Stardate 20020424.1230

(On Screen): The US is taking the war to the "Arab Street". And the US is using the best weapon it has: rock-and-roll. The power of this should not be underestimated.

Voice of America will make a difference through delivery of our message to the youth of the Arab nations. But the music itself is a weapon; it's the vanguard of American culture. It brings with it a whole patina of "cool", which includes western clothing and western lifestyles, and western attitudes. Freedom for girls! Being able to go on dates with who you want to! These are exotic things in the Arab world, and they are extremely seductive (in more ways than one).

There's a good reason why pop music was one of the things that the Taliban came down hard on during their reign of terror. It's the crack in the dike.