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.

Russia Scores Diplomacy Points by Mentoring Kazakhstan

Few people are aware that Kazakhstan played a major role in ending the diplomatic crisis that followed Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane last year. Now Kazakhstan is taking a much more public mediator role in strategic talks among Moscow, Ankara, Tehran and Damascus on Syria’s future. [...] How did Kazakh diplomacy emerge as a successful endeavor in recent months? 

Tags: russia, kazakhstan, government pd, syria, turkey, strategic partnerships, diplomatic relations, un security council, international image

The Continued Relevance of Sport Diplomacy

As Heather Dichter pointed out in her 2014 H-Diplo essay, a conundrum of sport diplomacy, perhaps its signal paradox, is the extent to which nations have used sport as a proving ground on the world stage. [...] Current American and global politics and their illumination on the playing field demonstrate the extent to which actors within and sometimes without a country deepen understanding of how politics and sport work in the international arena. 

Tags: sports diplomacy, non state pd, 2016 Rio Olympics, international image, refugee olympic team, foreign policy, united states

Ban ki-moon: Requiem for a UN ‘Yes Man’

The U.N.’s second secretary-general Dag Hammarskjold defined the job’s role as a diplomat who has the ability and courage to navigate a course independent of the major powers and in defense of the world’s population. [...] Once Ban was installed at the U.N. in 2007, he broke with tradition by naming Americans — two former State Department diplomats — to be his chief political officers during his ten-year tenure. 

Tags: ban ki-moon, united nations, history & theory, non state pd, united states, global influence, antonio guterres

Art Works from a Century of Japanese-American Cultural Exchange

This February, the Crocker Art Museum will present JapanAmerica: Points of Contact, a beautiful and diverse display of nearly 200 works of art and design that have played a role in artistic exchange between the two cultures. Following the “opening” of Japan by the United States Navy in 1853, traveling expositions introduced communities around the world to the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese objects.

Tags: japan, united states, cultural exchange, art exhibition, bilateral relations, japanese culture, fashion, tourism

The Rise of Taliban Diplomacy

There are several apparent motives behind the Taliban’s outreach: to decrease misperceptions and concerns about the Taliban and strive to change international opinion, which is currently stacked against them; to get supports for the Taliban’s war against U.S. “occupation”; to negotiate prisoner swaps; and to discuss the Afghan peace process.

Tags: afghanistan, taliban, foreign policy, taliban diplomacy, south asia, china, russia, government pd, international opinion

Japan-Taiwan Exchange Unveiled

Japanese Representative to Taiwan Mikio Numata yesterday said that he hoped Taipei and Tokyo could take their “best relationship” to the next level, as he unveiled the new doorplate for the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, which on Sunday changed its name from the Interchange Association, Japan.

Tags: japan, taiwan, bilateral ties, international exchange, Cultural Diplomacy, friendly relations, government pd, japan-taipan exchange association

How to Move the Needle on Moving the Needle

Measurement and evaluation is nothing new to public diplomacy. Nicholas Cull holds that America’s public diplomats have always understood the need to move the needle. However, most historical accounts also agree that the topic has gained considerable traction since 9/11. 

Tags: metrics, measurement, analytics, history & theory, evaluation, pd evaluation

Pakistan, France to Strengthen Cultural, Sports, Educational ties

Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque talking to Mayor of Paris 8, Jeanne d' Hauteserre on Tuesday said that people to people contacts will improve as Pakistan and France work for strengthening their cooperation in the area of culture, sports and education.

Tags: pakistan, france, Cultural Diplomacy, sports diplomacy, international exchange, people-to-people relations, education

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