Diplomatic Conflict Resolution

Introduction

Diplomacy is the art of changing the behavior and the decisions of a foreign nation through dialogue, negotiations and means of conflict resolution apart from the use of violence. On the other hand, a diplomat is a person who hears, analyzes and deals with different tactful ways. Diplomacy is an official duty normally carried out by a diplomat (Volkan, Vamik).

Importance of Diplomacy

Diplomacy has a vital role in the whole nation. It tends to strengthen the government and its people. Moreover, it brings the countries together as it serves and maintains the interests of both states. In this way, they both live together in peace away from violence. It also enhances development and competition between both nations as they both engage in intercountry businesses.

When diplomacy fails, both countries may result in violence. Diplomacy is not only used to keep peace and harmony but also to end the war. A neutral party, usually a diploma, comes in and settle their issues. Diplomats do settle in and negotiate with the leaders on how they can tactically end the war between them. They help leaders in understanding the disadvantages of war and how war can negatively affect both states (Volkan, Vamik).

Government to government relationship is essential. It facilitates communications and hence supports and advises on a given matter. Moreover, good national relations lead to inter-governmental development. When people of different sovereignty work together, it leads to the economic development of both countries as they will trade-in products.

Background

Andrei Karlov was a Turkey ambassador to Russia. Karlov had served his country as an ambassador in many different countries. This includes North Korea. He conducted many diplomatic activities in the country. Moreover, he served as a deputy president at a department of the foreign ministry. He was an administrator and a great politician. His current duty was to serve as an ambassador to Turkey. He served his people and represented the interest of Russians citizens in Turkey. Moreover, he described the interests of his nations and helped the President of Russian sovereignty. He was a lawfully married man and a father to one son (Maltzahn and Nadia)

In 2016, the Russian ambassador, Karlov was assassinated at an exhibition in Ankara. He is known as a great and amongst the most excellent diplomat in the world. This known of his diplomatic expertise and at the moment he was serving his country in Moscow, and in late summer 2013, he was appointed as an ambassador to Turkey, Ankara city. Three years later, he was shot date in serving his nation (Kerr and Wiseman).

Before this incident, Russia and Turkey had deep ties. Although there were always some conspiracies between both nations, they were still in peace. Their boundaries were open to all their interactions as they are neighbors. Moreover, they ever traded together with various products. This led to both of their economic development. The assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey’s capital city threatened this relationship. However, when soviet communism collapsed, Turkey was forced to move closer to Moscow due to its intense energy policies. With this assassination, this relationship was also threatened (Muldoon and James).

Mevlut Mert Altintas was retired Turkey’s policeman who was identified to be the gunman. He had served with the turkey’s disciplined forces for at most two years before he retired. He was a 22-year-old man. Though it is not evident if Mert was linked with any group, it was always clear that he assassinated the Russian ambassador because of a stipulated cold war. Moreover, Mert was retired antiriot police. Turkey’s citizens say that while he was in service, he saw a lot of injustices from the Russian politicians and government. This was never proved to be true (Einbinder, Mary).

Before the gunman took the shot, he was heard saying ‘Don’t forget Aleppo”. Aleppo was a city in Syria. Some months back, some citizens were killed in the city. Speculations were that the killings were linked with the Russian military men. This was due to a political misunderstanding. It was stated that the Russian government was in support of the then contesting President Bashar al Assad. Most citizens in Aleppo city did not support al Assad. Russian than in support send their military personnel in retaliation. Some citizens were then killed due to this (Melissen and Jan)

Though the above report was never found to be accurate, most citizens think that the speculations are correct. The gunman took the shot, saying the city’s name. This showed that the retired soldier was acting in retaliation with the death of his fellow citizens. This was supposed to be the leading cause of the assassination. Moreover, the ambassador’s death happened a year after Turkey shot down one of the Russian military planes. Although the Turkish government apologized for that, much Russian government thought that the Turkish government wanted to wage war with them. This threatened Russia-Turkish ties.

Most nations responded to the death of the diplomat ambassador to Turkey. Turkey’s President also commented on the assassination. He saw this as a political strategy to break the ties between his country and Russia. He clearly stated that his government had neither internal social or political frauds with Russia. Moreover, they had a good healthy relationship with Russia; therefore, they had no reason to kill or hurt their ambassador.

Diplomats

Moreover, they have always stayed in peace and traded with the Russian government. The President, Recep Tayyip Erdego contacted the Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone and also over a video call. They both agreed that this was an act of provocation. It was an act of breaking both countries’ relationship (Muldoon and James).

The UN secretary cancel also reacted to the murder. They acted as a significant diplomatic team that settled both countries. They saw this as an act of terror and urged the Turkish government always to be careful and to learn to appease peace. UN had also been monitoring and tried to intervene diplomatically on the Aleppo situation. The commission coordinated the ceasefire operation between Russia and Turkey. The commission also intervened to settle the murder situation. Moreover, the Russian spokesman said that the UN, Russian, and Turkish investigators are all working together to find out the cause of their ambassador’s murder.

Press Reaction

The killing of Karlov set as the first killing of the Russian ambassador since the 1920s. The media handled this case openly. The photos of the gunman with a gun on his right hand and the other hand raised were printed on newspapers. These were the US newspapers amongst many publications worldwide. Moreover, in the picture was the body of the ambassador. Most newspapers, mainly the US newspapers, chose not to crop the victim’s body. Furthermore, internet news exposed both the shooter and the victim’s body (Einbinder, Mary).

The publishers argued whether it was ethical for them to air the pictures with the ambassador’s body. Most of the people in the world wondered how posting a photo with a victim’s body in it, help them understand well the news. They saw this is an unethical and as a significant failure to the press. TV stations such as BBC did crop the picture. This was ethical showed the level of respect that the media had towards the fallen ones.

Ally Reaction

After the ambassador’s assassination, it was clear that the Syrian problem had spilled and speeded conflicts all over the world. Russia is a well-developed country. With its energy policy and energy knowledge, they have many allies. Moreover, they trade with many countries in the world. Trade and energy are amongst the things that led to their development and ally’s development. In this case, the allies are ready to stand with them and support them in every way. However, Turkey, on the other hand, have friends and partners all over the world

Many countries around the world reacted to the ambassador’s murder. Amongst them is John Kerry, the US Secretary of State. He represents the United States of America and its President. He stated clearly that his country was ready to offer every assistance possible to Turkey and Russia. The united saw this as an act that threatened the diplomat’s safety all over the world. They provided support with the investigation (Volkan, Vamik).

Boris Johnson, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, and the French President represented their countries in reacting to the incident. They condemned the act calling it “cowardly act.” They stated that they stood with the Russian government all through the investigation. It was clear that both governments supported Russia. Moreover, they urged Turkey to stop the act of terrorism in their country.  However, the German Interior Security Minister, Thomas, represented Germany is reacting to the murder. He stated that the German stood and supported Turkey. They said that this was an act of terrorism, and it should be condemned in every way possible.

Consequence of the conflict

Russia-Turkey relationship risk falling apart- In 2015, when Turkey shot down Russia’s plane, Russia took the act seriously. They threatened war with Turkey. An apology from Turkey’s President prevented that. With the assassination of their ambassador, this risked their already pressured relationship.

Cyber-crimes: Russia is known for its in-depth well-rooted knowledge on the internet. In the past, they have been accused of hacking public and private networks and revealing leadership secrets. Turkey faced the risk of political trouble. The Russians can easily hack on their system and reveal secrets about their leaders. This can cause government disability and hence the failure of the entire government (Kerr and Wiseman).

Conclusion

In conclusion, diplomats must intervene between both countries. Prober investigation should be lounged. Both countries must talk and settle their issues.

References

Volkan, Vamik D. Psychoanalysis, international relations, and diplomacy: A sourcebook on large-group psychology. Routledge, 2018.

Von Maltzahn, Nadia. The Syria-Iran axis: cultural diplomacy and international relations in the Middle East. Vol. 137. London: IB Tauris, 2013.

Kerr and Wiseman. Diplomacy in a globalizing world. Oxford University Press, 2017.

Muldoon Jr, James P. Multilateral diplomacy and the United Nations today. Routledge, 2018.

Einbinder, Mary. “Cultural diplomacy harmonizing international relations through music.” Master of Art Thesis Gallatin School of Individual Studies New York University (2013).

Melissen, Jan   The new public diplomacy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.