Most studies are historical, and they mostly deal with the U.S. experiences during
the cold war. Historical accounts of public diplomacy are significant, especially if
they are analytical and not just anecdotal, but their contribution to the
development of theory and methodology in public diplomacy has been limited.
Limited, too, is research on public diplomacy programs and activities of countries
other than the United States and of new international actors such as NGOs, civil
society groups, and individuals (Gilboa, 2008).