The discussion of the Master’s thesis in the Department of International Relations, specializing in Diplomacy and International Relations, at the Political and Strategic Studies Center at the University of Sana’a, titled “Digital Diplomacy in American Foreign Policy Towards the Arab Region for the Period (2017-2021),” took place today, Saturday, 27 Safar 1446 AH,
Student Munef musaed Mohammad Al- Helali has obtained a Master’s degree with a score of 95% and an “Excellent” grade with honors in the Department of International Relations, specializing in Diplomacy and International Relations, at the Political and Strategic Studies Center at the University of Sana’a. His thesis is titled “Digital Diplomacy in American Foreign Policy Towards the Arab Region for the Period (2017-2021).” This was awarded on Saturday, 27 Safar 1446 AH, corresponding to August 31, 2024.
The discussion and evaluation committee consisted of Professor Dr. Saud Muhammad Nasser Al-Shawash as the supervising chair and committee member, Professor Dr. Hussein Muhammad Hussein Mutaher as the internal examiner, and Associate Professor Nabil Ali Mohsen Al-Sharjabi as the external examiner and chair.
The thesis aimed to: review the stages of diplomacy from primitive times to the digital age, highlight its importance in enhancing the effectiveness and development of diplomatic performance, understand digital diplomacy and its tools, assess its impact on traditional diplomacy, and analyze the effect of American digital diplomacy on the making and direction of foreign political decisions, as well as identify its centers and analyze President Trump’s tweets directed at the Arab region.
The thesis reached several conclusions, including:
– Digital diplomacy is an extension of traditional diplomacy with different tools used. Digital diplomacy employs modern technological tools, digital techniques, and social media networks.
– American digital diplomacy has worked to improve the image of the United States before the Arabs and to portray the Zionist entity as a peaceful state that accepts coexistence with its neighbors.
– The emergence of Twitter (X) as one of the most important platforms in the virtual world that politicians resort to for steering events and shaping public opinion in a specific direction.
The student presented several recommendations in his thesis, including:
– Establishing a special division for digital diplomacy in the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs, managed by a select group of specialists in the fields of diplomacy and international relations.
– Strengthening the Yemeni society through these digital platforms by raising awareness, deepening national belonging, and informing them about the reality of soft warfare, as well as recognizing the tools and methods used by the enemy.
– Arab parliaments should urgently convene sessions to urge the foreign ministries of Arab states to establish virtual Arab embassies in Jerusalem as a minimal duty towards the Palestinian cause and as a response to the crimes of the Zionist occupation in Gaza and the genocide of the Palestinian people in front of the world.
