Defence diplomacy as a tool for improving military crisis management

This study aims to contribute to the theory and practice of defence diplomacy by proposing a comprehensive definition of the concept, identifying its key functions, and establishing the main principles of its implementation.

The author seeks to confirm that further enlargement of the existing knowledge about present day defence diplomacy both as a theoretical construct and an operational concept would improve the capabilities of the armed forces and the civilian elements of the national defence system to affect the foreign security environment in a favourable way.

The research methodology comprises induction, analysis, and generalization of direct empirical knowledge derived from the author’s observations and personal experience in defence diplomacy, including 12 years of work in Defence Attaché Offices and Combined Allied Headquarters in several countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South-Central Asia.

The paper suggests an advanced approach to the essence, principles, roles, and scope of defence diplomacy as a non-coercive instrument for military crisis management and conflict prevention. Furthermore, it examines the features of strategic engagement as a non-violent tool for easing tensions and avoiding armed confrontation.

The research results seek to enhance the theory of military crisis management and functionally enable conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations.