Testing Soft Power in Hard Politics: Turkish Public Diplomacy During “Operation Peace Spring”

Abstract

Public diplomacy is used by governments to significantly enhance their capability to maintain national unity and integrity as well as to advance their foreign policy objectives by cultivating a favorable environment among foreign peoples. In conflictual situations where military force is used, it is important to create an impact in a short time to promote national interests by informing and influencing the public. This chapter will first introduce the fundamental tenets of public diplomacy to offer a conceptual framework to better understand its use during military conflicts. It will then explore the implementation of public diplomacy instruments by Turkish government during the “Operation Peace Spring”, which was launched in October 2019. The chapter will also assess the performance of Turkish public diplomacy in the face of the extent of criticism leveled against Türkiye from around the world, including allied countries and international organizations.