New and Unusual Forms of Diplomacy
From gastrodiplomacy to Xiplomacy.
In 2002, Bangkok launched the Global Thai initiative, which sought to increase the number of Thai restaurants worldwide. The campaign was a classic example of what is now known as gastrodiplomacy, or the practice of using a country’s cuisine to influence other states—and the reason there are so many Thai restaurants in the United States today.
In 2002, Bangkok launched the Global Thai initiative, which sought to increase the number of Thai restaurants worldwide. The campaign was a classic example of what is now known as gastrodiplomacy, or the practice of using a country’s cuisine to influence other states—and the reason there are so many Thai restaurants in the United States today.
In recent decades, new and unorthodox forms of diplomacy have appeared (or reappeared), from Thailand’s culinary diplomacy to Russia’s memory diplomacy to China’s “Xiplomacy.” The essays below explore these geopolitical tactics and the nature of their success.—Chloe Hadavas
People celebrate Lunar New Year at a Chinese restaurant in Bangkok on Feb. 12, 2021. MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images
How Countries Use Food to Win Friends and Influence People
Gastrodiplomacy has gone mainstream, Fabio Parasecoli writes.
A Russian World War II propaganda poster depicts a soldier holding a large red flag in each hand in 1945. The slogan reads “We Won!” V. Ivanov/Laski Diffusion/Getty Images
Moscow Is Using Memory Diplomacy to Export Its Narrative to the World
Putin is pushing Russian revisionist history to bolster the Kremlin’s influence abroad and its legitimacy at home, Jade McGlynn writes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping looks on during the handover ceremony at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok on Nov. 19.Jack Taylor/AFP via Getty Images
China Is Locked Into Xi Jinping’s Aggressive Diplomacy
“Xiplomacy” is a political inevitability, Kathy Huang writes.
An Indian soldier watches a British Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter at the United Nations’ headquarters in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on May 9, 2000.PETER MACDIARMID/AFP via Getty Images
How Wars End
The shifting nature of war has made peacemaking more difficult. A new kind of back-channel diplomacy can help, FP’s Janine di Giovanni writes.
In this picture taken on March 2, 2017, a cell for inmates waiting to see the prison medic is seen at Stanley Prison in Hong Kong.ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images
Why ‘Hostage Diplomacy’ Works
From China to Iran to the United States, arbitrary detention is an immoral—and often effective—pressure tactic, FP’s Stephen M. Walt writes.
More from Foreign Policy
The Scrambled Spectrum of U.S. Foreign-Policy Thinking
Presidents, officials, and candidates tend to fall into six camps that don’t follow party lines.
What Does Victory Look Like in Ukraine?
Ukrainians differ on what would keep their nation safe from Russia.
The Biden Administration Is Dangerously Downplaying the Global Terrorism Threat
Today, there are more terror groups in existence, in more countries around the world, and with more territory under their control than ever before.
Blue Hawk Down
Sen. Bob Menendez’s indictment will shape the future of Congress’s foreign policy.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
Join the Conversation
Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription.
Already a subscriber? .
Subscribe Subscribe
View Comments
Join the Conversation
Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now.
Subscribe Subscribe
Not your account?
View Comments
Join the Conversation
Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs.