“Diplomacy is utterly useless when there is no force behind it.” Theodore Roosevelt, June 2, 1897. “The diplomat is the servant, not the master, of the soldier. There are higher things in this life than the soft and easy enjoyment of material comfort. It is through strife, or the readiness for strife, that a nation must win greatness.”

Substantive. Rational. Sagacious. Prudent. Moving.

“Obama is willing to meet with the leaders of all nations, friend and foe.” BarackObama.com, June 11, 2008. “He will do the careful preparation necessary, but will signal that America is ready to come to the table, and that he is willing to lead. And if America is willing to come to the table, the world will be more willing to rally behind American leadership ….”

Anemic. Vague. Naive. Deflating.

I know what I prefer.

Today diplomacy is a subjective, evolutionary term. There’s Bush-style diplomacy, McCain-style diplomacy, Obama-style diplomacy. In each case, these “styles” of diplomacy differ substantially from Roosevelt-style diplomacy. Come November, America’s diplomatic style will change, perhaps substantially, undoubtedly transitioning to an even more liberal, rhetoric-based “diplomacy.” Prior to the presidential election, each candidate will try to convince the American people that his style of diplomacy is the key to solving America’s foreign-policy problems.

Let’s think about diplomacy a little. What is the key to effective diplomacy? Is high-quality diplomacy subjective and evolutionary, or is it based on immovable laws? Is the United States in a position to employ high-quality diplomacy? More fundamentally, can diplomacy of even the highest quality secure peace in the long term? What is the way to lasting peace?

“Of all the factors that make for the power of a nation, the most important, however unstable, is the quality of diplomacy.” This from one of the most widely respected international relations experts, Hans Morgenthau, in Politics Among Nations (emphasis mine throughout). Diplomacy is central to national success. High-quality diplomacy is one of the strongest weapons a nation can possess. Weak diplomacy, on the other hand, can thrust a nation into crisis.

But what is diplomacy? In a nutshell, it is furthering national interests through peaceful means.

Diplomacy, explained Morgenthau, is the “art of bringing the different elements of the national power to bear with maximum effect upon those points in the international situation which concern the national interest most directly.” Effective diplomacy occurs when a government uses the elements of national power at its disposal—its political connections and influence, geographic situation, economic and industrial capacity, military might—to promote its national interests. Intelligent diplomacy harnesses these qualities and pursues its objectives by three means: persuasion, compromise and threat of force.

Effective diplomacy employs the power of persuasion, compromises at the right time and on the right issues, and—when necessary—uses the threat of military force to make a stand. It requires the careful, well-timed blending of all three of these components.

“Rarely, if ever,” Morgenthau wrote, “in the conduct of the foreign policy of a great power is there justification for using only one method to the exclusion of the others.” The art of diplomacy consists of placing the right emphasis on each of the three means at its disposal at the right time. “A diplomacy that puts most of its eggs in the basket of compromise when the military might of the nation should be predominantly displayed,” for example, “or stresses military might when the political situation calls for persuasion and compromise, will … fail.”

Prussian King Frederick the Great said that diplomacy without the believable threat of military force “is like music without instruments.” Effective diplomacy underpins rhetoric with military strength.

Fact is, history shows that unless a credible military option exists, persuasion and compromise have little effect in dealing with hostile regimes. The 17th-century English historian Thomas Fuller said, “[I]t is madness for sheep to talk peace with a wolf.” The next American president will inherit a world filled with wolves: Iran, Syria, North Korea, Russia and China all have a history of exploiting concessions, rejecting agreements and trampling on other nations’ willingness to compromise. Entering diplomatic relationships with these states based solely on persuasion and compromise and voiding any threat of force actually makes conflict inevitable! Perhaps rhetoric-based diplomacy will result in a few signed agreements—as it did with Hitler in the 1930s.

What will America’s leaders do when those agreements are trampled and the wolves begin to circle?

Today, deeply rooted anti-military sentiment in most politicians and in the Western media has rendered America’s quality of diplomacy increasingly ineffective. Tragically, the result is that we have moved into an era when the enemies of Western civilization simply do not fear consequences for their actions. Hence, Hezbollah starts a war against Israel; Hamas continues to launch missiles at Sderot and the western Negev; Iran continues to sponsor terrorists and meddles continually in Iraq; and Russia and China fearlessly practice anti-American policies.

Increasingly, America’s enemies have no fear! Why? Because they know we lack the willpower to back our words with action. And this malady will only grow worse under the next president!

That’s not diplomacy!

“Diplomacy without a realistic threat of significant action, in the event that diplomacy fails,” said Dr. George Friedman from Stratfor Systems, “is just empty chatter.” That statement summarizes American foreign policy today. When it comes to problems such as Iran’s involvement in Iraq, the policy of the American government is little more than empty chatter—conversations underpinned by inaction. This kind of “diplomacy” may buy some time, but that time ultimately serves only the aggressor, not the United States.

The lesson here is that foolhardy diplomacy makes war inevitable!

The Ultimate Form of Diplomacy

Seeking peace without shedding blood is a noble aspiration. Sadly, history and human nature show that sustained peace cannot be secured through diplomacy, even if it is of the highest quality. High-quality diplomacy in many cases may avert war and foster peace temporarily, and is assuredly better than spineless, word-based diplomacy. But history shows even the highest-quality diplomacy cannot create lasting peace!

Mankind dreams about peace, but lives by war! Why?

God says of mankind in Isaiah 59:8: “[T]he way of peace they know not.” If you believe this verse, you admit that mankind simply is incapable of securing peace! Nations today cry out for peace; leaders throw time and money at trying to establish it; politicians and statesmen devote their lives to seeking and maintaining it through hundreds of styles of diplomacy. But those efforts, some of which are more successful than others, eventually fail and war prevails! Man simply does not know the way to lasting peace—individually, in our families, within our nations, or between our nations.

God wants this discouraging fact to impress a critical and life-altering lesson upon our minds. The failure of human diplomacy and the tragic cycle of war teach us that without God and His law, peace is impossible!

Mankind’s history of failed diplomacy—evidenced by a multitude of wars—vividly demonstrates the absolute vainness of mankind’s efforts. Can we see that unless a Higher Power intervenes in our affairs, peace will forever remain elusive?

There is no greater realization. The day you grasp your futility, your absolute nothingness—and the ineptness of mankind in general—could be the most rewarding day of your life—your own watershed event! Only when a person realizes his own futility can he begin to grasp the magnitude, the perfection, the sheer glory, power and splendor of his Creator!

Our history of war and violence declares our desperate need for a relationship with the Being who created us!

The reason wars have plagued mankind since the dawn of time is that humans have rejected God and chosen to live in subjection to their own faulty human nature. This ghastly way of thinking despises God’s laws and glorifies the lusts and desires of the flesh (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:7). Human nature pursues self-interest, self-satisfaction and self-aggrandizement above the interests of fellowman and God.

For almost three decades, many world leaders esteemed Herbert Armstrong as an authority on the subject of world peace, labeling him an “unofficial ambassador for world peace.” Here is what Mr. Armstrong wrote about the cause of war: “Nations never needed to go to war. Yielding to human nature is the cause of war. Rebellion against God’s law of peace is the cause of war.” Grasp this profound truth. All wars, conflict and violence are caused by humans rejecting God’s law and glorifying and promoting themselves above fellowman and God.

This principle is discussed in James 4. “Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts …” (verses 1-2; New Revised Standard Version). The Apostle James shows that war and conflict occur when men, acting as slaves to their carnal lusts and desires, reject the law and knowledge of God.

The lesson: Disobedience to God leads to war!

Obedience to God’s laws, on the other hand, creates and nurtures peace. The law of God was designed to foster peace among men, as well as peace between mankind and its Creator. This principle applies just as much at the individual level as it does at the national level. Obedience to God’s law will bring peace into your life. To understand God’s law more deeply, request our free book The Ten Commandments.

Peace would flow over the Earth today if people understood and embraced the law of God. Wars explode when the interests of nations clash. But consider: If each nation’s interests were rooted in the same law, and if all men put obedience to the law above their selfish desires, there would be no conflict among people or nations. War would be impossible, and lasting peace would flourish!

God tells us in the Bible that such a world is almost here! Christ is about to return and establish this new world. God’s law will be the universal standard in this coming world; all nations will live by that law. In Hebrews 8, the Apostle Paul shows that at this time God will make a covenant relationship with His people. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” (Hebrews 8:10). God’s law will be indelibly etched into the minds of mankind!

The result: Peace will engulf the whole Earth!

Jesus Christ will be the King and supreme Leader on Earth during the World Tomorrow. He will be the ultimate Diplomat—a great Statesman motivated by love and concern for all people and all nations. He will seek to persuade people to submit to His law and government through diplomacy. His diplomacy will be underpinned by the threat of force—and men who reject His leadership will be corrected by His “rod of iron” to turn them to the only way that produces prosperity, happiness and peace.

Mankind’s failed efforts to achieve lasting global peace should not depress us. Diplomatic failures—even wars—need not discourage us. Mankind’s hope for peace lies not in the hands of politicians and diplomats. It lies not in guns and jackboots. Lasting global peace lies in the hands of God! He has a plan by which He will bring peace to your life, to your country and to this world.

I know what I’d prefer.

God’s plan for mankind is explained thoroughly in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book Mystery of the Ages—a book we will send you free upon request. Don’t invest your hope for peace in mankind; invest it in the all-powerful, all-merciful living God!