A warming of once-chilly Turkish-Syrian ties has unleashed a one-way trade boom...Turkey's popularity in Syria soared after an Israeli raid on Gaza-bound aid ships in which nine Turks were killed on May 31."Turkey now has a stake in the Palestinian cause, and Syria stands to gain," a diplomat said. "It will be more difficult for Israel to launch any military action against Syria."

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon has mounted a robust defense of official Israel’s performance on the public diplomacy “battlefield” over the fatal flotilla raid this week...“While some have criticized Israel’s public relations readiness for the ghastly events that took place on Monday morning, far more have expressed increasing satisfaction with the vast improvement in Israel’s official crisis management,” he added.

Kenya and China on Thursday pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation during a meeting between senior officials of the two countries...[Wang Gang, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee] said the Sino-Kenyan ties have witnessed great development of friendship and successful cooperation in such fields as politics, infrastructure and trade, as well as mutual support in international affairs.

Senior U.S. and Indian officials have begun an unprecedented strategic dialogue aimed at increasing cooperation in combating terrorism, climate change and other global problems. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she hopes the talks will dispel lingering doubts on both sides about the growing bilateral partnership.

Sake is gradually increasing its presence at banquets where Japanese government leaders play host to foreign dignitaries...sake has begun to be included among other beverages at dinners and receptions amid growing calls from within the ministry to actively push sake in the field of diplomacy.

An interview with Nobels Colloquia winner Simon Anholt on the concept of "nation branding", and the impact the World Cup could have on South Africa...Here he talks to Sean Carey about brands and marketing, the reputations of the UK, London, China, and India, and the impact of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup on South Africa.

Diplomats with decades of experience and knowledge need to work with the under-30 age group that is deftly using Internet-based communication technology, Cohen [Jared Cohen, a member of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's policy planning staff] said. Traditional channels of diplomacy are fine, but they will need an assist from Facebook, Twitter and other social networks to succeed.

It is clear from the general discourse surrounding the terms public diplomacy, strategic communication (and a recommended alternative “Signaling Integration” to be announced), and global engagement that each of these terms face their own inadequacies...As each of the aforementioned terms are tainted in some way or another, I recommend a new label that is comprehensive, simple, and flexible.