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.

Airlines Symbolise Nations' Hopes

The jetliner is much more than a machine used to get from one spot to another.  It can represent hope, modernity and a country's power. And when things go wrong, that once mighty plane can bring about deep national disgrace.

Tags: mh17, airline, Cultural Diplomacy, soft power, public opinion, malaysia airlines

Britain’s Obsession with Soft Power is Exposed as Hollow

In the era of soft power, no one has any stature. The idea of the president of the United States influencing world affairs has now become as ludicrous as the idea of the British foreign secretary doing the same. 

Tags: great britain, united states, government pd, hard power, middle east, middle east policy

Forget Paris? Dubai, Singapore and the New Tourism Capitals

A few years from now, the average tourist won’t be found gliding down a Venetian canal or perched atop the Empire State Building. They’ll be in lounging by a pool in Dubai, or shopping at a massive mall in Singapore, or doing God-knows-what in Bangkok. This is according to the latest MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, released last week.

Tags: international tourism, nation branding, city diplomacy, soft power, dubai, singapore, bangkok

Russia Blasts U.S. for Implicating Rebels in Jet Crash

While Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry agreed on Saturday that both countries will use their influence on the two sides of the Ukraine conflict to end hostilities, Moscow said it would retaliate against Washington’s most recent sanctions over Ukraine by denying entry to several U.S. citizens.

Tags: russia, ukraine, mh17, sanctions, government pd, foreign ministry, obama

South Korea Redefines Multiculturalism

The Korean authorities have also put in place some useful facilities. “Global centers” have been built around the country, catering to the needs of foreign spouses, foreign investors, migrant workers, and tourists. Information desks have been set up for foreigners who may need information, especially in spots highly frequented by migrants. Foreigners are also increasingly visible in the media, participating in entertainment shows or in the news. Cultural events have been initiated to promote Korean culture to foreigners and foreign culture to Koreans.

Tags: south korea, multiculturalism, soft power, nation branding, asia, government pd

Tourism, Working Women Suffer After String of Rapes Across India

In the first three months after the December 2012 incident, foreign female tourist arrivals dropped in India by 35 percent. It hasn't helped that since then, there have been a spate of sexual assault cases involving attacks on Western female tourists, including women from theUnited States, Switzerland, Denmark and Britain. Recently, Great Britain joined a long list of countries to issue travel advisories cautioning their citizens about visiting India.

Tags: india, tourism, nation branding, rape culture, global image

China-Africa Relations Hurt by Bad Chinese Behaviour, Says Ambassador

China's foreign ministry has condemned the behaviour of some Chinese citizens in Africa following its ambassador to Tanzania giving an uncommonly frank newspaper interview in which he decried the "bad habits" of his compatriots. In the interview, Lu Xinsheng said Chinese businessmen smuggle ivory and rhino horns out of the country and flood local markets with counterfeit goods while contractors constantly try to undercut each other, resulting in shoddy infrastructure projects. 

Tags: china, africa, global image, soft power, citizen diplomacy, china's foreign ministry

How Israel's "Iron Dome" works

The $1-billion program, subsidized by the United States, has served Israel well in Operation Protective Edge, its recent campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Palestinian militants have lobbed almost 1,000 missiles into Israel, but Iron Dome's interceptors have struck down 87% of their targets, according to the Israelis, allowing life in Israel’s cities to proceed more or less normally. How does it work? 

Tags: iron dome, israel-palestinian conflict, operation protective edge, hamas, gaza, conflict management

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