Each week, I publish a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week- The day after election day: Why Trump officials are worried about Nov 4 (The Economist)Washington can't stop Silicon Valley's profits (Politico)The Google anti-trust lawsuit: What happens next? (CyberNews)What's the worst that... Continue Reading →
The New Aesthetics of Leaders’ Images
Images of leaders have always played an important role in politics. Images can capture the supremacy of a king, the daring of a field marshal or the cunning of a shrewd politician. Indeed, Napoleon’s portrait, sitting upon a fiery steed and pointing to the alps, captures his audacity and ambitions. Yet images of world leaders... Continue Reading →
Monday’s #MustRead List
Each week, I will post a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week- Israel's secret weapon- 800 social media accounts (The Jerusalem Post)Trump's Un-American failure to protect internet freedom (Wired)Technologies changing diplomatic practice: Pre and post Covid19 reality (ORF)Digital diplomacy changes strategies in... Continue Reading →
When Auschwitz Goes Digital
Several days ago I reached an important decision- I began following the Auschwitz Memorial on Twitter. That Auschwitz was recommended by the Twitter algorithm is not surprising as much of my digital activities date back to WW2. I often Google battles and skirmishes, view lists of WW2 facts or read Wikipedia pages of prominent Nazis.... Continue Reading →
How Will Covid19 Impact Diplomacy’s Digitalization?
When researching digital diplomacy, one soon realizes that every foreign ministry (MFA) has undergone a unique process of digitalization. The digitalization of the US State Department rested, among other, on the appointment of two digital enthusiasts- Alec Ross and Jared Cohen. Canada’s digitalization was facilitated by a change in administration as the Trudeau government urge... Continue Reading →
Digital Diplomacy & Existential Threats
The Covid virus is not likely to kill mankind. The majority of Covid patients survive, youngsters seem more immune to its potency, and scientific and medical collaborations will ultimately yield a vaccine. However, Covid’s side effects, namely anxiety and disorientation, are evident everywhere. In Israel, TV viewers are told that the rate of contamination has... Continue Reading →
How External Shocks Alter Digital Diplomacy’s Trajectory
Some academics believe that digital diplomacy has developed in a linear fashion, and that each technological breakthrough (e.g., Facebook, AI) is accompanied by a process of implementation, adaptation and assimilation. Such scholars tend to focus on the attributes of any new technology while uncovering its potential use for diplomats. The fax machine, for instance, reduce... Continue Reading →
Crafting Digital Diplomacy Campaigns: How America’s Iranian Campaign is Backfiring
The Value of Facebook Comments When reviewing the US State Department’s Facebook account, it becomes apparent that the Department is in the midst of two digital campaigns. The first focuses on China’s alleged misconduct during the Covid19 outbreak. The second argues that Iran’s nefarious activities in the region, and the world, must be met by... Continue Reading →
Leveraging Big Data During Pandemics
Last week I had the opportunity to interview a software analyst working for one of the world’s most popular search engines. The analyst is part of a crisis response unit whose main task is to offer answers to Covid related queries. To do so, the crisis response team must gather reliable information from all over... Continue Reading →
Re-Framing China: The Corona Virus and National Images
The Corona pandemic is likely to influence the images of many nations. This is because billions of individuals are stranded at home comparing nations' responses to the virus. Moreover, news organizations throughout the world are constantly reporting on the policies of other nations. Finally, periods of acute crisis can challenge misconceptions and worldviews. Indeed, it... Continue Reading →