#30 - How Do Countries Control Your Mind Without You Knowing? | Soft Power Explained

About this episode

This episode explores how countries use soft power and cultural diplomacy to influence global politics without military force.

How do countries win hearts and minds without military force? In this episode of Diplomacy and Discourse, we explore the massive world of soft power and cultural diplomacy in 2026. 🌍 WHAT WE COVER: • Soft power vs hard power strategies • K-culture's global domination (BTS, Squid Game, webtoons) • FIFA World Cup 2026 & Milano Cortina Olympics 2026 • Thailand's "One Family, One Soft Power" initiative • Digital diplomacy and AI governance • Streaming wars as cultural battlegrounds • Educational exchanges shaping future leaders • How South Korea, USA, China, and EU compete 💡 KEY INSIGHTS: Countries are investing billions in cultural influence. From Netflix originals to Olympic hosting to international student programs—soft power shapes global politics more than you think. 📚 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: • UK Forum on Cultural Diplomacy insights • Real 2026 examples of soft power in action • Why entertainment is now a national security asset • How sports diplomacy builds alliances 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE to Diplomacy and Discourse for weekly deep dives into international relations, geopolitics, and the forces shaping our world. #softpower #culturaldiplomacy #internationalrelations #geopolitics…

People in this episode

Host: A.R

Topics covered

• soft power
• cultural diplomacy
• international relations
• geopolitics
• digital diplomacy
• sports diplomacy

Keywords

• soft power
• cultural diplomacy
• international relations
• geopolitics
• K-culture
• FIFA 2026
• Olympics
• streaming wars
• digital diplomacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UK Forum on Cultural Diplomacy

Books & works: BTS, Squid Game, webtoons

Places: South Korea, USA, China, EU

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