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.

Francis’ US-Cuba Coup Demonstrates the Church’s Soft Power

The news of Pope Francis’ role in bringing about a new chapter in relations between the United States and Cuba demonstrates compellingly what Holy See diplomacy is able to achieve.

Tags: united states, cuba, pope francis, catholic church, faith diplomacy

Educating for the Future: Learning Mandarin As a Key to U.S.-China Relations

Yes, English will to be the universal language far into the future. Even so, learning languages like Mandarin is imperative. It is a matter of respect for the people with whom we are increasingly engaged in the new global economy.

Tags: united states, china, mandarin, chinese culture, Cultural Diplomacy, foreign language diplomacy

Armenia: a Road to the Wild Side

For the small landlocked country of Armenia, it is critical to reassess the ways it has utilized its natural wealth. Whether it is for promoting commerce, the travel industry, or increasing the country's soft power, Armenia has much untapped potential. 

Tags: asia pacific, europe, armenia, tourism, wildlife

From ‘I Love Lucy’ to Pop Music, Cuba’s Influence on America Runs Deep

Now that the decades-long trade embargo between the U.S. and Cuba looks to be a thing of the past, Americans may soon be partying with Cuban goods like it’s 1959. Culturally, however, Cuba’s influence has been here all along.

Tags: cuba, united states, Cultural Diplomacy, cultural influence, pop culture

Why a Communist Dictator May Be the World’s Most Popular Leader – at Home and Abroad

He presides over a one-party state that jails more journaliststhan any other on the planet, silences its critics ruthlessly and censors the Internet extensively. But China’s President Xi Jinping is not only wildly popular in his own country, he could be the most popular world leader globally.

Tags: xi jinping, china, soft power, communist leader, censorship, narendra modi

‘Interview’ Cancellation Aftermath: Obama Wants Us to Go to the Movies

After multiple theater chains announced that they would not screen “The Interview” on its Dec. 25 release date, Sony abandoned the movie. This kicked off a number of industry-wide reverberations, some yet-to-be-seen. So let’s get down to the business of digesting the multi-headed hydra that is Sony’s” Interview” catastrophe.

Tags: 'the interview', north korea, sony pictures, cyberattack, cancellation, limited release, The Guardians of Peace

U.S. Stokes Flames Of Discontent Between Korea And Japan

With Abe now entrenched as Japan’s most powerful leader in years, having comfortably secured another term through last weekend’s snap election, Japan’s diplomatic spats over its past misdeeds, especially when it involves South Korea, may well get worse before it gets any better. And if relations do deteriorate further, we are likely to see more American commentators urging Japan to show greater remorse for wartime actions vis-à-vis its neighbor.

Tags: united states, korea, japan, media, asia, the new york times, washington post

Castro Brothers Resistance to Change Could Test Renewed U.S.-Cuba Diplomacy

President Obama's move to normalize relations with Cuba will test a theory that has been popular for years in Democratic circles, and a few Republican ones too. The Castro government doesn't fear the embargo and interminable hostilities with the United States; it has thrived on them, so the thinking goes. What worries the island's control-minded leaders far more is change.

Tags: raul castro, fidel castro, cuba, united states, government pd, diplomatic relations, cold war, obama

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