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.
Anonymous Swaps ISIS Propaganda Site for Prozac Ad in Trolling Fight
Anonymous splinter group GhostSec has taken its “war” on Isis to the darknet, replacing a propaganda forum with an advert for Prozac. The site was only recently set up within the Tor darknet by Isis, allegedly in response to Anonymous taking down hundreds of the terrorist group’s websites on the open web.
Ulla Rønberg Specializes in Promoting Danish Culture Around World
Ulla Rønberg, wife of recently appointed Danish Ambassador Lars Gert Lose, has spent her career promoting cultural diplomacy long before the term came into vogue. Although she’s on a leave of absence from the Danish Agency for Culture while in D.C., Rønberg is finding ways to incorporate her love of culture with her new role as an ambassador’s spouse.
How One Road to a Deal with Iran was Paved with Art
In November 1999, Nancy Matthews arrived at Tehran airport at 3 o’clock in the morning. Susan Koscis followed directly behind her. Koscis had made the trip a few years earlier through an NGO called Search for Common Ground, when she organised a visit of American wrestlers. Nancy was now planning to find and bring Iranian artists back to the United States for an exhibition. Koscis and Nancy were cultural diplomats.
Saudi Arabia Unashamedly Championed In UK Security Review
In its trumpeting of Britain’s global “soft power” influence, the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) unveiled on Monday contains a glaring contradiction. [...] Twenty pages on, the document says the UK will continue to work with close allies, including “vital partners, such as Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East”.
Lahij Cooper Art May Be Included in UNESCO's Heritage List
Ismayilli region’s small town of Lahij may be included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, for its unique copper art.[...] The nomination will be considered at the tenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to take place in Namibia from November 30 to December 4, 2015.
Give Middle East Refugees a Fighting Chance
Boots on the ground are necessary for defeating them where they now freely organize and operate. The question becomes: Whose boots?
North Korea Is Fighting for Kimchi Recognition
According to recent documents released by UNESCO, North Korea has submitted kimchi to be nominated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, meaning that it would be officially recognized as important to world heritage and merit cultural protection from UNESCO. The submission for Intangible Cultural Heritage status, titled “Tradition of kimchi-making in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” is looking like a shoe-in for UNESCO status.
A ‘Pilot’ Program For Israel PR
As part of “El Al Ambassadors – Blue and White Advocates,” a little-reported-on program in voluntary diplomacy, he is one of about 150 El Al pilots and flight attendants who speak to groups in cities around the world (wherever El Al flies) about their personal experiences and what Israel means to them.
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