Diplomatic talks involve nation-states and their representatives engaging in discussion about policy, often with the goal of resolving conflict or preventing war. These discussions can lead to a diplomatic agreement, such as a treaty.
Diplomats can negotiate on their own or enlist outside mediators, such as the United Nations or another government. Outside mediation can provide impartiality, and it can also encourage groups to compromise. However, mediators are often required to invest significant time in negotiations, which can take away from other diplomatic activities. Furthermore, a conflict may resume if the mediator fails to facilitate a deal.
Negotiation is a common diplomatic activity, but it is important to remember that it’s not always effective. Many conflict resolution issues cannot be resolved by direct negotiation and require a larger framework of engagement, including political and humanitarian aspects. Ideally, diplomats will first engage through civil-military coordination capacities and only resort to formal diplomatic channels when there is no other avenue for resolution. When diplomats do engage in diplomatic negotiations, they must understand that they will almost always need to give up some of what they want. In diplomacy, as in all types of negotiation, you can never get everything on your wish list, no matter how masterful a negotiator you are. Great diplomats know this and plan accordingly. They prepare by learning everything they can about their counterparts, from their backgrounds and motivations to what motivates them within and outside their governments. They listen first and ask questions second, and they make it clear that they are there to help their counterparts solve problems, not to force their own agenda. They communicate clearly, with their body language and facial expressions aligned with their words.