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.

On deaf ears: U.S. public diplomacy and Iran

Excitement over the Internet aside, however, the Virtual Embassy Tehran is a product of the same failed public diplomacy paradigm that the United States has pursued since 9/11. As such, it reflects the persistent inability of the U.S. government to recognize modern global communications landscape and the limits of persuasion.

Tags: united states, middle east, government pd, public diplomacy, iran

Clash of civilizations: the confusion of being a Chinese student in US

In 2010, nearly 130,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S., a 30 percent increase from the year before. China is now America's top source of international students. For Chinese students in the U.S., there's a bigger challenge than the language barrier: defining and defending their homeland.

Tags: china, united states, non-state actors, non-state pd, international education

India Blog Series: the portrayal of Islam in Indian mass media

In the context of the Arab Spring, India is promoting Islam as an important aspect of Indian history and culture. One way to examine it is to look at the way Indian mass media portrays Islam. This is important for public diplomacy because what India projects to the rest of the world has to accurately reflect what is happening internally to gain credibility.

Tags: media, arab spring, public diplomacy, india, islam

Don’t let Voice of America broadcasts go static

Voice of America (VOA), the jewel in America's public diplomacy effort abroad, is set to be streamlined. Some programs can be downsized. But VOA is in the national interest, especially as Russia, China, and Iran expand state-supported media. Cuts should be handled with care.

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

Series Boost Turkish ‘Soft Power’ in Region

Turkish TV series, such as the hugely popular ‘Magnificent Century’ and ‘Forbidden Love,’ are breaking viewer records in the Middle Eastern and North African countries, bringing in much-needed foreign currency while raising Turkey’s clout in the region through the promotion of the Turkish lifestyle.

Tags: soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, turkey

Tweaking China’s Soft Power

While Chinese leaders have generally eschewed explicit mention of China’s global leadership role, they have nonetheless asserted Beijing’s right to influence matters of global concern. But the key question is still: Can China lead the world, and if so, where is its leadership heading?

Tags: china, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy

Water Diplomacy: A Niche for the Netherlands?

After a six-month study into water diplomacy in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Water Governance Centre, the Clingendael Diplomatic Studies Programme presents a final report with policy recommendations. The report examines the potential of water diplomacy for Dutch foreign policy and how involved actors can increase this potential. The focus is on water diplomacy, as seen from the Netherlands, in terms of niche diplomacy on transboundary water conflict prevention.

Tags: soft power, middle east, government pd, public diplomacy, africa, europe, water diplomacy, asia

Slovak experience guides Bosnians

“I want to concentrate on public diplomacy,” he said. “We have to explain to people in Republika Srpska that NATO is not a military organisation, NATO is a civil organisation. Ambassadors in NATO are creating decisions, not soldiers. The military is only a part of NATO.”

Tags: public diplomacy, europe, nato, non-governmental organizations, bosnia-herzegovina, slovakia

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