School of War Ep 234: A. Wess Mitchell on Diplomacy
Sep 26, 2025
Wes Mitchell, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of "Great Power Diplomacy," dives into the intricacies of diplomacy. He argues that diplomacy is crucial for great power competition and dispels common misconceptions about its nature. Mitchell discusses the strategic use of appeasement, differentiating it from deception, and emphasizes the importance of trained diplomats in today’s geopolitical landscape. He also evaluates diplomatic strategies regarding Ukraine, highlighting modern challenges and opportunities.
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Diplomacy As Strategic Tool
- Diplomacy is an integral component of grand strategy used to narrow gaps between national means and ends.
- It is not a transcendent escape from geopolitics but a tool states use to compete and survive.
Two Age-Old Critiques Of Diplomacy
- Two persistent critiques of diplomacy are the soldier's disdain and the lawyer's moral objection.
- These view diplomacy as either weak or immoral, but both misunderstand its role in statecraft.
What Proper Diplomacy Actually Does
- Proper diplomacy is neither transcendence nor mere janitorial service for war.
- It functions to add means (alliances, resources) or reduce threats, directly serving grand strategy.
