The Layalina Review
VOL. V NO. 6, February 27-March 12, 2009 Reengagement first requires an understanding of why differences between the US and the Muslim world exist, according to the testimony of Dalia Mogahed, Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. "Our differences are driven by politics - not a clash of principles…[to] further decrease the appeal of violent extremism, we must turn to what I will call the 3 R's: Resolution of conflicts, Reform and Respect." However, a new survey released by World Public Opinion, discussed by Mohamed Elshinnawi at VOA News, suggests reengagement will be "difficult and complex." Steven Kull, director of World Public Opinion, explains, "Our military presence [in Muslim countries] provoked a certain response that created a certain sympathy for terrorist groups and probably facilitated for them the recruitment process." The WPO survey data shows that 70% of those surveyed in Muslim countries disapprove of attacks on American civilians, but large majorities "support the Al-Qaeda goal of ridding the Muslim world of US military bases and troops." Writing for Family Security Matters, Dr. Sami Alrabaa also addresses the need to "find ways to reach ordinary Muslims and gain their hearts and minds." A survey of media trends in five Arab countries by Bielefeld University in 2008 highlights a lack of "alternative media," according to Alrabaa. More than 80% of adult Muslims watch Saudi and Qatari-owned TV channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. Meanwhile, 7% read Arabic newspapers and only 2% read diverse websites. This lack of diversity, argues Alrabaa, makes Muslims "easy prey for Islamist chaplains, who preach hatred and violence against non-Muslims all over the Arab media." Helle Dale, writing for Public Diplomacy Magazine, addresses the role the US government should play in "delegitimizing the extremists’ message of hate and fear" and explaining American values and policies. Delle claims a newly-created US agency for strategic communications would help to counter America’s "inexcusable" failure to delegitimize extremism and "tell our national story." Dale’s new agency would serve as the "focal point for US informational outreach capabilities," and would put an end to interagency dysfunctions caused by inter- and intra-departmental territoriality. State Department reform, to include a loss of command of US broadcasting output, and a new strategy and definition of strategic communications, would make communication an "effective, proactive tool" in the war of ideas. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy has also published a report on the efforts by US international broadcasting to confront radical extremism. The Institute’s report argues that "highly partisan infighting" has severely disrupted the efficacy of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and Congress. As a result, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and Al-Hurra have lacked direction, resources and oversight, and have thus "not lived up to their potential in terms of providing alternative sources of news, opinion, and cross-cultural content for which they were designed." US international broadcasting has therefore been "wholly ineffective in empowering mainstream voices at the forefront of the struggle with radical extremism." However, one of the Institute’s recommendations, "to create a BBG of outstanding Americans committed to the spread of enlightened values," has drawn criticism on the blog of Kim Andrew Elliott. "It looks [like] they want a full-time US public diplomacy informercial channel. How would that compete with Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, and BBC?" Elliott complains. Focusing on the importance of independence and credibility, Elliott argues that "strategically steering content for the "spread of enlightened values" will relieve US international broadcasting of the burden of having an audience," and will fail as a counter-radicalization strategy.
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Recent Issues Vol. V No.5: 02/13-02/26, 2009 Vol. V No.4: 01/02-01/15, 2009 Vol. V No.3: 01/02-01/15, 2009
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