What exactly do diplomats do, and why should we care? This introduction to the world of diplomacy explains who represents your country abroad, what issues they work on, and how their work impacts your life in ways you may not expect.
This educational resource on diplomats was created by Joël Dalibard as part of his residence as an SPPGA Practitioner Fellow.
Why Does Diplomacy Matter?
For most of us, life revolves around our communities. Our homes, schools, local businesses, the places where we work and play… But how often do we think about the connections between our daily lives and the rest of the world? In many countries, we’ve been fortunate enough to live without fear of being invaded by our neighbours. In fact, we buy products made overseas, use apps and services developed in other countries, eat food grown on foreign farms, and rely on technology designed thousands of miles away. At the same time, our own nations sell exports to global markets. These mutually beneficial connections feel so normal that we hardly notice them. But they’re more fragile than we think. World peace, global prosperity, and the hope for a better future all depend on a stable international system, one that we often take for granted.
Most countries prefer a predictable world where they can focus on improving life for their people, rather than constantly worrying about security threats. But not every government is happy with the way power is distributed. Some try to reshape global politics and economics to their advantage. When this happens, international security and trade can be thrown into chaos. Suddenly, things we don’t normally think about (like shipping routes, alliances, or trade policies) become problems that affect us directly. We look to our governments to manage these challenges, and they do so by communicating and cooperating with other countries. In other words, they engage in diplomacy.
The term “diplomacy” represents all the practices and institutions through which sovereign states manage their relations with each other. It’s the basis upon which global security, international trade, world health, and the protection of the planetary environment are built.
Think about some of the big problems facing the world today: wars, drug trafficking, financial crises, pandemics, nuclear proliferation, climate change... You quickly realize that none of these can be handled by one country alone. Governments can take steps to protect their populations, by stockpiling resources, strengthening their militaries, and building critical infrastructure, but these measures come at a high cost and only provide partial protection. Real solutions require cooperation, and that’s what diplomacy makes possible.
For as long as different groups of humans have interacted, people have had to figure out how to coexist and negotiate. Over the centuries, these traditions have grown into the diplomatic practices that we know today. In the past, kings sent emissaries to make deals, and royal families arranged marriages to form alliances. Today, diplomacy has evolved into a more sophisticated system. Countries establish permanent embassies in each other’s capitals, world leaders meet at global summits, and international treaties and organizations shape how nations work together.
Even when world politics shift and power struggles emerge, diplomatic institutions remain. They provide a structured way for countries, big and small, rich and poor, to communicate and work together. It’s through these mechanisms that our governments represent us on the world stage and what they say to each other shapes our lives, influencing our safety, job opportunities, cost of living, and so much more. So ask yourself: how much do you know about your country's diplomacy, and what it means for your future?
Who Does Diplomacy?
Who actually does diplomacy? Who has the authority to speak on behalf of a country? It is an important question, because the people who have this responsibility can influence their nation’s image and its relations with the rest of the world.
At the highest level, we often see presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers representing their country. In the past, it was more complicated for senior political figures to travel and meet in person, but now high-level meetings between world leaders have become common. It makes sense that these individuals speak for their state. Their authority is usually established in law, and they are responsible for making important decisions.
Leaders, however, cannot handle everything. They are incredibly busy and do not have time to dive into the thousands of international issues that arise every day. This is especially true when dealing with problems that require a lot of technical and legal knowledge. Think of trade rules, arms control, or oceans policy. These issues require the involvement of experts, people who understand the details and can develop practical solutions for leaders to consider. Even when a topic is not technical, it may still call for a deep understanding of another country’s politics, economy, history, language, and culture. Governments need people who can use that insight to represent them effectively.
This is where diplomats enter the picture. Diplomats are government officials who handle international issues and represent their country abroad. In today’s interconnected world, a state may need to permanently station hundreds of these officials across the globe, in addition to temporarily dispatching experts from its capital to attend various international meetings. With so many individuals representing the same state, it can be challenging to ensure that communications with the international community are consistent and accurate!
To manage this risk, many governments have created a professional foreign service, composed of officials who are trained to advocate for their country and have extensive knowledge of global affairs. For some high-profile international roles, countries may also appoint trusted individuals who are not professional diplomats. These are usually people who are politically allied with the government and can be relied upon to faithfully represent its views.
Regardless of who serves as a country’s representative, it is essential that they respect the nature of their role. In the early 17th century, English diplomat Sir Henry Wotton joked to an acquaintance that “An ambassador is an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.” The comment was meant to be lighthearted, but it continues to be quoted because it captures a certain truth about diplomatic work: when a diplomat speaks, they are not expressing their personal opinions. Their job is to present and defend their country’s position. They are expected to say what is needed to advance the national interest, as defined by their government, even if they don’t personally agree with it. On the global stage, a country may have many representatives, but to deliver its messages effectively it must speak with one voice.
What Issues Do Diplomats Work On?
As we’ve seen, a diplomat’s job is to advance their country’s interests abroad. But what does that actually involve? In practice, diplomatic work tends to fall into five broad categories:
Political advocacy and action
Diplomats advance their country’s priorities on global issues such as peace and security, defence, law enforcement, disaster response, human rights, health, and environmental protection. Addressing these challenges requires engaging with other governments. Such interactions can take the form of cooperation when interests align, or confrontation when they don’t.
Trade promotion
Diplomats help strengthen their country’s economy by negotiating trade agreements, helping businesses gain access to international markets, and attracting foreign investors.
International development
Diplomats manage aid programs that provide funding and expertise to developing countries. These efforts aim to improve conditions abroad while also promoting the donor country’s goals (for example, by encouraging open markets or the advancement of human rights).
Consular assistance
Diplomats help citizens from their country who are living or travelling abroad. This could mean replacing a lost passport, helping someone contact family during a crisis, checking the status of citizens arrested by local police, or organizing the return of travellers caught in a war, pandemic, or natural disaster.
Immigration
Diplomats review applications from foreigners who wish to enter their country, whether as students, workers, visitors, refugees, or other categories. Because they are posted abroad, these officials can meet applicants in person if necessary.
All five areas are important, and each requires specific skills and knowledge. For example, a diplomat working on political issues may need expertise in international law and defense cooperation. A trade specialist must understand complex trade rules and know how other countries might try to get around them. Development experts must be able to recognize when aid funding is being misused. Consular officers are trained to look for signs that a citizen jailed abroad could be experiencing mistreatment. Immigration officials are skilled at evaluating whether foreigners meet entry requirements and identifying applications with false information.
Where Do Diplomats Work?
Most diplomats work in two main types of institutions: foreign ministries and diplomatic missions.
A foreign ministry is usually based in the country’s capital. It coordinates foreign policy and provides the government with expertise on global issues. To make sure international policy reflects national priorities, foreign ministry officials consult a wide range of domestic partners. These may include:
- Senior decision-making bodies like the office of the president or prime minister, and core national institutions such as the office of the National Security Advisor (in countries that have one).
- Other government organizations with international responsibilities, including the military, police, and departments overseeing agriculture, industry, natural resources, health, justice, culture, or the environment.
- Regional or municipal governments looking to create international opportunities for local businesses.
- Private companies pursuing overseas markets or facing foreign competition.
- Civil society groups with international interests, such as Indigenous communities, diaspora groups, academics, and global activists.
One of the foreign ministry’s most important tools is its network of diplomatic missions abroad. These missions report to the ministry and allow the country to gather information and take action in other parts of the world.
Missions come in different forms:
Embassies are based in foreign capitals and usually handle a wide range of activities, including political, trade, and consular work, as well as development programs (if the host country receives assistance). Embassies often include staff from other government departments. For example, many embassies include a military officer known as a defence attaché, who promotes cooperation between armed forces and monitors regional conflicts.
Permanent missions represent countries at international organizations like the United Nations or the World Trade Organization. They focus on the issues discussed at those institutions.
Consulates (and the larger Consulates-General) are located in foreign cities outside the capital. They typically focus on trade and consular services but may also deal with political matters.
Diplomats usually rotate between postings abroad and roles at the foreign ministry, typically serving in each assignment for a few years. These rotations help them stay in touch with developments at home, so they can represent their country more effectively overseas.
What Do Diplomats Aim to Achieve?
So what do diplomats hope to accomplish in practical terms? Their day-to-day work depends on their position and location, but most focus on four key objectives:
1. Explain the world to their country
Diplomats gather and analyze information about other countries, then report back to help their government, businesses, and citizens make informed decisions. This requires knowledge of foreign languages, politics, history, economics, and culture. It also necessitates a strong understanding of their own country’s priorities.
2. Build connections across borders and cultures
Diplomats rely on relationships. Whether they’re negotiating a security agreement or promoting a trade deal, they must identify key people, build trust, and find ways to work together. That’s why diplomats try to spend more time meeting people than sitting behind a desk.
3. Advocate for their country’s interests abroad
Diplomats are responsible for explaining their country’s policies. The goal is usually to persuade other governments to respond positively, but sometimes a negative reaction is anticipated. In either case, it is important to ensure that other states understand why a country has taken a particular position. A skilled diplomat draws on their international knowledge to anticipate how foreign governments, businesses, or publics are likely to interpret their country’s actions, and they adjust their message accordingly.
4. Provide their country with the capacity to take external action
Diplomacy isn’t just about explaining a country’s views, it’s also about taking action to shape foreign events. While states have many institutions to implement domestic policy, only a few government bodies can carry out operations internationally. The most central of these are: the diplomatic corps, the military, and intelligence services.
Governments rely on diplomats to take action in a wide variety of ways. For example, they may send them to conflict zones to broker ceasefires, ask them to organize trade missions to open new markets, have them inspect remote development projects to decide whether to provide funding, or deploy them to a pandemic zone to coordinate the evacuation of citizens. Diplomats make such initiatives possible thanks to their deep understanding of local conditions, connections to foreign decision-makers, and ability to assess and manage risks on the ground. It can be physically demanding (and at times dangerous) work, far from the polished image many people have of diplomacy.
Diplomats and You
Most of us don’t interact with diplomats on a daily basis, but diplomacy is not some distant activity reserved for world leaders or faceless bureaucracies. Like any other branch of government, diplomacy is a public service—carried out by professionals working to protect national interests and solve problems that affect real people. The issues diplomats tackle are international in scope, but they are just as relevant as the topics debated in national or local politics. At its best, diplomacy helps make the world safer, more stable, and more open, not just for governments, but for everyone.
It is important to be aware of how we can benefit from the services diplomats provide. If you care about global challenges (such as peace and security, economic prosperity, human rights, transnational crime, new technologies, development, health, or climate change) diplomats are the ones making sure your country has a voice in international discussions. In democratic systems, citizens can influence this work through their elected representatives and public consultations. If you are an entrepreneur looking to expand into foreign markets, diplomats can help you navigate local conditions, find customers, and secure fair treatment. You just need to reach out to your government to take advantage of this support. And if someone you know loses a passport, is arrested, or gets caught in a natural disaster overseas, you can contact your country’s foreign ministry to see if there are diplomats on the ground who can provide assistance.
In the end, we are all stakeholders in our country’s diplomacy and in the international system more broadly. Understanding global issues, recognizing how they affect us, and taking an interest in the work done by our diplomats helps us engage more meaningfully with the world. The more engaged we become, the more power we have, as informed citizens, to help shape the kind of international future in which we want to live.
Q&A: Diplomatic Myths, Misconceptions, and Must-Knows
The word “diplomat” originates from the Latin diploma, meaning “official document,” which in turn comes from a Greek term referring to “a doubly folded paper.” This terminology reflects the fact that, historically, foreign envoys carried elaborate certificates to prove their status. Even today, ambassadors (the most senior diplomats posted abroad) present a formal Letter of Credence from their head of state when they first arrive in a new country. This letter officially confirms their position and authorizes them to speak on behalf of their government.
Stories sometimes appear in the media about diplomats avoiding prosecution for crimes because of their diplomatic status. This can seem surprising and unfair. Why do diplomats have this kind of legal protection, and how are they held accountable for their behaviour?
Historically, being a diplomat has been a risky job. There is a long history of rulers executing foreign envoys as a way of signalling displeasure with their message! Even today, diplomats can be tempting targets for capture and questioning, since they may have access to sensitive information or serve as hostages. In most cases, however, modern states refrain from this behaviour and instead offer reciprocal protection for each other’s diplomats. There is a strong incentive to respect the safety of foreign emissaries because no state wants to see its own representatives being arrested or blackmailed, and forced to reveal state secrets. Both powerful and weak states recognize that if the safety of diplomats is not guaranteed, it becomes very difficult to send representatives to other countries and achieve foreign policy objectives.
To ensure that diplomats are given certain minimum protections, states have developed a common set of rules described in two international agreements: the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The countries that signed these treaties have promised to grant diplomats and their immediate family members immunity from certain local laws, including criminal and fiscal legislation. While the two treaties differ in scope, their shared goal is to prevent governments from using their legal systems to intimidate or pressure foreign diplomats.
None of this means that a diplomat can simply ignore local laws. The immunity granted by the Conventions belongs to a diplomat’s home country, not to the diplomat personally. A state that sends its diplomats abroad is responsible for ensuring that they follow the norms of the countries where they are posted, including with respect to daily activities such as paying bills and obeying traffic rules. If a diplomat misbehaves, their country usually has two options. First, it could waive immunity, allowing the diplomat to be prosecuted locally. This, however, is rare. States do not want their envoys to be interrogated by foreign authorities, in case they are pressured to answer questions about their diplomatic work. The more common approach is to bring the accused diplomat home, so that they can face consequences there, including possibly being prosecuted for what they did abroad.
It is important to note that a country only grants immunity to diplomats that it has formally recognized and to whom it has issued diplomatic identification. Other foreign officials who visit a country for a business trip or for personal travel do not usually benefit from diplomatic immunity.
One document that is often mistakenly associated with diplomatic immunity is the special passports that diplomats carry. Diplomatic passports usually look a bit different from regular passports and indicate that the bearer is a government official, but they do not automatically grant diplomatic privileges. States may choose to grant some special treatment to foreign officials carrying diplomatic passports, such as faster border entry procedures, but no one can use a diplomatic passport to claim they are above the law.
Popular culture sometimes portrays diplomatic life as luxurious, but this is an outdated image. Part of the reason it persists is that, for a long period, diplomacy was dominated by aristocrats and other wealthy individuals who lived in large residences and hosted grand events. This kind of extravagance helped them to expand their social circles and gain influence in the countries where they were posted. Some traditions from that era still remain today, such as the use of highly formal language in diplomatic correspondence.
Today, diplomats are regular civil servants and must be mindful of taxpayer money. When posted abroad, most live in standard accommodations similar to what they would have at home. The exception is official residences provided to ambassadors, which tend to be more spacious and carefully decorated. These buildings are often impressive, but it is important to remember that they belong to the government and are primarily workspaces. They are used for meetings and other official activities. Their design is intended to raise the prestige of the country and attract high-level guests.
As for diplomatic receptions, they may look like social events, but they provide vital opportunities for work-related networking and informal discussions. Diplomats use these gatherings to approach key figures who might otherwise be inaccessible and to casually advocate for their country. Participants can also take advantage of these occasions to address issues that are too sensitive to raise in a formal meeting. Effective diplomacy requires influence, and receptions are a tool for building that influence.
Movies and TV shows often blur the line between diplomats and spies. While both operate abroad to advance their country’s interests, their roles are fundamentally different. Diplomats work openly and legitimately, whereas spies operate covertly and may, in certain cases, violate the laws of the foreign states where they are active.
The international diplomatic system depends on a shared understanding that diplomats will not misuse their privileges. If a country uses diplomatic immunity as a cover for illegal intelligence operations, it risks serious consequences, including the expulsion of its diplomats and increased suspicion from other governments.
A common misconception about embassies is that the land they occupy becomes foreign territory. The idea that you can enter another country simply by stepping into a building is amusing, but it is far from the truth. The space on which an embassy stands remains part of the host country, and you won’t need a passport to enter (though you will likely need to show some ID!).
So what is the actual status of the land where a foreign diplomatic mission is located? Just as diplomats are granted immunity from certain local laws, embassies and consulates also receive special protections to ensure they can function without interference from the host government. These protections are outlined in the same international agreements that govern the rights of diplomats: the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Under these treaties, host governments are required to protect foreign embassies and consulates and to respect their “inviolability”, which means the host’s officials cannot enter the premises without permission. Embassies also benefit from certain fiscal privileges, such as an exemption from local property taxes.
While the fact that embassies are not technically foreign soil may be less dramatic than the popular myth, the concept of inviolability is critically important. Embassies and consulates are intended to be secure spaces where foreign governments can manage their affairs within the host state, confident that these activities are confidential. Violations of these protections are taken very seriously by the international community, because every country relies on the expectation that its diplomatic missions will remain safe.
When a country opens an embassy in another state for the first time, or reopens a mission that was previously closed, it is usually seen as a sign that relations are improving and that there is interest in future cooperation. Conversely, when two states experience a serious breakdown in relations, one possible response is to cut off diplomatic ties. This typically involves a state closing its embassy and expelling the other country’s diplomats. It is a drastic step, signaling that meaningful dialogue is no longer possible unless major changes occur.
These kinds of actions can give the impression that opening an embassy is a sort of prize that is granted or withdrawn based on the good behavior of the host country. But that is an oversimplification. An embassy is far more than a symbol of bilateral relations. It is, above all, a practical tool that allows a country to gather information, build relationships, and promote its national interests within the territory of another state. These are valuable capabilities, and governments are often reluctant to give them up.
Because embassy buildings and staff are protected from local jurisdiction under international law, they can continue operating even in hostile environments, providing on-the-ground access and influence that might otherwise be unavailable. As long as a host country wants to maintain its own embassies abroad, it has a strong incentive to respect the rights of foreign missions on its territory. The host can attempt to make life difficult for foreign diplomats, notably by trying to complicate their movements or restricting access to local officials, but it is difficult to stop them entirely from engaging with the population or sharing information.
Ultimately, the decision to open or close an embassy is based on a country’s strategic interests. Closing an embassy sends a powerful message of disapproval, but it also means giving up the advantages of a direct presence. Keeping an embassy open, even during times of tension, preserves options and maintains a valuable position on the ground. Both choices can be valid, but the decision is rarely as simple as rewarding a friend or punishing an opponent.
Diplomacy is often seen as an activity focused on peace. After all, a diplomat’s role is primarily defined as advancing their country’s interests through negotiation and advocacy, leaving the use of force to the military. There is some truth to this view. Throughout history, much diplomatic work has been dedicated to preserving peace, and many international institutions (such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice) exist specifically to encourage states to resolve disputes through diplomatic rather than military means.
When a war occurs, it is often described as a “breakdown in diplomacy”. Diplomacy, however, does not stop when the guns start firing. Diplomats remain active before, during, and after an armed conflict, because the work of managing a country’s foreign relationships never ends. For one thing, any country involved in war will need allies and international support. Diplomats play an essential role in making their government’s case to other states. Just as importantly, nearly all wars eventually end through some form of negotiation. The outcome of these talks depends on whether diplomats can identify solutions acceptable to both sides. Ideally, the discussions not only stop the fighting, they also lay the groundwork for lasting peace.
At their core, both diplomats and soldiers have roles dedicated to protecting their state’s interests in the face of external challenges. Because their functions are closely connected, they often work together, sharing strategic information and insights. In fact, this collaboration can shape the course of a conflict. Just as military conditions can influence diplomacy, diplomatic efforts can affect what happens on the battlefield. In the end, states cannot rely on one and ignore the other. Having effective diplomats is just as important as having a well-prepared military.
A (Mostly Realistic) Day in a Diplomat’s Life - Mira and the Luthanian Crisis
Sudden News From Luthania
Mira Kovac worked at the Foreign Ministry of Velkarya, where she was a junior official responsible for relations with the neighbouring country of Luthania. The two states had enjoyed long-standing friendly ties and engaged in various forms of cooperation, including the dispatch of Velkaryan military trainers to help Luthania improve its armed forces. Recently, however, Luthania had been facing aggressive moves by its larger western neighbour, Zyndaria, which seemed intent on seizing an area of Luthanian territory known to contain valuable minerals.
On a sunny Tuesday morning, Mira went to work as usual. Media had been reporting Zyndarian troop concentrations near Luthania for two weeks, but nothing notable had occurred in recent days. Mira focused on her main task, which was to make preparations for an upcoming visit to Luthania by Velkarya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lukas Vukovic. The visit was intended to reassure the Luthanian government that Velkarya would support its sovereignty despite the threatening moves made by Zyndaria. Mira carefully reviewed the latest plan for the visit, which had been prepared by her colleagues at the Velkaryan Embassy in Luthania’s capital, Villemarche.
In the late morning, Mira checked the website of Luthania’s main news service to see if anything notable had happened. The headline was chilling: "Alert: Zyndarian Troops Enter Luthania!". Her heart pounded as she read the article. After checking various other websites to make sure the report was genuine, she forwarded the information to her deputy director, Ivan Marek, her director, Elena Vosnic, and her director-general, Tomas Grevec.
Moments later, an e-mail arrived from one of Mira’s colleagues, Emil Radev, a diplomat at the Velkaryan Embassy in Villemarche:
From: Emil Radev, First Secretary, Velkaryan Embassy to Luthania
To: Tomas Grevec, Elena Vosnic, Ivan Marek, Mira Kovac
CC: Ambassador Viktoria Sarica
Subject: URGENT: INVASION CONFIRMED – EMBASSY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN ACTIVATED
Colleagues,
Around 10:00 am, local time, Zyndarian troops crossed into Luthania at multiple locations. Luthanian forces are putting up fierce resistance, particularly around the suburbs of Clairmont and key bridges near Montreval. The government has declared a state of emergency, and military units are mobilizing across the country. The airspace over Luthania has been closed.
In response, Ambassador Sarica has initiated the Embassy’s emergency response plan. Our primary focus at this time is ensuring the safety of our personnel and Velkaryan nationals in Luthania. We are maintaining close contact with the Luthanian government and other diplomatic missions in Villemarche. Our consular team has begun issuing warnings via e-mail and social media, advising Velkaryan citizens to move away from the border region and seek shelter. We will continue providing updates as the situation develops.
Emil
Just as Mira finished reading, her phone rang. It was Henri Dumont, her regular contact at the Luthanian Embassy in Velkarya. "Mira, I need to speak with you urgently," he said, his voice strained. "I imagine that you have seen the news. Ambassador Fournier requests an immediate meeting with your director-general to convey the Luthanian government’s position and request support from Velkarya."
"Understood, Henri. I’ll set it up and call you back with a time slot."
Internal Coordination Begins
Mira quickly composed an e-mail to the director-general’s assistant, Nadja Petrovic:
From: Mira Kovac
To: Nadja Petrovic
CC: Ivan Marek, Elena Vosnic
Subject: URGENT: Request for Meeting with Luthanian Ambassador
Nadja,
The Luthanian Ambassador, Laurent Fournier, has requested an urgent meeting with Director-General Grevec to discuss Luthania’s position on the invasion and immediate assistance needed from Velkarya. Please confirm the earliest available time. This is a high-priority matter.
Mira
Not content to wait, Mira left her desk and walked straight to Nadja’s office to ensure she had seen the e-mail. "This needs to be scheduled as soon as possible," she emphasized. Nadja, already aware of the breaking news, nodded and promised to confirm within minutes.
Once the meeting was arranged, Mira called Henri back. "Henri, the meeting is set for 1:30 PM. I’ll be waiting for Ambassador Fournier in the lobby to bring him up to Director-General Grevec’s office."
Next, she sent a message to Emil at the Velkaryan Embassy in Villemarche:
From: Mira Kovac
To: Emil Radev
Subject: Meeting Confirmed – Luthanian Ambassador with DG Grevec
Emil,
A meeting has been set between Luthanian Ambassador Fournier and Director-General Grevec for 1:30 PM. We expect the Ambassador will present a request for assistance. If you can share any information from your local sources in Villemarche about what specific support the Luthanian government is likely to request from us, this would be very helpful so that we can be prepared to respond appropriately.
Mira
With the immediate diplomatic coordination underway, Mira compiled a list of all the other offices that needed to be informed of the situation.
Her list included the following organizations:
- The Foreign Ministry’s Security and Defence Division, which would work with the Policy Division at the Ministry of Defence to assess the security implications of the invasion and advise on possible diplomatic and military responses.
- The Ministry of Defence’s Training Cooperation Office, which was responsible for the dispatch of Velkaryan officers to Luthania as military trainers.
- The Cabinet Office’s Foreign Policy Unit, which supported the Prime Minister and handled coordination between different ministries on major foreign policy files.
- The Office of the National Security Advisor, which would need to analyze whether Velkarya faced a security threat as a result of the events in Luthania and would report to the Prime Minister.
- The Foreign Ministry's Consular Affairs Division, which would need to organize efforts to assist Velkaryan citizens in Luthania, including possibly arranging evacuation routes.
- The Foreign Ministry’s Communications Division, which would have to prepare official announcements about Velkarya’s position regarding the conflict and answer questions from journalists. This team would also be able to monitor news services and social media for information related to the conflict.
- The Ministry of the Interior's Division for Refugee Affairs, which would need to be involved if any Luthanian nationals tried to seek refugee status in Velkarya.
Mira quickly drafted an e-mail to all these offices, had it approved by her managers, and sent it:
From: Mira Kovac
To: Relevant Ministries and Divisions
Subject: URGENT: Situation Update – Luthania Invasion & Diplomatic Response
Colleagues,
As you may have seen, Zyndarian forces have launched an invasion of Luthania, entering at multiple locations. The situation is escalating rapidly, and Luthanian forces are engaged in heavy fighting. Our embassy in Villemarche has activated its emergency response plan to coordinate safety measures for our personnel and citizens.
A meeting between Luthanian Ambassador Laurent Fournier and Director-General Grevec is scheduled for 1:30 PM today. The Ambassador will outline Luthania’s position and its request for Velkaryan support. Further updates will be provided as we receive them.
Please ensure your teams remain on high alert and prepared to coordinate our response. More details to follow.
Mira
Senior Management Becomes Involved
Meanwhile, Director-General Grevec composed his own e-mail to senior officials, including Viktor Havel, the Director of the team responsible for conveying information to Minister of Foreign Affairs Vukovic.
From: Tomas Grevec, Director-General
To: Aneta Zoric (Deputy Minister), Pavel Dragan (Assistant Deputy Minister), Viktor Havel (Director, Minister’s Liaison Team)
Subject: URGENT: Luthania Crisis – Situation Update & Next Steps
Colleagues,
As you may already be aware by now, Zyndarian forces have launched a full-scale invasion of Luthania. Luthanian troops are engaging in heavy resistance, particularly in key locations such as Clairmont and Montreval.
Our embassy in Villemarche has activated its emergency response plan. Immediate measures have been taken to ensure staff safety, maintain coordination with Luthanian authorities, and provide consular guidance to Velkaryan nationals in the country.
Viktor, please ensure that the Minister is personally informed of these developments as soon as possible. The Minister’s upcoming visit to Luthania should likely be postponed until we have greater clarity on the situation, though it may still serve as a meaningful gesture of solidarity at a later stage.
I am about to meet with the Luthanian Ambassador, who is likely to request our support. I will provide an update following our discussion.
Tomas
The Meeting with the Luthanian Ambassador
At 1:30 PM, Mira escorted Ambassador Fournier and Henri Dumont to Director-General Grevec’s office. After greetings were exchanged, the meeting began.
Ambassador Fournier: “Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice. I will be direct. We urgently need the support of our friends. The international community must condemn this aggression. We need strong statements, sanctions against Zyndaria, and diplomatic outreach to rally other countries to our cause, including at the United Nations. Additionally, we seek immediate military assistance in the form of weapons and supplies. We also hope Velkarya will maintain its existing commitments. Our military training program must continue. Suspending it would encourage Zyndaria to think you are abandoning us."
Director-General Grevec: “Ambassador Fournier, Velkarya has always valued its partnership with Luthania. We understand the seriousness of the situation. I will convey your concerns and requests to my colleagues. We will assess the situation thoroughly and determine how best to respond.”
After the meeting, Director-General Grevec turned to Mira. “Draft a report on this meeting. Check it with me for approval, then circulate it to all relevant offices.” Mira nodded and got to work.
An hour after the meeting with Ambassador Fournier, Mira’s report had been circulated to the Minister’s office as well as the divisions she had previously identified. In addition, the Foreign Ministry’s United Nations Division had become involved, following Luthania’s request for support at the UN. Each of the relevant divisions started providing feedback to Mira and her managers regarding their perspective on events in Luthania. Information also began to come in from Velkaryan embassies around the world, explaining how other countries were responding to the conflict. The workload was becoming too much for just Mira and her managers to handle, and steps were taken to reassign staff to deal with the crisis.
The Call with the Minister of Foreign Affairs
While this was going on, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vukovic had requested a video call with Ambassador Viktoria Sarica (speaking from the Velkaryan Embassy in Villemarche) and Director-General Grevec. The Minister's Office had been able to free up a few minutes in his schedule, so that he could hear directly from senior officials about the current situation.
Minister Vukovic: “Good afternoon, everyone. Let’s begin. Can you confirm that our staff in Luthania are safe?”
Ambassador Sarica: “Good afternoon, Minister. Yes, our personnel remain secure. All available protective measures are in place. As you are aware, we had already evacuated non-essential staff and the family members of our diplomats two weeks ago when Zyndarian troops started massing at the border.”
Minister Vukovic: “That’s reassuring. Please extend my encouragement to your team as they continue to work under these difficult circumstances. If the situation continues to degrade I’m prepared to authorize the closing of the mission. What about the situation of Velkaryan citizens? My colleagues in the legislature are already getting calls from their constituents asking us to help relatives and friends who are in Luthania.”
Ambassador Sarica: “My staff have received a lot of inquiries in the past few hours. We’re working with transportation companies to identify suitable options for Velkaryan nationals to leave the country. So far, there are still ground-based commercial routes available, but we may need to arrange our own evacuation if the situation worsens.”
Minister Lukas Vukovic: “Okay, I want to be kept informed regarding efforts to help our citizens. Now, what is the current situation on the ground?”
Ambassador Sarica: “Minister, the situation has progressed since this morning. Zyndarian troops have now taken Clairmont and are advancing toward the next town, Ravignac. Luthanian forces are engaged in heavy resistance, but the situation remains dire as Zyndarian reinforcements continue to arrive.”
Minister Vukovic: “I see. What about my potential visit to Luthania? Is it conceivable to travel at this point and, more importantly, would it serve a meaningful purpose? I’m open to suggestions, even if there are risks involved, as I want to show strong solidarity with Luthania. However, I don't want to make a trip that would jeopardize the safety of staff or distract from more urgent concerns.”
Ambassador Sarica: “Under the current conditions, Minister, I think the Luthanian government is not in a position to consider a visit. I’ll let them know of your willingness to come if the situation stabilizes enough to make a visit feasible.”
Minister Lukas Vukovic: “Fair enough. I also understand that Luthania has requested that we maintain our military training program in the country and consider additional forms of assistance. Could you provide more details on that request?”
Ambassador Sarica: “Luthania is stressing the importance of continuing our existing training program and is asking for military supplies. They've indicated that such assistance is key to their defence efforts.”
Director-General Grevec: “Minister, I have some additional information on that topic. We’ve been in touch with our colleagues at the Ministry of Defence. For now, they’ve ordered a withdrawal of all their personnel back to Villemarche in anticipation of the need to evacuate them. It wouldn’t be safe to keep them embedded with Luthanian units at this time, but further consideration is needed to see whether training can safely be resumed in some form. We have confirmed with other countries that have trainers in Luthania that they are taking similar measures.
With regard to sending supplies, a review of available assets is necessary, and we must consider both strategic and legal implications before any donations can be made.”
Minister Vukovic: “Thank you for that clarification. The Defence Minister and I may both need to explain our position to the Prime Minister later today. I received a text message from the PM’s chief of staff earlier indicating that her office is trying to open up time in her schedule for a meeting this evening. Tomas, make sure my office continues to receive updates on the situation in Luthania.”
Director-General Grevec: “Certainly, Minister.”
The Prime Minister Sets the Course
As Minister Vukovic had predicted, he and Minister of Defence Milena Dragovic were asked to come to the Prime Minister's office in the National Assembly building in the evening, after a sitting of the legislature. Prime Minister Ivana Petrova sat at a small conference table, accompanied by her chief of staff, Marko Dimitrov.
Prime Minister Petrova: “Good evening, and thank you for coming on such short notice. I only have a few minutes, so let’s get right to it. I received a briefing this afternoon from the National Security Advisor. His assessment is that if Luthania were to fall, it would expose Velkarya and our neighbours to further aggression from Zyndaria. As you know, I’ve indicated to the media and to the National Assembly that we intend to support Luthania. I need concrete proposals on how we can help them without directly entering the conflict.
First, I’d like to address the issue of our military trainers. What’s the current thinking on keeping them on the ground?”
Minister Dragovic: “Prime Minister, I regret to say that the risk is considered extremely high. Unless we’re prepared to put in danger the lives of the trainers, we need to pull them out of Luthania completely. The international law teams at my Ministry and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have concluded that having our trainers present could potentially expose them as legitimate targets for Zyndarian attacks. There is also the risk that their involvement could make us parties to the conflict. Any injury or loss among our trainers could weaken public support for our efforts to assist Luthania. We can’t easily justify keeping them embedded with Luthanian units at this time.”
Prime Minister Petrova: “Alright, Milena. Go ahead and bring them home. For the moment, we’ll focus on providing weapons and other supplies. I want your ministry to address the legal implications and review what assets we can afford to ship to Luthania as soon as possible.”
Minister Dragovic: “Yes, Prime Minister.”
Prime Minister Petrova (turning to Minister Vukovic): “Lukas, what steps are being taken regarding our support for Luthania at the United Nations and the development of sanctions?”
Minister Vukovic: “Prime Minister, our Permanent Mission to the UN is currently coordinating with like-minded countries to draft a resolution in support of Luthania. However, we’re facing significant challenges. Many states are hesitant due to fears of economic reprisals from Zyndaria. I’ve already instructed my officials to compile a list of nations that might be persuadable, and I plan to reach out directly, by phone and if necessary in person, to secure their backing.”
Prime Minister Petrova: “Very well. Of course, this is only the beginning. We need to convince those states to also send material aid. I want our embassies around the world to begin reaching out. Get Luthania to provide us with a list of what they need, so that we can use that information in our discussions with other countries.”
Minister Vukovic: “Understood, Prime Minister.”
Prime Minister Petrova (turning to her Chief of Staff): “Marko, we need a more comprehensive response plan that addresses all relevant issues, including the economic implications of the conflict. Please get the Cabinet Office to put together a list of suitable Ministers to participate in a Cabinet sub-committee. I'd like to see a proposal by midday tomorrow.”
Chief of Staff Dimitrov: “Yes, Prime Minister.”
Prime Minister Petrova: “Excellent. Thank you both for your clarity and prompt action. I expect we’ll be talking again soon. Marko will let you know the timing. Good evening.”
A Difficult Day Comes to an End, But the Story Is Just Beginning
Later that night at the Velkaryan Foreign Ministry, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the day’s events. Mira remained at her desk. She had spent the last few hours drafting background documents and talking points about the conflict for Minister Vukovic to use during his calls with the Foreign Ministers of other countries, some of which were scheduled for the following morning. A bit earlier, Director-General Grevec had received a report from Minister Vukovic’s office regarding the key points discussed during the meeting with the Prime Minister. He shared the information with his staff. Mira then summarised it in a short e-mail that she sent to Emil at the Velkaryan Embassy in Villemarche, copying Ambassador Sarica and other relevant officials, so that they would also be aware of the decisions taken by the Prime Minister.
With the day’s strain evident on her face, Mira picked up the phone for a final call with Henri Dumont at the Luthanian Embassy.
Mira Kovac: “Hello, Henri. I expected you’d still be at the office given the circumstances, so I took the opportunity to call.”
Henri Dumont: “Good evening, Mira. Yes, I’m still here. It’s been an incredibly long and difficult day.”
Mira Kovac: “I can only imagine. I know you must be deeply worried about your family back home. I hope they’re safe.”
Henri Dumont: “Thank you. I appreciate your concern. It’s been tough, but they’re managing as best they can.”
Mira Kovac: “I’m calling because my government would like to request a detailed breakdown of the specific assistance Luthania is seeking, both diplomatic and military. We can’t commit to meeting the requests, but having this information will help ensure that any aid we provide is aligned with Luthania’s real needs.”
Henri Dumont: “Understood. I’ll ask our headquarters to compile the details you requested.”
Mira Kovac: “That would be most helpful. Please keep me updated as soon as you receive it.”
Henri Dumont: “I will. Thank you for calling and for your support.”
Mira Kovac: “We’ll talk again soon. Good night.”
Henri Dumont: “Good night, Mira.”
