Middle East – IPDGC Smart Power

Saudi Arabia: Contender for Superpower State in a New World Order

April 24, 2023 Global Communication Middle East 19 Comments

By Tahreem Alam, Masters in International Affairs ‘23 Saudi Arabia has taken key economic issues into its own hands, worrying its Westerncounterparts and prompting reactions from the Biden administration. These actions arereflected in Saudi Arabia’s oil policies, which is increasingly pursuing its own interest andoften seen at an expense to…

ICC Probe Investigating Israel: The Divergent Narratives Within

April 11, 2021 Global Communication Middle East 15 Comments

By Basil Awartani, M.A. Media & Strategic Communication, 2021 Two years ago, International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced that the court had uncovered evidence of war crimes committed in the West Bank and Gaza by Israel. Based on these initial findings, Bensouda called for a thorough investigation into the…

The Many Narrative Failings of Trump’s Jerusalem Decision

April 18, 2018 Middle East public diplomacy 1 Comment

By Joshua Axelrod Jerusalem is a city with a long, complicated history that means something different yet equally profound to many groups. With that in mind, it is no wonder that President Donald Trump’s choice to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the United States’ embassy…

Why ISIS is Winning

April 19, 2017 Middle East public diplomacy 11 Comments

With an estimated 27,000 foreign fighters joining the Islamic State and its cause, one can’t help but wonder: what is the driving force behind the support? This article aims to provide an answer, as well as a solution to the underlying problem. What is ISIS? For those who are…

master narratives of islamic extremism ISIS ISIL

People of the Book: What Explains the Rise of Extremism in The Muslim World?

November 30, 2016 Middle East public diplomacy 2 Comments

Perhaps one of the defining characteristics of religion is that it provides a structure for adherents to process the world around them. For the world’s Muslims, who have been rocked by isolated waves of violent extremism in recent decades, their religion provides a rich cultural history that is interwoven…

We’re Giving the ISIL Media Campaign Too Much Credit

September 22, 2014 Middle East No Comments

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, commonly referred to as ISIL, ISIS or just IS, has certainly displayed not just surprising military prowess, but also significant communication skill as it has grown into a meaningful force in a vital region of the world. Buttressed by successes on the…

Making Sense of US Commitment to Afghanistan through Public Diplomacy

November 26, 2013 Middle East public diplomacy Women No Comments

The recent decision by Afghan President Karzai to postpone signing a security arrangement on the continued presence of U.S. troops is apt to confuse an already confused Afghan and American public about the future bilateral relationship that will define post-2014. It is hard for any casual observer or media consumer…

Lessons from the Field?

November 25, 2013 Middle East public diplomacy No Comments

I had the opportunity to attend the public launch of a new report on Public Diplomacy today by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Entitled “Engaging the Muslim World,” the report is well worth reading and includes a few key highlights that are applicable to public diplomacy practiced by the…

Annual Roberts Lecture Covers Benghazi, Iran, and Future of U.S. Diplomacy

November 8, 2013 Middle East public diplomacy No Comments

On Tuesday, distinguished ambassador Thomas Pickering spoke at GWU’s School of Media and Public Affairs (on his birthday, no less!) about his experience on the advisory panel that investigated the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, as well as Russia, Iran, and the future of U.S. public…