This episode considers the implications of the rise of state-sponsored fake news and disinformation for international images.  Simon takes the line that the exaggerations of nation branding are on a continuum with all-out lies of malicious propaganda. He calls for better research on public responses to nations using distortion.  Does it demonstrably damage reputations? Nick argues that state sponsorship of objective news can be an important component of Soft Power as the BBC is an asset for the UK.  He considers the history of this and the ways in our own time by which states are learning to blunt the kind of disruptive media onslaught of the kind deployed by Russia in 2014.  He cites the British response to the Skripal case of 2018 and the effective use of so-called 'pre-bunking' strategies in the run up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  Simon worries that the loss of confidence in news undermines the whole notion of things being knowable and plays into Russian hands which prompts Nick to stress the importance not merely of single state sponsored sources of objective news like the BBC but of building free media broadly to create multiple sources of credible news at a community level.  The conversation ends with agreement that education is the answer and the perhaps our age of disinformation is a necessary wakeup call for a better future.

Episode 40: Nations and Truth: International Reputation in an Age of Disinformation

This episode considers the reputation of the Gulf and its most prominent actors including not only the nation states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE but city state actors like Dubai.  First, Simon makes the case that the Gulf is a case of a region's pre-existing negative image dominating perception of constituent parts.  He doubts the efficacy of most responses in the circumstance.  The conversation includes the perception of Saudi Arabia intimidating and the unlikelihood that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will help that country's image.  Nick raises the positive case of the Abraham Accords as an example of realities changing behind the image.  The pair agree that initiatives from the region are frequently impressive but are undermined by a lack of connectivity.  Nick suggests that the problem may be the lack of interest of regional royal families in genuine change.  He points to particular cases of human rights abuse and royals placing themselves above the law as flaws.  Simon argues that there is a fundamental failure of people in the region to understand the values of others and vice versa.  The gulf remains unbridged.

Episode 45: Bridging the Gulf: Reputation and the Gulf States

This episode looks at the smaller units of international image—regions and cities—and how they fare in comparison to national images. Issues discussed include whether they help or hurt a national image and whether the promotion of smaller places is worthwhile. Simon starts out noting that some places are known for their products, with Champagne being the most obvious, but many are destined to remain unknown. Nick notes that the European Union benefits from being known for its smaller constituent parts while China's image in much more intimidating because its regional variations are unknown, and the focus is on the national level. Simon and Nick agree that diversity enhances a national image and note the value of regional images even when they are explicitly at odds with the overall nation state as with the case of the Basque Country and Catalonia within Spain. Simon argues that the internal contradictions, tensions and reactions that emerge from the interplay of local and national identities are part of what make nations vibrant and attractive. The conversation ends with discussion of issues around measurement and of the tension between rural and urban identities around the world.

Episode 46: Small is Beautiful? Subnational places and image promotion

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the shifting image of Africa, taking a lead from the latest version of the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index.  Countries discussed include Egypt and Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana.  Simon argues that external knowledge of culture is the key and proposes a collective effort in that regard like a joint equivalent of the British Council.  Nick notes some single country successes like Angola's win at the Venice Art biennale.  They agree that progress is slow and conclude with discussion of the increased presence of China on the continent.

Episode 47: Africa on the move?  The prospects for a better image.

In this season finale Simon and Nick discuss the recently published findings of the 2022 version of the Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index.  The most noticeable result is that Russia has fallen from 27th place in 2021 to 58th, a dive unlike any other in the history of the index reflecting the international community's alarm at the invasion of Ukraine.  They note that Ukraine has not jumped forward in an analogous way, but merely continues to show a gradual improvement in its standing.  Simon and Nick discuss these and other features of the new index including the UK dropping out of the top 5, the continuation of German in the top spot and the US remaining 8th.   Other issues include a decline of interest in traveling to other places in general and an improvement in the image of Israel.

Episode 48: The Verdict? The Nation Bands Index 2022 and Russia's fall from grace.

This week, one of the longest serving business leaders in Wales, Ian Price, Director of the CBI in Wales, has announced his retirement.
 
Devolution was in its infancy when Ian took up the challenge of representing major companies across Wales. Since then and during the intervening 19 years, political and economic change has continued as Wales tries to attract investment. It has been a process of renewal and reinvention. 

The closure last week of the last blast furnace at Port Talbot, once the largest steelworks in the UK, on the same day that Britain’s last coal fired power station closed down, is a current and visible reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The end of an era. But what comes next?

In his discussion with Tim Rogers, SEC Newgate Senior Counsel, Ian reflects on the years if change, what has worked, and what hasn’t. The role of government and the challenges surrounding major schemes that have come to nothing. Why some success stories can show a different side to Wales – if only they can receive the recognition and the coverage they deserve.

From steel to sustainability- the changing face of Welsh business.

rüfüs
luttrell
tycho
Spencer brown
nils Hoffman
jan Blomquist
kölsch
lane 8
lastlings
kidnap
marsh

From Bukhara to Tashkent (Pan-Demique 5)

🔹🔷🔹
1 hour live concert at Dürer Kert (2025.01.10).

🔹🔷🔹
Recorded at an Ethnotech night with StereOMantra, Meo Culpa, EarthJam & Forestvoice and Bodoo.

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ACl9iglkYv2iB3545dSrX

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@nautismusic

Aurora Channels

Purchase album

Nautis Live Set @ Dürer Kert 🔹🔷🔹 2025.01.10

I Miss You

Baltique Triangles (Pan-Demique 6)

Emerging from the outskirts of West London, stepping into the scene with the first of many drops. It weren’t easy choosing how to enter the game, but the decision’s been made. This is Rover — performed by Jahgon, mixed and mastered by Antics, sounds by Tried & Tested. Let’s run it up

Jahgon - ROVER

People, Places, and Power is a podcast hosted by Nick Cull and Simon Anholt about international reputation, foreign policy, and a few other issues along the way.

Episode 40: Nations and Truth: International Reputation in an Age of Disinformation

People, Places, Power