As we mark the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Afghan people have demonstrated an extraordinary cultural resilience that defies the long-held stereotype of their country as solely war-torn. 

The Dien Bien Phu Victory Parade, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the battle that ended French colonialism in Vietnam, is a significant part of the Vietnam People’s Army’s (VPA) ongoing campaign to present a new, more modern image of the military.

Social entrepreneurs are making great progress on many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as climate, affordable and clean energy, quality education, and addressing poverty; so why not peace?

With bubble tea, China is finally accomplishing what its neighbor South Korea achieved through K-pop and K-drama: reaching a global audience. 

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.

The author Umme Laila explores how China uses soft power and public diplomacy to reshape its global image. 

CPD Research Fellow Zhao Alexandre Huang explores the narrative strategies of ASEAN countries regarding the South China Sea.

The Chinese diaspora in Hollywood is a cultural agent leveraging Chinese soft power and helping the U.S. regain Chinese audiences.