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.
AFRICOM Boosts Public Relations Efforts
Louis Mazel, director of the Office of African Regional and Security Affairs at the U.S. State Department, told a recent public meeting on AFRICOM at the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, D.C.: “What AFRICOM needs at this point is much better public diplomacy and strategic outreach campaigns to inform African audiences, African leaders, African partners of what AFRICOM is going to be.”
From Superpower to Soft Power
The aim of soft power politics, which has now captured the attention of political Washington, is to minimize differences, expand shared values and undertake as much as possible with other nations. It is a concept that once again avails itself of the entire toolbox of foreign policy, not just the hammer and the crowbar.
Hutch man working with Iraq reconstruction team
For the past four months, Miller, public affairs manager for the Kansas Department of Transportation, has worked as public diplomacy officer as part of the State Department's Provincial Reconstruction Teams...Miller and other civilians are pledged with the goal - much like their military counterparts - to directly engage the local populations, promote reconciliation and foster economic development.
Misreading the Arab Media
In the last year we surveyed 601 journalists in 13 Arab countries in North Africa, the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. The results, to be published in The International Journal of Press/Politics in July, shatter many of the myths upon which American public diplomacy strategy has been based. Rather than being the enemy, most Arab journalists are potential allies whose agenda broadly tracks the stated goals of United States Middle East policy and who can be a valuable conduit for explaining American policy to their audiences.
Eurovision contest voting is no laughing matter, says Wogan
Showbusiness stars and politicians yesterday joined Sir Terry Wogan's attack on the integrity of the Eurovision song contest after Russia romped home thanks to bloc voting from its near-neighbours. Wogan is threatening not to commentate on the show again and is suggesting that a musical iron curtain may fall on the competition, with western European countries breaking away from their eastern rivals..."It is clear that the voting system is based on countries either supporting their friends or not voting for those they dislike."
AFRICOM Boosts Public Relations Efforts - PART 4 of 5
AFRICOM planners say the Command will make Africa more secure, especially through U.S. training of African militaries. But security analysts argue that AFRICOM is failing to convince the African public, media and civil society groups that the Command will ultimately benefit Africans.
A peek at Tehran, and ourselves
Rick Steves likes to say that travel is more than a vacation. It's a political act. Steves, known for enthusiastically sipping and sampling his way across Europe, has gone in-your-face gonzo. Last week, he set off on a 10-day TV foray into a country we won't even talk to, Iran. He means each journey abroad is micro-scale diplomacy, opening a mind at a time to our common humanity. Quiet politics. Steves is still in Iran and not available to comment. So far, his Web reports are not puff pieces.
Outside Edge: Japan’s diplo-cat in China
In what might prove to be Japan’s most inspired step on the road to better relations with China, Tokyo has appointed its most famous feline, Hello Kitty, 33 (pictured below), as its goodwill tourism ambassador to China and Hong Kong. Ambassador Kitty White’s main job is to catch as many Chinese and Hong Kong citizens and bring them to Japan on holiday. (The government has a goal of hosting 10m foreign tourists by 2010.)
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