Since 2008, discussions among Chinese scholars and strategists on the nature of their country’s foreign policy have focused on two issues: its ideological foundations, and China’s international appeal and standing – its “soft power.”

President Ma Ying-jeou touted Sunday Taiwan's humanitarian relief efforts for Japan as an illustration of the country's soft power and a way to help earn the country wider recognition in the world.

At this time of regional turmoil – indeed global crisis – I want to share some thoughts with you about the way we in Britain see Turkey, its neighbors and Europe. There can be no doubt Turkey is already a key global power.

Over the past decade, China’s economic and military might have grown impressively. But that has frightened its neighbors into looking for allies to balance rising Chinese hard power.

“Soft Power” has become more and more apparent. Through Hollywood movies, America exports its culture and ideology to every corner of our planet, making the western culture continue to be the mainstream culture of the world.

Almost 11 years after the tragic events of 9/11, there is little agreement on defining an effective public diplomacy, and outlining public diplomacy goals, according to the blog Public and Cultural Diplomacy. The failure of the Bush administration’s public diplomacy strategy, followed by the current administration’s intent to restore America’s credibility abroad signal America’s willingness to adopt more collaborative relations with the Muslim world in tackling global challenges.

President Obama’s tour of Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador has been buried by news about Libya and Japan. But one of his messages – that Latin America can take more responsibility for global peace and prosperity – deserves to break through for further discussion.

What will it mean to wield power in the global information age of the 21st century? What resources will produce power? In the 16th century, control of colonies and gold bullion gave Spain the edge; 17th-century Netherlands profited from trade and finance; 18th-century France used its larger population and armies to gain advantage; while 19th-century British power rested on its primacy in the industrial revolution and its navy.