guerrilla diplomacy

noun

An alternative approach to international relations characterised by dialoguing and building relationships (with the aim of solving or advocating a solution to a political-diplomatic issue) not merely outside of traditional diplomatic channels (i.e., diplomatic missions), but entirely without government direction or sponsorship (cf. public diplomacy).

Opposite
traditional diplomacy
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Meanings

nounguerrilla diplomacy (uncountable)
  1. uncountableAn alternative approach to international relations characterised by dialoguing and building relationships (with the aim of solving or advocating a solution to a political-diplomatic issue) not merely outside of traditional diplomatic channels (i.e., diplomatic missions), but entirely without government direction or sponsorship (cf. public diplomacy).
  2. uncountableAs articulated by Daryl Copeland: a cross-cultural, enabled, and grassroots approach to diplomatic practice characterized by autonomy, agility, adaptability and resilience; a premium on intelligence gathering and analysis; access to global political economy of knowledge; the ability to act with souplesse.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
traditional diplomacy
Cite this entry
APA

guerrilla diplomacy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guerrilla%20diplomacy

MLA

“guerrilla diplomacy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guerrilla%20diplomacy. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “guerrilla diplomacy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guerrilla%20diplomacy.

Source: guerrilla diplomacy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.