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.
Networks Fight Shorter Olympic Leash
Many at the network are concerned about how they will be permitted to cover any unscheduled events, like political protests or government crackdowns — or whether the Chinese government will allow them to cover such things at all. But will NBC shy from coverage of any protests? If it does NBC risks being criticized in the West for kowtowing to China — particularly since its corporate parent, General Electric, is aggressively expanding its investments in China.
U.S.-Africa Relations to Militarize?
Africom is slated to begin operations in September. It marks the Pentagon's first centralized operation for Africa, like the Defense Dept. now has, for example, Eucom for Europe or Centcom for the Middle East. The Pentagon, though, has envisioned using Africom as more than a military command. It is designed to help build U.S. soft power in Africa, through what it calls "active security" missions -- like building schools and digging wells.
Update: Paper Responds to Alhurra Payment Story
A number of weeks ago, we published a story about payments made by Alhurra, the U.S. government-funded Arabic news channel, to guest commentators on the network...the paper responded today with a comment from executive editor Stephen Smith: "we expect members of our staff to not accept remuneration for activities that would in any way compromise their work or even create an appearance of a conflict of interest.
Excitement Growing in Germany as Obama Speech Nears
After much debate, presumptive US presidential candidate Barack Obama will speak in front of Berlin’s Victory Column on Thursday. "Obamania" in Germany is now in full swing as the country awaits a political rock star.
Obama Campaign Hires Muslim Liaison
Obama's campaign has created a Muslim liaison, according to two sources familiar with the move. The sources said the job was likely to be filled by Haim Nawas, a Jordanian-American who filled a similar role for the campaign of General Wesley Clark in 2004...Nawas wrote in 2005 that the Bush Administration should take a more nuanced approach to public diplomacy directed at Muslim women.
The Significance of Obama’s Foreign Trip
Obama's "world stage presence" should do more than simply reassure voters. It will provide a demonstration of how fundamentally Obama will improve the way people around the globe -- and especially young people -- view the United States.
Think Tank Warns US Against Intervention
A US think tank has warned Washington against planning an invasion of Pakistan’s tribal areas...Drawing upon its strategic communication experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, the report recommended that the US military should send advisers to the Pakistani security forces, including the Army and FC, besides offering to share relevant technical expertise in targeted FM radio broadcast jamming.
Visitors in Russia
This time last year, a rather unorthodox idea emerged in my head to create a British-Russian cultural diplomacy festival in Russia's culture capital - the hometown of Vladimir Putin...Russia's cultural heritage, and its literary contribution to the world in particular, is mammoth. So it felt apt bringing cultural figures from Britain and connecting them with their counterparts in Russia in hope of a positive outcome and yes, fruitful dialogue.
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