12
Borders glowed faintly on a map at night.
Lines can be drawn.
But relationships cannot be drawn.
Between countries, there are no lines;
Trust or distrust flows.
The wind crosses borders as well.
Conrad Hilton said,
"Diplomacy is not negotiation."
He paused briefly and continued,
"Diplomacy is the design of relationships."
It's not about winning or losing in the moment.
How do you create a "relationship" that will last ten, even twenty years from now?
First-class diplomacy
chooses lasting trust over agreements that elicit applause.
Paul Rusch quietly said,
"The first step is to try to understand the other person."
You don't have to like them.
You don't have to agree with them.
But you should sincerely try to understand what they fear and what they are trying to protect.
Strength without understanding
will eventually lead to isolation.
Don't react with emotion. Act with principle.
Diplomacy is full of provocations.
Words, statements, public opinion.
Hilton says.
"First-class people are not moved by emotion."
Have principles.
And stick to those principles.
If you value human rights,
take the same stance no matter who you're dealing with.
If you abide by the law,
hold the same standards to your own country.
If your principles waver,
trust will fade.
Keep your promises, even if they're small.
Rush says.
"Make small promises you can keep,
rather than big ones you can't keep."
The most valuable thing in diplomacy isn't a flashy joint statement.
It's the reputation that "that country keeps its promises."
That takes time.
But once built, it becomes a nation's strength.
Don't boast about your strength. Build it up.
Hilton said in a slightly stern voice.
"True strength is quiet."
It's necessary to build up your military, economy, and technology.
But not to show off.
Prepare to protect.
The more insecure your strength, the louder your voice.
Confident strength
Choose your words carefully.
Nurture alliances for the future.
Rush spoke with young people in mind.
"Diplomacy isn't just between today's leaders."
International students.
Researchers.
Businesses.
Culture.
Will the next generation have friends in each other's countries?
That will determine security twenty years from now.
Rather than reducing enemies,
increase those who understand.
That is the foundation of first-class diplomacy.
The wind blows across the world map.
It cannot be stopped.
But it can be read.
The flow of global power.
The flow of technology.
The flow of population.
The flow of values.
Read it and
act quickly.
Countries that react slowly will always find themselves at a disadvantage.
In the end, both men left us with the same words.
"Diplomacy is the character of a nation."
Is it an angry nation?
Is it an honest nation?
Is it a nation that keeps its promises?
Is it a nation that shirks responsibility?
The world is watching.
And remembering.
Do your best.
And it must be first class.
First-class diplomacy does not mean defeating the other party.
It means being chosen, over the long term, as a country with which people can stand together.
