How NASA Uses DIME/Soft Power To Extend A Global Reach

Keith's note: Jim Bridenstine recently made some public comments about his interest in having NASA organize its efforts and interactions along the lines of DIME (Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic) a buzz word that describes a strategic use of various forms of national power and influence. Often times you see the term "soft power" weaved into this discussion i.e. how can a nation use its capabilities in a peaceful, educational/humanitarian nature to project power while actually helping others.

I saw this interesting Tweet by @usembassydhaka - the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka (Bangladesh) about a partnership that NASA has with the EMK Center in Bangladesh. It has become obvious to me and a lot of people that NASA has an immense global brand awareness - and it is apparently almost perfectly good. I made mention of this in "Understanding NASA's Global Reach" where the NASA-assisted rescue of Chilean miners seems to have left a lingering positive glow and also in "NASA's Global Branding Reach Is Often Under Appreciated" which features a tweet about a group of students participating in NASA International Space Apps challenge in Kosovo. Now that NASA is sponsoring a special COVID-19 Space Apps Challenge NASA's visibility is certain to grow further.

This joint effort in Bangladesh is interesting. I have a strong interrest in the region after the time I spent at Everest in Nepal in 2009 and I have supported multiple education projects in Nepal since my visit. So I sent NASA PAO and others at NASA HQ this inquiry. Let's see how they respond.

Can you tell me who the point of contact for this activity is at NASA? Who initiated this effort - NASA? The State Department? The Embassy in Bangladesh? Organizations in Bangladesh? Are there other NGOs or agencies involved? Is this a formal or ad hoc agreement? Is there a signed Space Act Agreement or MOU or cooperative agreement? Is this part of a larger program to engage people around the world? Is there any linkage between this effort and the NASA Space Apps Challenge? Does NASA consider this effort part of its interest in reaching the "Artemis Generation"? The original tweet had a 30 April 2020 deadline and the Embassy tweet says that it is 31 May 2020. Is this effort still underway? Where will the results of this activity be posted publicly?

Need ideas for entertaining your kids at home? Help your child win interesting prizes from @EMKCenter and https://t.co/g0DO8GtpL9, in partnership with #NASAatHome, by making a science project at home! Submit the project by May 31, 2020.
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— U.S. Embassy Dhaka (@usembassydhaka) May 11, 2020

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