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.

Yudhoyono can’t capitalize on nation’s ASEAN boost: Experts

University of Indonesia security expert Andi Widjajanto said it would be hard for Yudhoyono to rely only on soft power measures, such as dialogues, norms establishment and confidence-building measures, to reduce tensions without resorting to hard power.

Tags: china, united states, soft power, indonesia, hard power, trade diplomacy, asean

COP17: Will China Lead the Way?

This attempt to garner longer-term soft power of being perceived positively globally and by African partners, however, may well contend with its harder and more short-term economic and domestic needs. China has an interest in some agreement, partly to vindicate criticisms levied against it at previous conferences but, at the same time, must pursue economic growth at home.

Tags: china, soft power, africa, climate change, durban

Voice of the Arab spring

Philip Seib says the network helped Qataris "put their country on the map". Members of the audience nod ­furiously. Seib then points out how Al Jazeera was a "public diplomacy creation . . . probably one of the most successful in history". The Al Jazeera representative on the panel suddenly looks distinctly uncomfortable.

Tags: arab spring, public diplomacy, al jazeera, qatar, democracy, al jazeera effect

Salsa Dances Into Jakarta Hearts

Enticed by the economic possibilities in the region, Colombia is courting Asia the only way it knows how: Through the art of salsa dancing. By sending pairs of professional dancers shimmering across the Asia Pacific, the Latin American country hopes to forge closer social and cultural ties with a major slice of the region, from Japan to South Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, cultural exchange, asia pacific, indonesia, dance, colombia, emerging economies

Access to U.S. ‘virtual embassy’ blocked in Iran

Internet users trying to access a new U.S. "virtual embassy"' from Iran on Wednesday said they were redirected to a Web page offering links to Iranian news, cultural and religious sites. The United States launched the site on Tuesday, saying it wanted to promote understanding between the two countries.

Tags: united states, government pd, iran, censorship, outreach, virtual diplomacy, understanding, virtual embassies

Ashura: The Soft Source of Iran’s Conduct

For the majority of Iranians, as Muslim Shias, Ashura has clearly been the meta-narrative. It has particularly been important since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran and one could surely see the footprint of this narrative in Iran's foreign policy

Tags: soft power, iran, foreign policy, center on public diplomacy

U.S. Travel Association Urges Congress to Expand Visa Waivers

Expanding the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) would bring increased economic opportunity to and improve national security in the United States while advancing U.S. public diplomacy around the world, said Roger J. Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

Tags: united states, public diplomacy, visas, travel, economic growth, legislative actions

China’s quid pro panda

To be sure, the arrival in Scotland of Tian Tian and Yang Guang has been accompanied by a flurry of diplomatic activity. But underlying these friendly overtures is the stark truth that China's panda diplomacy just isn't what it used to be.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, britain, panda diplomacy

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