Tag: Soft Power
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Dhurandhar and the Rise of Government-Embedded Filmmaking in Indian Cinema
Introduction: A Film that Mirrors Policy and Propaganda The Hindi film Dhurandhar has sparked a heated conversation about the boundaries between cinema and government influence. At its core, the plot follows an Indian spy who infiltrates a Pakistani gangster-turned-terror network through a covert operation named Dhurandhar. While the espionage premise is thrilling, many observers note…
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Cristiano Ronaldo at White House Dinner Sparks Global Diplomatic Conversation
Introduction: A Moment in Sports-Diplomacy The prospect of football megastar Cristiano Ronaldo attending a White House black-tie dinner alongside the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia has generated intense interest in both sports and international politics. While details of the event are still unfolding, observers are framing the moment as a notable example of how…
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Josh Pugh: Australia’s Unofficial Ambassador in New York
From Adelaide to the Big Apple: a personal pivot In early 2017, a routine trip home to Adelaide left Australian journalist and connector Josh Pugh pondering a larger question: Is this the path I’m destined to follow forever? The answer, for him, was a quiet no—an invitation to pivot toward a new kind of life…
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Beyond Trump: Luxon’s Quiet Wins in Southeast Asia
Introduction: A Different Narrative in Southeast Asia As New Zealand’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon has faced the usual political gauntlet—domestic expectations, coalition dynamics, and the pressure to project leadership on the world stage. Yet in Southeast Asia, a region brimming with economic potential and strategic nuance, Luxon’s most consequential gains may not come from dramatic…
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US Falls from Top 10 Power Passport List for First Time in 20 Years, Sparks Debate on Global Mobility
Overview: A Historic Shift in Global Mobility The United States has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in two decades, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The ranking, which measures how many destinations a traveler can visit visa-free, now places the US at 12th — tied…
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US Passport Falls Out of Top 10 for First Time in 20 Years
Overview: A Historic Shift in Global Mobility The latest Henley Passport Index marks a watershed moment for the United States: for the first time in two decades, the U.S. passport has fallen out of the top 10, landing at 12th place alongside Malaysia. This is a notable reversal from a decade of strong travel freedom…
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The Influence of the United Kingdom on the Global Stage Post-Brexit
The United Kingdom’s global influence has persisted robustly, even after its official exit from the European Union on January 31, 2020. More than five years following this major political shift, the UK continues to maintain a significant role on the international stage due to several key factors. ### Political Stature and Diplomacy One of the…