The Economist Editorial - Inexpert U.S. public diplomacy

The Economist Editorial - Inexpert U.S. public diplomacy
Copyright by the Economist
June 19, 2006

LONDON: If much of the war against terrorism is a contest between values, in short, a PR war, America should be winning hands down. A brand that stands for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is an easier sell than a brand that stands for beheading unbelievers and reviving the Middle Ages. And yet America is not doing half as well as it should be. Why? In part because America sometimes betrays its own values. The Guantánamo inmates should be tried or released. In part because some American actions are right but unpopular. America should, for example, stay in Iraq until the new government can stand alone. But also because of the Bush administration's tin ears and sharp tongues. That problem cannot be fixed by hiring "public diplomacy" experts. President George W. Bush needs to remind his top people that, especially in a superpower, a little politeness goes a long way. (The Economist)