Google chairman Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen, director of Google Ideas, just began their South by Southwest panel addressing "issues of technology and privacy, war and intervention, diplomacy and revolution around the world."

According to this photo posted on Instagram last night Cohen, along with Google Ideas chief of staff Daniel Keyserling, arrived in Austin in style. Also on board the private jet: Ruzwana Bashir, CEO of the travel startup Peek, which counts Eric Schmidt and Jack Dorsey as investors, and just announced $5 million in venture financing on Wednesday.

Schmidt and Cohen co-authored the book "The New Digital Age." Google Ideas describes itself as the global do-gooder arm of the $400 billion company:

Google Ideas is a think/do tank that explores how technology can enable people to confront threats in the face of conflict, instability or repression. We connect users, experts and engineers to research and seed new technology-driven initiatives.

Cohen is a former adviser to the State Department and has been accused of coordinating moves with the White House to back a regime change in the Middle East. He and Schmidt famously made a trip to North Korea last year.

Apparently, the fuel required to win over hearts and minds on "American-style liberal democracy," are silver trays of sushi.