The Diplomacy of Empathy in International Relations

The Case of the Negotiations over Iran's Nuclear Program (2003-2015)

Abstract

This study attempts to answer the following question: to what extent the diplomacy of empathy and emotional dynamics has an impact on the negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme? It discusses that the failure or success of the policy of empathy, which means understanding the needs and interest of the other party, play an important role in increasing or decreasing the likelihood of reaching a diplomatic solution. It also argues that the complex emotional dynamics between the negotiating parties, particularly the United States and Iran, have contributed to the domination of the mistrust and hostile attitudes during the negotiations. This research was concluded that pursuing policy of isolation and sanctions is not likely to achieve the desired goals. Whereas, pursuing the policy of empathy has an important influence in international relations, especially in transforming conflicts and hostility to more cooperation and peace. It was also concluded that emotional beliefs such as hostility, fear, good and evil, trust, dignity, identity, etc., directly affect the behavior and policies of the negotiating parties, whether towards more conflict, hostility or more communication and cooperation.