All that means is that for a minimum layout the US will get to create some brand awareness in a muslim country. This is how USAID describes it
Clear evidence of the value of the increased visibility of foreign aid came in the aftermath of the 2004/2005 U.S. tsunami relief effort, the first time USAID’s new “brand identity” was used publicly. According to a State Department study, in 2004, favorable opinions of the U.S. were at record lows in many Muslim countries. But, in early 2005, favorability of the U.S. nearly doubled in Indonesia (from 37 to 66 percent) thanks to the massive delivery of — for the first time “well branded” — U.S. foreign assistance. A Pew Research study confirms this: “Positive opinions of the U.S. in Indonesia, which had plummeted to as low as 15 percent in 2003, also have rebounded to 38 percent. The U.S. tsunami aid effort has been widely hailed there; 79 percent of Indonesians say they have a more favorable view of the U.S. as a result of the relief efforts.”
And given the noise being made by some US based Bangladeshi bloggers about this american aid, no doubt the branding will succeed …at least as far as the hearts and minds of these US based bangladeshi bloggers are concerned!
5 Responses for "Aid and Brand Recognition"
So is it more like an aid program or a way to rehabilitate a democracy campaign in the muslim world? Once USAID concludes I think human rights violations in Iran need instant action and strict guidance by US democracy representatives.
Eh? I am saying this humanitarianism is dressed-up propaganda. There is no free lunch. And let us not forget the US’s shameful role in Indonesia’s recent past….Whilst we all know that nation states don’t act altruistically, the USA of all countries, is keen to show that it does. Laughable I know.
Re Iran’s human rights violations. I am no supporter of Iran but don’t you think you should take American sabre-rattling against Iran and put it into context? Especially given what we know now about Iraq? Ain you live next to a bully boy. And you don’t like it from the conversations I have had with you. So why are you willing to tolerate US swaggering when you are against similar behaviour by Russia?
Where was a load of irony in my statement above with a pretty same message that you brought out already: there are no free lunches.
For an average American it is quite hard to spot Iran on map not considering a knowledge of human rights there. What I’m saying is that you need good publicity and promotion so you could also make some unpopular decisions. Which is also the case here. Russia can simply distract the West from way more tense issues by jabbering of Baltics.
Who are the Bangladeshi-American bloggers? Spill the beans.
I read it on Rezwan’s blog - the only one i have time for these days - and I refer in particular to the guff written by Mash.
The link below describes what the Essex was doing in the Philippines before it came to Bangladesh. And we all know the kind of access the US military enjoys in that particular country. Oh there are no bases….only “co-operative security locations” or CSLs. And as you will see in the article below, the Essex was on a Comrel exercise ( community relations) ….everything is cooperative and community oriented in the family and people friendly and humanitarian US army.
http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=229339
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