What Diplomats Really Do | Alexander Karagiannis | TEDxIndianaUniversity

Alex discusses the structure of diplomacy, the difficulties in dealing with sovereign powers, and the cultural barriers that often arise.

Alexander has spent his entire career with the State Department in over a dozen positions including the Political-Military Officer in Turkey, the Director of the Office of UK, and the Political Chief in London.

[carolineatieno]

I'm a student studying Bachelor of International Relations and Diplomacy. And I really love being a Diplomat and to work overseas.

[meralynmelitante]

i love how the art of diplomacy gives you knowledge on how to handle situations and not taking it personally. I really admire diplomats, it is not just about how they carry themselves but how they think and being able communicate that without obvious bias.

[ТуратНурбеков-кц]

What a perfect, calm, balanced, determined speech

[agentloo]

My dads a diplomat and I love every part of it, you get to travel for free basically. Though changing schools is the worst part, and all diplomats (at least for my country) get paid way more when they’re in a foreign country

[ramadhanfarhan]

Personally I’m looking forward to be a diplomat in the upcoming years, I’m about to graduate as a Political science and international relations student/Turkey-Istanbul., although I’m from a country that suffers too much (Iraq), therefore we are as a country in desperate need of such as professional diplomatic careers to convey the real situation back to our country of origin. Working overseas and away from families and friends is tough for many but helping in developing your country’s reputation worths it.

[jeonsoyeon]

great speech, i want to become a diplomat

[윤혜령huiliog]

Since graduating in 1981, my diplomatic career has extended beyond traditional duties, involving sports diplomacy projects, cultural heritage protection, and highlighting the extensive responsibilities and dedication required in diplomatic service. To me, diplomacy is not just a profession but a dynamic mission to create meaningful change, through which I hope to inspire others to make a positive impact.

[samvallathur]

The Foreign Service is the best service and works in the best interest of our great Nation. We must salute to those sincere staff and thankful to them !!

[laxmipalde]

Broadened my perspective on diplomacy. Informative talk.

[Pwettyleahh]

Very eye opening!!! I definitely want to go into this field

[agnestaupelyte]

Thank you so much. It was sensitive, informative, and eyes-opening speech about the work of diplomats. I am grateful that I feel so inspired right now and from now I appreciate diplomacy so much more...

[hammadzahid]

The speech was very good, It gave a good perspective. The question is: Which "US values, interests and goals"?

[wxsh.]

im in 7th grade and you make it soo easy to explain and understand

[zahirefendi]

Thanks Karagiannis for this nice talk. You talked about the Kurds who are forced to live in difficult conditions. I am a historian. I wonder the source of all this. Look, when World War I started, Iraq belonged to the Ottoman Empire. The area was occupied by the British for oil resources. And the British administration was established there. This was of course a puppet kingdom. He confused the population balances in that area. Years later, the dictator Saddam emerged, empowered by the US against Iran. Unfortunately, he also made huge mistakes. It caused clashes based on religion and nation in the region. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen were displaced. Most of these refugees fled to Turkey and it was. Turkey has opened its doors to close to 1 million Kurdish refugees. Years later, Assad, another dictator, emerged and opened fire on his own people in Syria. Turkey also close to 4 million refugees who fled here, opened its doors. For nearly 10 years, Turks have been hosting millions of refugees because of the Syrian civil war. Despite all these, Turkey is fighting with one hand, the PKK terrorist organization. PKK within Turkey borders Iraq and Syria both (YPG) are fighting. We are also hosting millions of Arab, Kurdish and Turkmen refugees. BUT WE CANNOT MAKE OUR VOICE. ENOUGH.

[grantsokol]

Important take on how the US deals on an international level

[istoppedcaring]

it is my dream to become a diplomat, but it requires a lot of work, especially because it requires way more than just wanting to be one really really bad, you need to have a university degree and above that also pass exams on various topics and after that you must be selected by either some commision or, in my country, by the king

you wil only get selected if you stand out, which can be due to some nefarious reason like family ties or connections or bribes
(yes even in the west) or you must simply be so talented that they have to pay heed to you

also, in my country, and likely in most if not all, there aren't always open positions, some years no diplomats quit, what you can do is try and get an internship at a consulate or an embassy and end up being noticed
a prestige degree is also a great boon i hear, though can be especially hard to get

[pinguinobc]

Excellent examples. Sadly, most Americans still don't know what diplomats do and why we have them. Unfortunately, our current president, in his own ignorance and loathing of career public servants, also questions the need for diplomats and diplomacy. One wonders whether we are still, as Alex noted here, working to advance U.S. values, or if that practice has been tossed to the wayside in the name of xenophobia and admiration for foreign despots.

[Pablo-vrjs]

This is my dream job. Hope to someday be part of the USDOS.

[georgemukarabemakinto-frie]

Did he just say: “For us, to advance US values, interests and goals”? For sure he doesn’t lie. Interests, goals, ....which values?

[ethanmiller]

Very relevant topic in today's world