Why can one country move markets with a single policy announcement, while another needs an army to get the same attention? The answer is rarely a single factor — it's the mix of political, economic, cultural and security forces that shapes how states actually behave toward each other, whatever their official foreign-policy statements say.

This session from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy unpacks that mix for professionals who want to move past the textbook version of international relations. It covers the difference between hard power and soft power in practice, why relying on a single style of influence tends to backfire, and why coercive force has become far costlier — economically and politically — than it once was.

After Completing the Program, You Will Be Able To:

• Understand the different theories and fundamentals of international relations.
• Distinguish hard power from soft power, and know why relying on one style alone rarely works.
• Recognize the optimal time for a shift in foreign policy.
• Assess how a country influences another through soft-power policy, based on its cultural, social, and institutional makeup.
• Understand the role of media, propaganda and cultural dominance in soft-power success.

Who Should Attend?

• Diplomats working in embassies and consulates.
• Employees in international organizations and government institutions interested in international relations.
• International and multinational staff.

Module 1: Power, Politics and Conflict

• How political systems shape foreign policy, and the role of governance in international decisions
• Major powers, their role in international crises, and the effect of their conflicts on global stability
• Diplomacy, sanctions and alliances as tools of foreign policy, and the role of negotiation
• Security challenges facing the current international system, from the Cold War to today's conflicts
• Analyzing major regional conflicts, the role of regional powers, and international mediation
• Arms control, nuclear challenges and treaties affecting relations between major powers

Module 2: Money and Markets Across Borders

• Globalization's impact on the global economy, and the role of trade agreements in cooperation
• Economic sanctions as a foreign-policy tool, and their impact on relations and national sovereignty
• The role of the IMF and World Bank, and how global monetary policy affects economic stability

Module 3: Identity, Culture and People on the Move

• How culture, religion and values shape diplomatic relations and foreign policy
• National and regional identity, nationalism, and the challenges of multiple identities in conflicts
• Migration and refugee movements, and their impact on security, economy and social policy

Module 4: Who Sets the Rules

• The United Nations' structure, the Security Council's role, and the challenges it faces enforcing decisions
• Regional organizations (EU, African Union, ASEAN) and their role in stability and cooperation
• Non-governmental organizations' influence on international politics and their relations with states