Public Diplomacy

Public diplomacy is the craft of explaining America, its defense of liberty, and its policies to the world. After 9/11, the U.S. Department of State came under intense scrutiny for widely perceived failures in this mission. In an age when our values, principles, and policies are under attack around the world, our leaders need practical recommendations for how to reform our public diplomacy strategy, doctrine, and structure in order to engage effectively in the war of ideas.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Fill the Public Diplomacy Leadership Vacuum Fill the Public Diplomacy Leadership Vacuum

    The U.S. government’s public diplomacy institutions are running on autopilot. While other nations, such as China, are ramping up public diplomacy and soft-power capabilities, the attention of the political leaders in this country is focused elsewhere: the budget deficit, the economy, the presidential election, etc. Read More.

  • The White House Strategic Communications Plan The White House Strategic Communications Plan

    The U.S. government is struggling to coordinate the volumes of information from the many agencies and departments that make up slices of the public diplomacy and strategic communications pie. Read More.

  • Foreign Aid Policy in 2012 Elections Foreign Aid Policy in 2012 Elections

    Issues 2012 provides candidates for elected office the ability to quickly identify the key issues of the day and present clear policy recommendations, supported by facts, for addressing them. Read More.

  • United Nations Policy in 2012 Elections United Nations Policy in 2012 Elections

    Issues 2012 provides candidates for elected office the ability to quickly identify the key issues of the day and present clear policy recommendations, supported by facts, for addressing them. Read More.

Our Research & Offerings on Public Diplomacy
Find more work on Public Diplomacy
  • Backgrounder posted March 5, 2012 by Helle Dale Why America Has Trouble Reaching Iran: VOA’s Persian News Network in Dire Need of Reform

    Abstract: The regime that controls Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, and close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Controlled by this regime are 74 million Iranians, 60 percent of which are under age 30,…

  • Backgrounder posted December 3, 2007 by Juliana Geran Pilon Obsolete Restrictions on Public Diplomacy Hurt U.S. Outreach and Strategy

    A little-known legal restriction on U.S. public diplomacy, despite being rendered unenforceable long ago by technological advances like the Internet,[1] continues to damage America's global communication efforts. At issue is Section 501 of the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (Smith-Mundt Act), the legislation underlying America's overseas informational and cultural…

  • Lecture posted February 14, 2007 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D. North Korea Nuclear and Missile Issues: What's the Solution?

    Delivered on February 13, 2007 With the Six-Party Talks just concluding in Beijing, it certainly is a good time to discuss North Korea. We are fortunate indeed that, as always, the Institute for Corean-American Studies is focusing Washington's attention on a grave matter that…

  • WebMemo posted March 14, 2008 by Thomas Woods Kenya's Stability Is an Important U.S. Priority

    The U.S. has shown important leadership during Kenya's political crisis, and now it must go further to act as guarantor of the accord signed between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga on February 28. Kenya is an anchor for the region and for U.S. interests. Its stability is important enough for the…

  • WebMemo posted August 23, 2010 by Helle Dale Visa Waiver as an Effective Public Diplomacy Tool

    When a program can increase U.S. security and counterterrorism efforts and benefit the American economy at a time of a struggling recovery, you have hit a double jackpot. And when the program—in this case the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—is also an effective public diplomacy tool for improving the…

  • WebMemo posted February 3, 2012 by Helle Dale Fill the Public Diplomacy Leadership Vacuum

    The U.S. government’s public diplomacy institutions are running on autopilot. While other nations, such as China, are ramping up public diplomacy and soft-power capabilities, the attention of the political leaders in this country is focused elsewhere: the budget deficit, the economy, the presidential election, etc. The effect is that the…

  • WebMemo posted June 8, 2011 by Helle Dale Support Continued Voice of America Broadcasting to China

    Proponents of U.S. international broadcasting to China got some reason for hope last month when a group of congressmen, led by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R–CA) produced a letter in support of continued funding for communication to the vast Chinese populace. The congressmen propose to fence off a portion of the…

  • Backgrounder posted September 1, 2010 by Kim R. Holmes, Ph.D., James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Defining the Obama Doctrine, Its Pitfalls, and How to Avoid Them

    Abstract: President Barack Obama has said that America would reach out to other countries as “an equal partner” rather than as the “exceptional” nation that many before him had embraced; that “any world order that elevates one nation…

  • Backgrounder posted February 24, 2010 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D., Helle Dale Russian Anti-Americanism: A Priority Target for U.S. Public Diplomacy

    Abstract: The Kremlin is using anti-Americanism as a strategic tool for pursuing domestic and foreign policy goals. Through media controlled or owned by the state, the Russian government is deliberately spreading poisonous anti-U.S. propaganda at home and abroad, blaming many of Russia's problems on the West, particularly the United States.…

  • Lecture posted February 14, 2011 by Brett Schaefer The Role and Relevance of Multilateral Diplomacy in U.S. Foreign Policy

    Abstract: Multilateral diplomacy is challenging. The dynamics are often more complex than bilateral negotiations because there are many more players. But while policies and venues may change, the role of diplomacy—to advance and promote the foreign policy objectives of the United States—is constant and does not change when…

Find more work on Public Diplomacy
  • Issue Brief posted May 22, 2012 by James Phillips Iran Nuclear Talks: U.S. Should Stand Firm

    The revived nuclear talks with Iran, set to resume May 23 in Baghdad, face an uncertain and risky future. Iran has a long history of exploiting diplomatic talks on the nuclear issue as a means of forestalling international pressure, easing sanctions, and buying time for its steadily advancing nuclear program.…

  • Backgrounder posted March 26, 2012 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. A Threat to the West: The Rise of Islamist Insurgency in the Northern Caucasus and Russia’s Inadequate Response

    Abstract: The Islamist insurgency in Russia’s Northern Caucasus threatens to turn the region into a haven for international terrorism and to destabilize the entire region, which is a critical hub of oil and gas pipelines located at Europe’s doorstep. Neither Russia’s excessive use of…

  • Backgrounder posted March 5, 2012 by Helle Dale Why America Has Trouble Reaching Iran: VOA’s Persian News Network in Dire Need of Reform

    Abstract: The regime that controls Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, and close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Controlled by this regime are 74 million Iranians, 60 percent of which are under age 30,…

  • WebMemo posted February 3, 2012 by Helle Dale Fill the Public Diplomacy Leadership Vacuum

    The U.S. government’s public diplomacy institutions are running on autopilot. While other nations, such as China, are ramping up public diplomacy and soft-power capabilities, the attention of the political leaders in this country is focused elsewhere: the budget deficit, the economy, the presidential election, etc. The effect is that the…

  • WebMemo posted November 7, 2011 by Helle Dale Congress Should Overhaul BBG Management

    Congress should undertake much overdue oversight of the management practices and structures of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). U.S. international broadcasting needs professional management and a transparent structure and does not have it at the moment. Consistently Inconsistent …

  • WebMemo posted August 31, 2011 by Helle Dale Congress Must Set High Bar for White House Strategic Communications Plan

    The U.S. government is struggling to coordinate the volumes of information from the many agencies and departments that make up slices of the public diplomacy and strategic communications pie. Congress needs to use its oversight to evaluate the variety of agencies, set specific goals, and ensure that the…

  • Backgrounder posted August 8, 2011 by Derek Scissors, Ph.D. Tools to Build the U.S.–China Economic Relationship

    Abstract: The scheduled autumn visit of China’s next Communist Party General Secretary, Xi Jinping, to Washington is a good opportunity for the U.S. to re-examine its often mismanaged economic diplomacy with China. Policymakers from both parties frequently point…

  • WebMemo posted June 8, 2011 by Helle Dale Support Continued Voice of America Broadcasting to China

    Proponents of U.S. international broadcasting to China got some reason for hope last month when a group of congressmen, led by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R–CA) produced a letter in support of continued funding for communication to the vast Chinese populace. The congressmen propose to fence off a portion of the…

  • WebMemo posted May 25, 2011 by Sally McNamara, Morgan Lorraine Roach President Obama Should Advance the Polish–American Relationship

    President Obama will conclude his eighth visit to Europe this week in Poland, where he will attend a summit of leaders of Central and Eastern Europe including the new President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga. This visit will be particularly significant as the Administration attempts to correct a series of missteps…

  • WebMemo posted May 18, 2011 by Bruce Klingner Proposed Re-Realignment for Northeast Asia Ignores Strategic Realities

    Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Carl Levin (D–MI), ranking member John McCain (R–AZ), and Senator Jim Webb (D–VA) have called on the United States to overhaul two complex military realignment agreements with South Korea and Japan. Their proposals would undermine years of carefully crafted diplomacy that achieved U.S. strategic objectives…

Find more work on Public Diplomacy
Find more work on Public Diplomacy