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.
Turkey courts Russia, way to go with Armenia
Increasingly growing ties between Russia and Turkey continued this year, as cooperation and partnership in the energy sector became dominant themes in the programs of both countries. While Moscow has skillfully taken advantage of Turkey’s desire to become an energy hub through signing energy deals with its southern neighbor in recent years, rivalry continues in both countries’ backyard, the volatile South Caucasus.
US revokes Venezuelan envoy’s visa
The US has revoked the visa of Venezuela's ambassador to Washington, in retaliation for President Hugo Chavez's rejection of a nominated US envoy, Larry Palmer, who is critical of the Venezuelan government, the US State Department said Wednesday.
Austria and Qatar sign tax, air transport accords
Austria and Qatar have boosted their bilateral relations with agreements on double taxation and air transport. While one accord ensures that income and capital aren't taxed twice, the other provides the basis for future negotiations on, among other things, the number of flights between the two countries.
Obama Bypasses Senate To Name New Envoys
President Barack Obama has bypassed the usual process of confirmation by the Senate and directly appointed four new U.S. ambassadors whose nominations had been stalled or blocked by lawmakers for months.
Kenyan study on internet use reveals a need for more business presence online
Late in 2010, TNS released a Kenya digital study as part of a three month study of the habits of online Africans. In Kenya it involved 800 interviews – 400 online, 400 face-to-face and tried to answer various questions like – who is online? What are people doing online? How can brands connect? What messaging/digital communication channels are best?
What 2011 Will Look Like for Citizen Diplomacy
There are reasons to believe this next year will usher in an increased period of time of citizen diplomacy. We are indeed likely to see a jump in the amount of citizen to citizen diplomacy. Through the use of new media and incorporating traditional forms to breaking down barriers of communication between people.
World music Israeli style: Idan Raichel Project
"If I got an invitation to perform from the president of Syria or the prime minister of Lebanon, I would be the first to go," says Idan Raichel, one of Israel's biggest-selling musicians. Right now that seems like a highly unlikely prospect, given the hostile relations between Israel and its neighbours to the north.
Niche diplomacy gets Qatar to its goal
Any defining moment of a year is usually an analysis in past tense. Rarely ever is it a judgment in future tense. But that’s exactly how it is in the case of Qatar successfully bidding in 2010 to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While winning the bid is victory enough to become a defining moment for the present, the real impact lies in what this success could do for the Gulf in general and for Qatar in particular over the next decade and beyond.
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