Dr. Michael H. Anderson is a public diplomacy and Asian affairs specialist with nearly 30 years of Foreign Service experience serving in the US Department of State and the US Information Agency (USIA) and working in South Asia and Southeast Asia. His Public Affairs Officer (PAO) postings included New Delhi, Jakarta, Karachi, Singapore, Manila and Port Moresby. He also has been a journalist, a teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia, an information officer with UNICEF, and an East-West Center grantee. He is a member of the PDC Board.
LIVING UP TO OUR VALUES: These are turbulent times, and it is impossible to keep up with all of the 24/7 media reports, events, photo ops, and reactions coming from all corners of American society and, indeed, of the world. Besides the well-publicized statements of concern from current and retired political and military leaders and…
1. “TALKING ABOUT RACE” These are fast-moving, tumultuous, troubled and historic times that challenge all Americans, and they remind all of us how difficult it is to talk about race. An avalanche of media messages, horrific and powerful images, and statements are “out there” reflecting a range of reactions and emotions – sadness, anger, disappointment,…
1. George Floyd and America’s Image The tragic, painful, and unprecedented events surrounding the murder of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis continue to deeply affect the country and damage America’s image around the world. Our ambassadors and PD officers are surely being challenged to explain how…