01168nas a2200205   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260001600043653002100059653001400080653002100094653002000115653002100135653005400156100002300210245004000233300001200273490000600285520067100291       2008                            d  cSpring 200810apublic diplomacy10adiplomacy10aCounterterrorism10abattle of ideas10aState Department10aCIST Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism1 aChristopher Harmon00aPublic Diplomacy’s Next Challenge  a141-1530 v73 a<p>Despite seven years of experiments, U.S. public diplomacy against international terrorism has largely failed. What is most needed is a strong infusion of fresh ideas. The rhetorical branch of the offensive against terror has been utterly neglected. U.S. spokesmen should re-open the argument about terrorism’s rank immorality; amplify the voices of Muslim critics of terrorism; publicly deconstruct the ideas of outspoken terrorists; and point to such weaknesses as their lack of credentials in theology. Secondly, there is much room for vigorous and thoughtful defense of evident political alternatives to terror, especially moderation and the rule of law.</p>