Submit your Article

Despite the ongoing deterioration of the United States’ decades-long diplomatic reputation under its 47th president and his foreign policy approach, one YouTuber and streamer is changing the game as a surprising representative of America to the world. iShowSpeed, aka Darren Watkins Jr., is an American YouTuber known for his high-energy IRL (in real life) livestreams, which at their peak draw over a million viewers. But he’s more than just another influencer—in many ways, he’s become an unlikely tool of soft diplomacy and cultural representation.

What is Track II diplomacy?

In simple terms, Track II diplomacy refers to any form of cross-border engagement, cultural exchange, soft power cultivation, or interaction between nations that occurs outside official diplomatic channels. This includes activities conducted by NGOs, think tanks, academics, artists, and even individuals. While the term originated in the world of international relations as a supplementary channel—often used in times when formal (Track I) diplomacy fails—its meaning has expanded with time to include new, more decentralized forms of global engagement.

The redefinition of Track II diplomacy

Track II diplomacy is informal and non-structured. Traditionally, public figures like influencers would not be seen as part of this framework. But with the evolution of people-to-people diplomacy, digital creators like iShowSpeed now fit squarely within this expanded definition.

Through his content, Watkins promotes Western values—not through propaganda, but simply by being himself. His livestreams integrate naturally with the local cultures he visits, bringing authenticity and spontaneity to cross-cultural encounters. His personality-driven interactions bring joy, surprise, and connection to millions. He makes foreign people and places feel familiar and real, and in doing so, helps shape international perceptions in ways formal diplomacy often can’t.

But who is this streamer?

Darren Watkins Jr., known online as Speed, began as a gaming YouTuber before rising to fame through provocative stunts, viral skits, controversial moments, and relentless content creation. His love for Cristiano Ronaldo made him especially popular across the Global South. But it was his international tours—from his Europe trip in 2023 to his recent tour of China in 2025—that cemented him as a household name among Gen Z internet-goers.

To date, he has visited more than 30 countries, including India and Thailand. With his spontaneous street encounters, humorous remarks, people-first approach, and genuine curiosity, he presents each country as it is to a massive global audience. His live streams—and the short-form content clipped from them—reach tens or even hundreds of millions of viewers.

So, can he be called a diplomat?

The simple answer is: no, he is not a diplomat in the official sense. But he is a representative—an unofficial cultural ambassador of sorts. With honorary mayor status in Lima, Peru, and a meeting with Albania’s prime minister under his belt, Speed is increasingly engaged in what can only be described as digital-era diplomacy.

According to Viewstats, his YouTube channel garnered 339 million views in the past 28 days alone. When you add in shorts, clips, and social media reposts, the number easily climbs to 500 million–1 billion views a month. That is an unmatched platform—an opportunity any tourism-reliant country should seriously consider tapping into.

His recent IRL streams from China gained huge traction online. Many western viewers even described his unfiltered portrayal of the country as a refreshing counter to decades of anti-China narratives. The Embassy of China in the US praised him in a tweet: “The 20-year-old… is bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”

A call for a lobby

Given Speed’s influence, and the fact that he has previously expressed a desire to visit Nepal (a clip is linked), this is the moment for Nepal to act. A joint initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), or other relevant agencies and stakeholders could use this opportunity to invite him. 

With Speed recently concluding his Mongolia visit and not having declared his next destination, now is the perfect time. Whether through official or unofficial channels, Nepal could become the next stage for a cultural spotlight of immense scale. His visit could bring unmatched global attention to our temples, mountains, food, traditions, and everyday people.

The changing world of engagement

As the world grapples with growing isolationism, deglobalization, and geopolitical tensions, the internet remains a rare unifying thread. In this climate, content creators—streamers, YouTubers, influencers—function as informal ambassadors. They shape narratives, build bridges, and create empathy across borders.

This is more than just tourism promotion. It’s people-to-people diplomacy. It’s democratic soft power in action. Through the web, we see that people everywhere laugh, cry, hope, and dream in similar ways. These shared human experiences matter more than treaties, summits, or statecraft. Speed may not be a traditional diplomat—but in today’s world, he represents something just as powerful: connection.

Dibya Deep Acharya, International Relations, MA, Tribhuvan University

Storage is one of the most important aspects of every home. We all need it and lots of it too. But it’s often the one thing we lack. As we accumulate stuff over the years, we run out of space to keep them all and find ourselves struggling to manage our homes.

Proper storage can be a lifesaver. And the good thing is that you don’t need big homes for extra storage space. There are plenty of ingenious ideas that you can use to maximize storage space in your homes. Here we present some great storage solutions that can help you keep your home clutter free (and no, we aren’t going to tell you to stow things under the bed).

Functional coffee tables and ottomans

A great coffee table can make your living space come alive but it can also double as storage. These days, you can get tables with hidden storage space underneath them or those with shelves on the sides instead of legs. You can also customize your own coffee table to suit your needs. Build a deep one with storage inside or choose one where the top moves to varying heights depending on how much stuff you put underneath. You can also use ottomans as coffee tables. You simply have to put a wooden or metallic tray on top to display items you normally would like vases or coasters on the center table. Ottomans are great storage solutions as they look sleek and can be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Baskets and boxes

Pretty baskets and boxes can be used to store things out of sight. From towels and toilet paper to charging cables and makeup items, you can store almost anything in big wicker baskets or lovely paper boxes with interesting designs on them. This will help keep your home tidy as well as maintain a sense of order. Most of the time, similar things tend to be kept in different drawers and in many places. Grouping them together and storing them in boxes and baskets can save space and help you find them easily when you need them. We suggest you get paper boxes in the same color to store similar items. For example, get green boxes for cords and electrical items, yellow for makeup and other personal knick knacks, and blue for medicines and such supplies. This can help you identify items without having to open each box.

Hidden storage spaces

You can have a local carpenter build simple shelves and cabinets in unused spaces like below the staircase and forgotten corners of your home like the awkward space between two rooms or the landing of the stairs. You can find many great designs on Pinterest and even Instagram. You can also strategically stow filing cabinets in corners of your home to maximize space or build concealed shelves along the walls. There are plenty of sleek cabinet designs that merge seamlessly on the walls. If you have a window space that is unused, consider building a seating area along the length of it. You can have storage underneath the seats. This idea can also be used in dining table benches or your living room sofa. The key here is to look at furniture pieces with a fresh eye and figure out which can double as storage space.

Kitchen island

Kitchen spaces need to be functional and practical. But they also tend to be the most under-utilized space in terms of storage. Just because a kitchen is where you cook your meals doesn’t mean it can’t be a space where you can aesthetically store your utensils and equipment. A kitchen island can be a great way to incorporate functionality into your space while adding tons of storage to it. Consider building one in the center of your kitchen. The top can be used to do all the work like chopping and prepping for meals while you can store pretty much anything in the cabinets and drawers underneath. If you think having an island at the center of your kitchen might make the area seem congested, you can also build a smaller one on one side of the area to ensure it doesn’t get in the way.

Revamp your entryway

Oftentimes, the entryway in your homes is the most unused and empty space in the house. At the most, we will have a table there to drop our keys and wallets. Otherwise it’s just a place that connects your front door to the rest of the house, a space you don’t give much thought to while decorating. Make use of this space while trying to maximize storage in your home. You don’t need a large lobby area to do this. A simple bench with storage underneath to put your shoes and maybe a rack to hang your bags and coats can keep this area from becoming cluttered. You can also use a large cabinet to partition the area from the rest of your space and use this as additional storage. 

Law Day is observed on May 9 and serves as a timely reminder of the foundational role that law plays in building an equitable and democratic society. In Nepal, Law Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of our legal system while fostering dialogue about the reforms necessary for a stronger future. It’s a time to honor legal professionals, acknowledge the importance of the rule of law, and commit ourselves to improving access to justice for all. ApEx spoke to three women law students to talk about the importance of law and how it can be improved in the education system.

Sadiksha Nepal

Fourth year, BA LLB, Chakrabarti College of Law

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—about our legal system, our laws and regulations, and the structure of governance. But I haven’t had the chance to apply what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I feel like a bookworm—filled with theory but lacking real-world experience. The reality is our legal education system is still outdated. Most law colleges don’t have proper libraries, updated books, digital resources, or even well-functioning moot courts. Students often rely on personal copies of old materials. While some colleges offer internships and legal clinics, they are limited and not accessible to everyone. Most of our time is spent memorizing theory and preparing for exams instead of working with real clients or learning how the system functions outside the classroom. Workshops or mentorship to help us handle real-life moral challenges are extremely rare. Our textbooks are often outdated, and recent legal developments rarely make it into our syllabi on time. Colleges offer almost no career counselling or placement support so we’re left to build networks on our own. On top of that, the fees are so high that it’s a struggle for students from middle- or lower-income families.

Sanjita Khadka 

Third Semester, BA LLB, National Law College

The future of Nepal’s legal system is likely to be bright as AI and technology plays in e-filing and digital record-keeping, but cyber security will be a challenge. Environmental and climate laws are expected to be expanded to address Nepal’s risk of catastrophes and to align with international conventions such as the Paris Accord. To attract investment, Nepal may further make its business and intellectual property laws compatible with international standards. Emerging trends such as ADR and better legal education will help ease court overcrowding and prepare practicing lawyers for the real world. Legal education in Nepal can be enhanced by revising curricula to include practical skills (e.g., moot courts, drafting of laws). Developing teaching capabilities through training and international collaboration, technology integration (e-learning platform, online research tools), would enhance quality and accessibility. Partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and courts for internships and clinics bridge theory-practice gaps. Stricter accreditation by the governing bodies like the Nepal Bar Council is needed to bring about uniformity and accountability.

Puja Basnet

Fifth year, BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law

With the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, Nepal is transitioning to a democratic and federal structure, and the legal system will be more inclusive and accessible than ever. The rapid technological advancement, however, will be a challenge for Nepal’s conventional legal framework, but with reform and modernization, embracing the technology will pave the way for ensuring timely justice and further strengthening the rule of law. Nepal needs to better train the available human resources and adopt technology-driven solutions to efficiently and effectively manage the caseload. As a law student, I have felt that the current legal education doesn’t adequately prepare us to meet the practical demands of the legal profession. The current academic structure is designed primarily to foster theoretical knowledge, and while it’s equally important, in the absence of essential practical skills, the transition from students to lawyers becomes difficult. To bridge this gap, legal education should be upgraded and skill-based training, such as moot court, internships, and clinical education, needs to be prioritized.

Aahara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. They were trembling again. She felt like her chest was caving in, and her thoughts were racing so fast that she couldn’t grasp a single one. A knot twisted in her stomach, making her feel nauseated. The air in the room felt heavier than usual, as though it were conspiring against her to make breathing just that little bit harder.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, the name ‘Nikita’ lighting up the screen. It was her best friend, calling to confirm their lunch plans. Aahara had already texted Nikita twice that morning, first saying she’d be a little late, then coming up with a vague excuse about a “last-minute work deadline.” Now Nikita wanted to call and make sure everything was okay.

But Aahara couldn’t answer the phone. Even the thought of talking to Nikita felt overwhelming. She had no idea how to explain all the different thoughts and worries that were going through her head. Her mind spun through its daily cycle of worries. “Did I forget to send that email? What if my boss thinks I’m incompetent?” “I should check on my parents. What if something happens to them, and I didn’t call in time?” “I don’t feel right. What if I have some undiagnosed illness and the doctors just missed it?” No amount of reassurance ever silenced these thoughts. 

Aahara tried to reason with herself to no avail. She had been living like this ever since her mother took ill a few months ago. Aahara’s worries continued even after her mother came back to health. 

She wasn’t just nervous; she wasn’t just overthinking. She had Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a type of anxiety disorder which made even the most ordinary parts of life feel overwhelming.

Aahara and her story is fictional, but this could happen to anyone. Based on a study conducted by Risal et al. (2016) among 2100 people all across Nepal, the prevalence of anxiety is 22.7 percent. That’s 70,14,300 people affected with anxiety.

Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous before a presentation or jittery before an important event. It’s a complex mental health condition that can make ordinary tasks feel insurmountable.

At its core, anxiety is a natural response to stress. It’s your brain’s way of keeping you alert to potential danger. Imagine you’re walking through the woods and hear a rustle in the bushes. Your body floods with adrenaline, preparing you to fight, flee, or freeze. This is your body’s fight-or-flight response, and it’s a helpful survival mechanism when there’s an actual threat.

The key difference between fear and anxiety lies in their triggers. Fear is a response to an immediate, real danger—like encountering a wild animal in the woods. It’s a short-lived reaction that helps you take action in the face of a specific threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, is often future-focused, triggered by perceived threats that may never materialize. It lingers, creating a sense of unease and worry, even when no immediate danger is present. While fear fades once the threat is gone, anxiety can persist, making everyday situations feel just as alarming as life-threatening ones.

The problem arises when this response gets stuck in overdrive. For someone with an anxiety disorder, their brain sounds the alarm even when there’s no immediate danger. A casual conversation, a grocery trip, or even sitting in silence can trigger the same physiological reactions as facing a life-threatening situation.

Such physiological reactions can be:

• Fastened heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Muscle tension  
• Sweating or trembling  

These sensations can be terrifying, leading to thoughts like, “Am I having a heart attack? Am I dying?” Many people with anxiety also experience insomnia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. It is also important to emphasize that anxiety is an umbrella term for many different types. Some types of anxiety are: 

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder 
• Social Anxiety Disorder 
• Specific Phobia 
• Agoraphobia 
• Separation Anxiety Disorder 
• Selective Mutism 

Aahara’s story sheds light on the often hidden yet pervasive struggles that anxiety brings. It serves as a reminder that anxiety isn’t just a fleeting feeling of nervousness, it’s a mental and physical burden that can take over someone’s entire existence. But it’s important to remember that while anxiety may feel like an inescapable maze, there are ways to navigate through it. 

Seeking support is the first step. Whether through therapy, conversations with loved ones, mindfulness practices, or medical treatment, there are tools to help individuals regain control over their lives. Aahara’s journey is far from over, but by acknowledging her anxiety and taking small steps toward healing, she’s moving toward a life defined by courage rather than fear.