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 holds up a mirror to the French
If the US elections were held in France, Barack Obama would win by a landslide. The “Obamania” wave that has seized France, like most of the world, comes as no surprise but has specific characteristics.
Europe’s smart power in its region and the world
Russia is trying to build a modern nation-state which relies on hard power. By contrast, the EU is a post-modern entity which wields a vast soft power of attractiveness, but which lacks strong sanctioning mechanisms. No wonder it is often hard to find common language. The EU remains attractive to many Russians, for its living standards, culture and open societies, and we should continue to engage with Russian civil society.
Space policy questions and decisions facing a new administration
Space represents a “soft power” foreign policy tool. Space is an international drawing card that engenders national prestige, prevents conflict, and is a domain for international cooperation.
Global Challenges from an Asian perspective
The Prime Minister of Singapore discusses global challenges including food, security, governance and humanitarian issues and explores in detail the current political, socio-economic and international relationships in the context of Asia.
Networks, Olympics organizers clash
Television networks that will broadcast the Beijing Olympics to billions around the world are squaring off with local organizers over stringent security that threatens coverage of the games in two months. Differences over a wide range of issues - from limits on live coverage in Tiananmen Square to allegations that freight shipments of TV broadcasting equipment are being held up in Chinese ports - surfaced in a contentious meeting in late May between Beijing organizers and high-ranking International Olympic Committee officials and TV executives - including those from NBC.
Cloud over Beijing
About half the South African Olympic team will suffer from a variety of allergies and respiratory problems at the Beijing Games in August, according to a Cape Town sports scientist. Beijing has been criticized for the quality of it's air, which at times has pollution levels nearly five times above the World Health Organization's safety standards.
Summer Olympics showcases China’s rich culture
About 1.5 million foreigners are expected to attend the Olympics, which will be followed by the Paralympic Games in September. They will see grand new architecture befitting the world's fourth-largest economy. Yet Beijing is also the center of China's imperial past and a trip to the city offers the country's unique traditions -- arts, architecture and culinary delicacies that Americans are just learning to appreciate.
Bush: American ‘brand,’ no ‘makeover’
Is "the American brand'' in need of a "makeover?'' That's the question for President Bush, bound for Europe this week. It comes from Natasa Briski of POP TV in Slovenia, host of the annual European Union Summit..."Public surveys taken globally indicate kind of anti-Americanism, and Europe is no exception in that,'' Briski asked Bush in an interview at the White House on the eve of this week's European trip. "Do you believe that the American brand needs a makeover?''
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