Throughout history, hundreds of regimes have employed Titushky-like tactics. There is no denying their effectiveness; however, they also come with a huge risk. By openly failing to protect citizens, the state’s monopoly on violence slips and along with it, its legitimacy.

For Gen-Z, this is the usual way of entertainment. For conservative politicians, this is the new frontier in the war for power hegemony. While the U.S. debates the identity politics at home; Japan, Korea, and China have been reshaping global imagination in the West and beyond.

Nations should embrace the aesthetics of pride, but they must also move beyond products to reflect the deeper, more complex realities of the country. Patriotism should not be measured by the number of flags or decorations one owns.

It’s time to open the door to a new kind of diplomacy. One that is more open, more connected to people, and grounded. We can begin to see ourselves as diplomats, proud of what we have and eager to share it.

Are these algorithmic beauty standards merely reproducing age-old sexist and racist stereotypes, or might they also disrupt them? How do concepts from feminist theory – like the male gaze, intersectionality, or data feminism – help us critically understand this new digital beauty culture?

Language sustains power, manages crises, and shapes public opinion, and translation is at the heart of this process. Far from being neutral, it can escalate conflicts, legitimize regimes, or open pathways to peace.

For Australia to maintain diplomatic balance as a middle power under Ungerer’s (2007) definition as a regional stabiliser and multilateral advocate, soft-power leadership and investments in international development are essential.