Simone Lawson
Diplomacy has long been associated with secrecy and intrigue, with much of it taking place behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny. The popular image of diplomacy is one of closed-door meetings in grand halls and palaces, with little insight into the day-to-day work that goes into easing tensions and managing international relations. However, in recent times, the media has increasingly intruded into the backstage of diplomacy, with the rise of a 24-hour news cycle and the impact of social media and smartphones creating an era of transparency. Despite this, diplomacy remains a complex and evolving process, with interpersonal relationships and strategic thinking playing pivotal roles in international politics and crisis management.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy is done behind closed doors | Intrigue and excitement |
| Diplomacy is interpersonal | Emotions and instincts |
| Diplomacy is strategic | Uncertainty |
| Diplomacy is about people | |
| Diplomacy is about leveraging tools | Intelligence and media |
| Diplomacy is about thinking on your feet | |
| Diplomacy is about accepting uncertainty |
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What You'll Learn
Diplomacy is interpersonal and strategic
Diplomacy is often associated with secrecy and intrigue, with much of it taking place behind closed doors and away from the public eye. This perception is not without merit, as diplomatic deliberations have traditionally occurred within the inner sanctums of grand palaces or behind closed doors in historic halls. However, it is essential to recognise that diplomacy is not merely about secrecy; it is also interpersonal and strategic.
At its core, diplomacy is about people and their interactions. Diplomats are specialists in carrying messages, negotiating, and resolving conflicts between states and peoples. They are skilled in using words as their weapons, backed by the power of the state or organisation they represent. Effective diplomacy requires a deep understanding of human emotions and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships. It involves building rapport, demonstrating emotional intelligence, and possessing good manners and cross-cultural understanding.
The strategic aspect of diplomacy comes into play as diplomats help leaders understand the attitudes and actions of foreigners and develop strategies to shape their behaviour, especially that of foreign governments. Diplomacy is a tool for influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other peaceful means. It is the primary mechanism for adjusting differences between states without resorting to force or violence.
Diplomacy is also instrumental in advancing foreign policy goals. While political leaders set the foreign policy agenda, diplomats play a crucial role in advising them and carrying out the day-to-day work of implementing those policies. Diplomacy is employed in various contexts, from summit meetings and international conferences to the activities of supranational and subnational entities, reflecting its dynamic and ever-evolving nature.
In an age of smartphones and social media, the backstage of diplomacy has narrowed significantly. However, it is worth noting that the very nature of diplomacy demands a certain level of privacy to facilitate open and honest dialogue between parties. Thus, while diplomacy may be conducted behind closed doors, it is not merely about secrecy but also about creating opportunities for meaningful interpersonal connections and strategic negotiations that shape international relations.
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Diplomatic efforts and media intrusion
Diplomacy has traditionally been carried out behind closed doors, with the public left in the dark about the day-to-day workings of international relations. However, with the advent of new media technologies, the backstage of diplomacy has increasingly come under intrusion from the media and the public. This has led to the emergence of "media diplomacy", where the media plays a significant role in international relations and communications.
Media diplomacy refers to the role of the media in connecting policymakers to foreign governments and people, and transmitting diplomatic narratives to achieve particular goals. It involves the political use of the media to communicate messages and attitudes to international actors, including both state and non-state actors. The media can also be used to foster a positive environment for negotiations and provide ideal circumstances for signing agreements. For example, during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, Henry Kissinger improved the use of the media for pressuring and signaling via "Shuttle Diplomacy". He provided senior American diplomatic journalists with background information, reports, and leaks designed to compel concessions from the disputing parties and end disagreements.
The role of media in diplomacy has grown significantly, with journalists participating in diplomatic activities and procedures more regularly and intensely. Social media, in particular, has become a central component of diplomacy, with diplomats and political leaders relying on platforms like Twitter to communicate directly with their counterparts and the public. This has led to a blurring of the lines between traditional diplomacy and media diplomacy, with information communication technology becoming an inescapable tool of international relations.
However, the increasing use of media in diplomacy has also raised concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse or abuse. The age of smartphones and social media has brought about an era of absolute transparency, where the backstage of diplomacy has narrowed to only behind closed doors with no phones allowed. Diplomats must now navigate the challenge of leveraging media as a tool while also safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining national security.
In conclusion, diplomatic efforts and media intrusion are intricately linked in the modern era. While media diplomacy offers new opportunities for communication and negotiation, it also presents challenges and risks that must be carefully navigated by diplomats and policymakers.
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Diplomacy in a post-COVID world
Diplomacy has traditionally been an opaque affair, with much of the world's diplomatic dealings taking place behind closed doors. However, the digital age has seen the backstage of diplomacy narrow, with the media and 24-hour news cycles invading what was once a private space. This has resulted in a loss of privacy for diplomats, who must now navigate a world of smartphones and social media where transparency is expected.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on diplomacy, with the world facing shared challenges and a need for cooperation on a global scale. The pandemic has redefined our understanding of security, with issues such as pandemics, climate change, and terrorism taking centre stage in diplomatic discussions. The economic fallout of the pandemic has also had severe consequences, particularly for small states, and has prompted a record mass-class divide.
In a post-COVID world, public diplomacy will play a crucial role in nurturing damaged international relationships and addressing gloomy economic prospects. Traditional bilateral and multilateral forms of diplomacy will remain important, but public diplomacy will provide an enabling environment to restore equilibrium. This involves political actors engaging in strategic communication with foreign audiences to advance their foreign policy and security interests.
The pandemic has also brought about a shift in the global balance of power, with some declaring the dawn of a "post-Western world". China, one of the biggest players on the international stage, has faced a decline in trust due to its aggressive "wolf warrior" diplomacy and disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, India has set an example by effectively managing the health crisis and supplying medicines and vaccines to over 150 countries.
As the world moves forward from the pandemic, diplomacy will need to adapt to new realities and shared challenges. The "work from anywhere" practice, facilitated by digital technologies, will expand the toolkit of development programmes and assist in the recovery of global partners. Diplomacy in a post-COVID world will be marked by increased multipolarity, pluralism, and a rebalancing of power.
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Intelligence and diplomacy
Diplomacy has traditionally been carried out behind closed doors, away from the public eye. In the 20th century, diplomatic deliberations took place within the inner sanctums of grand palaces or behind closed doors in historic halls. Diplomacy holds a particular place in the popular imagination, full of intrigue and excitement. This perception is reinforced by the secrecy surrounding diplomatic negotiations.
Intelligence diplomacy has gained prominence and public attention, yet there is no universally accepted definition. It can be viewed narrowly as traditional intelligence sharing with foreign partners or more broadly as a powerful tool to inform and shape diplomatic approaches. Intelligence diplomacy played a pivotal role in the US response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the strategic release of declassified information serving as a warning to Ukraine and the world.
The effective utilisation of intelligence diplomacy raises important questions about balancing its potential with national security considerations. While it offers opportunities to advance diplomatic objectives, the absence of guardrails may lead to misuse or abuse. Providing clear guidance to diplomats and policymakers is essential to ensure responsible decision-making while safeguarding sensitive information.
Diplomacy, as exemplified by Ashton's work as the first head diplomat for the EU, involves navigating uncertainty and adapting to evolving geopolitical contexts. Her book, "And Then What?", offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of diplomacy, highlighting the interpersonal and strategic aspects of international politics.
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Diplomacy is about people
Diplomacy is often imagined as a secretive affair, full of intrigue and excitement, with much of the action taking place behind closed doors. However, at its core, diplomacy is about people and their relationships, emotions, and interactions.
Diplomacy is about building and navigating relationships between countries and their leaders. It involves understanding and leveraging the human emotions and instincts of those involved. Catherine Ashton, the first head diplomat for the EU, writes about her experience in creating a "'new normal'" between Kosovo and Serbia. She brought their prime ministers, who played pivotal roles in their countries' fight against each other, to share the same space for extended periods. Ashton's success was attributed to her ability to navigate the human relationships and dynamics at play, using her instincts and emotions to her advantage.
Diplomacy is also about thinking on one's feet and adapting to evolving geopolitical contexts. Ashton's book highlights the uncertainty inherent in diplomatic work and the absence of easy, reproducible solutions. Each diplomatic case brings its own unique set of historical, political, economic, and human factors to navigate. Diplomats must be agile and accept that there is no predetermined right path.
The practice of diplomacy has evolved with the changing media landscape. For much of the 20th century, diplomacy was conducted behind closed doors, with only staged photo opportunities available to the public. However, with the advent of 24-hour global news cycles and the rise of social media, the backstage of diplomacy has narrowed significantly. Diplomats now have to navigate the presence of cameras and the media as a tool for applying pressure or influencing public opinion.
Despite the increased transparency brought on by modern media, diplomacy still relies on private conversations, bilateral meetings, and side events that occur away from the public eye. These interpersonal moments are essential for building connections and advancing foreign policy goals. As Dr. Tristen Naylor notes, the performative and theatrical aspects of international summits, such as motorcades and welcoming ceremonies, also play a role in creating a special and extraordinary environment for diplomacy to take place.
In conclusion, while diplomacy often occurs behind the scenes, it is ultimately about people and their interactions. Successful diplomacy requires understanding and navigating human relationships, emotions, and instincts, as well as adapting to evolving geopolitical contexts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, diplomacy is not always done behind the scenes. While diplomacy was practiced behind closed doors for most of the 20th century, the media's intrusion into the backstage of diplomacy began in the 1970s and increased with the birth of a global 24-hour news cycle. Today, diplomacy is often conducted in front of the media and the public, especially during events like the United Nations General Assembly, where diplomats take advantage of the significant media presence to articulate their views and explain their policy positions to a global audience.
Intelligence plays an important role in diplomacy, as it can be leveraged to advance a country's interests and support diplomatic efforts. However, it is important to have clear guidance on the responsible use of intelligence to safeguard national secrets and prevent misuse or abuse.
The COVID-19 pandemic has limited physical interaction and moved diplomatic meetings online, reducing the opportunities for interpersonal moments and connections that are important for successful diplomatic relations. The performative and theatrical aspects of international summits, which contribute to their perceived importance, have also been challenging to replicate in a socially distanced world.
