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.
ISIS Strategy and the Twitter Jihadiscape
One of the objectives set out as part of the Netwar in Cyberia Research Project is to produce a strategic-level assessment of the information environment in which extremist groups operate. This will allow an analysis of collective and emergent behaviors within complex information systems and the identification of factors which could influence the success of Public Diplomacy responses to Jihadist online content.
China Buys Soft Power with Hard Cash in Hollywood
Companies are snapping up US film studios, which all want a piece of the mainland’s booming box office. But there is no such thing as a free lunch, warn observers. [...] The US$3.5 billion agreement [to buy Legendary Pictures] is the largest cultural takeover by China, with American studios keen to capitalise on its burgeoning cinema market at a time when Beijing is pushing entertainment as a source of “soft power”.
Book Ban: Cubans Deserve to Read About American Ideals
The United States and Cuba are on the road to re-establishing diplomatic and cultural ties after a half-century of hostilities. [...] But the American Booksellers Association and other big players in the publishing industry are concerned that he is neglecting a major piece of business. While many cultural links between Cuba and the United States have been restored, book selling has not been. Consequently, the industry has petitioned the president to bring that to an end.
The Irrelevant Diplomat
The embassy, at least in its traditional form, is facing an existential crisis. The global transformations of the twenty-first century have dramatically changed the way nations practice diplomacy. The rise of digital communications, diminishing resources, and growing security threats all raise the question of whether the traditional embassy is still relevant.
JRS Syria: Education Builds United Future
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has quietly been trying to change the odds against Syria’s future generations through its educational programs, some which continue in Syria despite the conflict. [...] Through its Mercy in Motion campaign, sign of its commitment to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, JRS has pledged to increase its educational services to reach 100,000 more of the world’s refugees by the year 2020.
Zuma In Aso Rock
South Africa’s head of public diplomacy, Ms Clayson Monyela, told Al Jazeera that President Zuma’s visit to Nigeria will inject new life and energy into important strategic relationship between the two countries and resolve perceived tensions. She added that the visit will send a powerful political message across Africa.
Robotics Diplomacy and the US-Japan Alliance
The DARPA Robotics Challenge was one creative initiative that sparked new relationships and pushed the state of the art forward, but other efforts can be made. There is room for new and broader concepts of bilateral robotics and autonomous systems collaboration in a dual-use context, and the United States and Japan can be leaders in this field. The digital revolution is still in its early stages, and its future will be brighter with a long-term U.S.-Japan partnership.
Celebrity Chefs to Turn Up the Heat at Sharjah Food Festival
Restaurant lovers can also indulge in their dining experiences by exploring the new line up of food kiosks and food vendors, offering visitors a multi-cultural and multinational food experience.
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