American Author Promotes Dynamic View of US

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009388 SIPDIS FOR IIP/T/IS (PLATT),IIP/G/NEA-SA (SCOTT),NEA/PPD AND NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: NA TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP EG SUBJECT: American Author Promotes Dynamic View of US Foreign Policy REF: A) STATE 83422 B) 2004 STATE 261067 ¶1. SUMMARY: American foreign policy expert Walter Russell Mead engaged Egyptian audiences with his dynamic vision of U.S. foreign policy during three days of lectures, roundtable discussions, and media interviews November 27-29. Meads visit coincided with the Embassys release of the Arabic translation of his acclaimed book Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World, providing an opportunity to publicize his work and the Regional Arabic Book Program. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Following paragraphs are formatted per reftels. ¶A. NAME OF SPEAKER AND DATE OF PROGRAM: Walter er Russell Mead, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; November 27-29, 2005. ¶B. SUMMARY OF TOPICS/VENUES/AUDIENCES: Mead analyzed current trends in U.S. foreign policy, discussed the historical perspective of his book Special Providence, reflected on the place of religion in foreign policy, and responded to a wide range of questions on issues such as Iraq, the Egyptian elections, and U.S. promotion of democracy in the Middle East. He addressed 200 students and faculty at Cairo University, participated in a roundtable discussion with 30 members of the Diplomatic Club organized by the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, and addressed 75 students, professors, judges and business leaders at American Center Alexandria. ¶C. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPEAKER: Mead is insightful, engaging, and personable, whether in a television interview, a high-level discussion with diplomats, or one-on-one discussion with students. During this visit and past visits to Cairo, students found him m approachable and surrounded him with questions, often critical of US foreign policy. He responds assertively and with the credibility of an independent observer. ¶D. QUALITY OF IIP SUPPORT: Excellent. Post very much appreciates IIPs notification that Mead would be in Egypt and available as a speaker. ¶E. IMMEDIATE RESULTS: Meads appearance and press interviews presented a picture of the United States as fully engaged as a positive force in international affairs. At a time when Egyptians were focusing on parliamentary elections and continuing strife in Iraq, Meads historical perspective reminded young people, influential opinion-makers, and media audiences of the long U.S. tradition of engagement with the world, helping to counter conspiracy theories about nefarious short-term agendas. The timing of his arrival on the day the translation of Special Providence was released helped us publicize his acclaimed work and the Regional Arabic Book Book Program. Cairo and APP Alexandria have followed up his appearances by sending out personalized copies of the Arabic edition of Special Providence to key contacts. ¶F. PRESS PLACEMENT: Mead appeared on Dream TV for a lengthy interview on a wide range of foreign policy issues, focusing on U.S. relations with the Middle East after September 11. The pro-government weekly Al-Mosawer magazine published a two-page article with photos mentioning his new book. In the article, Mead responded to questions on the Egyptian elections, Muslim Brothers, and political reform in Egypt. He also discussed differences between President Bushs first and second terms, commenting that policy toward the Middle East has improved. The leading independent newspaper Al Masry al Yom (circulation 15,000) published a story on his lecture at Cairo University. The leading government daily Al Ahram (circulation: 800,000) and the pro-government daily Rose Al Youssef (circulation: n: 15,000) also published stories. Several publications have also promised to publish reviews of the book. JONES