To: Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United State of America

From: Ethan Parry, Senior Public Policy Official

Date: December 14, 2013

Subject: Public Diplomacy in the Middle East

It is such an honor to address you and work for you. You have charged me with the task of

revamping our nation’s public diplomacy and to find out how we can improve the American

image in the Islamic world. In this memorandum, I take great pride in being an American citizen

and I will share with you my thoughts on the issue.

I will start by discussing what our current relationship is like with the Islamic world. Generally

speaking, they unfortunately do not hold favorable views of the United States of America. The

feelings may stem from the fact that within the past two decades, the United States’ military has

established a presence, and fought, in both Afghanistan and Iraq. There are also current talks

about sending our nation to intervene in Syria’s recent conflicts. President, direct U.S. military

involvement cannot be the solution to every problem. Acting as the “policeman of the world” can

actually damage our image with the Islamic community.

I recently read an article1 from Ahmed Younis, a senior analyst for the Gallup Center for Muslim

Studies. Based on several polls that the Center conducted, Younis shared some of the main

reasons why Muslims disagree with Americans:

“Some Muslims may believe the U.S. tries to exercise political domination over other

areas of the world. Political domination is ‘the perception that we as individuals think we

are dominant,’ resulting in the oppression of other cultures.”

“Another cause for conflict is cultural disrespect...the disrespect of ‘the set of rights that

are inalienable to us.’ For example, Americans often disagree with Islamic cultures about

the role women should play in society.”

“Finally, many Muslims believe America promotes conflict. ‘There is a perception that

the United States is a catalyst for war and instability. One of the problems America has,

can be thought of as a ‘branding problem’, when Americans promote false stereotypes.”

Mr. President these barely skim the surface of the issue. I particularly agree with the third reason

that Younis mentioned, America is currently promoting false stereotypes. What does being an

American citizen mean to you? What ideals come to mind? When I consider what it means to be

American, I instantly think of the blessing of being part of this great democracy. As our nation’s

Declaration of Independence states, I have been endowed “by [my] Creator with certain

1 http://www.usustatesman.com/understanding-muslim-views-of-the-us-1.2735354#.Uq0-xvRDtiM

inalienable rights.” I feel this is the image that we want to portray to the rest of the world,

especially to those nations where the majority of its population are of the Muslim religious

belief. However, we are failing at doing so.

The content of the American message to the Islamic world needs to be re-tuned. Our message

needs to be one of “The United States of America, although it may not agree, respects your right

to have your own beliefs and political ideologies. We are always open to strengthening

diplomatic ties with your nation and ours.” This rebranding will take time, especially as many

politicians would strongly disagree with such a statement, but I assure you that this is the best

route.

Although difficult as it may be, especially shown by your administration’s recent discussions

with Iran, we need to communicate to the Muslim world that we are here to listen and truly value

what they have to say. We have been quick to act. I want to make sure Mr. President that you do

not misinterpret my statements here; I am not saying that listening equals inaction. I am saying

that before one rushes to conclusions regarding a leader’s political views, that we consider all

possible avenues of reaching an agreement first.

In addition to rebranding ourselves by changing our central message to the Islamic world, we

must at the same time, also focus less on what we are trying to communicate and more on

actually living up to what it mean to be a citizen of this country. Admiral Michael G. Mullen,

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it best several years ago,

“I would argue that most strategic communication problems are not communication

problems at all,” he wrote. “They are policy and execution problems. Each time we fail to

live up to our values or don’t follow up on a promise, we look more and more like the

arrogant Americans the enemy claims we are.”2

By communicating through our actions that are consistent with our values, the Islamic world will

begin to view us in a new and more positive light.

You might ask yourself, “What changes may be necessary in the way that we disseminate this

message?” The “America promotes conflict” message can be seen across all mediums: print,

radio, TV, and the web. Even though our actions speak louder than words, it is still important

that we try our best to engage in conversation with our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith. I

feel like there is an opportunity that America is current failing to take hold of, the use of social

media.

President, I commend you for how readily you have embraced social media in your campaigns

and terms in office. You have connected with the American people in an unparalleled way that

our nation has never before seen. Social media is an extremely powerful tool. A tool that can

easily allow us to engage in fruitful conversation with those who have a negative connotation

2 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/28military.html?_r=0

about us. Instead of forcing democratic ideals down their throats, we let them do all the talking

and we listen to them. Who knows? We may learn a thing or two.

You cannot do this alone. You need to enlist the public sector’s help. In order to truly re-vamp

U.S. public diplomacy and improve the American image, we need American citizens to

participate. The best way that they can help does not require much effort at all. They can help by

simply being cognizant of the way they are acting, especially in the way that they treat others.

We must act like Americans. Our nation’s citizens must understand that others have rights too,

especially that others have the right to worship how they may. We must be more than just

tolerant. As nice as it would be for other nations to step in and help us clean up our image, it is

not their responsibility. It is ours.

I again thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. I honor your willingness

and courage to serve our nation with all that is in your power.

Highest regards,

Ethan Parry, Senior Public Policy Official