Why subscribe?
I write about the state of global diplomacy and imagine its future.
Although many writers focus on world politics, few delve into diplomacy as an activity and a profession, or explore its impact on ordinary people’s lives. I offer analysis and commentary, tell behind-the-scenes stories from the diplomatic front and share advice from experienced diplomats, as well as from leaders in politics, business, culture and education. After all, many diplomacy skills can be very useful in other walks of life.
Diplomacy Notebook is the younger sibling of Diplomatic Diary, the e-journal of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy (WIDA), the only independent school for practical diplomacy training in the world. I founded WIDA in 2016, after more than a decade of traveling the world as a Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent, during which I witnessed alarming gaps in diplomatic readiness and performance.
Diplomacy is a complex, high-stakes profession with far-reaching consequences — not just for global security and prosperity, but for something much more tangible: our daily lives. Yet it remains deeply misunderstood. Intuition and common sense are not enough to succeed; it requires a distinct set of skills that have to be learned and honed. As I wrote in the The New York Times, diplomats are made, not born. This conviction inspired my most recent book, “Diplomatic Tradecraft.”
It’s free, but donations are welcome
Diplomacy Notebook is free, but you can show your support by making a donation to help us continue to produce unique, timely and consequential content. I invite you to become a part of our community and share your comments.
Here is what one of our supporters, Rebecca Lister, wrote when making her pledge:
“I value diplomacy and see it as a critical component in imagining and shaping a better future.”
If you feel the same way, consider donating just once or monthly. You can pledge any amount you like. I guarantee that your donation will make a difference — it will allow us to dedicate more time to research, build a podcast series and upgrade our audio-visual equipment.
Subscribers are eligible for exclusive benefits. They include live chats with me, as well as partial scholarships to WIDA courses and study trips we take abroad to meet with diplomats, other government officials, experts and journalists to understand better how diplomacy works on the ground and discuss current developments.
I look forward to our conversation.
