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Shuttle Diplomacy

Author: Sophia

what's covered
As you learned previously, there are many different methods of conflict resolution. In this lesson, we will discuss:
  1. Shuttle Diplomacy as a Conflict Resolution Process
  2. How Shuttle Diplomacy Differs from Conciliation

1. Shuttle Diplomacy as a Conflict Resolution Process

Shuttle diplomacy was coined as a term in the early 1970s by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, when he was attempting to negotiate the end of the Yom Kippur War.

Since that time, those in the field of conflict resolution have adapted the term to describe the process used when parties cannot meet in person due to distance or discomfort. It is most relevant in international conflicts where one party does not recognize the existence or diplomatic standing of another party, and so they refuse to negotiate directly.

Thus, the “shuttle” aspect refers to the process of moving back and forth between the two parties.

EXAMPLE

The Yom Kippur War in 1973 was a war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. Initial attempts to directly negotiate an end to the hostilities failed, in part because Syria refused to negotiate directly with Israel, due to not recognizing Israel as a country. The use of shuttle diplomacy allowed the parties to reach an agreement to end the fighting without requiring them to interact directly with one another first.

When serving as a liaison between the two parties, the conflict resolver’s role in shuttle diplomacy is to carry:

  • Messages
  • Requests
  • Proposals
  • Questions
By communicating this tangible information from one party to another, the conflict resolver helps the parties reach a solution.

term to know

Shuttle Diplomacy
A conflict resolution process used when parties cannot meet in person, due to distance or discomfort.

2. How Shuttle Diplomacy Differs from Conciliation

This process might sound a bit like conciliation, which you learned about in an earlier lesson.

If you remember, conciliation is a conflict resolution process in which the conflict resolver, or conciliator, meets privately with each conflicting party and seeks to gain concessions from each.

In this process, the conciliator moves between parties in separate meeting rooms or separate buildings, which seems very similar to the role of the conflict resolver in shuttle diplomacy.

However, the major difference is that conciliation focuses both the tangible issues (messages, questions, etc.) mentioned above and non-tangible issues, such as:

  • Emotions
  • Communication
In conciliation, these non-tangible issues are also addressed by the conciliator, whereas they’re not necessarily taken into consideration in shuttle diplomacy.

big idea
Shuttle diplomacy and conciliation are similar in that they both work with parties in separate locations when it is impractical, impossible, and sometimes even potentially dangerous for the parties to come together.

These process differ in that conciliation deals with both tangible and non-tangible issues, and shuttle diplomacy focuses solely on the tangible.

term to know
Conciliation
A conflict resolution process in which the conflict resolver meets privately with each party to the dispute, seeking to gain concessions from each party.
summary
In this lesson, you learned about shuttle diplomacy as a conflict resolution process which was popularized in the 1970s during the Yom Kippur War. You now understand how shuttle diplomacy differs from conciliation: Although both processes provide mediation for parties who cannot meet in the same location, conciliation focuses on both tangible and non-tangible issues, while shuttle diplomacy is primarily concerned with tangible issues. Good luck!

Source: Adapted from Sophia tutorial by Marlene Johnson.

Terms to Know
Conciliation

A conflict resolution process in which the conflict resolver meets privately with each party to the dispute, seeking to gain concessions from each party.

Shuttle Diplomacy

A conflict resolution process used when parties cannot meet in person, due to distance or discomfort.