Good to Know

Remember, back in March, when Condoleeza Rice announced the nomination of Karen Hughes, longtime Bush insider, to be undersecretary of state for public diplomacy?

Ms. Hughes was going to head a refocussed effort to improve communication of our American values to the Muslim world, as part of our broad efforts in the War on Terrorism. The appointment of Ms. Hughes was seen as a sign that this effort was going to get new energy, since a person with Bush's ear would now be in charge. Secretary Rice said at the time "We must do much more to confront hateful propaganda, dispel dangerous myths and get out the truth."

Just the other day, I was wondering why I hadn't heard anything about her since. Her voice hasn't been popping up in soundbites on the news, nor has she been chiming in to help with the happy-talk about Iraq. A story in today's New York Times, detailing some infighting on the Senate committee that would be in charge of confirming her and her second-in-command, tells us why.

Committee Republicans say they have been told that Ms. Hughes, who left the White House as a close adviser to President Bush in mid-2002 to be with her family back in Texas, will not be ready to start until fall because she wants to wait until after her son starts college.

That makes sense, since it's not like improving our image in the Muslim world is urgent, or anything. It can wait for the kid to get settled in his dorm room.

All right, all right. I admit it, that is merely pro-forma ridicule, pointing out the difference between their rhetoric and their actions. But in truth, I believe it matters not a whit when Ms. Hughes shows up for work, or if she shows up at all.

Despite the assertions of the administration, the problem isn't that the world isn't familiar with American values, and so better communication will help. Condoleeza Rice said, when announcing Hughes,

Sadly, too few in the world today know about the goodness and compassion and generosity of the American people. Too few know of our belief that every man and woman and child has value and that every voice has value. Too few know of our deep respect for the history and traditions of others and our respect for the religions of all. Too few know of the protections that we provide for freedom of conscience and freedom of speech. And too few know of the value we place on international institutions and the rule of law. Too few know, too, that American lives have been lost so that others, including Muslims, might live in freedom and that others might have a future of their own making.

I don't buy it. It's not their misconception of classic American values that's the problem, it's the way our policies, particularly those of this administration, reflect a completely different set of values.

The conception that what we need is some kind of a better ad campaign is simple-minded. As Fred Kaplan pointed out, Coca-Cola sells just fine in Arabic speaking countries, but not even they could sell New Coke. The product matters as much as the promotion.

Our product, both in terms of modern values and awful policies, isn't selling any better than New Coke. As noted in 2004 paper by the RAND Corporation:

Misunderstanding of American values is not the principal source of anti-Americanism. The source lies in explicit rejection of some of the salient characteristics of American values and institutions. Women's rights, open and competitive markets, and equal and secret voting rights - let alone materialism and conspicuous display - are (in some places and for some groups) resented, rejected, and bitterly opposed. When this hostility is mixed with envy, the combination can lead to violent resistance. The third flaw is that some U.S. policies have been, are, and will continue to be major sources of anti-Americanism in some quarters. The most obvious and enduring policies that arouse anti-Americanism are strong U.S. support for Israel. Much of the Middle East views this stance as providing support for an already strong, dominant, and overbearing military occupation, while U.S. concern and support for the plight of the Palestinian victims is viewed as half-hearted and grudging.

I'm pretty sure our operations in Iraq, and the stories coming out of Baghram and Guantanamo, aren't helping. And the continuing hypocritical rhetoric out of Washington isn't convincing anyone to listen to what we say.

So, Ms. Hughes, have a good summer, and cherish the time spent with your family. In the final analysis, it'll turn out to be a better use of your time.