Diplomacy involves negotiation and representation, conducted principally by states but also by international organizations and influential non-state actors. It translates power, interests, and norms into stable expectations and binding commitments. It is the architecture that enables treaties to be designed and signed, export controls to be established or relaxed, and data flows to be enabled or constrained.
It is an art of communication and a discipline that requires tact and composure. It is also an effort to balance competing demands on time, attention and resources. A successful diplomat must understand when to push, and when to listen.
While traditional diplomacy is important, it has evolved into new forms. Today, states engage in “hybrid diplomacy” – the coordinated use of diplomatic channels alongside hybrid instruments of threat: military force, economic coercion, information influence and legal warfare – to achieve strategic objectives without crossing the threshold of open armed conflict.
As a result, international relations studies have become a major field of study at universities. In addition to its formal role, diplomacy is a powerful tool for advancing a nation’s interests by supporting its people and the citizens of other countries.
For example, diplomats are responsible for the management of relationships with the United States’ 190 foreign partners and many international organizations. They ensure that the nation’s interests are heard in all environments, preventing conflicts from escalating and promoting growth and prosperity through well-planned foreign policies. They negotiate and facilitate a variety of issues, from ending wars to establishing borders, economic partnerships and cultural exchanges.