John Brown's Notes and Essays: January 2 Public Diplomacy Review

DIPLOMATIC LIFE

Gifplomacy - C'est la vie of French Diplomats. Via DiploPundit

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Via RB on Facebook, with comment: "Uh, methinks the Associated Press needs to consider what their name looks like on the tab at the top of a computer screen."

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Best of Public Diplomacy 2013 - Brian Carlson, Public Diplomacy Council: "U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made our Ten Best of Public Diplomacy List when he participated in a seated volleyball

game with wounded Colombian veterans during an August visit to Bogota. The global media spread his example of inclusion to audiences around the world." Image from entry

New Year’s Message for Ukraine from Quincy Jones — New Year’s Demonstration in Turkey — But Nothing From Voice of America - BBG Watcher, BBG Watch: "Arrival of the New Year is not exactly unexpected news, but it traditionally becomes a main news story for many media organizations, at least for a few hours on December 31 and January 1. It did for the Voice of America (VOA) as well, a taxpayer-funded, U.S. government-run journalistic outfit. VOA is charged by Congress with providing news about America and the world to international audiences, many of which cannot get uncensored news from their own media. VOA released a video and a news report about New Year’s celebrations around the world.

But the report was completely bland as if made for an audience not concerned at all with anything political. The VOA report also missed a special New Year’s message to Ukraine from legendary American songwriter and producer, a winner of 27 Grammy Awards Quincy Jones — something that in the past VOA would have been the first one to report on especially by VOA’s former great music programmer and jazz promoter, the late Willis Conover. Nothing like this happened this year. This is not the first such failure at VOA in recent months and years." Image from entry, with caption: Quincy Jones New Year Message to Ukraine

Australia should consult more with Asian neighbors - Haeril Halim and Yohanna Ririhena, The Jakarta Post: "Given its proximity and geopolitical significance, Australia needs a more balanced, up-to-date strategic and policy framework in which Canberra consults more with countries in the region, a veteran diplomat says. Former Australian ambassador to Indonesia Richard Woolcott

said that Canberra needed to consult more with Asian countries when making decisions that may affect the region. ... Woolcott acknowledged that many Australians still regarded Indonesia as a chaotic and corrupt country in which Islamic extremism was rife while the rule of law was weak. Half of the population see Indonesia as a potential military threat. On the other hand, some Indonesians are largely ignorant and suspicious of Australia. 'Therefore, it is a pressing need for a major public diplomacy campaign in both countries to increase wider public awareness of each country,' he argued." Wolcott image from entry

Julie Bishop: ABC failing its mandate to promote Australian interests overseas Foreign affairs minister says she has 'concerns about the quality of the programming' on Australia Network service - Daniel Hurst, theguardian.com: "The foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, has added her voice to a chorus of conservative criticism of the national broadcaster by questioning whether the ABC-run Australia Network is meeting its goal of promoting Australia’s interests overseas. Her concerns, raised in a front-page story in the Australian newspaper on Thursday, follow a series of complaints by conservative politicians and commentators about the ABC. In December, the prime minister, Tony Abbott, and communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, accused the broadcaster of making an error of judgment by collaborating with Guardian Australia on the story revealing Australia’s past efforts to spy on the Indonesian president. Other Coalition MPs questioned the cost of the ABC and whether it was meeting its charter obligations. ... Bishop

told the News Corp-owned Australian newspaper the way the previous Labor government 'corrupted the tender process ... and prevented a competitive process from occurring has resulted in ongoing concerns about the contract that was awarded to the ABC'. Bishop said she was aware of concerns within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) about the ABC’s fulfilment of its contractual obligations. 'I also have concerns about the quality of the programming and whether it is meeting the goal of promoting Australia's interests overseas,' she told the newspaper. '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: Julie Bishop said she had received negative feedback from overseas about Australia Network. See also.

The power of propaganda and misinformation - Maurice Ostroff, Jerusalem Post: "One of the main tools used by magicians is directing the audience to look away from the location where the trick actually occurs. ... This technique, which propagandists use to persuade us to focus disproportionately on the Israel-Palestine conflict, diverts our attention from the many grievous tragedies that are more deserving of our serious and immediate attention. ... The writer is a founder member of the international Coalition of Hasbara Volunteers, better known by its acronym CoHaV."

State Incentives and Jobs -- Yes, Incentives are Important - Stuart S. Malawer, globaltraderelations.com: "[T]ax and economic incentives for economic development and job creation are necessary. They need to be done carefully and are critical to economic competitiveness. They do not amount to corporate welfare or a 'beggar-thy-neighbor policy.' Better metrics and their measurement mean better policies and better implementation. Focusing on attracting foreign direct investment is particularly important in this era of globalization. All competition is global today. To me this debate over incentives is one of the most important issues confronting states today. This debate is not just one of theory but of very real consequences. State and corporate officials really need to create a better narrative to garner greater popular support. This is essential. Better public diplomacy is necessary for better public policies."

The Corrections - James Thomas Snyder, jamesthomassnyder.com: "From a friend working for an independent observer mission in Tblisi, Georgia, come the first corrections to my book The United States and the Challenge of Public Diplomacy.

She notes on page 147 that during the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia Russia sent forces into South Ossetia, not North Ossetia, and Carl Bildt is the Foreign Minister of Sweden, not Finland (apologies to Mr. Bildt!). I am very happy to make factual corrections such as these as well as engage in debate about the more subjective policy proposals in the book and on this site. Feel free to contact me here. (Dec. 31, 2013)" Image from entry

RELATED ITEMS

In 2014, a chance to overcome our national despair - David Ignatius, Washington Post: To many Americans, this was a year when the nation’s declining global power perhaps seemed a reverse image of the confident, indomitable nation that, in the popular imagination, rolled to victory in World War II. “The Greatest Generation” felt like a relic not just of another century but of another nation. But let’s be frank at year-end: This sort of relentless pessimism is destructive and, what’s more important, it is inaccurate.

Which countries Americans like … and don’t - Bruce Stokes, pewresearch.org: The trend among the U.S. public increasingly has been to turn away from international issues and focus on the home front.

But while Americans have long been accused of lacking interest in the rest of the world, they have never lacked strong opinions about other countries. As 2013 wanes, a Pew Research Center survey conducted Oct. 30-Nov. 6 found that Americans have strongly favorable views of some allies and negative opinions about a range of others. Some of this is driven by U.S. partisan politics. And history suggests all such opinions are subject to change. Topping Americans’ most favored nations list are Canada (81%) and Great Britain (79%), long-time allies. Notably, they also see commercial competitor Japan (70%) in a positive light. Via GG on Facebook. Image from entry

7 Things Americans Can Learn From Italians - Lisa Miller, The Huffington Post: 1. Eat slowly, locally and with others. 2. Drink a little bit, but not too much. 3. You should indulge a little every now and then... perché no?? There are so many delicious treats in Italy -- rich gelato, mouth-watering pastries, decadent chocolates. Much like the philosophy on drinking, Italian culture has a "perché no?" take on treats. "Perché no?" translates to "why not?" 4. Stop hurrying, start relaxing. 5. Having family nearby is the best thing ever. 6. Gather and spend time outdoors. 7. Maintain a "bella figura." Bella figura literally translates to "beautiful figure" -- but it's more idiomatic than that. The idea of maintaining a bella figura is more like the idea of maintaining a good public image. Italians don't get drunk in public, eat while they walk or wear pajamas to the dinner table because it would have a negative impact on their image. Bella figura is more than just looking good, it's a way of life that emphasizes aesthetics and good behavior. Via PR on Facebook

The Global Conflicts to Watch in 2014: From a cyberattack on America to a civil war in Iraq, the threats we'll be worrying about next year - Uri Friedman, theatlantic.com: As South Sudan, the world's newest country, veers dangerously close to ethnic civil war, we're already getting a glimpse of the international crises that could greet us in the new year. Now the Center for Preventive Action, an affiliate of the Council on Foreign Relations, has presented a more comprehensive view, releasing its annual forecast of the conflicts that could pose the greatest threat to the United States in 2014.

The survey, which asked more than 1,200 U.S. government officials, academics, and experts to assess the impact and likelihood of 30 scenarios, divides the results into three tiers of risk. And some of the findings are alarming. Beyond the familiar flashpoints—military intervention in Syria's civil war, strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities—the report raises concerns about overlooked threats ranging from turmoil in Jordan to civil war in Iraq to a border clash between China and India. The study is also notable for the risks it downplays, including armed confrontation between China and its neighbors over territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. Image from entry. Via LH on Facebook

Sunni monarchs back YouTube hate preachers: Anti-Shia propaganda threatens a sectarian civil war which will engulf the entire Muslim world - Patrick Cockburn, Independent: Anti-Shia hate propaganda spread by Sunni religious figures sponsored by, or based in, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies, is creating the ingredients for a sectarian civil war engulfing the entire Muslim world.

"A Blanket for Gaza" -- Anti-Israel propaganda disguised as humanitarian aid - ANSAmed, elderofziyon.blogspot.com: The Palestinian ambassador to Rome launched a campaign Friday to raise funds through movements, associations and private citizens for the population of the Gaza Strip. ... "We are asking Italians to help prevent the latest in a long string of tragedies," Palestinian ambassador Mai Al-Kaila told journalists in outlining the initiative Una Coperta per Gaza ('A Blanket for Gaza'). Who would presume that blankets for people who don't have a blanket shortage is a cover for anti-Israel lies? Especially when Pope Francis is quoted to support the campaign of falsehood! This "charity" is nothing of the sort. It is skillful propaganda directed by the PLO. And they know, from experience, that anti-Israel lies will be swallowed whole, especially when disguised as "humanitarian aid."

21 Photos Of Vladimir Putin That Will Melt Your Heart - Adam Taylor, businessinsider.com. Via LH on Facebook. Among them the below, with caption: Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin hugs a Bulgarian shepherd dog, after receiving it as a present from Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boiko Borisov (not seen) in Sofia, November 13, 2010

The Dozen Funniest Variations of Obama’s Pajama Boy Propaganda - Mollie Hemingway, thefederalist.com: President Obama sent out yet another plea for people to ruin their holidays by talking about his troubled Obamacare.

Next to an image of a creepy man-child in footie pajamas were the recommendations that folks “Wear pajamas, drink hot chocolate and talk about getting health insurance.” Some noted how far government propaganda had fallen since 1943. But sometimes the only way to respond to pathetic propaganda attempts is to mock it. Here are the dozen or so best send-ups of Pajama Boy. Among them: