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Over the past few months I have dedicated much time to investigating if the potential of digital diplomacy has been realized. By and large, it's fair to say that digital diplomacy channels target three audiences: foreign populations, journalists and foreign diplomatic institutions. When examining the degree to which foreign ministries (MFAs) and embassies follow one another,... Continue Reading →
Two weeks ago I purchased a copy of the Financial Times before boarding a plane in Geneva. I admit that this was a bold decision given the fact that I have a very poor understanding of financial matters. Yet what surprised me about this specific issue of the FT was not its content but rather... Continue Reading →
From a diplomatic perspective, the European Union (EU) is a baffling entity. On the one hand, it represents a political union of 28 member states. As such, it has governing bodies, legislative bodies and a foreign service that promotes the E.U.'s interests around the world. On the other hand, each member state in the E.U.... Continue Reading →
Last week I had the opportunity to address a group of ambassadors to the UN Headquarters in Geneva. The topic of discussion was the current practice and potential of digital diplomacy at the embassy level. Following my presentation, the ambassadors asked me what are followers of digital diplomacy channels looking for? Why have they decided... Continue Reading →
Over the past few months I have attempted to imagine the world of digital diplomacy as social networks. This has enabled me to explore the potential use of digital diplomacy as a source for gathering and disseminating information amongst various diplomatic institutions such as ministries of foreign affairs and embassies. My research has often focused... Continue Reading →
Nation Branding refers to a process by which a nation's image can be proactively managed, monitored and evaluated in order to improve the nation's reputation amongst international audiences. Many view nation branding as an economic necessity given the fact that in the globalized marketplace nations compete with one another over a shrinking pool of financial... Continue Reading →
On July 17th, Israel's Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer held a Q&A session on twitter aimed at answering questions relating to the current outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas which now includes a ground offensive by the Israeli Army into the Gaza strip named Operation Protective Edge. Twitter followers were asked to... Continue Reading →
Framing theory has been a focal point of research in the field of communications for several decades. According to Robert Entman, framing is the result of selection and salience. Thus, to frame is "to select some aspects of a perceived reality and make them more salient in a communicating text, in such a way as... Continue Reading →
A Disconnected Arab World Last week I attempted to explore the world of "follow-mies", countries that are enemies in the geo-political world yet follow one another on twitter. An interesting finding was that in the age of twiploamcy, the Arab world is a disconnected one. I found that the majority of Arab countries do not... Continue Reading →
I have often wondered if a foreign ministry's decision to follow another foreign ministry on twitter or Facebook is regarded as a political decision. In attempt to answer this question, I decided to search for "follow-mies", countries that are enemies in the go-political world but that follow one another on twitter. This was made possible... Continue Reading →
Exploring Digital Diplomacy 