Beefing up America’s image overseas
June 1, 2007| By Nathaniel Ward
As America continues to fight the war on terror, the nation must adopt a “sustained and focused strategy” to turn its overseas image around, Heritage research fellow Lisa Curtis argued recently before Congress.
Poll after poll suggests that America’s image overseas is badly in need of a makeover, especially among moderate Muslims who could be key allies in the war on terror, she reported. “In order to isolate and defeat the extremists’ agenda, we need to win support from moderate Muslims worldwide”
“Right now, the score is not in our favor,” she noted. “However, with a sustained and focused strategy, and with some patience and perseverance, we should begin to see the fruits of our labor in the years to come.”
She recommended a multi-point program that includes expanded and better-targeted public diplomacy, using USAID to achieve national security objectives, reopening overseas American libraries and recommitting ourselves to Voice of America and other broadcast institutions.
Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation.
