In a widely-reported article for the October 2009 issue of Joint Force Quarterly, Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, writes that when it comes to strategic communication, the U.S. is bungling its outreach to the Muslim world. But he goes on to argue that this is not because the U.S. lacks proper communication tools, but rather because America's message lacks credibility. He writes, "I would argue that most strategic communication problems are not communication problems at all. They are policy and execution problems. Each time we fail to live up to our values or don't follow up on a promise, we look more like the arrogant Americans the enemy claims we are."

Admiral Mullen has laid out an interesting alternative view of the problems besetting Washington's public diplomacy and outreach to the Muslim world. Is he right? Or, in fact, is America also lacking both the tools and the right message to reach Muslims? At this AEI event on September 17, leading scholars will offer their insights on these pressing questions.