Russia has begun financing “nongovernmental” organizations and “independent” mass media outlets that are willing to advance the Kremlin’s understanding of Russian interests (interests that, as a rule, contradict the interests of Moldova itself).

Despite no-expenses-spared efforts to boost its soft power, such as the Shanghai Expo and plans to open a Xinhua news agency office atop a skyscraper in New York’s Times Square, China’s image has taken a beating in recent months...

A cultural event themed “Holland village” is being held at the September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City from October 22 to 31.The event will introduce to Vietnamese the culture and customs of the people and country of the Netherlands.

The leader of the renowned Ming Hwa Yuan Gezai opera troupe from Taiwan hailed British audiences as "bosom friends" Friday and voiced hope that the troupe will have another chance to perform in the U.K. capital to bolster in-depth cultural exchanges between the two countries.

After Taiwan embraced democracy at the end of martial law in 1987, it began acquiring soft power in the political, economic, cultural and religious arenas. The nation’s 23 million people now enjoy new freedoms in a changed political environment.

With ample liquidity and sufficient expertise in the construction sector, Chinese companies – especially state-owned enterprises – are keen not only to satisfy African countries' need for development, but also to exercise China's 'soft power' on the world stage.

In the realm of international broadcasting, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) serves as the “voice of Taiwan.” The station is an amalgamation of the “Voice of Free China” service that served as the Republic of China on Taiwan’s international broadcasting arm plus the Central Broadcasting System, which for years broadcast to mainland China.

CPD University Fellow Nicholas Cull was recently quoted on the subject of nation branding by Greg Barns of the ABC blog "The Drum Unleashed." Barns cited excerpts from Cull's CPD blog "Advance Australia Where? Nation Brands and Soft Power Down-Under" as evidence of a decline in Australia's international image.