Public Diplomacy and the War on Terrorism

Abstract

The following article is adapted from the chairman's preliminary summary of the report of the Independent Task Force on Public sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations. Members of the task force, chaired by Peter G. Peterson, are listed on page 92. The findings discussed in this article are based on discussions and recom mendations reached in task force meetings and have not been reviewed by all members. Key recommendations include the following: issuance of a presidential directive estab lishing a priority commitment and a new course for public diplomacy; establishment of a coordinating structure, chaired by a principal adviser to the president, to harmonize the public diplomacy efforts of govemment agencies, allies, and private-sector partners; as part of a broad effort to expand private-sector and indigenous development, dialogue, and debate, creation of an independent, not-for-profit Corporation for Public Diplomacy as the centerpiece of expanded public-private involvement in public diplomacy; and increased training, resources, and up-to-date technology for State Department and other government officials responsible for public diplomacy.