The subject of analysis is the assumption that the concept of soft power may be used as a theoretical basis for the interpretation of the EU influence on the less stable regions facing the spread of international conflicts. On the basis of current events and the high degree of instability in the region, it should be stated that such instruments are not efficient when it comes to Russia. In order to prove the above mentioned assumption, one needs to define the nature and specificity of the EU as soft power in the post-Westphalian international order. In the context of the use of such instruments, the analysis will also cover the manifestation of their implementation and efficiency in the EU policy towards Ukrainian crisis. Thus, it is essential to answer a few research questions. Firstly, what is the specificity of the EU in post-Westphalian international order? Secondly, what means does the EU have at its disposal and is it able to achieve its objectives and meet expectations which the international environment has towards it? Lastly, how can we assess the efficiency of the soft power instruments used by the Union in specific region of Eastern Europe, particularly during Ukrainian crisis?

When the spotlight exposes too much: Qatar’s image problems in the context of the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

This paper analyses the role of global sport within Qatar’s international strategy, most notably through the successful bid to stage the 2022 football World Cup. The article investigates how sport is used as a foreign policy tool to build relations with as many countries and people in the world as possible to gain soft power. I see the hosting of sports mega-events as the practice of public diplomacy: host states may use these events to change their international image. I examine issues of reputational risk with regard to critical comment surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup. In order to illustrate Qatar’s image problems, I will use examples from the Polish language Internet media.