soft power
Latest
Mark Carney is the gaffer to get behind as World Cup co-host Canada readies for kick-off
In the spirit of a football manager devising strategies to secure a late winner, here are some last-minute plays that Canada should make to ensure that it gets a kick out of the competition.
Toast of the town: The secrets to a successful diplomatic dinner
Formal encounters come with the diplomatic territory but it’s often around the dinner table that international trust are forged. Now Georgetown University students are learning the art of diplomacy over a meal.
Brand France makes its LA 2028 Olympics play with sun, sport and savoir-faire
By planting its Olympic clubhouse on Santa Monica’s shoreline, France is turning the 2028 Games into a stage for cultural influence as much as sporting success.
The late Joseph S Nye on what “soft power” means in Trump’s new world
Nye, who coined the term “soft power”, has died at the age of 88. Here in full is his article from Monocle’s June 2025 issue.
Spheres of influence
Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck, reflects on nations’ efforts to ensure our security and bind us together in a time of great change.
Creative resistance
The outbreak of war could have spelt the end for these Ukrainian businesses but the women running them are refusing to give up – and proving to be soft-power players.
Persuasive manoeuvres
We celebrate the countries that have mastered the subtler arts of global influence.
Top draw
Artist Pierre-Yves Berhin (nom de plume 'Hamo') draws us in to the animated tale of how 'bande dessinées' became a bastion of soft power for Francophone storytellers and beloved by readers of all ages.
The Opener
Protest music in Iceland, the UK talks turkey and why some authors get cabin fever.
