U.S. Defense Department Releases Social Media Policy

Your first guess to a social media/new media policy from the U.S. Department of Defense might be that the policy is about as thick as the Senate Health Care bill.  After all, government can be full of legalese and stipulations.  Combine that with the sensitive job of the Defense Department and a social media policy might look messy.

But in reality, the Defense Department’s new social/new media policy is a tiny nine pages long and is incredibly straight forward.  The document demonstrates the DoD is encouraging its three million employees to use social media (safely and responsibly) either on or off duty, or at home or abroad.

To the DoD’s credit, this massive organization gets it.  Media is everywhere.  Access to social network sites is ubiquitous.  Millions of young men and women with smart phones is just too much to control.  And so the Department responded wisely by understanding what I think is the basic principle of any good organization – the best advocates are an entity’s employees.  Yes, more than their customers.  That’s because good organizations make their workplace enjoyable and rewarding.  Employees spread those good feelings to stakeholders outside the organization.

Going back to the Defense Department, if we stop to think of the organizational culture, we probably can begin to realize that this institution is full of dedicated, focused and loyal men and women.  The U.S. government should be facilitating its people to communicate via social/new media.  These employees can be the Defense Department’s best advocates.

And that is the lesson for public affairs organizations of any type or size.  The best capital we have is our people.  Happy, dedicated and loyal employees will make the best advocates.  Instead of walling them in, let them go out and be ambassadors.

Social Media, Direct Democracy and Iran

Tom Friedman penned a great column today in the New York Times discussing the reversal of a trend whereby democracy in the Middle East assisted in bringing to power more radical Islamic elements to governing positions in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine over the last few years.  Now, demonstrated by the power of Twitter and Facebook, Iran’s “democratic” re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is being challenged by large swaths of the local population, threatening the legitimacy of the Islamic rule in Iran.  Friedman points out that the failure of other Islamic movements in the rest of the aforementioned countries, may assist in the democratic weakening or removal of radical groups in favor of more moderate forces.

In short, democracy in the Middle East stands the chance of bringing the pendulum back to the political center after years of growing Islamic power.  This was the strategy behind the Bush adminstration’s push for democracy in that region.  Ironically, it was Bush’s lack of positive engagement in the region that assisted in bringing these Islamic movements to power in the first place.  The Obama administration is now standing to benefit from more moderate and Western-friendly governments, ready to capitalize on a more American-friendly diplomatic position.

The real lesson from Iran, in my opinion, is that social media tools offer the power in direct democracy.  With little outlet to express frustration and protest over the elections in Iran, Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms give unfiltered views and opinions for local voters to share with the rest of the world.  In the process these sentiments have captured the world’s attention, built a growing protest movement in Iran threatening the regime, and has helped organize the opposition in ways which could not exist before these social media tools existed.

For politicos in the US, I see Iran lesson teaching us to be cognizant of situations that can help political movements or political candidates make their case and win popular support.  Social media is the natural and best outlet to speak directly with supporters.  But most importantly, after engaging in that conversation and helping to set its tone, stand back and let your supporters self organize and communicate with their own networks.  Voters have to be trusted and by putting issues and passions into their own hands, they will pass on the rewards better and faster than a centralized movement.

Israel Hurting Herself During Obama’s First Mideast Speech

Reading the Israeli dailies on the eve of President Obama’s policy speech at Cairo Univeristy, I was shocked and saddened at the extremism – and tolerance of that extremism – by the right wing in Israeli society.

Posters are being placed around the country depicting Obama wearing a kaffiyeh and shaking hands with Iranian President Ahmadinejad (allowing Iran to build nuclear weapons).  Furthermore, these posters and the official reactions given to the press by these right wing leaders after Obama’s speech consistently call the American president “Hussein,” suggesting that his Muslim middle name reveals Obama’s “true identity” and favoritism of the Arab world over Israel.

I could talk about how ridiculous these communications are and how President Obama is actually very pro-Israel and committed to Israel’s security and peace prospects more than his predecessor, but instead I am saddened.  I am saddened because I am a strong supporter of Israel, her people and her chances for peace.  I am saddened because the way in which Obama is being depicted in Israel shows an ignorant, extremist and immature view of Israel’s leadership.

The sentiment directed towards President Obama gives exceptional insight into the Israeli mentality.  Attacking Obama for being pro-Arab demonstrates an extreme lack of confidence and weakness on behalf of Israelis.  Instead of giving this president a chance to work with Israel, they are quickly retreating to a circle the wagons strategy.  It’s almost as if Israel still believes the Jewish people are living as guests in other countries instead of their own, where they have defended themselves against warring enemies for six decades successfully.  While the rest of the world sees Israel as the most powerful country in the Middle East who holds the majority of cards for diplomatic and military initiatives, Israel’s right-wing still sees itself as weak and threatened whose imminent demise is only moments away.

Furthermore, and most troubling, Israel’s right wing has shown a disgusting double standard.  Jews around the world have fought against anti-Semitism and bigotry seemingly forever.  They have achieved such gains in defeating widespread anti-Semitism and achieving tolerance, which makes Obama’s depiction as wearing a kaffiyeh and calling him Hussein even more disgusting.  What can be more intolerant and prejudiced than that?  What if Obama was depicted with a kipah, a beard and sidelocks?  Wouldn’t the Jewish people be calling that anti-Semitism?  I think so.

If there’s one thing the Israeli right has done well, is testing the limits of free speech.  Now they’ve done it too well.  They are becoming so extreme and dominating Israel’s political conversation that it will no doubt hurt the country and damage any government’s ability to govern.  I hope, for Israel’s sake, that these element of society can look itself in the face and see/hear itself for what it is actually saying.

Blogging From Israel

I’m in the midst of my 10-day trip to Israel, visiting family and friends.  I’ve been around the country now over the last few days.  There’s so much to share but since this is a public affairs blog, I’ll relate my impressions of the local political sentiment percolating through Israeli society.

First, Israel is the most dynamic, opinionated and complex population that I can think of.  Considering its size and population (about 7 million) it’s even more amazing.

I’m here at a time as Israel’s newly elected parliament is about to put together its governing coalition led by Bibi Netanyahu of the Likud Party.  One thing is for sure, this will be a very right wing government.  The one thing that worries me is the new foreign minister will be Avigdor Lieberman, a Netanyahu protege further to the right politically and who positioned himself as the champion of the Russian-immigrant community in Israel (about 20 percent of the population).  His presence in the world diplomatic scene will be rocky to say the least.

Though what troubles me most is the absence of the left in Israel.  This is a country founded on socialist principles and governed for the first few decades of its existence by the left-leaning parties who helped establish the country.  That political establishment is totally gone today.  The Labor Party, and its descendants, are totally decimated, winning only 12 seats in this current government.  That makes them the fourth largest party in Israel. 

Moreover, Labor has succumbed to joining the government essentially at the behest of its leader Ehud Barak’s insistence that the party join the governing coalition.  Of course, Barak will get the defense portfolio and the obvious personal political gain sums up his reasons for signing on to policies that his party would not support. 

But look beyond Labor and its failing leadership, you don’t see any party out there with new ideas and energy to offer an alternative to the right wing parties.  That’s a dangerous scenario for the liberal and even centrist population in Israel, which is substantial.  They would categorically object to the hard-line and religiously oriented positions of this government. 

Talking to people it makes perfect sense why Israel has made this right turn.  First, they feel their backs are to the wall and that the rest of world does not or will not understand their situation where the Palestinians in Gaza fire rockets indiscriminately at Israeli population centers and Israel’s self-defense responses are criticized as unnecessary or over the top. 

Second, some of the country’s major political leaders on the right and the left migrated from their parties to join the centrist Kadima Party.  Today, many people think of them as “sell outs” who were not loyal to their constituents or their principles.  As a result, their popular support has dwindled. 

And lastly, there is no new ideas or leaders from the left.  Israel views that any risk they take for peace has been met with violence and war.  They are tired of taking chances with the Palestinians who they view as constantly violating incremental moves towards peace.  Whether this is true or not, this is the sentiment. 

It is clear to me what is needed in Israel today to get back to a healthy democracy.  The left must come up with new leaders and ideas ready to motivate a population starving for both.  It needs Obama-style politics of hope for a better day.

In fact, the U.S. elections in November coincided with Israel’s municipal elections and the Obama effect was clear.  Long dominated by insider political establishment politicians, voters chose many young, fresh faces to lead their municipal governments.  People I asked here remarked how much their were inspired and hopeful from the Obama campaign. 

There’s some food for thought.  More to come later…