Encyclopedia Entries

Showing 1–10 of 14 results

  • Term

    Defection

    When an official gives up his or her allegiance to one state in preference for another, usually because of disagreement over government policy, often immigrating to or seeking asylum in the new state. Defecting generally indicates a desire to participate in opposition or political activity that is illegal or impossible in the original country, differentiating it from a simple change in citizenship.

  • Term

    Delegation

    A party or group sent to represent a state or another body at an international conference or gathering

  • Term

    Department of State

    The oldest and head agency in the President’s cabinet. The Secretary of State leads the Department of State in carrying out the President's foreign policies. The Department was initially founded as the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1781 and then renamed in 1789 in the Constitution as the Department of State.

  • Term

    Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM)

    The second in command at an embassy who becomes the chargé d'affaires in the ambassador's absence

  • Term

    Desk Officer

    An officer in a regional bureau within the Department of State who is responsible for the oversight of relations with a particular foreign country or group of countries

  • Term

    Diplomacy

    The art and practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between nations; skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility.

  • Term

    Diplomat

    A diplomat is one employed or skilled in diplomacy.

  • Term

    Diplomatic Agent

    A generic term denoting a person who carries out regular diplomatic relations of the nation they represent within the nation to which they have been accredited

  • Term

    Diplomatic Corps

    The collective heads of foreign diplomatic missions and their staff members

  • Term

    Diplomatic Courier

    A member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages is referred to as a diplomatic courier.