Diplomacy is at the core of international relations as it is an essential tool in maintaining global stability while propagating national interest (Morgenthau, 2006). However, there are certain instances where diplomacy fails to achieve its goals and leads to tensions between states if not always conflicts. This composition outlines the link between failed diplomacy and the resulting conflicts, using the cases of Ukraine and Gaza as examples. By analyzing the causes, results, and common touchpoints of a failed diplomatic effort, we can gain a deeper understanding of the factors that lead to a conflict and how to mitigate such factors while practicing diplomacy.

Introduction To Failed Diplomacy

Diplomacy fails when the diplomatic efforts fail to get the mutually acceptable central stance between the conflicting parties. The primary causes of a failed diplomatic effort are lack of trust, diverging interests, power imbalances, and the involvement of external actors outside of the state actors (Steiner BH., 2004). The parties may resort to violence and armed conflicts when diplomatic efforts fail. This action not only causes distrust for a longer run, but also results in loss of life, property, and displacement of communities.

Failed diplomacy does not always come from failure to trying to have a mutually acceptable agreement. Diplomacy also fails when the conflicting states take no efforts for diplomacy at all. Some significant examples of failed diplomacy are the conflicts that erupted in Ukraine and Gaza.

Failed Diplomacy In Ukraine

One of the most significant examples of failed diplomacy in recent times is the conflict in Ukraine. The war itself began in 2022, but the crisis is rooted in Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the Donbas separatist conflicts. This deteriorated the relations between Russia and Ukraine. The mediated diplomatic efforts made to bring about Minsk agreements (UN Peacemaker Database, 2014) failed to resolve this conflict.

Both the states had different national interests and hence a varied range of power struggles. This led to the lack of trust hindered the progress in finding a diplomatic solution. The failure in diplomacy in Ukraine resulted in the devastating and calculated war in Eastern Ukraine, regardless of how it is playing for both the states involved.

Failed Diplomacy In Gaza

Another example of failed diplomacy is the conflict in between Israel and Palestine, where the 1995 Oslo Accords have miserably failed to deliver their goals (Rothstein, 2006). Tens of years of peace negotiations and diplomatic efforts crumpled like a falling house of cards when a non-state actor, Hamas, took the action in their hand. This action by Hamas failed to bring about a lasting solution to this conflict through diplomacy. Historical tensions, diverging interests, and power imbalance has made it even more difficult to bring this conflict a solution agreeable to both the states involved.

However, the intrinsic nature of the involvement of a non-state actor further complexes this conflict. A cycle of temporary ceasefires in play is not resolving the situation but giving these states a further breathing window to escalate. These escalations are further causing the diplomatic efforts to fail, even after involvement of third parties trying to broker peace.

The consequences of failed diplomatic efforts are visible in the humanitarian crisis being faced by civilians in Gaza due to the ongoing violence in the region.

Common Elements Of Failed Diplomacy In Ukraine And Gaza

The conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are geopolitically different and individually distinct, but there are some overlapping aspects in them when it comes to diplomacy.

One common point of failure in both cases is lack of trust among the conflicting states and their respective diplomatic parties. Without trust, the negotiations are fruitless as each part doesn’t echo on the other party’s intentions to uphold their words. This can be clearly seen in the fact that Hamas is holding back on the Israeli hostages (Wall Street Journal, 2024) even though Israel is vocal about ceasefire if all its hostages are returned to the state.

Second common point of failure is the involvement of external actors. Geopolitical interests and the varied degree of the dynamics of power generally obscure the resolutions, ultimately perpetuating the diplomatic channels and their processes. The external actors also play a critical role in manipulating these interests and dynamics. In the case of Ukraine, Russian involvement with the separatist groups within Eastern Ukraine has fueled the conflict (UN Peacemaker Database, 2014). Similarly, in case of Palestine, involvement of various proxy outfits operating in the region like Hezbollah, and the involvement of global powers like United States has complicated diplomatic initiatives. When these external actors try to leverage these conflicts to advance their interests, the conflict resolution stalls, and the diplomatic efforts tend to fail.

The third and lesser acknowledged point of diplomatic failure in both the cases is the tendency of not compromising for driving a solution. In case of Israel-Palestine, the state of Israel is not ready to compromise on a two-state solution (United Nations News, 2024) that is being pushed by many neutral states like India (The Hindu, 2024). Similarly, the Ukrainian state denied considering the set of conditions laid out by Russian diplomats during the peace talks being brokered by Turkey (The Guardian, 2022). Although, this denial may be a result of many factors like internal political situation, involvement of global powers, involvement of non-state actors, etc. The fact that compromise is set off the table, lead the peace talks entirely towards failure.

Impact Of Failed Diplomacy In General Landscape

Conflicts further escalate due to failed diplomacy.  The violent measures taken by the parties involved in a diplomatic effort often leads to this escalation (Mearshieimer, 2001). Distrust and animosity between the involved parties further spirals due to such violence and draws them into a vicious cycle of conflict. The conflicts, though being regional, expand to complicating global peace and regional stability. This also fuels segmentation of global civilian population that has compartmentalized views on the conflict.

For example, the global protests in support of Gaza are turning violent in some regions. The protests at the American universities like Princeton and the arrests of the protestors has fueled violence regarding Israel-Palestine conflict outside of the actual conflict zone. To mitigate such societal eruptions of violence, the US congress had to pass a bill to counter the antisemitic behavior (US Congress, 2024). That proves how such conflicts can transcend borders and hinder diplomatic efforts.

However, there are also instances where the transcending nature of such conflicts has also benefited the states and its people. In case of Ukraine, when the war started in 2022, many people fled the country. The EU states accepted the people of Ukraine seeking asylum with open arms (European Commission, 2022). That proves how such conflicts can transcend borders and support diplomatic practices. Not always on a state-level, but majorly on humanitarian grounds.

Lessons From The Case Of Gaza And Ukraine And Potential Solutions

The failing points of diplomacy in Ukraine and Gaza provide important lessons for the diplomatic practitioners. The first lesson is that building trust is of utmost importance in any diplomatic effort. Transparency and commitment to dialogue can help overcome any challenges during the diplomatic efforts being made.

Secondly, inclusivity should be acknowledged. Diplomatic actors should consider the grievances and goals of all the parties involved, making sure that their views are taken into account and are addressed with some assertive solution.

Thirdly, third parties should only be involved if they have the knowledge of subject matter and are not seeking to pursue their self-interest using the diplomatic table as a channel to execute their motives. Third parties being chosen to broker peace should be neutral in nature having good diplomatic relations with all the parties involved in conflict. India, as a rising middle power with solid diplomatic approach can play this critical role in brokering peace during global diplomatic efforts.

Conclusion

The conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine highlight the complexities of conflict resolution, especially when the conflict occurs due to failed diplomatic actions. Failed diplomacy can have irreparable consequences due to the violent measures undertaken by the involved states to pursue their interests. However, by understanding the points of diplomatic failure and by learning lessons from them, such diplomatic fail-points can be avoided in future diplomatic efforts. Building trust, upholding transparency, committing to inclusive approaches, and genuinely involving third parties for resolution is a way forward.

Diplomacy provides a means for dialogue, negotiation, and compromise, nurturing cooperation between the parties involved. The international community should work towards preventing conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine by prioritizing peaceful negotiations and investing in diplomacy.

 

References

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3. Morgenthau, H. (2006). Politics Among Nations: The Struggles For Power And Peace. New York: McGraw Hill.
4. Rothstein, R. L. (2006). How Not To Make Peace: “Conflict Syndrome And The Demise Of The Oslo Accords. Washington DC: United States Institute Of Peace.
5. Steiner BH. (2004). Diplomacy and international theory. Review of International Studies, 493-509.
6. The Guardian. (2022, March 10). Ukraine says talks in Turkey with Russia fail to make progress towards ceasefire. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/10/ukraine-talks-turkey-russia-fail-progress-ceasefire
7. The Hindu. (2024, April 09). We are committed to supporting a two-state solution: India on Israel-Palestine conflict. Retrieved from The Hindu.
8. UN Peacemaker Database. (2014). Minsk Agreement.
9. United Nations News. (2024, January 23). Rejection of two-State solution by Israeli leadership ‘unacceptable’, says Guterres. Retrieved from United Nations News: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145807#:~:text=Israel’s%20%E2%80%9Cclear%20and%20repeated%20rejection,threat%20to%20global%20peace%20and
10. US Congress. (2024, May 01). Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. Washington DC, Washington, USA: US Congress.
11. Wall Street Journal. (2024, February 06). Hamas Saya No Deal On Hostages. Retrieved from Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hamas-no-hostage-deal-war-israel-gaza-ali-baraka-ea66739c