCTV out of China, the BBC from the U.K. and Voice of America from the U.S., with Lawrence Pintak, founding dean of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University."

TTIP round ends with mixed messages - Andrew Gardner, europeanvoice.com: "Negotiators from the European Union and the United States today insisted that talks on a transatlantic trade agreement are making good progress, despite the increasing number of fracture lines that are surfacing. ... In an effort to focus public attention on the benefits of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP), as the prospective deal is dubbed, the leaders of the negotiating teams – Ignacio Garcia Bercero for the EU and Dan Mullaney for the US – both stressed the value of an agreement for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Mullaney said that SMEs that trade internationally grow faster, pay better and create more jobs than companies limited to their domestic market. Garcia Bercero said that the chapter in the trade talks on SMEs was 'a first for the European Union' and argued that 'TTIP would help them expand'. Their argument, expanded upon in a document published today on the deal's potential benefits for small businesses, contends – among other arguments – that smaller companies are disproportionately hurt by non-tariff barriers and could benefit disproportionately from lower costs, more transparency, and less red tape at borders. The document is one element of the two sides'public diplomacy to promote acceptance of the talks. Another element, this week, included a two-hour meeting with 300 representatives of business, consumers, and other ‘stakeholders'. However, the two sides are now showing a less united front on other issues."

Great East Japan Earthquake: Looking back on the tragedy of three years ago - Kazuyuki Katayama, hometownlife.com: "Three years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck March 11, 2011, resulting in a tremendous number of irreplaceable lives lost and unprecedented damage, mainly in the Tohoku region of Japan. On this occasion, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the disaster. We were overwhelmed by the immediate outpouring of compassion and support from the international community, particularly the U.S., including both Michigan and Ohio. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express our sincere gratitude once again, on behalf of the government and people of Japan.Tragically, two American JET (Japan Exchange & Teaching Program) participants, Ms. Taylor Anderson and Mr. Monty Dickson, dispatched to Ishinomaki City and Rikuzentakata City, respectively, died in the tsunami. Earlier this month, I had an opportunity to participate in the film event Live Your Dream, which portrayed the lives and dreams of these two JET participants. Viewing together with their family members, the film’s director, students and others, I was extremely moved to recognize that the bereaved family – still coping with the reality of profound grief – as well as many other friends in the U.S., have shown enduring support and compassion to Japan. The Japanese people will never forget this kind outreach. ... Dr. Kazuyuki Katayama joined the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit on Sept. 20, 2013. He began his career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1983."


Within the ministry, he has served as director of the Energy Resources Division of the Economic Affairs Bureau and as director of the Cultural Affairs Division of the Public Diplomacy Department. Overseas, Katayama has held posts at the Japanese Embassies in China, the United States, Malaysia and Belgium." Katayama image from entry

Axing the Australia Network would be a backwards step, Mark Scott says: ABC managing director says keeping the public broadcaster in charge of the overseas network is in Australia’s best interests- Amanda Meade, theguardian.com: "Axing the Australia Network would be a step backward that would strip away the positive impact the international broadcaster is having on the country’s image, ABC managing director Mark Scott has argued in a comprehensive defence of the need for an independent international network. ... Scott said the ABC’s contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a new, converged service — television, radio, online and mobile had allowed the network to launch new websites for Chinese, Indonesian and Indian audiences and new bilingual mobile apps


in Mandarin and Bahasa. He said the service was now targeting the rising middle-class of Asia who were interested in Australia as a business, educational and tourist destination – and not just ex-pat Australians. 'We think it’s in the best interests of Australia’s public diplomacy that we be allowed to get on with the job we are contracted to do – deliver a digital media strategy in the region, putting the best of modern Australia on display,' Scott said.'We think the trust and confidence – so hard to win, so easy to lose – that’s been established by the ABC in the region over the years should not be jeopardised.' ... The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has also been critical of the Australia Network under the ABC’s control: 'It is meant to be a tool of public diplomacy and I am concerned by the level of negative feedback I receive from overseas.'"Image from entry, with caption: Mark Scott: ‘every major Western government currently pursues their soft diplomacy in international broadcasting through public broadcasters.’

Dan O'Brien: An effective diplomatic corps crucial to recovery: St Patrick's Day offers the perfect opportunity to bolster our trade connections - independent.ie: "Just like the Department of Finance during the boom when money was plentiful, the Department of Foreign Affairs did not change nearly as much as it should have, or as it could have given the available funding. It never caught up with other similar small countries in getting the structures and resources appropriate for one of the most globalised countries in the world. The department's budget, the number of embassies and the size of the diplomatic corps all remained below those of similar sized countries, such as Denmark and Finland. Nor were strategic thinking capabilities and structures nurtured, as they have been in those countries, which could help in identifying opportunities and threats. This is of a piece. The political class viewed the boom/bubble as a party to be enjoyed, not an opportunity to improve the way the country is run for the long-term betterment of all citizens. That said, diplomats themselves must take some of the blame for limited change. They never consistently made the case to their political masters that Ireland needed a diplomatic corps similar in size and capacity to those of the Nordic countries. They were, and still are, bad at 'public diplomacy'– explaining to the people who pay their salaries (taxpayers) what they do and how it works to their benefit. And they have been particularly bad at countering the perception that they spend their time quaffing champagne and eating foil-wrapped chocolates at glamorous soirees across the world."

Shun entanglement, embrace engagement - Adil Najam, thenews.com.pk: "[A] ... major goal of Pakistan’s foreign policy should be re-establish its credentials in the diplomacy of engagement. This would entail at least three dimensions: economic diplomacy, global citizenship, and public diplomacy. ... Public diplomacy is one area of foreign policy that all countries have begun investing heavily in. For example, India set up its Public Diplomacy Division in 2006. For Pakistan the ‘image’ challenge makes public diplomacy a particularly pressing need. However, public diplomacy has evolved much since the days of Edward R Murrow. Unfortunately, despite some valiant efforts in fits and starts, our institutional buy-in to meaningful public diplomacy remains shaky. Public diplomacy is not simply the occasional showcasing of the ‘softer side’ of Pakistan. It is constructing a well-articulated narrative and implementing a thought-through strategy of engaging a multitude of international actors (states, and beyond states) in an alternative discourse. Importantly, good public diplomacy requires buy-in at the very highest levels. Most of all, good public diplomacy brings us back to what William Ewart Gladstone, four-time prime minister of Britain, described as his ‘first principle of foreign policy’: Good government at home. There is no better way to improve your image abroad than to improve your reality at home. Ultimately, it may be that reality at home that is our biggest foreign policy challenge of all."

Kashmiri delegates engage world envoys at Geneva - kmsnews.org: "A delegation from Azad and occupied Kashmir has kicked off a public diplomacy campaign at the United Nations on the long-pending Kashmir dispute. While discussing Kashmir, UN’s Independent Expert on the promotion


of a democratic and equitable international order, Professor Alfred de Zsyas lent his personal support for the revitalization of the role of self-determination as a principal means of settling international disputes. Pakistan’s permanent envoy to the UN in New York said in February that the right to self-determination was ‘sacred’ to Kashmiris and that Islamabad will continue supporting it until it is realized."Uncaptioned image from entry

A Fresh Perspective: Time to fight back - jpost.com: "Enough with the passivity; supporters of Israel worldwide need to start fighting back against the BDS movement [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]. ... There are several outstanding public diplomacy organizations out there explaining why Israel is right. There is no doubt that this is needed.


These organizations need to keep doing the great work they are doing. After all, the basis of our own support of Israel is our conviction in the righteousness of this cause, and not any cost-benefit analysis! However, at a time like today when the BDS movement is using intimidation, disinformation and threats to get companies to boycott Israel, we cannot just think of the righteousness of our cause but we need to add a layer of realistic economic incentives based on thinking of how to defeat those boycotts. In the long term, the change in discourse and the paradigm shift that traditional public diplomacy organizations work towards is what Israel needs. However, in the short term, we Israel supporters need to enlist and act as solders in a large army defending Israel wherever it is being attacked."Image from entry, with caption: Man holds boycott Israel sign

Cameron’s undiplomatic welcome: You have to sympathize with U.K. Ambassador Matthew Gould even as he's branded a strike-breaking scab by his Israeli diplomatic colleagues - Matthew Kalman, haaretz.com: "You have to sympathize with Matthew Gould as he prepares for what should be the highlight of his term as Britain’s ambassador to Tel Aviv – the visit of Prime Minister David Cameron – while being branded a strike-breaking scab by his Israeli diplomatic colleagues. In case you haven’t noticed – and why would you, since no one outside the Jerusalem beltway seems to care – Israel’s Foreign Ministry diplomats are on strike. That means none of the usual – and often vital – Foreign Ministry groundwork for Cameron’s visit and no accompaniment from Daniel Taub, Israel’s ambassador to the Court of St James's. In a letter sent to


Ambassador Gould on Tuesday, the union of Israeli Foreign Ministry employees accused the British Embassy of 'actively contributing to the ongoing efforts to break our struggle for better and fairer conditions.' ... The diplomats have good cause to strike. Their pay and conditions are awful. Dozens of diplomats have quit the ministry, unable to survive on the ministry’s starvation wages and the shocking way in which it treats their spouses and careers. To add insult to injury, the ministry’s work has been sliced away, salami-style, for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to distribute to his coalition favorites. First, the Ministry for Public Diplomacy was given ham-fisted responsibility for Israel’s public information efforts. Then the Ministry for Strategic Affairs was given large parts of the Iran portfolio. Then Tzipi Livni was put in charge of the Palestinian peace talks. Despite these strategic blunders by the government, the Foreign Ministry has continued to make huge strides in various areas of diplomacy around the globe - including in China, where relations are growing steadily, and in Britain."| Image from entry, with caption: British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould in London. See also.

A pilot sailing in Noah's Ark - Reuven Ben-Shalom, jpost.com: "Last week's raid on the Iranian ship Klos-C ... protect[ed] its citizens and interests by thwarting arms shipments, and crippling efforts to build destructive capabilities. Success depends on superb intelligence and streamlined inter-agency efforts.


Israel's weapon of choice is now the keyboard, and when necessary, the long and capable arm of the IDF and Mossad is unleashed. This week, I attended the press conference in Eilat, where the weapons were put on display. I believe we have much to learn on how to conduct our public diplomacy efforts, but the fact is that a deadly and strategic capability was denied from reaching terrorists, and this is a source of pride and relief."Image from entry, with caption: The Klos-C

Exclusive: Arabic high-tech made in Israel - Niv Elis, jpost.com: "With Arabic becoming one of the most widely used languages on the Internet, Arab-Israeli start-ups eye users across political boundaries. ... Panet, a news portal based in the town of Taiba, east of Kfar Saba, uses Israel’s “co.il” web address suffix and gets 46% of its 1.4 million daily hits from abroad. On March 6, President Peres used the platform to conduct a question-and-answer session with Arabs throughout the Middle East as part of a public diplomacy effort. As the session with Peres began, heavy traffic crashed the inundated website."

Ethiopia: 'Save a Child's Heart' Group Improves Cardiac Care - VOA, allafrica.com: "Washington -- Each year one million babies are born with congenital heart defects. Ten percent of them do not live to see their first birthday due to lack of treatment, most of them in poor and developing countries. An Israel-based organization is working to improve those children's chances for survival. The group plans to train Ethiopia's first pediatric cardiac surgeon, and its efforts to raise money for a boy named Eliyas. ... Ethiopian Embassy Minister Counselor and head of public diplomacy Wahide Belay praised the effort."

Ethiopia: GERD to Produce 700 Mw Electric Power By Next Year - allafrica.com: "The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD,) constructed over the Blue Nile River (Abay) will start producing 700 MW of electric power by next year. This was disclosed during a press conference called by the office of the National Council for the coordination of public participation on the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam on Wednesday March 12. ... The project was started three years ago and the anniversary of the inauguration of the project will be celebrated throughout the nation and across the globe. The celebration includes a painting and photograph exhibition, poetic and literature nights, musical drama, and sports and entertainment programs at Addis Ababa stadium and other programs at Benishangul Gumuz, Guba. According to the deputy director of the office, so far the participation of the public is encouraging and includes four major parts of support namely political, public diplomacy, financial and environmental protection support."

Divided Cyprus: Coming to Terms on an Imperfect Reality - crisisgroup.org: "New political will in Cyprus, Turkey and the international community for a settlement is fanning hopes the current round of talks on a bizonal, bicommunal federation can succeed. Yet, no new factor has appeared to change the content of the five failed rounds of negotiations over four decades. ... 'Exploring the terms for two independent


Cypriot states in the EU may persuade the sides they do in fact prefer to negotiate a federation', says Hugh Pope, Crisis Group’s Deputy Program Director for Europe and Central Asia. 'But to reach any deal at all, the two sides will have to do much more public diplomacy to earn each other’s trust; will have to build on recent direct communication between the Cypriot sides, Athens and Ankara; and be realistic about what they want and can achieve'."Uncaptioned image from entry

Iran Appoints New Envoy to Slovenia - english.farsnews.com: "The Iranian Foreign Ministry appointed Morteza Darzi Ramandi as the New Iranian Ambassador to Slovenia.


Darzi Ramandi, who was appointed to the post on Sunday, served as director-general of public diplomacy and media department of the foreign ministry."Uncaptioned image from entry

Achievement of urban policy; realized vision of Tehran - aryanews.com: Mention of public dipomacy.

Public Diplomacy Research Group, Korea as honorary ambassadors to inform business conducted directly Seoul [Google translation] - Business Wire - "Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Fri the 14th public diplomacy envoy Honor (Honorary Envoy for Public Diplomacy) proposed direct creative public diplomacy for South Korea to promote the business to discuss the third Car Public Diplomacy Conference is scheduled seminar group. launched on January 29 last year, 'Public Diplomacy Research Group, was appointed as a public diplomacy envoy honor being served domestic and foreign scholars consists of the existing term of office has expired, refused honors reappointed as the 14 people and three people at the same time as the newly appointed immyeongsik also hold seminars."

Why North Korea’s “Tourism Diplomacy” Fails- Chenzhou Gong, PD News – CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "A ... disturbing problem facing North Korea’s 'tourism diplomacy' is its lack of credibility. As Walter Lippmann wrote nearly a century ago, most people don’t choose between true and false messages, they choose between trustworthy and untrustworthy messengers. ... North Korea is indeed an untrustworthy messenger that intermittently spreads false messages. This leaves the audience very much deaf to any of their messages. ... On a


deeper level, the failure of North Korea’s 'tourism diplomacy' is rooted in the nation’s inability to understand the tastes of foreign publics."Image from entry, with caption: North Korean soldiers at the border. Taking photos of soldiers can be risky. I was photographing the soldiers at a barricade when our tourist bus was blocked and my camera was taken away. After an hour of negotiations with the soldiers, the guide returned my camera to me with ten photos deleted.

Public Diplomacy at Buddha University- Paul Rockower, Levantine: "Well, this Siddhartha has been invited to come give a lecture at Guatam Buddha University in Delhi on Public Diplomacy!


But of course, Buddha was an original public diplomat, and had a profound bit of soft power. I am honored."Image from entry

Välkommen till konferens om kulturens roll i internationellt jämställdhetsarbete [no English translation available] - mynewsdesk.com: "Svenska institutet välkomnar till nu till konferensen 'Culture as Public Diplomacy– glo[b]al cooperation to strengthen women’s rights' för att summera erfarenheter och inspirera till fortsatta samarbeten och aktiviteter kring kvinnors och flickors rättigheter samt jämställdhet. Vilka resultat uppnådde Seven på Västra Balkan? Är kultur en ett bra verktyg i arbetet för kvinnors rättigheter?"

Jamie Shea in the spotlight - nato.int: "Dr Jamie Shea has been working with NATO since 1980 in a wide range of areas including external relations, press and media, and policy planning, and currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary General for the Emerging Security Challenges Division. ... Here he answers


five questions about NATO’s role in tackling 21st century security threats and about what keeps him awake at night. The 'Leaders in the Spotlight' series is a project developed by Young Professionals in Foreign Policy in cooperation with NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division."Image from entry

NATO internships open doors for future peace and security professionals - "Have you ever wanted to know how the Alliance works from the inside? On 13 March, NATO began taking internship applications for 2015. Young graduates and research students from a wide range of academic disciplines are invited to apply by 14 April 2014. ... NATO’s internship programme offers a broad range of possible thematic orientations: former students of graphic design, library science, journalism, law enforcement, aeronautics or engineering might also find a unique opportunity to gain international experience in peace and security.


Knowledge of Russian or Arabic is especially welcome. Working with Communications Services in NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, Bianca tells us, 'The NATO internship programme is quite unique, because it allows you to work in (or in connection with) highly specialised domains. Irrespective of your area of interest, I’ve learned first-hand that NATO is a very dynamic environment that can offer much more than what you can anticipate. It’s an environment that encourages and allows for continued development. My internship with the Public Diplomacy Division was a great opportunity to develop new skills and to grow professionally, Bianca explains. 'My work revolved around the activity of the editorial team in Brussels and with our colleagues in Afghanistan. I was also in contact with personnel from different NATO divisions, which helped me to understand the complexity of an international organisation.'” Image from entry

--A definition of public diplomacy or people’s diplomacy at a seminar chaired by Jon Worth, communication consultant in Brussels; image from; on  Bildt, see

VIDEO

Foreign Press Center Briefing on "Digital Diplomacy: Making Foreign Policy Less Foreign" (February 19, 2014) - youtube.com: "Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Public Affairs Douglas Frantz, and Coordinator for International Information Programs Macon Phillips discuss 'Digital Diplomacy: Making Foreign Policy Less Foreign' at the Foreign Press Center in New York, NY on February 18, 2014, moderated by Emily Parker, author and senior fellow at the New America Foundation."

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Guantanamo’s War - William K. Lietzau, lawfareblog.com: "In the past decade, the word 'Guantanamo' has come to represent far more than the Cuban bay that lent its name to one of America’s oldest military bases more than a century ago; it has joined our 21st century lexicon as a term emblematic of abuse, overreach, and disregard for the rule of law. ... Abraham Lincoln once said, 'Character is like a tree and reputation, like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ... Before deciding how much our attention should be focused on Guantanamo, it would behoove us to determine whether we are dealing with a tree or its shadow. In rare agreement, two U.S. Presidents from opposite ends of the political spectrum have declared the benefit of ceasing operations at its detention facility, but both have earnestly tried and failed to close Guantanamo.


If law of war detention is legally justified, and detaining enemy combatants is both a wartime objective and a moral imperative to limit loss of life, then do we really need to end it? The unequivocal answer is 'yes,' but not because wartime detention is a departure from our core values. The tree of our character is intact, but its shadow, Guantanamo, is presenting an ugly image. We are left then with the question of whether a modicum of improved reputation warrants so significant a decision as to start or end a war. It cannot. Compliance with the law—our character—is indeed sufficient reason to accept risk to our security; we do it every day in the criminal justice context. But public diplomacy—our reputation—is not. ... William K. Lietzau served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Rule of Law and Detainee Policy until 2013."Image from

Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: Remarks at The Human Rights Campaign Equality Convention And Board Meeting [includes video] - Uzra Zeya, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, state.gov: "Governments that deny rights to sections of their population, be it women, LGBT persons, persons with disabilities, or others, are not only failing to use the full potential of their citizens, but will also hamper their own prosperity and stability. ... In the Western Hemisphere, through their public diplomacy and outreach efforts, embassies have taken the initiative to produce videos for the 'It Gets Better' campaign, host leaders from the Human Rights Campaign to share best practices, and convene multinational corporations and civil society activists to discuss corporate policies that promote workplace diversity including respect for LGBT employees."

the Stars in Denmark - Hasse Ferrold, biennews.com: "A local Danish youth ice hockey club, the U11 Gentofte Stars is participating in an international sports diplomacy initiative primarily between Denmark and the United States. This unique youth cultural exchange program is taking place March 20-31, 2014. These young boys will be playing games, attending sports clinics and socializing with their international peers in the Philadelphia and New York areas and in Lake Placid, NY – where the boys will play in an international ice hockey tournament – a place that is legendary in ice hockey circles. A fundraising gala event has been organized by the team parents and is fully supported by the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Ambassador James P. Cain and his wife, Helen. BIENs Local Editor Hasse Ferrold was there.


The present US Ambassador in Denmark and the former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark James P. Cain and Mrs. Helen Cain were special guests of Reach for the Stars Fundraising Gala March 5, 2014 and Cain was returning to Denmark to support this endeavor. Ambassador Cain’s passion is public diplomacy– showcasing the power of sports to bridge cultural differences and resolve conflict. Prior to his diplomatic service, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. While Ambassador in Denmark drawing on his sports background, Ambassador Cain launched an initiative designed to reinvigorate the use of sports as a diplomatic tool. Ambassador Cain’s unique approach to public diplomacy was highlighted by a 37 day, 2500 km 'Rediscovery Tour' of Denmark by bicycle and the publication in December 2008 of his best-selling book: The American: On Diplomacy, Democracy and Denmark."Uncaptioned image from entry

The Language of (Public) Diplomacy - Molly Bettie, Public Diplomacy and Student Exchanges: Possibly the first study of the Fulbright Program to be conducted by someone who isn't affiliated with it in any way..."The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria is trying to pick up Pidgin English, and although the NPR article doesn't mention the term 'public diplomacy', that's exactly what he's doing--reaching out to the public of Nigeria with accessible language."

US Consulate Offers Small Grants - Press Release, bhindibazaar.asia: "We would like to inform you of an exciting opportunity. The U.S. Consulate General Mumbai is holding a small grants competition to fund programs that promote U.S.-India relations. This is your chance to make a difference. ... What are the selection criteria for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program? ·The project supports one or more of the grant priorities outlined above.


The proposals should be submitted via email or mail and should include a written narrative in English. ·This competition is open only to individuals, non-governmental organizations, public education institutions, and other legally-recognized non-profit institutions that meet Indian and/or U.S. technical and legal requirements to develop and implement public diplomacy programs. · Indian organizations must have registered and received a Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) number from the Government of India. How can I apply for the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program? An application form and full description of the program are attached. Applicants may submit their proposals to the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai by emailing a completed application form to MumbaiPublicAffairs@state.gov. You can also find more information and fill out the application form by visiting http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do and searching for Funding Opportunity Number MRFP14-01." Image from entry

A Week as an Arctic Council Delegate: Part 2, Reflections - Alexandra Giese, dartmouthigert.wordpress.com: "The Arctic is unique in being a region where climate changes are affecting resource availability, human health, cultural heritage, and governance across many national boundaries—and to the great interest of the rest of the globe. As US Public Affairs Officer Steven Labensky [where he is posted in not mentioned in the blog -- JB]stated ... 'the ramifications and solutions to challenges [faced by Arctic nations] fall also below the 66th parallel.' ... American universities are producing an astounding amount of research on the Arctic Ocean, ecosystems, ice, climate, and other aspects of the Northern region, which is particularly appropriate given the United States’ status as an Arctic Nation. I’ve had the privilege of traveling twice to Greenland and twice to Alaska for coursework and research . ... On the first day of the workshop [blog does not make it clear where it took place, but appears to have taken place in Arkhangelsk, Russia - JB], we participated in a roundtable discussion with policy representatives about the role of public diplomacy in Arctic issues.


I posed the question of whether it’s problematic for the general American public not to understand the enormous opportunities and responsibilities associated with owning land and marine shelf in the Arctic. In terms of regional governance and international relations, perhaps the fact that many Americans view Alaska as a gas tank is not a problem. But choosing not to extend public diplomacy efforts to the younger generation seems, to me, a lost opportunity to engage the public in questions concerning the effects of, collective adaptation to, and equitable capitalization on changes in climate. Furthermore, by not actively engaging in Arctic issues, we miss exploring part of our identity as Americans."Image from entry, with caption: Circumpolar map showing 8 Arctic nations.

Building diplomacy: One handshake at a time through Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council - pnj.com: "The Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council was founded in 2008 by Jena Melancon, who had been involved in a similar organization in New Orleans. Melancon, still the executive director, considers the council’s events a perfect platform for citizens to forge bridges with members of other cultures. The organization will soon host its 1,000th world leader to visit Pensacola. Among them are women in leadership as well as novelists, journalists, musicians and human rights activists to name a few. Not only do they socialize with private citizens, they also meet with Pensacola leaders. 'What other organization gives its members the opportunity to go canoeing with Germans one month and the next is inviting them to tea with a group of female leaders from Afghanistan?' Melancon asks. The local council is part of a larger network called the International Visitor Leadership Program or IVLP.


Since 1940, nearly 200,000 international visitors have engaged with Americans through IVLP. 'There are just over 90 cities in the country trusted with this work,' Melancon says. 'The IVLP is a major component of this country’s public diplomacy efforts as it supports U.S. foreign policy goals by enhancing mutual understanding between the United States and other nations.' Rather than diplomats talking to diplomats, groups such as the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council engage private citizens in communities throughout the country with leaders from around the world. The idea is that the connections can forge global understanding. ... Find more information at www.gulfcoastdiplomacy.org [.]"Image from entry, with caption: A member of the Iraqi delegation and guest speaker, Zahra Al-Salman speaks with Pensacola City Council Member P.C. Wu at an event celebrating International Women’s Day.

Turkish Foreign Policy explained in 'Insight Turkey' - Turkish Press: "'Insight Turkey', a Turkey-based international quarterly journal has dedicated the first of its 16 magazine issues to decode Turkey's foreign policy on worldwide developments since 2002. ... Cemalettin Hasimi, Coordinator of Turkish Prime Ministry's Public Diplomacy Coordinatorship, discusses Turkey's international assistance policy with a focus on the last decade. He gives statistics on Turkey's Humanitarian Diplomacy and Development Cooperation in one of the articles of the magazine, citing that Turkey has become the 4th largest donor in development assistance and 3rd in the provision of humanitarian aid in 2012, with development assistance given to 131 countries listed as aid recipients in 2011. Hasimi declares that a concrete sign of Turkey's transformation to 'return to global politics as a pro-active agent' has materialized through Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency's (TIKA) work. He cites Davutoglu's statement on Turkey's role after 2000 as 'a central country with multiple regional identities that cannot be reduced to one, unified character.'"

Why Digital Diplomacy Is Not A Thing(Yet) - marcorecorder.com: "[W]e end up defining digital diplomacy merely as the adaptation of diplomacy to new communication technologies which have not really affected diplomacy per se but have simply modified the way people are reached by diplomatic bodies, institutions and representatives. What most people call 'digital diplomacy' for the large part I would call 'public affairs' or even simply broadcasting.


This is why digital diplomacy is just not a thing yet. ... I started asking experts to share their definitions and put them up together in a Twitter custom timeline which I will keep updating as new definitions are shared. You can share your definition using the hashtag #digidipis. Image from entry

Propaganda and “Information War”: Theirs and Ours - The Chrysalis, longsworde.wordpress.com: "I don’t think 'propaganda' is such a useful term. In all my years of studying propaganda I’ve never found a useful or precise definition of it. There are so many attempted definitions of the term that, for all practical purposes, one can say that there is no conclusive definition. Or, equally, one can say that every definition contains a partial truth about propaganda. A far more useful term is 'perception management' (or what is referred to euphemistically as 'managing the optics') for everything that is called 'propaganda', 'spin', 'public relations', 'public diplomacy', 'positioning', 'presentation', or 'informational war' (or 'disinformation'), and so on. All these we can appreciate as various attempts at perception management. ... In contrast to overt and clumsy style Soviet and post-Soviet propaganda, the 'invisible hand' of democratic propaganda has to remain 'under the radar'— undisclosed, covert, and hidden. ... Propaganda that is entirely evident, noticeable and recognisable as propaganda is failed propaganda."


Soft Power- Influence and Persuasion - theast.org: “ 'Soft Power' is a concept developed by Joseph Nye of Harvard University in 1990. 'Soft Power' is a country’s ability to get what it wants by attracting rather than coercing others. In this seminar, Lord Howell will focus on the grey area of national power in the age of digital networks, on the role of civic engagement and soft power as opposed to hard power. He argues that if a nation’s soft power is to be successfully built up and deployed to its advantage, credibility is crucial. The messages of soft power are useless if they are seen as propaganda. Is it ever possible for a state to use soft power and not make it look like propaganda?


Joseph Nye recently introduced the concept of ‘smart power’. If soft power is to work alongside military action, what is the right balance between soft and hard? And what is the modern soft power agenda in the age of digital networking? Professor Yasushi Watanabe will examine the potentials and limitations of 'soft power,' with a particular focus on Japan’s public diplomacy. At the time when 'power transition' and 'power diffusion' has become conspicuous both on national and global levels, where should it or can it go? At the time when global competitions for soft power get intensive, how can it avoid falling into a downward spiral of zero-sum game? There are crucial questions at the time when Japan aspires to be a 'proactive contributor to peace.' The seminar will be chaired by Professor Mike Hardy, Executive Director of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations. Date: 25 March 2014, 6.00pm Venue: Daiwa Foundation Japan House, 13 – 14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP" Image from entry

“The situation in Ukraine continues to develop. Vladimir Putin signed a treaty this morning that formally absorbs Crimea into the Russian Federation. So if you felt bad because you didn’t know where Crimea was, don’t worry, it’s gone.”

--Seth Meyers, via Bulletin Intelligence, LLC (by email); Facebook image from LOS, with caption: here it is: the moment Khrushchev gave Crimea away (on this 1954 event, see)

INTERACTIVE MAP

Department of State by State: "For about a 1% investment of the Federal budget, the State Department yields a large return for the American people by protecting U.S. national security, promoting our economic interests, providing services, and reaffirming our country’s exceptional role in the world. The map [click on the above] represents just some of the direct effects State Department programs have in American communities." Via JB on Facebook

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Michelle Obama's personal dedication visible on first lady tour agenda - Wang Xiaonan, Global Times: "US first lady Michelle Obama kicks off her first China trip today. The itinerary includes a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Peng Liyuan, interaction with high school and university students, and visits to cultural sites. As her third solo overseas travel as the first lady of the US, Obama's China trip has inevitably led to speculations that she is attempting to compensate for her husband's absence from Beijing during his Asia trip in April. But in fact, President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the 2014 APEC Leaders' Meeting in Beijing in November, and it is unusual for a US president to visit a country more than once within a year.


It is, therefore reasonable and justified for Barack Obama not to include China as a destination. ... She will shun political statements and engage in soft diplomacy, which may alleviate some conundrums in current bilateral relations. Although Sino-US ties are determined by the strategic interests of the two countries, first lady diplomacy will definitely help the general public across the Pacific Ocean dispel misunderstandings. ... Obama's solo travel is closely related to her strong personality and Washington's deliberating influence on the world stage. It is more of an individual case than an example for the worldwide diplomatic paradigm. There is no denying that soft power, including public diplomacy, is gaining a firmer foothold in a globalized and interdependent world where the use of hard power, especially warfare, will incur immense costs for a country. China should embrace this experience and give full play to the role of public diplomacy."Uncaptioned image from entry

China media: 'First lady' diplomacy- bbc.com: "Media are discussing the power of 'first lady diplomacy' as Michelle Obama prepares to start a week-long visit to China on Thursday. ... The Beijing Times comments that Mrs Obama's visit is a form of 'soft diplomacy' and that good 'first families' relations could help ease tensions between Beijing and Washington. 'Recently, issues such as the South China Sea, China-Japan relations and the Crimea problem have strained China-US ties, so 'first lady diplomacy' will help soothe some of the negative emotions towards the US,' Chen Mingming, a member of China's Foreign Ministry of Public Diplomacy Advisory Committee, is quoted as saying." Image from entry, with caption: Can "first lady" diplomacy influence US-China relations?

China’s stance on Ukrainian issue means support for Moscow - “'China’s stance is undoubtedly not a neutral one, it is tantamount to support for Moscow,' believes chief researcher at the Institute of the Far Eastern Studies, Deputy Director of the Russia-China center Sergei Uyanaev. 'China has its own view of the global balance of forces, and the events in Ukraine, seen from this perspective potentially violate its interests, primarily because of a possible NATO advance eastwards,' he told Itar-Tass in an interview. As for Beijing’s cautiousness in relation to the referendum in Crimea, this, the expert believes, corresponds to thousand-years-old traditions of Chinese diplomacy - 'do not showboat', to put it in a nutshell. 'They do not officially approve of the referendum in Crimea, as they do not want complications, but via unofficial sources such as public diplomacy they make clear hints they are ready to support Russia,' said Uyanaev."

Secretary John Kerry holds town hall meeting with W and M Diplomacy Lab students - Georganne Hassell,wm.edu: "William and Mary students attended a town hall meeting Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in which the Diplomacy Lab program was announced. William and Mary is a pilot partner in the Diplomacy Lab program, which launched in November 2013 under the Project on International Peace and Security (PIPS) at the university. The Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies, Tomicah Tillemann, created the initiative, which brings students and faculty together in small teams to research diplomatic challenges that have real-world application in current foreign policy. ...


In a talk titled 'Making Foreign Policy Less Foreign,'Kerry discussed current diplomatic challenges in international law in Ukraine and the State Department’s continued work towards international cooperation to address issues in Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, South Central Asia and around the world. Kerry also touched on the importance of maintaining stability in foreign policy through relationships, as well as the significant role that commerce plays in public diplomacy. He unveiled the Department of State by State project at the meeting, which is an online interactive map that details how foreign policy efforts have brought economic development to each state." Uncaptioned image from entry

Department Of State Public Schedule March 19, 2014 - rockycoastnews.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL 9:30 a.m. Under Secretary Stengel meets with U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador Adam Namm, at the Department of State. 3:15 p.m. Under Secretary Stengel meets with U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Theodore Sedgwick, at the Department of State."

ABC targets Asia's affluent - Michael Body, theaustralian.com.au: "The ABC's international operation, the Australia Network, is targeting the 'rising middle-class of Asia' and should not be jeopardised, according to ABC managing director Mark Scott. While the Australia Network catered to 'the harried traveller abroad' or the 'expat living in the region', Mr Scott said it agreed with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [DFAT] to also target Asia's middle class. Mr Scott didn't explicitly address criticism the ABC was working at odds with the federal government with recent news coverage, although he argued the independence of the ABC's news service was crucial to Australia's 'soft diplomacy aims and ambitions'. 'One of the things that stands out about Australia in the region, is our robust independent democracy and our free press,' he said, noting other regional broadcasters were 'amazed yet greatly impressed that the ABC is funded by government but independent of government'. 'The trust and confidence -- so hard to win, so easy to lose -- that's been established by the ABC in the region over the years should not be jeopardised,' he said. He also pointed to the export of ABC talent into Asia. 'There may be no more powerful weapons in the world of soft diplomacy than B1 and B2,' he said in a speech, entitled The New Age of Public Diplomacy, for biannual international affairs magazine The Sydney Globalist. The ABC runs Australia Network under a $223 million, 10-year contract for DFAT, a contract it was given controversially after two independent evaluations recommended Australian News Channel's Sky News win the tender. It has come under fire recently for airing news stories arguably detrimental to Australia's interests, including coverage of asylum-seekers and leaks from whistleblower Edward Snowden revealing spying on Indonesia. Mr Scott said he was 'deeply sympathetic to the view of some in DFAT that their public diplomacy budget, at less than $5m apart from Australia Network, is too small', but axing the network would be 'a step backward'. 'It is worth remembering that every major Western government currently pursues their soft diplomacy in international broadcasting through public broadcasters,' he said. 'Every one of these broadcasters is transforming over time to create and distribute digital content.'"

Nigeria: FG Announces 'Soft' Counter-Terror Strategy - Ronald Mutum, allafrica.com: "The Federal Government yesterday unveiled a new approach to tackling insurgency in the country. National Security Adviser Mohammad Sambo Dasuki announced the new strategy in Abuja. He said said the new approach, dubbed 'Nigeria's Soft Approach to Countering Terrorism', includes adopting a means of de-radicalising extremists and stopping others from being radicalised. ... The new strategy also aims at making the fight against extremists apolitical- with people of


different political affiliations coming together to fight the scourge of insurgency. Government will train about 200 journalists on reporting in conflict zones as well as civil servants on strategic communication and public diplomacy, Dauski said. ... He explained that the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) program which is a component of the soft approaches initiative is aimed at involving all tiers of government, including traditional, religious, civil society and community leaders in stopping radicalization. 'The program utilizes existing structures within and outside government to deliver targeted programs and activities that further the overall goal of stemming the tide of radicalization and through families, communities, faith based organizations build resilience to violent extremism,' Dasuki said. He said the de-radicalization plan targets convicted terrorists through prison programs engaging them in theological, ideological and entrepreneurial value change that leads to a change in behavior."Image from entry. See also.

And the award for the best Slovenian ambassador goes to… Slovenian athletes! - tamarasfootballmosaic.wordpress.com: "Very little conversations with the foreigners omit the sports topics – not just because sport is something universal with a global appeal, but especially because sport is an area Slovenians can be really proud of. The recent success at the Sochi Olympics certainly proves so. ... Such compliments should not serve as the opium for the masses – we still have to get back to reality and think about how to improve political and economic situation in the country. However, the above-mentioned examples teach us one thing: sport is a great tool for diplomacy. ... While traditional diplomacy is conducted mainly by the state actors, sports diplomacy as a form of public diplomacy extends well beyond such an understanding and includes a variety of state and non-state actors.


Sports diplomacy can be used to improve and refine the image of a country, to boost peace and promote friendly relations among nations, to promote trade and tourism, to encourage international development and to integrate minorities. ... Both economic diplomacy and broader foreign policy goals can be facilitated by sports diplomacy. This is not to say that sport should be a priority in our foreign policy; however, it can serve as a good supporting tool that can bring investments in the country, present a nice picture of Slovenia, increase international awareness and knowledge about our small country, help with promoting the national brand 'I Feel Slovenia' and offer politicians and diplomats a neutral environment to discuss serious issues."Image from entry

Independence Day torch lighting ceremony to honor 14 women - israelhayom.com: "Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat, who heads the Knesset's Symbols and Ceremonies Committee, approved on Tuesday the final list of women who would be honored in the traditional torch lighting ceremony that ushers in Independence Day events.


This year, the ceremony's theme is 'The Era of Women -- Achievements and Challenges.' ... The committee selecting the women who will be honored in the ceremony included Yitzhak Sonnenschein of the Center for Public Diplomacy, former Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser, Israel Hayom columnist Emily Amrousi and several other prominent figures."Image from entry, with caption: Last year's torch lighting ceremony

West Bengal - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "The Indian State of West Bengal could do so much to promote its culture and cuisine, which is unique from the rest of 'Indian food.' Bengali cuisine is a very under-appreciated form of South Asian cuisine. I was flipping through a little guide book about cultural tourism in West Bengal, and there was the typical logo of a nation branding effort, and some attempts to showcase the culture. But an active Indian state like West Bengal could do an amazing amount of paradiplomacy to show off its unique cuisine and culture."

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Then, in 1954, a decision was made to transfer Crimean Region to Ukraine, along with Sevastopol, despite the fact that it was a federal city. This was the personal initiative of the Communist Party head Nikita Khrushchev.

What stood behind this decision of his – a desire to win the support of the Ukrainian political establishment or to atone for the mass repressions of the 1930’s in Ukraine – is for historians to figure out. What matters now is that this decision was made in clear violation of the constitutional norms that were in place even then. The decision was made behind the scenes. Naturally, in a totalitarian state nobody bothered to ask the citizens of Crimea and Sevastopol."

--President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (imperial garb at left); via MT on  Facebook

Dear Friends,

What I hope is a harmless and, in these troubled times, I hope occasionally amusing "Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review" (PDPBR) continues to be relegated on occasion (to the best of my knowledge), to Feed Burner PDPBR subscribers with hotmail accounts to "junk mail."

The PDPBR is produced on a near-daily basis. If you long, which I doubt (as I know you wish to keep your sanity), to receive it in a timely fashion, may I kindly advise you, if you have a hotmail account, to check, on and off, your hotmail "junk mail" account.

I cannot help but note: John Brown, to some, may be a dangerous name, associated, as it is, with the Abolitionist movement in these United States of America.

Best,

John

-From: Max Seddon, "Russia’s Propagandist-In-Chief Went On A Junket To Meet U.S. Security Officials," BuzzFeed; via IL; see also

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Did the Obama administration enable the invasion of Crimea? - Tom Nichols, dydd.org: "The United States is the richest, more powerful, most culturally pervasive (and yes, admired, whether people admit it or not) country in the world, and we should act like it — including organizing our European allies to show Moscow what it reallylooks like when East-West political and economic relations actually fail, and when the U.S. and its nearest friends decide to start acting like they’re in charge again. This kind of sharp, sudden divide with Europe and the West will — I hope — have a serious effect on Russian politics, especially on the already tenuous generational divide in the Russian polity.


If we’re going to fight for the future of Russia, our policies and our public diplomacy have to be aimed at the people who are going to make that future. Russians are used to traveling at will, interacting with Europe and the rest of the world, and participating in global life as citizens of a normal country. If Vladimir Putin prefers that they no longer be capable of doing so, then far be it from us to stop him from inflicting misery on his own people. But we should make clear, every single day, that Russia’s misfortunes in 2014 and after are the sole responsibility of one man."Image from entry, with caption: We Russian liberators are so popular we have to wear masks so people won’t kiss us.

Ukraine and the Clinton-Pinchuk Connection. Reeping the Spoils of Regime Change - Manlio Dinucci, globalresearch.ca: "At the table in Kiev where the formal agreement between the government, the opposition, the European Union and Russia was negotiated, there officially sat no representative of the powerful international oligarchy which – with closer ties to Washington and NATO than to Brussels and the EU – is pushing Ukraine towards the West. An emblematic case is


Viktor Pinchuk, steel magnate, 54, ranked by Forbes Magazine among the richest men in the world. ... [H]e created the Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, said to be the largest private Ukrainian 'philanthropic organization.' It is through this foundation that Pinchuk bonded with the Clintons, by supporting the Clinton Global Initiative established in 2005 by Bill and Hillary, whose mission is to 'convene global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.' ... To further strengthen his ties with the United States and the West, Pinchuk launched the Yalta European Strategy (YES), 'Eastern Europe’s largest social institution of public diplomacy,' whose official objective is to 'help Ukraine develop into a modern, democratic and economically efficient country.'Thanks to Pinchuk’s financial capacity (he just splurged more than $ 5 million for his 50th birthday celebration in a posh French ski resort), the YES was in a position to set up a wide network of international contacts , which came to light at the annual meeting held in Yalta. It brought together 'over 200 politicians, diplomats, statesmen, journalists, analysts and business leaders from more than 20 countries.'” Image from entry, with caption: Viktor Pinchuk [and] Elena

TTIP of the iceberg for energy: growing expectation gaps for EU-US trade deal - Éanna Kelly, bulletin.sciencebusiness.net: "Energy trade negotiations hold promise for investment and innovation, but doubt lies under the surface[.] ... Following the completion of the fourth round of negotiation last week in Brussels (10 – 14 March), the profile of TTIP [Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership] is growing. Previous rounds included around 30 negotiators on either side. This time around, over 100 US experts came to Brussels to discuss the package, as the detail gets more technical. A host of lawyers, lobbyists and other professional services firms lie in the wings too. Public hearings and stakeholder consultations are fast becoming the norm, prompting a member of the European Parliament (MEP), Catherine Stihler, to ask for the creation of a special full time TTIP committee watchdog. The visibility of the two leaders


of the negotiating teams – Ignacio Garcia Bercero for the EU and Dan Mullaney for the US – is increasing, in an apparent effort to increase public diplomacy. Much of the public interest stems from the closed-door nature of the negotiations and the piecemeal release of documents from both sides. But this feature is 'part and parcel' of trade negotiations, says Peter van Ham, senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute of International Relations."Image from entry, with caption: TTIP chief negotiators – Dan Mullaney (left) for the US and Ignacio Garcia Bercero (right) for the EU

China’s First Lady - Jay Wang, PD News – CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "Like their president husbands, first ladies are increasingly expected to enter the foray of pop culture, especially when it comes to engaging with a younger demographic. Ms. Peng certainly doesn’t have the on-camera stiffness typical of many Chinese officials. But to what extent she can venture into the wider media world remains to be seen. If Michelle Obama is, as The New York Times reporter Jennifer Steinhauer wrote, “the embodiment of the contemporary, urban, well-heeled, middle-aged American woman,” what Peng Liyuan stands for both at home and abroad is less clear. This is in fact indicative of a larger challenge facing China’s soft power efforts, as the country’s identity is in constant flux. Amidst rapid change, there has been a lack of a clear, compelling, consistent narrative about what the country represents and its global role. While Mrs. Obama talks freely about her PTA meetings, restaurant choices, films she likes and fitness routines, we don’t know what Ms. Peng can and will share to engage the broader public. We may find out more about her as a host during Michelle Obama’s visit to China this week."See also.

Opportunities and Challenges in U.S.-Japan and U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliances – Testimony - bostonglobalforum.org: (BGF) - "The Eurasia Review recently published the testimony provided by Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, which he presented to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. ... [Russel:] Chairman Cardin and Members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to appear before you today to discuss this important topic. Early in his first term, President Obama began implementing his vision for the Asia-Pacific rebalance, based on America’s enduring stake in a prosperous and stable region. The United States has been, we are, and we will remain a Pacific power. In the second term, the Administration is building out this strategy.


The Department of State is focused on dedicating diplomatic, public diplomacy, and assistance resources to the region in a way that is commensurate with the truly comprehensive nature of our engagement. And under Secretary Kerry we are intensifying our support for U.S. companies, climate and energy cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, youth and exchange programs, education, women’s empowerment, and other initiatives."Image from entry

In the wake of the Korea-Japan relationship improve the [editorial] Korea-Japan-US talks [Google "translation" from the Japanese] - South Korea Japan and the United States three countries summit meeting is opened to (24, 25 days). Nuclear Security Summit period in the Netherlands, the South Korean government announced on the 21st. ... Favorability rating for Japan's worst in Korea. Korea-Japan relationship's house of cards if you do not mitigate this. But instead of thinking only political risk in the country, there is a need to look at the perspective of public diplomacy (public diplomacy). In order for the three countries summit is to step in improving relations with Korea-Japan summit meeting, resolution of the Japanese military comfort women victims problem is essential."

PacNet #20R -- Response to PacNet #20 "Understand Abe, but Focus on Japan" - Ken Yates, csis.org: "Pacific Forum's PacNets continue to stimulate constructive thoughts, and Grant Newsham's latest (PacNet #20) continues that tradition. Newsham's suggestion that Americans should be paying more attention to broader Japanese thinking than only in the narrow thrust of what appears to be strengthening nationalist sentiments of a ruling class is right on target. As a former diplomat concerned with 'Public Diplomacy' aspects of Japan's relations with the US, I share his sentiment that we have lost contact with the wider culture."

BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal: Test for MDT - Ellen Tordesillas, ellentordesillas.com: "[Comment by:] Mannie - March 20, 2014 11:38 pm Would the US come to Phil’s rescue if the conflict escalates with China? Not sure. Between the Ukraine crisis and the South China Sea’s conflict, the US pays more attention to the former which for her is a more priority. Assuming that it’s very expensive to extract the deposits in the areas, those tiny islands could be used as bases which China wants. It’s a strategic military location. Ships pass through it. Also, it’s a nation’s pride that after all these troubles of asserting the claim, China would not give up easily to boost her image and prestige. Regarding hotline between two leaders, this is what Pnoy and the Chinese leader should consider. There are things that could be discussed in private that give positive results than public diplomacy."

3/15/14 What's Behind US Maneuvers Against Russia and China? - lizburbank, burbankdigest.com: "Rise and Fall of history's deadliest 'new world order' dictatorship: One glaring sign of US weakness and desperation is the hysterical, changing-minute-by-minute, 360 degree lies, projecting US-sponsored terror onto its recipients. Desperation apparently makes them seriously overate the success of their information war control and mass dumbification, or they missed the recent Gallup-Pew poll showing the majority of the world considers the US the greatest threat to world peace, severely misreading the 'balance of forces' - or believing their own 'public diplomacy/strategic communications? [']"

Fulbright regional meeting to take place in Taiwan - James Lee, Focus Taiwan News Channel: "The 2014 Fulbright East Asia Pacific Meeting will take place in Taiwan from March 26-28 for the first time, the organizers said Friday. The event,organized by the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, will allow American officials from throughout the Asia-Pacific region to discuss a variety of matters related to the administration of the United States' prestigious academic exchange program, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement. This is the first time that Taiwan has hosted the meeting, which takes place once every three to four years, said the AIT, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties. The conference will include presentations by key public diplomacy officials, including Susan Stevenson, deputy assistant secretary of State for Public Diplomacy in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the statement said. Stevenson will meet with various Taiwanese officials to discuss and affirm the strength of the unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relationship, it added. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foundation, established in 1964, has provided grants to some 1,300 American scholars to visit Taiwan and over 1,500 Taiwanese scholars to go to the U.S."

Study Abroad’s Time Has Arrived - Tara Sonenshine, takefiveblog.org: "Good public diplomacy includes people-to-people engagement and the ideal scenario is to have more


youth coming to America and going overseas."Image from entry, with caption: A study by the SIT Study Abroad and Graduate Institute shows that participants of study abroad programs often make life-long commitments to education, healthcare, and globally conscious efforts that solve problems.

Art Dubai: Talking cultural diplomacy with art -- One night of art and ‘cultural diplomacy’ was held to complement a whole week of art as Dubai hosts its annual Art Dubai week - khaleejtimes.com: "Titled ‘A Night of Art’, the event was held at the US Consulate-General in Bur Dubai on Wednesday night. The consulate opened its doors to display the permanent pieces of art adorning the interiors. One of the dozens of artists on display was Professor of Photography at the American University in Dubai, Roberto Lopardo. His work ‘Mapping Dubai’, a time sequence that shows one photo taken per minute in a 24-hour cycle in Media City — an epic of 1440 photos — takes pride of place in the consulate’s waiting room.


Another notable work on display is a grouping of seven vivid panels, each representing one of the seven UAE emirates, painted by Dr Najat Meki and displayed in the consulate’s atrium. US Consul General Rob Waller was pleased to have Dr Meki and Lopardo at the consulate on Wednesday night to discuss their works with those in attendance. Lopardo’s work, which sits in a lightbox, was commissioned by the Consulate General in 2011 to mark the American government’s 40-year relationship with the UAE. The artwork coincided with the opening of the new Consulate General in the same year. Waller emphasised the role of art in diplomatic relations and cultural understanding — part of what is known as 'cultural diplomacy'. 'The United States places a great deal of emphasis on cultural diplomacy. For five decades, the Department of State’s Art in Embassies programme has played a leading role in US public diplomacy through a focused mission of vital cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and dynamic artist exchanges,' he said."Image from entry, with caption: "Mapping Dubai" by Roberto Lopardo hangs in the US Consulate-General’s waiting room

Religion and Public Diplomacy [Review of Religion and Public Diplomacy edited by Philip Seib, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN-13: 978-1-137-29111-0, 2013, 236pp., $90.00 (Hardcover List) - Peter Kovacs, unc.edu: "This volume adds depth to the U.S. Department of State's earnest, if naïve, attempts to more intelligently and effectively integrate religious variables into the overall American diplomatic effort. All ten essays amplify various aspects of engaging religious players and sentiments to further diplomatic goals. Readers interested in the intersection of religious values, leaders, and communities in the general endeavor of communicating or implementing public policy should read this collection.


The implications of these essays apply in many cross-cultural settings, both national and transnational, with international communications or public diplomacy. ... The idea of creating 'religion attaches' that Seib attributes to Secretary Madeline Albright, however, would be a serious error except in perhaps a few places like Pakistan, Indonesia, Honduras or Chad, to take examples where religious players, identities and issues are key fulcrums of analysis and action."Image from entry

Department of State Public Schedule, March 20, 2014 - rockycoastnews.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL 12:30 p.m. Under Secretary Stengel participates in a roundtable with journalists, at the Washington Foreign Press Center."

Un Caffè con Antonio Deruda - ilcaffegeopolitico.org: "Diplom@tic intervista oggi un ospite d’eccezione: Antonio Deruda, esperto di comunicazione e diplomazia. Deruda è consulente e docente di comunicazione. Specializzato in strategie online e uso dei social media in ambito istituzionale e internazionale. Insegna ai master dell’Università Luiss, della Business School del Sole 24 Ore e della SIOI. ... AD: Mi piace citare la definizione di diplomazia digitale che John Kerry ha dato poco tempo fa sul blog del Dipartimento di Stato USA: 'diplomazia efficace vuol dire mettere l’uso delle tecnologie al centro del nostro lavoro per portare avanti gli obiettivi di politica estera, per colmare il divario con i cittadini del mondo e per interagire sia con il pubblico straniero che con i nostri concittadini. Il termine diplomazia digitale è dunque ridondante.


È diplomazia, punto'. Ecco, io ritengo che le funzioni siano sostanzialmente quelle di un tempo. Anche la public diplomacy, il tentativo di comunicare e cercare di influenzare il pubblico straniero, non è un fenomeno nuovo portato dai social media, ma già consolidato da diversi anni. Sono cambiati gli strumenti a disposizione. E questo comporta necessariamente un aggiornamento delle competenze e dei metodi di lavoro. ... A mio giudizio Wikileaks o il Datagate non hanno molto a che fare con la Public Diplomacy. ... [T]v, radio e giornali restano fondamentali nelle strategie di comunicazione. Bisogna integrare più piattaforme e sviluppare la capacità di declinare i propri messaggi in base ai canali di diffusione e al pubblico di riferimento."Image from entry

Susan Rice and Richard Stengel promote State Department’s response to Putin’s propaganda machine, offer little help so far to BBG - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "U.S. National Security Advisor to President Obama Susan Rice and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel are promoting through social media State Department’s response to Putin’s propaganda machine. The Obama Administration has offered so far very little help to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), which oversees such journalistic media outlets as Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the Voice of America (VOA)."

Voice of America Ukraine coverage improves as VOA correspondents assert themselves against management - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "BBG Watch has noticed some, although still sporadic and small, improvements in Voice of America (VOA) English news coverage of developments in Ukraine and Russia, which our sources attribute to VOA correspondents asserting themselves against neglectful and hostile executives."

Russian Forces Seize VOA Cameras - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "Russian troops in Crimea have seized cameras belonging to the Voice of America near the Belbek military base, where Ukrainian troops were ordered to surrender Saturday by Russian forces."

RFE/RL Mourns Slain Baghdad Bureau Chief - rferl.org: "Dr. Mohammed Bdaiwi Owaid Al-Shammari, the Baghdad bureau chief of RFE/RL's Iraq Service, Radio Free Iraq (RFI), was shot and killed at a checkpoint near his office this morning in an incident


that company managers have called tragic, senseless and shocking."Image from entry, with caption: RFE/RL Baghdad Bureau Chief Mohammed Bdaiwi Owaid Al-Shammari

IBB-initiated BBG decision to cut RFE/RL programs to the Balkans and Iraq makes The Jerusalem Post- BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "An article in The Jerusalem Post by Caroline B. Glick, 'Our world: Why Obama will not change gears,' makes a reference to a decision by the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to end Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) broadcasts to the Balkans and broadcasts to Iraq by RFE/RL’s Radio Free Iraq. While the author may see much larger political motives behind this move and is strongly critical of the Obama Administration, we have pointed out that to a large degree this particular decision was initiated by executives of the BBG’s International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) to protect their jobs and their bureaucracy from expected budget cuts. Instead of cutting their own vast bureaucracy and support services, which control 34 percent of the entire BBG budget and which have grown in positions by 37 percent in the last seven years, these officials proposed instead cutting U.S. news and information programs to strategic parts of the world. They do this every year and get the BBG in trouble with Congress as well as with public opinion abroad. Neither members of Congress nor foreign journalists can understand such shortsightedness and suspect deeper political motives. To a degree they may be right, but to a large degree these decisions are made by bureaucrats who simply want to protect their jobs, salaries, and bonuses without thinking of course of America’s strategic interests or audiences deprived of access to uncensored and balanced news without propaganda. ... Several members of Congress have written letters to BBG Chairman Jeff Shell questioning the decision, which was most likely made even before he recently came on board and can be entirely blamed on the executive staff of the International Broadcasting Bureau, where Shell and the renewed BBG board has changed the management team. ... Hopefully, Jeff Shell and the new board will be much more careful in reviewing recommendations they get from IBB officials and will not allow them to damage U.S. national security interests and public diplomacy image abroad."
On Europe’s odd performance over Ukraine– Aljazeera.com - Rosa Balfour, excellentnewsupdate.com: "[N]o-one in Europe or the US is prepared to follow up on the full escalation menu, as the Syrian 'red lines' demonstrated to Putin very recently. In the EU, during the past two weeks those dragging their feet on sanctions were unwilling to pay the costs on energy imports, business contracts and the financial sector. Tough talk may be 'right' but could backfire on the EU’s credibility. Using diplomacy to talk through the key points with Moscow could have been the other option. This would have required swallowing some bitter pills, as Russia will not back away from its strategic control of Eastern Europe. Some form of compromise between EU and Russian-led initiatives towards the region would have had to be sought for the longer term. Many in the EU, including public opinion, would have disagreed with this approach. Public diplomacy, therefore, should have been carefully crafted to make it clear that the EU’s goal was to restore international law and protect people’s rights and lives in that region, not to sweet talk Russia."

Israel’s diplomatic corp labor strike continues - Ryan Torok, jewishjournal.com: "Dissatisfied with its wages and working conditions, Israel’s diplomatic corps has been on strike for more than two weeks, and the ramifications of the labor sanctions are being felt even in Los Angeles. 'We’re in an official labor dispute. We’re doing most of our work internally right now. We can’t provide services to the community, unless it’s life-or-death matters. We’re very curtailed [in] what we can do right now,' Israel’s Consul General in Los Angeles David Siegel said in a recent interview at the local consulate. ... During a visit on March 13, the local consulate’s offices, which are located in West L.A., were eerily quiet. The six windows in the consular affairs wing that typically look out onto a queue of community members waiting for notary services, certification of public documents or other services were dark. Staff members permitted to handle internal matters only — e-mails, training and office-organizing — left their neckties at home, and many wore jeans. 'We’ve all cleaned our desks,' joked Dani Gadot, consul of consular affairs. And, with not much else to do, they gave this reporter all the time he needed. The L.A.-based diplomats said that while there are several issues that the diplomatic corps would like to see addressed in any labor deal that is reached, their primary concern is with compensation, specifically pay adjustments for people serving overseas. The base salary for


a consul general in North America is $60,000. Dana Erlich, consul for culture, media and public diplomacy, said that people serving in the corps do not earn enough to support themselves. Erlich, whose passion for Israel convinced her to put aside dreams of becoming an artist to serve in the diplomatic corps, said that the country she loves neglects its diplomats. 'This dispute started because we [the diplomats] feel that we’re not a priority of the state,' Erlich said in an interview at her office.
Siegel agrees that the diplomatic corps is underappreciated. He said that the body of foreign-service workers are vital to Israeli military efficiency, the country’s standing in the Diaspora and more. He pointed to the consulate’s involvement in a recent economic pact between California and Israel as evidence of his organization’s accomplishments."Image from entry, with caption: Israel Consul General David Siegel. See also

‘Israel Now News’ founder gives talk - simivalleyacorn.com: "Simi Hills Christian Church will host Josh Reinstein as he talks about the current conditions in Israel at 6:30 p.m. Sun., March 23 at the church, 4307 Walnut Ave., Simi Valley. Reinstein is the producer and founder of 'Israel Now News,' a 30-minute weekly TV news magazine that is broadcast to 35 million viewers in 191 countries. He is also the director of the Allies Christian Caucus for the Israel Knesset, serving as an adviser to the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs."

New Ambassadors course at Haifa University - haifadiarist.blogspot.com: "The 2014 academic course to combat the delegitimization of Israel has now started at Haifa University. ... [T]he program has won praise from public officials in the Foreign Ministry and current program coordinator Maureen Hayo - Hemo even represented the program in two various discussions held at the Knesset: A meeting of the Caucus on Public Diplomacy for academic boycott of Israeli universities and meeting of the Committee of Immigrant Absorption Anti-Semitism on the net."

One Arab woman in Israel Independence Day event - Shlomi Eldar, al-monitor.com: "The ceremony marking Israel’s 66th Independence Day this year will be dedicated to the 'Era of Women.' For the first time, all the people participating in the traditional torch-lighting ceremony will


be women. ... This year, the committee that selected the women to light the torches was headed by the Acting Director of the Center for Public Diplomacy Yitzhak Sonnenschein. ... Among the 14 women who are supposed to represent .... the diverse mosaic that is Israeli society is just a single Arab woman, Hindiya Suliman from the Bedouin village of Bu'eine Nujeidat."Image from entry, with caption: People watch planes from the Israeli air force fly over Jerusalem during celebrations marking Israel's 63rd Independence Day in Jerusalem, May 10, 2011.

US Res. on Sri Lanka: Effective use of LLRC report to globalize issues - Daya Gamage, Asian Tribune: "Sri Lanka government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report has become fodder for the United States and Navi Pillay's UN human rights office to strategically internationalize Sri Lanka's internal issues through the US-sponsored resolution scheduled for debate and possible adoption on March 26 at the UNHRC in Geneva. ... In the First Draft the drafters of the resolution expressed their own opinion to clearly display 'reaffirm demilitarization', but in the Second Draft the authors very cleverly changed the choice of language to read Recalling the constructive recommendations contained in the Commission’s report


demilitarize the north of Sri Lanka brushing the LLRC report on Sri Lanka's face. ... [From the Second Draft:]  Sri Lanka has absolutely no choice but to face the consequences of its own making: allowing the activists, the former 'material supporters' to the LTTE which is a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), to be the voice of the Sri Lanka Tamils; depending on lobbying firms to help in its image building because of its deficiency in the areas of public diplomacy and strategic communication; allowing the activists within the Global Tamil Diaspora to dominate the narrative of Sri Lankan issues; and allowing 'international players' to dictate on the domestic administrative arrangement which is the sole responsibility of any sovereign nation."Image from entry, with caption: Australia to give hand to Lanka at UNHRC Session

Editorial: Woe betide any mishap in AB's China trip: We should treat with caution the PM's idea of sending the All Blacks on visit our biggest trade partner - nzherald.co.nz: "Those who cling to the notion that sports and politics should not mix must be having palpitations. The Prime Minister wants to send the All Blacks to China to further boost links with this country's biggest trading partner. The All Blacks' coach, Steve Hansen, seems ready to go along with this bit of sports diplomacy despite his team's congested schedule. Clearly, we have come a long way since 1981 when the separation of sport and politics reached its apogee with the tumultuous Springbok tour. Yet there is reason to be just a little cautious about how far we should go. Sports diplomacy has been pushed first and foremost by the United States. It gained momentum with the success of its ping-pong diplomacy with China in the 1970s. This exchange of table tennis players led to State Department programmes, promoted through US embassies, based on the belief that the universal passion for sport was a way to transcend socio-cultural differences. Sportspeople and nations, so the theory goes, can be introduced to each other without the economic, political and military issues that burden traditional diplomacy. The American approach has been backed by the likes of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who says 'sport is a language everyone of us can speak'. This has encouraged an increasing recognition of its power as a tool in countries'public diplomacy. Not acknowledged to anything like the same extent is sport's ability to create divisions. Most infamously, the hurling of insults and roughing up of fans at a qualifying match for soccer's 1970 World Cup between El Salvador and Honduras sparked a shortlived war between the two countries. In that case, sport solidified an existing division. But it is also possible for it to taint previously strong relationships. Take the aftermath at prime ministerial level of Trevor Chappell's under-arm delivery, the final act of a one-day cricket international between Australia and New Zealand. Or the collateral damage to relations between France and Ireland arising from the goal orchestrated by Thierry Henry's so-called Hand of Frog during a 2009 World Cup qualification play-off. China will be far from surprised over New Zealand using the All Blacks as a diplomatic tool. Subsequent to ping-pong diplomacy, Beijing has become accustomed to using sport to further its own ends. ... Already, the All Blacks are accustomed to playing matches to promote rugby in new markets. Last year, it was Japan. Previously, it has been Hong Kong, while the US looms as a future port of call. So, too, at the Prime Minister's request, does China for a role of more fundamental importance to New Zealand. Woe betide that any on-field or off-field mishap affects our rapidly blossoming trading relationship with that country."

Government to boost HE policy role with think-tanks - Yojana Sharma, universityworldnews.com: "China's Ministry of Education has released a new plan to boost the role of universities in advising government, including setting up special university-based centres and think-tanks to carry out research for ministries and contribute to policy-making. ... Last month, for example, China announced that it would strengthen a national think-tank


on the South China Sea, based at Nanjing University in Jiangsu province, as part of a strategy to bolster China's territorial claims. The Collaborative Innovation Center for South China Sea Studies, established in 2012, has already attracted top researchers. It has added 41 PhD tutors and plans to support some 100 doctoral students and 300 masters students within four years. ... Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, which is linked to the Hainan provincial government, said Chinese think-tanks traditionally placed more emphasis on historical studies than legal issues. 'The centre will facilitate China's ambition of having a bigger say in the world as well as its public diplomacy, Wu said."Image from

Tanzania exports to China up by 45pc - Abduel Elinaza, Daily News: [T]he China Public Diplomacy Association, Vice President, Mr Lv Fengding said Tanzania was advised to improve its tourism infrastructure in an effort to tap more Chinese tourists."

Mandela’s diplomacy of national interest - Young Tshabalala, news24.com: "Mandela ensured the implementation of foreign policies consistent with the needs and dreams of the people. Foreign policy makers were not to be in isolation and separated from the realities of the people living in poverty. This ethical consideration ensured that public servants could taste the fruits of a functional government. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation adheres to the key goal of ensuring that South Africa is a Constitutional State governed by the rule of law and concerned with promoting the interest of its citizens in all spheres of diplomatic decision making. Particularly, public diplomacy plays a role in fostering greater trust and understanding of our foreign policy goals. Despite the inequalities that exist in South Africa and wiping away memories of the past it is imperative that citizens can have the opportunity to be involved in conversations that influence the decision making of policy makers. Eliminating the gap between ordinary civilians and foreign policy makers is an ideal platform in creating a responsive and engaging public participation in the foreign affairs of the country."

'All that Korea' needs to be promoted - Chung Min-uck, koreatimes.co.kr: Thanks to the rapid economic growth in the 1970s and 80s, democratization of its political system and, of late, 'hallyu,' or the Korean cultural wave, Korea is becoming better known globally. However, Hahn Choong-hee, 54, former director-general of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said now is the time to start promoting the real substance of Korea, which is the backbone of the miraculous outcome achieved in such a short period of time. 'The first wave was about reaching out to foreigners and letting them understand that ‘Korea matters,’' said Hahn during a recent interview. “But since we have successfully fulfilled this goal, we now have to explain to them about our 5,000 years of history that made those achievements possible.” The career diplomat said Korea’s unique humanistic tradition, along with scientific achievements and advanced balance-of-power political system during former Korean dynasties, laid the foundation for the current development.


'Many foreigners see Korea’s development as a temporal phenomenon caused by favorable external environment or a mere luck,' said Hahn. 'But that’s wrong. Those images must be changed via ‘public diplomacy.'Public diplomacy, which seeks to win hearts and minds of foreigners using various 'soft power' assets such as culture and historical experiences, became an important aspect in foreign policy because nowadays no diplomacy can be effectively conducted if a country is not favorably viewed by the people from other countries. Government’s recent investment in 'Korean studies' also comes in line with the move to let the world know the diverse aspects of 'all that Korea,' he said. 'Ultimately, what we want via our public diplomacy is a two-way communication between other countries,' Hahn said. 'So to say, we want to enjoy together each other’s valuable assets.' The diplomat said government plans to first reach out to foreigners living in Korea in getting through in-depth and comprehensive knowledge about Korea to the outside world."Hahn Choong-hee image from entry

Buddha statues and Korea's favorite song on stage in performances this weekend - Park Ji-won, Arirang News: The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company brings its modern dance piece "Bul-ssang" to the stage this weekend. 'Bul-ssang' is the Korean word for a Buddhist statue, but it sounds the same as the Korean word for 'pity.' The company delves into the double meaning of the title with iconic dance moves adapted from traditional dances from various Asian countries. Renowned Korean DJ Soulscape and prominent pop artist Choi Jeong-hwa also helped create the performance. ... The work will be presented in France next year to commemorate the year of cultural exchange between Korea and France. And on another stage [:] Regional variations on Korea's most beloved song, 'Arirang' are showcased along with traditional Korean dance. 'Arirang' is a traditional Korean folk song that is on UNESCO's World Intangible Heritage for Humanity list and there are thousands of variations on the lyrics and melody. ... This special performance was organized by the Senior Public Diplomacy Group, with support from the foreign ministry, to further promote the song and for the sake of cultural diversity and preservation."

India should push forward in developing ties with W.Asia: Experts - ANI, newstrackindia.com: "Experts, observers and analysts attending a three-day seminar titled 'Transformations in West Asia - The Next Steps,['] have opined that India should not take a backseat in further developing its relations with West Asia and the extended neighbourhood, namely nations who are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). ... Manoj Joshi, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), which was one of the sponsors of the event, the other being the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, said that the security dynamics of West Asia is forever changing, and security dilemmas are old."

Burnished or Tarnished — I.J. Singh - chardikalaa.com: "During Manmohan Singh’s tenure deserving Sikhs have emerged in India’s public space: The man steering India’s economic progress is a Sikh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia; in this decade for the first time not one but two Sikh Generals commanded India’s vast army, Generals J.J. Singh and now Bikram Singh; India’s face of public diplomacy has been a Sikh, Hardip Singh Puri.


These are not small measures of progress in India where society is increasingly defined by corruption, nepotism and cronyism. He has transformed the nation economically but on his watch it has descended the depths of a corrupt society faster than at any other time in recent history."Uncaptioned image from entry

Turkey: Twitter allows 'character assassination'- Suzan Fraser, seattlepi.com: "Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt used Twitter on Saturday to tell Turkey its efforts to block access to the social media network were 'stupid.' He said the blockade 'isn't working and also backfiring heavily.'


A statement from the Turkish government's Public Diplomacy office said the network was engaged in 'systematic character assassinations' for hosting accounts where the leaked the wiretapped recordings have been posted. It said the audio tapes were 'illegally acquired' or 'fake and fabricated.'"Image from entry, with caption: Members of the Turkish Youth Union hold cartoons depicting Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a protest against a ban on Twitter, in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, March 21, 2014. Turkey's attempt to block access to Twitter appeared to backfire on Friday with many tech-savvy users circumventing the ban and suspicions growing that the prime minister was using court orders to suppress corruption allegations against him and his government. Cartoon in center reads: Erdogan, left, to his Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek " we will rip out the roots of Twitter." Gokcek: "don't say it."

Pena sends Mexico's diplomatic reply - Jeffrey Simpson, The Globe and Mail: "Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has cancelled a trip to Canada in June to signal his country’s unhappiness with the Harper government’s refusal to talk about removing visas for Mexicans coming to Canada. ... The Mexicans recall that their citizens did not need visas before 2008. They believe another refugee surge is highly unlikely with the introduction of Canada’s new refugee policy, which makes it easier for Ottawa to reject weak claims. Mr. Harper doesn’t like being pushed – he frequently digs in his heels when criticized publicly, and may well resent the aggressive and public diplomacy employed by Mexican officials against the visas. (Major Canadian business and tourism associations, some of whose members have lost business from the drop in Mexican visitors, have also decried the visas.)"

Greg Rickford could bring more collegial approach to Natural Resources portfolio - Bruce Cheadle, The Canadian Press, mysask.com: "[N]ow the new federal Natural Resources minister, Rickford, 46, has spent a lot of time dealing with


First Nations issues in Ontario's rugged and remote northwest. ... His record tells something of what he brings to the new job. ... During a housing crisis in Attiwaspiskat in the winter of 2011-12, Rickford stepped in to handle the public diplomacy for then-minister John Duncan, managing to lower the temperature somewhat on a battle that was threatening to shatter the relationship between First Nations and the Harper government."Image from entry, with caption: Greg Rickford leaves Rideau Hall after he was sworn in as Minister of Natural Resources, Wednesday March 19, 2014 in Ottawa.

Independence referendum to decide Scotland’s future - T.S Blanchard, theinternational.org: "On September 18, 2014, roughly 4 million Scottish voters will head to the polls to decide whether or not Scotland should remain in the United Kingdom or become an independent country. The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill was passed by the country’s Parliament


on November 14, 2013 and received Royal Assent on December 17, 2013. ... 'If it’s feasible in the U.K., it should be feasible in Spain,' said Albert Royo, secretary general of Diplocat, the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia, a public-private body charged with building support for Catalan’s independence vote."Image from entry, with caption: The independence referendum for Scotland will be held on September 18, 2014.
The Daily: Considering Cultural Diplomacy’s Roots: Our round-up of news, notes, tips, and tweets exhibiting how public diplomacy affects the world each and every day - Michael Ardaiolo, thepublicdiplomat.com

Fireside Chat: Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal (UN Department of Public Information Secretary General) -
"Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal of Austria is the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.


Prior to joining Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Senior Management Team, he had been Spokesman and Head of the Department for Communication and Information of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. Mr. Launsky-Tieffenthal brings to the position 30 years of experience within the Austrian Foreign Service, particularly in Asia, North America and the Middle East, with responsibilities ranging from public diplomacy and development cooperation to press and information."Uncaptioned image from entry

Women in CE Career Forum Tickets On Sale Now - dealerscope.com: "Women in CE has announced that its third annual Women in CE Career Enhancement Forum will take place June 24 at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York, as part of CE Week.


The all-day event will feature a networking breakfast, sessions, workshops, and keynote speakers, before wrapping up with a closing reception. The opening keynote will feature Charlotte Beers, the longtime business executive who served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Bush Administration from 2001 to 2003."Image from entry, with caption: Women in CE keynoter Charlotte Beers' book

RELATED ITEMS

Iran Builds Fake US Aircraft Carrier for 'Propaganda Attack' - Tom Porter, ibtimes.co.uk:

Ukrainian Nationalists Hand Russians Propaganda Coup With Video of Assault - Robert Mackey, New York Times: Since a coalition of Ukrainian opposition groups took control of Independence Square in Kiev and held it long enough to undermine the authority of President Viktor Yanukovych, the Russian government and news media outlets under Kremlin control have consistently focused on the part played by far-right, nationalist demonstrators who manned the barricades there during deadly clashes with the police. To counter the perception fostered in Moscow that the interim government in Kiev, which took power after Mr. Yanukovych fled the country, is led by neo-Nazis and fascist thugs, pro-Western Ukrainian activists have drawn attention to voices of moderation and tolerance in their coalition. One part of that effort was a YouTube video letter to the Russian people from prominent Ukrainian musicians and artists who appealed, in Russian, for peace, love and understanding from their neighbors. “There are no ‘Nazis’ here; your brothers are here,” the singer Valeriy Kharchyshyn said in the video. “We love you and we don’t want war.” In that context, a highly discordant note was struck by video posted on YouTube this week that showed three men who represent the Ukrainian nationalist party Svoboda in Parliament berating the head of Ukraine’s state broadcaster over his decision to cover the Kremlin ceremony marking the annexation of Crimea.

Russian propaganda over Crimea and the Ukraine: how does it work? Vladimir Putin has put boots in the ground -- over the airwaves, he is taking the west on a tour of the propagandist’s playbook - Alan Yuhas, theguardian.com: The occupation of Crimea by pro-Russian forces has been accompanied by a remarkable propaganda push by Moscow – an effort that has infiltrated western media and helped redefine the debate in Russia’s favor.


By spreading talk of fascists, of gangs of unknown armed men, of coups and self-determination and persecution – while sending armed men into Ukraine, egging on real and staged protests, bribing politicians and blocking the media – the Kremlin is enacting and realizing its propaganda on the ground. Image from entry, with caption: A man rides a scooter past a billboard urging people to vote in Sunday's Crimea referendum.

Beijing’s Propaganda Crisis - Murong Xuecun, New York Times: For more than 60 years, propaganda has been one of Beijing’s most important tools in sustaining Communist Party rule. In addition to lavishly praising the government and the party, propaganda has been deployed to impart moral instruction. Last November, for example, there was a flurry of reports informing us of the prurient evils of television shows and movies. We were implored to resist the vulgar content. More and more, the Chinese are questioning the government line. They mock the tone and style of the propaganda and resist the moral preaching. It’s fair to say that in the Internet age, the Chinese government’s propaganda machine is facing a crisis.

Turkey's Twitter block and propaganda be damned: revolutions will be tweeted -- The numbers are in, and the people want their internet freedom – no matter what Putin and Erdogan say - Richard Wike, theguardian.com: World leaders may be cracking down on dissenting voices online – if ever there were a global trend, it’s that the revolution will be tweeted, and then restricted – but research shows there are reasons to be very optimistic about the future of internet freedom.


Image from entry, with caption: Girls take a break from protesting the development of Taksim Square in June 2013.

N.Korean Propaganda Against the South Is Failing - english.chosun.com: North Korean textbooks describe South Korea as a "fascist, military dictatorship" filled with "poverty and starvation,"


but fewer and fewer North Koreans are buying the propaganda. Uncaptioned image from entry

BACK IN THE USSR


--Via OS on Facebook

"Communications andpublic diplomacy is [sic] more important than ever before."

--Brzezinski, "Diplomacy in a new Communications Era: U.S. Embassy ranked #3 'super communicator' in all of Sweden," Brzezinski Blog: Ambassador and Mrs. Brzezinski share their thoughts, experiences and adventures in Sweden

"мы отдали эти люди."

--The ex-U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, a professor of political science at Stanford University, butchering the Russian language by not using the dative case properly in his tweet regarding U.S. visa procedures [translation available at link]; see also.

 "Boring people bore me and I'm not very good at hiding it. If interacting with people is draining, feigning interest in a boring story is practically debilitating."


--Heather, a self-confessed U.S. public diplomacy officer, in "An Introvert's Guide to Diplomacy," the blog Adventures Around the World: A foreign service officer's tale; image from

VIDEO

Monday Inbox: US Embassy Baghdad’s Conrad Turner Recites a Russian Poem, And …. - Domani Spero, DiploPundit: "The video ... was published by U.S. Embassy Baghdad on March 4, 2014 on YouTube. The video includes the English and Arabic text translation of a Russian poem. The speaker is the embassy’s Public Affairs Counselor in Baghdad reciting a poem by Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin


in Baghdad. The embassy’s AIO also recited a poem last February. ... somebody from that building sent us an email asking if this is 'really clever use of PD time and money? So we went and look. The YouTube post is 1:40 min in length, has 256 views, and does not include any context as to why our U.S. diplomat in Baghdad is reciting a Russian poem. What’s the purpose why this video is up, anyways? Was this part of a larger event? Nothing on the embassy’s website indicate that it is. Was he just feeling it? We can’t say, no explainer with the vid. This could, of course, be part of celebrating poetry month, but the National Poetry Month in the U.S. has been celebrated in April since 1996." Via LJB. Image from, with caption: George Washington Univ: PUSHKIN, Alexander: Memorial at the Robert H and Clarice Smith Hall of Art in Washington, D.C. by Alexander Bourganov, Igor Bourganov located in James M. Goode's Foggy Bottom area.  See also.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Public Diplomacy: America’s Lost Battle- Jeff, politicsandpress.com: "The role of public opinion in the current Ukraine/Crimea crisis is a good illustration of the short sightedness of America’s reduced commitment to public diplomacy, as it continues to have a defense budget that more than exceeds the combined defense budgets of the next ten largest countries’. President Putin has committed considerable resources to Russia’s international TV, 'Russia Today' (RT), including an American operation that can be viewed in English or Spanish. In 2011 it was the second most popular international broadcaster after the BBC and claims particularly high viewership in the U.S.’ five largest cities. An international TV network that competes with CNN for its audience, including and especially a Western audience, 'Russia Today' is available to some 85 million Americans via cable TV and internationally to over 650 million people via approximately 250 cable and satellite providers. RT also manages a sophisticated website that focuses on U.S. news as well as international news. And while clearly a propaganda tool of Russian foreign policy, it has managed to find Western viewers tired of CNN’s diet of American-centric news augmented with a heavy offering of political and social drivel. The 2011 budget for RT was ca. $380 million, a large jump from its 2008 $120 million budget probably partially due to a serous image deficit following the Russia – Georgia conflict. In any case from an American perspective RT amounts to Russian operated surrogate broadcasting within the U.S., much like what Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were to the Soviet bloc during the Cold War. At the same time that Russia has promoted its image outside Russia via RT Putin has succeeded in improving his popularity at home with extensive and harsh control of traditional sources of information, especially TV, radio and the print press. While RT has ready access to American audiences Putin has banned Russian radio stations from affiliating with Radio Svoboda, RFE/RL’s Russian broadcast service, forcing that service to rely heavily on social media, access to its website and its increased popularity on You Tube. Native Russian investigative journalists have had a tendency to “go missing” or worse; anti-government rock groups go to jail and demonstrations merely lead to mass arrests. During the Cold War U.S. surrogate radio broadcasts into Russia and its Warsaw bloc and Soviet neighbors provided news of their own countries and the world otherwise not available. With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakdown of the Soviet Union those efforts were reduced and, in fact almost eliminated. Assuming the Cold War was over, the U.S. Senate, led by a somewhat naïve Russell Feingold, led a move in 1994 to cut RFE/RL’s budget from $210 Million to $75 million. Today, RFE/RL broadcasts to 21 countries (including Afghanistan, Iran, and of course Russia) in 28 languages via the Internet, SMS text messaging, online video, satellite radio, and popular social media networks with a budget of $95 million – less than one quarter of RT’s budget. America no longer seriously competes with Russia in the critical area of public opinion and the results are obvious as we watch the Russian people salute the re-emergence of an at least semi-cold war."

Is the Kremlin’s propaganda chief “a journalist”? - John Aravosis, americablog.com: "Last week, the European Union expanded its sanctions list in reponse to Russia’s invasion and annexation of Ukrainian Crimea, and added an interesting name: Dmitry Kiselev (Kiselyov), the Kremlin’s chief propagandist, who calls himself a journalist. But is he? I ran across a Tweet this weekend, criticizing the addition of Kiselev to the list, arguing that governments should never censor journalists.  The thing is, I’m not convinced that Kiselev is a journalist.  ... Kiselev is a controversial figure who recently used his TV show to discuss Russia turning the United States into 'radioactive ash' (in front of a nice backdrop of a huge mushroom cloud).  Kiselev, who comes across as rather fey (to put it lightly), is also the man who last year suggested that gay car accident victims have their hearts cut out and burned so that no one makes the mistake of letting them become organ donors. ... Then again, look at Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) or Radio Free Asia (RFA).  They both do great work.  And I’ve written about, and linked to, their stories before, because they do great 'journalism.' But they’re government-funded, even if they are officially private organizations.


Contrast the work of RFE/RL and RA with Kremlin TV network Russia Today and I’m hard-pressed to claim the latter as journalists too.  Russia Today isn’t just funded by the Kremlin, it’s an official Kremlin propaganda organ that twists the news, and basically lies, in an effort to help Russia, and hurt everyone else.  The closet comparison for Russia Today isn’t Radio Free Europe, it’s Fox News.  And my concern about Fox isn’t from the funding side, but rather the content side.  I just feel that in order to be a journalist, you have to be after the truth. And that’s definitely not the case with RT and Dmitry Kiselev, of I fear with Fox News either. ... Say what you will about CNN, ABC, CBS, or NBC, but they try get the story right, and they try to do it an impartial manner. You can’t say the same about Russia Today, RIA Novosoti, Voice of Russia, or Dmitry Kiselev. And while the government may try to influence the media in America, the government is the media in Russia. And there’s a big difference."Image from entry, with ccaption: Dmitri Kisilev (aka Dmitry Kiselyov).

The Kremlin's War Propaganda- Vladimir Ryzhkov, themoscowtimes.com: "The main objective of war propaganda is to mobilize the support of the population — or in the case of Ukraine, an expansionist campaign. It should also demoralize the enemy and attract the sympathy and support of third countries. Widespread support among Russians for the military operations in Crimea and its ultimate annexation indicate that the Kremlin has succeeded in its first two objectives but has gained little ground on the third. ... [T]he success of war propaganda depends entirely on its totalitarian approach. The authorities must shut down every independent media outlet capable of identifying and exposing the propagandists' lies. That is why Ukraine blocked Russian television. ... Information warfare is well known throughout the world and is used by all leading countries.


The U.S. government successfully used the same principles when it bombed Yugoslavia and invaded Grenada, Panama and Iraq. The difference, of course, is that the U.S. government does not own mainstream media outlets, so their ability to manipulate the truth is less effective. Take, for example, the Iraqi invasion in 2003. Within a relatively short time period after the invasion was initiated, leading Western media went the complete other direction by criticizing the U.S. government for misleading the public on the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that were never found. This self-correction process does not occur in Russia, where the main media outlets are state-controlled. In authoritarian countries like Russia, independent information is losing out to mass propaganda, and whole populations have become victims of brainwashing. Politicians speak about the need for peace even while stirring up war hysteria. And that means the likelihood of war is far closer and more real than many might imagine."Image from entry

Russia Today Drops All Pretense Of Editorial Independence, Publishes Pro-Putin Propaganda - Eric Brown, ibtimes.com: "When Russia Today launched in 2005, its operators insisted that despite being funded by the Russian government, the news outlet would function independently of Moscow. The channel even rebranded to simply RT in 2009 to avoid being seen as an entirely Russian news network. On Wednesday, however, RT seemingly dropped all pretense of being editorially independent, by praising Russian President Vladimir Putin’s highly controversial annexation of Crimea. In a post entitled ‘Top 10 Powerful Quotes from Putin’s Historic Crimea Address,’ RT lauded Putin’s speech declaring Crimea part of the Russian Federation as ‘barn-burning.’ The post, not credited to any writer in standard RT fashion, heaps superlative upon superlative on Putin’s declaration, calling it ‘perhaps the most pivotal address of the post-Soviet era.’”

Beware of the Kremlin’s Propaganda- Dalibor Rohac, cato.org: "Since the beginning of the turmoil in Ukraine, some have attributed a large part of the blame for the crisis to the European Union and the United States, whose meddling allegedly brought down the President Viktor Yanukovych. While, as a general rule, the foreign policy of the EU and the US deserve to be criticized on various grounds, it should not be forgotten that other actors are present on the world’s geopolitical scene as well – some of them quite malevolent. The idea that the eclectic, bottom-up movement that fueled the revolution in Kyiv was somehow orchestrated by the United States (and/or by the notoriously unimaginative bureaucrats in Brussels) is grotesque – as is the notion that Russia’s invasion of Crimea is a response to genuine secessionist desires of the citizens of South-Eastern Ukraine."

In Soviet Russia: A farcical moral condemnation of Russia - Pierre Marthinus, themalaymailonline.com: "Crimea’s referendum — held under the shadow of Russia’s military presence — is as legitimate as the 1969 Act of Free Choice in Papua held under Indonesian military presence and the Iraq elections held under a heavy US military presence. The only difference is the selection of territorial scale, legal pretexts and moral justifications for each intervention. ... Western diplomatic criticism of Russia often seems like an uncreative plagiarized fill-in-the-dots template devised by an overpaid Washington-based public diplomacy firm struggling to keep its government contracts and refusing to downsize its employees. Ironically, Moscow has been doing a relatively better job, choosing all the right diplomatic keywords, invoking the rhetoric of a 'responsibility to protect' the Russian-speaking population of Crimea and the Crimean 'right to self-determination'. Recently, the US organized a discussion on the Crimean crisis in Jakarta, but decided only to invite representatives of Poland and Ukraine — the equivalent of a low blow in public diplomacy. The Russian ambassador, unfortunately, decided to crash the party 'Putin-style' and conveyed his utmost displeasure at the organizers for all the participants to see."

NATO troops landed in Lviv region [Google "translation"]- mk.ru: "On Tuesday, the Public Chamber of Russia held a hearing on the situation in Ukraine. The event was attended by well-known Russian, Ukrainian experts, government representatives.


Bombshell information caused people's deputy of Ukraine Oleg Tsarev. According to him, began to disembark in Lviv ... NATO soldiers. ... The event was organized in the OP RF spoke Russian Public Council for International Cooperation and Public Diplomacy, Inter-Commission working group on international cooperation and public diplomacy."Image from entry

What Should Michelle Obama Accomplish on Her Trip to China? - Orville Schell, Vincent Ni, Leta Hong Fincher, Elizabeth Economy, Robert Kapp, Jindong Cai nnd Sheila Melvin, A ChinaFile Conversation - chinafile.com: "[Elizabeth Economy:] Orville and Vincent have almost persuaded me that U.S.-China relations will best be served if First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to China is little more than a public diplomacy tour de force. Indeed, she is already off to a good start. Chinese press commentary surrounding Mrs. Obama’s visit has been glowing.Yet I can’t help but feel that an opportunity is being sacrificed on the altar of wishful thinking. The opportunity is to use the umbrella of education and culture—the focus of the first lady’s trip—to engage issues such as restrictions on American films, journalists, and educational institutions in China. These are important issues and the first lady has a unique opening to raise them with the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan, herself a singing sensation and embodiment of Chinese culture. The altar of wishful thinking


is that this trip will in some way influence how Chinese president Xi Jinping directs the Chinese navy to behave on the East and SouthChinaSeas or how he responds to Russia’s behavior in Crimea. Even beyond the issue of a missed opportunity, I am puzzled at the first lady’s apparent decision not to travel or have interviews with journalists during her trip. Certainly she is making herself extraordinarily accessible via social media, and granted, according to the State Department, public diplomacy means‘government-sponsored programs intended to inform or influence public opinion in other countries’ —not informing or influencing people at home. However, refusing to address the press directly sends the wrong message not only to people in the United States but also to Chinese citizens, and most critically, doesn’t reflect the first lady’s one policy-related promise: to share American values and traditions."Image from article, with caption: First lady Michelle Obama speaks to students about higher education at a Washington, D.C. high school in November 2013. Mrs. Obama travels to China this week on a “people-to-people exchange” to emphasize the importance of education to both nations. See also.

Michelle Obama Convenes 'First Wives Club' In China- weku.fm:"This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Rachel Martin. It is spring break and a lot of us our taking our kids on vacation to the Grand Canyon, maybe Florida. The First Lady Michelle Obama has taken her girls to China for the school break. It's supposed to be a working vacation, of sorts. There will undoubtedly be some sightseeing, but it's hard as the first lady of the U.S. to go to China and not dip into geopolitics at some point.To talk us through the potential pitfalls is Evan Osnos. He was the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker for four years. He's back in Beijing now. ... MARTIN: So what does a trip like this by Michelle Obama, what does it actually achieve? I mean, is this just about endearing her to the Chinese people? And what good does that do in real terms? OSNOS: Well, the goal is what the White House describes as people-to-people diplomacy. But there are a couple of concerns. One of the concerns, of course, is that public diplomacy matters but it's not a substitute for policy. And so, there have been some commentators in the U.S. who have said there may be a way of the spirit of this broader subject of cultural and educational exchange, to talk about some of the things that are important to that. For instance, ensuring that American journalists have access to China."

[Ernest] The First Lady of China[Google "translation' from Tagalog] - filipino.cri.cn: "On the 21st of this month, arrived in Beijing First Lady Michelle Obama's America, along with his son and mother, to carry out the 7 day visit to China. Michelle Obama invited by Peng Liyuan, First Lady of China, to carry forward the cooperation between the two countries in education and people to people exchanges.


In America, both were popular Michelle and her husband, President Obama. But here in China, not kasingpopular his wife Michelle. Because in my mind of the Chinese people, the First Lady is always considered to represent the image of his wife but should not perform actual influence on the actual problems inside and outside the country. ... [A]fter the Cultural Revolution, although there is no apparent provision, remains low-key in public wives of leaders and high officials of China. What request tasks and responsibilities of the First Lady of a country? The situation differs in different countries. For example in Russia, prior to divorce President Vladimir Putin and his wife, lost her husband a long time in view of the public. But on the other hand, the First Lady plays a major role in public diplomacyand people to people exchange because of its special status, like Michelle Obama. A komong assumption is the equal roles between men and women, especially in the political arena."Uncaptioned image from entry

Department of State Public Schedule, March 24, 2014 - state.gov: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL 3:15 p.m. Under Secretary Stengel meets with Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Chairman Tom Healy, at the Department of State. (CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)"

Cultural diplomacy- Bina Shah, dawn.com: "In my capacity as a working writer, I’ve chiefly engaged with writing as an art and a means for communication. But over the last several years I’ve come to know writing on a different level: as an arm of cultural diplomacy. And it’s exciting to learn that the arts can serve not just to enlighten and illuminate our lives, but to build bridges between countries, cultures, and peoples as a deliberate way of enhancing the more traditional ways and means of foreign policy. Typically, nations pursue their foreign policy objectives through political, economic, and military means. But in the 21st century, when the use of force is limited, conventional warfare is unwanted, and the US suffers an image problem particularly in the Muslim world because of its adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, public diplomacy, or the art of ‘winning hearts and minds’, has taken on more importance in foreign policy. It uses soft power to ‘attract and persuade’ other nations to a path of friendly cooperation by highlighting values that America holds in common with them — family, faith, the desire for education, for example. Cultural diplomacy, which branches out from public diplomacy, makes use of the arts — theatre, art, music, literature — in order to achieve understanding between the people, as opposed to the governments, of respective nations. Christopher Merrill, director of the University of Iowa’s International Writers Programme, describes how cultural diplomacy 'attempts to create dialogue on the playing fields of culture in which people from disparate cultures and countries listen to each other, explore creativity together, and emerge with a deeper understanding of the world and of each other'. The US government actively pursues cultural diplomacy, bringing artists, writers, musicians and poets to America in order to perform their art for American audiences and to collaborate with American counterparts on artistic endeavours. And they send American artists to other countries for the same activities, in the hopes that art will appeal to those nations in deeper, long-lasting and more meaningful ways than the traditional methods of diplomatic outreach. The International Writers Programme, which I attended in 2011, is one of the most robust of those programmes, though budgeting US taxpayers’ money for cultural diplomacy programmes is always under dispute, much to the dismay of the proponents of cultural diplomacy in the State Department. My experience with cultural diplomacy makes me wonder, could we in Pakistan do something similar — project our values and our strengths through an active diplomatic programme of cultural activity, administered by the Foreign Office and spearheaded by our missions abroad? Instead of projecting hard power, could we project soft power, and would that soften our image abroad, and make other nations more eager to do business with us? ... Now imagine what strides we could take in cultural diplomacy if Pakistan had a dedicated department in the Foreign Office, envisioning and planning international cultural exchanges and events like these all over the world. If we sent Pakistani artists abroad and arranged for artists from other nations to come and visit Pakistan in order to see this nation for themselves, to practise the arts together with local counterparts, to visit universities and schools and speak to students and members of civil society. Or if Pakistan had a clearinghouse like the British Council, independent of the government, but dedicated to the promotion of Urdu and other national languages with centres in all the world’s major cities. Remember that cultural diplomacy is not the same as propaganda: its practitioners don’t spread ideology or proselytise about the greatness of their own nation or culture. Instead, they humble themselves and listen to the people they visit or invite, in order that they may learn from one another, and the learning process and artistic collaboration is what builds the bridges that will outlast political upheaval and the changing of governments."

Gastrodiplomacy: Cooking Up A Tasty Lesson On War And Peace - Linda Poon, npr.org: "It's often said that the closest interaction many Americans have with other countries' cultures is through food. That kind of culinary diplomacy is particularly common in Washington, D.C., where immigrants from all over the world have cooked up a diverse food scene. Now one scholar-in-residence at American University is using the city's food culture to teach her students about global affairs via a course on 'gastrodiplomacy'— using food as a tool to foster cultural understanding among countries. While the concept of gastrodiplomacy has been gaining traction among governments in recent years (former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched a 'chef ambassador' corps a couple of years ago), the class is the first of its kind at a school of international relations, says Johanna Mendelson Forman, a policy expert


on international conflict who teaches the new course. ... While gastrodiplomacy is a relatively new field in the realm of public diplomacy, the idea itself can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who often made peace with their enemies over a good meal. ... The U.S. formally joined the fun in 2012, when Clinton kicked off the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, recruiting 80 food professionals from across the country to cook for foreign diplomats and travel abroad. ... In a recent study in Public Diplomacy Magazine, more than half of the 140 people surveyed said that eating a country's cuisine led them to think more positively about that country. And more than two-thirds felt that countries in a state of conflict could benefit from gastrodiplomacy programs."Image from entry, with caption: Here's one way to get students talking about global affairs: Teach it through food. See also.

Chefs are the Mexico’s new corps of diplomats - Johanna Mendelson Forman, voxxi.com: "Mexican food has suffered an image problem. When people say they want Mexican food they think fajitas, or hard shell tacos, or chile con queso. These 'Tex Mex' fast food interpretations discredit a cuisine that has arose from ancient civilizations that pre-date the arrival of the Spaniards. And that is precisely why we need someone like Pati Jinich, the Latin American policy-researcher-turned-chef who is transforming our view of Mexican cuisine. Her exploration of her own culinary heritage in Mexico is part of a growing field of public diplomacy– gastrodiplomacy.


This is the art of communicating a nation’s brand through food, whether in restaurants, through food demonstrations, or through personal stories of how a culture’s dietary habits formed a central part of their national experience. Pati Jinich, star of the Public Broadcasting series, Pati’s Mexican Table, began her journey in the new field of gastrodiplomacy in Washington, D.C. Seven years ago the Mexican Cultural Institute opened its doors to her to prepare, host, and promote a series of dining adventures that would feature Mexican cooking reflecting the diverse regional and historical cuisines of our neighbor. Her unique dinner themes were aimed at removing the dining clichés of what most gringos think of as Mexican food. No chips and salsa here."Image from entry, with caption: Pati Jinich moved Mexican food and culture to a new level in Washington, D.C.

The Urban Singles Comedy and Public Diplomacy - 'As a form of light popular entertainment, television sitcoms such as the hugely successful Friends, which depicts the lives of six young, singles Manhattanites, appear to be unlikely candidates for ambassadors of American culture. In Through a Screen Darkly: Popular Culture, Public Diplomacy, and America’s Image Abroad, Martha Bayles illustrates the transformation of entertainment and popular culture into the primary form of American public diplomacy after the Cold War and highlights the resulting distortion of the American image abroad. According to Bayles, the television genre of “urban singles comedy” exemplifies the disjunction between the American image and its reality that is created by boundless exportation of American popular culture.'

Rogel Alpher with Eytan Schwartz -- Journeys [includes video] - tlv1.fm: "Eytan Schwartz became a household name in 2005, when he won the popular reality TV show 'The Ambassador'. He spent the next year in the United States on a public diplomacy mission, primarily on university campuses. Today, Schwartz is Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai’s adviser for international affairs. In this episode of Journeys, he recounts amusing anecdotes of his speaking engagements in the US, which sometimes took him to the remotest of areas. He also explains how Tel Aviv’s reputation as an international center for industrial innovation and creativity, which attracts many educated and professional young Jews from Western countries, should be bolstered."

From Engagement to Collaboration: The Treatment Action Group and Public Diplomacy -
- Tara Ornstein, PD News–CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: The Treatment Action Group is one NGO that uses a wide range of public diplomacy tools


to ensure communities affected by HIV and tuberculosis (TB) have access to better treatment and can participate in clinical research. Image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

Japan-China COLD WAR 12/China using Washington for anti-Japan propaganda - Yomiuri Shimbun, the-japan-news.com: Washington is at the forefront of China’s anti-Japan propaganda.


Beijing aims to drive a wedge into the Japan-U.S. alliance, which stands in the way of China’s efforts to establish hegemony in the western Pacific region. Image from entry

German Left Party promotes government propaganda against Russia - Ulrich Rippert, wsws.org: There is no doubt that the most aggressive imperialist power, which repeatedly violates international laws and carries out criminal actions, is Washington. It pursues its goal of global hegemony in close collaboration with its European allies. While the Left Party in the past responded to imperialist aggression with pacifist phrases and appeals, they have now gone over to fully supporting these policies.

Beijing’s patronising propaganda in Xinjiang: Chinese government’s ‘Down to the Grassroots’ campaign seeks to appease Uighur sentiments while preparing for a crackdown - Bethany Allen, Washington Post, gulfnews.com: Xinjiang, a vast region in western China covering a surface area roughly as large as that of Iran, is known to be ethnically fraught, economically underdeveloped and opaque to outsiders. However, a new Chinese policy is giving outside observers a rare — albeit entirely one-sided — glimpse into what Chinese Communist Party policy looks like at the village level there. In what authorities announced on February 15 as a ‘Down to the Grassroots’ campaign, over the next three years, the government of the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi plans to rotate a total of 200,000 Xinjiang party officials in year-long stints across the region, so that it may “completely cover” even the remotest villages, “leaving no blank space”. Decades of Han Chinese migration to the region and repressive government ethnic and religious policies have inflamed tensions between the Muslim Uighurs — who number about 10 million, constituting a bit over 40 per cent of Xinjiang’s total population — and the majority Han, leading to periodic violence that the government often labels as terrorist attacks. In a March 17 address to Xinjiang party officials, Zhang Chunxian, Xinjiang party boss and member of China’s ultra-powerful Politburo, whom Foreign Affairs describes as a media-savvy hard-liner with a “reputation for transparency,” called the new campaign a “radical measure” to protect stability and promote religious and ethnic harmony in Xinjiang.

Dear Leader as director -- North Korea's propaganda films - radioaustralia.net.au: It's not often that North Korea's late dictator aka 'the Dear Leader' Kim Jong-Il gets good press outside of Pyongyang. Now a new film aims to do just that. 'Aim High in Creation!' pays tribute to Kim Jong-Il's love of film-making and his legacy of propaganda, when he was 'Creative Commander' of North Korea's film industry from the mid-1960s until his death in 2011.

East Germany in colour -- everyday propaganda - The official view of everyday life in socialist East Germany was beaming children and happy farmers rather than grey concrete and queues - as is shown in a new exhibition of official colour photos from the GDR - thelocal.de:


The pictures which went on display at the German Historical Museum in Berlin this week, were taken by freelance photographers Martin Schmidt and Kurt Schwarzer, on commission for magazines, companies, GDR mass organisations - and even publishers of cook books. "We are showing, without comment, the GDR propaganda," said curator Carola Jüllig, who set up the exibition called 'Colour for the Republic'. "One can ask questions about how the pictures came about, but one can also find them beautiful."Image from entry, with caption: Obviously complete with ladies having wholesome fun on the northern coast.

Take a proper gander at the art and power of propaganda - Anna Seaman, thenational.ae: When you walk into Meem Gallery for the current exhibition, the first thing you see is a statement on the wall explaining the circumstances that led up to the show.C“In 2003, a storage container was discovered in an unknown location in the Middle East,” it reads. “Stored inside were numerous boxes that held the political campaign material of a now unknown man.”CIt goes on to explain that an art collector in North America bought the boxes under the proviso that he would not show their contents in public for a decade.Now that this time is up, the collector collaborated with his friend, the artist Mahmoud Obaidi, to produce the exhibition The Replacement, which contains the found material as well as several large pieces inspired by the originals. Propaganda posters cover the walls depicting the “unknown” man with a strong, bearded jaw and deep-set eyes. His face, placed in the centre of a sun-like disc with the rays emitting from all sides, gives this so-called future leader some kind of authority. In another image, his hand is raised in the typical pose of a political figure, ushering his following towards his principles.


There also are stamps bearing his face and playing on the back wall is a video made for his supposed inauguration day, with the sound emanating through the entire gallery space. Memorabilia such as T-shirts and caps based on these images are hanging on racks.CIt is a very bizarre set-up, making one wonder whether it is an art exhibition or a history lesson. And as you wander around the gallery, the language of power is expressed through these objects. “It reflects us all, this is my life, this propaganda is all around us,” says Obaidi. “This shows that anyone can take any guy and make a leader out of him.” “The material used in the 60s and 70s seems obvious to us now so we can use it to make a point but today we have other forms of propaganda – like Facebook, for example,” explains Obaidi.Image from exhibit from

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Vladimir Putin's justification for invading Crimea may be more contorted than even his girlfriend."



--Jeffrey Lewis, "The Ukes and Their Nukes: Why the Bomb wouldn't have helped Kiev protect Crimea from Russia," foreignpolicy.com; image from link in entry

AND ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY, OR, RECYCLING (LEAVING NO POLLUTING TRACE BEHIND) AT ITS BEST

"More famous for its digital spying, the US's National Security Agency processes plenty of old-fashioned paper, to judge from the 100 million documents it pulps



 every year before turning them over to manufacturers of pizza boxes and egg cartons."

--The Times Literary Supplement (March 21), p. 25; image from

"CAT"

--The Secret Service’s Counter Assault Team; cited in Carol D. Leonnig and David Nakamura, "Secret Service agents on Obama detail sent home from Netherlands after night of drinking," Washington Post; image from; see also John Brown, "POTUS Visits and Public Diplomacy: Doing Nothing While Waiting for Nothing to Do, Huffington Post (November 2010)

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

PDcast #18: First Lady Public Diplomacy - thepublicdiplomat.com: "As First Lady, Michelle Obama is in a position of great global influence; how well does she wield public diplomacy? The PDcast is a weekly podcast featuring Jennifer Osias, Timi Komonibo, Adam Cyr, and Michael Ardaiolo discussing the trending public diplomacy topics."Image from entry

Hill: Macedonia should be accepted as a NATO member - kurir.mk: "[Christopher Hill former USA Ambassador to Macedonia]: ... I have always believed that Macedonia, which acts as a NATO country should be accepted as such. This was said by Christopher Hill, a former ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia and [former] Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in an interview with Voice of America in Macedonian language. ... According to him, obviously Russians will


do the same in those countries that have not yet been admitted to NATO and underlined the importance of the media, as is the Voice of America to present the views of the U.S. and the EU over Russia to these countries. [Hill:] So, I think it is very important to keep this public diplomacy, to ensure that the waves are on. You know, one of the first things Russians did in the Crimea was to exclude all Ukrainian radio and TV stations. Therefore, I think what the Voice of America makes is the Balkans, especially now, perhaps more than ever before, should continue."Uncaptioned image from entry

House Foreign Affairs Committee votes $10 million for RFE/ RL and VOA surge in Ukraine- BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "Sources told BBG Watch


that the BBG Board, which does not have much confidence in VOA’s top leadership, plans to give most of the surge money to RFE/RL." Image from entry

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown Hosts Workshops For Editors And Journalists In St. Kitts and Nevis, And Barbados - Press Release, thestkittsnevisobserver.com: "The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is pleased to host two workshops for editors and journalists in St. Kitts and Nevis and Barbados on April 1 and April 3 respectively. The first session of the workshop will focus on best practices in journalism and will equip participants with the tools and resources needed to effectively practice their craft. The second session, the use of social media in journalism, will focus on the effective use of social media in the industry. ... The Embassy’s public diplomacy team remains committed to promoting press freedom and training opportunities for journalists throughout the Eastern Caribbean and looks forward to supporting current and emerging Caribbean media professionals."

U.S. official for international organization affairs to visit Taiwan - focustaiwan.tw: "The U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs is scheduled to visit Taiwan later this week, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Monday. Nerissa J. Cook will participate in meetings pertaining to international economic and development issues, said AIT, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Cook's visit in a statement, saying that it will increase mutual understanding and bilateral exchanges on issues such as the global economy and humanitarian aid. Cook's visit follows those by two other U.S. officials, according to the ministry. Susan Stevenson, deputy assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is currently in Taiwan on a March 23-27 visit."

Department Of State Public Schedule March 25, 2014 - rockycoastnews.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL 6:00 p.m. Under Secretary Stengel attends the Fortune 'Most Powerful Women' Reception, at the Department of State."

Taming The Rebel Music - Katie Zavadski, dish.andrewsullivan.com: "I wish we had statistics on how successful these programs [State Department funded overseas cultural programs, specifically hip-hop] are. They strike me as somewhat counterproductive: one of the chief complaints levied against the West by purveyors of radical Islamic ideology, after all, is that we try to export our norms onto Muslim-majority countries. Would a youth drawn to that kind of rhetoric be more incensed if he found out the British or American government was purposefully pushing another brand of Islam? Would that push someone on the edge further to the extreme?"

Message to All PD Officers: “You Are Not Alone!” - Jonathan Henick, pdaa.publicdiplomacy.org: "[P]ublic diplomacy has made significant strides in its development as a discreet academic field over the last couple of decades. There are now a number of scholars (including some former practitioners) as well as a few academic centers of excellence devoting considerable efforts to advancing the theory and practice of public diplomacy. ... At the same time, academic treatment of public diplomacy suffers and is complicated by the Department’s work culture which tends to prefer private and confidential channels to the detriment of transparency and free sharing of information. I am firmly convinced that both academics and practitioners stand to benefit if we can successfully build stronger bridges between our respective communities."

Three Public Diplomacy Ambassadors Reflect (I) - Donald Bishop, Public Diplomacy Council:  "Which earlier Public Diplomacy experiences were most useful when you became Ambassador? This was the first question I posed to a panel of three former U.S. Ambassadors who came into the Foreign Service as Public Diplomacy officers.


The three recently retired Ambassadors were Linda Jewell (Ecuador), Greta Morris (Republic of the Marshall Islands), and Cynthia Efird (Angola). Their comments on Public Diplomacy’s role in integrating a Mission -- and how Ambassadors must sometimes 'push back' from Washington – are striking."Uncaptioned image from entry

Three Public Diplomacy Ambassadors Reflect (II) - Donald Bishop, Public Diplomacy Council: "Did you see PD any differently as Ambassador than you had when you were a PAO [Public Affairs Officer]? This was the second question I posed to a panel of three former U.S. Ambassadors who came into the Foreign Service as Public Diplomacy officers. They were Cynthia Efird (former Ambassador to Angola), Linda Jewell (Ecuador), and Greta Morris (Republic of the Marshall Islands). Again they emphasized the value of earlier experience in Public Diplomacy."

How Egypt is Stopping the Next "Syrian War": The West's next proxy war is being stopped before it starts in Egypt - landdestroyer.blogspot.com: "[P]reparations for the 'Arab Spring' began as early as 2008. Egyptian activists from the now infamous April 6 movement were in New York City for the inaugural Alliance of Youth Movements (AYM) summit, also known as Movements.org. There, they received training, networking opportunities, and support from AYM's various corporate and US governmental sponsors, including the US State Department itself. The AYM 2008 summit report (page 3 of .pdf) states that the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, James Glassman attended, as did Jared Cohen who sits on the policy planning staff of the Office of the Secretary of State. Six other State Department staff members and advisers would also attend the summit along with an immense list of corporate, media, and institutional representatives. ... [T]he ‘Arab Spring’ was long planned - and planned from abroad - with activists from Tunisia and Egypt on record receiving training and support from the West so that they could return home and sow unrest in a region-wide coordinated campaign.

Towards a Smarter Public Diplomacy - Guy Golan, diplomaticourier.com: "Whether they aim to raise awareness of an issue, promote acceptance of foreign policy, or drive specific action, the key to measuring public diplomacy is based on governments' ability to identify SMART campaign objectives. The SMART acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound objectives. Public diplomats must move away from such grandiose goals as 'winning the hearts and minds of people around the world', and towards quantifiable SMART objectives that clearly identify the campaign's primary target audiences, its time frame, and its desired outcomes. ... As a key component of international relations, public diplomacy programs should strategically align with any nation's foreign policy objectives. Therefore, standards of measurement and quantification should be required by legislators and program administrators alike. As the old saying goes, 'If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.'” See also.

Nowruz, a Harbinger of Cultural Diplomacy- Kourosh Ziabari, internationalpolicydigest.org: Nowruz, meaning the 'New Day,' refers to a set of festivities and rites that mark the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year. It is not simply an ordinary event of celebration and rejoicing or a national custom. Rather it is an historical and interregional tradition which dates back to some 3,000 years ago and connects people of different ethnic, lingual and national backgrounds and promotes regional peace and friendship. Today, Nowruz has been recognized by the international community as a worldwide cultural event with significant social and political implications. Even though many nations observe and enshrine this festival, its origins and roots belong to Iranians, so leaders from different Western countries seize the opportunity of Nowruz every year to reach out to the Iranian people and send political messages to them.


For instance, the U.S. presidents in the recent years have regularly recorded video messages addressed to the Iranian people on the occasion of the Persian New Year. This message includes their plans and ambitions for strengthening and repairing the long-marred relations between Iran and the United States. ... Nowruz can be viewed as a powerful instrument of cultural diplomacy and soft power which is capable of playing a major role in bringing the nations of this geographical area closer to each other and promoting peace and friendship in a region which usually experiences political turmoil and turbulence as a result of foreign political or military interventions."Image from entry, with caption: Nowruz celebration.

Is Turkey hostage to Erdoğan's fate? - todayszaman.com: The government's move to block Twitter in Turkey clearly reveals its mood and mindset; this is typical 'panic attack' pathology. ... Twitter and other social media platforms are communication tools that symbolize the characteristics of this age. Banning Twitter, therefore, is to fight against the realities of the age. And nobody has won such a fight so far. Members of the international community, particularly the EU and the US, have issued strong warnings and statements saying that the ban constitutes a grave violation of the freedoms of expression and communication. One of the most forceful and influential of these reactions was the statement by the US State Department. Douglas Frantz, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy [sic] at the US State Department, described blocking Twitter as a 21st century version of book burning and added that this would not make the perpetrators any stronger. And I agree that the Twitter ban is a violation of freedom and democracy that is as grave as burning books, magazines and newspapers."

La «gastrodiplomatie» ou l’étude des relations internationales par l’assiette - Julie-Anne De Queiroz, Le Figaro: "Une nouvelle façon d’étudier la géopolitique fait son entrée à l’American University de Washington: la 'gastrodiplomatie', qui envisage la gastronomie comme un outil favorisant la compréhension culturelle d’un pays. ... Les gens ont tendance à voir la cuisine comme un sujet 'trivial et frivole' et la nourriture comme simplement 'quelque chose que l’on ingère pour rester vivant', souligne Sam Chapple-Sokal, lui aussi chercheur en diplomatie culinaire. Un avis que l’on pourrait croire partagé par Guillaume Gomez, chef des cuisines de l’Élysée ,qui avait commencé


son intervention à Sciences Po en lançant: 'Il y a 20 ans, vous n’auriez jamais invité un cuisinier à Sciences Po pour donner une conférence!' Pourtant, il expliquait avoir pour rôle 'la mise en avant de la gastronomie française', domaine à part entière au sein du patrimoine et de la culture nationale. Il fait d’ailleurs partie du 'club des Chefs des Chefs', une organisation regroupant les cuisiniers des chefs d’État, rappelant que la gastronomie peut être un véritable outil de négociation et une arme influente."Image from entry

Interactive Installation [includes video] - niklasroy.com: "Made for – and exhibited at Goethe-Institut Krakau from March 2014 until December 2014 [.] 'Suck the Balls!' lets people escape the daily grind and immerse into an endless, ecstatic play with thousands of little yellow plastic balls. The installation consists of a ball pit and an 80 meters long pneumatic tube transport, which fills up the entire historic staircase of the Potocki Palace in Kraków.


When entering the ball pit, the cabin’s lights switch on and the ball suction action starts! The visitor can operate the peculiar machinery with a suction spout. When sucking the balls which are surrounding his feet, the balls race through the transparent pipe system, creating a visually stunning scene. The journey of the little balls ends in a container above the ball pit, waiting for the climax of the operation: When the visitor pulls the release handle of the container, a fountain of balls splashes down onto his head in a joyful shower. A helmet is provided to keep the hairstyle in excellent condition throughout the whole experience." Via BM. Image from entry

Natraj - Paul Rockower, Levantine: "At a music school, we eyed a statue of Shiva in a dance pose.


Saadia explained: Shiva engaged in the divine Dance of Bliss to destroy the weary universe. He assumed the Natraj pose, and began his chant. When his chant is finished, the world will end and destruction will begin. ... [I]t became clear to me: public diplomacy is natraja. If we can destroy the pre-conceived notions held in the mind of the other, it is then that we can begin to create."Uncaptioned image from article

RELATED ITEM

Germany Co-opts Putin's Anti-Ukraine Propaganda To Support International Observers and Joining the EU (At Last, A Sign Of Life) - Paul Roderick Gregory, Forbes: The core of Vladimir Putin’s Big Lie propaganda campaign is that the “extremists and neo-Nazis,” who illegally gained control of the Ukrainian government on Euro Maidan Square, pose a mortal threat to Ukraine’s ethnic Russians, which required Russian humanitarian intervention to protect and secure their human rights. Moreover, the illegitimate Ukrainian government, according to Putin’s propaganda machine, poses a threat to the entire region in form of instability and collapse of law and order.


Russia reserves the right to intervene if chaos threatens to get out of hand. So goes Putin’s narrative, and this Big Lie is the only media message, which the people of Russia and East and South Ukraine receive over the air waves. Almost to a man or woman, they have fallen for it as jubilant Crimeans wave Russian flags to the strains of Russian military bands and ecstatic Muscovites cheer Putin in a staged celebration that rivals the pomp and circumstances of the Sochi closing ceremony. Germany’s Foreign Minister, Franz Walter Steinmeier, co-opted this Putin narrative to justify the pending European Association Agreement with Ukraine. Steinmeier pointed out that, by the logic of Putin’s own propaganda, Russia’s and the world’s interests are served by Ukraine taking the first step to membership in the EU. Image from

AMERICANA


--From: Tom McKay, "If the U.S. Were Graded Using the UN's Index For African Development, Here's What We'd See," policymic.com, which states: "Here's how the United States would look if it was measured on a county level by the same standards used to rank countries by the UN, the Human Development Index. While much of the country scales up well — clocking in at highest, very high, and high development — swaths of the nation are under-developed and live in poverty. Those areas are predominantly in the American South, the rural mid-Atlantic, and Texas." Via JB on Facebook

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"I've been a Russian teacher and an advertising executive and a consular associate and a CLO and a graphic designer and a stay-at-home mom and a human rights reporter and a Leahy vetter and a public diplomacy officer and a freelance writer and a web copy editor and I'm all of these things but none at once, you know?"

--From: On Forks In Roads and Six-Pack Abs - Email From The Embassy: After three years in Beijing, we're headed to Amman, Jordan. For family and friends who want to follow our adventures, this is it...

"The king, he soaked his arrows true
in poison, and beyond the plains
dispatched those messengers and slew
his neighbors in their own domains."

--From a poem by Aleksandr Pushkin recited in Russian by the U.S. Embassy Baghdad Public Affairs Officer, taking part in celebrations of international poetry during the visit to Iraq of poets from the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop; Pushkin image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Meet the Americans Who Put Together the Coup in Kiev - Steve Weissman, Reader Supported News: "If the US State Department's Victoria Nuland had not said 'Fuck the EU,' few outsiders at the time would have heard of Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, the man on the other end of her famously bugged telephone call. But now Washington's man in Kiev is gaining fame as the face of the CIA-style 'destabilization campaign' that brought down Ukraine's monumentally corrupt but legitimately elected President Viktor Yanukovych. ... Arriving in the Ukrainian capital on August 3, Pyatt almost immediately authorized a grant for an online television outlet called Hromadske.TV, which would prove essential to building the Euromaidan street demonstrations against Yanukovych. The grant was only $43,737, with an additional $4,796 by November 13. Just enough to buy the modest equipment the project needed. Many of Hromadske's journalists had worked in the past with American benefactors. Editor-in-chief Roman Skrypin was a frequent contributor to Washington's Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty and the US-funded Ukrayinska Pravda. In 2004, he had helped create Channel 5 television, which played a major role in the Orange Revolution that the US and its European allies masterminded in 2004. ... For better or for worse, popular uprisings have changed history long before radio, television, or the Internet. The new technologies only speed up the game. Pyatt and his team understood that and masterfully turned soft power and the exercise of free speech, press, and assembly into a televised revolution on demand, complete with an instant overdub in English. ...  Preparing the uprising started long before Pyatt arrived in country, and much of it revolved around a talented and multi-lingual Ukrainian named Oleh Rybachuk, who had played several key roles in the Orange Revolution of 2004. ... Yanukovych  [won] the presidency in the 2010 election. Western monitors generally found the election ‘free and fair,’ but no matter.


The Americans had already sowed the seeds either to win Yanukovych over or to throw him over, whichever way Washington and its allies decided to go. As early as October 2008, USAID funded one of its many private contractors – a non-profit called Pact Inc. – to run the ‘Ukraine National Initiatives to Enhance Reforms’ (UNITER). Active in Africa and Central Asia, Pact had worked in Ukraine since 2005 in campaigns against HIV/AIDS. Its new five-year project traded in bureaucratic buzzwords like civil society, democracy, and good governance, which on the public record State and USAID were spending many millions of dollars a year to promote in Ukraine. ... Under the watchful eye of Pact, Rybachuk's New Citizen developed a project to identify the promises of Ukrainian politicians and monitor their implementation. They called it a ‘Powermeter’ (Vladometer), an idea they took from the American website ‘Obamameter.’ Funding came from the US Embassy, through its Media Development Fund, which falls under the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Other money came from the Internews Network, which receives its funding from the State Department, USAID, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and a wide variety of other government agencies, international organizations, and private donors. ... Washington's foreignassistance.gov shows USAID paying PACT in Ukraine over $7 million under the general category of 'Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.'" Via BB on Facebook. Image from entry, with caption: Geoffrey R. Pyatt, is the current United States Ambassador to Ukraine

E-diplomacy goes global: "More than just politicians and diplomats using Twitter and Facebook, digital diplomacy allows countries to project their power beyond their borders. However the fledgling field is already experiencing a crisis of credibility in the wake of the NSA scandal, writes Antony Funnell - Antony Funnell, abc.net.eu: For Alex Oliver, from the Lowy Institute for International Affairs, the real benefits of e-diplomacy come from its ability to widen the diplomatic conversation, to engage different stakeholders in an issue or dispute. 'It's one way of reaching these foreign publics, these individuals, these non-state actors, these civil society organisations,' she says. 'It's a way to communicate with them. E-diplomacy is a tool of public diplomacy which in itself is a tool of a nation's soft power.' ... The United States were the first to realise the potential of a concerted e-diplomacy approach during the early years of the Obama administration, according to Fergus Hanson, a visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington, and they quickly established a significant digital presence.


'The US is by far and away the leader in this space,' says Hanson. 'The US State Department has around 150 full-time staff working specifically on e-diplomacy related initiatives. You've got about 900 staff overseas at their missions who are using social media tools to some extent in their day-to-day jobs, and you have about 25 different units within the State Department itself that are trying to harness these tools for different purposes within the bureaucracy in Washington.'Hanson, who in 2012 released a comprehensive study of the size and scope of digital-diplomacy and its global practice, argues a defining feature of the American e-diplomacy program is its closeness to the US commercial technology sector. 'It's a little bit like walking into the Googleplex,' he says in describing the US State Department's giant Office of E-Diplomacy. 'It's a really different environment to a traditional Foreign Ministry. People are bouncing ideas off each other, it's a very fluid environment.' ... One of those chosen to help develop the American program was campaigner and activist Ben Scott . ... Though he no longer works for the State Department, Scott bristles at the perception that e-diplomacy is simply about using social media as a form of political broadcast. 'For us, 21st century statecraft had three different components. One was public diplomacy, of which social media was a part, that's where the critics of propaganda come in. A second part was building expertise in technology policy and the way the internet would impact economics, global economics, social movements and political movements, as we saw for example in the Arab Spring. And thirdly, understanding how technology and the internet would affect development policy and how we could use resources more effectively to promote economic growth around the world. There's no way to reduce that down to Twitter and Facebook,' he says. But while the American e-diplomacy program is well advanced, most Western countries, including Australia, still lag well behind the US in their digital skills and outreach. ... Alex Oliver suggests that cost might not be the only reason for Australia's reticence to engage in e-diplomacy; it's also very difficult to quantify its effectiveness. 'Governments want to see instant rewards, and unfortunately the goal of public diplomacy and the impacts of public diplomacy are long-term and they are not concrete. They are quite abstract, and so they are quite difficult to define and quite difficult to measure,' says Oliver."Image from entry, with caption: Member Of The European Parliament Paolo De Castro Discusses A Report As Another Mep Tweets About It In Real-Time (© European Union 2012/ European Parliament Flickr.Com/Cc/By-Nc-Nd/2.0)

$1.8 Million Funding Available for Professional Fellows Congresses [subscription only]- targetednews.com: According to Google Search, "'A greater understanding of public diplomacy in the global community.' The funding opportunity number is ECA-ECAPEC-14-040 (CFDA 19.415)"

Building a major country relationship discussed - Hu Haidan, chinadaily.com: "Even if two countries do not share the same ideology, form of government and cultural background, they can still discover mutual benefits and interests. So said Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), which just wrapped up a high-level conference at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government on Tuesday. The subject of the conference was how to build a new type of major country relationship between China and the US.


Among the dignitaries present were Zhao Qizheng, dean of the school of journalism and communication at Renmin University . ... Zhao said people-to-people diplomacy has been given a new understanding and is taking on more and more responsibilities in today's society. 'The people-to-people diplomacy we talked about today is called 'two-track' diplomacy. It's the highest expression of public-diplomacy,' he said. He explained 'two-track' diplomacy normally includes retired government employees, scholars and those who may become government employees in the near future."Image from entry, with caption: Zhao Qizheng, dean of journalism at Renmin University of China; Li Xiaolin, president of CPAFFC and Tony Saich, director of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, pose for a photo on Tuesday after a conference co-hosted by Harvard University

Warfare Three Ways: China waging ‘Three Warfares’ against United States in Asia, Pentagon says - Bill Gertz, freebeacon.com: "China is waging political warfare against the United States as part of a strategy to drive the U.S. military out of Asia and control seas near its coasts, according to a Pentagon-sponsored study. A defense contractor report produced for the Office of Net Assessment, the Pentagon’s think tank on future warfare, describes in detail China’s 'Three Warfares' as psychological, media, and legal operations. They represent an asymmetric 'military technology' that is a surrogate for conflict involving nuclear and conventional weapons. The unclassified 566-page report warns that the U.S. government and the military lack effective tools for countering the non-kinetic warfare methods, and notes that U.S. military academies do not teach future military leaders about the Chinese use of unconventional warfare. It urges greater efforts to understand the threat and adopt steps to counter it. ... The report also calls for bolstering 'public diplomacy' campaigns in Asia, using targeted investment and development in the region, and expanding military talks and exchanges. The Pentagon defines psychological warfare as efforts to influence or disrupt an enemy’s decision-making capabilities, to create doubts, foment anti-leadership sentiments, and deceive opponents. Psychological warfare includes diplomatic pressure, rumors, false narratives, and harassment to 'express displeasure, assert hegemony, and convey threats,' the report said. ... For media warfare, also known as public opinion warfare, the Chinese use constant activities to influence perceptions and attitudes.


'It leverages all instruments that inform and influence public opinion including films, television programs, books, the internet, and the global media network (particularly Xinhua and CCTV) and is undertaken nationally by the [People’s Liberation Army], locally by the People’s Armed Police, and is directed against domestic populations in target countries,' the report said. Hollywood has also been influenced by threats from the Chinese government, which threatens to block market access in an effort to pressure movie studios to avoid themes Beijing opposes. Also, China’s state-controlled television network CCTV maintains a full time White House reporter who regularly joins the rotating media pool, a position that could permit influencing U.S. media on China through pool reports. The goal of media warfare is to weaken an enemy’s will to fight, alter its awareness, and assist psychological and legal warfare goals."Image from entry, with caption: Delegates from Chinese People's Liberation Army

Uzbekistan Equally Important All the Countries of Central Asia! - Vladimir Paramonov, easttime.ru: "The ‘Central Eurasia’ in partnership with Internet magazine ‘Time of the East ‘ (Kyrgyzstan) and informational support agency ‘Regnum’ (Russia) continues to virtual expert forum on cooperation in Central Asia (CA), involving the discussion of the various specialists spheres: it is only on the basis of an interdisciplinary approach can be close to solving the key regional issues. ...  Nazokat Kasymova, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor: I think that is difficult to determine which of the post-Soviet Central Asian countries closer and priority for Uzbekistan. Each country has its own significance, again looking at what angle and in what plane to put a question in terms of economy, security, culture, traditions, or from the point of view of the state of the people and civil society.


What you need to do to at least preserve and strengthen the relationship as a maximum? Unequivocally that the most problematic are the issues that we identify with a national perspective. These interests, of course, will be different once defined as national, although, of course, we can speculate about the national, state and other interests. Therefore, in my opinion, the only way towards strengthening relations with our neighbors - is respect and civilized approach to addressing issues as well as the appropriate choice of policy instruments. There are likely to be good so-called  ... public diplomacy [народная/общественная дипломатия], the emphasis on general, regional interests, and can not exist outside of close and friendly relations."Image from entry

Princeton senior receives Rangel Fellowship in international affairs - Karin Dienst, Office of Communications, princeton.edu: "Princeton University senior Brittany Hardy has been awarded a Rangel Fellowship to pursue a master's degree focused on international affairs as preparation for a career in the U.S. Foreign Service. Hardy is one of 20 students selected for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship from across the country. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need. ... The fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University. Hardy, who is in the process of selecting a master's program, is planning to study global policy studies or public diplomacy. As part of the Rangel Fellowship, Hardy will work for the U.S. Congress on issues related to foreign policy. In the summer of 2015, she will work in a U.S. embassy in preparation for her career in the Foreign Service."

RELATED ITEM

[Malasiyan Airlines] MH370: Chinese participation in search is propaganda coup for Xi Jinping: Spotlight turns on China's ambitions in Arctic and Antarctic as ice-breaker Xue Long joins search for debris from missing plane - Anne-Marie Brady, theguardian.com. Image from entry, with caption: Icebreaker Xue Long is the flagship vessel of China’s rapidly expanding polar programme.

IMAGE



-From, with caption: In the past few days at the nuclear security summit 2014..; via JR on Facebook

“Putin apparently doesn’t use the Internet because he is afraid of being tracked by foreign governments and 'cause any time he needs to know something, he can just ask Edward Snowden.”

--Talk show host Jimmy Fallon, cited in Bulletin Intelligence, LLC; image from

EXHIBIT

Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, 1937 - neuegalerie.org: "On March 13, 2014 Neue Galerie New York will open the exhibition 'Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, 1937.'


This will be the first major U.S. museum exhibition devoted to the infamous display of modern art by the Nazis since the 1991 presentation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art." Image from entry. See also.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

U.S. Hosts Summit for Young Middle East, African Leaders- scoop.co.nz: "The United States Department of State, in partnership with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), is hosting a 22-day Active Citizen Summit 2.0 for 18 young leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa. This program will include young economic and social entrepreneurs and civil society leaders who will spend 16 days in Chicago, Illinois and 6 days in Washington, DC from March 26 to April 16, 2014. The Summit officially kicks off on March 27 in Chicago with remarks from Near Eastern Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Richard Schmierer; Secretary Kerry’s Special Adviser on Global Youth Issues, Zeenat Rahman; and a high level representative from the Chicago Mayor’s Office."

This is Information Warfare - To Inform is to Influence: IO, SC, PD, what's in a name?: "Both the Soviet Union and the US produced massive amounts of propaganda to support their point of view. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and when I worked in China and Russia only a few years ago, I realized my concept of both countries had been severely skewed by this information. Fast forward to today and I deal with VOA, RFE/RL, RFA and other international news outlets. I can honestly say, in my expert opinion, that the news they broadcast is as close to the truth as I have ever seen and is definitely not propaganda. One of the first targets of pro-Russian commenters was to label VOA and others as propaganda purveyors and as CIA fronts. This is interesting because that is definitely not the case."

China media: Xi's France visit - bbc.com: "According to the Beijing Youth Daily, "Mr Xi will visit the office of Unesco, the UN's cultural arm, in Paris and deliver a speech. Ma Zhengang, vice-president of China Public Diplomacy Association, tells the daily that the new leadership of China places emphasis on ‘cultural diplomacy’ and


Mr Xi's visit to the Unesco office will help the world better its understanding of China's culture and its soft power."Image from entry, with caption: President Xi Jinping (left) held talks with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Wednesday

华盛顿大学开设“美食外交”课程促进文化交流 [no translation available] - news.china.com.cn: Mention of public diplomacy. Image of heading from entry


Don't be the 'ugly Israeli' - Lior Varona, israelhayom.com: We are all familiar with the pejorative term "ugly Israeli," which refers to those who behave according to negative stereotypes of individuals and groups in Israeli society. Over time, the phrase began being tossed around in the public dialogue and began to encompass many negative attributes. And rightfully so -- no sane person can understand what prompts an Israeli tourist to draw our national flag on a memorial to Japanese war casualties, to hold parties at an archeological site, or pray loudly with other Israelis in the lobby of an Austrian hotel. Imagine what would happen if a group of Muslim tourists decided to pray, according to Islamic tradition, in the lobby of an Israeli hotel. These actions are covered in depth by the media, and the involvement of Israelis is felt and makes an impression. The negative international opinion of Israeli tourists has ramifications on the political sphere: aggression in a hotel becomes associated in their eyes with aggression in diplomatic conduct. As far as Europeans are concerned, it's the same thing. ... Israel has 100 official foreign offices. Over 4 million citizens travel abroad each year. These citizens, if they are aware of the consequences of their behavior, can be a great help to Israeli public diplomacy and to the nation's image. Goodwill Ambassadors was established by Israelis who are particularly concerned about this: businesspeople, student leaders, educators, artists, media professionals, and many others who believe that it is time for Israelis abroad to revolutionize their behavior for the good of our quality of life and our future. ... Lior Varona founded the nonprofit group Goodwill Ambassadors with Yuval Limon."

The Hermit Kingdom - Steve Corrigan, booksellersatlaurelwood.wordpress.com: "Not much is known about the Hermit Kingdom, North Korea. One of the scholars trying to change that is Andrei Lankov, a native Russian who was an exchange student in North Korea in the 1980′s, speaks the language, and has stayed in contact with many ex-patriots as well as officials within in the country throughout his RNKcareer.


His third book on the subject, the recently published The Real North Korea, is a welcome addition to his previous work. Often portrayed in the media as a nation of madmen with little hold on the reality of public diplomacy, Lankov sees the Korean leadership as using brinkmanship and nuclear blackmail as the only way to sustain itself. The logic in its thinking is that it’s the only way left for it to get what it wants, that is, the aid that keeps it in power since the collapse of the Soviet Union."Image from

Public Diplomacy Magazine is Now Accepting Letters to the Editor - publicdiplomacymagazine.com: What did you think of Public Diplomacy Magazine’s latest issue, 'Gastrodiplomacy'?


Public Diplomacy Magazine invites you participate in the conversation by submitting a letter to the Editor for publication in the Summer 2014 issue, 'The Power of Non-State Actors.' Send your questions and comments to Shannon Haugh at shaugh@usc.edu."Image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

Obama: Russia can't 'run roughshod' over neighbors - news.yahoo.com: President Barack Obama says Russia must not be allowed to "run roughshod" over its neighbors as it has done in Ukraine. Obama says no amount of propaganda and falsehoods coming out of the Russian government can make right something the world knows is wrong. Obama commented during a speech while he is in Brussels for meetings on the situation between Russia and Ukraine.

Obama’s Anemic Speech in Europe - Roger Cohen, New York Times: Unless Western societies find a way to shake their moroseness, level the playing field and rediscover, as Obama put it, the “simple truth that all men, and women, are created equal,” they are going to have a very hard time winning “the contest of ideas.” Below image from


Obama’s speech on Ukraine: Propaganda and lies - Patrick Martin, World Socialist Website: The speech delivered by President Barack Obama in Brussels Wednesday was a call to arms for a US-NATO confrontation against Russia. With a series of lies and evasions, Obama presented a world turned upside down in which the US and European imperialists, who backed the coup in Ukraine spearheaded by fascistic forces, are the defenders of democracy and peace.

US Propaganda and Russia - modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.com: The propaganda coming out of the US mass media is ridiculous.


Recent news stories appearing on all major US news sites continually speak of "Putin's global territorial ambitions." So, suddenly, Putin is the new "Hitler" is he? Image from entry

Deafening propaganda and the next war - thecautionaryrevelation.blogspot.com: "I do believe that the Powers That Be (PTB) are starting to move on from their Russia bashing.


They´ve now firmly established that Putin is the reincarnation of Hitler, that Russia 'invaded' Crimea, and that the, in part, neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine is in fact democratic and not at all a coup government supported with billions via U.S. in order to 'make the correct decisions' to join EU and NATO."Image from entry

Can NATO restrain Russia? - George F. Will, Washington Post: On Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland on the pretext of responding to a Polish provocation. Ten days before, Hitler had told senior military officers, “I shall give a propagandistic cause for starting the war, whether it be plausible or not. The victor shall not be asked, later on, never mind whether we told the truth or not.” On the night of Aug. 31, a German prisoner was dressed in a Polish uniform, killed and displayed as a casualty of a Polish attack on a German radio station. Putin, whose lamented Soviet Union was then Hitler’s ally, knows Hitler’s tactics.

Ukraine, Kremlin propaganda and the Cold War trap - Ammon Cheskin, theconversation.com: "Facebook can be a confusing place. For the follower of Ukrainian and Russian politics the messages could not be more different. At the same time that “Euromaidan PR” is posting pictures of “Putler” and accusing Russia of being a sick, backwards imperial bully, “Voice of Russia” is relaying to the world how Ukraine is overrun by fascists, bankrolled by the US and the EU, and at the point of political and economic ruin. I used to be of the opinion that propaganda was more sophisticated in 2014 than in 1944. The current media war appears to tell a different story.


To get a sense of the levels of absurdity the propaganda has reached, one need look no further than the Voice of Russia, a Kremlin-sponsored, international media outlet that claims to have 109m listeners worldwide. International it might be, but objective it certainly is not. Voice of Russie is an integral part of Moscow’s concerted campaign to increase its 'soft power' abroad. Linked with other international media, cultural foundations, and business organisations, Voice of Russia aims to promote a more positive image of Russia to the world, and to move beyond Cold War stereotypes." Image from entry, with caption: On message: a pro-Russian newspaper in Simferopol, Crimea

Duma to consider ban on ‘pro-Nazi’ computer games - RT: A leftist Russian MP has submitted a bill introducing fines for the distribution of computer games that either allow playing as Nazis or require controversial action by those playing as Russians. Oleg Mikheyev of the Fair Russia parliamentary party told the Interfax news agency he wanted to punish those who, in his opinion, spread false information and diminish the achievements of the dead defenders of the Fatherland, and those who undermine the authority of the Russian Federation, the Soviet Union, the Russian Empire and their military forces. The press release distributed by Fair Russia especially mentioned three games – “Soldiers: Heroes of WWII” that allows the players to choose the Nazi side,“Company of Heroes” where Soviet characters have to commit war crimes against civilians and the “Maidan” online strategy based on the recent violent riots in Kiev, Ukraine.


Mikheyev said the Ukrainian-made game “Soldiers: Heroes of WWII” was the only game of its type which could be played for the Third Reich. He emphasized that this option was not available in US-made computer games and added that the use of electronic games for propaganda seemed a part of a larger plan. “The Neo-Nazi coup in Ukraine and the events that followed it demonstrate the urgent need for tougher punishment for crimes connected with indirect propaganda and rehabilitation of Nazism. Such propaganda can be done through innocent-looking things such as computer games but its final objective can be the discrediting of Russia’s history and current status, and forming a negative image of our country both for foreigners and for our compatriots,” the politician said in a press interview. Image from entry, with caption: Screenshot from 'Company of Heroes 2'

Iran: Pentagon’s and New York Times’ “Scary Iranian PR Ship” Turns Out to Be Movie Prop - Scott Lucas, mediachecker.wordpress.com: The New York Times


converted a movie ship into a menace. Image from entry

Israel’s “Hollywood propaganda” about Gaza-bound missile ship unravels - Ali Abunimah, electronicintifada.net: Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in what Haaretz columnist Amir Oren condemned as a display of “Hollywood-style propaganda.” The media stunt was to advertise what Israel claimed was a shipment of missiles en route from Iran to the Gaza Strip.

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"But even in Iraq, America sought to work within the international system. We did not claim or annex Iraq’s territory. We did not grab its resources for our own gain. Instead, we ended our war 

and left Iraq to its people in a fully sovereign Iraqi state that can make decisions about its own future.”

--President Barack Obama; image from

IMAGE


--Cleverly Placed Miniature Cement Sculptures by: Isaac Cordal. Via DP on Facebook.

"They flow disjunctively: directed, shaped and sometimes inhibited by what we might call mediating structures of interlocution."

--The "so-called global cultural flows," according American University professor Robert Albro, Ph.D. in sociocultural anthropology from the University of Chicago and author of Rooster at Midnight: Indigenous Signs and Stigma in Local Bolivian Politics (2010);  image from

"Watch American University students fail to name single U.S. senator: 'I'm not big into the whole America thing,' one student joked [Video]"

--Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News

VIDEO

U.S.-China Relations, Sports and Cultural Diplomacy Panel: Foreign policy scholars, government officials, and other public figures talked about the state of U.S.-China relations, including issues such as diplomatic and cultural ties and the effectiveness of public diplomacy and soft power - c-span.org

PODCAST

[LISTEN] The BBG’s Role in U.S. Public Diplomacy - "Michael Ardaiolo and Dr. Guy Golan discuss the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ role in U.S.public diplomacy with Lynne Weil.  Lynne Weil is the director of communications and external affairs for the BBG."

EVENT

First Monday Forum to Discuss Young African Leaders Program - "The next next Public Diplomacy Council/USC First Monday lunch forum takes place on Monday, 7 April at 12:00 pm, where Joyce Warner will tell about the U.S. Young African Leaders Initiative.


Warner is Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of IREX, an international not-for-profit organization working with local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a modern society. ... The program is free, but advance registration is essential. Please RSVP to FirstMondayForum [dot] RSVP [at] gmail [dot] com." Warner image from entry

WEBSITE


Arts of Revolution - sites.duke.edu: "The Arts of Revolution in the Middle East events at Duke explore the relationships between politics and aesthetics, with a particular focus on the democratic potential of popular forms of expression." Image: heading of website

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

State Department #YALICHAT with Young African Leaders Goes Viral - IVN [March 27], imperialvalleynews.com: "Yesterday, using hashtag #YALICHAT, more than 12,000 people joined Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel (@Stengel) for the first in a series of live Twitter chats on the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Young African Leaders Network (YALN), briefly out-trending the ever popular hashtag #Beliebers worldwide.


YALI is President Obama’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and innovators. YALN aims to connect this next generation with resources from the U.S. Government and to one another to build brighter futures for their communities and countries. Citing his many years working with Nelson Mandela, Under Secretary Stengel expressed his excitement at helping to grow the next generation of leaders. Evan Ryan (@ECA_AS), Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and Macon Phillips (@Macon44), Coordinator of International Information Programs (IIP), also joined Under Secretary Stengel to discuss topics ranging from governance to leadership for Africa’s brightest young leaders. In the last week, this #YALICHAT produced more than 39,000 tweets and counting. The YALN Twitter handle, @YALNetwork, also grew by more than 7,400 followers overnight. Top participating countries included Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, and Uganda."Image from

Forever On The Backburner: The Ukraine Crisis Usurps The Asia Pivot - Sarah Batiuk, nationalinterest.org: "No one can make the argument that Asia is not important to the United States. The Obama Administration has not been shy about voicing its commitment to the pivot/re-balance, with National Security Advisor Ambassador Susan Rice commenting how the Asia-Pacific remains 'a cornerstone of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy ' and that 'no matter how many hotspots emerge elsewhere, we will continue to deepen our enduring commitment to this critical region' during her remarks at Georgetown University last November.


Now the world is currently in the grip of such a hotspot, as the uncertainty of what will transpire between Russia and Ukraine continues to grow. The Obama Administration has understandably been at the forefront, including imposing sanctions against Russia. But this does not excuse forgetting about one’s own policies, especially one like the pivot/re-balance which is being watched closely by both allies and skeptics the world over. Yet this is exactly what happened.  ... The government shutdown last year, which prevented President Obama from visiting Asia during both the APEC and East Asia Summits, was the most recent red flag for the validity of the pivot/re-balance. Many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia, were concerned that the United States would not be able to fulfill its commitments to the region if it could not control its own domestic issues. Of even greater concern is how U.S. allies such as Japan saw this negative symbolism. At the East-West Center on March 5, Dr. Nobuhiro Aizawa, a researcher from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), stated that the uptick of questioning the closeness of Japan towards the United States policy-wise had gained steam from Obama’s inability to attend the summits last October. According to him 'the word pivot is there but symbolically speaking Obama not showing up to the meetings was a negative image, when you talk about public diplomacy this matters very much.'"Uncaptioned image from entry

Cultural Diplomacy of and by the Book - Robert Albro, PD News – CPD Blog, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "[O]ur cultural diplomacy frameworks are too narrow and too broad. With few exceptions, discussions of soft power lack context or grounding in any specific public or set of social relations. We assume the mysterious workings of cultural globalization to work in our favor. People-to-people exchange is restricted to particular partners, events, or programs, instead of broader considerations of the circulation of culture through publics. And regardless of scale, we assume culture to be an instrument to persuade others rather than a dialogic beachhead. Meanwhile, people in the U.S. are most likely unaware that they have been largely shut out from, in this case, a global print-based conversation. But the peculiarities of the U.S. publishing industry remind us that so-called global cultural flows do not simply circulate. They flow disjunctively: directed, shaped and sometimes inhibited by what we might call mediating structures of interlocution, composed of combinations of: industry practice, investment, legal frameworks, collaborative networks, business models, consumer preferences, and value chains, which, taken together, make up particular corners of the global creative economy."

Disastrous BBG Budget - BBG Watcher: Contains article by Gary Thomas "Voice of America News, 1942-2015,” which states: "As written, the 2015 BBG budget proposal is, for all intents and purposes, the death notice for substantive news coverage at the Voice of America. Should it be enacted, people around the world would only get the most simplistic of news reports, especially in English, the lingua franca of the host broadcaster – and not necessarily in a timely manner.


Most disturbing of all, news would be blurred into national security policy goals. ... Wade through the thicket of deliberately dense bureaucratese, and that purpose is abundantly clear: to transform VOA – and other entities – into a foreign policy tool, placing VOA down a path away from news and towards propaganda. ... In other words, public diplomacy will trump journalism."Image from

US Message to Sri Lanka through Geneva: Tamil Issue -- Tamil Issue -- Tamil Issue - Daya Gamage, Asian Tribune: "I have been with Asian Tribune about some sensitive working atmosphere within the portals of the American Embassy in Colombo and the dialogue and working relationship I had with senior foreign service officers (FSO) in Colombo and Washington, this writer is not prepared to break the oath of office taken during the employment with the U.S. Federal Government. Throughout my career, first ten years (1970 thru 1980) in public affairs and the following fifteen years in public diplomacy, I was associated with many internal discourses of critical and not so critical socio-political-economic developments in Sri Lanka while maintaining very close rapport with some principal players in this South Asian nation and routine working relationship with others for me to broadly understand the nuances of Sri Lanka's national issues and how they were related to overall American foreign policy and reaction to those in within the Colombo diplomatic mission and Washington. I was a political specialist with little above mid-level classification clearance but was routinely exposed to the sensitive and classified mind-set of the senior American diplomats because they couldn't conceal their thinking if they wanted me to produce reports and analyses for Washington's understanding. It is with this understanding that I stated at the outset that the United States never wanted Sri Lanka divided which means never wanted the Tamil Tigers to establish a separate state for minority Tamils."

'Russia coming back to Bangladesh'- Nurul Islam Hasib, bdnews24.com: "Russia is stepping up public diplomacy to make a 'comeback' in Bangladesh as it is doing in other South Asian countries. Russian ambassador in Dhaka Nikolaev Alexander said on Friday the relations between the two countries were experiencing 'a renaissance now'. ... The ambassador's effusive remark was made in the presence of the Deputy Head of Russian Federal Agency for Cooperation with Foreign Countries (Rossotrudnichestvo), Alexander Chesnokov, currently in Dhaka. Chesnokov is here on a visit to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in the city. The ambassador told journalists that Russian culture and its people's friendliness were his country's 'power'. 'And it (culture) has enormous importance.' ... The Cultural Centre was set up in 1974, encouraging many Bangladeshis, students in particular, to visit the Soviet Union.


Russian books and cinema became popular among Bangladeshi readers and cine goers. ... In a period of Russia's own transition, the Culture Centre had stymied owing to a lack of diversity and modernisation. 'We never stopped, but we want to engage more actively,' Deputy Head Chesnokov said. 'This centre acts a bridge between Russia and a foreign country.' There are more than 80 such centres across the world and at least another 20 will be added soon. Chesnokov said they would modernise the Dhaka centre, connecting its library with Moscow’s national library and national museum, enabling Bangladesh’s new generation learn a great deal about Russia from Dhaka. 'It’ll also foster their interest in visiting Russia,' he said. ... Last year, 47 Bangladeshi students had enrolled in different Russian universities. This year the number was expected to cross 60, he said. Young professionals from various fields, aged between 20 and 35 years, would also be invited. ... The ambassador said he noted that Bangladesh media without keeping its journalists in overseas countries were covering stories following foreign media, mostly British and American. Russian embassy can be a source of news in Dhaka, he said."Image from

Activities of Armenian community highly valued in Estonia and Lithuania - panorama.am: "Laine Randyarv, Vice-Speaker of the Riigikogu (the highest representative and legislative body of the Republic of Estonia - Ed.) on Wednesday held a meeting with journalists from Armenia and the Armenian community of Estonia and expressed her appreciation to the local Armenians for the high activity in the areas of social and cultural life . ... [A]bout 2,000 Armenians live in Estonia. There are 11 national-cultural societies there, which are aimed at preserving the Armenian language, culture and traditions. ... At the meeting the results of the Estonian-Armenian cultural event, 'See you in Tallinn', held last June in Tallinn, were discussed. The event was attended by over a hundred Estonia cultural activists, journalists and students from Armenia. There were concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions of contemporary art, and other cultural events. The action was a return visit - in those days about 200 artists, entrepreneurs and journalists from Estonia had visited Armenia. Laine Randyarv, who also was directly involved in carrying out the action and met the Armenians that arrived in the Riigikogu, called the Armenian cultural days held in Estonia succeeded: 'Public diplomacy for the two small countries is a unique opportunity to establish friendly relations. The 'See you in Tallinn' event gave the residents of Estonia an opportunity to get acquainted with Armenian rich culture and history, as well as made it possible to have direct interpersonal communication.'"

Belgian lawmakers visit Judea and Samaria - "A delegation of Belgian parliamentarians visited Judea and Samaria on Thursday as guests of the Shomron Regional Council. The visit was coordinated by the council’s foreign relations committee. During the visit, delegation head Senator Anke Vandermeersch noted that she was 'surprised to see how different the reality here is compared to what we are shown by the European media,' Israel Hayom reported.


Vandermeersch, a 1992 Miss Universe finalist, agreed to head pro-Israel public diplomacy efforts in Belgium and in the European Parliament, in an effort to counter anti-Israel boycott campaigns."Image from entry, with caption: Belgian legislator Senator Anke Vandermeersch, pictured, noted on a trip to Judea and Samaria that she was “surprised to see how different the reality here is compared to what we are shown by the European media.”

Riveting Flores Moroccan musicians Residents with Sasando [Google "translation" from the Indonesian] - "Musicians Indonesia from Flores, Ivan Nestorman and the group appeared in a series of events the promotion of culture and Tourism of Indonesia is scheduled by the Embassy in Rabat in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia in a number of places in Morocco.


appearance at the Hotel Sofitel Rabat on Delivery International Public Events Diplomacy Diplomatic Foundation Award by Morocco, on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 which then became the top event Nestorman Ivan appearance with the group in Morocco. Image from entry, with caption: Ivan Nestorman and the group appeared in a series of promotional events Indonesian culture and tourism in Morocco.

The Daily: Taiwan’s Soft Power Stumble - Michael Ardaiolo, thepublicdiplomat.com

Conflict and Cuisine - samuelchapplesokol: Describes recent gastrodiplomacy projects/publications.

Public Culture on Display - anthropology-news.org: Maria F Curtis, anthropology-news.org:

Visitors from Ukraine discuss unrest in trip to CSU campus: Sister Cities International organized trip [includes video] - Mallory Huff, kcra.com: "A group of Ukrainians visiting the United States said they feel frustrated with the unrest at home. The delegates spent Monday afternoon at California State University, Stanislaus. They are from the city of Khmelnitskiy, which is one of Modesto's seven sister cities. Sister Cities International organized the trip. The university took the opportunity to host a conversation about the events unfolding in the region."

Pianist Malek Jandali on the Soft Power of Music and the Syrian Revolution - islamicommentary.org: “'The Voice of the Free Syrian Children' concert is part of Jandali’s world tour and the March 27 opening event of this year’s Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies Annual Conference — Arts of Revolution— that will also feature artists from Baghdad, Libya, Turkey, Qatar, and Bahrain.


Jandali will speak about the soft power of music and art in the Syrian revolution as part of a conference panel on Friday morning. Image from entry, with caption: Malek Jandali’s very last concert he gave in Homs; before the revolution started. At the beautiful and historic St. Elian Church, which has since been completely destroyed by the Assad regime’s bombardment of Homs.

Conference on South Korea’s Rise: Politics, Economics, and Humanities - blogdelaamhe.wordpress.com: "Conference on South Korea’s Rise: Politics, Economics, and Humanities is going to be held on May 1-2, 2014 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The conference focuses on how South Korea’s economic development has affected its politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. ... 10:45- 12:15 pm Panel 2 – North Korea ... Implications on Korea’s public diplomacy [ - ] Jangsup Choi (Texas and M-Commerce) and Dennis Patterson (Texas Tech)"

ISA 2014-Advancing the Learning Environment in the Digital Age - curiouscat4: "Four of the five ALPS [Active Learning in Political Science] editors are together again, presenting on this ISA Innovative Panel on various aspects of simulations, games, films, and the use of digital technology. ... [t]he best part was at the end, when a member of the audience called for some public diplomacy on behalf of pedagogy, to create a culture where learning about teaching is valued (and better attended!)"

Ask, write, edit: Princeton students discover journalistic paths - Jamie Saxon, princeton.edu: "The Ferris McGraw Robbins Professors in Journalism have been teaching seminars at the University since 1964. The professors often bring colleagues to visit. .... Guests in Richburg's [Keith Richburg a former foreign correspondent with The Washington Post] seminar have included Bay Fang, former U.S. News and World Report correspondent in Beijing, Baghdad and Kabul, and former deputy assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy."

Declared the provisional program of the festival OPEN 2014 - "OPEN Festival will be held in Minsk on 19-21 June for the third time. Work Festival will be held at three sites: Competition OPEN your world, Congress OPEN your mind and guest program OPEN


your heart. ... The Congress OPEN your mind the following experts: ... Andrei Stas (Russia), Managing Partner of Stas Marketing. Founder and leader of the group Stas Marketing (until 2005 - a2z marketing) since 1999. Andrew is an expert Institute of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy and Director of LEU 'Institute of Territorial marketing and branding.'"Image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

State Dept. Warns Against Ukraine Travel, Promotes Ukraine Travel: Mixed messages on danger cause confusion - Adam Kredo, freebeacon.com: The State Department issued a Ukraine travel warning on March 21 warning “U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine


and to defer all travel to the CrimeanPeninsula and eastern regions of Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Lugansk due to the presence of Russian military forces in the CrimeanPeninsula, and in Russia near the Ukrainian border.” Three days after that warning was issued the State Department’s official Twitter feed disseminated an official video promoting travel to Ukraine and arguing that all is safe for tourists. Image from

Russia sends troops, Obama administration sends a selfie - Carl Campanile, New York Post, posted at: Russian leader Vladmir Putin sent in troops and tanks to invade neighboring Ukraine and the Obama administration is coming to the rescue with . . . selfies! State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki


was mocked Thursday after posting a photo of herself on Twitter holding a sign that read #United­For­Ukraine @State­Dept­Spox.” Psaki, who has worked closely with President Obama since his 2008 campaign and is the chief communications adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry, is smiling and giving a thumbs-up in the photo. Image from entry, with caption: THUMB-BUDDY LOVES YOU: State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki indicates her support for Ukraine in a Twitter post Thursday (right) — less than a week after Russian forces stormed an air base in Crimea that refused to surrender after the territory's annexation by Russia (left).

Obama’s Speech on Ukraine: Propaganda and Lies - Patrick Martin, globalresearch.ca: The speech delivered by President Barack Obama in Brussels Wednesday was a call to arms for a US-NATO confrontation against Russia.


With a series of lies and evasions, Obama presented a world turned upside down in which the US and European imperialists, who backed the coup in Ukraine spearheaded by fascistic forces, are the defenders of democracy and peace. Image from entry

1984 in 2014: A new propaganda war underpins the Kremlin’s clash with the West - economist.com: The Kremlin is celebrating the annexation of Crimea as though Russia had won the second world war (again) rather than grabbing a piece of land from a smaller and weaker neighbour. The public seems intoxicated by victory in a war that was begun, conducted and won largely through propaganda. The propaganda machine is fuelled by a “cocktail of chauvinism, patriotism and imperialism”, says one journalist. It plays on deep feelings among the Russian public: post-imperial nostalgia for the Soviet Union, an inferiority complex towards the West, and a longing for self-justification. Yet patriotic hysteria and jingoism may have reached such levels that any de-escalation by Mr Putin would seem like a defeat. The danger is that he starts to believe his own propaganda and pursues its logic towards renewed confrontation.

Non-Linear War - Peter Pomerantsev, London Review of Books: Russian television is full of hysteria about enemies of the state, fascists taking over Ukraine in a rerun of the Second World War, the great conflict with the godless gay West.

Putin’s news network - Robert Fulford, nationalpost.com: When Vladimir Putin started his own cable news and Internet service, he said he wanted to break the Anglo-Saxon monopoly on global information. The Russia Today network, now named RT, was to be "absolutely independent.” He didn’t want it automatically committed to his policies. He was kidding, of course, and no doubt everyone working for the network knew it. RT is a propaganda bureau, funded by the federal government — and that’s what makes it interesting and often enlightening.


With Russia dominating the news, it’s more than worth sampling. RT feels much like a reverse image of Fox News. The hosts and reporters are often well-coiffed, leggy American women with firmly held opinions and an angry tone. Image from entry, with caption: RT, a Russian state-funded television channel, is like an angry, anti-American mirror of Fox News.

Matviyenko: No Russian TV channels promote anti-Ukrainian propaganda - kyivpost.com [subscription]: Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has condemned the decision by Ukrainian authorities to ban broadcasts of Russian television channels.

These Are Russia's Alleged Propaganda Instructions On Crimea - Jeremy Bender, businessinsider.com:

Are Ukraine’s Pro-Maidan Jews Courting Another Holocaust? According to one Russian TV station, they are - Halya Coynash, tol.org: Russia may have the military and economic clout to annex another country’s territory, but its propaganda efforts have been foundering spectacularly of late. Prominent Jewish organizations and public figures have publicly condemned Russian lies; the latest fake demonstrates primitive disinformation; and an attempt on 23 March to present Jewish and Russian organizations supporting Maidan as bringing on “a second Holocaust,” as they allegedly did Shoah, could backfire. None of this will matter for those in Russia and Crimea fed only such lies, but the Western media could well take note – and adequate measures for filtering murky information channels. The easiest thing to do when Jewish organizations and religious and public figures deny Russian claims that rampant anti-Semitic hordes have seized power in Ukraine is to pull out other Jews willing to wax hysterical about the anti-Semitic “threat.”

Putin's New War on “Traitors” - Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker: As the space for independent journalism in Russia shrinks, the propaganda apparatus is working at feverish speed. A new Web site called predatel.net—the word means “traitor”—has recently launched, featuring a list of public figures that the site’s anonymous creators deem to have betrayed Russia, whether by criticizing the annexation of Crimea or by supporting Western sanctions.

North Korea, Syria, Cuba Back Russia's Crimea Incursion at UN - Alexander Smith, nbcnews.com: Russia has accused the West of using "the Cold War-era propaganda machine" to whip up support for a United Nations resolution condemning the Moscow-backed referendum in Crimea. Just 11 of the U.N. General Assembly's 193 members supported Russia by voting "no" to the non-binding resolution on Thursday. These included an assortment of authoritarian regimes and human rights abusers such as North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Cuba.

Who Killed One of the Most Notorious Right Sector Leaders in Ukraine? - Oleg Shynkarenko, Daily Beast: Brutal, defiant “Bilyi” was a dream come true for Kremlin propagandists, a nightmare for Ukrainian moderates. Now, just as he predicted on YouTube, he’s dead.


The Muzychko killing is most likely going to go down as one of those enigmatic deaths where many people have potential motives for murder, and each will construct a narrative about why someone else did it. The Right Sector gets rid of a notorious member with brutal behavior. Ukrainian police, meanwhile, can show that they control the situation in the country and no one can threaten their legal authority. The Kremlin loses a useful propaganda tool, but it also eliminates a thug with a lot of Russian blood on his hands. Image from entry

The Russian Open Games: Thwarted at Every Turn by the Powers That Be, but a Success Nonetheless! - Greg Louganis, Huffington Post: In the vein of the late Dr. Tom Waddell, who founded the Gay Olympics (now the Gay Games) in San Francisco in 1984, Konstantin Yablotskiy and Elvina Yuvakaeva, co-presidents of the Russian LGBT Sports Federation, organized the recent Russian Open Games "with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles, physical activity and sports among the LGBT community and its supporters." Sochi was just Putin's propaganda, while the Russian Open Games represented real Russia!

World Poetry Day: “Childhood Lost” by Propaganda - Hilary Hilpert, In honor of World Poetry Day today, we’re


featuring our partner, spoken-word poet Propaganda, with a video of his poem “Childhood Lost.” “Childhood is worth saving, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Watch this powerful video, and learn more about Childhood Lost. Uncaptioned image from entry

For persons interested in how hotmail "selects" what to consider "junk mail," allow me to note that the most recent edition of my harmless "Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review" (PDBR, sent to email subscribers via buzzfeed) was relegated (today, March 29 -- not for the first time) to being "junk" by the hotmail computers-power-that-be which, evidently, rule (censor?) the so-called "internet freedom" space. For my sins, or so it increasingly appears, I have a hotmail account dating back to a decade.

Of course, efforts to reach "hotmail" staff (are there any real persons "behind" the computers?) have been fruitless. In our era of "endless connectivity," reaching those, if they are human, who peddle this mirage of universal groovy communications is quite impossible, perhaps because, hidden (if they exist at all), as they may be somewhere in a anonymous cloud, out of, conceivably, fear of being exposed of accusations of censorship -- or out of, simply, fears of being "exposed."

So, if you are kind enough to be a hotmail email subscriber to the near-daily PDPBR, and are still interested in receiving it by email on a regular basis, may I suggest that you check your "junk mail" after 5:15 pm.


Real good junk, I assure you :). No needle needed to enjoy it free of charge!

Best wishes, John

P.S. Meanwhile, again, I keep getting, in my "serious" hotmail account, emails from unknown persons suggesting that I've inherited millions, must help the undefined destitute, etc.

P. P.S. Meanwhile again, I should note that, on my Gmail account, the PDPR appears regularly. Not that that I have any parti pris about these two cyberspace companies.

Image from

"The PD community really is a welcoming and supportive bunch."

--Academic James Pamment; image from

“epiphenomenal”

--How some academics define public Diplomacy

QUOTATIONS

Quotations on Diplomacy and the Foreign Service - from J. Robert Moskin, American Statecraft - John Brown, Notes and Essays: Among them: "If there is any service that is of questionable value to our country it is our diplomatic service."


-- Ten-term congressman from Macon, Georgia, who chaired the House Foreign Relations Committee, informing the Congress in 1878. Image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Misnamed ‘Peace Process’ thankfully failed - Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, sdjewishworld.com: "Despite months of relentless and very public diplomacy it looks as though John Kerry is withdrawing from the negotiations (I refuse to call it a “Peace Process”) failing to have achieved an agreement between Israel and the Arabs living in Judea and Samaria (I refuse to call them Palestinians).


This diplomatic failure is an embarrassment to the Obama Administration and American prestige in general. This very well may lead to the further isolation of Israel within the world community. There very well may be rioting and bloodshed as a result of this failure, G-d forbid. ... There is no room for a leap of faith when precious lives are at stake. When the Jews finally learn this lesson – when we finally say, 'Enough! Israel is ours and will always be ours,' only then can a true path to peace be forged. Peace for peace should be our rallying call; not the failed land for peace method, which has never worked."Eilfort image from entry

Catch-22 in the Sahel - Lesley Anne Warner, nationalinterest.org: "[O]ne of the main tools of U.S. engagement in the Sahel and Maghreb, the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP), spans the “three Ds”—Diplomacy, Defense, and Development. ... TSCTP is an outgrowth of the Pan-Sahel Initiative (PSI), a post-9/11 initiative that developed from the U.S. government’s concern that the region’s weak states could become a safe haven for terrorist groups linked with Al Qaeda to launch attacks against U.S. interests. Starting in 2002, the United States trained and equipped six company-sized Malian, Chadian, Mauritanian, and Nigerien [sic]


rapid-reaction counterterrorism forces with an annual budget of $7.75M. By 2004, the U.S. government had decided to expand PSI into a more comprehensive, holistic program that would transcend regional and bureaucratic boundaries, and allow development assistance and public diplomacy to become part of an overall counterterrorism strategy in the region. The new concept, then called the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI), was approved in January 2005, and subsequently became a Program of Record called TSCTP."Uncaptioned image from entry

American First Lady’s Visit Highlights Social Media’s Importance in China (April 1) - Bree Feng, New York Times: "Having petted a panda and trod the Great Wall, the American first lady, Michelle Obama, left China last week after a visit filled with friendly photo opportunities but also with political messages about issues such as freedom of speech. ... Throughout the visit, she kept in touch with global audiences by writing a travel journal and by posting on Twitter and other social media outlets.


To increase her visibility among Chinese readers, American diplomats in China made sure that her blog posts were translated into Chinese. China has the largest number of Internet users in the world — more than 600 million in 2013 — which means that foreign government representatives in the country have increasingly turned to social media networks as an important component of their public diplomacy tool kit. The American Embassy in China updates its social media accounts throughout the day on a wide range of topics, most of them noncontroversial, including American culture and history, news and diplomatic activities. Though relations between the two countries are often challenging, the embassy often finds a ready audience on Chinese social media networks from people who are eager to learn more about opportunities for work and study in the United States."Image from entry, with caption: Michelle Obama with daughters Malia, front, and Sasha at the Great Wall

Black-and-white star power(3) - China Daily: "China can position itself as a generous friend, who's willing to send some of the rarest mammals on the planet to certain zoos," explains Falk Hartig, a postdoctoral researcher of Chinese diplomacy at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. 'What's helpful here is the fact the giant panda only lives in China, which makes it a unique public diplomacy tool.' But he points out soft power is difficult to quantify - making it as fuzzy as the bears. 'If we understand soft power as winning hearts and minds, I'd say the panda might help to win hearts abroad but maybe not necessarily minds.' Many 'China threat' theorists defer to the dragon rather than the panda as China's totem. But this demonstrates misunderstanding, other scholars say, since Chinese dragons aren't menacing firedrakes but rather are water-dwelling dispensers of good fortune. There's even a current within Chinese academia to replace the word 'dragon' with the Chinese word long in English to distinguish the fabled beasts' Eastern and Western cultural taxonomies. 'In the West, the dragon is more associated with aggressiveness, hawkishness and the like,' says Hartig, whose study Panda Diplomacy: The Cutest Part of China's Public Diplomacy was recently published in The Hague Journal of Diplomacy. ... Michele Vaught from the US believes both creatures are associated with China, but the panda is more appropriate - to tattoo on her skin. That's why the 28-year-old got the Chinese characters for 'panda' inscribed on her midsection when she visited the country in 2005. 'I don't even know where this dragon nation usage originates from. But it's used constantly in academic thesis statements,' she says."

Turkey lifts Twitter ban[April 4] - news.iafrica.com: "Turkey lifted a much-criticised block on Twitter on Thursday, 24 hours after its highest court overturned the ban as a breach of the right to free speech. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 20 March shuttered access to the social media site after it had been used to spread a torrent of anonymous leaks implicating his inner circle in corruption.


Turkey's NATO allies and international human rights groups strongly criticised the ban - as well as an ongoing block of video-sharing website YouTube - as a step backward for Turkey's democracy. ... After the service returned, San Francisco-based Twitter said: 'We are encouraged by the news from Turkey today and welcome our Turkish users back to Twitter.'The United States, which offered rare criticism of ally Turkey over its crackdown on social media, also welcomed the move. 'Welcome back to Twitter #Turkey. Good decision by constitutional court. @YouTube still offline,' tweeted Rick Stengel, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy."Uncaptioned image from entry

State Taps Atlantic Media CTO to Manage Digital Diplomacy Program - Katherine McIntire Peters, nextgov.com: "Tom Cochran, the former director of New Media Technologies at the White House before becoming chief technology officer at Atlantic Media, Nextgov's parent company, returned to government today to work in the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs. As managing director, Cochran will support the Obama administration's foreign policy initiatives. 'I'm really excited to help establish a worldwide platform, connecting online and offline assets for digital engagement,'Cochran said. 'I'd like to apply my experiences from a global media brand, digital startup, and online advocacy to [the bureau] and public diplomacy.'


The Bureau of International Information met with controversy last year when the department's inspector general reported that officials spent $630,000 to buy facebook fans in an effort to build engagement with foreign audiences. According to the IG report, 'Many in the bureau criticize the advertising campaigns as 'buying fans' who may have once clicked on an ad or 'liked' a photo but have no real interest in the topic and have never engaged further. Defenders of advertising point to the difficulty of finding a page on Facebook with a general search and the need to use ads to increase visibility.' One of Cochran's most visible initiatives during his earlier service in the Obama administration was leading the team that created the We the People petition site. The site has driven public engagement on a range of topics, from whether pop star Justin Beiber should be deported to gun control."Image from entry

Travel of Assistant Secretary Ryan to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Boston, Massachusetts - Media Note, Office of the Spokesperson, Washington, DC, April 3, 2014 - state.gov: "Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan will travel to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Boston, Massachusetts, from April 2 to April 9, 2014. In Algiers, Assistant Secretary Ryan will join Secretary of State John Kerry at the U.S.-Algeria Strategic Dialogue, which Secretary Kerry will co-chair with Algerian Foreign Minister Lamamra. Assistant Secretary Ryan will participate in a working group on higher education, English language study, and other exchange initiatives. In Rabat, Assistant Secretary Ryan will participate in the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by Secretary Kerry and Moroccan Foreign Minister Mezouar. Assistant Secretary Ryan will discuss educational and cultural cooperation and ways to increase ties between our two countries. Assistant Secretary Ryan will proceed to Cairo, Egypt, where she will meet with alumni of State Department exchange programs to discuss issues such as women and entrepreneurship, human rights, and civic engagement. Assistant Secretary Ryan will also meet with Egyptian government officials to discuss cultural heritage protection. In Boston, Assistant Secretary Ryan will deliver remarks at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy on 21st Century public diplomacy. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. Be a part of the conversation on Twitter and Facebook. For more information, please contact ECA-Press@state.gov."

Operational Public Diplomacy: Brought to You by the Number "4"- Donald M. Bishop, Public Diplomacy Council: "For 'operational'Public Diplomacy, rather than theory, I usually explain there are four levels. Start at the bottom [publicity] and work up.


Public Diplomacy [;] The Long Game [;] Public Affairs [;]Publicity. ... This is how Public Diplomacy works at Foreign Service posts: Four levels. Simultaneous. Balanced. All keyed to achieving America's goals in the world. It's challenging and worthy work."Bishop image from entry


Hawaiian Culture Travels to Brazil - Paul Rockower, uscpublicdiplomacy.org: "In April 2013, I had the opportunity to accompany the Hawaiian slack key guitar ensemble Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson, with Moanalani Beamer, as tour manager as the group toured Brazil with the U.S. Department of State's American Music Abroad program. This program is the State Department's flagship musical diplomacy program, and has evolved from the legendary Jazz Ambassadors program.


The American Music Abroad program communicates the broad spectrum of the American musical landscape, showcasing genres ranging from bluegrass to hip hop to jazz, among many other styles. This particular tour marked the first time that Hawaiian music and culture had been displayed as a form of American cultural diplomacy in connection with the American Music Abroad program."Uncaptioned image from entry

A Caricature, Not a Critique - Martha Bayles, chronicle.com: "In 'Jingo Unchained' (The Chronicle Review, March 21), Toby Miller ... review[s] of Through a Screen Darkly: Popular Culture, Public Diplomacy, and America’s Image Abroad ... Miller’s real gripe ... [is that] [b]y examining the impact of American cultural exports on the moral sensibilities of religiously and socially conservative people around the world, I violate the accepted parameters of contemporary academic discourse.” Miller review, which mentions public diplomacy, accessible at.

U-M scholar to speak at Saginaw Valley - ourmidland.com: "A leading scholar on international relations during and after the Cold War will give a lecture at Saginaw Valley State University. Penny Von Eschen will present 'Public Diplomacy from Jazz to Hip-Hop' at 7 p.m. Thursday in SVSU’s Curtiss Hall banquet rooms. A professor of history and American culture at the University of Michigan, Von Eschen has authored two books, 'Race against Empire: Black Americans and Anticolonialism, 1937-1957,' and 'Satchmo Blows up the World: Jazz Ambassadors Play the Cold War.' The latter volume describes how from 1956 through the late 1970s, the United States dispatched its finest jazz musicians to the far corners of the earth, from Iraq to India, from the Congo to the Soviet Union, in order to win the hearts and minds of the Third World and to counter perceptions of American racism. Von Eschen is currently writing her third book, 'Cold War Nostalgia: The Wages of Memory in the post-1989 World.'”

Crimea no longer part of Ukraine on Voice of America map [April 8] - BBG Watcher, bbgwatch.com: "A map posted on U.S. taxpayer-funded Voice of America (VOA) news website no longer shows Crimea as part of Ukraine. Voice of America Map, Posted April 7, 2014 [:]"


See also.

Congressman Jim Moran, JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Population Services International Address The Power of Corporate Diplomacy - 3blmedia.com: "Join Congressman Jim Moran (D-Virginia), Bruce McNamer, CEO of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and Karl Hofmann, CEO of Population Services International, in an open dialogue around the challenges and opportunities inherent to cross-sector engagement and the requirements of being a leader in a globally connected world. TUNE IN HERE on April 7 from 2 – 5, EST for this live-streamed conversation, The Power of Global Corporate Diplomacy, at the Public Private Partnership Forum, moderated by Fortune Magazine’s Nina Easton.


Diplomacy, long believed to exist primarily for the purpose of effective government cooperation, is now a critical component of global business success. It is not enough to do well in the board room – businesses must also do well in the communities in which they operate and must be perceived as doing well in the minds of their customers. Working with and through partners in the public and social sectors to achieve complementary goals is one way in which this success is achieved. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is critical that public, private and social sector leaders are able to communicate not only across agendas, but across borders. As governments embrace the role of everyday citizens in enhancing international relations, agreeing on a common public diplomacy agenda—of governments, corporations, and others—becomes increasingly important. Individuals—especially those representing high-profile corporations—have initiated their own style of corporate diplomacy in the markets where they operate – but is it enough? How can we ensure that the traditional skills of the diplomat are ingrained as critical traits in corporate leaders? What does a true partnership look like?"Image from entry

Nato keen on developing strategic ties with GCC: We can tailor cooperation to fit our Gulf partners’ specific security needs, Rasmussen says - Habib Toumi, gulfnews.com: "North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Secretary General Anders Rasmussen said that the 28-member alliance was interested in developing its strategic relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 'As we look to the Wales Summit this September, we will work on ways to deepen our political dialogue and practical cooperation,' Rasmussen said as he opened the meeting between the Nato foreign ministers and representatives from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the four GCC countries that have partnered with Nato through the Istanbul Conference Initiative (ICI). ... The ICI offers a diversified menu of practical cooperation activities from which the member countries can choose. Activities include tailored advice on defence transformation, defence budgeting and civil-military relations; military-to-military cooperation including through selected military exercises; civil emergency planning and joint public diplomacy activities. The ICI is complementary to, but distinct from, the Mediterranean Dialogue that Nato launched in December 1994, with countries in North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean."

"Russification" of "Soft Power" -- Part 1: Russia's view of Soft Power as Hegemony- Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: "Reading the coverage of Russia and Ukraine over the past few months, one would think that whatever happened was a disaster for Russia's image and Russian 'soft power' around the world.


Yet, we need to get beyond that Western-centric view and look at public diplomacy writ large. Not only has Putin's popularity increased domestically and abroad (including in the West), but Russia can now claim the entire episode with Crimea as the cherry on top of its soft power success story."Image from entry

China’s Renewable Energy Opportunity: Renewable energy could improve the quality of China’s air, and its international image - Arthur Guschin, thediplomat.com: "Look at overseas coverage of China over the past six months and you would be forgiven for thinking that the only topics of note are its slowing economy, a looming maritime showdown with the U.S., ongoing corruption investigations, and periodic spats with Japan. Little of the reporting is kind to Beijing. Chinese soft power has not yet developed the ability to consistently offset the harsh spotlight of Western media, principally because the message it seeks to send is at odds with the interests of its targeted audience. Meanwhile, economic challenges and corruption revelations have sparked public outcry and triggered social instability and unrest (with 180,000 mass incidents in 2010) at home.  Abroad, reports of maritime incidents or PLA training to capture disputed islands contradict the official narrative of a 'peaceful rise.'Clearly, China could benefit from an image makeover. It may seem somewhat counterintuitive and certainly some heavy PR would be required, but the environment represents an opportunity for Beijing to transform its public diplomacy.  ...  How is that an opportunity? First, the Chinese government has the ability to respond to these public concerns, winning domestic plaudits and demonstrating internationally that China is a responsible actor. Beijing could show a human face and potentially correlate this new image with its current policies in places like the Arctic, where its interest in energy and marine resources is camouflaged as concern for environmental protection and indigenous interests. A reorientation to public diplomacy that emphasizes the environment would make Beijing’s efforts in the Arctic appear more logical."

Press and Media Service - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China: "Director-General: Qin Gang [;]Deputy Director-Generals: Tian Qi, Sun Weijia, Hong Lei, Hua Chunying(female), Wu Peng [;] Main functions: The Information Department is responsible for releasing information on China's major diplomatic events and stating China's foreign policy. It manages press coverage on major diplomatic events. It guides China's overseas diplomatic missions on information work and provides service to permanent offices of foreign media organizations and foreign journalists in China. It also covers public diplomacy and information collection and processing."

Iran Opens to the Arrival of Tourism - tourism-review.com: "Iran is a country without fast food restaurants and large hotel chains; it has a spectacular cultural and architectural heritage, exquisite gastronomy, magnificent natural places, as well as an agreeable and extremely hospitable people. However, it receives hardly four million tourists per year, a scarce figure the government of


Hasan Rohani is trying to increase. ... Rohani ... bets on tourism, not only for contributing to the economic recuperation this isolated country is yelling for, sanctioned, with rates of inflation of 40% and a fifth of the population actively unemployed; but also as a fundamental tool for public diplomacy. 'Tourism can help to create relationships and interaction between nations and bring cultural proximity and mutual understanding,' he said at a conference in September where he pointed out 'the brilliant past of civilizations, hospitality, rich cultural heritage, good weather and beautiful nature' of his country to tempt potential visitors."Uncaptioned image from entry

Democracy, Friedman-style - Dror Eydar, israelhayom.com: "As long as Jews like you play devil's advocate to those who hate us, there is no chance that anyone among the Arabs would agree to acknowledge the Jews' right to any part of the historic land of Israel. As of now, we do not rule the Palestinians. They have their own parliament, two governments (in Ramallah and in Gaza Strip), and, with the help of Allah, a third will be established in Jordan in the coming years (if we stop protecting King Abdullah). They have huge budgets (the majority of which finds its way to private individuals) and an education system (that does not recognize Israel as a legitimate entity). They have a foreign ministry and pursue public diplomacy efforts; they have an automatic majority in the U.N. and enjoy clear sympathy from the Obama administration."

Israeli diplomats end strike - Ryan Torok and JTA, jewishjournal.com: "Employees of Israel’s Foreign Ministry ended their two-week strike with an agreement to increase pay for Israeli diplomats. ... 'Everything is back to normal,' said Dana Erlich, consul for public diplomacy at the L.A. consulate, said in a phone interview."

Grapevine: Nothing sacred - Greer Fay Cashman, Jerusalem Post: "There are many cultural exchanges between Poland and Israel, some of which result in much better public diplomacy on Israel’s behalf by Poles who have been here than anything that might be dreamt up by Israeli PR experts. For instance, five senior lecturers from Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa who were recently in Israel, led by vice dean Przemyslaw Szmurkowski and Prof. Jerzy Mizgalski, took a lot of photos and have used them to create an exhibition that will open this coming Monday in the library of the university’s Faculty of History and Philology. If pictures are worth a thousand words, the academics are doing Israel a great service."

Not expendable: Just let Israel's diplomats do their job -- The Foreign Ministry is a critical player in tackling Israel’s strategic challenges; so why is it constantly underfunded, bypassed and belittled? - Yiftah Curiel, haaretz.com: "[T]he most convincing evidence of the insufficient allocation of resources [for the Foreign Ministry] can be found in the frenzy of activity by other players within the Israeli system that are investing in the diplomatic arena.


From the Israel Defense Forces, to the Strategic and Intelligence Affairs Ministry, to the now defunct Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Ministry (whose responsibilities have been scattered among various ministries), all are working within the FM's spectrum of activity, and have been allocated generous budgets in order to carry out work that falls under the FM's mission and which it is better equipped to handle."Image from entry, with caption: Striking workers at the entrance to the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Jerusalem, March 24, 2014

Binding Ethio-Sudanese Relations - sudanvisiondaily.com: "[P]ublic diplomacy, which is characterized by cultural performances, academic and professional conferences, cultural events and other exchange programs, is in effect an extension of the current foreign policy of Ethiopia. In respect to the Sudan, its fundamental aim is to ensure that the challenges and opportunities of the bilateral, regional and global issues of the two countries remain in the public eye. It has the effect of cultivating long-term relationships, and increasing mutual understanding through dialogue as well as encouraging professional networking mechanisms, and promoting the shared interests of the respective populations. The recent cultural performances, which involved both Ethiopian and Sudanese performers, certainly helped communication of the cultures, values, traditions, histories and aspirations of both countries. They will motivate both peoples and encourage a common vision and their common interest in rooting out poverty, hunger, instability, drought, land degradation and other threats. Similarly, the recent scientific symposium held in Khartoum from the two Universities of Khartoum and Addis Ababa will unquestionably provide the basis for scientific studies and enhance the capacity for policymakers on both countries to push forward efforts for sustainable and inclusive development of the Eastern Nile. ... Besides, the two countries share a long border together with similar cultures, languages, history, values, religions, and traditions that have cemented the bilateral relations in various fields including trade, businesses, investment, agri-business, and power supply. ... The new public diplomacy accompanied by long historical ties and cultural affinities inspires the publics


of the two countries to further join their efforts in the fight against poverty, famine and instability as they crushed the heels of colonial powers in Omdurman in 1898 and Adwa in 1896. It also helps them to revitalize and renew the civilizations of Nubia, Merowe and Aksum on the bosom of the Nile Valley. This will pave the way for the realization of African Renaissance or Rebirth. ... Today is the time for both peoples of the two nations to fully own their own destinies and secure their own future in the spirit of shared visions for inclusive and sustainable development through the use of Nile waters. ... Ethiopia’s policies of public diplomacy are beginning to build a new tomorrow, improving personal and institutional ties to harness opportunities for the shared prosperity, peace and tranquility of the peoples of Sudan and Ethiopia. They are also righting the wrongs of yesterday through the genuine discussion, dialogue and scientific partnerships being built between the peoples of Ethiopia and Sudan. The way forward is very clear."Uncaptioned image from entry

Nigeria: Soft Approach to Countering Terrorism...(II) - Mohammed Sambo Dasuk, allafrica.com: "This is the concluding part of a two-serial publication of the presentation made by Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuk (rtd.)i, National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President at a seminar on the Roll out of Nigeria's Soft Approach to Countering Terrorism held in Abuja... The Third Stream: We are building our capacity to communicate our national values better and institutionalizing this capability through strategic communication for the military and law enforcement, and public diplomacy for our civilian institutions. This has become necessary because at the heart of terrorism is a deadly communication plan that furthers the aims of the terrorists. Unfortunately terrorist groups have over time been clearer in communicating what they stand for than government has. Plans have been concluded to institutionalize strategic communication in the training curriculum of the Nigerian Defense Academy. Through this training our armed forces will be able to analyze terrorist messaging, conduct psychological operations, evolve civil military relations and be equipped in media relations through a better appreciation of the requirements of our democracy. I have in the last year supported workshops and seminars that have led to increased awareness of the significance of strategic communication in the fight against terrorism. In partnership with our international development partners we are developing media training workshops for government public relations practitioners and independent media on conflict sensitive reporting and protection of the right to know under our laws. While it is in our national security interest that terrorists do not find unfettered access to free publicity we respect the media's freedom to report and that is why I shall be supporting the training of about 200 reporters who report on conflicts. We are concluding plans to institutionalize a civil service training program within an existing ministry to deliver certificated training on public diplomacy and strategic communication for public servants whose responsibilities include communicating government policies to the public. We believe that we must do a better job at conversing with our publics in Nigeria and abroad."

Batura: Belarus-Germany twin-town projects aimed at intensification of economic cooperation - : Belarussian Telegraph Agency: "Joint projects of twin towns of Belarus and Germany are aimed at the intensification of trade and economic cooperation, head of the Belarusian delegation, Chairman of the Belarusian civil organization Twin Towns, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Boris Batura said at the 8th meeting of the twin-towns of Belarus and Germany in Frankfurt an der Oder on 6 April, BelTA has learnt. The Belarusian-German twin-town and partnership movement shows the intention of local authorities and peoples to strengthen friendship and mutual trust through long-term and all-round international cooperation. We are doing our best to unite efforts and potential of partners and twin-towns in the implementation of programs to enhance living standards, environmental and social protection of the population,' Boris Batura said. In his words, the twin-town system which strengthens humanitarian relations in public diplomacy is an additional chance for the economic sector. The creation of joint economic zones, technological clusters, innovation projects, regional small business centers is able to provide Belarusian and German partners a platform for developing mutually beneficial production relations, trade, cross-border cooperation, Boris Batura is confident."

PM Christie: The Making of a Great Financial Centre‏ - thebahamasweekly.com: "Presentation by The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Minister of Finance On the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of The 3rd Caribbean Financial Services Conference 'The Making of a Great International Financial Centre' 31st March, 2014 British Colonial Hilton Hotel Nassau, The Bahamas ... Public Diplomacy as a Strategy for IFC Development [:] The final thought which I wish to share with you is that there is a need for increased public diplomacy and dialogue on what we are doing in our financial services sector.


The Bahamas Government, led by the Ministry of Financial Services, has undertaken to unashamedly and forcefully champion its financial services industry. I have instructed Minister Pinder to articulate systematically, through all channels available to the Government of The Bahamas, exactly what The Bahamas and its financial services industry is about. We are seeking to ensure that international organisations continue to acknowledge that The Bahamas is a well-regulated jurisdiction and one which is known for its compliance with international best practices."Image from entry, with caption: Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie addresses delegates during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Caribbean Conference on The International Financial Services Sector. The three-day conference is currently being held at the British Colonial Hilton from March 31 – April 2.

Visiting Paul Widmer: The message of the Ambassador[Google "translation"] - Urs Hafner, nzz.ch: "Even in the now required diplomacy makes Paul Widmer of tendencies that disturb him. The job of a diplomat had 'lost its depth and width won,' making him a total devalues. It should not be that the ambassador would be a promoter diverse interests to a 'short-lived event manager for PR events or to an almost full-time host for itinerant parliamentarians, government officials and tourists.' In the age of 'public diplomacy' and the 'e-diplomacy' to each message deal with all sorts of topics and apply with Twitter and Facebook are increasingly directly to the public. And each ministry to care for its own foreign relations. Thus came the classic skills of diplomats, namely the political analysis and consulting, negotiating and legal representation of a country falling behind, says Paul Widmer. Instead their diplomats to trust locally, the Central unlock more and more directly electronically and dictate the course of action."

Sultan To Attend Symposium On Cultural Diplomacy, Religion In Vatican: Agency Report [includes video] - leadership.ng: "The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has been nominated as a speaker at a symposium on Cultural Diplomacy and Religion in the Vatican City of Rome.


The symposium is to hold from March 31 to April 3. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Dickson Omoregie, Country Representative of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Abuja. ... The ICD said that the symposium would explore the use and potential of inter-faith dialogue to promote discourse with the ultimate goal of global peace. It said that the symposium would provide a forum that would unite religious leaders with politicians, diplomats and academics in order to create cultural platforms. The symposium will have the theme, 'Promotion of World Peace through Inter-Faith Dialogue’."Uncaptioned image from entry

Diplomacy 2.0: un cloud di pratiche e definizioni - Patrizia Rizzini Cancarini e Marco Lucchin, ilcaffegeopolitico.org: "New public diplomacy– Stretta cugina della Digital Diplomacy, con cui spesso è intercambiabile, rappresenta l’evoluzione della Public Diplomacy ovvero l’influenza dell’opinione pubblica sulla definizione ed esecuzione delle scelte di politica estera.


Public Diplomacyè inoltre comunicazione interculturale, rapporto tra media e personale diplomatico e la coltivazione di opinioni pubbliche da parte di governi stranieri. Lo scambio continuo d’informazioni e idee (senza limiti spaziali o temporali) e’ alla base del concetto di New Public Diplomacy, fenomeno reso possibile grazie all’ingresso delle ICTs e media nella sfera diplomatica."Image from entry

Hacking Diplomacy - Juan Luis Manfredi, uscpublicdiplomacy.org: "In considering how to establish relations with citizens, we must account for their ability to influence their governments' decision-making and to have an effect on the behaviour and habits of corporations. That's where public diplomacy becomes crucial.Public diplomacy consists of an information, education, and entertainment strategy focused on influencing publics abroad. It includes numerous exchange programs and nation branding techniques. It is not a public relations campaign, but a government action. The advantage offered by public diplomacy as opposed to conventional diplomacy is greater room for innovation: PD practitioners can experiment with small budgets and new areas of activity. It's an ideal lab because it allows for change and the creation of new activities, while simultaneously providing new professional skills to be put into practice.


Furthermore, the idea of transforming perceptions abroad drives internal innovation. Communications technologies in particular have become central tools for the transmission of messages, to connect with communities, and to listen to citizen demands. The key to success is the effective connection of governments with the interests of citizens. A government’s relationship with citizens abroad should be independent of its diplomatic relations with those citizens’ government. Public diplomacy involves creating communities of interest with publics abroad. The demographic challenge deserves special mention: public diplomacy will not be able to exert influence if it does not adapt to online social networks where young people (comprising 45% of the world's population) spend half of their lives."Uncaptioned image from entry

Reflections from the International Studies Association Conference, 2014 - James Pamment, uscpublicdiplomacy.org: "ISA is the major annual conference where PD scholars convene, particularly through the International Communication (ICOMM) and Diplomatic Studies divisions. ISA has around 5,000 participants, of which the regular faces working on PD comprise of less than one percent. In other words, although ISA is very much the home of PD scholarship, it is also a humbling experience to see the challenges scholars face to raise its profile. Indeed, as is often the case in the practitioner world, it is abundantly clear that PD still needs to be defended and advocated as a legitimate field of inquiry, even when on 'home' territory. ... The challenge of bringing PD into the IR mainstream seems to be about establishing its value within existing IR paradigms – realism, constructivism, critical theory etc – without stating that it belongs to one of them exclusively."

Creating Credibility Not A Vanity Project [subscription] - Michael Hedges, followthemedia.com: "Nobody doubts the soft power value of international media. Words and pictures can frame any message. Soft power effectiveness depends on credibility far more than technology. Desired outcomes, however, must be clear." [According to Google search, mention of public diplomacy].

Professor Sam Richards to give TED Talk in Brazil Friday - onwardstate.com: "Following his talk at the inaugural 2014 State of State Conference this past Sunday, famed Penn State SOC 119 professor Sam Richards will take the stage again tomorrow, this time 5,179 miles away in Porto Alegre, Brazil at TEDxLaçador. This event will mark his sophomore performance on the TED stage, the first of which has nearly 1 million views on TED’s official website, and will be titled ‘The Wisdom of Sociology.’ According to the Facebook event page for the viewing party hosted by Penn State World in Conversation, ‘Wisdom’ will delve into ‘larger web of connections that entwine all of our lives,’ and will address the societal phenomenons that arise from constant conversation among humans on a daily basis.
Uncaptioned image from entry

Heritage Mourns Loss of Douglas Allison - heritage.org: "Now marking its 10th anniversary, the Allison Center has established itself as a top-level public policy institute specializing in issues of national security, terrorism, missile defense, public diplomacy, and U.S. interests in Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa."

Students film Barcelona - Christina Bartson, berkeleybeacon.com: "[U]ndergraduates for Emerson College Takes Barca! ... [went] a spring break trip to Barcelona in partnership with Ramon Llull University to help launch a grassroots campaign that aims to frame sports as a uniting force for Spain. The campaign is a collaborative effort with Play 31, a New York-based nonprofit organization that uses what it calls the unifying power of soccer to bring together communities that have been divided by conflict, according to its website. Emerson students are creating a documentary to promote the launch of Play 31 in Barcelona. Gregory Payne, associate professor in the communication studies department, and Enric Ordeix of Blanquerna directed students around the city to see tourist sites, attend sporting events, visit public relations and government organizations, and take classes to study sports as a tool of public diplomacy, all while collecting footage for their film, said Payne."

Syuzanna Petrosyan shares top prize in USC film competition - reporter.am: "A student from the University of Southern California who is a descendant of survivors of the Armenian Genocide shared the top prize at this year's Student Voices Short Film Contest sponsored by USC Shoah Foundation - The Institute for Visual Learning and Education. Syuzanna Petrosyan and fellow student Greg Irwin won the award March 6 for their short film 'Play for your Life,' which looks at the orchestras organized by the Nazis in German concentration camps during World War II. ... Petrosyan said her interest


in entering Student Voices comes from her own Armenian background and interest in exploring the various dimensions of genocides. As a public diplomacy master's candidate, she said, 'it is important to understand not only the big picture and history of genocides, but also to observe the smaller and personal stories of survivor's of the biggest crimes in history.'"Image from entry, with caption: Syuzanna Petrosyan (center) and Greg Irwin (right) awarded by the USC Shoah Foundation Executive Director Stephen D. Smith

RELATED ITEMS

U.S. Government Hilariously Creates Secret Cuba Twitter, Then Just Quits - Peter Van Buren, dissenter.firedoglake.com: There is, clearly to at least two or three people in Washington, no greater threat to American safety and security than Cuba. America has had a Cold War hard-on over Cuba for decades, and so spending millions of taxpayer dollars on it, even if it means a lot of that money actually and knowingly gets paid to the Cuban government itself, is OK. Freedom isn’t free.


One of the most recent such events was a failed U.S. government attempt to create a Cuba-only Twitter-like text system, and then to use subscribers’ mobile phones to seed anti-Castro propaganda. The bizarre thinking underlying all this was that such social media would foment “flash mobs” in Cuba that would somehow lead to a people power revolution to overthrow the Cuban government. Batista image from entry

How Japan Copied American Culture and Made it Better: If you’re looking for some of America’s best bourbon, denim and burgers, go to Japan, where designers are re-engineering our culture in loving detail - Tom Downey, Smithsonian Magazine: The American presence in Japan now extends far beyond the fast-food franchises, chain stores and pop-culture offerings that are ubiquitous the world over. A long-standing obsession with things American has led not just to a bigger and better market for blockbuster movies or Budweiser, but also to some very rarefied versions of America to be found in today’s Japan.


It has also made the exchange of Americana a two-way street. Part of what’s going on is simply the globalization of taste, culture, cuisine and the way that, in the modern world, you can get almost anything everywhere. But Japanese Americana is more than that. There’s a special way that the Japanese sensibility has focused on what is great, distinctive and worthy of protection in American culture, even when Americans have not realized the same thing. It isn’t a passing fad. It’s a long-standing part of Japanese culture, and, come to think of it, as more Americans are exposed to U.S. products revived or reinterpreted by Japanese designers, the aesthetic is becoming part of American culture, too. If you ever wonder which of the reigning American tastes, sounds, designs or styles will last into the future, there’s no better place to answer that question than in the stores and restaurants, the bars and studios of Japan. They often know us better than we know ourselves. Image from entry, with caption: A jacket at Workers reflects the line’s focus on recreating 20th-century American work clothing

A Virtual Iron Curtain Closes In on Russia’s Intelligentsia: Even before the crisis in Crimea, Moscow’s creative class was in trouble. Now the Russians who call themselves hipsters feel like strangers in their own homeland - Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast: A recent survey of listeners by Echo of Moscow radio (which still preserves most of its editorial independence) demonstrated that 70.8 percent of the radio’s audience considered European values harmful for Russia. What are Western values, the hosts asked? One of the listeners, a young Muscovite, interpreted the values, “as freedom for a human body and desires, all sorts of pedophilia and zoophile love.”


And Echo of Moscow has one of the most pro-Western audiences in Russia. Within days, the anti-Western line drawn to connect the dots of supposed Western decadence reached theaters and movie theaters. Attacks on Moscow’s popular Taganka and Gogol Center theaters, accused of producing performances that “promoted violence, homosexuality, pedophilia, suicide” shocked the theater world. Copying the Korean and Chinese experience, the ruling party United Russia drafted a new law to cap the number of foreign movies released in Russia, down to 50 percent, so instead of “American values” and “propaganda of American interests” Russians would watch Russian movies. Image from entry

ONE MORE QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"SMU art professor Roger Winter ... told Bush that since the president had such a knack for capturing the expressions of animals, he should try painting the faces of the world leaders he had come across."


From: Ann Binlot, "Dubya’s Portraits of Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin Are Just as Genius as You Hoped: Up-and-coming artist George W. Bush has graduated from paintings of his pets to thoughtful portraits of the world leaders he encountered while president. This is diplomacy, y’all," Daily Beast; image from entry, with caption: A portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, painted by former U.S. President George W. Bush, is displayed at "The Art of Leadership: A President's Personal Diplomacy" exhibit at the Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas April 4, 2014. See also.

MORE AMERICANA

Walking in Vegas - John Brown, Notes and Essays --  "My favorite sign this time around in Vegas,


scribbled, unevenly spaced words on a piece of cardboard held by a begging but jolly street person: 'My wife had a sex change operation and ran off with my girlfriend.'"Image from

AND MORE AMERICANA


--From: Matt Stopera, "Completely Surreal Photos Of America’s Abandoned Malls," buzzfeed.com; via GG on Facebook

AND EVEN MORE AMERICANA [video]

Topless Florida Woman Wrecks McDonalds, Pauses to Guzzle Ice Cream - Jay Hathaway,gawker.com: A Florida woman wearing nothing but a thong rampaged through a St. Petersburg McDonald's Monday, banging her head on the counter and then attempting to take apart the kitchen with her bare hands. Eventually, she chilled out by eating soft-serve straight out of the machine.

"[D]oes this mean that the Department of State (DoS) has expanded its influence role beyond public diplomacy?"

--Lawrence Dietz, referring to USAID’s Twitter for Cuba in his blog, PSYOP Regimental Blog: Authoritative source of information on Psychological Operations (PSYOP) or as it is now called Military Information Support Operations (MISO). Written by a retired senior Army Officer and former Honorary Colonel of the PSYOP Regiment; the blog asks, "If you were a cannibal, what would you wear to dinner? you don't"; image from

VIDEO

#Happy #Yerevan - US Public Diplomacy in Armenia - Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: Here's a video the US Embassy in Armenia posted on its YouTube page just a few hours ago, produced in collaboration with the US Alumni Association of Armenia ... It is, of course, yet another addition to the whole series of 'Happy [fill in the blank]' videos, based on Pharrell Williams' hit. It's an earworm, I admit. Yet, what makes this one special is that it was made by the US Embassy in Yerevan, featuring (presumably) the alumni of various US programs and Ambassador John Heffern himself. Most of it was shot at the US Embassy, the AmericanUniversity in Armenia, the Cascade (CafesjianMuseum), and a few other notable sights around Yerevan. It's great to see so many bright, funky, and happy people in Yerevan... especially these days. The video's currently going viral on my Facebook homepage (and, four hours later, has gathered close to 28,000 views!). Well done on happy public diplomacy! :-)"

EVENT

“Talking with the Enemy” Focus of 2014 Santa Fe Symposium - pdaa.publicdiplomacy.org: "This year’s Santa Fe World Affairs Forum Symposium explores “Talking with the Enemy: Cultivating Friends, Diplomacy Revisited,” April 28 and 29 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The event is co-sponsored by American Foreign Service Association and St. John’s College, and supported by a number of partner organizations, including Public Diplomacy Alumni Association. The program begins at 1:45 pm on Monday, April 28 and features Thomas E McNamara, former U.S. Ambassador to Colombia and Ambassador at Large for Counter-Terrorism discussing U.S. foreign security strategy after the 9/11 wars. Later in the day Gregory Hicks, former Deputy Chief of Mission in Tripoli, Libya gives his personal perspectives on on U.S. diplomacy in a multi-polar world.


On Tuesday, April 29, former foreign service officer Donald M. Bishop will give his views on engaging people through public diplomacy. James P. Farwell, author of Persuasion and Power: the Art of Strategic Communication (Georgetown University Press, 2012) and senior research fellow in strategic studies at the University of Toronto follows with a presentation on how rhetoric influences reality." Image from entry

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

A Return to Public Diplomacy in the Middle East - internationalpoliticalforum.com:  "Syria’s ongoing deadly civil war, Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and a renewed focus to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are the three main diplomatic maneuvers currently at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy in the region, and they present quite a challenge. Our recent performance record includes the 2012 attack on the embassy in Benghazi that saw a U.S. ambassador killed, involvement in the unsuccessful Geneva II negotiations, and a history of supporting repressive authoritarian regimes in the region. At a time when the resolution of Syria’s chemical weapons program has arguably weakened the White House’s image, public diplomacy is even more essential to prevent further erosion of the credibility and effectiveness of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Public opinion of the United States in the Middle East today is characterized by distrust, disapproval of American ideology and culture, and general animosity. The influence of this negative opinion is extensive; it impacts the United States’ ability to advance its foreign policy interests, the effect of its military efforts, the market for American goods and services, and increases support for anti-American and terrorist groups. Consequently, effective public diplomacy is instrumental in furthering American interests in this vital part of the world. ... In the modern international system, public diplomacy is the multidisciplinary practice of explaining American foreign policy decisions, institutions, and cultural norms and values to the Arab public, not through their governments, but instead through direct contact. In essence, its mission is to 'understand, engage, inform, and influence foreign publics and elites in support of policy objectives.' It is important to note that public diplomacy is distinct from propaganda; it emphasizes dialogue and mutuality while complementing traditional diplomacy. An expression of soft power, public diplomacy capitalizes on attraction and persuasion and can pressure governments and leaders in ways formal, more traditional diplomacy cannot.


The U.S. Department of State’s Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs is the current division in charge of public diplomacy, and it works closely with the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications and bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Public Affairs, and International Information Programs. Additionally, each embassy has a public affairs officer and team to run and supervise public diplomacy programs. ... In a 2012 study published by the Middle East Journal on the U.S. Digital Outreach Team, an earlier dialogue-based State Department public diplomacy initiative, their case study found that this approach can be improved by strengthening the amount of dialogue, response speed, and implementing specific communication strategies tailored to each country. A positive presence in media and mass communication has the potential to facilitate inter-cultural understanding and combat misinformation and prejudice with knowledge, but current programs need to be expanded upon and reformed. Finally, the facilitation of cross-cultural experiences such as the Fulbright Scholarships and International Visitors program are powerful advocates for foreign opinion of the U.S.The Department of State should work to strategize ways to share information and expertise on public diplomacy with Congress, and ensure congressional support for participants in exchange programs to the U.S. They should also encourage the participation of non-English speaking Arabs in these exchange programs in an effort to reach people who have been exposed to less information on America."Image from

Cuban Twitter Wasn't Aid and it Wasn't Public Diplomacy Either - Joe Johnson, Public Diplomacy Council: The U.S. Agency for International Development has confirmed that it set up a text messaging service in Cuba under false pretenses. The Associated Press broke the story earlier this week.  USAID used 'shell companies' to create a cellphone text messaging service that would deliver infotainment to attract an audience of young Cubans, and at a later stage, use the network to promote political activism. The project attracted 40 thousand subscribers before USAID abandoned it in 2012, according to news accounts. Clever public diplomacy? No.


For two reasons.  --The Agency went to exceptional lengths to hide its sponsorship of the project.  Not even the company executives were told the source of their money, according to AP.  That runs against longstanding professional standards of public diplomacy, which should walk the talk of open, honest and correctly attributed communication. -- The Agency played into Castro's narrative: the United States, up to its old dirty tricks. And it probably damaged any hope of the regime releasing Alan Gross, a USAID contractor imprisoned in Cuba in 2010 for ... promoting internet access on the island. This escapade, which has been treated as a humorous gaffe in the media, should be taken seriously by actual public diplomacy practitioners. Over the past twenty years, the lines between aid projects and public diplomacy have blurred. I have sometimes heard PD staffers caste their work as 'aid lite' social development. And aid officials undertake public communication and educational exchange projects that look just like PD programs. Image from

The emerging dark side of social networks - Dominic Basulto, Washington Post: "We’ve all heard how social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube help to spread democracy around the world by mobilizing the masses and making it easier to topple dictators. Now, we’re now seeing a darker side to them. ... This emerging dark side of social networks has enormous implications for how America conducts its diplomatic business abroad. Ever since Hillary Clinton launched '21st century statecraft' for the U.S. State Department, there’s been a push to use Internet freedom as a rallying cry for the United States to win over friends and gain influence across the globe. Terms like 'digital statecraft' and 'e-diplomacy' are commonplace these days – not just for America, but also for nations that would like to emulate America’s ability to project power around the world. At little or no cost, social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube made it possible to spread the message that America was the land of baseball, apple pie and democracy for all. But you can see where all this headed.


The more that social networks are seen to be doing the bidding of the NSA and the CIA (and proxy organizations such as USAID) in terms of gathering and mobilizing the masses against governments, the less effective they are in sharing American values abroad. If the American way of life includes getting spied on by your government and having your online privacy and personal data compromised for political gain, is that something you can use to win over hearts and minds in foreign lands?"Image from entry, with caption: “Cuban Twitter” was a troubling communications network designed to undermine the government in Cuba. It was built with secret shell companies and financed through foreign banks. See also.

When diplomacy befriends technology [video] - "On this week’s episode of 'Conversations with Nicholas Kralev,'Alec Ross, former senior adviser for innovation at the State Department, talks about the role of modern technology in achieving diplomatic objectives, empowering citizens around the world, and reconciling Internet freedom with U.S. government surveillance. Ross recounts both success stories during his tenure at Foggy Bottom, such as using mobile technology to ensure a “clean” independence referendum in South Sudan in 2011, and efforts that failed, including a program to pay electronically the salaries of soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Before joining Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s team in 2009, Ross worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign. In 2000, he co-founded One Economy, a nonprofit that uses technology to improve the lives of underserved people in developing countries."


Department of State Public Schedule, April 7 - rockycoastnews.blogspot.com: "UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS RICHARD STENGEL [:] 10:30 a.m. Under Secretary Stengel meets with Coursera Co-Founder Daphne Koller, at the Department of State."

Kabul’s The Place For Ace, Cherry Berry Franchises - globaltrademag.com: "Afghanistan probably doesn’t rank very high on the target list of most companies’ looking to expand their franchise footprint overseas. But that view is undergoing a distinct shift as a growing number of US firms, particularly in the fast-food sector, are looking beyond the headlines at the country’s market potential. ... Among those attending the over-subscribed event was Robert Fardi, president and co-founder of Unison, a brand innovation firm, based in Washington, DC, with expertise in developing brands and digital platforms for the restaurant and hospitality industry.


'We are very bullish on the opportunities for food franchising opportunities by US brands in Afghanistan,' said Fardi. 'With 60 percent of the population under twenty years of age,' he said, 'US fast-food brands in particular represent both employment and professional training benefits and serve as a public diplomacy tool to stay engaged with our friends in Afghanistan as military involvement winds down in 2014.' On hand was Oklahoma-headquartered Cherry Berry, which opened a yogurt bar in the Afghan capital of Kabul last June. The self-serve franchise has proved to be very popular with younger Afghanis and now reportedly serves an average of 600 customers on any given Thursday, the start of the Afghan weekend."Image from entry, with caption: Looking beyond the headlines, a growing number of US companies are reappraising the market vialibity of Afghanistan as a site for franchise expansion.

35 Years of U.S.-China Relations: Diplomacy, Culture and Soft Power [Video] - uscnpm.org: "On Friday, March 28th, the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution and the China Institute for International Studies (CIIS) marked the 35th anniversary of U.S.-China relations with a public event bringing together foreign policy scholars, government officials and public figures to discuss the state of U.S.-China relations with attention to diplomatic and cultural ties and public diplomacy and soft power. The video below features Cheng Li, Senior Fellow and Research Director at Brookings Institution, and Evan S. Medeiros, Asian Affairs Senior Director at the National Security Council."

To No One’s Surprise - Burt Likko, ordinary-gentlemen.com: "[Comment:] Creon Critic [:] Essentially selling ambassadorships and self-financing ambassadors strike me as extremely unmeritocratic and anti-meritocratic. ... I ... disagree that ambassador-level work can just be delegated to other staff. The think tank speeches, active media engagement, and unsexy (no canapes) public diplomacy stuff really can use a competent diplomat."

Protests from Helsinki Committee, bad publicity continue for RFE/RL over treatment of foreign journalist staff - BBG Watcher, bbgwatch: "During the Cold War, Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty made every effort to publicize human rights appeals from Helsinki Committees in Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union, while communist governments made every effort to ignore them. A number of former Soviet block countries still have Helsinki Committees speaking out for human rights. For the last few years, the Helsinki Committee in the Czech Republic has been sending letters to the management of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Washington protesting against alleged discriminatory treatment of foreign journalists employed by RFE/RL in Prague. As in the Soviet times, the Czech Helsinki Committee has not received any answer from either RFE/RL or BBG. ... [Letter:] Mr. Bohuslav Sobotka Prime Minister of the Czech Republic ... Radio Free Europe Violates Human Rights and Hospitality of the Czech Republic Prague, 28th March 2014 Dear Prime Minister, ... As you know, in 1995, at the invitation of Vaclav Havel, RFE/RL that operates on the basis of U.S. International Broadcasting Act was transferred from Munich to Prague and settled in the building of former Federal assembly of Czechoslovakia. The Radio is subordinate to Federal Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Washington. Members of BBG are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by Senate. The Secretary of State (presently John Kerry) serves on BBG ex officio. Simultaneously, BBG, including the Secretary of State, acts as RFE/RL Board of Directors. RFE/RL broadcasts in 28 languages to 21 so called target countries and employs in Prague hundreds of foreign citizens. According to International Broadcasting Act, BBG controls and directs all American non-military broadcasters abroad and “makes all major policy determinations governing the operations of RFE/RL.” RFE/RL, the largest institution of American public diplomacy overseas, is financed by U.S. Congress. On January 26, 2010, Norman Eisen, then newly assigned American ambassador to Prague, visited RFE/RL president even before he handed his diplomatic credentials to the President of Czech Republic. Czech Republic extended to RFE/RL an extraordinary hospitality corresponding to the glorious human-rights-oriented history and present official mission of that Radio: 'to promote democratic values and institutions,''strengthen civil societies by projecting democratic values,''provide a model for local media…' ... [W]e ask the new, headed by you government of the Czech Republic to address the government of the United States of America with request to solve the problems stemming from immoral double-standard policies of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Discrimination of hundreds of its foreign employees shall be stopped, protracted lawsuits ended by peaceful resolutions."

Propaganda, Theirs and Ours - Justin Mitchell, capitolcorrespondent.com: "RFE/RL has long ceased to be funded by the CIA, and it and Voice of America now present themselves as legit journalism.


But the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror, and Donald Rumsfeld’s years in the Pentagon saw a resurgence in 'information operations.'... In its use of state media institutions, Russia is doing the same thing the United States has done on countless occasions in the past—use the resources it has to push its own interests. For members of the American media to try and present this behavior as anything unique, new, or even unusual shows a dishonest, sanctimonious disregard for the truth. You could almost call it propaganda."Image from entry

Jacob N. Shapiro - The Terrorist's Dilemma: Managing Violent Covert Organizations - gypsyscholarship.blogspot.com: "This book by Professor Jacob N. Shapiro (Yale) sounds like an interesting, insightful, and useful book on terrorism's dilemma: how to run a terrorist organization's bureaucracy while simultaneously maintaining secrecy. I don't know if I'll have time to read it, but I found a useful interview in theGeorgetown Journal of International Affairs.


Here, for example, he speaks on how to exploit the weaknesses in terrorist operations: ... [Shapiro:] 'We know that people in many countries get angry at the consequences militant groups cause for civilians, and it lowers support for them. We know that in most cases, these guys are tremendously vulnerable to information shared by noncombatants, by civilian and by nonparticipants who happen to notice something going on. And that suggests that there is a lever that can be used by policymakers, which is really aggressively getting the word out about just how bad the activities of many of these groups are. And it happens to some extent, but not as much as I think would be valuable. If the Voice of America says it, in many populations, it doesn't have the credibility of a local press outlet saying it. But there are lots of ways you can subsidize NGOs and other organizations that make it easier for local press outlets in lots of countries to report on what groups are doing. I think a lot of our public diplomacy is very centrally focused and coordinated on getting out the message of the U.S. government, as opposed to making it easier for the people to get basic facts about what the groups that we find problematic are doing.' (Interview by Ian Philbrick and Henry Shepherd, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, October 10, 2013, Washington, D.C.)"Image from entry

NATO's Pivot to Russia: Cold War 2.0 at Sea? - seidlers-sicherheitspolitik.net: "After Crimea and with Putin's hands on Eastern Ukraine and Moldova, NATO's debates about partners across the globe and global alliance are finally dead. In response to Putin, NATO-building begins at home.


We need NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, fully focused on the Alliance's core business, reaching out to the member states' ordinary taxpayers. The changing European security environment requires an emphasis on the big messages: Defense, deterrence and security."Image from entry, with caption: Ohio-Class SSBN, US Navy

NATO’s Security Challenges Summer School, Czech Republic - oley.az: "The main objective of 10th annual Summer School, organised by the Prague Security Studies Institute in cooperation with NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, is to offer a high-profile study course for students currently enrolled in Master’s degree programs, based on presentations, interactive workshops and simulations with international security experts from academia and government fields. Summer School speakers will be announced on PSSI’s website as they are secured. Since 2005, NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division has joined forces with PSSI to offer a select, but intensive, course of study for an elite group of graduate students in political science, international relations and other relevant fields from NATO’s member states and partner countries concerning future challenges for NATO and pressing issues on the global security agenda.


This one-week course, held in English, includes lectures, presentations, group discussions and simulations led by Czech and foreign security experts – both senior policy practitioners and scholars. The retreat-type setting in Měřín, Czech Republic provides a unique networking opportunity for approximately 25 participants from as many as 15 countries."Uncaptioned image from entry

Tbilisi hosts annual NATO Week - Ana Robakidze, messenger.com.ge: "NATO Week was launched in Tbilisi, on April 7th. The main goal of the event is to raise awareness of NATO’s integration policy. The international conference 'Way to NATO: Share of Experience of Central and Eastern European Countries' was opened by the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Alexi Petriashvili, and the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. ... According to Grabar-Kitarovic Georgia is a highly


valued partner to NATO and the country will definitely receive the membership as soon as it meets all the necessary standards the alliance has set. Speaking at the joint press conference held after her meeting with Petriashvili, Grabar-Kitarovic said granting NATO membership should depend only on the state’s achievements and the decision should not be connected with the situation in other aspirant countries."Uncaptioned image from entry

NATO’s Partnerships Before and After the Chicago Summit - Marônková Barbora, cenaa.org: "The Chicago Summit of NATO once again confirmed that global security challenges require global collective responses. The Chicago Summit also tested a new partnership policy adopted by Foreign Ministers in Berlin in April 2011 following months of profound discussions amongst the Allies on the role of partners that started before the adoption of the new strategic concept and was concluded at the Lisbon Summit. ... The added value of NATO’s new partnership policy, as demonstrated in Chicago, is that it can set a new course of action, if need be, and the partnerships become more pragmatic.


In addition, the new policy has also the potential to facilitate dialogue and practical cooperation with a broad and diverse set of partners, including those like China or India. Even if these countries have so far limited contacts with NATO (outside few senior official visits and couple of public diplomacy activities such as visits of Indian diplomats or Chinese academics), the variety of topics for discussion and consultations are unlimited."Image: heading of blog

Having The World Understand Your Culture Is Much Greater Security Than Another Submarine! - Androulla Vassiliou - venitism.blogspot.com: "Developing a more active and dynamic role for European culture on the international scene has been one of my key priorities as European Commissioner for culture. I believe it should be a priority for the next Commission as well.


Cultural cooperation and cultural diplomacy offer the best opportunity to show the richness and diversity of one's culture to the world. Establishing two-way, equal and productive dialogues with countries from outside the EU will benefit our mutual understanding, as well as open new opportunities for our cultural and creative sectors. But beyond that, culture as an enabler of public diplomacy, is a way of sharing our values, such as respect for human rights, diversity and equality, the independence of culture, and, ultimately, the creation of an inclusive society. In the EU, we are 'united in our diversity'. This is the measure of our ambition and our challenge to act together."Image from entry

Malaysian Flight 370: A Case Study in How NOT to conduct Public Diplomacy - Tara Sonneshine, takefiveblog.org: "Malaysian Flight 370—specifically how the Malaysian government has handled the crisis to date—shows the negative side of public diplomacy, and reminds us why crisis communications matters. From the moment the airplane disappeared from radar in the early morning hours of March 8, , the government in Kuala Lumpur faced a challenging task of communicating with its own citizens and citizens overseas.


With passengers from a dozen countries on board—most of them Chinese—the public diplomacy assignment required careful, consistent, and credible information sharing. That never happened. The result was conflicting stories, shifting narratives, and an overall picture of confusion. Now it will be difficult for the Malaysians to re-establish credibility. ... Tara Sonenshine is a distinguished fellow at The George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs. Previously, she served as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs."Image from entry, with caption: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, Malaysia’s Minister for Transport Hishamuddin Hussein, left, and director general of the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, deliver a statement on the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner on Mar. 15, 2014.

Iran: “Hey Y’all” — Tehran’s Soft Power Takes on Southern US Accent - Scott Lucas,
"On Wednesday, Iranians celebrated Sizdah Bedar, the 13th day of the New Year. Families and friends gathered in the countryside and green spaces for picnics. But it was not just a day for relaxation: the Rouhani Government used Sizdah Bedar for some soft power — and they did it not in Farsi, but in English with a Southern US accent. Meet Iran, a website established last year to support the administration’s public diplomacy, tweeted: "Listen up y'all. For real BBQ flavor, u need to a) NOT pay attention to hygiene and b) go #Rambo on that chicken [.]"


The chicken is not exactly what I grew up with in Alabama, and the geography is a bit different. However, the language is impeccable. There’s the 'y’all', which is definitely from the Heart of Dixie and the correct spelling of barbecue. ... This wasn’t the only notable tweet on Sizdah Behar.


As the Rouhani Government is under pressure from hardliners for its campaign to open up culture, Meet Iran tries to score a couple of points with this image of a woman — jeans-clad, smoking, and a scarf barely covering her hair."Images from entry

Netanyahu’s Defining Hour: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to understand that unconditionally releasing the final group of Palestine prisoners would put the ball back in the court of the Palestinian Authority - Lauren Harrison, fpif.org: Critics say that the Israeli public will not stand for an unconditioned prisoner release, that public opinion is overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of releasing 'terrorists' in light of the deep mistrust, stalled negotiations, and escalating violence.


Yet if we look back to past prisoner releases in Israel, we know this is not always true: in 2011, at a time of escalating violence between the two sides, Israelis rejoiced when over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were released in order to secure Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit’s release. Earlier prisoner exchanges with Hezbollah were also largely accepted by the public, in spite of the lopsided nature of the deals. With some clever public diplomacy, an unconditioned release of this last group of prisoners could be marketed as Israel’s grand gesture to the Palestinian Authority, one that comes at the eleventh hour of negotiations and with a serious expectation of reciprocity. Uncaptioned image from entry

Minister of Public Diplomacy on “Cyber War” Against Israel [video] - Cyber War News and Information: All the Cyber War news thats fit to virtualize and more!

News and Views from ‘Arlene in Israel’ -- The Insanity Deepens - Arlene Kushner, jewsdownunder.wordpress.com: "[Comment by:] Leon Poddebsky [:] Arlene, why is it that no Israeli government has ever undertaken a strenuous diplomatic and public diplomacy campaign to stress that Israel has indisputable, inalienable, legitimate and legal grounds for sovereignty over Judea and Samaria?


Israel does not need to divulge at this stage which territory ,if any, it is prepared to relinquish, but the incessant slandering of Israel for its supposed 'occupation' is very damaging, and the slander can easily be proven to be a Goebbelesque lie. Over the years I have asked this question of Israeli representatives, but have never received a satisfactory, clear explanation for this apparent Israeli deficiency."Image heading of blog

Guardian Review of ‘Noah’ Slams Israel for ‘Land Grabs’ - Adam Levick, algemeiner.com: "Comment by] Julian Clovelley: I rather feel Mr Levick, in his composition of what I read as ultra conservative propaganda, is using the people that he claims to be defending, for a purpose that history has demonstrated is not in their long term interest – support for the


Rise within our social democracy of an extremist Right. ... REPLY Wallace Edward Brand ... Nonsense. Julian Clovelly needs to do a little research. He has evidently been brainwashed by the 'public diplomacy' of the Soviet Union and the Arabs paid for by his petrodollars."Image from entry, with caption: First look of Russell Crowe as Noah.

PDcast #20: China’s Environmental Diplomacy and Russia in Bangladesh - Michael Ardaiolo, thepublicdiplomat.com.



Uncaptioned image from entry

Ethiopian government figure says no worries about Eritrean oppositions if Eritrea forms - ESAT News: "Getachew Reda, who was the Director General of the Public Diplomacy and Communications Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before his current appointment as the Press and Publicity State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister, said the Ethiopian government


does not have any problem if the Ethiopian government changes its positions and comes to peaceful deal with us as the Eritrean opposition are under our armpits and we have no worries."Image: heading of entry

Fat Cat cull is not enough - Phil na Champassak, tasmaniantimes.com: "Phil na Champassak owns The Madsen Boutique Hotel in Penguin and is a founding board member of the Cradle Coast Innovation Inc fostering enterprise facilitation. He is also a board member of the Cradle Coast Tourism Executive, the regional tourism organisation for NW Tasmania.


Formerly a diplomat and DFAT policy analyst, Phil has worked on trade, aid, public diplomacy, consular, international security, and bilateral relations with PNG, the US, and NZ, and was most recently DFAT State Director for Tasmania."na Champassak image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

Surveillance, propaganda and selective memories: The Ukraine crisis is revealing a world that resembles scenes from George Orwell's 1984 - Padraig Cradoc, independent.ie: The world is becoming increasingly Orwellian.


First, the revelations about the US spying agency, the NSA , established that Big Brother is really watching you. Then Oceania (the 'West') is suddenly involved in a conflict with Eurasia (Russia), recalling the scene in Nineteen Eighty Four (Orwell's novel) in which the enemy is switched in the middle of a propaganda speech. And then the developments that led up to this are consigned to the 1984 'memory hole', as if they never existed. Image from

NATO condemns ‘propaganda’ after Russia cries foul - James G. Neuger, concordmonitor.com: NATO accused Russia of spreading “propaganda” after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S.-led alliance broke a commitment to limit its forces in eastern European countries. Russia, not NATO, is trampling on pledges made in the 1990s by wresting control of Crimea and massing troops near Ukraine’s borders, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters in Brussels. “This is just another piece of Russian propaganda and disinformation,” Rasmussen said. “Russia is violating every principle and international commitment it has made, first and foremost the commitment not to invade other countries.”

Russia Launched a Propaganda War Against Ukrainians— And They're Fighting Back - Lolita Brayman, policymic.com: Russia has been waging a media war against Ukraine's post-revolutionary government, painting the new leadership as a group brimming with far-right extremism. It's an "information offensive," according to boxer-turned-politician Vitali Klitschko. Prior to the annexation of Crimea, Kremlin-funded TV channels used a pretext of fascism and evoked a humanitarian crisis in order


The Media Industry as a Cultural Mirror in India and the United States - Jeremie Gluckman, artsdiplomacy.com: American commercial entertainment has the opportunity to engage global audiences in meaningful ways by offering technical assistance to emerging media sectors abroad. There are American groups that seek to engage nations and populations through local and regional TV channels abroad such as Layalina Productions or America Abroad Media, which recently honored Amir Khan for his TV series Satyamev Jayatethat explores some of India’s biggest social challenges. In the U.S., Jeff Skoll’s Participant Media produces entertainment that inspires and compels social change. The movies of Mira Nair such as the 1991 film Mississippi Masala or The Namesake released in 2006 present visions of the Indian-American experience. “In India, before every film you have to stand up and sing the national anthem; we take cinema very seriously,” explains Mishra.


“American movies are very prevalent. If you walk into any theater there are at least two Hollywood films on view. Virtually everyone in India watches Hollywood movies since childhood; everybody knows about America. Similarly, people abroad know more about India because they have seen Indian films. As an Indian, I know about the culture of Maharashtra through Marathi films; I know about Bengal because I have grown up watching Bengali movies. Film and media helps you know about your culture and the culture of others especially if you do not limit yourself to mainstream cinema.” Image from entry, with caption: The American superhero film Thor screens along-side the Bollywood superhero action blockbuster of the year 2013, Krrish 3.

Behind Russia's 'Neo-Nazi' Propaganda Campaign in Ukraine: Kiev is largely peaceful, but that could hinge on further U.S. support, opposition ministers say - Paul D. Shinkman, U.S. News and World Report: The Russian government’s assertions that Ukraine is falling into the hands of violent and widespread neo-Nazi thugs is not just an exaggeration, but entirely baseless, according to observers in Kiev.


The use of propaganda has proved to be a critical tool for all sides of the latest revolution in Ukraine, beginning in Kiev’s central Maidan Square in late 2013 and culminating in the ouster of the pro-Moscow Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych this February. The new opposition government must now figure out how to parry continued Russian slander while fulfilling its promise of reforming the government along Western lines. Image from entry, with caption: A so-called Maidan self defense unit member stands in central Kiev, Ukraine.

CIA used 'Doctor Zhivago' as a propaganda tool in Russia, says new book: According to Peter Finn and Petra Couvée's new book 'The Zhivago Affair,' the CIA believed the novel could be used as propaganda. '[W]e have the opportunity to make Soviet citizens wonder what is wrong with their government,' a CIA memo stated - Husna Haq, Christian Science Monitor: How’s this for a CIA secret: Among the biggest supporters of Russian classic “Doctor Zhivago”


was theCentral Intelligence Agency, which brought Boris Pasternak and his novel widespread success thanks to a secret printing that was part of a campaign to stir dissent in the Soviet Union. “Drop books, not bombs” appears to have been among the techniques adopted by the US during the Cold War, according to a new book excerpted by the Washington Post describing the fascinating back story of one of the most recognized Russian classics in literature. “The Zhivago Affair: The Kremlin, the CIA and the Battle Over a Forbidden Book,” by Peter Finn and Petra Couvée, tells the story of how the CIA helped Pasternak’s novel gain entrée into Soviet society and how books play an important role in political and cultural warfare. Some 130 freshly declassified CIA documents describe the unusual story behind “Doctor Zhivago."The Soviet Union had banned publication of the novel, but when an Italian publisher happened to discover it, “Doctor Zhivago” was published in Italian in 1957. A mere two months later, British intelligence sent photos of the book’s pages to the CIA, urging the American agency to use the Russian novel as a means of propaganda. The CIA was intrigued. "This book has great propaganda value,” a CIA memo stated “not only for its intrinsic message and thought-provoking nature, but also for the circumstances of its publication.”  “[W]e have the opportunity to make Soviet citizens wonder what is wrong with their government, when a fine literary work by the man acknowledged to be the greatest living Russian writer is not even available in his own country in his own language for his own people to read.” Thus began a cunning clandestine literary operation. Image from entry

Holland Museum opens exhibit of Nazi propaganda and Dutch Resistance art - Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, mlive.com: The Holland Museum has opened an exhibition of Nazi propaganda and Dutch Resistance art in a show titled, “Art and Propaganda in Nazi-Occupied Holland.” The traveling exhibition of art from the Anne Frank Center USA in New York City opened Saturday, April 5, and continues for six months at the museum. The art in the colorful exhibition evoke the horrors experienced by Hollanders at home during World War II as well as the despair and suffering of those held in German concentration camps. Parents are cautioned the subject matter might not be appropriate for young children. Items portray the Nazi effort to encourage the Dutch population to support the German Wehrmacht against the forces of Bolshevism.


Dutch and Allied posters from the Holland Museum collection that countered these images are also exhibited. The new, traveling exhibition, which debuted in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in March 2013, is the only exhibition of Nazi propaganda and Dutch Resistance art from the Anne Frank Center USA. "Art and Propaganda in Nazi-Occupied Holland" includes eight original propaganda posters distributed by the Nazi-controlled Dutch government. Image from entry, with caption: "It Can't Happen Here" by Harry Waters Armstrong, who was born in 1883 and raised in New York. He and his wife had a summer home in Manistee.

“The Tourism Minister of Crimea announced that foreign tourists can visit the country this year without a visa. And just when you thought visiting Crimea couldn’t get any more enticing – no visas!”

--Talk show host Seth Meyers; cited in email from Bulletin Intelligence, LLC; image from

VIDEO: AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM AT ITS BEST OR WORST?

The Purduette Engineering Song sung to "Don't Know Much About Geography" - Michael Zoltowski, cited at. Purduette image from its homepage


PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

US initiative for 50,000 African leaders detailed at CCLP [USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy] forum- Adam Powell, communicationleadership.usc.edu: "50,000 young African leaders have responded to a new Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).


'The YALI program was the focus of Monday's CCLP lunch forum here, featuring the people who will be managing the program. 500 of the leaders will be told next week that have been selected to come to Washington this summer, according to Joyce Warner, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of IREX, which is managing the program. The 500 will represent every sub-Saharan country. 100 of them will remain in the U.S. for two additional months of internships and mentoring, Warner added. And in addition to the 500 coming to the U.S., another 220 alternates were selected. That means the vast majority of applicants were not chosen, but their interest will not go unrecognized. '49,013 people will find out next week they were not selected,' said Britta Bjornlund of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Program. But for all who applied, there will be programs created in their home countries. ... Katherine Brown, Executive Director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy also spoke, describing a public meeting her agency held on the YALI last month. She invited participants to see the report and transcript her agency has posted online. ... Monday's CCLP Washington Communication Leadership forum was part of a monthly series of First Monday lunch forums presented in partnership with the Public Diplomacy Council. Upcoming forum speakers and topics are here. Image from, from article, which states: Full of wine wank words, Yali, from wine conglomerate (wishitwas Cono Sur) Viña Ventisquero, tagline “A Step Beyond” displays a love of the “World” that draws suspicion of organic consumer manipulation.

"Russification" of "Soft Power" -- Part 2: The Russian Twist and Ukraine - Yelena Osipova, Global Chaos: "Effectively, Russia has been attempting to copy what the US and the EU have been doing through their democracy-promotion programs, simply replacing 'democracy'


with a set of other values and interests that are more in line with the Russian worldview. And Rossotrudnichestvo is the organization put in charge of this mission."Image from entry, with caption: Pro-Russian demonstration in Crimea, February 2014.

Networking and Job Hunting - Molly Bettie, Public Diplomacy and Student Exchanges: "Possibly the first study of the Fulbright Program to be conducted by someone who isn't affiliated with it in any way...: I'm so looking forward to my next job and meeting new friends and colleagues. The job hunt is daunting, but I'm irrationally optimistic. I've been hearing horror stories about 140 applicants for 1 post, and other frightening statistics, but for whatever reason I have faith that the right job will come up at the right time. I've been rejected for 3 post-docs and a research assistantship, I'm waiting to hear back about a lectureship, and I'm working on another research assistantship application now. I went to a career centre workshop on applying for academic jobs, and it boosted my confidence a bit. There weren't any surprises and I felt more prepared and switched on than a lot of the people in the room. And after all, you don't have to be perfect you just have to be better than the other 139 applicants.

RELATED ITEMS

In Switch, Development Agency Welcomes Business and Technology to Poverty Fight - New York Times: Rather than pouring billions of public dollars into programs to fight poverty, the agency is increasingly using loan guarantees to get local banks to finance big projects, giving its money directly to foreign development groups and embracing projects like the “Cuban Twitter” account, which deliberately hid American involvement and shut down in failure in 2012. The Cuban social media project, which started in 2008, nearly two years before he arrived, was similar to U.S.A.I.D. programs, he said, which help nonprofit groups monitor elections using text messages in Senegal and Kenya.


“It’s part of our mandate to support civil society groups with modern communications and access to the Internet,” Dr. Shah said in an interview. To Dr. Shah’s critics, the Cuban social media project was an unnecessary sideshow — Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont, called it “just dumb”— that pales in comparison to bigger objections from American government contractors cut out of millions of dollars of work who say Dr. Shah’s changes are opening up the agency to potential waste and fraud.
Under Dr. Shah, the amount awarded to big contractors for work in other countries has fallen by $400 million, from $9.6 billion in 2010 to $9.2 billion in 2013. In the same time period, the agency nearly doubled the amount it awarded to local groups, from $919 million in 2010 to $1.6 billion in 2013 — or about 18 percent of total spending for work in other countries. The agency hopes to increase that amount even further, to 30 percent. Image from

Russian media stir memories of Soviet era in propaganda war - Kathrin Hille, Financial Times: Since the Ukraine crisis emerged in November, with demonstrators in Kiev rising up against their government’s abrupt abandonment of an association pact with the EU, Russia has resorted to propaganda to shape the narrative and influence events to a degree critics say has not been seen since Soviet days.

Defence Minister: Finnbay "probably not systematic Russian propaganda" - yle.fi: Finland’s Defence Minister Carl Haglund has said that he does not believe the controversial Finnbay website, which hit the headlines this week after the Finnish ambassador in Moscow called it a ‘fake site’ over questionable reporting on Russia, is involved in organised propaganda from Russia.

Propaganda in the guise of art from the BBC News Gaza office - bbcwatch.org: The words ‘Hamas’, ‘terrorism’ and ‘missile attacks on Israeli civilians’ of course have no place in this piece of filmed propaganda.


Neither are viewers made aware of the fact that restrictions on the import of materials to the Gaza Strip are confined solely to dual-use goods which can be used for the purpose of terrorism. Image from entry

SOVIETICA


From: Soviet Bus Stops - Limited edition photo book by Christopher Herwig; via Facebook friend