The Layalina Review
VOL. V NO. 1, January 02-January 15, 2009 In 2008, the role of public diplomacy changed course as the Department of Defense (DoD) progressively encroached over State Department (DoS) territory (PR.IV_22: Communication in Public Diplomacy), obtaining more funds for strategic communication campaigns, described Craig Hayden for Intermap. He argued, "The US needs to be aware of the media market today and strategic realignment of resources and priorities is vitally important." Skeptical about the $300 million funding to DoD destined for public diplomacy purposes, Hayden warned that greater Pentagon involvement risked US public diplomacy efforts being perceived as a tool of manipulation. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, (PR. IV_23: Hard Talk on Soft Power), acknowledged that military force alone would not achieve everything set out in US foreign policy objectives, remarking that soft power "is needed to win the hearts and minds of people abroad." According to the New York Times, Hillary Clinton, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for Secretary of State, wants to give a new lift to US diplomacy efforts. Clinton intends to strengthen the State Department's diplomatic role which has been overshadowed "by [the] Pentagon, the vice president’s office and even the intelligence agencies." It is thought Clinton that will also resurrect the role of special envoys for certain countries and regions. Although specific envoys have not been determined yet, this idea will differ from the Bush administration which "made relatively little use of special envoys," and consequently yielded "meager results." An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said "Mrs. Clinton was being supported in her push for more resources by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. |
Related Stories Reshaping the State Department Recent Issues Vol. V No.3: 01/02-01/15, 2009 Vol. V No.2: 01/02-01/15, 2009 |
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