USA NEEDS MORE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

[chaperchal]

Sometimes I wonder USA inspite of its democracy, human rights, development, prosperity , international aid has an negative image problem and many hate this superpower in spite of all its virtues. This country has changed the life of many persons and families. Many poor people of the world after entry to this land of opportunities become prosperous which completely change their life standard and that of their families. I personally know many such persons and families.

USA is spending billions of aid on poverty and social development. Its extending all possible help against natural disasters. Its running thousands of education and health projects through out the world.

Their war in Iraq and Afghanistan besides their national interest is against terrorism and dictatorship.

What they lack is public diplomacy and positive propaganda to let the world know what they are contributing to the development of the world. Once people know it they ll start loving USA instead of hating this great country. They need propaganda as was done by USSR for communism although communism is worse than democracy and the record of USSR is bloodier than USA.
YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE.

[chaperchal]

USA has fought wars like any other country, nation or power. USSR has not only fought wars but also conquered countries and made them part of the Union. We all know the history from Poland , to East Germany to Tajikistan to Afghanistan. The same has done by Muslims , by Pashtuns by Germans, by Turks and others when they were in power. Its all power politics and balance of power game. This is what Realism teaches us. Thats why USA is not the only country or nation in this regard.USA like any other country or power has reasons for her wars.


We should not only look at USA only as a country which fights wars or invades others,,,at least it does not conquer countries physically like others,,,we should also consider its humanitarian , developmental and other positive role in the world as well as its own internal development and progress as a nation.

[chaperchal]

Many are of the view that usa should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. The withdrawal or defeat of USA/NATO in Afghanistan will be the defeat of democracy and the war against terrorism.

What USA should do is to rethink its strategy for Afghanistan and Pashtuns. The hearts of common Pashtuns should be won with books not with bullets. the bullets should only be used against the terrorists in an intelligent way so that the terrorists dont cash the collateral damages against USA and win more sympathizers for their evil cause and against democracy, Wests and USA.

USA or an NGO working for democracy and human rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan should use its funds on education, publicity and awareness. USA may start a special newspaper and a magazine of good quality in Pashto where the Pashtuns should be educated against terrorism and should provide good news and healthy entertainment. USA may learn from the past how communism won hearts even for its ugly agenda. There is a dire need of intense public diplomacy on the part of USA. Majority of things they are doing is good but people don't know and cant appreciate it.

[chaperchal]

USA is not a paragon of virtue but whatever I know that they toppled communist , Nazis, fascists, and dictators and are now crushing extremists like Taliban and Al qaida. I don't know a single case where it has toppled a democratically elected government.

In its own national interest it might have invaded countries but the same is the tradition of all big powers including Muslims and Pashtuns. What I know that except few very tiny states, USA has never physically occupied a country and has merged it with United states of America as was done by the former USSR and others.

[pakhtun]

I think the issue is of awareness and sincerity to ones country. As you can see in the West and the US in particular, every politician may have their own agenda but when it comes to an issue of national significance, they all stand united. No one can oppose anything that goes against the national image/interests/sentiment. That is why you see that although the Iraq was was the most hated many had to agree just because it was an issue of national image. That is why you saw favorites like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry lose because of their support for the war. You can flip-flop as John Kerry was accused of doing. Flip-flop is akin to what we call being a "lota" our politicians (I am only concerned with the Pakhtuns here) change their party alliance every other election. We Pakhtuns continue to support them.... even though we know they have cheated us many times... But look at what happened in Pakhtunkhwa, when the Taliban were taking over Swat, ANP and the others were playing the fiddle. No one cared until the Talibs entered Bunair and were knocking on the door of Hoti House in Mardan... then they woke up. Forget US asking for the Pak govt to take action(which may or may not be tru but Pakhtuns of Swat benefited from it getting rid of the Talib Thugs); where was the national pride among our politicians?

At the end of the day the US will leave Afghanistan and Iraq. Whether good or bad those countries will need to learn how to govern themselves. They can take this opportunity and strengthen themselves for that day or wait till the US leaves and fall back into chaos. Either way the US could now care less....

The Pakhtun nation does not care of progression. There are many universities for women but in all reality how many go? We ourselves as Pakhtuns are reluctant to change.... The US can by me books but who will make me read them? We pakhtuns have become very materialistic we only go to school for a job, we only learn so that we can get a degree to use for job hunting...

USA for the world is like Punjab to loser mentality people. They would like to blame someone for their issues... and who better than the people who can actually have the power to manipulate things....

[chaperchal]

USA is a very strange country. Spending billions and trillions on humanitarian and other aids but dont cash it in public diplopmacy.I am surprised that why USA not like the earstwhile USSR does not launch an ideological campaign for democracy and human rights as used to be done by the former USSR for the barbaric Communism.

USA can earn hearts and minds of the millions of Pashtuns and Muslims if they launch such an intellegint propaganda program. USA can serve their saviour from the terrorists. from poverty and ignorance.

[Arif Khan Marwat]

Well my brother what you have said in your undermentioned few lines that might be right, but did u think why people hate USA bcoz most of the time USA cheated ohter nation who worked with them, who fight for them, who sacrifices for them, but at the end the of day when USA get own interests they left the others, (the best example is Afghanistan, Vitename, and even now Pakistan) so why people will love them, no doubt they are spending billions of doller for world develpment but on the other thy are demaging the world more then making the world.....

Sometimes I wonder USA inspite of its democracy, human rights, development, prosperity , international aid has an negative image problem and many hate this superpower in spite of all its virtues. This country has changed the life of many persons and families. Many poor people of the world after entry to this land of opportunities become prosperous which completely change their life standard and that of their families. I personally know many such persons and families.

USA is spending billions of aid on poverty and social development. Its extending all possible help against natural disasters. Its running thousands of education and health projects through out the world.

Their war in Iraq and Afghanistan besides their national interest is against terrorism and dictatorship.

What they lack is public diplomacy and positive propaganda to let the world know what they are contributing to the development of the world. Once people know it they ll start loving USA instead of hating this great country. They need propaganda as was done by USSR for communism although communism is worse than democracy and the record of USSR is bloodier than USA.
YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE.

[chaperchal]

USA is not perfect and such kind of discussions may point out whatever they lack in their policies and strategies and if they are intelligent enough, can learn from such discussions so that they can better tackle world affairs being a super power of the world.

What I see is that USA being a state may look for her national interest first. This world is mostly based on realism and real politik not on idealism or wishful thinking . If USA cheat others, they may do it in their own interest. the cheated party may guard against their own interest so that they may not be cheated by USA. However USA being world super power may play more ethically , may not forget her good friends and may not let their allies and friends to feel cheated.

[chaperchal]

I wish to know comments from some friends from USA , a US citizen or the one who is living in USA to comment that how is life overthere and how the ideal life people aer enjoying in USA can be exported to other countries specially to the backward Muslim world and to the conservative world of Pashtuns. I wish the world may follow USA as a great model for success, happiness and great life.

USA and its system may be followed as a religion, as an ideology, as a code of life. Scolars should construct theoritical background for it , a philosophy and then a working plan as how the American ideals can be propogated in other parts of the world specially in Muslim countries, third world poor countries and in our case for Pashtunland.