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.

A 21st-Century Statesman

In the age of Twitter-shortened attention spans, fame is an increasingly powerful weapon of diplomacy. How George Clooney is helping to bring change—and a hefty dose of hope—to Sudan.

Tags: media, non-state pd, celebrity diplomacy, sudan, george clooney

Japan Eagerly Awaits Pandas Arriving From China

Japan is rolling out a red carpet ahead of the arrival of much-awaited special guests from China: a pair of giant pandas. The two 5-year-old pandas are due to arrive at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on Monday. They'll be the zoo's first since the 2008 death of its beloved giant panda Ling Ling.

Tags: china, soft power, non-state pd, japan, panda diplomacy

Report: China should stress modern culture

China should strive to gain more cultural soft power by discussing its current culture rather than lingering over its traditional culture, said one of the country's top think tanks on Friday.

Tags: china, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy

ASEAN’s raison d’etre in danger

Peace cannot be taken for granted. The ongoing border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia are challenging the very essence of ASEAN's existence - a no-war policy between its member states.

Tags: soft power, asean

Violent repression of protests rocks Libya, Bahrain, Yemen

Protesters clashed Friday with security forces in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and fought for control of key eastern cities in the most serious challenge to dictator Moammar Gadhafi's 42 years in power, according to witnesses, online posts and news reports.

Tags: middle east, crisis coverage, libya, bahrain, yemen, protests

In France, U.S. advocacy for Muslim rights raises more than a few hackles

After two years of trying, human rights activist Abdelaziz Dahhassi realized his dream late last year of setting up a think tank to find new ways to fight ethnic and religious discrimination in France.

Tags: united states, soft power, islam, us department of state, france

Lugar Report Offers A Realistic Appraisal of Chinese Public Diplomacy

On numerous levels, the United States continues to fall farther behind China in public diplomacy. This is yet another indication that for all its protestations about its commitment to reach out to foreign publics, the U.S. government is unwilling to commit the resources needed to do so effectively.

Tags: china, united states, international broadcasting, confucius institutes, senate foreign relations committee, lugar report, confucius institutes project

Can Science Be Used As A Diplomatic Tool?

Some moon craft house instruments from a handful of countries — an example of international scientific collaboration. But how valuable is science in the diplomatic sphere? Biologist Nina Fedoroff, former science adviser to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton, talks about her time in Washington.

Tags: science diplomacy, technology

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