Military Diplomacy: Concept, Principles and Recommendations

ABSTRACT: Military diplomacy is a complementary field to the IDF's core functions on the one hand, and a state's stand-alone strategic instrument on the other hand. In the first case, "classic" military diplomacy – maintaining ties with foreign militaries – enables improvements in capabilities and achievements in force design and force employment, and prevents mishaps that can emerge from friction with foreign militaries operating in the same theaters. In the second case, military diplomacy represents the only, or primary, channel with a foreign country, and is used as a tool of "strategic involvement" in order to prevent crises, to influence it, and to strengthen diplomatic ties. This field must be established as a profession in the IDF, and a strategic-operational concept must be created in order to place military diplomacy within diplomatic efforts.

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