October 31

"We cannot for a second abandon propaganda. Propaganda is vital -- propaganda is the heart of all struggles."

--Fidel Castro, in a letter to a revolutionary colleague in 1954; image from

REPORT

Evaluation of the Youth Exchange & Study Program Final Report August 2009 Prepared for: U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Prepared by: InterMedia 1401 New York Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20005

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Interview With Wyatt Andrews of CBS - Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Department of State: CLINTON: “[T]he United States has always been a beacon of hope and opportunity to people, historically. And I think we still are. But I think we have to be more aware in this information world that we live in that everything we do is now not just communicated to governments, it’s communicated with the flick of a mouse.

I mean, everybody knows. And we have to be much more committed to public diplomacy. It is not 'You are with us or you are against us,' or, 'Take it or leave it.' It is, 'Let’s talk about this.'” Image from

Pakistanis Snub Clinton Diplomacy - Aamir Latif, Islam Online: "Meeting the same fate during her public diplomacy tour in the Muslim country, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton failed Friday, October 30, to win support of Pakistan’s tribal northwest for Washington’s anti-terror policies. 'It was a futile exercise (meeting),' Munir Orakzai, the head of a 18-member tribal parliamentary delegation, told IslamOnline.net on Friday, October 30. ... The tribal politicians also disparaged Clinton for resorting to force to tackle problems. ... 'I tried to convince her that tribesmen are not militants, and the militants are not tribesmen,' Orakzai said. ... The US repeatedly launches drone attacks in the tribal areas.

The attacks killed hundreds of Pakistani civilians, including women and children, while only a few Qaeda members were killed. 'Every drone attack is adding more and more militants to the Taliban folder,' warned Orakzai. ... Clinton faced the same fate during her three-day public diplomacy offensive in Pakistan. The top US diplomat faced hard-hitting questions from angry students at Government College University in Lahore on Thursday. ... [A] panel of famous Pakistani anchors gave [Clinton] a hard time to the visiting American official at a discussion. 'On the one hand, the US backs democracy everywhere in the world, but when Pakistani parliament adopts a unanimous resolution against drone attacks, America doesn’t care about that. What is this double standard,' Hamid Mir, a prominent Pakistani anchorperson, asked Clinton." ‎Image from See also (1)(2)(3)

That’s Not A Red Carpet In Pakistan - That’s A Blood-Stain- Rob Asghar, Newswire – CPD Blog & Blogroll, USC Center on Public Diplomacy: "I’d been a staunch critic of President Bush’s policies in his war on terror and had been given new hope by Obama’s demonstrated willingness to understand and address root causes of anger. Bush’s aggressiveness seemed to unleash a Hydra effect, occupying a nation to kill five terrorists while inciting ten others to join the cause against the occupation. Obama seems to be operating the same way—openly in Afghanistan and by military proxy in Pakistan. As both military strategy and public diplomacy, his approach has been unfruitful so far."

Hillary's public diplomacy – Inayatullah, The Nation, Pakistan: "US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Pakistan on a mission to educate Pakistanis about what she chose to call American 'friendship' and 'partnership'. No high official in the preceding US administrations has ever spoken so much, to so many people on Pakistani soil in a short span of three days. Never before such sweep of public diplomacy. That she is good looking and well-mannered as also an American of high standing in her own right, certainly added to her position as one who could speak with authority on behalf of the US government and the people.

Secretary Clinton met the highest Pakistani government office-holders, the army chief, leaders of the opposition, students, businessmen and above all leading media representatives. She found time to visit historic places, mosques, shrines and even Iqbal's mausoleum. Except for certain strategic matters, she expressed herself candidly and even bluntly." Image from

Right Signals - Umesh Patil, 21stcenturypolitics.com: "It all started by Obama's Cairo Speech - campaign style politiciking in other country to achieve some diplomatic goals. Hillary's Pakistan tour is an exhibit A of such public diplomacy, an attempt to shape public opinions in a far way land. These are some 'high wire acts', quite impressive."

Govt to revise cost of land for US embassy - Sharafat Kazmi: Pakistan Observer: "The government is considering to revise the cost of 18.5 acres of land offered to the United States Embassy in Islamabad,

reliable sources told Pakistan Observer on Friday. The case regarding the new price of land is lying with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani who has received a fresh summary from the Foreign Office that the rate of land fixed for the additional land of the embassy should be revised from Rs15,000 to Rs80,000 per sq yard (equivalent to $1000 per sq yard). ... The American embassy filed in October last its request, seeking allotment of ten to twenty acres of land adjoining the mission. The Foreign Office endorsed it and forwarded it to the CDA. On 19 August, US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale was quoted as saying that the embassy expansion reflected Washington’s added focus on its relations with Pakistan. She said the US focused on efforts to expand its relations with Pakistan and intended to fulfil its commitments with the people of Pakistan." Image from

Innovations In Global Public Diplomacy: The Implications For Foreign Policy And National Security - Ernest J. Wilson III, Newswire – CPD Blog & Blogroll, USC Center on Public Diplomacy:

"Despite the impressive spread of public diplomacy as an important instrument to achieve one’s international purposes, critical challenges remain." Image from

Colleen Graffy on the Rise of Public Diplomacy 2.0 - idiplomacy.org: "Colleen Graffy has an article, The Rise of Public Diplomacy 2.0, in the Fall issue of The Journal of International Security Affairs. Graffy is a professor at Pepperdine University’s law school and director of global programs. She recently served as the first deputy assistant secretary for Public Diplomacy to be appointed to the State Department, serving in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. According to her Pepperdine bio, 'Professor Graffy was the first high level US government official to actively advance ‘Public Diplomacy 2.0’ using Twitter and other social media platforms to further U.S. communications.'”

The Obama Administration's Ass-Backwards Approach to Public Diplomacy – Publius, litterblog.blogspot.com:

"We pissed on Poland and the Czechs, we continue to fail to ratify free trade agreements with South Korea and Colombia, and most recently after Pakistan's army launched and continues a bloody campaign stabbing the heart of insurgent held territory to try to dislodge Al Qaeda from its perch in the tribal wasteland of Pakistan's oxymoronically named Federally Administred Tribal Areas, Hillary Clinton went there and essentially publicly accused them of at the very least being inept in their pursuit of, if not corruptly in bed with or downright complicit with the Taliban and Al Qaeda." Image from

New VOA relays in Pakistan raise at least one eyebrow (updated again) - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy. Below image from

VOA and its wartime origins - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

Two more Willis Conover stories - Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy

This was Radio Moscow! Voice of Russia marks 80th anniversary

- Kim Andrew Elliott discussing International Broadcasting and Public Diplomacy. Image from

Local Public Affairs Corporate Representative / Southern California Edison / Santa Ana, CA – What Are Green Collar Jobs Info: Green Collar Job Postings and Information - "Job Title: Local Public Affairs Corporate Representative ... Basic Qualifications: Must possess three or more years experience working with, and a broad knowledge of, local and/or regional or state government agencies. Must have project management experience and/or utility experience. ... - Must have established strong interpersonal skills

and public diplomacy, business relationships with local entities or the demonstrated experience establishing relationships." Image from

RELATED ITEMS

Honduras 1, Hillary 0: A Honduran compromise provides Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with an elegant diplomatic exit - Review & Outlook, Wall Street Journal: The big news in Honduras is that the good guys seem to have won a four-month political standoff over the exile of former President Manuel Zelaya. Current President Roberto Micheletti agreed yesterday to submit Mr. Zelaya's request for reinstatement as president to the Supreme Court and Congress, and in return the U.S. will withdraw its sanctions and recognize next month's presidential elections.

A win in Honduras: How the Obama administration outmaneuvered Hugo Chávez – Editorial, Washington Post: The beauty of the U.S.-brokered deal is that it is founded on democratic process -- the very thing the Chavistas want to destroy. The Honduran Congress will vote on whether to restore Mr. Zelaya to office for the three months remaining in his term. Mr. Zelaya says he has the votes to return as president, but if he does, he will head a "government of reconciliation," and the armed forces will report to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a presidential election previously scheduled for Nov. 29 will go forward with international support and regional recognition for the winner. Neither of the two leading presidential candidates supports Mr. Zelaya or his agenda, which means that Honduras's democracy should be preserved, and Mr. Chávez's attempted coup rebuffed. Below Chavez image from


The universality of war propaganda: A soldier with the Russian army in Afghanistan recounts what they believed about their mission - Glenn Greenwald, Salon: What is most striking about war propaganda: no matter how many times it's re-cycled, regardless of by whom and for which wildly divergent ends, it never loses its efficacy.

IMAGE

Reunion with Aphrodite

Draping, pleats and folds of Venetian inspiration in the new season.
The long, steamy Greco-Roman-inspired gowns are, without doubt, a classic red carpet events. We are not surprised to see Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller or Megan Fox with goddess dresses inspired by ancient Greece. Moreover, the rise of the ridge coincides with a summer marked by the omnipresence of the influential designer Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975). The museum of Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris plays host to an exhibition now that the large contribution of the French fashion designer who now carry. Highly recommended, yes.

But art transcends the fold this season to the next series of garments that have nothing to do with cokctail long dresses, which will use only rarely. For example, the proposed new Balenciaga care is based on silk drapery key miniskirts applied to cake-shaped shell and pants Johdpur Santiago. This is a 360 degree turn for a designer who has focused on the futuristic elements during the past collections. The design duo Viktor & Rolf also joined this trend, combining pasty white with earthy tones and architectural drapery. The result is disturbing and radically different doses of glitter and metallic dress eighties style we've seen in other designers.

Ann Demeulemeester jacket commitment pattern models seemingly carefree, Valentino applies its extensive knowledge of this technique to cherry leather handbags with roses as a flower and uses Christian Dior yellow brocade dress in tight wrap.

Doo.Ri, Yigal Azrouel, Oscar de la Renta ... we show you the new codes in a style that will accompany you throughout the winter.

Draping, folds and Greco-Roman style complex networks reappear in the new winter collections. X Balenciaga silhouette strokes by adjusting the waist and focusing the entire volume in the miniskirt and a pronounced shoulder sweater.

Detail draped silk skirt shaped shell, the Balenciaga collection for autumn-winter 2009/10

Stilletto abotinado rubber based band draped navy and beige suede and red Balenciaga

The Les Arts Decoratifs museum in Paris is currently hosting an exhibition of dresses inspired pleats and drapery created by the Greco-Roman couturier Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975)

Viktor & Rolf bet for a romantic blouse blue paste that incorporates in the back a Venetian-inspired draping

Details of the cascading folds applied to one of the new clothes by Viktor & Rolf

Soft white hand bag with pleated shaped shell, Viktor & Rolf

Donna Karan presents a flowing gown and Greco-Roman-inspired brown folds as a wrap

Detail of boat neckline draped in clothing, the new winter collection of Donna Karan

Wrinkled cotton pad loop, Zara Home

Givenchy bet for a total look in a white gown with a bow at the waist, V-neck and applications ostrich feather

Ricardo Tisci was inspired by the hairstyles of ancient Egypt and classical Greece to give rise to an original and innovative

Cerise bag with leather straps in the rosette, Valentino

The Rizzoli published "Valentino: Themes and Variations", a book containing 50 years of this master of haute couture and the handling of the needle. Highly recommended if you want to know more about the drapery

Max Azria combines the glam rock aesthetic drawing on tight pants, black low cut dress asymmetrical draping

Chocolate-colored minidress, high neck and wrinkled effect in X, Yigal Azruel

Brian Atwood established a preference for high leather boots with chocolate brown stiletto heel, hidden platform and wrinkled cane

Doo.Ri joins the trend with a flowing silk dress blue ink that incorporates a dizzying V-shaped neckline

Draped dress with purple sequined sash belt and halter neck, by Roberto Cavalli

For a formal event, we choose this fuchsia dress with asymmetrical neckline and sash belt, Oscar de la Renta

Effect wrinkled sack dress and casual cut, of Ann Demeulemeester's collection for autumn-winter 2009/10

Christian Dior bet for a colorful yellow wrap dress with brocade and tied around her waist

vogue.es

October 30

“The scandal only begins once the police have put an end to it.”

--Austrian author Karl Kraus; cited in Times Literary Supplement (October 9, 2009), p. 22; image from

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Clinton takes advice on Pakistan last day - AFP: "Clinton has spent three days in the troubled nuclear-armed Muslim state, which President Barack Obama has put at the heart of the war on Al-Qaeda and where increasing attacks have killed 2,400 people in two years.

Kicking off a last day of public diplomacy, the US diplomat held open-air talks with representatives from the country's northwest, which borders Afghanistan and where areas are thick with Al-Qaeda-linked and Taliban militias. Clinton has focused on trying to strengthen the civilian government and counter rising public anti-Americanism, but has been frustrated by fears that a 7.5 billion dollar non-military aid bill violates Pakistan's sovereignty." Image: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik (R) paying their respects at the shrine of 17th century Muslim saint Shah Latif Bari Kazmi, also known as Bari Imam, in Islamabad from

Clinton Meets Pakistan Tribal Chiefs After Urging Al-Qaeda Exit - Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, Bloomberg: "Clinton’s three-day public diplomacy push to demonstrate America’s long-term commitment to Pakistani democracy and development has proved an uphill battle. As she expressed solidarity with Pakistan over hundreds of lives lost in the wave of bombings, she has faced repeated questions over American aims in the region."

Hillary Alleges Pak's Complicity with Al-Qaeda - Rezaul H Laskar, Outlook:

"Clinton's public diplomacy push has focussed on reiterating America's long-term commitment to Pakistan but she has faced pointed questions during her public interactions over US aims in the region." Image from

Clinton talks tough to Pakistan: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared concerns about whether Pakistan is committed to fighting extremists and tracking down Osama bin Laden - Saeed Shah, MiamiHerald.com: "While Clinton is meeting top Pakistani civilian and military officials, her visit is focused on public diplomacy. She told the students in Lahore that 'I am well aware that there is a trust deficit' between the countries. American officials were baffled by the intensity of criticism leveled at a recent U.S. aid bill, which imposed tough conditions on Pakistan. They seemed unaware of the need to put their case before the country's Urdu-language news channels. `A lot of this visit is about taming the beast that is the Pakistani media. They had not understood the vernacular news channels and the power they've gained in the last few years,' said Cyril Almeida, a columnist for Dawn, a Pakistani daily newspaper."

Lahore, we say, is Pakistan's Heart ... - blog.ifaqeer.com: "...and yesterday, Mrs Clinton heard it straight from the heart - one has to give Hilary C credit for actually getting out and about and right into the heart of Pakistan.

But winning it over will be easier said than done, never mind the hopeful noises one hears in the US media--be it corporate, public, or alternative. ... The US, after all, is coming right out of a complete and utter defeat on the propaganda, sorry, PR, sorry, Public Diplomacy front on the Kerry Lugar Bill." Image from

Clinton vows US will stand by Pakistan - Christophe Schmidt, The Age: "On a day devoted to public diplomacy, Clinton covered her head and chest with a royal blue scarf to visit the shrine of a Muslim saint in the capital Islamabad before touring the 16th century Badshahi mosque in Lahore. Accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Clinton closed her eyes and pressed her fingers together in prayer, then gave alms to the needy at the Bari Imam mausoleum near the heavily guarded seat of government."

Pakistan called top foreign policy problem - Sara Israelsen-Hartley, Deseret News:

"'The elements of a democracy — accountability, transparency, effectiveness and so on — are critical ingredients for how a long-term resolution will be found in both Pakistan and Afghanistan,' said Gerald Hyman, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And getting to that point requires improved diplomacy and communication, said John Hughes, former editor of the Deseret News as well as a former U.S. assistant secretary of state and an assistant secretary-general of the United Nations. 'Our public diplomacy in this country is in serious disarray,' Hughes said. 'I think we need to give some serious consideration as to what has to happen.' Hughes explained how terrorists in Afghanistan have mastered the use of television and social-networking Internet sites to promote their violent agendas. 'More than half the battle is taking place in the battleground of media,' he said. 'It's a media race for hearts and minds.' Hughes recalled the vital role of radio, with examples of Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, in promoting democratic values, and called for a renewed focus on communication and diplomacy." Image from

Can Mrs. Clinton Control CIA In Afghanistan? - Ahmed Quraishi, International Analyst Network: "Mrs. Clinton's visit was so carefully choreographed that US diplomats launched a strict vetting process to determine which Pakistani television anchors should be allowed to participate in a 'pool interview'. The point was to exclude anyone critical of US policies ['anti-American' to US diplomats]. This sharply contrasts with the statements Clinton has been giving here, like this one she gave to the television anchors, 'It is especially critical that we do more of what you're doing today with your colleagues so that I have a chance to answer the questions that are on the minds of the people of Pakistan.' But when time came for the real questions, she dodged them. So much for a successful public diplomacy."

Clinton's visit good but reservations on KLB remain - Samiullah Koreshi, Pakistan Observer: "These days Hillary Clinton is visiting Pakistan. A welcome visit and a kind of gesture to make amends for the offensive KLB, through direct approach to people of Pakistan. In the context of public diplomacy a new name for old practice, public relation exercise, she was exposed directly to the people. Quite clearly her charming manners down to earth style were indeed the first ever in recent days experience of American approach to Pakistan. ...

[O]ne could see the difference in her human approach and the arrogant style of Holbrooke." Image from

Somebody give her a seekh kebab and some gow – Rosita, rositatheprolesnastylittlebloggingproblem.wordpress.com: "The unfortunate punch line to the Hillary Goes to Pakistan joke is that we just gave them $7.5 billion goddam dollars. Excuse me, we just borrowed $7.5 billion dollars from the Chinese to give to Pakistan. ... $ 7.5 billion we’ve given to these people. In August, Richard C. Holbrooke, the US 'special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan' (all these weird never-before-seen titles rearing their ugly heads), and Judith McHale, the 'under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs' (appunto), went over to Pakistan to fulfill their dark desires of writhing naked on the floor while being spit upon by contemptuous Muslims. I well realize that in these postmodern times we don’t want to condemn such kinkiness, but do they really have to do it on our dime, while representing us?"

State Department’s “DanceMotion USA” to Bridge Cultural Divides - Mitchell Polman, understandinggov.org: "America’s pop culture exports are the boon and bane of the country’s reputation abroad. But there is one cost-effective way to change people’s perceptions of American society. It is to show people abroad an aspect of American life and culture that is very different from what they are exposed to when they turn on their television sets. Through its public diplomacy programs, the Department of State works to educate foreign publics about aspects of American culture that they otherwise may never see or hear. For example, few people overseas are aware of the fact that the U.S. is considered an innovator in the field of contemporary dance. A new State Department-sponsored initiative that is set to begin early next year will work to change that. DanceMotion USA, a program coordinated by State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will send three contemporary dance companies to three countries each in different regions of the world."

America's new crusader castles:

Across the Middle East, the US is building heavily fortified embassies which cut off diplomats and create hostilities - Simon Tisdall, guardian.co.uk - ‎ "The way the new embassies tend to physically cut off America's diplomats from the countries they are supposed to connect with is one good reason, among many, why Washington might want to rethink its laager policy. While effective security is obviously important, the worldwide rise of America's diplomatic fortresses undermines the kind of 'soft power' outreach and public diplomacy that the Obama administration earnestly espouses." Image from

NATO - Keynote Address by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the conference ''NATO-UAE Relations and the Way Forward in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative'' - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 29 Oct. 2009 - ISRIA: Rasmussen: “Let me start by thanking you, Sheikh Abdallah, and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, for your gracious hospitality, and for welcoming the North Atlantic Council and myself to your country. I should also like to congratulate you for your initiative to organise today’s conference together with NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division. I have been looking forward to coming here, early on in my tenure as NATO Secretary General, to underline the importance of NATO’s dialogue and cooperation with the countries of the Gulf region, and to discuss with you how we can take our relationship forward.”

[Review of Joseph Nye, Jr., Soft Power: The Means to Success in International Politics] - kalyoncumehmet.blogspot.com: "The United States is still by far the most attractive country in the world though it is not the most powerful one. Despite all the wrongdoings, its democracy and respect for individual rights and freedoms keep the United States popular in the minds of the billions around the globe.

However, the American people should be vigilant against those who are bent on squandering the United States' credit for their narrow tribal and ethnic interests. Without such vigilance, no amount of public diplomacy can restore the positive US image of the good old days... Commissioner of the concept 'soft power', Nye argues that the US should refocus on public diplomacy in order to fix its tarnished image around the world.. It is a book worth reading.. (New York: Public Affairs Press 2004, 192pgs.)" Image from

Strange Annual Cycle in PD/SC Definition Debates? - Steven R. Corman, comops.org: "A debate has once again re-ignited over the relative meaning of Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication."

Il Nuovo Ruolo Delle Rp Nelle Relazioni Diplomatiche - mktgcafe.blogspot.com: "Dalla collaborazione tra Ferpi e Ministero degli Esteri emergono nuovi e interessanti elementi concettuali per le Relazioni Pubbliche. Diplomatici e relatori pubblici, un percorso in parallelo verso la public diplomacy
e la stakeholder relationship governance." Image from

RELATED ITEMS

With Candor, Clinton Confronts Pakistani Government On Al Qaeda Leaders [no link] - BulletinNews: Media reports are casting Secretary of State Clinton's comments yesterday during her visit to Pakistan as highly unusual. ABC World News called them "rather blunt and rather remarkable. This is the quote from today, where she basically accused the Pakistani government of being complicit in hiding Al Qaeda. She said, 'Al Qaeda has had safe haven in Pakistan since 2002. I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government,' meaning the Pakistani government, 'knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to.'" NBC Nightly News referred to Clinton having "some very tough words today for the Pakistani government." At a "town hall, university students challenged Clinton asking whether they could trust America. One student confronted her saying, the US is pressing Pakistan to do what it doesn't want to do, reclaim tribal territories from extremists."

Clinton replied, "That's up to Pakistan. I mean, if you want to see your territory shrink, that's your choice, but I don't think that's the right choice. In fact, I think that's a very self-destructive choice." The CBS Evening News reported that "the danger in blunt talk that's as hot as the Al Qaeda accusation is that it could anger America's friends and not change that anti-American mood." The AP calls Clinton's remarks "unusually blunt" and "startling, coming after months of lavish public comments from her and other American officials portraying Pakistan's leaders as finally receptive to the war against militants inside their own country." The Washington Post calls Clinton's comments "the most direct public statement of a US argument long made in private," and the New York Times reports that "it is extremely rare for an official of Mrs. Clinton's rank to say publicly what American politicians and intelligence officials have said in more guarded ways for years." AFP, however, reports, "A US official, speaking to journalists on board Clinton's plane from Lahore to Islamabad, said there was nothing contradictory in her remarks and her mission to strengthen ties between the United States and Pakistan." Image from

Mrs. Clinton in Pakistan – Editorial, New York Times: If Washington is ever to enlist Pakistan as a reliable ally, it is going to have to do a much better job of explaining itself. And it is going to have to insist that Pakistan’s leaders start explaining the real stakes to their citizens and the real benefits of an alliance with the United States. Mrs. Clinton’s trip was an important start — but only a start.

Pentagon officials won’t confirm Bush propaganda program ended - Brad Jacobson, Raw Story:

The covert Bush administration program that used retired military analysts to generate favorable wartime news coverage may not have been terminated, Raw Story has found. Image from

Close Gitmo and give detainees their day in court New legislation may make it easier for the Obama administration to keep its word and close the infamous detention center. Whether the detainees are to be tried in federal courts or military commissions would remain unresolved – Editorial, latimes.com

On the war's front lines: Why Obama needs to send more troops to Afghanistan - David Ignatius, Washington Post:

The goal isn't to transform Afghanistan into a 21st-century showplace but to buy enough time for the country's army and government to fight their own battles. Image: Don Carols Espinoza Send More Troops acrylic on rag paper from

Muddled thinking on Afghanistan:The administration is losing control of the Afghan agenda – Editorial, Washington Times

What we can achieve in Afghanistan - Robert B. Zoellick, Washington Post: Progress is possible if safety is strengthened, the Afghan government assumes ownership, its partners build development through the choices of the Afghan people, and Afghanistan's neighbors decide they are better off with a successful state than with a perilous buffer zone that could send trouble back across their borders. The writer is president of the World Bank Group.

A familiar war in Afghanistan - Eugene Robinson, Washington Post:

Afghanistan's status as a narco-superpower is another reason why President Obama would be wrong to deepen U.S. involvement. Image from

Jessica Alba Power Dresses In Lanvin!

While I'm truly indifferent to Jessica Alba's comings and goings in this world, I do give her two style snaps for totally POWER DRESSING TO THE MAX in the Lanvin Pre-Fall 2009 metallic dress she wore to the Spike TV’s Scream Awards 2009 earlier this month.


It's SO Joan Collins in Dynasty.