In pivotal parts of the world, a whole generation has seen nothing from America except soldiers, rifles, tanks, bombs, and—at best—mediocre movies, pop songs, and consumer products. It might be useful to let them know that we have a wealth of ideas, too.

Condi Rice and Karen Hughes are doing a terrible job of fighting the information war. But their strategies, or lack of them, aren't the only ones out there.

• a brilliant plan to send american books to the middle east
• global americana institute
  
• informed comment
  

Filed In: politics education