In a meeting with reporters, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale said that it was critically important in today’s complex world for the US and Arab people to learn more about each other and debate on issues.

Recent public diplomacy reports and testimonies released by both congress and government policy makers in Washington indicate concerns over Iran's growing cultural influence. It was a year ago when Senate Foreign Relations Committee's report warned about the growing number of Islamic Republic's Cultural Centers.

APDS Blogger: Alexis Haftvani

I thought we elected a new president in 2008.

But Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale proudly says she is “on the same page” as her predecessors Karen Hughes and James Glassman in defining a new public diplomacy strategy. She cites “consensus” among members of the undersecretary club.

Readers of this space know there’s been a recent flurry of public activity by those who set the course of U.S. communications efforts with foreign publics.

Notwithstanding its many virtues, there are all kinds of possible pitfalls associated with public diplomacy.