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.

Mysterious ‘Islamic State TV Channel’ Appears Online

On Friday, a number of jihadist-linked Twitter accounts began tweeting links to khilafalive.info, a Web site which claims to be an "official website for the supporters of the Islamic State Caliphate." A selection of video and radio channels were hosted on the site, some playing Islamic State propaganda videos and others jihadi nasheeds (a type of Islamic vocal music). Users were able to "chat" with fellow viewers.

Tags: isis, international broadcasting, twitter, digital diplomacy, jihadists

BBC Mocks John Kerry For James Taylor ‘Soft Power’ Diplomacy

A BBC News Radio presenter and correspondent mocked US Secretary of State John Kerry for bringing musician James Taylor to Paris, evidently to make amends for missing last Sunday’s unity march. 

Tags: soft power, john kerry, united states, radio, james taylor, charlie hebdo, march, paris, international broadcasting

Representing Ireland – Multitasking in a Multilateral World

Ireland’s foreign service is relatively small, with 80 representations, and comparatively thinly spread, with an average of one to two people in each post. But it is talented, flexible and normally led by generalists well able to represent the State in a great variety of international settings.

Tags: ireland, multilateralism, united nations, EU, foreign service, public diplomacy

In New Blow, Syrian Opposition Shuns Russia Peace Initiative

A Russian initiative to host peace talks this month between the Syrian government and its opponents appears to be unraveling as prominent Syrian opposition figures shun the prospective negotiations amid deep distrust of Moscow and concerns the talks hold no chance of success.

Tags: russia, syria, peace initiative, putin, government pd, moscow, united states, united nations

CNN International Hopes to Negotiate its Coming Back to Russia by End of January

CNN International news channel, which withdrew from Russian cable networks from December 31, 2014, hopes to have talks on its coming back to Russia with Russia’s oversight authority in the sphere of the mass media (Roskomnadzor) before the end of January.

Tags: cnn international, international broadcasting, united states, russia

Silk Roads Old and New – China's Soft Power

Designed to attract more visitors to sights, and sites, along the ancient Silk Road which linked China to the countries of Central Asia - and to Rome from about 100 BC - it is particularly hoped to draw more people to China's western provinces.

Tags: china, soft power, silk road, tourism, central asia, Cultural Diplomacy

Enlightened Public Diplomacy in a Circumscribed World (Part 1)

After decades as a career diplomat, Ambassador Y.J. Choi of South Korea wanted to find the root of the difference between Eastern and Western societies. 

Tags: americas, asia pacific, europe, public diplomacy, public opinion, Ambassador Y.J. Choirussia, ukraine, crimea

Danish Reality Show Makes Great Public Diplomacy

Since taking office in 2013, Rufus Gifford has been a popular guest on many Danish radio and television shows. And in 2014, the Ambassador appeared on his own six-episode reality show, which followed his professional and personal life over the course of three months.

Tags: europe, united states, public diplomacy, reality television, lgbt, international broadcasting, new media, Ambassador Gifford

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