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.

State Department launches Turkish Twitter feed

The State Department on Monday launched a new Turkish-language Twitter account, its 10th official feed designed to spread the word about US foreign policy in a language other than English. The Turkish account is @ABDTurk and will be used by the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.

Tags: united states, government pd, public diplomacy, social media, new technology, turkey, twitter, us department of state

Strategic balance

An asymmetric world is rising in which leaderless protesters can oust their national leader; and where one of the smallest countries in the Middle East, Qatar, can become a key player by virtue of its soft power. To address the challenges, we need to consider: the power of the people, the power of cities, and the power of countries that are regional or sub-regional locomotives of social and economic progress.

Tags: soft power, public diplomacy, non-state actors, hard power, city branding

Kazakhstan’s pricey, sometimes shady international re-branding effort

The government of Kazakhstan seems eager to counter any negative perceptions about the Central Asian nation. It has spent substantial sums on global public relations, striving to shape an image as a modern, open and investment-friendly nation by relying on a stable of top-tier public relations firms and international advisors.

Tags: media, nation branding, government pd, public diplomacy, kazakhstan

All quiet on the Western front

For Western broadcasters collectively, 2011 was the most potentially devastating year in more than eight decades on the air. Now, because of fiscal uncertainties in their host countries and rapidly evolving competition from both traditional and new media, they face huge cuts in airtime and operations. Can America step up to help fill the gap?

Tags: united states, international broadcasting, public diplomacy, voice of america, bbg

China investors set their sights on Hollywood

The Chinese government, determined to build the country’s soft power by projecting a better image abroad through culture and to maintain control at home through censorship, is strongly supporting the local industry and restricting foreign rivals.

Tags: china, united states, soft power, film diplomacy, hollywood, investment, entertainment industry

Iran’s Soft Power Strategy: Why Iran Does Not Want A Nuclear Weapon

If Iran today has substantial soft power in the Middle East—as we believe it does—it has that power in no small part because it has picked winners rather than losers as its allies in key regional theaters.

Tags: soft power, middle east, iran, saudi arabia, nuclear weapons, nuclear development

Spanish Foreign Policy towards Latin America

Through more aggressive public diplomacy elements such as listening, cultural and educational exchange, advocacy, and broadcasting, Spain is in a good position to foster understanding and goodwill with its Latin American counterparts.

Tags: soft power, public diplomacy, foreign policy, latin america, spain, evaluation, history

Should Embassy Damascus be closed?

Second, the rapid and frightening militarization of the conflict has seriously reduced the space for public diplomacy, as Embassy personnel (and Ford himself) have few opportunities to get out to engage.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, us department of state, syria, embassies, outreach

Pages

Stay in the Know

Public Diplomacy is a dynamic field, and CPD is committed to keeping you connected and informed about the critical developments that are shaping PD around the world. 

Depending on your specific interests, you can subscribe to one or more of CPD's newsletters >.

Visit CPD's Online Library

Explore CPD's vast online database featuring the latest books, articles, speeches and information on international organizations dedicated to public diplomacy.