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.
China Strives to Be on African Minds, and TV Sets
While China imposes strict controls on foreign-produced entertainment at home, it is also eager to see its cultural products embraced abroad. And in Africa, Chinese television shows have become immensely popular — at least according to the Chinese state news media.
First Lady Launches Women’s Diplomacy Bid
In a landmark meeting with Turkey's female diplomats and wives of Turkish diplomats yesterday, First Lady Emine Erdoğan urged them to play a more active role in the international community in Turkey's soft power efforts.
India’s Soft Power Has Been Spreading: Sushma
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “whirlwind tours” and “out-of-the-box initiatives” for bringing about a sea change in India’s global image, the Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said even softer powers, like yoga, Indian curry and Bollywood songs, have contributed to enhancing the “image of a new India”.
In Some Latin Capitals, U.S. Diplomacy Hits Sour Note
Top American Envoy in Ecuador Sings the Blues to Connect With Citizens, as a Medley of His Colleagues in South America Face Choirs of Hostility
An Insider’s Account of How Putin Uses the Media to Brainwash Russians
If we really knew what is going on in the Kremlin backrooms, where Russia’s information war is being planned, we in the West would be shocked, writes author Peter Pomerantsev in Politico magazine.
China, Russia and the US Juggle Soft and Hard Power
This year has seen marked resurgence in the use of hard power by states in pursuit of national interests. Yet, not so long ago, talk in diplomatic, academic and journalistic circles focused on the growing importance of soft power in international relations.
U.S. Gives Iraq a Fresh Batch of MRAPs in Hopes It Won’t Lose Them
Supplying new weapons to Iraq and refurbishing its poorly maintained war stocks has become an urgent priority for Barack Obama’s administration after nearly half the Iraqi Army that was trained and equipped by U.S. forces before 2011 — or about 24 brigades out of 50 — unraveled last summer in the face of the Islamic State’s brutal onslaught.
Moldova Is Next Battleground for Russia and EU
The EU prides itself on its soft power that consists, among other things, of helping build the rule of law, granting financial assistance and development aid, and extending trade-preferential tariffs. In the case of Moldova, it is the very attractiveness of the EU itself that has remained a magnet for the majority of the country's 3.5 million inhabitants.
Pages
Visit CPD's Online Library
Explore CPD's vast online database featuring the latest books, articles, speeches and information on international organizations dedicated to public diplomacy.