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ECONOMIC SECURITY AND THE HOPES OF ARAB YOUTH
MAY 6, 2012
 Posted by Philip Seib
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Although democracy retains its allure, the Arab uprisings that began last year were about democracy primarily as simply a means to an end. The real goal of those who took to the streets was to grasp a better future for themselves and their families. Having a job, getting enough to eat, being assured that children could receive decent education and medical care – these constitute the substance of everyday life that so many in the Arab world had long been denied and were determined to claim. As the political transition within Arab states continues, young people in that region are…... Full Text
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WELCOME TO AMERICA
APR 10, 2012
 Posted by Philip Seib
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One of the most significant factors shaping foreign visitors’ opinions is the way they are received when entering the country. For advocates of U.S. public diplomacy, this is particularly important because of the value of having outsiders come to America to gain an appreciation of the freedoms and lifestyle enjoyed here. Many of my Arab friends will not travel to the United States because they have had bad experiences in the past, facing overt hostility from officials at entry airports due solely, they allege, to their being Arabs, and therefore being perceived as potential terrorists. This notion may be racist,…... Full Text
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NATO GRAPPLES WITH SOFT POWER
MAR 29, 2012
 Posted by Philip Seib
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BRUSSELS --- Since its founding in 1949, NATO has been a bastion of hard power, first as an alliance arrayed against the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, and more recently as a manifestation of Western muscle in conflicts such as Kosovo in 1999 and Libya in 2011. Coming off its decisive performance in helping to end the rule of Muammar Qaddafi, NATO seems to be happily basking in macho glory. NATO has a public diplomacy department staffed with smart and dedicated people, but it became apparent at a conference on “The Power of Soft Power,” held recently in…... Full Text
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THE HAJJ COMES TO LONDON: A STEP FORWARD FOR CULTURAL DIPLOMACY
MAR 21, 2012
 Posted by Philip Seib
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LONDON --- “Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam,” the exhibition at the British Museum that has drawn more than 80,000 visitors since it opened in late January is a remarkable achievement. First, it is glitz-free, relying on its intellectual content rather than the son et lumiere approach on which so many museums today rely. It explains, in a straightforward way, the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken each year by about three million Muslims. Participating in the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, required of every Muslim who is able to make the trip. The…... Full Text
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MAKING SENSE OF CULTURAL DIPLOMACY
MAR 17, 2012
 Posted by Philip Seib
All posts by Philip Seib


LONDON --- “Cultural diplomacy” has a nice ring to it; it brings to mind folk singing, dances around the Maypole, children’s finger-painting exhibitions, and other such feel-good exports that can make even global adversaries think kindly of each other, at least momentarily. But cultural diplomacy can be much more than artsy fluff. It is a potent form of public diplomacy that reaches people in ways that overtly political efforts often cannot. Its exercise, however, raises questions about whether artistic integrity can be maintained while being used for the subtle furtherance of national interest. This was a central issue at a…... Full Text
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