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John Brown aggregates all the most recent public diplomacy related news, including current issues in U.S. foreign policy, international broadcasting and media, propaganda, cultural diplomacy, educational exchanges, anti-Americanism, and the reception of American popular culture abroad.

PDPBR FOR JULY 26-30, 2007
by John H. Brown

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY PRESS AND BLOG REVIEW, JULY 26-30 “Thank you for your interest in volunteering to serve on the passport task force. A review of the documents you submitted show that you do not have consular or passport experience. At the moment, we are concentrating on people with previous consular or passport adjudicating experience. Unfortunately, we are unable to make use of your skills, but appreciate your interest in the program and taking the time to contact us.” —Reply from the State Department to an ex-Foreign Service officer who offered to assist in handling passport applications at the Department, estimated to have a processing backlog of nearly 2.9 million. SEE ALSO LINK PUBLIC DIPLOMACY: BOOKS, ARTICLES, WEBSITES #35 Intended for teachers of public diplomacy and related courses, below is an update on resources that may be of general interest. Suggestions for future updates are welcome. Kindly provided by Bruce Gregory, Director, Public Diplomacy Institute George Washington University, (202) 994-0389, BGregory@gwu.edu. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SECTION D. IMAGES “W” On His Own Two Feet - John Lucaites (bagnewsnotes, July 26): The president being propped up by amputated veterans, each seemingly stronger and more stable than he. LINK A) PUBLIC DIPLOMACY (1-31) 1. STATE DEPARTMENT SEEKS TO REACH OUT TO MUSLIMS - ALINA L. ROMANOWSKI, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (LETTER TO THE EDITOR, WALL STREET JOURNAL, JULY 27): “The State Department is working aggressively to expand America’s engagement with Muslim populations around the world. .... We believe that NGOs can play an important role in our outreach efforts, and we continually seek ways to engage and involve them.” LINK PAID SUBSCRIPTION 2. PAKISTAN’S FUTURE: BUILDING DEMOCRACY, OR FUELING EXTREMISM?  R. NICHOLAS BURNS, UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS, STATEMENT BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS – (REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION BLOG, JULY 26): Burns: “Our public diplomacy programs in Pakistan disseminate our message to the widest possible audience and expose influential people and institutions to U.S. policies, views, and values. ... But it is our concrete assistance to average Pakistanis that has been the best form of public diplomacy.” LINK 3. RECONSTRUCTION TEAMS HELP IRAQIS CONNECT WITH CENTRAL GOVERNMENT - GERRY J. GILMORE (AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE, JULY 26): The 25 provincial reconstruction teams (PRT) operating across Iraq are showing local authorities how to work with the country’s central government to obtain needed services. These organizations help establish stability in Iraq by building capacity in areas that include public diplomacy. SEE BELOW ITEM 48. LINK 4. ELLISON IS PART OF IRAQ TRIP ARRANGED BY DEFENSE CHIEF: THE MINNEAPOLIS CONGRESSMAN, THE FIRST MUSLIM IN CONGRESS, HOPED TO HELP BUILD BRIDGES TO THE MIDDLE EAST - JAKE SHERMAN (STARTRIBUNE.COM, JULY 29): Rep. Keith Ellison, a rising figure in U.S. public diplomacy in the Mideast, made his first trip to Iraq over the weekend at the behest of Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Ellison’s religion—he is the first Muslim member of Congress—may help him connect with leaders in the region.…... FULL TEXT
 
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