Hollywood’s relationship with the Middle East still relies on stock scenes and clichés. Films often proselytize American militarism while vilifying the largely Muslim region. Can Hollywood get out of this rut, and better yet contribute to the battle of ideas between Western democracies and radical Islam? 

As counter-attacks continue in the Middle East, the Islamic State’s activities in Africa, especially North Africa, are increasing. These activities include a defining characteristic of the Islamic State—its use of the Internet and social media to strengthen its control of territory and advance its extremist agenda. 

North Korea’s propagandists have taken it upon themselves to channel Honest Abe and […] report card they give the current leader of the United States is not a good one [...] North Korea Today, a state publication issued in Pyongyang, has just published a piece titled “Advice from Lincoln to Obama,” which cites the Emancipation Proclamation and alludes to the Gettysburg Address.

Who would have thought that Tintin would so easily become a social media star? [...] Tintin remains dear to many Europeans, inside and outside Belgium. And if you think about it, there is no reason why he shouldn't be, since he has embodied the continent's values for half a century.

What is public diplomacy, quite often mentioned in the news? And how has it — and its variants/related terms — changed the nature of traditional diplomacy, if at all? Dictionaries define traditional diplomacy as “ the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad“ or “the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations.”

Mark Zuckerbeg’s charm offensive in China won’t let up. [...] Zuckerberg’s goal, of course, is to bring Facebook to China, which has been blocked by Beijing since 2009. Adding just half of China’s 668 million internet users to Facebook would increase the social network’s total by 20%—and create a lucrative new market for advertising and publishing.