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.

Putting Iran’s “Op-Ed Diplomacy” to the Test

This Tuesday–whether in a possible meeting or simple photograph beamed across social media–the world may get a glimpse of what could be a possible U.S.-Iran rapprochement building steam. While the pitfalls and challenges to any warming of relations between Washington and Tehran would be great, it is clearly in both nations’ interests to pursue such an effort.

Tags: iran, hassan rouhani, op-ed

Peace Corps and Public Diplomacy: Missed Opportunities?

A recent opinion piece in the Huffington Post raises some interesting issues about the Peace Corps and its relationship to official U.S. public diplomacy efforts overseas. I’d like to begin by professing my appreciation and admiration for the Peace Corps and the many thousands of volunteers who are serving or have served around the world. Although I am no development expert and cannot speak to their accomplishments in that regard, I have long appreciated the valuable contributions that Peace Corps volunteers make towards advancing our public diplomacy efforts.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, peace corps

What Do Women Who Wear The Niqab Think Of The Niqab Debate?

While Muslim women wearing niqabs in Britain might be a constant bugbear for EDL types, it's generally not something the rest of the population are particularly concerned about. But once every couple of years, a "niqabi" demands the right to keep wearing the veil in a situation where other people think it shouldn't be worn, so it becomes a Big Deal for a while and the media kick up a grand, preachy fuss until it all blows over.

Tags: islam, united kingdom, women, niqab

Egypt Bans Muslim Brotherhood

An Egyptian court on Monday ordered the Muslim Brotherhood to be banned and its assets confiscated in a dramatic escalation of a crackdown by the military-backed government against supporters of the ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

Tags: egypt, muslim brotherhood,

In Miami, Cuban Travelers Get Taste of U.S. Tourism

At 67, Cuban taxi driver Benito Perez had never been on a plane. For years, friends in Miami had invited him to visit, but he couldn't afford to pay for the flight and didn't want to burden his friends. The process of getting an exit permit from Cuban authorities and permission from the U.S. government also seemed daunting.

Tags: united states, tourism, cuba, reform

Three Signs Brazil Could Be Awakening From Its Economic Slumber

Brazil’s plummeting currency and rising consumer prices have been making life difficult for its businesses and citizens, and prolonging its economic funk. But there a signs of gradual improvement. Here are three recent trends in Latin America’s largest economy worth celebrating.

Tags: brazil, latin america, trade diplomacy, economy, investment

The (Slow) Rise of Iran’s Women

Nearly 35 years after the Islamic Revolution, gender discrimination is still a challenging issue for Iran. On the one hand, the situation for Iranian women has improved considerably in many respects under the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). On the other, there is a clear and seemingly impregnable ceiling for women in administrative and government positions.

Tags: iran, islam, women, hassan rouhani, discrimination

Cameron’s Twitter Account ‘Favourites’ Offensive Tweet

The Prime Minister's official Twitter account has marked a highly offensive tweet as a "favourite" on the social networking site. The tweet, from a user mocking former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit, was posted in response to the Prime Minister's message of condolence for victims of the Nairobi terror attack.

Tags: social media, united kingdom, twitter, david cameron

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