The EU's reaction to the Arab Spring: External media portrayals in China, India and Russia

Serena Kelly, Nicholas Ross Smith

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon (ToL) represents an attempt by the European Union (EU) to become a more visible and effective international actor. Foregoing the typical analysis on EU foreign policy, which posits what type of power it is, or what level of actorness it has, this article analyses the EU's international action from the perspective of three key external partners: China, India and Russia. External perceptions of the EU in three of the emerging BRIC countries are examined through systematically analysing newspaper articles in relation to the EU's action in the Arab Spring movements in North Africa and the Middle East. This article argues that despite the ToL's intentions, the EU's profile, in the news media at least, continues to be portrayed as an inefficient and perhaps irrelevant international actor in these countries, not only because of the EU's continuing difficulty in reaching common positions on tough international issues, but also because of the EU's inability to successfully communicate its decisions and action beyond its near borders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217-234
Number of pages18
JournalEuropean Foreign Affairs Review
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Political Science and International Relations
  • Law

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The EU's reaction to the Arab Spring: External media portrayals in China, India and Russia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this