Radio Sawa has been in operation for three years. advanced technological capabilities, an abundance of popular songs and music and enormous funds availed by the US congress allow the station to enjoy a considerable level of listenership, when compared to the defunct Arabic radio voice of America. this popularity does not, however, guarantee the achievement of the basic aims of the station as a tool of US public diplomacy in the middle east. though it may be early to pass a judgment on the station's accomplishment of its mission, one may confidently state that the US would not spend millions of US taxpayer money only to entertain the Arab youth. the US congress, the supreme authority over the station, it seems, will have to wait for some time before the radio station delivers a dividend.