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.
Candor and Conflict
Writer Usama Hussein recently reported on an increase in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks in the United Kingdom, including one attack against a London synagogue and one on the daughter of a Muslim leader in London. The fact that such violence came after flare-ups in Gaza showed many nations that a top public diplomacy priority involves facilitating real dialogue, within and beyond their borders, among Jews and Muslims.
Reality TV is good for Arab democracy
Since the mid-1990s, Western-style television programs in the Arab world have stirred much controversy over their potentially detrimental effects on the region's social values and traditions. And no television genre has created as heated a public debate in Arab societies as reality television.
Obama, U.S. Public Diplomacy and the Islamic World
Although the Obama administration is only just out of the political starting gate, observers are already noting a distinct change in the prominence and tone of U.S. public diplomacy, specifically with respect to the Muslim world.
Iran Issue No. 1. It Should be Human Rights, Not Nuclear Weapons
The administration should be clear in any discussions and its public diplomacy that it expects Iran to hold free and fair elections, with no candidate disqualified. Obama should press for the release of political prisoners and for the regime to discuss its opposition's demands for constitutional and legislative reforms, and push it to again allow independent newspapers and for universities and civic groups to operate freely.
Perfect (20)10?
When the final whistle is blown on 11 July 2010, will the president of the world’s largest sports brand, Joseph Blatter, be able to reiterate his summary of the 2006 Fifa World Cup, when he said, “This was the best World Cup of all time. Never before has an event been presented in such an emotional and global manner.”?
Foreign policy sequels
Along with the language of unclenched fists and reset buttons, the basic goals and premises of U.S. policy have not shifted. The world would be a better and safer place if the Bush administration's policies had more closely matched its rhetoric. But in any case, as Carothers notes, the idea that "a major post-Bush realist corrective is needed represents a serious misreading of the past eight years." It would be ironic, to say the least, if in its desire to distinguish itself from Bush on this issue, the Obama administration wound up replicating Bush.
Crossover Appeal
To its arsenal of agents, fences and stealthy sensors skirting our nation's southern border, the U.S. Border Patrol may soon add another weapon in the fight against illegal immigration: a follow-up album.
Barack Obama’s aides admit errors are making him less popular
The admission came as Mr Obama faced and upsurge of criticism from influential and previously devout supporters among American commentators, halfway through what Mr Obama hopes will prove the most consequential first 100 days since Franklin D. Roosevelt. So far he has had a radical economic stimulus approved by Congress, but faces accusations that he and his team, who regard themselves as great communicators, have made presentational errors.
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