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.

New Politicized Visa Restrictions Harm Iranians and Undermine America's Core Values

The recent bill passed by Congress aims to clamp down on the visa waiver program with provisions that essentially discriminate against Iranians. The ACLU calls H.R.158, passed last Tuesday by overwhelming support (419 yes), as a measure calling for "blanket arbitrary discrimination based on nationality and national origin."

Tags: government, non-state pd, non-state actor, counter violent extremism, iran, visa, middle east

What Angola Can Tell Us About CPD’s Youth & Evaluation Initiatives

There is an informative intersection of research initiatives, both geographically and topically, when examining a nation like Angola, a resource rich sub-Saharan African country that is only a decade or so removed from years of horrific civil war. Recently, we analyzed the mediated public diplomacy efforts of Angola in the United States.

Tags: government pd, international exchange, angola, united states, africa

This Simple Sensor Stops Fires in Crowded Communities

Thanks to a group of inventors in South Africa, where as much as 11 percent of the population lives in shacks and fast-moving fires spread easily [...] Over the past three years, the team has developed a modified, networked fire alarm system known as Lumkani. The system is designed to alert neighbors, emergency responders, and entire informal communities to fires faster and more efficiently [...]

Tags: international advocacy, international development, non-state pd, south africa, philippines

Amid Warming With US, Cuban Baseball Defectors Teach Youth

Some of Major League Baseball's biggest Cuban-born stars put dozens of boys through batting, pitching and catching drills in a sunny Havana ballpark, part of a 3-day mission meant to warm relations between the U.S. league and this baseball-mad nation. […] Defectors who were once reviled by Cuban officials [...] but who have returned in triumph following last year's historic detente between the Cold War foes.

Tags: sports diplomacy, international exchange, nation branding, international advocacy, cuba, united states

How a Blond American Kid Became a Huge Star in Saudi Arabia

Say the name Joshua Van Alstine in Saudi Arabia and the likely response is a blank stare. But mention his Web-born persona, Abu Muteb, and chances are good that you will get a knowing nod or a wry smile for the baby-faced American military brat. He slings Saudi­accented Arabic, wears traditional Arabian robes, mixes comedy and commentary, and may be one of the Arab world’s most improbable celebrities.

Tags: non-state pd, nation branding, international advocacy, digital diplomacy, united states, saudi arabia

Diplomacy Group Hosts Heritage Dinner

Members of the Senior Public Diplomacy Group headed by Choi Ha-kyung welcomed guests and speakers to the Annual Korean Culture & Heritage Dinner Party at Ibis Myeongdong Ambassador Hotel in Seoul on Thursday night.

Tags: south korea, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd

Changing the Rules of the Game for Turkish Contemporary Art

Ali Güreli, the founder and chairman of the Contemporary Istanbul art fair, emphasizes the importance of contemporary art and speaks about new projects and how to better circulate Turkish contemporary art internationally.

Tags: trey, contemporary art, istanbul, ali güreli, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, nation branding

Romanian Ambassador Hails Azerbaijan-NATO Cooperation

Romanian Ambassador in Baku Daniel Cristian Ciobanu has praised Azerbaijan`s cooperation with NATO as he addressed a reception marking the completion of the first year of the fourth NATO Contact Point Embassy mandate. [...] Since the early 1990s, NATO has developed a network of Contact Point Embassies (CPE) to support the Alliance’s partnership and public diplomacy activities in partner countries. 

Tags: romania, azerbaijan, nato, baku, daniel cristian ciobanu, contact point embassies, non-state pd, government pd

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