American Encounters with Arabs : The "Soft Power" of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The book is a badly needed account of how the US has managed, and mismanaged, its public diplomacy with the Middle East, especially the Arab world. Rugh, a 31-year career officer with the US Information Agency (USIA), does an excellent job of illustrating the relationship between the tools of public diplomacy and the problems of interfacing with foreign audiences. The author focuses clearly on middle range theory with an emphasis on the policy issues. The presentation is organized along historical lines, with an initial general focus on the 1940s-50s and subsequent chapters devoted to each presidential era, concluding in mid-2005. The 2003 Iraq war and its aftermath exacerbated problems of public diplomacy, which began after USIA was dismantled in 1999 and its functions given over to the State Department. Despite this trend, the book cites several excellent personal efforts for public affairs officers, calls for more grounded efforts, and reminds the reader that public diplomacy is "a complex process that depends not only on Washington officials but also on public diplomacy professionals who live abroad . . . managing a variety of programs." Highly recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduates through practitioners.”–
“Rugh, a retired career Foreign Service officer who served as ambassador to countries in the Middle East, explains key issues surrounding the US government's public diplomacy programs in the region, chronicling public diplomacy efforts from the Eisenhower presidency to the current administration. He provides a behind-the- scenes look at how public affairs officers do their jobs and how they have met the challenges of the past and the post-September 11th era.”–
Book Description
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.
American Encounters with Arabs : The "Soft Power" of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East
American Encounters with Arabs: The "Soft Power" of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Middle East,William A. Rugh,Praeger Security International General Interest-Cloth,0275988171,Arabs,Civilization, Arab,Foreign public opinion, Arab,History,History - Military / War,International Relations - Diplomacy,Middle East - General,Military,Military - General,Politics / Current Events,Public opinion,Study and teaching,United States,United States - General,History / Military / General
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