Response to Matt Armstrong on the Purpose of Public Diplomacy

Comment on Matt Armstrong's latest blog, "Demonstration of sincerity matters in public diplomacy"

"Hi Matt,

As always a pleasure to read your blog.

Regarding your eye spasm caused by the statement that 'sincerity is what matters most in public diplomacy,' perhaps this aphorism by de La Rochefoucauld could be an at least temporary cure for what ails you: 'hypocrisy is the homage vice pays to virtue.'

Re your '[t]he purpose of public diplomacy is to highlight the incongruities in the adversary’s words and deeds,' I would only comment that this definition is somewhat too narrowly focused, and is only a minor element (in my view as a former PD practitioner), of truthfully telling the world about America and expanding international understanding. May I refer to the article you were kind enough to mention in your blog, 'Public Diplomacy and Propaganda: Their Differences.'

Thank you for all you are doing to highlight the importance of public diplomacy in international relations.

Best wishes, John"