Diplo Blog
Collateral consequences: The unseen price of consumerism
05 October 2024
Markets excel at facilitating trade, but they fail to address the unintended consequences of consumerism like pollution. Aldo Matteucci provides ideas on how to approach these hidden costs.
Multilateral diplomacy: a new inflexion point
03 October 2024
The message reflects on the resilience of multilateral diplomacy and the United Nations, highlighting its historical inflection points, including the Cold War, decolonization, and the end of the Cold War. It expresses cautious optimism amidst current challenges, such as domestic governance issues, the rise of unilateralism, and the war in Ukraine, which threaten global cooperation. The text emphasizes that the effectiveness of multilateralism relies on member states' attitudes and actions, warning against the rise of authoritarianism and its consequences for global order. Ultimately, it advocates for the continued necessity of the United Nations in preserving peace and security.
By teaching, We learn
30 September 2024
The idea "By teaching, we learn" reflects the belief that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about gaining deeper understanding through the process. When we explain concepts to others, we are challenged to clarify our own thinking, explore different perspectives, and address new questions. This dynamic exchange helps refine our understanding, making teaching a powerful tool for both personal growth and collective learning. Through teaching, we continually evolve, gaining fresh insights and improving our ability to adapt to new ideas.
Untangling digital, cyber, and tech diplomacy: A search for clarity of thinking and action
29 September 2024
The conceptual and terminological confusion surrounding the use of "digital," "cyber," and "tech" diplomacy has practical consequences, as highlighted by a recent US Government Accountability Office report, which identifies this ambiguity as one of a major barrier to effective cyber and digital diplomacy. The key takeaway is that clarity in terminology is crucial, not only for clear communication but also for effective diplomatic action, underscoring the importance of understanding the context in which these terms are used.
Diplomatic extraterritoriality
23 September 2024
Diplomatic extraterritoriality isn’t absolute, but a tool shaped by political necessity. Examples from historic ambassadors to Assange show how its application is influenced by power dynamics. Aldo Matteucci analyses.
The dangers of believing states always act rationally
15 September 2024
Blindly believing in state rationality can lead to disaster. Historical mistakes, from Brest-Litovsk to unrestricted warfare, show the dangers of ignoring past lessons. Aldo Matteucci analyses.
The end of freedom in cyberspace?
07 September 2024
Is cyberspace still a realm of freedom, or has it become defined by control and surveillance? With commercialisation and geopolitical tensions rising, are we trading too much privacy for security? Petru Dumitriu analyses.
The decline (and fall?) of the term ‘ambassador’
05 September 2024
The term 'ambassador' has fallen far from its original diplomatic prestige and is now often used for celebrities or corporate PR. Has its true meaning become a casualty of commodification? Aldo Matteucci analyses.
Is there cyberspace?
02 September 2024
Internet governance and digital policy, Jurisdiction, Legal and regulatory
No! There is no cyberspace! Pavel Durov faced this simple truth when he was detained on 24 August in Paris. The owner of Telegram and one of the moguls of the virtual world ended up in real-world jail. The reality of ‘no cyberspace’ was underscored last week with the Brazilian government’s threat to ban platform […]
Southeast Asia: The evolution of a regional concept
29 August 2024
WWII turned Southeast Asia from a collection of colonial names into a distinct region. Aldo Matteucci analyses the metageography behind the transformation.
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