The relatively new concept of public diplomacy is often used interchangeably with lobbying. However, lobbying has emerged particularly in the context of negative propaganda faced by Turkey in Western countries and has stood out as a method carried out through private commercial organizations operating in the United States for this very purpose. Yet, it is difficult to argue that this method has made a significant contribution to improving Turkey’s image in the past.

    In contrast, public diplomacy is an approach that aims to provide civilian contributions to a country’s foreign policy objectives. In this sense, civilian support encompasses activities carried out not by state diplomacy, but by civil society organizations, academia, opinion leaders, or prominent figures of society. For instance, activities conducted through official lobbying lists in the U.S. Congress or the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) should not be confused with today’s dialogue-based modern public diplomacy. When evaluated in all its sub-fields, public diplomacy offers opportunities far beyond the narrow framework of lobbying, providing much broader and virtually unlimited possibilities.

    Therefore, benefiting from the opportunities of public diplomacy in diverse fields such as culture, arts, science, sports, politics, economy, trade, humanitarian aid, and diaspora diplomacy to build, reshape, and reinforce a nation’s image is far more effective and beneficial than the limited lobbying efforts conducted through commercial entities.

In this special issue, on the ninth anniversary of the treacherous coup attempt on 15 July 2016, Turkey's fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ) is discussed within the framework of public diplomacy.

Mehmet Can Gür