Secret Diplomacy as an Instrument for the Resolution of Contemporary Conflicts
Session
Political Sciences
Description
Secret diplomacy, as an important form of international relations conducted behind closed doors, is one of the most effective mechanisms for resolving complex conflicts in situations where public and formal negotiation channels fail to deliver results. Its main advantage lies in the ability to free actors from external pressure, rigid political positions, and public scrutiny, thereby creating space for a more honest exchange of views and the exploration of compromise solutions. Through discretion and flexibility, secret diplomacy enables the building of trust between conflicting parties and the testing of options that would otherwise face resistance in a public context. Historical examples confirm its value: the secret negotiations that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, or the secret communication channels during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, despite these advantages, secret diplomacy also carries certain risks. The lack of transparency can result in undemocratic decision-making, loss of legitimacy, and even the contestation of agreements reached in later stages of the peace process. In the modern international environment—characterized by a multiplicity of actors and spheres of interest—secret diplomacy remains relevant and often indispensable. Nevertheless, its success depends on the ability to translate results achieved in secrecy into formal and legitimate agreements, thus ensuring long-term stability and sustainability. Combined with public and institutional diplomacy, secret diplomacy is emerging as a key instrument for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in the 21st century.
Keywords:
secret diplomacy, conflict resolution, international relations, negotiations, compromise, peace process
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-982-41-2
Location
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
25-10-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
26-10-2025 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.339
Recommended Citation
Zejnullahu, Veton and Zejnullahu, Erion, "Secret Diplomacy as an Instrument for the Resolution of Contemporary Conflicts" (2025). UBT International Conference. 9.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2025UBTIC/PS/9
Secret Diplomacy as an Instrument for the Resolution of Contemporary Conflicts
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Secret diplomacy, as an important form of international relations conducted behind closed doors, is one of the most effective mechanisms for resolving complex conflicts in situations where public and formal negotiation channels fail to deliver results. Its main advantage lies in the ability to free actors from external pressure, rigid political positions, and public scrutiny, thereby creating space for a more honest exchange of views and the exploration of compromise solutions. Through discretion and flexibility, secret diplomacy enables the building of trust between conflicting parties and the testing of options that would otherwise face resistance in a public context. Historical examples confirm its value: the secret negotiations that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, or the secret communication channels during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, despite these advantages, secret diplomacy also carries certain risks. The lack of transparency can result in undemocratic decision-making, loss of legitimacy, and even the contestation of agreements reached in later stages of the peace process. In the modern international environment—characterized by a multiplicity of actors and spheres of interest—secret diplomacy remains relevant and often indispensable. Nevertheless, its success depends on the ability to translate results achieved in secrecy into formal and legitimate agreements, thus ensuring long-term stability and sustainability. Combined with public and institutional diplomacy, secret diplomacy is emerging as a key instrument for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in the 21st century.