GCC Soft Power Projection through Cultural Diplomacy

Description

GCC countries have been at the receiving end of soft power projection by the external and extra-regional powers for a long time. However, with the depleting hydrocarbon resources and consequent focus on economic diversification, the countries are aiming to emerge as smart powers by blending hard and soft power. They have the required economic hard power owing to oil wealth and are gradually realising the significance of soft power. The article focuses on the fact that they are pro-actively engaged in soft power projection through cultural diplomacy. The article aims to understand the factors necessitating investment in cultural diplomacy while situating the GCC countries on the evolutionary graph of cultural diplomacy.