Michael Holtzman, a partner at BLJ Worldwide, is a public relations executive who has developed people-to-people programs in Libya, Syria, Qatar, and Morocco. He was an advisor to the Director of Policy Planning Staff in the State Department and to the U.S. Trade Ambassador. He served as Director of Public Affairs at the Council on Foreign Relations.

An effective strategy would not only deepen the reservoir of good will toward America but also help marginalize the voices of extremists, writes Michael Holtzman.