SIDLE UP TO THE TEAT:

U.S. Struggles to Win Hearts, Minds in the Muslim World (Robin Wright, 8/20/04, Washington Post)

The Bush administration is facing growing criticism from both inside and outside its ranks that it has failed to move aggressively enough in the war of ideas against Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda and other Islamic extremist groups over the three years since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Sept. 11 commission last month called for a vigorous strategy for promoting the image and democratic values of the United States around the world, and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that the administration is working hard on those efforts.

But Middle East experts -- and some frustrated U.S. officials -- complain that the administration has provided only limited new direction in dealing with anti-American anger among the world's 1.2 billion Muslims and is spending far too little on such efforts, particularly in contrast with the billions spent on other pressing needs, such as homeland security and intelligence. [...]

The dissatisfaction extends to some in the State Department who are involved in public diplomacy.

"This is all feel-good mumbo jumbo," said a State Department official familiar with public diplomacy efforts who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "Particularly in light of [people detained without charges at] Guantanamo Bay, it's unclear how this will make us safe. If this is so important, where's the money?"

Ms Wright is a fine reporter who seems to have some clue about the Middle East, but we need a story about how "Middle East experts" and "State Department official"[s] think the government should spend more money on them like we need another story about how the generals think they should have had a couple hundred thousand more troops. Everyone wants their piece of the pie. The Terminix guys probably think the government should subsidize termite colonies.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 21, 2004 12:00 AM