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.
As others do, Africans must also invest in Africa
The Americans have 'Soft Power' in bucketloads and Coca Cola, for example, is a pre-eminent example of it. Its important that we bleep on the global radar because the world is as flat as it ever was and if you are not bleeping frankly you are not in the game.
China’s leaders in the glare of an unwelcome spotlight
For a Chinese government that seems bent on investing in soft power, these last few months have offered clear reminders that soft power cannot be bought. It must be earned.
Scandal Erodes China’s Soft Power
Buoyed by its massive foreign exchange reserve, China has spent billions of dollars to boost its soft power. Direct Chinese television broadcasts and Confucius Institutes around the world are aimed at winning the world’s respect. But a series of political scandals showing a total lack of regard for China’s rule of law have punctured claims about the Chinese system’s superiority.
Gulf has a role in how much influence Iran has on Iraq
The Islamic Republic of Iran never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity," says Afshin Molavi... "Their handling of their 'soft power' in Iraq is a case in point. Their poll numbers are dwindling, and not only among Sunnis, but also among Shia. They are increasingly seen as heavy-handed and interfering.
Britain goes all out to charm Asia
Later this year, Britain is dispatching to Asia its ultimate “soft power” asset, Prince William and his wife Catherine. This concerted flurry of British diplomatic activity suggests that – for all the media focus on US President Barack Obama’s “pivot” to Asia and China’s assertiveness in the Spratlys – other major powers such as Britain are also ratcheting up their regional presence.
Universal power of music
Cultural diplomacy underlies the exceptional works included in this year's international music festival. Performed in monumental spaces such as the national museum, the concerts, which have a strong East-West flavour, will reach out to everyone...
Iran Lambasts US Aggressive Foreign Policy
"Clash of civilizations is the main pivot of the US public diplomacy," Mehman-Parast said, addressing a number of students and researchers in Tehran on Sunday. "The American public diplomacy impairs the other side's reputation to attain its goals," he said, and added that the United States' Islamophobia and Iranophobia projects are meant to serve the same goal.
Twitter vs. secret diplomacy in the Chen Guangcheng saga
But the rapid-fire pace of social media helped to quickly undercut the official line on what had happened just hours after the agreement was announced, spurring journalists worldwide to follow up. Experts said it was the first time that the digital world has had such a strong sway. In the past, "it might have taken days or months. It wouldn't have taken minutes," said Nicholas Cull, a USC professor of public diplomacy.
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