What is America’s most effective tool as it seeks to win over the hearts and minds of young Muslims around the world? An appealing foreign policy? International aid? Actually, it might be David Schwimmer. As hard as it is to believe, shows like Desperate Housewives and Friends, which are broadcast on Saudi Arabian TV with Arabic subtitles, make Middle Eastern youths less motivated to kill Americans, according to a newly released WikiLeaks cable.
“It’s still all about the War of Ideas here, and the American programming on MBC and Rotana is winning over ordinary Saudis in a way that ‘Al Hurra’ and other US propaganda never could. Saudis are now very interested in the outside world, and everybody wants to study in the US if they can. They are fascinated by US culture in a way they never were before.”
Of course, they will inevitably become disillusioned and turn to terror once they get here and discover that they can neither afford an apartment like the ones in Friends nor readily secure casual sex with gorgeous, horny cougars.
WikiLeaks cables: Jihad? Sorry, I don’t want to miss Desperate Housewives [Guardian UK]
Of course, they will inevitably become disillusioned and turn to terror once they get here and discover that they can neither afford an apartment like the ones in Friends nor readily secure casual sex with gorgeous, horny cougars.
WikiLeaks cables: Jihad? Sorry, I don’t want to miss Desperate Housewives [Guardian UK]
