Notable CPD Blog Posts of 2024

Need some holiday reading?

Check out these pieces from our CPD Blog, which were among the most-read in 2024. Topics range from sports diplomacy to artificial intelligence. 

Why the Olympics Matters for Smaller Sporting Nations

By Bilal Zubair

For smaller nations, the Olympics is an opportunity to improve soft power, celebrate their athletes and foster national unity.

Fieldnotes from the Bay: Why are there diplomatic offices in Silicon Valley?  

By Kristin Eggeling

As Silicon Valley and other ‘Tech Embassy’ villages appear on the map of international politics, new networks and relations form around the nexus of diplomacy and technology. 

Taylor Swift on Tour: Why ASEAN Countries Covet Global Concerts

By Nguyen Le

By harnessing the intermediary soft power of cultural icons like Taylor Swift, ASEAN countries can elevate their visibility, attract investment, and position themselves as key players in the global cultural industry.

What Artificial Intelligence Means for Public Diplomacy

By Jian (Jay) Wang and Andrew Dubbins

AI provides a valuable opportunity to maximize impact while improving efficiency, especially for resource-constrained organizations like those in public diplomacy. 

From “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy” To “Lone Wolf Diplomacy": The New Logic of Digital PD

By Ilan Manor

Recent trends in digitalized public diplomacy demonstrate that digital tools are increasingly used to undermine connectedness and to strengthen separateness.

Diplomacy as a Profession: Reflections on a U.S. Foreign Service Career

By Matthew Asada

Visiting senior fellow Matthew Asada imagines a conversation 20 years in the future with a member of the U.S. Foreign Service’s centennial class of 2024.

"Nation of Storytellers": Ireland’s Public Diplomacy Success Centers on Storytelling

By Phillip C. Arceneaux

Ireland has placed storytelling at the heart of its public diplomacy strategy. 

The African Union's Public Diplomacy

By Sarah Soussi

With the rise in digital diplomacy and strong national branding techniques, the AU promises to be an organization that has potential to deliver a unified image for Africa and attract a prominent global audience.  

Why Is Pakistan Important for U.S. Public Diplomacy?

By Bilal Zubair

U.S. public diplomacy efforts in Pakistan have become a delicate balancing act, intricately tied to its strategic interests in the South Asian region, writes Dr. Bilal Zubair of National Defence University, Islamabad.

Media Diplomacy and the Ongoing Armed Conflict in Ukraine

By Jorge Marinho, Júlio Ventura, & Lourenço Ribeiro

The article discusses the crucial role of public diplomacy and media in promoting international peace and stability.