CPD Media Monitor Reports synthesize and analyze the most relevant PDiN (Public Diplomacy in the News) articles on topical issues and are posted periodically by our research team at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.

Under-reported Tunisia Summarized by Maya Babla Since December 2010, the symbolism of Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation has been oft-cited as the signal of the start of turbulence, revolution, and a new Middle East. Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, received a posthumous Sakharov Prize for Freedom Thought, not only for the effect of his martyrdom in Tunisia, but for the domino effect it had on the region. English-language media coverage of the Arab Spring, however, did neglect Tunisia in many ways, typically mentioning it as the spark, but rarely focusing on the small North African state itself. Instead, Tunisia was quickly lumped…... FULL TEXT

Legislation Summarized by Alex Laverty Beginning in the summer of 2009, the United States government took a new interest in the use of science diplomacy, the exchange of science and technology across borders. By encouraging cooperation and development in scientific research, not only would American national security and economic prosperity improve it was hoped, but the new technologies and intellectual property would strengthen the United States’ scientific progress. The benefits of new research and partnerships were enumerated by Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) in the U.S. Congress when he submitted the International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2009 (H.R. 1736)…... FULL TEXT

When the United States Africa Command – AFRICOM – was created in 2007 and was formally activated the following year, many considered it to be the epitome of “smart power” – a carefully blended mix of hard and soft power. Like other U.S. military commands, it would possess formidable combat capability, but its signature ingredient was a soft power component. To the dismay of some civilian officials who saw their role being usurped, AFRICOM was defining itself in terms of conducting diplomacy and development as well as traditional military duties. A career diplomat was appointed deputy to the commander for…... FULL TEXT

A Win-Win Game for Players Over the past few years, China has actively participated in global affairs. Having hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China went on to become the first developing country to produce and manage the world biggest cultural event – the Expo Shanghai 2010. Spending more than $50 billion dollars to prepare for the event, Expo Shanghai 2010 attracted 192 participant countries and 50 international organizations to showcase their cultural and national character. 73 million visitors from different countries attended this enormous international assembly, providing an opportunity for all participant countries to present and promote their national images…... FULL TEXT

The ongoing release of 250,000 U.S. diplomatic cables by Wikileaks started in late 2010, in staggered releases coordinated with global news organizations, including: The New York Times, El País, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, and others. The released cables offer a look inside the American diplomatic process (and the diplomatic process in general), revealing the distance between public and private communication. None of this really qualifies as news; governments and their publics have long understood that traditional diplomacy is an art that depends on concealment. The content of the cables released thus far has been similarly underwhelming, mainly resulting in a…... FULL TEXT

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