John Brown's Public Diplomacy Press and Blog Review

I was the Public Affairs Officer at American Embassy Belgrade, 1975-1978, and spent much time in the presence of Holbrooke, especially when he was talking to the media. Some of my observations re him: (1) "Richard Holbrooke: Able and Insufferable," HuffPost (06/12/2009; updated May 25, 2011) [article has one reference to PD] (2) "Richard Holbrooke’s Public Diplomacy: The Case of the US Cultural Center in Belgrade," HuffPost (12/22/2010; updated May 25, 2011) [entry has two reference to PD, and a note by PD's legendary Walter Roberts] (3) "Strategic Communications and the Graveyard of Empires," HuffPost (09/29/2009; updated May 25, 2011) [article has two references to PD, including an important quote by Holbrooke re PD] (4) "Strategic Communications: The Debate Continues," HuffPost (11/28/2009; updated May 25, 2011)] BTW, a favorite joke..

Muhsin Puthan Purayil, hegeopolitics.com, March 20, 2019 Ardern image from article: Stuartyeates [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons The recent tragic attacks on mosques in New Zealand sent shock waves across the world. While international community expressed their condolences and support to the Muslims in the country through various means including raising money through online campaigns, what impressively stood out in the media was the image of the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. PM Ardern wearing Muslim attire was seen visiting and hugging the victims’ family members and survivors in showing empathy and humanity while expressing solidarity and support. As the response from the prime minister received worldwide praise for the humanitarian gesture and garnered tremendous appreciation for her remarkable leadership and nobility, it was indeed beyond that.From a realistic and diplomatic point of view, such show of humanitarian virtues also meant two things – management of ter..

amerikahaus.de; original article contains links Freitag, 10. Mai 2019, 18:00 Uhr During his musical performance, American classical pianist John Robilette will share insights about his time as a cultural ambassador during the Cold War. Free admission. The Power of the Arts in Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis] Lecture and Musical Performance / Free admission American classical pianist John Robilette created and directed the Artistic Ambassador Program for the American government in the 1980s. This cultural exchange program sent unrecognized American classical musicians on concert tours throughout 63 countries overseas to support U.S. American public diplomacy. During his musical performance, he will share insights about being a cultural ambassador during the Cold War. John Robilette has performed throughout the world on four continents and in 25 countries to critical acclaim. He has been honored in the White House and also gave a recital as part of the inaugural festivities for President..

chinausfocus.com, April 08, 2019 Nye image from entry In an interview with James Chau Editor-at-Large of China-US Focus, Harvard Professor Joseph Nye likens the current state of the U.S.-China relationship as a “cooperative rivalry.” He says that there are going to be elements of rivalry— take for example, issues like the South China Sea, but there are going to be areas of cooperation, areas like climate change. “We have to learn to realize that the relationship is going to be complex, but if we lose sight of the cooperative part of the relationship, we're all going to be the worse off for it,” he says. Nye also dismisses the assertion that China is an existential threat to the United States. “I think in the long run, the US and China do not present existential threats to each other. Neither of us is trying to destroy the other. And that means that the rivalry is something we can manage.”

Stephen Farrell, Reuters, May 10, 2019; see also (1) (2) JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has launched a PR campaign to counter calls for a boycott of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest final in Tel Aviv, using Google ads which refer to the boycott but lead to a glossy website extolling Israel. The international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement dismissed the tactic as “crude propaganda”.BDS has called on artists, music fans and broadcasters to avoid the 2019 contest, arguing that it amounts to “whitewashing” Israel’s policies towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel calls international boycotts discriminatory and anti-Semitic.Internet advertisements on Google featuring the words “boycott” and “Eurovision” encourage searchers to click on a link that, in fact, leads them to a pro-Israel website which - in a play on the BDS initials - extols Israel as “Beautiful, Diverse, Sensational”.The advertisement makes no obvious mention of the Israeli government. B..

Arthur Gwagwa, moderndiplomacy.eu, May 10, 2019 uncaptioned image from article How China’s AI technology exports may lead to the emergence of new power structures outside the control of existing governance and accountability frameworks and impact the rules-based global order and geopolitical alliances. BACKGROUND CONTEXTThe notion of power and geopolitical influence in the digital eraUntil recently, analytical attention to the development of digital technologies, including AI, has tended to focus on corporations such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon(GAFAs). These GAFAs, some of them deemed to be more powerful than some states, have changed the notion of power and geopolitical influence. These corporations are leveraging the power of AI, networks, data intelligence infrastructures, and regulatory frameworks to impact public space around the world. This is leading to the emergence of new power structures outside the control of existing liberal democratic and human rights accountab..

usa.um.dk #DenmarkinArts 2018-2020 The Danish Embassy in DC and the Consulate General in New York are currently working on a large-scale Danish-American cultural initiative that aims to strengthen the cultural and artistic ties between Denmark and the US. Six American cities have been chosen, where Danish and American partners work together to develop cultural projects:AustinHoustonSeattleLos AngelesChicagoDetroitThe initiative spans a wide range of activities and partners: Museum exhibitions, artist residencies, curatorial exchanges, musical festivals, ballet performances, music export etc.The overall aim with the initiative is to develop partnerships and networks between artists, cultural institutions and organizations, city to city partnerships, collaboration between festivals and arts scenes, interaction with creative businesses and educational milieus. The initiative also works to contribute to conversations on continued development of our societies and urban spaces towards susta..

aniportalimages.s3.amazonaws.com image from Sponsor Deadline: Jun 29, 2019 Sponsor: Dept of State US Mission to India UI Contact: mary-blackwood@uiowa.edu (link sends e-mail) Updated Date: May 8, 2019Email this(link sends e-mail)Promoting Diversity and Tolerance through Interfaith and Interclass Community Service Projects - The grantee will work with local partners and the consulate to identify up to 500 youth, aged 12-25 from different cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, to participate in the program to be held in a secondary city in one of the following four western Indian states. Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (PAS Mumbai) M-NOFO-19-110-REPOST Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=315368(link is external) deadline June 29, 2019Organize Conference “Opportunities for U.S.-Indian Higher Education STEM Collaboration” M-NOFO-19-109 grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=..

globaltiesus.org The Global Ties Summer of Public Diplomacy series seeks to inform and advance understanding of the role of citizens in shaping international affairs. From July 17-18, this two-day series of events will help current and emerging public diplomacy leaders connect on global issues and advance U.S. civic engagement locally, nationally, and internationally. Through tailored workshops, panel discussions, and social networking, the Summer of Public Diplomacy will convene a broad range of Americans who are increasingly leading U.S. public diplomacy efforts at home and abroad. This includes cultivating business and educational partnerships, hosting international visitors, and advocating for America's continued leadership on the global stage at the grassroots level. Empowered citizens are key to building a globally literate workforce. Whether you are a young or mid-career professional, join us this summer as we explore ways to connect, lead, and mobilize a global network of..

federalregister.gov image from Wikipedia A Notice by the State Department on 05/09/2019; [original article contains links]. SUMMARY: The official designation of this advisory committee is the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. [JB emphasis] The Commission was originally established under Section 604 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended, and under Section 8 of Reorganization Plan Number 2 of 1977. It was reauthorized pursuant to Section 702 of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (Pub. L. 114-323), which amended the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6553) and re-authorized the Commission through September 30, 2020. The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy appraises U.S. government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics. The Advisory Commission may conduct studies, inquiries, and meetings, as it deems necessary. It may assemble and ..