The Influence of Strategic Subnational Diplomacy in International Relations

The international engagement of cities and local governments has increased and diversified recently. Mainly understood by the public as the cultural and academic ties cultivated within the sister-city framework, these connections now bear deeper and more strategic implications.

Cities and local governments are operating across borders as they must manage the acute effects of global challenges, such as geopolitical competition, climate change, pandemics, and migration. Local leaders must strategically update their toolbox to manage international affairs, advance their communities’ economic and social progress, and elevate their interests in the multilateral system.
This new strategic dimension of subnational diplomacy has implications for national governments. Some ignore this phenomenon, attempt to limit it, or seek to exploit subnational relationships to advance their national interests. Others recognize the need to support subnational diplomacy as a value add in foreign policy statecraft, such as the United States.
Available in:
Themes and regions
ISBN / ISSN
Share
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
The Influence of Strategic Subnational Diplomacy in International Relations
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesThe Contradictory Impacts of Western Sanctions on Economic Relations between Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa
How does Russia maintain economic ties with Africa despite Western sanctions? An analysis of investments, trade, and the circumvention strategies deployed by Moscow.
The Revenue Sources Sustaining Sudan’s Civil War. Lessons for the year 2023
Wars require money and resources, and often, most conflicts involve controlling sources of income and supply lines or denying them to enemies. This has been the case in Sudan’s past conflicts and is again as the civil war—between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti” —has sunk into a protracted conflict.
Anglo-Kenyan Relations (1920-2024) : Conflict, Alliance and a Redemptive Arc
This article provides an evidentiary basis for postcolonial policy in its analysis of Anglo-Kenyan relations in a decolonization era.
When City Diplomacy Meets Geopolitics: A Framework to Help Cities Navigate Geopolitical Risk
Crises and the increasing polarization of international relations make political risk analysis an indispensable resource for internationally active public and private entities.