Ensuring Effective Representation of U.S. Diplomatic Interests and Image

Why Area is Important

Diplomatic Interests and Image

In today's highly volatile global environment, it is more critical than ever that the United States effectively coordinate, manage, and implement its public diplomacy and strategic communications activities to affect foreign public opinion. Led by the State Department, U.S. public diplomacy efforts seek to offer a positive vision of hope and opportunity, nurture common interests and values, and marginalize violent extremists. A number of agencies manage activities and programs aimed to influence foreign publics, promote a shared sense of democratic values and principles, and mitigate the threat to our national security posed by the spread and intensification of anti-American sentiments abroad. For example:

Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S. government has spent at least $10 billion on communication efforts designed to advance the strategic interests of the United States. In fiscal year 2008 alone, the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors shared a strategic communication budget of approximately $1.6 billion.
Other agencies, including the Department of Defense, USAID, and the intelligence community, also seek to influence foreign public opinion through their strategic communication and emergency relief efforts.

Beginning in 2003 we recommended that the U.S. Government needed to develop an interagency public diplomacy strategy. In June 2007, the President issued a U.S. National Strategy For Public Diplomacy And Strategic Communication. Our work shows that the implementation of the strategy must be guided by strong interagency mechanisms that promote information sharing and better coordination of efforts. In addition, content should be based on sound research of the intended audiences, with messages consistent with U.S. foreign policy interests. Gaps in research data, foreign language capability, staffing, and resources hinder the United States' ability to best target and communicate with key foreign audiences.

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

To improve the U.S. image abroad, it is critical that U.S. policy makers

improve their strategic planning, coordination, and performance measurement efforts;
enhance the substance and sharing of government audience research efforts; and
address a range of human capital challenges that include developing an overseas workforce with requisite language capabilities.
Highlights of GAO-07-904 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-06-535 (PDF)