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.

Rene Gonzalez Awaits Fellow 'Cuban Five' Agent's Release

When Fernando Gonzalez walks out of an Arizona prison next week, the "Cuban Five" will be down to three. Intelligence agents in the employ of Fidel Castro's Cuba, they were arrested in the United States in 1998 and given terms ranging from 15 years to consecutive life sentences on charges including conspiracy and failure to register as foreign agents. 

Tags: cuba, cuban five, espionage, fidel castro, florida, rene gonzalez, spying, terrorism, united states, wasp network

China's Fear Strategy

Not long ago, China was a soft-power juggernaut. Media accounts highlighted Chinese leaders’ thoughtful forays abroad, depicting policymakers that were respectful of others’ opinions, willing to listen, humble to a fault, and reluctant to dispense unsolicited advice. Here was a country that was content to allow its own example of success to speak for itself.

Tags: air defense identification zone, china, foreign policy, japan, politics, soft power, south china sea, south korea, southeast asia, xi jinping

The Day We Pretended To Care About Ukraine

Journalist Simon Shuster said it was “straight out of Hieronymus Bosch.” Writer Philip Gourevitch thought it was more like Bruegel. But the main word to describe the violent clashes in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv was “apocalyptic.”

Tags: buzzfeed, conflict, disasters, europe, media, protest, twitter, ukraine

Romania 'Welcomes Chinese With Open Arms' As Canada Tightens Immigration Policy

Romania has announced its doors are wide open to the Chinese after Canada tightened its immigration policy. Chinese looking to migrate to the southeast European country would be warmly welcomed, former Romanian prime minister Petre Roman said on a trip to Beijing.

Tags: canada, china, diaspora, europe, immigration, immigration policy, romania

Colombia Offers Training In Human Rights And Landmine Removal To UNASUR Countries

Colombia offered “permanent training” in human rights and landmine programs to countries of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) during a meeting on Thursday, according to the Colombian Defense Ministry.

Tags: colombia, human rights, human rights watch, humanitarian law, landmines, south america, unasur

A Message To The Public Diplomacy Community From Richard Stengel, Under Secretary For PD

On my first morning as Under Secretary, I wanted to reach out to our many friends and partners who extend, amplify and inform our public diplomacy.  You are valued stakeholders in the public diplomacy community and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share my vision for public diplomacy.

Tags: digital diplomacy, educational diplomacy, entrepreneurism, environment, public diplomacy, richard stengel, united states

Venezuela Threatens To Expel CNN Over Protest Coverage

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has threatened to expel the US news network CNN from the country over its reporting of recent protests there. Mr Maduro said he would take action if CNN did not "rectify its coverage". Earlier, Mr Maduro said he was sending troops to the western state of Tachira, where there has been continuing unrest.

Tags: cnn, conflict, henrique capriles, international broadcasting, media, nicolas maduro, protest, venezuela

US Myths Of Latin America Often Ignorant, Inaccurate

Many objected when Secretary of State John Kerry referred to Latin America as "the backyard" of the United States last April. While his statement may have been intended as an innocuous comment on geography, the implications of his words represent an all too common attitude about our Southerly neighbors that is not only ignorant, but often inaccurate. 

Tags: crime, language, latin america, media, mexico, poverty, public diplomacy, public opinion, south america, united states

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