Soft Power and Its Role in Enhancing the Status of the Gulf Cooperation Council
القوة الناعمة ودورها في تعزيز مكانة مجلس التعاون الخليجي
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61856/2bsh3839Keywords:
Soft Power- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)- Cultural Diplomacy- Regional status.Abstract
This study discussed the role of soft power in enhancing the position of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as an influential regional organization. Soft power has become a key tool for achieving international influence alongside hard power. The research aimed to analyze the concept of soft power and the various tools employed by the Council, such as economic diplomacy, media, education, culture, and sports, focusing on the extent to which these tools have succeeded in achieving regional and international goals. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach to study how the Gulf states employ soft power, in addition to a historical approach to trace the development of the Council's strategies since its establishment. The study highlighted the experiences of the UAE in investing in cultural and sporting events, Qatar in media and diplomatic mediation, and Saudi Arabia in social reforms and cultural openness. This indicated that soft power has become a key element in the influence of the Gulf states, despite the challenges related to sustainability, coordination among member states, and regional political influence. The research concluded with a recommendation to adopt a unified Gulf strategy to enhance integration in soft power, develop public diplomacy, expand the media role using modern technologies, and achieve a balance between soft and hard power to strengthen the regional and international role of the GCC.
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