VOA News Blog by Alex Belida (link)
VOA Director David Jackson, a panelist at the symposium, did make a couple of points we believe are worth repeating here. First of all, he stressed that all those working in the VOA headquarters in Washington are journalists. He said U.S. officials can “no more tell them what to write” than they can tell journalists at the Washington Post (newspaper) what to write.And he suggested that removal of the Smith-Mundt restrictions on VOA could help silence critics who claim the contents of VOA shows must be suspicious if the American people aren’t allowed to see them.
Intermap by Craig Hayden (link) ** REQUIRED READING **
Here are some basic takeaways:
1) The dissemination ban contained in the Smith-Mundt Act was for many an irrelevance.
2) The difference of perspective between what we might call “traditional” PD experts, usually from the ranks of the former USIA (retired or otherwise), and those charged with implementing new policies of public diplomacy.
Reliable Sources by Pat Kushlis (link)
A Rear Admiral on one of the panels admitted that the US military did not have and will not have in the near future anywhere near the number of language qualified troops needed to engage people overseas in their own languages. As a result, Uncle Sam relies on contractors to carry out the function. He later added that what was most important was that the Iraqis and the Afghans see what we do, not just rely on being told what to think.
Talking Smith-Mundt by Pat Kushlis (link)
State has just never “gotten” the importance of the information game – either at home or abroad. It’s not and never will be part of its “core diplomatic functions” so will always receive the short end of the stick. Secrecy and hierarchy are the rules of State’s road – and they’re so ingrained in the bureaucracy and its operation – that they just plain aren’t going to disappear.
Congressman to Propose Some Form of Update for Smith-Mundt Act by Fawzia Sheikh of Inside Defense (subscription only)
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) plans to propose some form of update for the Smith-Mundt Act, a Cold War public diplomacy law, but many experts who spoke at a recent, related conference argued the current statute is not problematic and no more than minor tweaks should be made.
Two Agenda Items for Next Week’s Smith-Mundt Pow Wow by Steve Corman (link)
The SMA impairs domestic oversight. In response to a “so what” question from Spencer Ackerman, the panelists pointed out that the SMA prevents proper oversight of U.S. strategic communication by those outside the government. For example if the press has questions about specific overseas communication efforts, the State Department can’t answer them for fear of violating the SMA.
Getting Past Smith-Mundt by Craig Hayden (link)
]]>George Clack related some humorous stories about how his department has to navigate around the prohibition in order to help US students who wish to use its resources to do school work, and offered two interesting observations. First, in response to a question from Patricia Kushlis of Whirled View - he worried that a removal of the dissemination ban might muddle the divisions between messages designed for foreign audiences, and those that already are released to explain policies to the American people. Basically, he argued that the U.S. needs to retain its capacity to tailor its publications and messages to specific audiences, and not have that process be subsumed by the production of domestic, political talking points. Second, he concluded that the future of U.S. diplomacy will be defined by the notion of “dialogue” - and that the Department of State should embrace Web 2.0 technologies such as Twitter and other social networking tools.
The second edition of the Symposium, a Discourse to Shape America's Discourse is in the planning stages. If you have comments or suggestions for the next event, including panels and panelists, add a comment to this post or email Matt Armstrong directly at blog@mountainrunner.us.
]]>I think many will find both interesting and very worthwhile to listen to sooner than later. Without comment (yet):
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Jim Glassman's keynote and questions & answers begins 13:45 into the mp3 at the link below. The beginning nearly fourteen minutes is my introduction to the Symposium.
http://mountainrunner.us/symposium/audio/smithmundtsymposium-glassman-011309.mp3 (54 minutes total, 13mb)
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Support to Public Diplomacy, now Special Advisor at the State Department, Mike Doran's keynote and questions & answers may be downloaded at the below link.
http://mountainrunner.us/symposium/audio/smithmundtsymposium-doran-011309.mp3 (1 hour and 3 minutes, 15mb)
Comments are working again. Submit at will…
]]>On the panel were Rear Admiral Greg Smith of CENTCOM, David Firestein from the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, George Clack of IIP, and me. Jeff Grieco from USAID was unable to attend.
Overall, I think the event went well. Although, for the most part the mainstream media failed to show, except for Adam from Congressional Quarterly, making this event predominately a blogger roundtable.
AOC – Ken specifically – will provide a transcript and the audio recording of the event next week.
In the meantime, some reactions from the bloggers (in no particular order)
I’ll post more links as they get posted by the other bloggers.
See also:
]]>No new registrations for the event will be accepted except for Congress members and staff and the media.
]]>On the panel were Rear Admiral Greg Smith of CENTCOM, David Firestein from the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, George Clack of IIP, and me. Jeff Grieco from USAID was unable to attend.
Overall, I think the event went well. Although, for the most part the mainstream media failed to show, except for Adam from Congressional Quarterly, making this event predominately a blogger roundtable.
AOC – Ken specifically – will provide a transcript and the audio recording of the event next week.
In the meantime, some reactions from the bloggers (in no particular order)
I’ll post more links as they get posted by the other bloggers.
See also:
And of course, visit the Smith-Mundt Symposium website.
]]>Lastly, a refresh on the event details:
What: 2009 Smith-Mundt Symposium
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2009. Check-in and continental breakfast begins at 7. The event starts promptly at 8a and ends at 5:30p. Lunch will be served. A hosted reception will immediately follow the close of the Symposium at 5:30p.
Where: The Reserve Officers Association at the corner of First Street and Constitution Avenue N.E. on Capitol Hill.
Parking and other information may be found below, courtesy of the State Department (unofficially so don’t hold them responsible for errors or omissions or accidental semblances of favoritism):
]]>Just a possible housekeeping resource for those who don’t use Metro or taxi. See map here.
Parking Garages
near 1st St NE & Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20004
(in order of proximity)
Central Parking Systems 202-626-0693
400 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC
Epark 202-589-1104
30 Massachusetts Ave NE
Washington, DC
Uspg Llc 202-898-1950
30 Massachusetts Ave NE
Washington, DC
Pacific Parking 202-488-7275
501 E Capitol St SE
Washington, DC
Colonial Parking Inc 202-298-7141
500 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC
Colonial Parking Inc 202-842-2116
1 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC
Colonial Parking Inc 202-789-2859
750 1st St NE
Washington, DC
Quikpark Inc 202-216-0392
777 N Capitol St NE
Washington, DC
Central Parking Systems 202-347-0680
501 3rd St NW
Washington, DC
Parc Marc Inc 202-408-7813
825 N Capitol St NE
Washington, DC
There are nearly 190 registrations for the 13 January 2009 event. Unfortunately, some of those are on a waitlist due because, well, only so many can squeeze into the venue. Because of this, I ask that if you are registered and know you will not be able to attend, please let me know (blog@mountainrunner.us) so somebody else can take your seat.
Remember the sign-in and a continental breakfast starts at 7a with and the event will start promptly at 8a. A hosted reception will immediately following the conclusion of the symposium at 5:30p in the entry atrium of the Reserve Officers Association, the venue for the symposium.
The starting point and focus of the symposium is the structure of America’s global engagement rather than specific policies and programs. This makes this discussion a bit different than those of the past. This event will not be the DSB report, Kristin’s Voices, or the Djerejian Report in four acts, but a combination of lessons learned, awareness creating discussion on barriers and constraints we take for granted but shouldn’t. On that note, if you aren’t following the comments here, you probably should.
Separately, the media advisory for this event may be found here.
One last note, you may be interested in my op-ed in The Washington Times today:
Persuasive politics: Revisit the Smith-Mundt Act
Matt Armstrong
Friday, December 19, 2008OP-ED:
"Repairing America's image" is a popular mantra these days, but discussions on revamping America's public diplomacy are futile if the legislative foundation of what we are attempting to fix is ignored. A sixty year old law affects virtually all U.S. engagement with foreign audiences by putting constraints on what we say and how we say it. Perhaps more importantly, it limits the oversight by the American public, Congress, and the whole of government into what is said and done in America's name abroad. The impact of this law, the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948, must not be ignored if policymakers hope to improve how the United States communicates overseas.
Questions or comments should be sent to me at blog@mountainrunner.us.
]]>This is about four times one estimate we had several months ago. This event is much more popular than I think anyone had anticipated.
If you registered and are not able or do not plan to attend, please contact me so I can adjust the count accordingly.
Members of Congress, including aides and staff, do not need to register and may attend by showing ID at the door. However, I do ask that you register so I can anticipate attendance. The same is true of media.
By the way, for the live blogger in you, there will be free wi-fi at the Symposium.
Last update: there will be a hosted reception immediately following the Symposium in the entry atrium of the event location, the Reserve Officers Association. Since the day’s agenda is too tight to allow networking or socializing the ideas, why not do it over free drinks to avoid the rush hour traffic?
Go the Symposium’s website and pose questions, examples, etc in advance of the event.
Questions or comments? Email me.
]]>First, over 90 people have registered with seven weeks to go before the event. Many of the “usual suspects” have still not registered and a couple of communities are under-represented. I’m working on both issues.
Second, the day is admittedly long and packed leaving little time for networking or socializing ideas. Because of this, a reception will now immediately follow the Symposium.
Third, a community of interest forum is online to discuss Smith-Mundt issues. Go and participate.
That’s it for now.
]]>The Symposium will be held at the Reserve Officer’s Association across the street from the Senate and House office buildings in Washington, D.C.
For details on this event, see http://mountainrunner.us/symposium/about.html.
There is also a discussion forum built specifically for this event: http://mountainrunner.us/symposium/. From here you can register to attend the Symposium as well as discuss the Smith-Mundt Act and suggest and discuss questions for the different panels. This site will host the electronic library to be available to registered attendees prior to the Symposium.
To register for the Symposium, go to http://mountainrunner.us/symposium/ and click on Registration in the menu bar near the top. Even if you cannot attend the Symposium, because you are reading this you will probably find the discourse at the website interesting and your contribution will increase the value for everyone.
Send any questions, comments, or issues, including registration problems, to Matt Armstrong at blog@mountainrunner.us.
]]>The January 13, 2009, Smith-Mundt Symposium is on track and interest in the event continues to build. This post contains several updates and a listing of the panelists.
The panel format has changed. All of the panels will now be completely moderated with no opening statements or presentations. The change will maximize the Q&A time. If a presenter wants to share a PowerPoint or a white paper, it will be in the electronic library that will be available to registrants before the event.
As for the venue, an announcement will be made soon. At the same time the venue is announced, registration will open.
There may be a media roundtable the week before the symposium. Details will be announced as they are finalized.
As for the panels, they are nearly complete. Below is the line-up (all names are confirmed). Bios will be available on the website once the venue is confirmed.
Panel 1: History of the Act
Len Baldyga, moderator
Richard Arndt
Barry Zorthian
Mike Schneider
Matt Armstrong
Panel 2: Bifurcated Engagement (the impact of the firewall today)
Marc Lynch, moderator
David Jackson
Karen DeYoung
Jeff Grieco
RADM Greg Smith
Panel 3: Rebuilding America's Arsenal of Persuasion (future impact of the Act)
Kristin Lord, moderator
Ted Tzavellas
Nancy Snow
Colleen Graffy
+1 to be confirmed
Panel 4: View from the Hill (Congressional panel)
Doug Wilson, moderator
+4 to be announced
The agenda is available here.
Subscribe to receive updates on the Smith-Mundt Symposium through email or RSS by clicking http://feeds.feedburner.com/Smith-Mundt/.
The agenda for the January 13, 2009, Smith-Mundt Symposium is below. It is final with the only likely change is a panel title or two.
The panels are being filled now, but more invites will be going out in the coming days. I'd like to finalize the panels by Thanksgiving. The goal is to have a variety of views to spark discussion and debate toward the goal of the Symposium: to have an informed and deliberated discussion about issues related to the cornerstone of America's international engagement.
The structure of the event, as you can see by the agenda, is four ninety minute panels and two keynotes. Each panel will have four presenters and one moderator. The presentations should be 10-12 minutes with a 15 minute maximum (moderators will have firm instructions not to let panelists go beyond 15min) to leave time for questions and answers. Update: there will be no opening statements or presentations.
Both Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy James K. Glassman and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Support for Public Diplomacy, Michael Doran are confirmed to give keynotes. The Under Secretary will give the morning keynote and the Deputy Assistant Secretary will give the lunchtime keynote between the second and third panels.
The first panel looks at the purpose and history of the Smith-Mundt Act and the second explores the impact the Act has on our international engagement today. The third panel raises issues about the future. While the first three panels are a mixture of academics, practitioners from State and Defense, media, and watchdogs, the fourth is Congressional and focuses on the what to do and how.
Here is the agenda:
7:00 - 8:00 Continental Breakfast / Sign-in
8:00 - 8:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:15 - 9:00 Keynote by Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James K. Glassman
9:00 - 10:30 First Panel: History of Smith-Mundt
10:30 - 12:00 Second Panel: America's Bifurcated engagement
12:00 - 12:15 Break
12:15 - 1:45 Lunch & Keynote by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Doran
1:45 - 2:00 Break
2:00 - 3:30 Third Panel: Limiting the Arsenal of Persuasion
3:30 - 3:45 Break
3:45 - 5:15 Fourth Panel: The View from the Hill
5:15 - 5:30 Closing Remarks
It will be a long day of tightly packed conversations. This could very easily be a two-day event, but we're doing it in one.
The entire event will be on the record and possibly webcasted live (I'm working on that). A transcript will be available and a public report based on the Symposium will be produced.
Registration is free, open to the public, and required. In the weeks before the event, registrants will receive an email with a link to an electronic library of related briefing materials.
Subscribe to receive updates on the Smith-Mundt Symposium through email or RSS by clicking http://feeds.feedburner.com/Smith-Mundt/.