What does diplomacy look like in an era defined by conflict, mistrust and geopolitical rivalry?
In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with Laurie Bristow, former UK Ambassador to Afghanistan, Russia and Azerbaijan, about the evolving role of diplomacy in a more volatile and transactional world. Drawing on more than three decades at the heart of British foreign and national security policy, Laurie reflects on the end of the Cold War, the invasion of Iraq, the fall of Kabul in 2021, and what these moments reveal about power, perception and policy. From ‘cognitive warfare’ and disinformation, to the limits of military intervention, he examines how misunderstanding, resentment and short-term thinking can shape global events, exploring how diplomacy must adapt in response.
We also hear a personal perspective from Noor Al-Naser, Iraqi peacebuilding specialist and Scottish Peace Platform Manager at Beyond Borders. Noor shares how a bombing in Baghdad during her teenage years led her into diplomacy and UN work in mine action, counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism. Her experience bridges frontline humanitarian efforts and grassroots peacebuilding, highlighting the importance of trust, cultural understanding and sustained local engagement in building more stable societies.
This episode asks what responsible international engagement means today, and whether diplomacy still has the patience and imagination to shape a more peaceful future.
Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication, and the power of collaboration in a changing world.
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Additional Resources:
UK cultural diplomacy in Europe 1989-2025
https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/UK-cultural-diplomacy-Europe
Afghanistan: the inside story of the withdrawal
https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/afghanistan-inside-story-of-the-withdrawal
Global Perceptions 2025
https://www.britishcouncil.org/global-perceptions-2025