Journal - Orient Online

GCC Soft Power Projection through Cultural Diplomacy

Lakshmi Priya

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.

Lakshmi Priya is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.She has published a number of articles, papers and media pieces onWestAsian politics and has been associated with think tanks like MP-IDSAand ICWA. Dr. Lakshmi Priya is the corresponding author and her email address is lakshmipriya_f2002@yahoo.co.in

Purchase the article here:

7,90 €Add to basket

Access article with subscription:

Enter

Log in or purchase a subscription with archive access to read this article online.

The Journal for politics, economics, and culture of the Middle East published by the German Orient-Institute

Topics

Keywords

Orient II 2026 – Focus: Soft Power in the MENA Region

ORIENT I 2026 – Focus: The Mediterranean and the MENA Region

ORIENT IV 2025 – Focus: German Security Policy in the MENA region

Orient III 2025 – Focus: Health Systems and Public Health Challenges in the MENA Region

Orient II 2025 – US elections and the MENA region: Changing foreign policy and security landscape

Orient I 2025 – Strategic Engagement: China’s Role and Impact in the MENA Region

GCC Soft Power Projection through Cultural Diplomacy

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

How should Morocco respond amid the U.S.-China rivalry?

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

The Public Diplomacy Sources of Türkiye in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

The Soft-Power elements in Indonesia-North Africa relations

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

Saudi Arabia’s Soft Power in Pakistan: The Role of Religious Diplomacy

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

Soft Power in the MENA Region

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription:

Russia’s Influence Strategies in North Africa: Hybrid Warfare and Soft Power Approaches in Libya and Algeria

Purchase the article here:

Access article with subscription: