Public Diplomacy and Foreign Disaster Relief: A Machiavellian or Altruistic Approach?
Abstract
During the 2010 floods in Pakistan, commentators viewed disaster assistance as a way to combat extremism and create goodwill for the United States in a region that is of great concern for U.S. foreign policy. The concept of providing American support for foreign disaster relief efforts as public diplomacy in support of U.S. strategy rather than for purely humanitarian purposes is not new and has long been a concern of nongovernmental relief agencies as well as certain U.S. governmental organizations, including the military. This paper will examine whether disaster relief should be used for political ends by the United States. It seeks to enhance understanding of this approach to disaster relief and determine its viability, likely outcomes, and impact on operational and strategic planning and foreign policy. The paper will examine the likely success of this approach based on polling results of countries that have received disaster relief from the United States, to include Indonesia, Pakistan, and other countries in Latin America. Finally, it will identify comprehensive strategies and corresponding U.S. government responsibilities for foreign humanitarian assistance and public diplomacy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA565131
Entities
People
- James L. Miller
Organizations
- Atlantic Council