William A. Rugh

American Encounters with Arabs (eBook, PDF)

The Soft Power of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

For sixty years, U.S. government officials have conducted public diplomacy programs to try to reach Arab public opinion-to inform, educate, and understand Arab attitudes. American public affairs officers have met serious challenges in the past, but Arab public criticism of the United States has reached unprecedented levels since September 11, 2001. Polls show that much of the negative opinion of the United States, especially in the Middle East, can be traced to dissatisfaction with U.S. foreign policy. Rugh, a retired career Foreign Service officer who twice served as ambassador to countries in the region, explains how U.S. government officials have dealt with key problem issues over the years, and he recommends ways that public diplomacy can better support and enhance U.S. national interests in the Middle East. This struggle for the hearts and minds of the Arab world, so crucial to the success of American efforts in post-occupation Iraq, is carried out through broadcasting, cultural contacts, and educational and professional exchanges.

Rugh describes the difference between public diplomacy and propaganda. He points out that public diplomacy uses open means of communication and is truthful. Its four main components are explaining U.S. foreign policy to foreign publics; presenting them with a fair and balanced picture of American society, culture, and institutions; promoting mutual understanding; and advising U.S. policy makers on foreign attitudes. Public diplomacy supports the traditional diplomatic functions of official business between governments. Whereas diplomats from the United States deal with diplomats of foreign governments, public affairs officers deal with opinion leaders such as media editors, reporters, academics, student leaders, and prominent intellectuals and cultural personalities. Rugh provides an up-close-and-personal look at how public affairs officers do their jobs, how they used innovation in their efforts to meet the challenges of the past, and how they continue to do so in the post-September 11 era.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc
• Seitenzahl: 240
• Altersempfehlung: ab 7 Jahre
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. November 2005
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780313055249
• Artikelnr.: 37827543

Autorenporträt

WILLIAM A. RUGH was a career Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Information Agency (1964-1995). He served as U.S. ambassador to Yemen and to the United Arab Emirates. He is the author of Arab Mass Media (Praeger, 2004) and the editor of Engaging the Arab and Islamic Worlds through Public Diplomacy (Public Diplomacy Council, 2004). He is a Trustee of the American University in Cairo, a Board Member and past President of AMIDEAST, an Associate of Georgetown's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, an Adjunct Scholar of the Middle East Institute, and an Executive Committee member of the Public Diplomacy Council.

Inhaltsangabe

List of Tables Preface List of Terms Introduction Public Diplomacy Resources and Instruments Beginnings in the Arab World 1940s
1953 President Eisenhower and USIA 1953
1961 The Kennedy and Johnson Presidencies 1961
1969 The Nixon and Ford Presidencies 1969
1977 The Carter Presidency 1977
1981 The Reagan Era 1981
1989 The Presidency of George H.W. Bush 1989
1993 The Clinton Era 1993
2001 President George W. Bush's First Years 2001
2003 The Bush Presidency and Iraq Democratic Reform and Other Issues Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index