What Diplomats Really Do | Alexander Karagiannis | TEDxIndianaUniversity

Summary

In this engaging speech, a former diplomat reflects on his career and the evolving role of diplomacy. He challenges traditional views, emphasizing that diplomacy is not just about high-level meetings but about engaging with people and solving global challenges. He shares personal experiences, such as his time in Turkey during a humanitarian crisis, and highlights the importance of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in the Foreign Service. Ultimately, he urges the audience to make a difference and act with purpose, demonstrating that diplomacy is an active, impactful endeavor that serves the values and interests of the American people.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diplomacy is not just about old men in suits negotiating; it involves direct engagement with people, such as sports diplomacy, cultural preservation, and community projects.
• 😀 Diversity and inclusion are core to the Foreign Service's recruitment efforts. The goal is to reflect a broader representation of America’s population.
• 😀 Diplomats are not just office workers; they play key roles in managing global issues, advocating for U.S. interests, and contributing to international peace and stability.
• 😀 The U.S. Foreign Service is about 14,000 members strong, with only 8,000 serving as frontline diplomats. This small yet vital group serves in 195 countries and 275 embassies.
• 😀 Diplomacy is defined by trust, tact, and careful negotiation. Effective diplomats maintain credibility by never lying, practicing tact, and managing sensitive information.
• 😀 Diplomats engage in a variety of tasks, including gathering and analyzing information, networking with influential individuals, and advocating for policies or causes.
• 😀 In difficult and dangerous assignments, such as in Turkey during the Gulf War, U.S. diplomats collaborate with military personnel and international organizations to address crises.
• 😀 Humanitarian aid and logistics play a crucial role in diplomacy. In Turkey, diplomats coordinated efforts to provide aid to refugees fleeing conflict, navigating complex challenges like cold-chain logistics and resource distribution.
• 😀 Diplomacy is a dynamic, action-oriented process where outcomes matter. Diplomats make a difference by being adaptive, proactive, and solution-driven.
• 😀 Diplomacy is ultimately about finding common cause among nations and people, advancing shared values, and contributing to the greater good. As Aristotle noted, humanity is built on cooperation and collaboration.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on traditional diplomacy?

The speaker challenges the traditional image of diplomacy as old men in dreary meetings determining the fate of countries. He argues that diplomacy today is much broader, involving direct engagement with people through various forms of diplomacy, such as sports diplomacy, cultural preservation, and humanitarian efforts.

How does the speaker describe the diversity in the U.S. Foreign Service?

The speaker highlights the increasing diversity within the U.S. Foreign Service, noting that it has evolved to include more women, minorities, and people from various backgrounds. He shares that his current boss is a first-generation immigrant and that seven of his previous supervisors were women or minorities.

What does the speaker mean by 'inclusion is a choice'?

The speaker stresses that while diversity is a fact, inclusion is a deliberate and necessary choice. He emphasizes that inclusion is critical for driving engagement, performance, and leadership within the workforce, which is essential to tackle global challenges.

What are the three rules the speaker believes diplomats live by?

The three rules the speaker mentions are: 1) Never lie, as trust and credibility are the foundation of effective diplomacy; 2) Don’t tell the complete truth, as tact is needed to leave space for further dialogue; 3) Diplomats should possess a strong mind, a tough stomach, a warm smile, and a cold eye, as summarized by former UK Ambassador Christopher Meyer.

How does the speaker define diplomacy?

The speaker defines diplomacy as a means to prevent, preempt, contain, manage, and solve problems. It is a way to advance U.S. values, interests, and goals through gathering information, networking, and advocating for cooperation with other countries.

What challenges do U.S. diplomats face in today's global environment?

U.S. diplomats face increasingly volatile and dangerous conditions, with more than half serving in areas with difficult health conditions, public safety issues, or extreme security risks. They must navigate traditional issues like international relations and economic prosperity, as well as newer challenges such as digital threats and transnational health issues.

What was the speaker's most memorable diplomatic assignment?

The speaker's most searing and rewarding assignment was in Turkey from 1989 to 1992, where he helped respond to a humanitarian crisis after the Gulf War. Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Northern Iraq fled to Turkey, and the speaker was part of a team that organized relief efforts, including the distribution of supplies and medical aid.

What role did U.S. diplomats play during the humanitarian crisis in Turkey?

During the crisis, U.S. diplomats played a crucial role in coordinating relief efforts, including air drops of supplies and the establishment of safe zones for refugees. The speaker was part of a team responsible for managing a cold chain for medicines and working closely with the UN, international aid organizations, and U.S. service members in difficult conditions.

What does the speaker mean by 'diplomacy is a verb'?

The speaker views diplomacy as an active process—something that requires listening, learning, thinking, adapting, and taking action. It is about making a difference and producing outcomes that matter, not just engaging in formal, bureaucratic processes.

What is the speaker's final message to the audience?

The speaker urges the audience to make a difference in whatever they do. He emphasizes the importance of combining purpose and principle to achieve extraordinary things, suggesting that diplomacy is a way to find common cause and work together for the greater good.