The End of an Era, The Beginning of Another (with Wolfgang Ischinger)

The End of an Era, The Beginning of Another (with Wolfgang Ischinger)

After a lifetime spent at the center of international diplomacy, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger joins Florence Gaub and Joshua Yaffa for the season finale of The Art of Diplomacy. From the Dayton Peace Accords to German reunification, from the United Nations during the Yom Kippur War to his years as Germany’s ambassador in Washington and as chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Ischinger reflects on more than five decades of diplomacy at the highest level. He shares lessons from negotiating peace in Bosnia, explains why trust remains diplomacy’s most valuable currency, argues for the return of quiet backchannel diplomacy, and reflects on what Europe must learn as the transatlantic relationship enters a new era. Looking back on a career that spanned the Cold War, the post-Cold War optimism of the 1990s, and today’s increasingly fragmented international order, Ischinger offers a candid assessment of what has been lost—and where diplomacy must go next. In a fitting conclusion to the first season, the conversation explores what it really means to practice the art of diplomacy in an age of uncertainty. * GLOSSARY * The Dayton Accords are a peace agreement signed on November 21, 1995, that ended the war in Bosnia. (https://www.ohr.int/dayton-peace-agreement/ [https://www.ohr.int/dayton-peace-agreement/]) * The Kosovo talks, also known as the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, were a series of negotiations mediated by the European Union that sought to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo. (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/779231/EPRS_BRI(2025)779231_EN.pdf [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/779231/EPRS_BRI(2025)779231_EN.pdf]) * The Yom Kippur War, initiated by Syria and Egypt on October 6, 1973, was the fourth of the Arab-Israeli wars, a series of conflicts that began after the withdrawal of British forces from the region. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Yom-Kippur-War [https://www.britannica.com/event/Yom-Kippur-War]) “Entspannungspolitik” or “Détente” refers to a period of the Cold War during which tensions between the US and the Soviet Union eased due to arms control agreements and increased diplomatic relations. (https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/detente [https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/detente]) * The Congress of Vienna was an assembly in 1814–1815 that reorganized Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. The political boundaries established during the Congress lasted for over 40 years. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Congress-of-Vienna [https://www.britannica.com/event/Congress-of-Vienna]) * During the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the chief Allied leaders planned the final defeat and occupation of Nazi Germany. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Yalta-Conference [https://www.britannica.com/event/Yalta-Conference]) * The Munich Agreement was reached on September 30, 1938, between Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy and permitted the German annexation of the Sudetenland in western Czechoslovakia. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Munich-Agreement [https://www.britannica.com/event/Munich-Agreement]) * The Treaty of Versailles was the peace document signed by the Allied powers and Germany on June 28, 1919, at the end of World War I. ([https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919]([https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919)]([https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919) [https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919]))](https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919))))

Persistence, Power, and the Iran Deal (with Wendy Sherman)

In this episode of The Art of Diplomacy, Joshua Yaffa speaks with Wendy Sherman, former US Deputy Secretary of State and the lead American negotiator of the Iran nuclear agreement. Drawing on decades of experience, from negotiations with North Korea to the marathon talks that produced the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Sherman offers a candid look at what diplomacy requires when trust is in short supply and the stakes are exceptionally high. She reflects on the importance of preparation, the role of back-channel diplomacy, and why understanding an adversary’s interests, history, and political constraints matters more than liking them—or even trusting them. Sherman also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the Iran negotiations, including how long diplomatic processes test not only relationships between countries, but also the resilience of the teams conducting them. Looking at today’s renewed tensions with Iran, Sherman argues that military power alone cannot resolve complex conflicts and explains why diplomacy remains indispensable, even in moments when it appears least likely to succeed. For the introduction to this episode of The Art of Diplomacy, Joshua Yaffa is joined by Benedikt Franke, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference. * GLOSSARY * JCPOA: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed by Iran and the P5+1 in 2015, aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program through strict monitoring while allowing limited low-enriched uranium. The US withdrew from the agreement in 2018. (https://armscontrolcenter.org/the-iran-deal-then-and-now/) [https://armscontrolcenter.org/the-iran-deal-then-and-now/]) * P5+1: The five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany; also known as the E3+3 (three European countries + China, Russia, and the US) * Red Team: Independent group that simulates an adversary to improve the effectiveness of an organization’s security measures. Their primary goal is to identify vulnerabilities before external attackers can exploit them.

Boiling the Frog — Germany, Ukraine, and Escalation (with Wolfgang Schmidt)

In this episode of The Art of Diplomacy, Josh Yaffa speaks with Wolfgang Schmidt, former Head of the German Chancellery and one of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s closest advisers during the first years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Schmidt offers a rare behind-the-scenes account of how Germany navigated the most consequential foreign policy crisis in Europe since the end of the Cold War. He reflects on the origins of the Zeitenwende speech, the difficult decisions around military support for Ukraine, and the challenge of balancing solidarity with the risks of escalation. The conversation explores one of the central strategic debates of the war: whether Western support successfully “boiled the frog” by increasing pressure on Russia step by step, or whether it amounted to “killing Ukraine softly” by providing enough aid to survive, but not enough to win decisively. Schmidt also discusses Germany’s efforts to keep Europe united, the diplomacy that led China to publicly oppose nuclear threats by Russia, and the prisoner exchange that secured the release of Evan Gershkovich and other political prisoners held in Russia. Drawing on his experience at the center of German government, Schmidt reflects on the realities of decision-making under uncertainty and on what diplomacy can achieve when every option carries risks. For the introduction to this episode, Florence Gaub is joined by Joshua Yaffa, who conducted the conversation with Wolfgang Schmidt on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. This episode was recorded at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026. * GLOSSARY * Nuclear signalling is a key element of nuclear deterrence, including deliberate actions, statements, or military measures by states to communicate their nuclear capabilities and intentions in order to influence the behavior of others. (https://www.cgai.ca/war_in_ukraine_nuclear_signalling_coercion_and_deterrence [https://www.cgai.ca/war_in_ukraine_nuclear_signalling_coercion_and_deterrence]) * Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller nuclear warheads and delivery systems intended for use on the battlefield or for a limited strike. (https://www.britannica.com/technology/tactical-nuclear-weapon [https://www.britannica.com/technology/tactical-nuclear-weapon]) * Bali Declaration: Final document issued by leaders at the G20 Summit 2022, in which most countries condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and all countries present—including Russia—agreed that the use or threat of nuclear weapons is not permitted. (https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/60201/2022-11-16-g20-declaration-data.pdf [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/60201/2022-11-16-g20-declaration-data.pdf])

Changing Your Mind without Losing Yourself (with Sanna Marin)

In this episode of The Art of Diplomacy, Florence Gaub speaks with former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Leading a country through a pandemic, an energy crisis, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Finland’s historic accession to NATO, Marin faced a series of decisions that challenged long-held assumptions about security, leadership, and political strategy. In this conversation, she reflects on the role of trust in resilient societies, the importance of listening in negotiation, and why effective leaders must be willing to change course when circumstances shift. Drawing on her experience steering Finland through one of the most consequential periods in its modern history, Marin explains why knowing your own goals is just as important as understanding those of your counterpart. The discussion explores Finland’s distinctive approach to security and preparedness, the political and diplomatic path into NATO, and the challenge of building consensus in moments of profound uncertainty. At its heart, however, this is a conversation about adaptability: how individuals, governments, and societies can remain flexible without abandoning their values—and why the ability to change your mind may be one of the most important leadership skills of all. Before the conversation with Sanna Marin, Florence Gaub is joined by Benedikt Franke, CEO of the Munich Security Conference, to reflect on Finland’s remarkable journey into NATO and the diplomatic leadership that helped make it possible. This episode was recorded in May 2026 in Hamburg.

Diplomacy in the Time of Monsters (with Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein)

In this episode, Joshua Yaffa speaks with Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, one of the central architects of the modern international human rights system. From helping to establish the International Criminal Court to serving as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid has spent decades confronting the tension between moral ideals and political power. At a moment when international law, human rights, and multilateral institutions appear increasingly fragile, he reflects on what these systems were actually built to do—and why they were never guaranteed to survive. The conversation explores fear, nationalism, authoritarianism, and the recurring cycles of history, but also the role diplomacy can still play in preventing societies from sliding into violence. Prince Zeid speaks candidly about the realities of dealing with governments accused of abuses, the limits of international institutions, and the psychological burden of speaking on behalf of people suffering under war, repression, and injustice. He argues that human rights are not abstract ideals, but practical restraints designed to protect humanity from its own worst instincts. The conversation also turns to the United States, the erosion of postwar norms, the rise of exclusionary politics, and the question of whether the current global order is entering a dangerous new phase. Throughout, Prince Zeid remains both unsentimental and deeply committed to the idea that diplomacy, when practiced skillfully, can still produce extraordinary outcomes. Recorded at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026. Glossary: * Antonio Gramsci: Italian politician, founder of the Italian Communist Party (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Antonio-Gramsci [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Antonio-Gramsci]) * Omar al-Bashir: Former President of Sudan (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Omar-Hassan-Ahmad-al-Bashir [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Omar-Hassan-Ahmad-al-Bashir]) * Jörg Haider: Austrian politician (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jorg-Haider [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jorg-Haider]) * Karl Lueger: Austrian politician (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Lueger [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Karl-Lueger]) * Libya 2011/UN Security Council Resolution 1970: During the Libyan civil war, the government used violence against the civilian population. The resolution referred the situation to the ICC, imposed an arms embargo and targeted sanctions. (https://unscr.com/en/resolutions/1970/ [https://unscr.com/en/resolutions/1970/]) * The End of History: Theory by Francis Fukuyama, positing Western-style liberal democracy as the last ideological stage in the long march of history. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Fukuyama [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Fukuyama]) * Jus Cogens: Universally binding norms in international law which cannot be overridden by treaties or agreements. (https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/jus_cogens [https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/jus_cogens]) * Rome Conference, 1998: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/icc-statute-1998 [https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/icc-statute-1998] * The Nuremberg Principles establish that individuals, not just states, are accountable under international law for war crimes and crimes against humanity. (https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rome-Statute-eng.pdf [https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rome-Statute-eng.pdf]) * Magna Carta (1215): Declared the sovereign to be subject to the rule of law and the liberties held by “free men”. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magna-Carta [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magna-Carta]) * Charlottesville 2017: In August 2017, a white supremacist rally took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/local/charlottesville-timeline/ [https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/local/charlottesville-timeline/]) * Manchuria: Japanese invasion of the Manchuria region of China in 1931, after the Japanese army staged a false flag event as a pretext to invade. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Empire-of-Japan/The-Manchurian-Incident [https://www.britannica.com/place/Empire-of-Japan/The-Manchurian-Incident]) * Abyssinia: The Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–36) led to the annexation and occupation of Ethiopia (then known as Abyssinia) by the Kingdom of Italy. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Italo-Ethiopian-War-1935-1936) [https://www.britannica.com/event/Italo-Ethiopian-War-1935-1936]) * Rhineland: On 7 March 1936, German troops re-occupied the de-militarized Rhineland zone. (https://germanhistorydocs.org/en/nazi-germany-1933-1945/remilitarization-of-the-rhineland-1936 [https://germanhistorydocs.org/en/nazi-germany-1933-1945/remilitarization-of-the-rhineland-1936])