DiploNews – Issue 187 – 15 August 2011
Join online discussion on the .Africa domain
One issue of current debate in the fast-growing African Internet sector is the creation of the .Africa domain, an initiative which will include web-names dealing with continental issues and reflecting the identity of the Africa (e.g. www.travel.africa). The introduction and management of the .Africa domain raises many questions and dilemmas. Diplo invites alumni members, the broader Internet community, government representatives, international organisations, civil society, media and other interested stakeholders to join an online discussion on this issue now taking place at https://discuss.diplomacy.edu/dotafrica. Participants are currently commenting on a second draft document; the first draft of the .Africa discussion document attracted over 70 contributions.
Upcoming study opportunities
Online course – Migration and Development
The Instituto Matías Romero of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DiploFoundation offer an online course on Migration and Development in English and Spanish, starting 19 September 2011. See the course webpage to apply.
Ryan Gener – Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
Autumn courses in diplomacy
Start the academic year with one of our interactive online courses this autumn:
Courses start the week of 10 October 2011. Apply by 5 September for Diplo Certificate Courses. For further information or to apply, click on the titles of the courses above, or visit our courses website.
 Register now to reserve your place.
2012 Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy
You are invited to apply for the popular Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Diplomacy, offered through the University of Malta. This blended learning programme offers a valuable opportunity for diplomats and other international relations professionals to continue studies without leaving work. The application deadline is 30 September 2011. For more information and to apply please see the course webpage.
Books on Diplomacy in August
As we know that diplomats have little time to fit reading and study into their schedules, we hope that a monthly review of new publications may assist in choosing some of the most relevant.
Miroslav Nincic. The Logics of Positive Engagement. Cornell University Press.
In The Logics of Positive Engagement, Miroslav Nincic argues against coercion and negative incentives to achieve foreign policy goals in favour of positive inducements. He distinguishes between two types of positive inducements: the exchange model and the catalytic model. The former depends on reciprocity, whereas the latter sees a build-up of positive incentives in order to achieve a change in behaviour. US relations with Cuba, Libya, and Syria serve as case studies and North Korea and Iran are discussed with regard to the applicability of positive incentives. The debate about so-called ‘carrots and sticks’ policy is as old as diplomacy itself; in this analysis the author combines political philosophy, social psychology, and game theory to come to his conclusions and recommendations. Although Nincic focuses on American foreign policy, the book offers insights beyond the cases discussed. A description, table of contents and reviews are available form the publisher’s website.