Diplomacy in Practice: the EU & the Worl

This course introduces students to the practice of modern diplomacy through case studies of global and regional crises and the European Union’s responses to them. Students will examine how foreign policy is developed and implemented from the perspective of a professional diplomat.

The course begins with an overview of the history of EU foreign policy, followed by an introduction to the key institutions and instruments involved in external relations. Subsequent sessions will focus on case studies that illustrate the EU’s approach to various international partners: allies (including the transatlantic partnership and the UN system), neighboring regions (such as the Southern Neighborhood policy, the Eastern Partnership, and the European Political Community), and other global powers (including Russia, China, India, and Turkey). Additional topics include the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East (Libya, Syria, and the Middle East peace process), the Iran nuclear agreement, and the migration crisis.

Each case will explore the interplay among the EU’s foreign policy tools, including crisis management, defense and security, trade, financial aid, humanitarian assistance, and public diplomacy. The course concludes with a reflection on lessons learned and potential future directions for the EU’s foreign policy agenda and institutional framework.