Video and Foreign Policy
Photo Opportunities
Nixon choreographed his visit to China in order to coincide with prime time television in America. Carter sent messages back and forth to Tehran through television during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1980. Reagan put great importance in photo opportunities on his foreign trips. Bush chose Malta as the site for his Soviet summit because it had the "perfect visual effect." The camera has changed the way U.S. presidents do their business, as well as foreign leaders.
Anwar Sadat was one of the first foreign leaders to hire American communication experts (Gergen). In the past few years, Boris Yeltsin has also used video technology in an effort to battle opinions in Russia that his health is failing and could effect his ability to lead. He has taken the opportunity to announce his good health, by engaging in healthy activities such as dancing, while videotape is rolling. After watching this video, you will doubtless agree that Yeltsin is not on his deathbed.
