Dataset_US_Digital_Diplomacy_Africa_Tweets

This research investigates the mechanics of digital diplomacy by examining how the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs utilizes Twitter/X to shape its political agenda. Rather than treating social media as a simple megaphone, the study explores how the platform’s own "architecture"—its algorithms, retweet mechanics, and technical constraints—influences diplomatic communication.

By analyzing 1,808 tweets through a mixed-methods approach, the study uncovers a significant "architectural mismatch": while the Bureau prioritizes messaging about partnerships, these tweets actually receive the lowest engagement. Furthermore, the research reveals that despite the internet's potential for horizontal communication, diplomatic networking on the platform remains highly centralized and hierarchical, mirroring traditional State Department structures.