The Layalina Review: Volume VI No. 2 | Layalina Productions, Inc.

The Layalina Review

	The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media. Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors. Published 26 times per year, the review is free to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats. The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.
Statistic of the Week The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study. PDF RSS Twitter Facebook Recent Issues Vol. VI No. 1: 1/1-1/14, 2010 Vol. V No. 27: 12/18-12/31, 2009 Vol. V No. 26: 11/04-11/17, 2009 Archives Subscribe to our Publications Layalina Review Staff Leon Shahabian Senior Editor Anne Hagood Managing Editor Lyzz Schwegler Contributor Mirna Oud Contributor Lorraine Jablonsky Contributor Babar Taimoor Contributor The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.	VOL. VI NO. 2, January 15-January 28, 2010 Winning Hearts and Minds in AfPak? As a climate of mistrust and suspicion settle in over Pakistan and the United States, Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a recent visit to Pakistan in an attempt to strengthen ties between both countries. In the meantime, the Taliban is overhauling its image to win the hearts and minds of the region. Obama and the New America After a year in tenure, President Barack Obama's ratings remain high abroad, despite a dropping approval rating at home. While America's image and popularity has improved, the country's credibility remains very low internationally. Internet Censorship A recently launched State Department campaign aimed at supporting global internet freedom has provided a context for renewed discussions over 'soft power' as a foreign policy tool to promote freedom of speech around the world. Propaganda Wars Following the Department of Defense's recent update of its doctrine on psychological operations, critics investigate the role the media has played in creating negative propaganda and its interference with foreign policy. A Small Step for Middle East Media, a Giant Leap for Murdoch? Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is discussing a possible media partnership with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, owner of the leading media company Rotana, while Arabs expressed their worries of Murdoch gaining a foothold in regional media, claiming his media machine generally portrays them as terrorists. Al-Jazeera Creating Rifts in the Middle East? The Qatari channel is hailed by some as a bastion of independent regional reporting while others criticize its bias in reporting on regional conflicts. Muslims Still Waiting While President Obama's speech in Cairo was positively received, he has been criticized for not following up his public diplomacy efforts with concrete action on foreign policy issues central to the Muslim world. Redefining the Enemy The United States government has come under fire for new, controversial initiatives aiming to protect the country from future terrorist attacks. Experts offer their opinion on what the Obama administration is missing in its national security policy. Iran and America: An Unlikely Alliance? Although prospects remain bleak for the relationship between the United States and Iran, some pro-democracy advocates believe that a regime change is just around the corner and that an alliance between the two countries may be possible. Ringtones and Fatwas The blockades imposed on Gaza by Israel are pushing some local entrepreneurs to develop innovative commercial ventures through modern media tools and the internet. Palestinians are beginning to export customized cell phone ringtones, while the religious tones rouse the ire of Muslim clerics.

The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media

The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media.

Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors.

Published 26 times per year, the review is free to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats.

The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.

Statistic of the Week
The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study.

Recent Issues

Vol. VI No. 1: 1/1-1/14, 2010

Vol. V No. 27: 12/18-12/31, 2009

Vol. V No. 26: 11/04-11/17, 2009

Archives

Layalina Review Staff

Leon Shahabian
Senior Editor

Anne Hagood
Managing Editor

Lyzz Schwegler
Contributor

Mirna Oud
Contributor

Lorraine Jablonsky
Contributor

Babar Taimoor
Contributor

The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.

VOL. VI NO. 2, January 15-January 28, 2010

Winning Hearts and Minds in AfPak?
As a climate of mistrust and suspicion settle in over Pakistan and the United States, Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a recent visit to Pakistan in an attempt to strengthen ties between both countries. In the meantime, the Taliban is overhauling its image to win the hearts and minds of the region.

Obama and the New America
After a year in tenure, President Barack Obama's ratings remain high abroad, despite a dropping approval rating at home. While America's image and popularity has improved, the country's credibility remains very low internationally.

Internet Censorship
A recently launched State Department campaign aimed at supporting global internet freedom has provided a context for renewed discussions over 'soft power' as a foreign policy tool to promote freedom of speech around the world.

Propaganda Wars
Following the Department of Defense's recent update of its doctrine on psychological operations, critics investigate the role the media has played in creating negative propaganda and its interference with foreign policy.

A Small Step for Middle East Media, a Giant Leap for Murdoch?
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is discussing a possible media partnership with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, owner of the leading media company Rotana, while Arabs expressed their worries of Murdoch gaining a foothold in regional media, claiming his media machine generally portrays them as terrorists.

Al-Jazeera Creating Rifts in the Middle East?
The Qatari channel is hailed by some as a bastion of independent regional reporting while others criticize its bias in reporting on regional conflicts.

Muslims Still Waiting
While President Obama's speech in Cairo was positively received, he has been criticized for not following up his public diplomacy efforts with concrete action on foreign policy issues central to the Muslim world.

Redefining the Enemy
The United States government has come under fire for new, controversial initiatives aiming to protect the country from future terrorist attacks. Experts offer their opinion on what the Obama administration is missing in its national security policy.

Iran and America: An Unlikely Alliance?
Although prospects remain bleak for the relationship between the United States and Iran, some pro-democracy advocates believe that a regime change is just around the corner and that an alliance between the two countries may be possible.

Ringtones and Fatwas
The blockades imposed on Gaza by Israel are pushing some local entrepreneurs to develop innovative commercial ventures through modern media tools and the internet. Palestinians are beginning to export customized cell phone ringtones, while the religious tones rouse the ire of Muslim clerics.