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.
U.S. Moves to Align Student Exchanges With Policy Goals
This summer, 500 Africans studied business, leadership and public management on American campuses as part of a new State Department program. The Obama administration has hailed the effort, which is part of the larger Young African Leaders Initiative, as a fresh take on public diplomacy.
10,000 Bodies: Inside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Crackdown
Last year, the Syrian military-police photographer defected to the West. Investigators later gave him the code name Caesar to disguise his identity. All told, Caesar helped smuggle more than 50,000 pictures out of Syria—his own and many others he downloaded that were taken by other photographers, according to activists working with him.
Nigeria, Levick and the Imperatives of Nation Branding
Of course, like most countries of the world, Nigeria has her peculiar problems and very serious ones too. While some of the negative commentaries are true, most Nigerians are actually hardworking, peace loving and friendly people. There's an obvious perception problem that needs to change!
Mohammad Launches Salma Emergency Food Aid Initiative
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched an international project for immediate food aid for all those affected by crises across the globe. Shaikh Mohammad directed that the project start in Gaza, which is currently under Israeli aggression, in cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the UN World Food Programme.
Americans' Reaction to Middle East Situation Similar to Past
Americans are divided in their views of whether Israel's actions against the Palestinian group Hamas is "mostly justified" or "mostly unjustified," but they widely view Hamas' actions as mostly unjustified. Those results are similar to what Gallup measured 12 years ago during another period of heightened Israeli-Palestinian violence, and they are consistent with Americans' generally more positive views of the Israelis than of the Palestinians.
US Evacuates Embassy Staff from Libya due to Militia Clashes
The US says it has temporarily evacuated its staff from the Libyan capital Tripoli over security concerns. Staff, including marine guards providing security to the embassy, have been transferred to Tunisia "due to the ongoing violence resulting from clashes between Libyan militias," it adds. Secretary of State John Kerry said there was a "real risk" to staff. It comes amid fierce clashes between rival militias in the capital, with intense fighting at Tripoli airport.
Smart Aid for the World's Poor
In September next year, the United Nations plans to choose a list of development goals for the world to meet by the year 2030. What aspirations should it set for this global campaign to improve the lot of the poor, and how should it choose them? In answering that question, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his advisers are confronted with a task that they often avoid: setting priorities.
Japan’s Brand is Floundering Under Abe
Attending the Association of Asian Studies conference in Singapore last week, I realized that Japan’s global image is not what it might be. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan is back, but doubts are spreading about the version of Japan he is promoting. It appears that Abe’s energetic regional diplomacy has been undercut by his awkward views on history and failure to deliver on structural reforms.
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