Latest Must-Reads in Public Diplomacy Scholarship

On February 4, 2014, Bruce Gregory published a new edition of his periodic public diplomacy reading list. Bruce’s List is a compilation of books, journal articles, papers, and blogs on a wide variety of topics within the field of public diplomacy, and features a number of CPD scholars. 

Highlights from the list include: 

• Walter Douglas and Jeanne Neal's recently published piece “Engaging the Muslim World: Public Diplomacy after 9/11 in the Arab Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan” contends that since 9/11, U.S. public diplomacy in Muslim-majority countries has not been used effectively. 
• Robert Koenig’s article “Using 'Social Diplomacy' to Reach Russians” explores the use of social media by the United States in Russia. Analyzing the U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael Mcfaul’s use of Twitter, blogs, and other social media platforms, Mcfaul finds that social media is useful to present information, correct the record, and engage Russian citizens, but that it is not a substitute for traditional public diplomacy. 
• Stuart Murray and Geoffrey Pigman’s “Mapping the Relationship between International Sport and Diplomacy," explores the deficiencies in the relationship between diplomacy and sports. They advocate for better practices in the study of diplomacy and sport and more debate between practitioners and scholars. 
• David Kilcullen’s third book, "Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerilla" (Oxford University Press), provides insight on what future guerrilla warfare may look like, suggesting that conflict will arise from major environmental trends, population growth, coastal urbanization, increase in digital connectivity, and stressed urban systems. 

To see the latest list in full, click here.