Diplomacy and National Security

This course examines the role of diplomacy as a central instrument of U.S. national security and foreign policy, analyzing how it complements and is reinforced by tools such as public persuasion, economic statecraft, and the use of force. Using a case study approach, students assess diplomatic engagement across more than two dozen historical and contemporary crises—from the opening to China and the end of the Cold War to coalition building in support of Ukraine. The course explores diplomacy’s varying roles in alliance formation and conflict resolution, enabling students to evaluate how diplomatic strategy advances U.S. objectives and mitigates risks in international affairs.