Soft Power and Influence
The expression "soft power" was popularized by Joseph Nye in 1990. It refers to the ability to attract and persuade through a form of seduction. Influence strategies are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The Religious Diplomacy of the Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is shaping its religious diplomacy (i.e., in brief, the use of the religious factor in foreign policy) and exercises it with a growing efficiency. This is, to a certain degree, a consequence of processes taking place in Russia, namely, first and foremost, the solving of the crisis of identity and values, and, closely connected with this, the renaissance of religion in Russian political and social life.
France's Partner on a Pedestal: A View Driven by Pragmatism and Envy
This paper brings together contributions from a cross-section of EU member states and the Gallup World Poll survey on the question of how Germany is being viewed at this time of economic and political crisis.
The Fukushima Nuclear Accident and a Long-Term Energy Vision for Japan
Ifri and the Canon Institute for Global Studies are launching a series of policy papers presenting the analyses of senior Japanese researchers on how the triple disasters that hit the archipelago last March have impacted Japan's economic, environmental and energy policies as well as country's crisis management system.
Reassessing the Role of the Media in Pakistan
Despite spells of authoritarianism, Pakistan's rulers have never fully been able to subdue the media. In a world where the constant flow of information defies borders, such an endeavor becomes even more difficult.
Beyond the Midterms: The Outlook for the Obama Administration
One month after the midterm elections, it was time to step back and reflect upon the state of affairs at the time and future direction of President Obama’s Administration and deal with which campaign promises might be achieved in the remaining years and how the political parties would rally for the 2012 elections.
Climate Change: When the Media Play the Role of Speculators
Climate change, the risks it implies, the time horizons it imposes and the extent of possible consequences it threaten are exposing how the media deals with public issues.
Japan's Foreign Policy Since The Meiji's Era: an Attempt of Interpretation
Poking the bear? Armenia welcomes European leaders in Russia's backyard
Just as Europe frets over fresh Trump tariffs, a US troop drawdown announced for Germany and the message it sends to a hostile Russia, how about not one but two summits in former Soviet state Armenia. Before a first-ever gathering of EU leaders in Yerevan on Tuesday comes the European Political Community: a talk shop with regional players which also include Ukraine and NATO heavyweights like the UK, Norway and an outside guest who shares superpower proximity problems.
China Plays Up Image of Reliable Partner as Foreign Monarchs Visit "The visit gives China a chance not only to reaffirm its closeness with the (Thai) Kingdom, but also to signal its continued regional relevance at a time when U.S. influence is visibly receding. It comes just two weeks after Trump's brief stop at the ASEAN Summit, where his visit's only visible outcome was his role in overseeing the signing of the short-lived peace declaration between Thailand and Cambodia. By contrast, China announced the deepening of its free-trade agreement with ASEAN" - Juliette Loesch.
quoted by Liz Lee in Reuters
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