Urbanizing China-EU Relations?

The European Union (EU) has long been one of the leading international actors in recognizing the potential of cities as agents of global governance. Fostering a variety of initiatives through the Committee of Regions, which acts as the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives, Europe has promoted the participation of cities in regional and international governance since its early days. Read More

The Hard and Soft of Cultural Diplomacy: Networks and Stories in Global Affairs

Amy Zalman recently proposed that “soft power” – as a conceptual frame for understanding global politics – is too narrow and has outlived its usefulness. Her provocation generated fruitful responses and suggests that we might be ready to stop treading water and move beyond our decade-long fixation with the term to new and more constructive places. Read More

The Morsi Visit and New Guideposts for U.S. Public Diplomacy

Egypt’s president, Mohamed Morsi, is visiting the United States for the first time since taking office, and in an interview with the New York Times shortly before departing Cairo, he provided insights not only about his style of leadership but also about how Egypt has changed since the 2011 revolution that marked the end of Hosni Mubarak’s lengthy rule. Read More

Setting the Table for Diplomacy

In the latest instance of flag following fork, the U.S. State Department launched a new culinary diplomacy program, entitled "Diplomatic Culinary Partnership: Setting the Table for Diplomacy” The new Diplomatic Culinary Partnership initiative was unveiled on September 7, 2012 at the penthouse of the State Department, and this gastrodiplomat was on hand for the lovely soiree. Read More

Diplomatic Security: Tweeting the Public Diplomacy Gospel

APDS Blogger: Marissa Cruz-Enriquez Read More

Culture Posts: Giving Voice to Publics

Last week, before the world caught on fire over a film clip, I wrote about the paradox of value promotion in public diplomacy. No matter how appealing promoting one’s values may be, trying to do so in a global arena is fraught with difficulty. Yet, because values are integral to a nation’s communication, public diplomacy will inevitably reflect those values. What’s happening between the U.S. Read More

Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad

David W. Lesch

In his 2005 book about Bashar al-Assad, The New Lion of Damascus, Trinity University professor David W. Lesch gave the young ruler of Syria the benefit of the doubt, engaging in what Lesch today admits was wishful thinking. He had hoped that Bashar would not follow in the bloody footsteps of his father, Hafiz, but rather would begin the reforms Syria so badly needed.

500 Days: Secrets and Lies in the Terror Wars

Kurt Eichenwald

American efforts to counter the threat of terrorism have spawned their own literary genre. Some of the books are little more than partisan tirades, some give credence to far-fetched conspiracy theories, but others are solidly researched and impart important lessons about fighting evil without demolishing essential national values.

The Challenges of YouTube Diplomacy

Ten years ago, the Innocence of Muslims controversy would not have happened. YouTube did not exist, and without this means of reaching a global audience the offensive snippets of the “film” would never have been seen. Read More

Culture Posts: Paradox of Promoting National Values in the Global Political Arena

I have always been intrigued by the desire of countries to convey their cultural, political or social values as part of their public diplomacy mission. On the surface, it is appealing. However, in practice, it is fraught with challenges and is something of a paradox. Read More

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