Diplomacy between states is replaced by relations between suzerains and vassals

By Ludovic Lavaucelle. Synthèse n°2682, Published on 20/04/2026

– Photo: 72nd United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters on September 19, 2017 Credits: Shutterstock

The crisis between the United States and Iran reveals a major change in the way diplomatic relations are conducted. It is no longer international rules or diplomats that prevail – but direct communication between leaders via social networks and the use of special envoys. A return to feudal relations without the guarantee of the spoken word that once prevailed.

The current crisis in the Persian Gulf goes beyond the simple confrontation between Washington and Tehran. It is a symptom of a profound transformation in relations between states – a world often described as more “chaotic” and “brutal.” This marks the end of an era where diplomacy imposed institutional channels for communication, and procedures as benchmarks for transitioning from a state of war to a state of peace and vice versa… The style of Donald Trump, at the helm of the world’s leading power, is central: he communicates extensively via social networks, addressing both his Iranian adversaries and the general public. The provocative and outrageous style of the White House occupant should not overshadow deeper movements in the West. Even in France, a country proud of its extensive diplomatic network, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs no longer holds the prestige it once had: President Emmanuel Macron has not hidden his contempt for the diplomatic profession. The diplomatic staff is increasingly made up of friends of the ruling power and individuals from civil society.

The current world order, which is being disrupted, did not originate from the creation of the UN or even the League of Nations – it traces back to the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which ended the Thirty Years’ War. The use of social networks has changed international relations, replacing procedures stemming from diplomatic traditions or supranational organizations with personal relationships between heads of states and impulses dictated by power dynamics – a return to a form of feudalism where the most powerful seek to rally their vassals against their rivals. However, the role of diplomacy is precisely to restrain the arbitrary exercise of power. As Sir Harold Nicolson, the renowned British diplomat, once said, “Diplomacy is a demanding and difficult art.” The primacy of relations between states – usually maintained through discreet channels – is being undermined by the use of social media messages that are accessible to all. A tweet is not a new form of communication; it fundamentally alters the act of communication as it is immediate and public, bridging the gap between deliberation and declaration – the space on which all foreign policy depends.

The profession of diplomat is being undermined by the use of “special envoys,” who often operate opaquely. Sending advisers like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner by Donald Trump to attempt to resolve the Iranian crisis are striking examples of the current evolution. This brings back ancient practices when kings dispatched messengers bearing messages of peace or war. The Greeks developed rules governing treaties and conflicts, while the Romans viewed agreements as legal instruments justifying war in case of non-compliance (while manipulating them to their advantage). The Byzantines professionalized the envoy profession by providing them with training. However, international relations remained limited to interactions between leaders often through marriages as alliances.

The assassination of political adversaries goes against international law: yet Americans and Israelis have resorted to it in Iran and Lebanon. This practice faces limits in a country where power is decentralized. This shift in international relations has profound implications: Washington’s vassals no longer believe in the word of their suzerain. For example, Saudi Arabia is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons through its ties with Pakistan. The world’s leading power is weakening international institutions that allowed it to establish its dominance in the last century. Tweets have replaced the past debates, and this is not good news…