Encyclopedia Entries

Showing 101–110 of 259 results

  • Term

    Political Appointee

    A person who is not a career foreign service officer and is instead appointed by the president.

  • Term

    Presented Credentials

    The date that the ambassador presents their letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority in the receiving nation officially making them the representative of their country.

  • Term

    Protectorate

    A Protectorate, or protected state when referring to a territory subject to this arrangement, is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity. The protectorate retains formal sovereignty and remains a state under international law, but in exchange for this, they usually accept specified obligations that vary depending on the nature of their relationship.

  • Term

    Protocol

    Refers to the ceremonial side of diplomacy, including matters of diplomatic courtesy and precedence.

  • Term

    Public Diplomacy

    Diplomatic outreach and engagement intended to affect public opinion in a foreign country to further U.S. foreign policy objectives.

  • People

    Ralph Bunche

    Ralph Bunche graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles summa cum laude, with a major in international relations, and earned his doctorate from Harvard University in 1934. Beginning in the 1940s, Ralph Bunche embarked on a career that made him one of the most prominent diplomats in U.S. history. He…

  • Term

    Rapprochement

    When states put aside previous difficulties and establish or pursue the resumption of cordial relations.

  • Term

    Ratification

    To approve and sanction formally, as with a treaty.

  • Term

    Recognition

    Commonly used in connection with the recognition by one state of the existence of another state (for example when a new one is formed), or the existence of a government which is in effective control of a state.

  • Term

    Refugee

    A person who is forced to leave their country due to conflict, persecution, or natural disaster and is crossing an international border in order to find safety in another country.