As the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Godffrey Onyema, assumes office at the Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja  expectations are high on the future of the nation’s foreign policy and diplomacy. Nigeria needs a new foreign policy direction to remain relevant  both in Africa and on the world stage in the fast changing sphere of international diplomacy.

Tags: nigeria, foreign policy, diplomacy, international diplomacy, president buhari, national interests, diaspora diplomacy, government pd

It had been a "a real coup" for Australia and had probably generated "more than $60 million of free publicity" for the country, he said. And the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade praised Eurovision in its annual report, acknowledging it as a boon for "public diplomacy" that had showcased Australia’s creative talent to 200 million viewers. 

Tags: eurovision, europe, non-state pd, australia, vienna

In Southeast Asia, President Barack Obama has taken a softer tone on human rights and corruption in a part of the world that rights groups claim is rife with abuses.

Tags: southeast asia, obama, united states, human rights, kuala lumpur, government pd, advocacy, transparency, philippines, malaysia, freedom of expression, diplomatic relations, myanmar

The Russian police force has offered to send France a puppy to replace the dog killed during an anti-terrorist operation in Paris. It's a symbolic gesture perhaps indicating a shift in how Russia wants to interact with Europe.

Tags: russia, france, isis, puppy diplomacy, paris, europe, diplomatic relations, vladimir putin, francois hollande, syria

The assignments arrive on slips of paper, each bearing the black flag of the Islamic State, the seal of the terrorist group's media emir, and the site of that day's shoot.His footage quickly found a global audience, released online in an Islamic State video that spread on social media and appeared in mainstream news coverage on Al Jazeera and other networks.

Tags: isis, violent extremism, propaganda, media, social media, non state pd, international broadcasting, digital diplomacy & new tech, al jazeera, united states, syria, morocco

Active on Twitter since 2009, PM Modi is the most followed Indian politician, and the 2nd most followed politician in the world, right after US President Barack Obama (@barackobama) with 66.1 million followers. PM Modi has also set new records as the largest increase in the number of followers in a 12-month period for an Indian account.

Tags: narendra modi, twitter, social media, digital diplomacy & new tech, digital india, transparency, digital governance, #MakeInIndia, economic development, international relations

Some of the world's most expensive and rarely seen modern art, including works by the Americans Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, went on display Saturday in a major exhibition in Iran. 

Tags: culture, arts, warhol, pollock, rothko, tehran, iran, united states, nuclear deal, international relations, Cultural Diplomacy, history & theory

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday said that the India-Japan bilateral relationship has the “greatest potential,” a view that was shared by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Tags: bilateral relations, india, japan, narendra modi, shinzo abe, asean, economic development, delhi mumbai industrial corridor, kuala lumpur