See Syria Spin

"The Syrian government, increasingly under fire for its suspected role in sponsoring terrorist activity, has launched a PR offensive to improve its image in the West," reports PR Week. The Syrian Society for Public Relations, in collaboration with the British International Society for Public Relations, "will educate officials about how to maintain good relations with foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, the media, and opinion leaders." Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha is also making "a conscious media push in the U.S." In related news, the Saudi government has a two-page ad in the February 17 New York Times, highlighting their recent counter-terrorism conference.