I have just returned from the Middle East, which I visit several times each year, where I encountered two important viewpoints about public diplomacy.

First, American public diplomacy is not gaining traction in the region.  After the high point of President Obama's 2009 Cairo speech, Arab regard for the United States has declined substantially because Obama's message has not been matched by U.S. policy.  America still smugly retains its pretensions about being a superpower, but then says it is unable to bring about change on matters ranging from advancing Palestinian rights to ending harassment of Arab visitors entering the United States (a topic that comes up in almost every conversation).  People in the Arab states simply don't believe that, and so U.S. public diplomacy efforts are often greeted with skepticism and suspicion.

Second, some Arabs are talking about the need for their own countries to engage in public diplomacy, which few Arab states have bothered with so far.  The realities of globalization, especially those related to communication, are being viewed with increased sophistication, and Arab states - particularly the wealthy ones - are beginning to recognize that public diplomacy tools are essential for any nation wishing to be a global player.