1. Colombo Defense Seminar, 2017
Public Diplomacy in CVE
Nick Cull

2. Overview: What is Public Diplomacy? Components of PD Precedent: COIN
Single actor approaches to CVE (US case)
Multi-actor approaches to CVE
Conclusion: Rethinking CVE.

3. What is Public Diplomacy?
Traditional Diplomacy = an actor’s attempt to manage the international environment through engagement with a foreign actor.
Public Diplomacy = an actor’s attempt to manage the international environment through engagement with a foreign public.
BUT New Term for five old practices…

4. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening

5. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy

6. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy
Cultural Diplomacy

7. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy
Cultural Diplomacy
Exchange Diplomacy

8. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy
Cultural Diplomacy
Exchange Diplomacy
State-Funded News/ International b’casting

9. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy
Cultural Diplomacy
Exchange Diplomacy
State-Funded News/ International b’casting
US invents term: PD

10. Components of Public Diplomacy
Listening
Advocacy
Cultural Diplomacy
Exchange Diplomacy
State-Funded News/ International b’casting
US invents term: PD
All enhance SOFT POWER of attractive values/culture

11. Precedent: PD dimension to COIN
Listening: to isolate the enemy from their host pop.
Advocacy: for a better future
Culture: ensure help fits with local cultural values
Exchange: work with the host population to build links
IB: Fight with an eye to the outside media image.
UK did it right in Malaya
US did wrong in Vietnam

12. Single Actor: recent US approaches
Listening: too little, too late
Advocacy: ‘Think again, turn away’ but not State Dept. not credible
Culture: use of music (including US Muslims)
Exchange: aim for youth & women
IB: Al Hurra, Sawa & websites.
BUT problem of domestic politics
Priority = impress home audience
Reality = no one has the resource or credibility to act alone.

13. Multi-Actor: The Collective Cure?
Integrate a unified govt. “hub”
Listen first and know your audience
Understand recruitment
Empower communicators who are credible to your target audience.
Create/translate messages that they can pass on as memes
Build a networks practice (Strong Cities Network & EU’s RAN)
Don’t do hard power things that make the situation worse.

14. Conclusion: Rethinking CVE
Question: What if violent extremism is a symptom NOT the disease?
What if issue = nihilism and lack of ‘future’ to believe in?
What if VE has same root as new nationalism/strong man?
How to counter the victim narrative?
The world needs a greater idea and a common goal.
Challenge for everyone’s PD

15. Thank You Nick Cull (cull@usc.edu)