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.
What Do You Think of China as Olympic Host?
This selection of intellectual guests present their perspectives on the subject of China hosting of the Olympic Games. Contributors include: Clifford Orwin, Margaret MacMillan, Camilla Gibb, Brian Flemming is in Halifax, Michael Higgins, Irshad Manji, Antonia Maioni, John Duffy, John Polanyi, Mark Kingwell, Marcus Gee, Margaret Wente, Lorna Dueck, and Preston Manning,
China Plunges Into Controversy With Internet Backflip
The Beijing Olympics were plunged into another controversy on Wednesday as China announced a backflip on Internet freedoms for the thousands of foreign reporters covering the Games. China's decision to reverse a pledge on allowing unfettered web access proved an embarrassment for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had repeatedly said foreign press would not face any Internet curbs in Beijing.
Olympic Reprieve
The International Olympic Committee partly reversed its ban on Iraq yesterday, grudgingly allowing two of the country's seven athletes to enter the upcoming Games in Beijing. The concession, an IOC spokesman said, was based on a promise by the Iraqi government to resolve a dispute over its national Olympic committee by holding free elections for its members under IOC observation.
China Defies IOC to Ban Internet Freedom
Beijing today defied concerns of the International Olympic Committee and press freedom groups by confirming that the internet at Games facilities would remain censored.
Peace In The Middle East? Empower The Youth
Jared Cohen’s “Children of Jihad” is a fascinating examination of the youth culture in the Middle East, but it is so much more than that. It is possible that somewhere in the book lies the answer to the question: Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?
Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal
[photo essay] Images of the opening ceremony preparations.
Beyond Ping-Pong Diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy can be particularly meaningful when hosted by Americans who strive for reconciliation between their birth countries and the United States. For Grandmaster Woo Jin Jung, the October 2007 Good Will Tour was the realization of a long-held dream.
Beijing Weighs Added Pollution Plans for Olympics
Less than two weeks before the Olympics, Beijing’s skies are so murky and polluted that the authorities are considering emergency measures during the Games beyond the traffic restrictions and factory shutdowns that, so far, have failed to clear the air, state media reported on Monday.
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