Public Diplomacy: A Strategy for Reform - Independent Task Force Report

According to this task force, President Bush has sounded the right rhetorical notes about upgrading US public diplomacy as a top priority to combat terrorism and America’s shaky image abroad. While he has taken initial steps towards these ends, he must do more. This report points to recent polls that show America’s image problem is global - not just isolated in the Middle East. Negative attitudes about US policy are also pervasive in frontline states in the war on terrorism and among America’s closest allies. To make US foreign policy more effective, the task force urges the president to follow through on a pledge made months before the September 11 attacks to reorganize the US public diplomacy machinery and better articulate America’s messages to the world. This report provides practical recommendations for retooling public diplomacy in a way that underscores its importance as a vital component of national security. The task force allows that, while sound public diplomacy is not a silver bullet for America’s image problem, making it an integral part of the policy process is a vital step toward winning the hearts and minds of peoples around the world.