MEDI1TV Afrique : La diplomatie du Soft Power - 21/12/2024
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00:00Welcome to a new episode of your show from Washington.
00:12It is with a deep respect and a lively request that we address on behalf of the producer
00:17of the show, the whole team, as well as myself, our most sincere wishes of prompt recovery
00:23to His Majesty the King Mohammed VI.
00:26The Sovereign has recently undergone a surgical operation on his left shoulder.
00:30Last Sunday, we promised to give him rapid convalescence and a very prompt healing and
00:37a very speedy recovery.
00:41Now on the program, we are using soft power to convert sport and culture to promote better
00:49relations between countries, people, and societies.
00:54Morocco's use of soft power is part of the music to build its image and influence across
01:01the world.
01:02Sam Patton's book, Dangerous Company, is an insightful account of an American pilot
01:10who has a quarter-century career across the world.
01:16Soft power has become a key force to build bridges between nations, collecting art, and
01:24sports, and gastronomy, and music, and other forms of cultural expression to foster understanding
01:30where politics often falls short.
01:33This parallel diplomacy, supported by artists, athletes, and cultural ambassadors from all
01:39walks of life, transcends boundaries and strengthens the bonds between peoples.
01:44Hollywood, for example, illustrates this phenomenon perfectly by shaping the global perception
01:49of American culture through its movies and series.
01:51These productions influence minds and hearts, while cultural festivals, international sporting
01:58events, and artistic collaborations celebrate local heritage and universal human experiences.
02:05By promoting mutual respect and mutual understanding, soft power consolidates international relations,
02:11demonstrating that creativity and culture are universal tools for diplomacy.
02:19You know, Morocco represents a shining example of soft power in action.
02:24By valuing sport and culture, it improves its image on a global scale, whether it's
02:29welcoming major international sporting events or promoting its rich artistic and cultural heritage.
02:35Morocco is a bridge between civilizations.
02:39Its remarkable football performances, especially during the World Cup, create an international
02:45atmosphere that unifies the global audiences across the world.
02:50While its vibrant festivals like the Maouazine and Gnaoua celebrate the cultural and musical
02:56diversity of the country.
02:58By embracing soft power tools, Morocco consolidates its image, forges meaningful bonds with other
03:03nations, and embodies a diplomacy based on creativity and cultural exchanges.
03:12You know, Sam Patton's book, Dangerous Company, explores in depth its dynamics.
03:17It offers compelling and inspiring testimonies of a career that has gone from soft power
03:24diplomacy, politics, and power, both abroad and at home.
03:28It travels, of course, to the United States, and over a quarter of a century, it will delve
03:33into striking observations and candid reflections, just like its previous book, We'll Talk to Him.
03:37Sam reveals the challenges of the influence of change in international contexts, while
03:41grappling with the global fabric of American society.
03:46Dangerous Company is not just an autobiographical story, but an inspiring reflection on what
03:50it means to operate in the crossroads of cultural and political worlds in an era of constant
03:56and continuous change.
03:58So to discuss these topics, I would like to welcome two very distinguished guests, and
04:05our usual voice on it as well.
04:07Bonnie is an American diplomat.
04:11For 12 years, she has served as an agent for the U.S. Department of State.
04:16She has also served as an executive officer in the multinational IBM.
04:23From 2019 to 2020, she has served as an administrative adjoint of the USAID, the American Agency
04:29for International Development, a position she was nominated for by President Donald
04:34Trump and unanimously by the Senate of America in January 2019, a decision by the United
04:41States Senate in January of 2019.
04:45Sam Patton, well, his career originates in international contexts, and he trained with
04:52the U.S. Supreme Court in Ukraine in 2016, and with Cambridge Analytica in 2016, and
05:00he has excellently operated in institutions such as the International Republican Institute
05:05in Iraq and the International Republican Institute in Ukraine across Africa.
05:07You know, his work has also led in Georgia, in Ukraine, and throughout Africa.
05:10He is a descendant of Federalist Papers authoring and U.S. Secretary of State John Jay.
05:16So, my data of Sam, Democracy and Diplomacy is really in its essence.
05:21Sam's commitment to Democracy and Diplomacy seems to be inscribed in his DNA.
05:27Also, with him, we are cordially pleased to be joined by our correspondent, George Landry,
05:31who is the president of the Frontiers of Freedom Institute since 1998, a group of
05:36Frontiers of Freedom Institute dedicated to American Senator Malcolm Wallop.
05:43Institute is a conservative public policy think tank founded by former United States
05:47Senator Malcolm Wallop.
05:49So, before we start our discussion today, let us turn the program to our correspondent
05:56Jehan Massour for this report.
05:58Hello, Jehan.
06:25Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
06:31Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
06:37Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
06:43Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
07:13Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
07:43Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
08:13Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
08:43Jehan Massour, welcome to the Frontiers of Freedom Institute.
09:13George Lindrith, could you explain to us about the fundamental role of soft power in
09:19strengthening international relations, particularly through cultural and artistic
09:23initiatives? How do these approaches complement traditional diplomatic strategies
09:29to build bridges between nations?
09:33Well, I think soft power is sometimes graceful and sometimes essential, because soft sometimes
09:39doesn't make sense when you combine colors.
09:43But the reality is that soft power is essentially the power of persuasion.
09:49It says you have, for example, nations, and all nations have the power to build hard
09:55cars, and build tanks, and windings, and ships, and things like that.
09:59But the reality is that you need to have a long-standing, successful relationship
10:05with the rest of the world.
10:09I think an example of that is Morocco. Morocco has been very early, insightful,
10:15and clear-cut, and has the rest of the world's take on it, to the point that initiatives
10:21like the Western Sahara resolution, that Morocco has suggested, are now being adopted
10:27by more and more nations all across the globe, because of a soft power mission, some of
10:33which, of course, is special, of course, other things, but some of it is inspired leadership
10:39over time, where people observe and go, you know what, that works, and they're promoting
10:45security and prosperity, and they're doing it really well.
10:49I think that one is a part of that.
10:51And the beauty of that, of course, is soft power can be very persuasive, and can be
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11:31can be very persuasive, and can be very persuasive, and can be very persuasive, and can be very
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12:15persuasive, and can be very persuasive, and can be very persuasive, and can be very persuasive,
12:19and can be very persuasive.
12:23Mark, today, you've had the opportunity, across the cross country, you've had the opportunity
12:27across the world to go to American centers in cities like Singapore, Tokyo, London,
12:31Beschkek, and Kyiv for example. And the USAID, you know, you are a
12:37you know, you are a USAID Ambassador and Americanly in charge on Soft Power.
12:41Mark, it's a great question, and cultural diplomacy is one of the bonuses of soft power.
12:48It is manifested concretely with things like educational exchanges.
12:53Students coming to Canada, from all over the world, from high schools,
12:58coming to the U.S. to do their secondary, university, and higher education.
13:03But also important, but more to be talking about in terms of arts
13:08and Hollywood, which has always played a very important role in this type of diplomacy.
13:14From Casablanca, say, to big modern productions like Fast and Furious,
13:19these works contribute to shaping the image of the U.S. on a global scale,
13:24especially sporting events such as the Olympic Games or the World Cup.
13:29These are all ways that countries in the Middle East,
13:34South Africa, and Iraq, are also important levers allowing nations
13:39to influence the perception that they make the object on the international scene.
13:44Diplomacy 12 is an essential strategic complement to affirm the presence
13:49and influence of a country in the world.
13:52Sam Patten, could you tell us about your experience abroad
13:56and enlighten us on the effectiveness of soft power
14:01to bridge the political and ideological divides that we see in our world?
14:06Well, as George said, hard power can sometimes be a little bit too much.
14:11It's like politics. People get tired of their own system politics,
14:16they get tired of other systems politics.
14:21Soft power allows you to get beyond that.
14:24And then in Moscow, an American ambassador managed to bring together people
14:29who knew the different currents of the Russian political chiquis
14:32around a jazz concert at the Spasso Residence,
14:35the official residence of the U.S. ambassador in the heart of Moscow.
14:41It's also a two-way street. It's a question of respecting other cultures.
14:47And that means a lot.
14:49It's a question of respecting other cultures, their literary and artistic traditions.
14:54It's also interesting to see how some cultural influences manifest themselves
14:59in a way that is often unsuspected.
15:01Let's take the example of a very popular Christmas song in the United States,
15:05Carol of the Bells.
15:07Few people know that it's actually a Ukrainian song,
15:10originally from a country that is currently at war
15:13and in search of support from the United States.
15:16Subtle but significant connections can have a considerable impact.
15:21It is therefore essential to overcome the exclusive instrumentalization of hard power,
15:26whether it be weapons, tanks, sanctions, or economic and financial threats,
15:31to recognize the other in their humanity.
15:34We rely on our common values and experiences.
15:37These shared links can take the form of American films
15:40that have marked minds like Casablanca or intercultural collaborations.
15:45For example, during the first Iraqi elections,
15:48we had the privilege of working with Khalil Harifai,
15:52a famous Iraqi actor,
15:54in order to encourage the population to get involved in the political debate and to think about politics.
16:01Yes, very true.
16:02And technology plays a crucial role in this area.
16:06You mentioned, for example, the fast and furious movies
16:09that circulate at high speed on the web and streaming platforms.
16:12This allows culture to reach a large audience,
16:15not necessarily through meeting in person,
16:18but by offering the possibility of perceiving in real time
16:21the dynamism of soft diplomacy.
16:24Could you tell us about your experience in the field of state aid
16:29and explain to us what impact it had on your diplomatic actions?
16:34Sure, of course.
16:36The ability for anyone, anywhere,
16:39to live stream or watch something like YouTube
16:44is vital for America's cultural equipment around the world.
16:50When I was at USAID,
16:52I saw that for the whole thing,
16:55it was the most widely accepted technology
17:00used for acquiring information and news from people all over the world.
17:10Also, the remarkable fact of its highest technology
17:14was put to mass six years ago.
17:17My dead balance is that the infusion of technology
17:21from all over the world is even more widespread.
17:26Of course, there can be a downside to technology as well.
17:31And we see that, you know,
17:33the widespread adoption of TikTok,
17:37we've determined in the United States,
17:41is being used by the Chinese Communist Party
17:45to grab information from the West,
17:49such as the young people in the United States,
17:53but also around the world,
17:55and to monitor that data
17:59for information that could be compromising
18:02or could be used to threaten the United States in a way
18:07we've never seen done before.
18:10So while technology is a great tool
18:13for getting our message out there,
18:16for promoting diplomacy and sharing,
18:19it also is something that we should all be more
18:22sort of a little bit of skepticism
18:24on when we look at how the emerging technologies
18:28coming from countries that may not be aligned with us.
18:35Sam Patton, your book, Dangerous Companies,
18:38is moving through the web as well.
18:40Quickly, talk to us about your career
18:42and where you saw soft power.
18:45You mentioned one example in Iraq
18:48but your work has been everywhere
18:50from the Congo to Moscow.
18:53So how has soft power diplomacy been implemented
18:56and what has been its impact?
19:00Well, Mark, I think people-to-people exchanges
19:03play a crucial role.
19:05Inviting legislators from other countries,
19:08civil society leaders and candidates
19:11from other countries to come to the United States
19:15to see how our practice of civics
19:18in our own country can have a significant impact
19:21not just on the functioning of our local institutions
19:24but also on the functioning of our town halls
19:27or our local school boards.
19:29I can tell you about that.
19:31We also, we need to keep in mind
19:33that I think everybody, both of us,
19:35is having to make sure that the world
19:37is not just looking at us.
19:39There are examples in other countries
19:41where certain democratic practices
19:43function just as well or even better than in our country.
19:46For example, during the first Iraqi election in 2004,
19:49we organized a visit to Lithuania
19:52for a group of politicians and Iraqi candidates
19:55from all over the country.
19:57This initiative allowed them to see
19:59how the Lithuanians manage their electoral processes
20:02and more broadly how civic and peaceful activities
20:05can be conducted constructively.
20:07Absolutely.
20:08As elections were approaching,
20:10I went to Austria and Slovakia
20:12to speak on American state policy
20:14as part of their conference program
20:16and I had the opportunity to speak
20:18in an American center in Vienna.
20:20I was able to see for myself
20:22how much global diplomacy,
20:24and in particular this form of soft power,
20:27is essential to establish an intercultural dialogue
20:30and promote direct experiences,
20:32as Bonnie, Sam, and George talked about.
20:37In a context where the war is raging in the Middle East
20:40and violence is dominating too often,
20:42art manages to impose itself
20:44as a way of uniting and transcending divisions.
20:47Two weeks ago,
20:48Le Monde du Cinéma
20:50offered a beautiful example
20:52at the International Film Festival in Marrakech
20:54where the Palestinian film Happy Holidays
20:56won the Grand Prix
20:58during a ceremony of emotion and political symbolism.
21:01This event perfectly illustrates
21:03the exceptional power of art
21:05as a tool of soft power.
21:07Let's watch this short report
21:09recently published on Variety
21:11by the author Ben Kroll.
21:24The Happy Holidays film
21:26directed by Skandar Kopti
21:28won the highest distinction
21:30at the International Film Festival in Marrakech
21:34as part of a ceremony
21:36of emotion
21:38and political symbolism.
21:47This feature film thus adds
21:49the Golden Prize of Marrakech
21:51to a list of prestigious awards
21:53including the Best Screenplay Award
21:55at the Venice Film Festival
21:57and the Best Performance Award
21:59at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.
22:05The political dimension of the event
22:07was particularly striking
22:09with each speech
22:11carrying a symbolic charge.
22:13The director Silvina Schnitzer
22:15accepting the jury's award
22:17for her film Koteij
22:19especially shared this honor
22:21with Moharraou,
22:23the director of the film
22:25Village at the Gate of Paradise
22:27while severely criticizing
22:29the policies of the Argentine government
22:31of Javier Mille
22:33especially regarding
22:35the drastic reduction
22:37of funding for the national cinema.
22:39The Polish cinema
22:41was also honored
22:43with the dramatic film
22:45Below the Volcano
22:47which earned the director
22:49Damian Kukor
22:51a special recognition
22:53and the actor Roman Lutski
22:55the Best Actor Award.
22:57In a video speech
22:59the actor dedicated
23:01to the festival's 2024 edition
23:03the 21st
23:05had a real success
23:07with a participation
23:09exceeding 40,000 spectators.
23:11This remarkable growth
23:13can be explained
23:15by the strong mobilization
23:17of young people
23:19especially students
23:21of Moroccan film schools
23:23as well as by a daring
23:25and diversified programming.
23:27Marrakech was able
23:29In conclusion,
23:31the author emphasizes
23:33that in line with his ambitions
23:35the festival plans to strengthen
23:37its initiative Pri Atlas
23:39a program aimed at promoting
23:41the local and international
23:43distribution of Moroccan,
23:45Arab and African films
23:47presented in Marrakech
23:49while supporting their
23:51spread around the world.
23:53Alright, so yes,
23:55it's very interesting.
23:57One of the most emblematic
23:59films of all time
24:01Casablanca
24:03This masterpiece is without
24:05doubt one of the most famous
24:07films that regularly appears
24:09among the 10 or 12 best films
24:11in history.
24:13Bonnie Glick, you mentioned it earlier
24:15What is your favorite part
24:17of this timeless classic
24:19and according to you,
24:21how is it perceived today
24:23both in the US and Morocco?
24:25Mark, I appreciate
24:27the fact that Casablanca
24:29has become a cultural icon
24:31not only for Morocco
24:33but also for the whole world
24:35thanks to this Hollywood masterpiece
24:37from the Second World War.
24:39Today,
24:41entire generations,
24:43regardless of their age,
24:45continue to quote
24:47emblematic lines
24:49from the film
24:51bearing witness to its major
24:53impact in the US.
24:57This film also
24:59plays a key role
25:01in the development of
25:03tourism in Morocco.
25:05It is difficult to imagine
25:07an American visiting
25:09the country without including
25:11essential steps such as
25:13Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez,
25:15Rabat or other
25:17emblematic regions of Morocco.
25:19Casablanca remains
25:21a cultural icon.
25:23We're going to take a short break
25:25and we'll be right back
25:27to learn more about the magic
25:29of sport, art and words
25:31in building a more
25:33humane society.
25:35So, stay with us.
25:52Welcome back to this episode
25:54of our show from Washington.
25:56We're talking about soft diplomacy,
25:58its efficiency,
26:00and even more,
26:02the imperative need to find ways
26:04to fill the cultural gaps
26:06that exist too often
26:08between the different regions
26:10of our world
26:12and of our society.
26:14George Landry,
26:16how significant is the role
26:18of Moroccan branding
26:20for cultural expressions
26:22such as the kaftan,
26:24the djellaba
26:26and other traditional elements?
26:28How do these cultural expressions
26:30bring into society
26:32and influence the perception
26:34of Morocco internationally?
26:36Well, I think they're very important,
26:38but what's particularly interesting
26:40is that they're supported
26:42by a Moroccan leadership
26:44that I could call inspiring.
26:46These two cultural and political
26:48aspects complement each other
26:50and reinforce each other.
26:52One example would be the American
26:54concern for the Moroccan
26:56football team
26:58during the last World Cup.
27:00I remember seeing large
27:02Moroccan flags floating
27:04and important gatherings
27:06in various restaurants
27:08where the fans were obviously
27:10cheering for the team.
27:12It's interesting to note
27:14that in a similar context,
27:16the Moroccan football team
27:18probably wouldn't have
27:20received the same support
27:22as the American football team.
27:24This illustrates the effect
27:26of mutual reinforcement,
27:28the cultural, sporting
27:30and cinematographic aspects
27:32on the one hand,
27:34and an enlightened leadership
27:36that is actively working
27:38for security, stability
27:40and prosperity on the other hand.
27:42And I think that's one of the reasons
27:44for creating an amplified
27:46and sustainable impact.
27:48It's one of the main reasons
27:50why Morocco enjoys
27:52a global recognition today.
27:54It's not just promoting
27:56its cultural richness,
27:58it's doing so by supporting
28:00a visionary leadership.
28:02Bonnie Glick,
28:04in your experience as the
28:06number two person in charge
28:08of USAID, what have you seen
28:10as the biggest programs
28:12supported by USAID,
28:14like this program
28:16developed by companies
28:18like DevTech,
28:20which collaborates with
28:22sign language experts
28:24to help deaf children
28:26in countries like Morocco,
28:28to cite just one example.
28:30So, how deep does the United States
28:32get involved in this type of project
28:34and how important is that
28:36to the Moroccan-U.S. relationship?
28:38The deployment of USAID
28:40in international development
28:42as a soft power tool
28:44is extremely important
28:46for the United States.
28:48The role of USAID in the deployment
28:50of international aid
28:52to international development
28:54as a soft diplomacy tool
28:56is of great importance
28:58for the United States
29:00because it underlines
29:02that to be a true ally
29:04you also need to be
29:06an active partner.
29:08And to be an active partner
29:10with the United States
29:12and other friendly African countries
29:14is the necessity
29:16to fully engage
29:18with the African continent.
29:20And so His Majesty
29:22the King Mohammed VI
29:24took the initiative
29:26to reintegrate
29:28the African Union
29:30as well after a long
29:32period of absence.
29:34Because what it does
29:36in Morocco
29:38is to develop
29:40health and education.
29:42For so many African countries
29:44what soft power in Morocco
29:46guarantees that
29:48when faced with challenges
29:50it's Rabat and non-Moscow,
29:52FEZ and non-Tehran
29:54or Morocco and non-Russia
29:56that they call FEZ.
29:58This represents a profound
30:00and significant commitment.
30:02This dynamic is made possible
30:04through soft power
30:06and diplomatic tools.
30:08Very true.
30:10George Landry,
30:12you have also written a book
30:14entitled Let Freedom Ring
30:16which promises the values
30:18of democracy and good governance
30:20across the world.
30:22So according to you
30:24to what extent
30:26can Morocco's dependence
30:28on soft diplomacy
30:30be sustainable
30:32in the way that Bonnie
30:34is talking about recently?
30:36I think it's very sustainable.
30:38What I mean by this
30:40is that it will continue
30:42to develop on its own
30:44at its current level.
30:46It's kind of like if you look
30:48at the common principle
30:50will grow and grow and grow.
30:52And that will continue
30:54because it's a track record
30:56from the cultural, educational
30:58and other areas
31:00and also on the side
31:02of being a very reasonable
31:04and measurable
31:06and measured and successful
31:08world leader.
31:10And so as those things
31:12reinforce each other
31:14it's clear that Morocco's
31:16standing in the world
31:18will not just stay in the world
31:20but it will consolidate
31:22and grow.
31:24And so I think that's a very important
31:26knowledge and that's why
31:28Morocco is the gateway to Africa
31:30because it's not just
31:32because it's today
31:34but also saying
31:36five years down the road,
31:3810 years down the road,
31:4020 years down the road
31:42it will even be more important
31:44it will be more influential.
31:46And I think that's not saying
31:48that it's not developing
31:50it's not just staying
31:52it's increasing.
31:54And I think that's very important
31:56which allows all those elements
31:58to function together, to develop,
32:00to reinforce.
32:02And I think that's one of the reasons
32:04why the world sees Morocco
32:06as a friend and an ally
32:08working for a better world
32:10because that's what they're working for.
32:12You know, Bonnie, we've talked about
32:14the importance of sport,
32:16football in particular,
32:18and the way that Morocco
32:20took part in the last World Cup
32:22with a remarkable national team
32:24which is also recognized
32:26for its rich craftsmanship
32:28such as the sledge,
32:30its beautifully crafted traditional tiles
32:32which decorate museums
32:34and homes around the world
32:36including the U.S.
32:38as well as emblematic elements
32:40such as the kaftan
32:42where Djelaba bears witness
32:44to Morocco's cultural influence
32:46and its international influence.
32:48At the same time, Morocco
32:50has adopted a win-win strategy
32:52for its economic and cultural role
32:54on the continent.
32:56So, in your opinion,
32:58what would be the next steps
33:00for Morocco to go further
33:02in this dynamic and further
33:04its influence?
33:06By engaging with the world,
33:08Morocco demonstrates
33:10what it really is geographically
33:12and geopolitically
33:14for these institutions
33:16which is to be engaging
33:18geographically and geopolitically
33:20and positioning itself
33:22as a real gateway
33:24to Europe, the United States
33:26and the entire African continent.
33:28This exceptional strategic position
33:30constitutes a major asset
33:32for the country.
33:34Moreover, Morocco benefits
33:36from important natural resources
33:38which reinforce its role
33:40on a global scale.
33:44Indeed, following the invasion
33:46of Ukraine by Russia
33:48in 1922, world grain
33:50supply experienced
33:52a drastic drop.
33:54However, Morocco is one
33:56of the world's leading
33:58exporters of phosphate,
34:00an essential element
34:02for grain production.
34:04Thanks to this resource,
34:06Morocco has been able
34:08to play a key role
34:10to prevent food crises,
34:12especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
34:14In addition, through its soft
34:16and sporty atmosphere,
34:18Morocco offers the world
34:20a dynamic and positive image
34:22allowing its cultural wealth,
34:24whether it is gastronomy,
34:26craftsmanship or events,
34:28to reach the homes
34:30of the whole world.
34:32This cultural and economic
34:34impact constitutes
34:36a powerful message
34:38and opens perspectives
34:40of cooperation with America,
34:42Europe and the Middle East
34:44reinforcing the central role
34:46of Morocco in world dialogue.
34:50George Landry,
34:52could you explain to us
34:54what the Moroccan approach
34:56to religious diplomacy is about,
34:58particularly through the promotion
35:00of Sufi traditions
35:02such as the Tijaniyya?
35:04How does this approach contribute
35:06to Morocco's influence
35:08in the Islamic world?
35:10Well, I think it's
35:12a profoundly influential
35:14approach because
35:16King Mohammed VI
35:18embodies the inspiring leadership
35:20in the Islamic world.
35:22By going to other countries,
35:24by leading prayers in mosques,
35:26by supporting their development,
35:28they also play a central role
35:30in promoting a moderate
35:32and peaceful vision of Islam
35:34in agreement with its fundamental principles.
35:36The king strongly defends
35:38the idea that Islam
35:40does not represent the radical
35:42discourses of some actors
35:44such as Iran, which do not
35:46faithfully reflect the authentic
35:48values of Islam.
35:50In a way, this suggests
35:52Islam as a force capable
35:54of contributing to the progress
35:56of societies, to their harmony.
35:58King Mohammed VI offers
36:00a credible alternative
36:02to extremism.
36:04As a commander of the believers,
36:06he manages to promote
36:08Islam by deeply respecting
36:10the other religious traditions.
36:12He demands that being a Muslim
36:14leader does not mean rejecting
36:16or mistreating the followers
36:18of other faiths.
36:20This approach contributes
36:22to strengthening the unity
36:24at both national and international
36:26levels, and gives Morocco
36:28a worldwide recognition
36:30as a promoter of an enlightened,
36:32open, and respectful Islam.
36:34This is a key element
36:36as requiring him to hate
36:38or mistreat people of other faiths.
36:40And as a result of that, he's built
36:42unity, and again,
36:44he has respect around the globe.
36:46We are expressing our wishes for
36:48a prompt recovery of King Mohammed VI,
36:50and we hope for his
36:52rapid recovery.
36:54Moroccan diplomacy
36:56has led determined
36:58fights within UNESCO, the United States,
37:00as well as with educational,
37:02scientific, and cultural organizations.
37:04These efforts are key
37:06for the preservation of the
37:08intangible heritage of our societies.
37:10Morocco has notably had to face
37:12attempts such as the one in Algeria
37:14to register the Moroccan caftan
37:16in its name, an act perceived
37:18by the Moroccans as an unjustified
37:20appropriation of their rich and precious
37:22cultural heritage.
37:24To better understand these issues,
37:26let's look at the following report.
37:28The attempt to
37:30appropriate Moroccan cultural heritage
37:32is a worrying reality,
37:34marked by targeted legal actions.
37:36During the 19th session
37:38of the Intergovernmental Committee
37:40for the Preservation of the Intangible
37:42Cultural Heritage of UNESCO,
37:44held in the capital
37:46Asuncion, Paraguay,
37:48from 2 to 7 December last year,
37:50Algerian cultural authorities
37:52attempted to register the Moroccan
37:54caftan in their name.
37:56This initiative, which is part
37:58of a series of similar attempts,
38:00has once again failed.
38:16Indeed, Morocco has
38:18formulated an official objection
38:20accepted by the International Committee
38:22which has recognized the legitimacy
38:24of the rights of the Kingdom
38:26and the authenticity of its cultural heritage.
38:30The Moroccan caftan,
38:32a true masterpiece of traditional
38:34craftsmanship, is the fruit
38:36of the ancestral know-how
38:38of Moroccan artisans,
38:40especially from historic cities
38:42such as Fes, Marrakech
38:44and Tetouan.
38:46For centuries, it has embodied
38:48Moroccan elegance
38:50on the international stage
38:52during prestigious events
38:54carried out by artists,
38:56politicians and world figures
38:58who value its aesthetic
39:00and cultural richness.
39:02However, the Algerian authorities
39:04falsely claim that the caftan
39:06is of Ottoman origin
39:08and therefore Algerian,
39:10an unfounded allegation
39:12which constitutes a manifest
39:14attempt to manipulate
39:16and falsify history.
39:18In fact, Fes, an emblematic city
39:20which houses the world's oldest
39:22university, has historically exported
39:24caftans to Istanbul
39:26where it was nicknamed
39:28Fes Caftan by the Turks,
39:30thus testifying to their undeniable
39:32Moroccan origin.
39:34Morocco, strong in its millenary
39:36cultural influence, continues
39:38to promote its heritage through
39:40a cultural diplomacy based
39:42on soft power.
39:50This approach, which places
39:52human relations and the dialogue
39:54at the heart of its priorities,
39:56aims to share its cultural
39:58richness with its partners and
40:00neighbors. However, it shares
40:02its campaign for a legitimate
40:04right to the preservation of its
40:06heritage, whose authenticity
40:08is now symbolized by
40:10the Made in Morocco.
40:12Now, let's go a little bit
40:14and talk to our special guest,
40:16Sam Patten, author of a new
40:18book. Could you talk to us
40:20about the role of diplomacy
40:22in your professional career,
40:24as well as how Moroccans can
40:26benefit from the ideas and
40:28thoughts you share in this book,
40:30which is inspired by your
40:32analysis and other writings?
40:34Well, thank you, Mark.
40:36This book is about what happens
40:38when people go to other countries
40:40and get involved in their political
40:42activities. In fact, the book
40:44focuses on what happens when
40:46people engage in other countries
40:48and interact with their political
40:50systems in a way that is not
40:52always the same way. And each
40:54country has its own traditions
40:56and its own style of governance,
40:58and to exert an influence,
41:00it is essential to adapt.
41:02There are a lot of stories about
41:04some are comic, some are a little
41:06bit scary. The book also includes
41:08many anecdotes, some funny,
41:10others disturbing, related to
41:12events such as terrorist attacks
41:14or even an assassination attempt
41:16that we experienced in Washington.
41:18Although this does not seem to
41:20have anything to do with direct
41:22politics, these experiences are
41:24part of the story. This book
41:26should appeal to Moroccans,
41:28just like we, as Americans,
41:30are interested in other countries'
41:32politics of the air force, and
41:34I think the stories in the book
41:36flesh that out a little bit.
41:38It's called Dangerous Company,
41:40and I'm going to read a little
41:42bit of it. I'm going to hear
41:44what Sam's going to say about
41:46the situation over more than
41:48a quarter of a century,
41:50covering Bill Clinton's
41:52mandates to Joe Biden.
41:54So, how did these
41:56different steps
41:58come into play
42:00in the book?
42:02Well, it used to be, Mark,
42:04that people talked about America
42:06trying to put our imprint on
42:08other countries, that we would
42:10go around the time of the Cold
42:12War, we'd go around the world
42:14and America was more like
42:16other countries, more like other
42:18countries in the Middle East
42:20doing this, and then this
42:22Soviet Union fell apart, and
42:24then came the Soviet Union,
42:26and then the USSR fell apart,
42:28and America became the only
42:30superpower of the world,
42:32and other countries started
42:34stepping forward and playing
42:36a more active role,
42:38and the sort of the climax
42:40in this book is when
42:42the irony of the book resides
42:44in the accusation against Russia
42:46of influencing the American
42:48elections in a way that
42:50it didn't produce as it suggested.
42:52But it's interesting that we see
42:54the arc of American power
42:56from a rising global power
42:58to a time when America
43:00was saying, oh no, what are
43:02our countries doing to us?
43:04And in a way, it's America
43:06more like other countries
43:08saying, oh no, the Chinese
43:10are interfering with our
43:12political systems in the same
43:14way that countries around the
43:16world have said America
43:18interfered with their political
43:20systems for so many years.
43:22So it helps to understand
43:24a few methods and strategies.
43:26And I think in the recent
43:28elections abroad are more
43:30often used for political
43:32interference as they were
43:34eight years ago.
43:36But it brings other
43:38issues and values to the world
43:40that take a place in America
43:42just as much.
43:44And one of those is prejudice
43:46and moving beyond reject
43:48and anger.
43:50And I think that's something
43:52else that I talk about in this
43:54book, and we'll see how that
43:56plays out in the next year.
43:58We need you to please cut out
44:00all of this, you know.
44:02We learned a lot about the
44:04war, the affairs, security,
44:06and we learned a lot about
44:08how to deal with it.
44:10And we learned a lot about
44:12how to deal with it.
44:14And we learned a lot about
44:16how to deal with it.
44:18And we learned a lot about
44:20how to deal with it.
44:22And we learned a lot about
44:24how to deal with it.
44:26And we learned a lot about
44:28how to deal with it.
44:30And we learned a lot about
44:32how to deal with it.
44:34And we will see you in person
44:36in January for a new episode.
44:38And we wish you a happy
44:40New Year, and we hope that
44:42you know that I will be
44:44with you in Morocco.
44:46And if you see me,
44:48please say hello.
44:50And I will see you there
44:52and next year.
44:54Thank you so much.