Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Arabic Media: Competitive Soft Power and Strategic Support for Liberalism: Arabic Media as a Catalyst for Liberalism

Following the Arab Spring, some Arab autocrats are seeking to promote reform to remedy the causes of popular discontent and remain in power, understanding that this means enabling civil society, reforming the economy, legitimizing pluralism, and instilling equality under the rule of law. Some Arab liberals believe that by harnessing the media's pervasive influence to introduce ideals and policy goals, they can catalyze other segments of society to embrace and act on them. This would help shore up the stability of Arab countries that happens to be American allies, by opening their political systems gradually and vesting the majority population in the welfare of the state. This also represents an opportunity from an American standpoint. By pursuing an alternative strategy of partnership with existing indigenous media outlets, the U.S. can reach a large audience and help strengthen the hand of liberal reformists in a manner that also advances Washington's own policy goals. Looking at Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Algeria, the chapters describe the political situation, the major players, the trends in media activity, the (limited) role of the US in the political and media landscape, and the opportunities for action. Based on extensive in-country investigation, the book informs a smarter American communication strategy and promotes a new means of competitive soft power in the region. Review In the Middle East, where literacy rates are low and public awareness is minimal, the influence of television and social media can be a life-and-death matter. As Joseph Braude argues in this groundbreaking book, media can play a crucial role in countering extremism, challenging entrenched ideas, and bridging distances. Braude's expertise in the Arabic language and his history of deep involvement in the Arab world make him ideally suited to investigate both the problems and the promise of this field. This valuable book should be studied by anyone with an interest in the region.--Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, leading Saudi journalist and former General Manager of Al-Arabiya News Channel As Broadcasting Change makes clear, a hearty group of Arab liberals are determined -- notwithstanding the odds and media traditions in the Arab world -- to promote a future grounded in values of tolerance, co-existence, respect for the "other," and good governance. In this important and original book, Joseph Braude does not minimize the obstacles, but he emphasizes that liberal democracies have a stake in the success of this mission, concluding with some thoughtful recommendations on policy. Policy-makers should read Broadcasting Change, but so should anyone who cares about and yearns for a different and more hopeful future in the Middle East.--Dennis Ross, Chief Middle East Peace Negotiator for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton About the Author Joseph Braude is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Program of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and a Senior Fellow at the Al-Mesbar Center for Studies and Research in Dubai.