POMED Notes: Brookings: Sen. Brownback and Rep. Smith on Public Diplomacy

Yesterday afternoon the Brookings Institution hosted Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) for a discussion on the future of U.S. public diplomacy and strategic communication. Also on the panel was Thomas Dyne, president of Radio Free Europe. The event was moderated by Kristen Lord, Brookings Fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program.

Sen. Brownback discussed his proposed legislation which would create a National Center for Strategic Communications. He said the current U.S. public diplomacy strategy is not working, and a new cohesive organization is needed with leadership that reports directly to the president.

Rep. Smith agreed that a basic reworking of our diplomacy apparatus is needed, and stressed the importance of targeted messaging, specifically tailored to local cultures and communication habits.  He also discussed the importance of effective development, and noted that America’s image is greatly enhanced when it is seen as directly and tangibly helping foreign populations.

For full POMED notes on the event, click here.