How does diplomacy differ from foreign policy?

While often confused, diplomacy and foreign policy are distinct concepts in international relations.

Foreign policy refers to the broad set of objectives, strategies, and tactics that guide a state’s interactions with other nations. It is established by political leaders to further the national interest—such as security, economic prosperity, and territorial integrity—and may employ a wide range of instruments, including military force, intelligence operations, trade, and diplomacy.12

Diplomacy is the primary, though not exclusive, instrument used to execute foreign policy. It is the established method of influencing the decisions and behavior of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue and negotiation, typically avoiding the use of force or violence. While foreign policy is often enunciated publicly to define a state's goals, diplomacy is frequently conducted in confidence to resolve differences and build cooperation.13

In essence, if foreign policy is the "what" and "why" of a state's international agenda, diplomacy is the "how"—the peaceful, communicative process used to achieve those goals. When diplomacy fails, a state may resort to other tools of foreign policy, such as war or economic coercion.1