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soft power

Page 2

Affairs

Affairs

Hannah Lucinda Smith visits Turkish cities recently devastated by powerful earthquakes – a catastrophe made even worse by corrupt, shoddy construction.

  • Issue #162
  • 12 min read
Rescue workers in high-visibility vests search through earthquake rubble with an orange excavator amid destroyed buildings
Politics

Affairs

A diplomatic spat in the Gulf and why tinned meat has boosted the reputation of the US.

  • Issue #161
  • 5 min read
Two officials at podiums with Iraqi and Iranian flags during diplomatic meeting
Culture

Do cultural boycotts work?

In the midst of occupation, is it effective to ban a nation's ballet, artistic output from an institution's syllabi or musicians from playing? As Russia's war continues, we consider the efficacy of cultural boycotts.

  • Issue #161
  • 13 min read
Do cultural boycotts work?
Film

Culture

The State Department's American Film Showcase counters superhero stereotypes by screening documentaries that reveal genuine struggles and triumphs, training global film-makers in democratic values.

  • Issue #159
  • 5 min read
Modern event space with colorful curtain backdrop, curved neon lighting, and rows of black chairs arranged theater-style
Diplomacy

Affairs

The soft power of Cuban doctors, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s in-tray and the mayor of Freetown’s game-changing plan.

  • Issue #159
  • 5 min read
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr speaking at climate conference
Music

The Opener

Airlines making middle seats enticing, battling peacocks and poorly disguised Russian spies. Plus: photographer Steven Klein and festive chart hits from across the globe.

  • Issue #159
  • 8 min read
Red Rhätische Bahn train crossing stone viaduct through autumn forest in Swiss mountains
Soft Power

The hard or soft option

When war tests diplomacy's limits, which nations wielded cultural influence most effectively? Our annual survey reveals surprising winners in the soft-power stakes.

  • Issue #159
  • 4 min read
Three people in business attire wearing skis indoors looking at documents on a wall
Music

Different beat

Portugal is a recording mecca for acts from across the Lusophone world. But can it export its stars?

  • Issue #155
  • 11 min read
Silhouetted concert crowd with raised hands against dramatic purple and orange stage lighting at music festival

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