A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
Obama’s Mideast Policy Lacks Healthy Skepticism
So far Washington’s “engagement” policy toward Iran, which is part of the new approach to the Muslim world, has produced no results. Iran’s nuclear program continues while the American suggestion to open a dialogue remains unheeded. In fact, Iran, as well as the rest of the Middle East, sees “engagement” primarily as an American weakness.
Public Diplomacy and Legitimacy in the Age of Transparency
Five simple words described how the ailing news industry should move forward: "Transparency is the new objectivity." Transparency gives the reader information by which she can undo some of the unintended effects of the ever-present biases. Transparency brings us to reliability the way objectivity used to. The change is epochal.
When Walt Disney visited Latin America
Near the end of the 1930s, the Nazis were making inroads in Latin America. To quell that momentum, President Roosevelt named Nelson Rockefeller head of a special agency -- a veritable international chamber of commerce and cultural exchange agency -- that sent various Hollywood celebrities to visit these countries to, in effect, win the hearts and minds of the people.
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and…Mandarin? Chinese is Coming to a School Near You
Nationally, Chinese programs in the US saw heavy growth, increasing 200% between ’04 and ’08. Nine years ago, the group’s national survey of America’s schools did not even include Chinese as an answer option [the language was part of “other.”] The council estimates that 5000 schools taught the language.
After the Crackdown: The Iran Democracy Fund
Last week's statement by Iran's top leader...that he saw no proof the British or the West were behind the protests--should encourage the United States to pursue a more assertive approach to support Iranians working for change. Nevertheless, the State Department's Iran Democracy Fund -- currently the only tool available for promoting democracy in Iran -- has been extremely cautious in its funding decisions since President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Nigeria sees Israel losing international ‘goodwill’
Israel's grip on the West Bank in defiance of international opinion is denying it the goodwill it is due, Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe told his visiting Israeli counterpart on Tuesday. "You are not touching that goodwill because of the distraction of violence, the distraction of holding on too much land which you had already been asked...to give up for the sake of peace," he told Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Rawabi, the new Palestinian city that could rise on the West Bank
Financed with money from the Qatari government, it is eventually intended to house 40,000 people and to create 5,000 permanent jobs. Despite the obvious risks, Masri hopes it will encourage others to invest in the West Bank and will prepare for an eventual end to the Israeli occupation. "I would like to think of this project as part of building a Palestinian state," he said."
South Korea’s Other Problem
This summer much global attention has focused on South Korea's biggest problem: its northern neighbor with his nuclear missiles and penchant for detaining American journalists. But South Korea has another problem: its international reputation. Korea's image has lagged behind the reality of its economic and political transformation over the last twenty years.
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