www.digdipblog.com
Diplomats and MFAs often seek to break their “algorithmic confines''. This is because social media algorithms limit the reach of diplomats’ online content. Tweets published by an Embassy, for example, will only reach the Embassy’s followers or social media followers who have expressed some interest in diplomacy, international relations or bi lateral ties between countries.... Continue Reading →
In 2012, Philip Seib published the book “Real-Time Diplomacy”. Seib argued that digital technologies in general, and social media in particular, had expedited the practice of diplomacy. The reason for this was the acceleration in news coverage made possible thanks to the emergence of citizen journalism. Seib viewed social media as a competitive arena in... Continue Reading →
In 2014, Russia launched a stealth invasion of Ukraine. Resulting in the annexation of Crimea, the 2014 invasion saw the mass utilization of social media by Russian state authorities, the Russian foreign ministry and Russian diplomats. Russia’s digital communications rested on four arguments. First, that the democratically elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from... Continue Reading →
Each week, I publish a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week – Here is what Saudi Arabia's city of the future will look like (Cybernews)State Department pursues ‘people-people’ diplomacy through video games (The Washington Post)Inside Ukraine’s open-source war (Financial Times)Starlink: Why is... Continue Reading →
On Thursday, July 28th, a video supposedly touting the benefits of moving to Russia began to gain traction on Telegram. Titled “This is Russia”, the video identifies the many benefits of moving to Russia at this moment in time. For instance, unlike Europe or America, Russia currently boasts cheap gas, fertile soil, low-priced electricity, delicious... Continue Reading →
Since the onset of Russia’s War against Ukraine, social media users have authored and disseminated thousands of memes. At times, memes respond to trending news stories. Such was the case with the barrage of memes depicting Ukrainian tractors towing Russian tanks and armored vehicles. Other times memes have been used to try and galvanize international... Continue Reading →
Each week, I publish a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week – Dozens of Israeli business and tech figures visit Saudi Arabia (Times of Israel)Students work to solve pressing technology challenges, maintain NATO’s technological edge (NATO)An inclusive future? Technology, new dynamics, and... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday, March 15, the Oxford Digital Diplomacy Research Group, and the Department of Communications at Ben Gurion University of the Negev held a special panel discussion on how digital diplomacy is shaping the Russia-Ukraine War. The horrid War in Ukraine has been accompanied by intense use of digital technologies. Ukraine's besieged President has used... Continue Reading →
Each week, I publish a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week – ‘Glory to the Heroes’: Ukraine’s war for narrative credibility (Georgetown University)Why You Haven’t Heard About the Secret Cyberwar in Ukraine (The New York Times)Ukrainian influencers bring the frontlines to TikTok... Continue Reading →
Each week, I publish a list of interesting articles, essays and reports that may be of interest to the digital diplomacy community. This week – Twitter Accounts Sharing Video From Ukraine Are Suspended When They’re Needed Most (The Verge)Russia Launches Social Media Offensive Alongside Missiles (Foreign Policy)Ukraine’s Volunteer ‘IT Army’ Is Hacking in Uncharted Territory... Continue Reading →
Exploring Digital Diplomacy 