Diplomatic Journey and Lessons

The speaker shares their journey from aspiring fighter pilot to diplomat, highlighting the randomness of life events. They recount their diplomatic career, including roles in the Middle East and at the UN. Disillusioned by the Iraq War, they resign and later found Independent Diplomat, a non-profit advisory group. The speaker discusses the fragmentation of global power and the rise of non-state actors, emphasizing the need for innovative diplomacy.

What theme does the speaker emphasize at the beginning of his story?

• The decline of state power

• The randomness of life and career paths

• The role of technology in diplomacy

• The importance of straightforward narratives

What was the speaker's childhood dream before becoming a diplomat?

• To be a diplomat

• To be a fighter pilot

• To be a journalist

• To be a politician

Which significant event did the speaker negotiate a resolution for at the U.N. Security Council?

• The Kosovo independence

• The fall of the Berlin Wall

• The 9/11 attacks

• The Iraq War

What led the speaker to take a sabbatical from his diplomatic career?

• A new job offer

• Exhaustion and disillusionment

• Family commitments

• A desire to travel

What was one of the reasons for the riots in Kosovo, according to the speaker?

• Lack of education

• Religious conflicts

• Disenfranchisement from diplomatic negotiations

• Economic instability

What is the primary mission of Independent Diplomat?

• To provide military support to non-state actors

• To advise governments on economic policies

• To offer diplomatic advice to non-state actors

• To organize international trade agreements

Which group is NOT mentioned as being advised by Independent Diplomat?

• Burmese opposition

• Northern Cypriots

• European Union

• Polisario Front

What does the speaker suggest is declining in the modern world?

• The role of education

• The importance of history

• The power of states

• The influence of technology

According to the speaker, who must take greater responsibility in a fragmented world?

• Governments

• Corporations

• Individuals

• International organizations

What is a key challenge Independent Diplomat faces in its mission?

• Lack of funding

• High chances of failure

• Opposition from governments

• Technological barriers