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.

The Al Jazeera Effect

"Long live Al Jazeera!" chanted Egyptian protesters in Tahrir Square on Feb. 6. Many Arabs -- not least the staff at Al Jazeera -- have said for years that the Arab satellite network would help bring about a popular revolution in the Middle East. Now, after 15 years of broadcasting, it appears the prediction has come true.

Tags: middle east, media, international broadcasting, public opinion, egypt, africa, crisis coverage, al jazeera, al jazeera effect

Americans support the Egyptian protesters

Gallup is out with a new national poll on Americans' views of the pro-democracy protests in Egypt. The results show that fear-mongering by some in the media about a post-Mubarak Egypt has apparently not taken hold, with huge majorities expressing sympathy for the protesters.

Tags: united states, middle east, public opinion, egypt, africa, crisis coverage, polling

The Case Against Caution: Obama Should Be Proactive in Egypt

Frustrating anti-government protesters, the U.S. is now openly backing the Egyptian government's proposed transition process...We're starting to see a number pundits turn against President Obama's cautious strategy, saying the only risk to democracy is Mubarak and his immediate departure should be encouraged.

Tags: united states, government pd, egypt, crisis coverage, barack obama

William Hague starts ‘reform tour’ in Tunisia

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has visited Tunisia as part of a tour of North African and Middle Eastern states affected by calls for political change.

Tags: government pd, crisis coverage, united kingdom, tunisia

North Korea and Egypt: friends with benefits

Egypt’s biggest businessman holding hands with Kim Jong Il. This image, from an official photograph that also features the Dear Leader’s brother-in-law (below), leaves little doubt as to which side North Korea backs in the Egypt uprising.

Tags: government pd, egypt, north korea, technology

Thailand LIKES Ambassador Kenney: Using the Power of Social Media to Further U.S. Public Diplomacy

Recently, Embassy Bangkok introduced the new U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney, using social media as the vehicle. With the help of the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), Ambassador Kenney filmed two short introductory videos -- the first discussing her excitement about coming to Thailand and the second highlighting her love of Thai food.

Tags: united states, social media, new technology, us department of state, facebook, thailand

Bollywood vs. Bin Laden

Ten years and two wars after 9/11, America’s struggle against Islamist terrorism is nowhere close to succeeding. And there is no better admission of failure than new airport security procedures to grope and fondle Americans. But if a superpower like America can’t vanquish this scourge, is there any force in the world that can?

Tags: soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, middle east, india, film diplomacy, bollywood, terrorism, osama bin laden

Wael Ghonim, Google executive, buoys protests in Tahrir Square, Cairo

Protesters buoyed by the release of Wael Ghonim, a cyber activist and Google executive, are holding mass demonstrations against the rule of Hosni Mubarak for a 15th day in Cairo.

Tags: public opinion, egypt, non-state pd, crisis coverage, google

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