Country music explored as a tool of U.S. diplomacy

WASHINGTON – It is well known that Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Brubeck toured the world as American Jazz Ambassadors, and American symphony orchestras have played throughout the world. Less well known is the role country music has played and is playing in U.S. public diplomacy. That was the focus of this month's CCLP Communication Leadership Lunch Forum here, presented by David Firestein (pictured right), a China expert and vice president at the East West Institute. "For public diplomacy to be effective," said Firestein, "it has to be organic, personal and emotional." He added that it must be "true to who……Continue Reading Country music explored as a tool of U.S. diplomacy

The Next UN Secretary-General: An Experienced Woman to Foster Global Food Security

This article was originally published in Huffington Post. Food security and related humanitarian needs present the great unacknowledged challenges of the 21st century. While conflicts in countries like Syria and Ukraine dominate the daily news cycle, and longer-term concerns about climate change and energy security are frequently aired, the problem of hunger and the emergence of new threats to world food supplies receive far less attention than they merit. These problems contribute directly to political instability, forced migration and violence. Without sustained focus at an international level and the commitment of adequate resources to address the problems, there is a……Continue Reading The Next UN Secretary-General: An Experienced Woman to Foster Global Food Security

US soft power triumphs in probe of Sepp Blatter’s corrupt casino

This article by CCLP senior fellow Derek Shearer was originally published in The Conversation. Soccer is truly the world's sport. It is played and watched by more people across the globe than any other sport. Every four years, it is the center of global attention when the World Cup is held. It's as if the World Series and Super Bowl were rolled into one mega-sporting event with viewership in the hundreds of millions. A private organization based in Switzerland called FIFA controls the selection of the host country, the commercial sponsors for the event and the rules by which the……Continue Reading US soft power triumphs in probe of Sepp Blatter’s corrupt casino

A year of national service for young Americans could restore trust in government

This op-ed was originally published in the Kansas City Star. Over the last few years, we've seen the public's trust in government reach historic lows. This lack of connectivity with our political leaders and institutions is acute with today's millennial generation showing low voter turnout and half of them identifying as politically independent. When government ceases attracting top talent it deepens government inefficiency and public mistrust. Unfortunately, there is evidence that a cycle of distrust and cynicism is already beginning as members of the next generation dedicate themselves to careers outside government. According to a recent Bipartisan Policy Center report,……Continue Reading A year of national service for young Americans could restore trust in government

Weapons of Mass Deception: Part Two

This article was written by CCLP visiting fellow Vasily Gatov and was originally published by the Institute of Modern Russia. In part one of his essay, prominent Russian media analyst Vasily Gatov explained the origins of Putin's anti-Western narrative and the current Russian propaganda campaign. In this second installment, he focuses on the twisted logic behind this narrative and the mistakes of the West, and he provides recommendations on how to counter the Kremlin's offensive. Launching an Offensive Against the West There is another side of the story that I merely touched on at the beginning of this article. By……Continue Reading Weapons of Mass Deception: Part Two