Connecting in the time of Covid-19: US Embassy Moscow
With a global pandemic and lockdowns in many countries, U.S. diplomats have to find different ways to engage with people in their host countries. In this PDx episode, GW student Olivia Estes interviews Karl Stoltz, Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in...
A Tug-of-War: How Spain is Caught in the Middle of a Narrative Power Battle between the United States and China
By Hunter Gilfillian, M.A. in International Affairs ‘20 In recent months, a battle of United States and Chinese narratives has gained traction in the land of Don Quixote. Although, instead of windmills, the new “giants” are satellites, economics, and security....
Is a trade deal in the best interest of the “Special Relationship”?
By Luis Calvo, MA International Affairs ’20 With the United Kingdom exiting the European Union earlier this year, many questions arose about the U.K.’s future. While the U.K. is still hatching out the specifics of its departure from the EU, there is still a lot...
Facing the Invisible Enemy: The Case For Narrative Unity In Europe
By Natalie Morgan, B.A. Political Communication and Economics ’21 Infecting over a million people in at least 177 countries, the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the globe in unparalleled proportions. Facing public health, diplomatic, and economic crises, Europe...
“Infected” Olympic Games
By Saori E., MA Media & Strategic Communication COVID-19 is rampant in the world today. The virus, which originated in Wuhang, China, is being successfully contained in China. However, its neighboring country, Japan, is struggling to prevent people from getting...
The Battle of Messaging: Indonesian Palm Oil and the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)
By Oryza Astari, M.A. International Affairs ‘20 Rainforest Action Network’s “Indonesia, Climate Change, and Rainforests” report describes destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests as one of the leading causes of climate change. Furthermore, Greenpeace describes Indonesia...
Message & Culture Clash in the Age of Covid-19
By Leah Bacon, M.A Strategic Communication and Media ’20 On March 14, 2020 Rwanda’s Ministry of Health reported its first positive case of Covid-19. The country was the first African nation to issue a two-week lockdown. This included the closure of schools and...
Terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement: A Philippine Independence Story
By Barbara Alberts, M.A. Media and Strategic Communication ’20 In February, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte announced he intended to terminate the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States. The VFA allowed the United...
President Donald Trump’s impeachment could ruin U.S. influence in Ukraine—but it won’t. Here’s why.
By Joli McSherry, MA Global Communication, ’20 On July 25, 2019, President Donald Trump had a good, normal call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The rest—forgive the cliché—is now history. We know that this call led to the President Trump’s eventual...
Challenges and Vulnerabilities for Public Diplomacy in Guatemala
By Halea Kerr-Layton, MA Global Communication ’21 Guatemala, the Central American country home to roughly 17 million people has unique vulnerabilities and challenges for public diplomacy presented by the competing narratives, identities, and experiences...
