The USC Center on Public Diplomacy hosted United States Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel on Wednesday at a forum discussion on the complexities surrounding public diplomacy in a hyper-connected world. 

News from the Middle East is dominated by conflict, whether the stories come from Syria, Libya, Iraq, or other states in the region. Blood is plentiful; hope is scarce. But beyond the lurid viciousness that dominates daily journalism are long-term challenges to the region’s future that are impervious to solutions that rely on the weaponry of conflict.

Amid her travels around the world, Clinton always made time for town hall-style meetings where she could directly engage with the public. She recognized that such events were essential because these people had formed and discussed opinions about the United States by connecting with the larger world.

A college professor with extensive experience in communications and communications policy, Ernest J. Wilson III is the longest serving member of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board. He has held the position of chair since September 2009.