Walter Pincus: GAO Calls for A New Priority On Public Diplomacy

[babylonsister]

GAO Calls for A New Priority On Public Diplomacy

By Walter Pincus
Monday, January 12, 2009; Page A11


Improving the United States' image abroad is No. 5 on the Government Accountability Office's list of 13 urgent issues requiring the attention of Barack Obama and the 111th Congress during the first year of the new administration.

"In today's highly volatile global environment, it is more critical than ever that the United States effectively coordinate, manage, and implement its public diplomacy and strategic communications activities to affect foreign public opinion," the GAO said.

Public diplomacy has for decades been a State Department preserve, although its standing and funding have withered since 1999, when the U.S. Information Agency was merged into the department. Before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Defense Department was a bit player in this arena. In recent years, however, the department has expanded its programs under the label of "strategic communications." The Pentagon's money and manpower have put its strategic communications activities in a position where in many key countries they have equaled or exceeded the efforts of State's Foreign Service officers.

There is a difference in approach. Public diplomacy aims to foster understanding of the United States and its policies through traditional ways such as exchanges, cultural programs, publications, interviews and speeches. More recently, it has involved Internet activities, with State employees getting into foreign chat rooms to answer questions about the United States.
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An October study titled "Fixing the Crisis in Diplomatic Readiness," published by the Henry L. Stimson Center and the American Academy of Diplomacy, described public diplomacy this way: "To understand, inform, engage and influence global audiences, reaching beyond foreign governments to promote greater appreciation and understanding of U.S. society, culture, institutions, values and policies."

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011102122.html

[fasttense]

1. Nothing will improve our image more than holding this outlaw administration accountable.

Everything else Obama's administration does will look like simply window dressing and spin to other nations unless the bush gang is prosecuted.

[babylonsister]

2. While that's important, if Obama gets a handle on this

economic mess, that's progress. If he can corral all the cats in the M.E. and try to forge some kind of understanding, that's progress. You have tunnel vision perhaps. Some countries won't. They have their own immediate problems exacerbated by the current admin; they're looking to the next admin to make it better.

imo.