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.
'Act Of Killing' Film Fails To Stir Indonesia
The American director of the chilling Indonesian documentary “The Act of Killing” has won dozens of awards so far for the film and could add one of the movie industry’s most coveted honors Sunday at the Oscars. But so far, the director, Joshua Oppenheimer, has not succeeded in accomplishing what he considered a greater goal — jump-starting a debate in Indonesia that will compel the government to finally open a formal inquiry into one of the worst mass murders of the 20th century.
For Nigeria's Cultural Diplomacy
The choice of the topic is itself germane. In today’s turbulent world, diplomacy means that a country must take steps to achieve political goals and to promote its image in the international arena. It is becoming old fashioned for any country to rely solely on military and economic means in its relationship with other countries of the world. Countries interact with each other through diplomatic channels.
Here's What's Really Happening In Ukraine, According To Russian Bloggers
Events in Ukraine are changing quickly. After a bloody Thursday that featured some of the worst internecine fighting in recent memory, the past week brought one challenge after another for the fledgling interim government in Kiev. Yanukovych, now a wanted criminal, fled the capital for Russia, continuing to cling to his presidency, as former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was freed after 2 1/2 years in prison.
US Ambassador Ford On What's Gone Wrong In Syria And Where It's Headed
In his first public comments since stepping down as US ambassador to Syria on Friday, Robert Ford addressed the failure to contain Syria's bloody civil war, laying most of the blame at the feet of President Bashar al-Assad and his government's international backers. Speaking at a conference at Tufts University last night, his outlook was bleak, warning that a fractured rebellion, the presence of Al Qaeda inspired fighters on the battlefield, and the fears of the country's minorities are a recipe for prolonged conflict.
Bhutan, The World's Last TV Holdout, Is Now At The Vanguard Of Tech
Bhutan was the world’s last hold-out against television and is regarded by travelers as a Himalayan Shangri-La. But Bhutan’s decision to make itself the poster boy for electric transport is further proof of its willingness to embrace technology as part of its unique Gross National Happiness development model, says its prime minister.
Mexico's Got Talent At The Oscars
Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron appears among the odds-on favorites to take home a Best Director Oscar on Sunday for his space thriller “Gravity.” The 52-year-old Mexico City native, Cuaron gained fame for his 2001 film “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” an insightful look at Mexican youth struggling with class, prejudice and sexuality issues.
U.S. Diplomatic Efforts Failing To Resolve Crisis In Ukraine
President Obama's diplomatic effort to head off a violent breakup of Ukraine ran aground Saturday as a top U.N. envoy was blocked from a peace mission to the disputed region of Crimea and Russia's parliament, or Duma, approved a request by Russian President Vladimir Putin to send military forces to Ukraine in support of pro-Russian Ukrainians.
'The Americans' Returns Amid U.S.-Russia Tension
“The Americans,” a Cold War drama portraying a married couple working in their travel agency, but in reality are KGB spies working for Russia’s Committee of State Security, is returning for a second season on FX Network, at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Russia are on the rise. The first season of the series set in the 80s, launched earlier in 2013, saw an average of 1.85 million viewers, according The Holly Reporter.
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