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.
Watching Sesame Street in Kabul
One of the most revealing moments in Eva Omer's documentary The Network, which is about TOLO TV, Afghanistan's first television network, comes about halfway through the film. Television executives and producers are discussing "Eagle 4,” the network's first high-production-quality action drama. The show focuses on Afghan police, and a number of the interviewees explain that the intention of the show is to demonstrate that those police forces are courageous, honest, and trustworthy, in the interest of preparing the country for the moment when American forces leave the country.
Why Are Hundreds of Harvard Students Studying Ancient Chinese Philosophy?
Picture a world where human relationships are challenging, narcissism and self-centeredness are on the rise, and there is disagreement on the best way for people to live harmoniously together. It sounds like 21st-century America. But the society that Michael Puett, a tall, 48-year-old bespectacled professor of Chinese history at Harvard University, is describing to more than 700 rapt undergraduates is China, 2,500 years ago.
Exclusive: How the State Department Escaped the Shutdown
Until yesterday, 400,000 Defense Department employees were furloughed without pay due to the government shutdown. At the Treasury Department, the offices that enforce and monitor sanctions on North Korea, Syria, and Iran have been reduced to a skeleton crew. And large numbers of CIA analysts and logistics officers—including, until last week, 72 percent of the civilian workforce—have been told to stay home until the government has a 2014 budget.
In Azerbaijan’s Routine Election, It’s The Differences That Matter
Stand on a bustling street corner in Azerbaijan's prosperous capital, and the world can seem to move very fast. Ask a local resident who he thinks will lead the country for the next five years, however, and time suddenly seems to screech to a halt: "There's no doubt that Ilham will be chosen for the post," he says. "He will be president. There's no other way."
Hungry and Isolated, North Korea Courting Luxury Travelers
With the exception of eccentric former NBA star Dennis Rodman, there are probably few people on the planet who have North Korean spas and sports centers on their list of things to see before they die. The Hermit Kingdom has in recent years built a half dozen luxury hotels, where a single night in a deluxe room would cost the average North Korean worker more than 80% of his annual income.
Hanky-Panky: What the Government Is Doing On Internet
Nearly 50 people were killed in the Muzaffarnagar sectarian riots last month. According to media reports, a fake video passed around through social media, contributed to flaming religious passions. This prompted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to say that while people should have freedom to express their opinions, social media cannot be misused “to create communal tension and spread hatred”.
Africa Boasts 55 Billionaires from 10 Countries
Africa is now home to 55 billionaires, up from previous estimates of 16-25 billionaires, new research has found. These super rich are worth a combined total of $143.88bn (£89.27bn). The UK, in contrast, is home to 84 billionaires, worth a nearly £250bn, according to the 2013 Sunday Times Rich List.
As Socialist Dream Crumbles, Venezuelans Find Nicolas Maduro ‘A Bad Copy’ of Chavez
The army has been sent into toilet paper factories, fights for basic foodstuffs have resulted in several deaths and new, multi-million dollar oil tankers are sitting idle in dock. And, despite sitting on the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela’s socialist government can’t quite manage to keep the lights on.
Pages
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.