The article discusses President Trump's criticism of funding for programs like the Arabic Sesame Street, highlighting his calls for a smaller government and accusations of fraud. However, the program has received bipartisan support over the years, notably from conservative figures like Andrew S. Natsios, who argued that Sesame Street served as a valuable asset in fighting extremism by fostering positive perceptions of the West among children. The piece contrasts Trump's approach to governance with the concept of soft power diplomacy, which emphasizes long-term influence rather than transactional tactics.
The biggest weapon against Al Qaeda and Islamic extremism is Sesame Street,' Mr. Natsios said in an interview, recounting how successful the show had been in Egypt.
Children would watch the show in the morning before breakfast, he said, helping them adopt more positive attitudes toward the West.
This program, while criticized, has historically enjoyed bipartisan support as a tool of soft power in international diplomacy.
Mr. Trump has largely cast aside soft power in favor of more transactional, strong-arm tactics in his approach to governance.
Collection
[
|
...
]