Research director Mark Latonero led a lively conversation on the Arab Spring and the impact of social media in global political transformation. The program, The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted: Internet as Helpful or Harmful, was part of the annual members weekend program for the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Joining Latonero for the discussion was Golnaz Esfandiari, senior correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Victoria Esser, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Digital Strategy. Both discussed the role of social networking and how the emergence of new media technology is changing international relations. A lively discussion addressed whether the impact of social media and the Internet is real or overblown in relation to Iran in 2009 and Arab Spring.
Other topics explored include the role that social media plays in world affairs and as a platform of political expression. Discussants also addressed the U.S. Department of State’s concept of 21st Century Statecraft–the leveraging of networks and technologies in service of America’s foreign policy goals.
This article was written by Therese Dizon, Masters in Public Diplomacy student.