In an era of intense globalization, the nature of diplomacy has changed. Diplomats are involved in reducing tension and possibly preventing armed conflicts between countries, as well as facilitating international cooperation, from science and research to education, migrations and culture, not to mention security and the fight against terrorism.
It tries to preserve peace by means other than force, although it may include the threat of economic or other coercive measures and demonstrations of the ability to impose unilateral solutions. It involves international dialogue and negotiation, usually conducted by accredited envoys. Diplomacy is a subset of foreign policy, and unlike the latter, it is generally formulated in private and conducted in confidence.
Diplomats are in high demand. The work involves free travel all over the world (although not always to your choice of destination), immunity from a few minor criminal acts, duty-free booze and cigarettes (though only for official diplomatic missions in countries where alcohol is banned), and the diplomatic cocktail circuit of all the people you’ve ever dreamed of meeting — some of whom you probably wouldn’t have wanted to meet.
But it’s also a difficult profession that demands great skill. As the world changes at a breakneck pace, diplomacy is struggling to keep up. It must adapt to new challenges, and that is where it has a chance to show its flexibility. It must become open, agile and able to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the technological revolution.