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.
Syrian Youth Create Facebook Group Calling for Peaceful Revolution
Inspired by the recent upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt, a group of online activists in Syria has started a Facebook group that's calling for a peaceful "2011 Syrian Revolution."
Jordan’s king sacks Cabinet; protests possible in Syria
King Abdullah II of Jordan instructs new Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit to 'correct the mistakes of the past.' In Syria, recent popular revolts in the Arab world spur calls for anti-government protests.
E-diplomacy and extremists
The US State Department maintains nine full-time Arabic-language bloggers, two Farsi bloggers and two Urdu bloggers, while the Pentagon also maintains a team of bloggers. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains two full-time Farsi language bloggers.
Egyptians’, Tunisians’ Wellbeing Plummets Despite GDP Gains
Wellbeing in Egypt and Tunisia decreased significantly over the past few years, even as GDP increased. In Egypt, where demonstrations have prompted President Hosni Mubarak to give up power after elections this fall, the percentage of people "thriving" fell by 18 percentage points since 2005.
The Arab Intifada and Women’s Rights
The massive, exhilarating protests in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen mark a sea change for the better in the Arab world. But the implications of the uprisings for women in these countries have not yet been fully analyzed. All of the countries currently experiencing upheaval have made significant progress for women...
Thinking the Unthinkable: Is the Gulf Next?
It's time to think the unthinkable: Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states may be next in line to confront widespread popular discontent. As a wave of mass protests sweeps the Arab world, shaking the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to the core, rumblings of popular restlessness are bubbling to the surface in the Gulf.
Egypt will feel the BBC’s pain
In a 2010 BBC survey, respondents in Egypt, Pakistan, Kenya and Turkey were asked how much they would miss the services of the BBC, CNN International, Voice of America or Al Jazeera. The Egyptian respondents said they would miss the BBC more than Al Jazeera.
A new world for U.S., Arabs
The events unfolding in Tunisia and Egypt are part of an arc of profound political change across the Arab world. Each country has its own historical contours, but this moment is offering a cumulative example that demonstrates that the times are indeed changing. And the ways in which the U.S. engages the Arab world must change accordingly. Fast.
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