Richard, a commendable effort. I would add that multinationals should look at their global workforces and see how they can leverage that structure to move more employees around between the US and the middle east to not only reap the business benefit from having employees with an increased international perspective, but also to build increased cultural understanding.

Curious re: Idea #2 - Does the artist involved with the tour need to have some sort of resonance with an Arabic/Middle Eastern audience? The artist mentioned above, Shakira, is an artist of Colombian descent whose popularity is with fans of Latino and American pop music genres.

I really like the ideas Mr. Edelman. Whatever we as a country can do to help the Middle East take care of itself will be a key component to stability in the region. As far as understanding culture, I think this starts with the younger generation. Your idea of a wired Middle East is dead on. And let it be a Middle Eastern company that provides the service (with support from a Microsoft or whoever as necessary).

With the capabilities of blogs today, I think it would be easier than ever to have a dialogue with students in the Middle East. A program could be implemented at universities all over the U.S. for American students to blog with Middle Eastern students. I feel this would facilitate an understanding between the next generations of leaders in both parts of the world. At this point I think we need REAL communication with the REAL people of the Middle East to understand the REAL issues they face.

Christopher,
As we know the most credible information is that supplied by employees in a peer to peer fashion

Justin,
Peer to peer is the only way this works. Too much cynicism on top down communications in that part of the world

Richard,

I line the spirit of the ideas.

However, Idea #1 "Bring better business techniques to the Middle East", as articulated, is fraught with cultural issues that a US-centred idea will crash into.

Be careful of the value-judgement when terms such as "better" are used to describe what you have in comparison to others. The Middle East has been "in business" for millenia - just not globalized western business. So beware the cultural imperialist undertones.

Also, if the US wants to have a conversation with the world, then visit the world. Don't remain seated and have Middle Eastern envoys delivered to the US for plant visits. The 2 worlds and cultures are too different to assume visiting the US will teach the Middle East "how to do it right." Would Toldeo practices translate to Tehran? Maybe. Maybe not.

Instead, have the US/the West go learn what business means and does in the Middle East and see if there are opportnities for mutual sharing and support. US business might even learn something out of the deal.That's likely to be seen as less patronizing and condescending from the receiving end, might start more meaningful discussions and relationships, and might more directly start the slow process of displacing current negative perceptions of the US in the Middle East.

Mike,
I think this is constructive critique
You are right about Mideast business heritage The Fertile Crescent was home to the original deal makers So just as we try to find great cultural icons we should find the upcoming business leaders and make them the new heroes By the way are you the Mike Dunn who worked with Edelman in HK years ago?

Dear Mr. Edelman,

This post was great. You have outlined concrete ideas for the future of American-Middle East relations. Perceptions are indeed skewed at the moment, as a result of all that has been happening recently.

It seems like the American government is trying to do something about it. The PLUS program was started by the U.S. Department of State in 2004-05. Here is their website: http://www.plus-aed.org/

It brings the brightest students from all parts of the Middle East to various universities on full scholarships. I am a student at Denison University in Granville, Ohio - a small liberal arts college. The PLUS program has brought students from Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Bahrain (and a couple of other countries) here - a small town in rural Granville, Ohio!

Undoubtedly, the interaction is going to challenge stereotypes on both sides, but only if significant interaction takes place. Right now, it seems like the Middle Eastern students are having to assimilate on their own. That means some students tend to have minimal interaction with other American students because it takes some time to adapt to a different social culture. A little more structure around constructing interaction in schools and colleges might be beneficial. Also, there seems to be some ambiguity around the reasons for bringing the smartest kids from around the Middle East, especially to small liberal arts colleges like Denison University. Greater transparency might also be helpful.

Thank you for writing about this. The discussion is very valid and I could not resist writing. (Also, I'm not sure if you remember me, but I interned at Edelman NY this past summer, and the experience was invaluable.) Thank you!

Sincerely,

Tariq Vasudeva

Richard, there is much to agree with in your assessment, especially the current atmosphere of cynicism. Leveraging the business community, contributing to a wired society, libraries and promoting arab culture are sound suggestions.

A managed dialogue with trusted voices could be a successful umbrella strategy. Commentators with feet in both cultures could make significant impact using broadcast and Internet media.

Alistair Cooke helped the British understand life in America in weekly, ten-minute essays. Both sides of this cultural divide need such figures to provide context, to translate and to explain daily events.

If we can plan a 13-year return to the moon, It might be sensible for policy-makers to consider this a decades-long agenda.

Burt,

A typically sage Burt W response
I like the Alastair Cooke idea
We should find excellent voice of Middle East to explain Islam and Middle Eastern culture to Americans
The key point in my blog the benefit of inside out communications helping the Arab world sell itself

Taqriq,

Thrilled to hear from you
Let's push this initiative with Karen Hughes Frankly you and I should both do it
You as college student have real credibility I will use my professional status to do so

Richard,

Deep agreement and thanks for the kind words -- tho' sometimes I feel more thyme than sage --

A senior Arab leader who'd had a boyhood in America could also explain American culture to the Islamic world.

I enjoy checking in with what's on your mind via your blog -- well executed.

All best,

--B.

Mr. Edelman,

I must agree with Mr. Dunn's critique. Though cultural sharing and understanding are crucial to creating a healthy relationship between the United States and the Middle East, some of the tactics you mention may be perceived as imperialistic. I whole-heartedly agree with the essence of your suggestions but feel some amendments would make them more complementary to all involved parties.

For instance, inviting exceptional Arab students and professionals into our institutions is a wonderful idea for many reasons, but shouldn't the relationship be reciprocal? By inviting Arab scholars, artists and professionals to the United States we indeed show an honest interest in all that these individuals have to offer our country, but the connotation of these acts is that the U.S.A. is superior and can take advantage of foreign relationships without contributing our best and brightest in return. There are many American students seeking international experience. A competitive exchange program could be tremendously helpful to both American and Arabic students and, despite the dangers in some areas, would reinforce our country's faith in the culture and future of nations other than our own.

Likewise, though the United States could offer business improvements to Middle Eastern countries, we could undoubtedly take a lesson from many of their practices as well. Perhaps instead of solely bringing our business techniques to these countries we should have an exchange of professional tactics. As the former employee of an Egyptian entrepreneur I have seen first hand the excellent reputation-building and networking skills (read client loyalty!) ingrained in the Arabic culture. Business people in the United States are great, but not necessarily the greatest. We can learn a lot from other cultures.

Similarly, though promoting a wired culture and an appreciation of athletic competition would certainly improve the education and morale of Middle Easterners in my opinion, many might see this as an attempt to Americanize yet another corner of the world.

In short, though I am inspired by your ideas I believe you could integrate more give and take to build a stronger cross-cultural relationship. Perhaps, as Mr. Wolder hinted, a panel of influential United States and Middle Eastern professionals could work together to devise a strategy that would more efficiently suit the wants and needs of both cultures.

Best regards,
Karla Signs

Interesting and well-thought-out discussion and ideas. As Karla points out, though, "the connotation of these acts is that the U.S.A. is superior ..." As a cultural anthropologist, a cornerstone of our study is the concept of rationality, i.e., to get to know any group you wish to communicate with, you must truly know and understand its core values. A classic textbook example is of the US health workers trying to communicate to rural African women not to drink stream water that has been infected by chemicals or other impurities downstream. The women's experience leads them to view the foreign aid workers and their explanation as evil; and correctly so, based on cultural rationality. The solution: find a respected local leader who understood the issue and who could communicate with the women by placing the need to avoid impugned water in a culturally logical context. That's good PR, and effective delivery. The flip side in this situation is: is the message from the US correct and beneficial? Or must we do far more listening and learning about the cultures we wish to open doors with first? Maybe that would help shape the message better.

Dear Richard - I couldn't agree with you more about the need for better, more honest communication across borders. Particularly your ideas around supporting cultural exchange and the arts. I was long-time marketing director of Film Society/Lincoln Center for years. We organized film festivals from around the world - including several middle eastern festivals - that opened my eyes and heart to regions I had only superfical perceptions about. Great business too - that's important, these don't have to be marginal activities. Full disclosure: I left Film Society to make a documentary about Peruvians in NY, and last week was in your offices to meet account exec for new PromPeru account- that's how I discovered your blog in first place, researching the agency!
So there you, blogs and films connecting people.

Mitch Teplitsky

Mitchell,

The best way to connect is to share culture. That is for sure

David,
If we are continuing to preach, the global audience turns off. If we try to hype, we lose them. Why not try it a different way and push the wonders of local culture. Let's see what happens.

Here's an example happening now of what you were suggesting:
http://www.arteeast.org/cinemaeast/filmfest_05/filmfest05.html