"In a cosy coffee shop, Cangik and Limbuk sat at a small table, sipping their lattes and engaging in a lively conversation. Cangik, ever the witty and observant one, leaned in with a grin. 'You know, Limbuk, I was chatting with this culinary entrepreneur the other day. He’s got a few eateries around town and he’s always bragging about his latest ventures.'Limbuk raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Cangik continued, 'But what really caught my attention was when he mentioned that he could charter a private jet for $556.306. I mean, who needed that kind of luxury when you’re just trying to serve a good plate of martabak, bananas, and keripik?'Limbuk chuckled, nodding along. 'And then I started wondering, where did he get all that money from? I mean, I’ve seen his establishments. They’re nice, but not exactly Michelin-star material. It’s like he’s running a food empire on a shoestring budget… or maybe not?'Limbuk laughed more openly now, shaking her head in amusement. Cangik went on, “Think about it. He’s got private jets, and expensive stuff, and yet his restaurants are just… well, they’re just dining spots. It’s like he’s living in a different world. A world where money grows on trees and good food is just a side effect of being wealthy.”Limbuk rolled her eyes good-naturedly, clinking her glass against Cangik’s in a toast. “And don’t even get me started on the Instagram posts. ‘Just another day in the life of a culinary mogul’… with a private jet in the background. It’s like he’s trying to convince us that his business acumen is on par with his ability to serve a decent cup of coffee.'Limbuk laughed harder now, shaking her head in mock exasperation. Cangik added, 'But you know what the best part was? When he said things like, ‘I’m not just a businessman; I’m a visionary.’ A visionary who couldn’t even afford to serve a decent cup of coffee without breaking the bank a.k.a. money laundering.'Cangik paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. 'By the way, Limbuk, were you still going to guard your friend from all these absurdities? It's time for a change.'Limbuk responded, 'Well, I’ve been trying to protect him from all of his ridiculous stories. But maybe instead of constantly guarding him, I should just ask him to get down from his high chair.'Cangik nodded, 'That’s better. You’d better ask him to get down before he’s forced to do it.'Limbuk thought for a moment. 'But if he’s just allowed to walk away after he comes down, then what’s the point? If he’s just going to walk away after that, then it’s all for nothing.Cangik replied, 'I understand what you’re saying. Sometimes, everyone must be responsible for what they’ve done, including against you, right Limbuk?'The scene ended with their laughter echoing through the cosy coffee shop, as they revelled in the absurdity of it all. The world outside might have been full of quirks and contradictions, but inside, at least for now, they had each other and a shared sense of humour to keep them grounded. Then slowly their voices were heard singing Rihanna's song, 'Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? Well, that's alright, because I love the way you lie.'""Diplomatic isolation can significantly weaken a nation, it can erode economic stability, political power, security, and social cohesion, making it more vulnerable to both internal and external challenges," Cattleya continued."Diplomatic isolation refers to the condition in which a nation is largely cut off from formal diplomatic relations with other countries and international organizations. A country may become isolated due to its aggressive or hostile foreign policy, such as engaging in warfare, supporting terrorism, or violating international law. Severe and systematic human rights abuses can lead to international condemnation and isolation. Radical political ideologies, such as extreme nationalism or authoritarianism, may alienate other nations, leading to diplomatic isolation. A country undergoing civil war or severe political instability might be diplomatically isolated due to the unpredictability of its government. Failure to adhere to international treaties, nuclear non-proliferation agreements, or other global norms can result in isolation.The terms 'diplomatic' and 'diplomacy' are related but distinct in their meanings and usage. Diplomatic refers to something related to or characteristic of diplomacy. It can describe the methods, tools, or practices used in diplomatic activities. Diplomacy refers to the practice, process, and art of communication and negotiation between actors in the international system, aimed at achieving their foreign policy goals and resolving conflicts and disputes. It involves the use of various methods and tools, such as dialogue, persuasion, compromise, and coercion, to influence and shape the behaviour and outcomes of other actors. Diplomacy is the main instrument of foreign policy, representing the broader goals and strategies that guide a state's interactions with the rest of the world. Diplomacy is the broader concept involving the practice of international relations and negotiation, while diplomatic refers to specific aspects or elements related to this practice.Digital diplomacy, also referred to as Digiplomacy and eDiplomacy, is the use of the Internet and new information communication technologies to help achieve diplomatic objectives. It involves the interplay between technology and diplomacy, encompassing various aspects. Internet-driven changes in the diplomatic environment includes the emergence of new topics on diplomatic agendas, such as cybersecurity and privacy. The use of digital tools in diplomatic practice includes the use of social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Google to practice diplomacy.Digital diplomacy allows for two-way communication with foreign publics, increasing the impact of public opinion on foreign policy agendas. It provides additional channels for engaging with influential people and organizations on multilateral diplomatic campaigns. Digital diplomacy aims to keep the global audience informed about the latest international issues and to be as transparent as possible.Different terms like digital diplomacy, virtual diplomacy, cyber diplomacy, and e-diplomacy are used interchangeably but emphasize different aspects of digital communication in diplomacy. Social media, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) are key tools in digital diplomacy, influencing how diplomatic activities are conducted and the topics on the diplomatic agenda. Digital diplomacy offers benefits such as increased transparency and public engagement but also poses challenges like the spread of disinformation and the need for monitoring online risks.The European Union has adopted digital diplomacy as a tool to secure its global role in the digital world, protect its strategic interests, and promote its regulatory framework for an inclusive digital transformation. Initiatives like the 2012-2014 Campaign to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, led by then British Foreign Secretary William Hague, used a multi-channel digital and offline approach to engage UN organizations and states.Digital diplomacy has become a crucial aspect of modern international relations, transforming statecraft and providing new means for diplomatic engagement and communication.Diplomatic isolation can have profound effects on a nation, including economic hardships, reduced political influence, security vulnerabilities, social and cultural stagnation, internal instability, and humanitarian crises. Diplomatic isolation weakens a country's ability to engage with the rest of the world, leaving it vulnerable to a range of negative outcomes.The isolated nation may be barred from participating in key international organizations such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, or regional alliances, which limits its ability to engage in global governance. The country may have few or no bilateral agreements, which are essential for trade, security cooperation, cultural exchange, and other forms of international collaboration.Other countries may formally break off diplomatic relations with the isolated nation, closing embassies and ceasing official communications. The international community may impose sanctions or trade embargoes, further isolating the nation economically and politically.Sanctions are financial and trade-related penalties imposed by one country or international body on another entity, such as a country, company, or individual. These measures are designed to put economic, trade, political, and diplomatic pressure on the targeted entity to encourage it to change its behaviour or comply with international laws and regulations. Sanctions are used to deter specific behaviours, such as human rights abuses, war crimes, or financial crimes like money laundering and terrorist financing. They aim to restrict the targeted entity's resources, including financial, technological, or military capabilities. Economic sanctions were imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era to pressure the government to end its discriminatory policies. The sanctions, including trade embargoes and asset freezes, contributed to the eventual dismantling of apartheid and the transition to a democratic government in 1994.Sanctions are generally coercive, designed to force compliance with international laws or regulations. Sectoral Sanctions can significantly disrupt economic activities and have broader impacts on the targeted country or entity. The United States imposed economic sanctions on Russia following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. These sanctions included restrictions on financial transactions, asset freezes, and prohibitions on U.S. companies doing business with Russian entities. The European Union reduced diplomatic ties with Russia after its actions in Ukraine, including the closure of EU diplomatic missions in Russia and the suspension of high-level meetings.Sanctions can be imposed by self-governing states or international bodies like the United Nations (UN) or the European Union (EU). The more nations that agree with and enforce a sanction, the greater its impact is likely to be. The Netherlands has implemented financial sanctions, such as freezing bank accounts and banning investment in certain countries, to enforce compliance with international norms. For instance, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Netherlands imposed sanctions on Russian entities and individuals, including freezing assets and restricting financial transactions. The United Nations imposed a military sanctions (embargo) on North Korea following its nuclear tests in 2006. This included a ban on all military trade and the freezing of government assets. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposed sports sanctions on Russia in 2018 due to doping scandals. Russian athletes were barred from competing under the Russian flag, and many were forced to compete as 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' (OAR). The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) imposed sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and other high-ranking officials, including travel bans and asset freezes, to pressure them to abandon their nuclear program. The European Union has imposed environmental sanctions on countries that fail to comply with international environmental laws, such as those related to ozone-depleting chemicals and endangered species.Sanctions are typically enforced through various mechanisms, including restrictions on financial transactions, trade, and investment. Organizations and businesses must comply with sanctions lists and regulations, which can be complex and rapidly evolving. Sanctions can have significant economic and humanitarian impacts on the targeted country or entity, as well as on neighbouring countries and the international community. The long-standing U.S. embargo on Cuba has significantly restricted Cuba's economic growth and development. The embargo has limited Cuba's ability to engage in international trade, including restrictions on remittances and financial transactions with U.S. entities.Businesses must stay compliant by regularly reviewing their third-party due diligence policies and procedures against relevant global sanctions lists. Using automated software that updates frequently is a best practice to ensure compliance with changing sanctions, Financial institutions and businesses must regularly monitor and update their systems to comply with evolving sanctions lists. For instance, organizations use sanction search tools to check against publications across regions, such as the U.S., U.K., or EU, to ensure they are not transacting with sanctioned individuals or entities.An embargo is a government order that restricts commerce or exchange with a specified country, usually as a result of political or economic problems. It can take various forms. Trade Embargo is a prohibition on the import or export of goods, services, and other values to or from a particular country or entity. The United States has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba since 1960, following the Cuban Revolution. This embargo restricts U.S. companies from doing business with Cuba, including exporting goods and services, and prohibits U.S. citizens from travelling to Cuba for tourism purposes. The embargo has been in place for over six decades and has had a significant impact on Cuba's economy.Restriction on Commerce is any legal stoppage or hindrance imposed on commerce, including prohibitions on specific commodities or freight transportation. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union restricted Russian oil imports. While not a complete embargo, this measure significantly limits the amount of oil that can be imported from Russia into EU countries. This restriction aims to reduce Russia's revenue from oil exports and pressure it to end its military actions in Ukraine.A government order is an official directive from a government agency or regulatory body to prohibit or restrict the movement of merchant ships, goods, or services. In 2019, the U.S. government issued an executive order that prohibited U.S. companies from engaging in any transactions related to the importation of Iranian oil. This order was part of a broader set of sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran to renegotiate its nuclear deal with world powers. The order effectively banned U.S. companies from participating in the global oil trade with Iran, significantly impacting Iran's oil exports.The embargo can impact targeted entities. The United States has imposed various economic sanctions on Venezuela, including a trade embargo, in response to the country's authoritarian government and human rights abuses. These sanctions have severely restricted Venezuela's ability to access international financial markets and have limited its ability to import essential goods like food and medicine. The embargo has contributed to Venezuela's economic crisis, exacerbating poverty and humanitarian issues within the country.Companies operating globally must navigate complex webs of embargoes and sanctions to avoid legal repercussions. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries imposed export restrictions on personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves. Companies involved in the production or distribution of PPE had to ensure they were complying with these restrictions to avoid violating embargoes or sanctions. This required regular monitoring of changing regulations across different regions.Embargoes are often used as economic sanctions to punish or deter objectionable behaviour, such as human rights violations, armed conflict, or other policies deemed unacceptable by the imposing country or international organization. They can significantly impact the targeted country's economy and trade relationships, although their effectiveness in changing the targeted country's policies is often debated.Diplomatically isolated countries are more vulnerable to external threats. Without allies or diplomatic channels, they may struggle to defend themselves or negotiate in times of conflict, making them targets for aggression or exploitation. Diplomatic isolation can lead to cultural and social isolation, cutting off the nation from the exchange of ideas, innovation, and global cultural movements. This can hinder societal progress and development.The pressures from economic hardships, reduced security, and lack of international support can exacerbate internal instability. This can lead to political unrest, weaken the government's control, and increase the risk of civil conflict or regime change. In cases of severe isolation, the country may face challenges in receiving international humanitarian aid during crises, leading to worsened conditions for its population.We have concluded our discussion on diplomatic isolation. Moving forward, we will address a related topic: external pressures. External military threats can lead to the occupation or annexation of a state, a consequence often resulting from historical colonization. The rivalry between powerful states frequently destabilizes or divides weaker ones. We will take a brief pause before proceeding. Biidhnillah."Next, Cattleya recited a poem,In diplomatic isolation's dark shade,A nation's strength is slowly frayed.Cut off from the world's gentle breeze,It withers, lost in silent pleas.
Citations & References:
- Corneliu Bjola & Ilan Manor, The Oxford Handbook of Digital Diplomacy, 2024, Oxford University Press
- Nicholas Muldern, The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War, 2022, Yale University Press
- G. R. Berridge, Diplomacy: Theory and Practice, 2015, Palgrave
- Gary Clyde Hufbauer, Jeffrey J. Schott, Kimberly Ann Elliott & Barbara Oegg, Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 2007, Peter G. Peterson Institute
- Kelly M. Greenhill & Peter Krause, Coercion: The Power to Hurt in International Politics, 2018, Oxford University Press
