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.
The first soft-power superpower
Recognizing that it would require budget-wrecking spending to quickly catch up with the United States as a wielder of military strength, China is, at least for now, emphasizing soft power – trying to extend its influence through attraction rather than coercion.
Massacre in Syria: can soft power or cultural diplomacy play any role here?
This weekend another 100 were brutally massacred in Syria including the stabbing and axing of nearly 50 children. The U.N. Security Council condemns it, of course, but can soft power or cultural diplomacy play any role here? Or is it only a matter for hard power and military intervention?
Changing the narrative
Pakistan is seething with anti-Americanism. This public sentiment is constraining the state's ability to find sensible options to work out the US-Pakistan relationship. People in the decision-making mix realise that a failure to transform the situation could eventually force a complete breakdown of this all-important partnership to Pakistan's own detriment.
Markets with strong “soft power” brands attract greater share of FDI
The Rapid Growth Soft Power Index consists of three criteria: integrity, global integration and image. Although year-on year changes do occur in the rankings, the absolute changes are not large, demonstrating that a strong power brand typically takes many years to acquire or lose.
Literary fests new tool of public diplomacy in South Asia
Literature, the soul of cultural exchange, is giving conventional diplomacy a run for its space in South Asia with the mushrooming literary festivals that are provoking, discussing and building new bridges across cultures.
The Soft Power Role of Turkey in Somalia
A prominent Somali living and working in Mogadishu, for example, very enthusiastically told the author of this article that ‘Somalis love Turks and what they’re doing’. It is also noteworthy that its diplomatic efforts in Somalia presented Turkey with an important opportunity to illustrate its soft power in Africa.
US amends order directing Chinese teachers to return
Amid an uproar in China over the planned American move to send home dozens of Chinese teachers, the US has withdrawn its "sloppy and incomplete" order directing 80 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin to seek reaccreditations.
Nation branding complications for China and Israel
Both writers state that irrespective of what the world media has to say, true soft power is only gained by actions - by what these countries individually do. No amount of branding exercise can help their image if not backed by actions.
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