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.
For Israel and America, a Disagreement, Not a Crisis
Israel and America enjoy a deep and multi-layered friendship, but even the closest allies can sometimes disagree. Such a disagreement began last week during Vice President Joseph Biden’s visit to Israel, when a mid-level official in the Interior Ministry announced an interim planning phase in the expansion of Ramat Shlomo, a northern Jerusalem neighborhood.
Taliban Hit Back in Marja With a Campaign of Intimidation
The Taliban have begun waging a campaign of intimidation in Marja that some local Afghan leaders worry has jeopardized the success of an American-led offensive there meant as an early test of a revised military approach in Afghanistan.
Obama aggravates Israel’s mistake
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized abjectly for the announcement, took immediate steps to effectively suspend it — and then apologized some more. This was all appropriate. Equally appropriate was Biden’s acceptance of the apology, and his statement that it was time to get back to the work of negotiating peace. Still the Obama administration has opted to turn these events into something that borders on ugly.
Clinton urges Russia to delay Iran’s nuclear plant
Clinton said Iran is entitled to civil atomic energy, but added that it would be premature to go forward with any nuclear project when Tehran has yet to prove the peaceful nature of its program. The U.S. and other nations are concerned that Iran has been trying to secretly develop nuclear weapons.
Keep Calm and Carry On
I had this slogan in mind recently as I read through the NSC's recently released National Framework & Comprehensive Interagency Strategy for Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communications.
A messiah can’t do it. To reshape the world, the US must first reform itself
Beyond improving the US's popular standing in the world – no mean achievement, to be sure – Obama's foreign policy has so far produced no clear, significant success. Why? Here are some of the explanations offered. Disappointment was foreordained: those messianic expectations of his presidency could never have been met by any mere mortal.
Georgia Mounts American PR Campaign
George W. Bush once celebrated Mikhail Saakasvili, but President Barack Obama has given him the cold shoulder. Now the Georgian president is seeking to polish his image in the United States through an expensive Washington PR firm and by promoting the development of a Hollywood film starring Andy Garcia and Val Kilmer.
Is Tehran intercepting RFE/RL communications?
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) strongly believes the Government of Iran has tapped its phones, intercepting email, and surveilling its activities. RFE/RL, a US government broadcaster, cites recent attempts to recruit 8 Iranian journalists inside Iran. Six of the journalists were detained before they could exit the country while the other two had their passports confiscated.
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