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.
Soft Power and Hard Truths: Soft power evolution from Perry’s day to Obama’s
If Japan embraced the United States in 1853 as an ambassador of change, and a century later as an occupier of modernist dreams, then it's fair to say that the United States now needs to embrace Japan, China and other Asian nations to secure its place among them. China and Japan are the world's largest holders of U.S. debt. Overblown American consumer materialism, which may finally be nearing its overdue end, means that those two Asian nations will be among the United States' most vital economic allies in the 21st century.
China and Africa
Out of the 67 African officials interviewed from six countries across the continent and ranking from junior military officers to a former President, 63 expressed quite positive views about China. In contrast, out of the 98 non-government affiliated people interviewed– 73 expressed highly negative views about China, some bordering on racism. From this small sample it becomes apparent that African elites clearly welcome the Chinese presence, while the people are growing increasing ambivalent.
Speaker tells of life in Foreign Service
No two days are the same working as a Foreign Service Officer abroad, said Jennifer Schaming-Ronan, who spoke on Nov. 12 to a group of students who are interested in the profession. The event was part of International Week. Schaming-Ronan is the director of the House liaison office in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Foreign Service.
Muslims Disillusioned over Lack of Progress
Muslims, and Palestinians in particular, remain convinced that US President Barack Obama holds as much promise of a "'just world' as his war-mongering predecessor," despite the pledge made in Cairo, denounces Iqbal Jassat of Media Monitor Network.
Clinton’s Public Diplomacy Fosters US-Pakistan Ties
Although the relationship between the US and Pakistan has been defined by traditional ties for several years, a striking shift to "soft-power diplomacy" and a possible change in the US foreign policy towards Pakistan seems to have emerged following Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's latest visit to Pakistan, reports the Khaleej Times. Secretary Clinton has recently returned from a trip to the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan.
New Media Affecting Social Norms
"After years of state monopoly and censorship twitter and other social media sites and applications are making governments more concerned over news. Social media is placing more power in the hands of citizens in this region,” Al-Najjar continues. She believes that regional governments in the Middle East need to be more pro-active in their approach to conducting public diplomacy campaigns and efforts.
Russia And The EU After Lisbon
If the Lisbon treaty had failed, the already fractured EU would have been demoralized and disoriented, unable to accept or even to attract new members. Its “soft-power” attraction as a successful model for post-Soviet countries and the Balkans states has been on the wane in the last year, the Eastern Partnership notwithstanding. With the Lisbon treaty in place, the EU at least has a fighting chance to challenge Russia as the regional power in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Public diplomacy
Before the dawn of the communications age, there was little demand for transparency in the conduct of international affairs and foreign policy. Citizens were generally excluded from the discussion of matters of state. They were informed after decisions were made, to be sure, but were rarely considered partners in the forging of international policies. In this age, however, it is difficult to continue conducting diplomacy in the traditional way.
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