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.

Righting the Wrong: Smart Power in Afghanistan

There is no way forward in Afghanistan, unless the international community rethinks the way they have operated in the country so far. To avoid failure and more of the same, they must exploit the strategic opportunity of capitalizing on the many lessons learned they have learned thus far to replace the “Afghan face” with the “Afghan hands” on getting the job done henceforth.

Tags: united states, government pd, afghanistan, aid diplomacy, smart power

Overseas artists ‘poorly treated’ by visa system

Philip Pullman is among those who have signed a letter saying the UK's points-based visa system is "inappropriate for short-term visits by artists". The letter in the Daily Telegraph, signed by nearly 100 names from the arts world, says non-European artists are "poorly treated."

Tags: government pd, art diplomacy, britain

SEF: Small and medium businesses are source of soft power

"The soft power of Taiwan's small- and medium-sized businesses comes from innovation, overseas market expansion and efficiency,: said Chiang. "Mainland China, meanwhile, has hard power such as a big labor force, and abundant land and resources."

Tags: soft power, taiwan, asia pacific, business diplomacy, taipei

“American Seasons “ in Russia – unique cultural event

U.S. Embassy in Moscow has announced a unique year-long American arts and culture festival in Russia. It is both a fresh start in this sphere of relations between the two countries and homage to Sergei Diaghilev’s Russian Seasons in Paris.

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, russia, art diplomacy, dance, theatre, moscow

More Matter, Less Art: Wen’s Love for Shakespeare

Whether or not Shakespeare fits the political message Beijing wants to deliver, a viewing of “Hamlet” is in keeping with the populist brand of public diplomacy favored by Mr. Wen, who has often added cultural events to his visits abroad.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, europe, art diplomacy

Will Europe push on Arab democracy?

Proposals to reorient European policy have come from the European Commission and..European External Action Service...through advocacy of a “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity” and...to create a European Endowment for Democracy and a Civil Society Facility...

Tags: soft power, middle east, arab spring, europe, european union, democracy, european external action service

Branding USA: Government Seeks Pair to Boost Travel, Improve Image

The State Department's public diplomacy position "isn't about marketing," according to its current occupant, former Discovery Communications CEO Judith McHale, as much as conversations and connections, often enabled by digital and social media.

Tags: united states, nation branding, government pd, twitter, philip seib, marketing

Israel urged to speak directly to Arab world

Israelis studiously track public opinion in the United States and Europe, and Israel's military has taken to using YouTube, Twitter and bloggers to disseminate real-time updates around the world, sometimes in the middle of battle.

Tags: israel, twitter, arab world, engagement, youtube, foreign publics

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