The U.S. Department of State Data Informed Diplomacy Strategy

Dr. ASLI VAROL

Protecting the United States and Americans; advancing democracy, human rights, and other global interests; promoting international understanding of American values and policies; and supporting U.S. diplomats, government officials, and all other personnel at home and abroad who make these goals a reality are the four main foreign policy goals of the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Public Affairs, 2008). The U.S. seeks for ways to make more use of big data in diplomacy in order to be able to claim these goals more strongly. In the context of the meaning that the US attaches to data in foreign policy, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian P. McKeon emphasizes that (U.S. Department of State, 2021: 4):  

      “To lead America’s foreign policy in the 21st century, we must be fully prepared for the challenges, both seen and unseen, that lie before us. As the leader of our country’s response to these challenges, the Department of State must leverage data as a critical instrument of diplomacy. When our foreign affairs professionals are equipped with high-quality and timely data, we can help make the world safer, more just, and less divided.”

 “Data is the new oil”

In 2006, British mathematician Clive Humby summed up the importance of data and its benefits in the new economy by saying “Data is the new oil”. Today, data is seen as a critical resource of modern society. Huge amounts of data are generated every day through electronic devices and the Internet. The private sector benefits from the big data sources to improve their products and services, streamline procedures, and ultimately increase revenues. Because it is said that big data analytics create insights that didn't exist before. On the other hand, some foreign ministries and international organizations are exploring the uses of big data for policy planning, information management, development, humanitarian aid and emergency response. These institutions have realized the benefits of big data analysis (Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija, 2018: 4).

Information is at the center of international relations. International alliances are formed or broken down by the information available and who controls it. The data has brought more light and transparency to the work of diplomats, which is characterized by an unprecedented level of confidentiality and privacy in the conduct of diplomacy. Ndoumbe states that due to the democratization of diplomacy, many public diplomacy researchers argue that diplomats should switch from one-way communication to a two-way communication model in order to be more effective. This view was first adopted by the US government and later it was seen that African governments also joined this path (Ndoumbe, 2022).

Being data-driven means that decision-making relies on the collection and analysis of data. In this context, transforming an existing organization into a data-driven one is often motivated by a desire to make better decisions, such as improving the quality of a service or product and improving internal workflows that lead to greater success of the organization. The focus on specific data types and big data is determined by the type of organization and its ultimate goals (Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija, 2018: 42).

Data Science and American Foreign Policy

Jeffrey Stanton makes the following statement about data science in his 2013 book titled “An Introduction to Data Science” (Stanton, 2013: ii):

          “Data Science refers to an emerging area of work concerned with the collection, preparation, analysis, visualization, management, and preservation of large collections of information. Although the name Data Science seems to connect most strongly with areas such as  databases and computer science, many different kinds of skills - including non-mathematical skills - are needed.”

According to Jacobson, Höne and Kurbalija, big data based on previously unavailable sources can challenge prejudices, validate information and provide new insights for diplomacy. Big data can lead to a better-informed foreign policy that is free from the assumptions of individual decision makers and contains the vast amount of information available from online sources, texts and sensors (Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija, 2018: 65). 

The U.S. Department of State is also integrating big data analysis into foreign policy and tries to strengthen data informed diplomacy. In this context, in September 2021, the U.S. Department of State has published a strategy document titled “Enterprise Data Strategy Empowering Data Informed Diplomacy”. This initiative is described by the Department as a milestone in its transformation into a more data-centric organization. “Enterprise Data Strategy” aims ensure that the Department’s workforce is equipped with the timely, data-driven insights needed to make key mission and management decisions (U.S. Department of State, 2021). 

Tsvetkova and Kuznetsov state that authoritative scholars and experts from the United States have a common stance on the definition of data diplomacy. Data diplomacy is seen as a new stage in the development of digital diplomacy. Data diplomacy; incorporating elements of data science, social sciences and international relations, it provides new opportunities for governments to achieve results in domestic and foreign policy, diplomatic and consular services, cybersecurity and technological progress through the results of big data analysis of social networks and other Internet resources. However, data diplomacy can both bring states together to solve common humanitarian problems and divide them with discrediting and destructive activities on the Internet. Experts say that the main method of data diplomacy is the collection and analysis of “big” and “small” data from social networks, blogs and other Web resources. Accordingly, the main functions of data diplomacy are increasing the effectiveness of digital diplomacy projects; using data for information confrontation on the Internet; humanitarian cooperation; simplification of diplomatic and consular service (Tsvetkova & Kuznetsov, 2020: 40-41).

American experts express the following about foreign policy threats to U.S. cybersecurity due to the development of data diplomacy and the use of collecting and analyzing big data from social networks (Tsvetkova & Kuznetsov, 2020: 41):

1) China is emerging as a world leader in AI, contributing to the creation of new technologies to enhance its military potential.

2) There are subversive activities such as information attacks from Russia, China, Iran and terrorist groups.

3) Lack of international laws on the legitimacy of information operations and codes of conduct in cyberspace.

However, American experts point out the following among the problems related to the development of artificial intelligence and data diplomacy (Tsvetkova & Kuznetsov, 2020: 41):

1) The inability of diplomats to work with big data.

2) Humanitarian students need vocational training in the fundamentals of working with big data analytics.

3) Young professionals are uninterested in the analysis of US foreign policy activity.

Tsvetkova and Kuznetsov emphasize that although serious problems are expressed in the field of cybersecurity, the American expert community positively evaluates the development of an aspect such as big data diplomacy. Because it is accepted that data diplomacy is beneficial for the development of both U.S. foreign policy and the entire international relations system (Tsvetkova & Kuznetsov, 2020: 41). 

Data Diplomacy 

Data diplomacy is defined as a new international relations phenomenon that reflects the importance of digital data in the foreign policy mechanism of modern states (Kuznetsov & Tsvetkova, 2022: 37). At the “American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference” in 2015, Timothy Dye defined data diplomacy as (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2015):

 

“Data diplomacy is an emerging construct that integrates concepts from data science, technology, and computing with social science, international relations, and diplomatic negotiation, and in some cases, offers a new diplomatic tool that facilitates global (and local) relationships.” 

Marcotte states that data diplomacy aims to better understand the role that data sharing plays as a mediator in social and political relations around the world (Marcotte, 2016). Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija state that big data interacts with diplomacy in three ways. First, big data can be used as a tool to make diplomacy more efficient, effective and inclusive. Second, it provides a new topic on the diplomatic agenda and takes part in international negotiations in areas such as cross-border privacy, e-commerce and international cybersecurity. Third, it acts as a factor that changes the environment in which diplomacy operates, potentially changing geopolitical and geo-economic positions (Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija, 2018: 4).

Big data has the potential to contribute to insights and make certain processes more effective and efficient in information gathering and diplomatic reporting, negotiation, communication, and public diplomacy and consular affairs, which are the core functions of diplomacy. However, the relevance of big data in this field largely depends on the extent to which these processes are driven by human qualities such as interpersonal relationships, empathy, experience and expert knowledge (Jacobson, Höne, Kurbalija, 2018: 37). 

Boyd et al. emphasize that when thinking about data, it is necessary to accept that it is its creators, subjects, managers and owners. Data may be public or private, may be copied and modified, shared or not shared, used or not. On the other hand, the use of data can lead to benefits or harms, advantages or disadvantages and can have an impact at the individual, institutional, governmental or global level. In other words, data can be a tool that accelerates, directs, or otherwise blocks change. It follows, therefore, that the concept of data diplomacy will relate to a wide range of interactions between data and diplomats, as well as diplomatic principles, practices, and objectives. As we develop measures to secure and protect the public, the need for a new class of data diplomats who can streamline data-driven processes will also increase. However, recognizing that data diplomacy is a separate category will enable us to recognize its expanding role in society and the potential good or bad it can bring (Boyd et al., 2019). 

Data diplomacy is an interdisciplinary field that addresses the role of diplomacy and negotiation in accessing and sharing information, and the impact of knowledge on discretionary links between nation states and other international actors (intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, public figures, etc.). In recent years, data has gained importance in the conduct and implementation of global diplomacy, and over time it is on the agenda, among other key issues such as peace and security, development, climate change. For this reason, data is now considered an important tool used in consular affairs, soft power and public diplomacy, and strategic alliance building. Data diplomacy initiatives are positively described by practitioners. Thus, data diplomacy is needed to address social and global challenges more directly. The fact that data brings with it many opportunities has made it possible to define data as the new oil of the modern economy. Data is a collection of processed information. Data is the raw material, and diplomats are the processors of this material, which turns it into a finished “product” useful for strategic decision making and foreign policy choices. In their daily work, they collect, analyze and transmit data and information (Ndoumbe, 2022).

“Data” is a Strategic Asset for the U.S. Department of State 

The U.S. Department of State states that it is aware of the fact that the pace of American diplomacy has to keep up with the ever-changing geopolitical pace, and expresses the importance of using data to achieve foreign policy goals as follows (U.S. Department of State, 2021: 5):

         “We have the most advanced diplomatic corps in the world, and it is imperative that we match the excellence of our global workforce with excellence in our data-driven insights. Advanced analysis must act in support of diplomacy, putting evidence-based insights at our professionals' fingertips to help them achieve their mission. Likewise, to streamline the delivery of our operations, we must use data to provide enabling services more nimbly and expeditiously.” 

The Department of State declares its Data Vision in “Enterprise Data Strategy Empowering Data Informed Diplomacy” as (U.S. Department of State, 2022: 10):

 

“Data is a critical instrument of diplomacy, the Department’s global workforce is empowered with the skills and tools to derive actionable mission insights from data, and its data assets are securely shared and effectively managed.”

Due to the increasing pace of technological innovation, the U.S. sees data as a vital ingredient for diplomacy. An evolving global landscape, the need for data-driven insights, and the accelerated pace of technological innovation require an institutional approach to modernizing the way the U.S. Department of State uses data as a strategic asset. This Enterprise Data Strategy therefore takes a Department-wide approach to adapt to these factors over the next three years. The U.S. Department of State states that the establishment of the corporate strategy on data and the resulting initiatives will change the way the Department collectively manages and implements data in all its mandates. The Strategy is based on a Vision that provides strategic consistency and alignment for the Department’s efforts to develop data maturity and capabilities, and Goals that serve to achieve that Vision. This strategy requires the close collaboration of bureaus and offices across the Department to develop a holistic approach to building a foundation of data capabilities and assets. This initial data strategy, created by the Department to harness the full potential of data, is considered a critical step towards developing the U.S. State Department's ability to use data to inform diplomacy while maintaining the highest level of scientific and data integrity. The evolving global landscapes, the demand for data-driven insights, and technological innovation have created the need for data informed diplomacy (U.S. Department of State, 2021).

The U.S. Department of State has identified the following four goals to help move toward the Department's vision to improve data capabilities over the next three years (U.S. Department of State, 2021: 11):

“Goal 1: Cultivate a Data Culture

Goal 2: Accelerate Decisions through Analytics

Goal 3: Establish Mission-Driven Data Management

Goal 4: Enhance Enterprise Data Governance”

The U.S. Department of State announced that the first Enterprise Data Strategy implementation continued with two separate data campaigns. These data campaigns focus on a mission and management themed priority every six months. The steering theme of the first campaign is diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). The DEIA campaign team created a new DEIA data policy to accelerate decision-making and increase data transparency while protecting privacy. Working with the Secretariat's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, they developed an interactive Demographic Baseline Report and dashboard that will be updated annually. The department will use this demographic baseline to help benchmark progress, identify potential barriers to equal opportunity, inform policy responses, and promote accountability for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Mission-themed priority includes Strategic Competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Strategic Competitiveness campaign focused on using data to understand the nature and scope of the People’s Republic of China's global activities to better inform the Department’s strategic planning and foreign aid. To support this effort, the team developed a new suite of analytical tools, leveraged data to inform foreign aid project selection processes, and added dozens of relevant datasets to the Department’s data catalog, making them accessible to Department stakeholders and interagency. The initiative has packaged data into digestible, data-rich yet easy-to-use formats for busy policymakers. The management theme of the second campaign is cybersecurity. The cybersecurity data campaign will help the Department make extensive use of cyber data as a strategic asset to better manage cyber risk, drive analytics, increase compliance and improve security posture. The mission-themed priority is multilateralism. The multilateralism data campaign will use data to strengthen alignment with other countries on common priorities and expand coalitions to achieve U.S. interests (U.S. Department of State, 2022).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The U.S. Department of State has embarked on the path of transforming into a data-centric organization to protect the country's interests, advance its foreign policy, ensure security, and improve relations with its allies through data informed diplomacy. It has become a necessity today to benefit from data in policy making, decision making and negotiation processes in foreign relations.

Every government agency that aims to transform into a data-centric organization should first equip its internal target audience in this regard. Data diplomacy requires teamwork of data analytics experts, information and communication technology experts, and diplomats. Therefore, first of all, diplomats should be informed about how to work with and benefit from data. It is clear that quality data collection and data reporting in line with the corporate strategy will provide a significant advantage in foreign policy. For diplomats, having the ability to work with data in the digital age is of great importance to protect the country’s interests and prevent conflicts.

References           

 

American Association for the Advancement of Science (2015): “Summary of Science Diplomacy 2015: Scientific Drivers for Diplomacy”, April 29, 2015, diplomacy.aaas.org. 

Boyd, Andy, Jane Gatewood, Stuart Thorson, Timothy D. V. Dye (2019): “Data Diplomacy”, Science & Diplomacy, Vol. 8, No. 1 (May 2019), http://sciencediplomacy.org/article/2019/data-diplomacy. 

Bureau of Public Affairs (2008): “Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State at Work”, U.S. Department of State, June 2008, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/107330.htm, Accessed: 06. 10. 2022. 

Jacobson, Barbara Rosen, Katharina E Höne, Jovan Kurbalija (2018): Data Diplomacy: Updating diplomacy to the big data era, DiploFoundation, February 2018, https://www.diplomacy.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Data_Diplomacy_Report_2018.pdf, Accessed: 27. 09. 2022. 

Kuznetsov, Nikita M., Natal’ya A. Tsvetkova,(2022): “Russian data diplomacy: Goals, trends, perspectives”, RSUH/RGGU Bulletin Series, Political Science, History, International Relations, no. 1, 26-40, DOI: 10.28995/2073-6339-2022-1-26-40. 

Marcotte, Bob (2016): “‘Big Data’ generates need for ‘Data Diplomacy’”, University of Rochester, News Center, January 28, 2016, https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/big-datageneratesneed-for-data-diplomacy/, Accessed: 05. 10. 2022.

Ndoumbe,Keira (2022): Data Diplomacy: Examining Data’s Impact As A Tool For Diplomatic Activities, Nkafu Policy Institute, February 2022, 1-4. 

Stanton, Jeffrey (2013): An Introduction to Data Science Version 3 [Online], With a Contribution By Robert W. De Graaf, Syracuse University, Google Books, Available at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6iefdnF22XQeVZDSkxjZ0Z5VUE/edit, Accessed: 06. 10. 2022. 

Tsvetkova, Natal’ya, Nikita M. Kuznetsov (2020): “Phenomenon of Big Data Diplomacy in World Politics”, RSUH/RGGU Bulletin Series, Political Science. History, International Relations, no. 4, 27-44, DOI: 10.28995/2073-6339-2020-4-27-44. 

U.S. Department of State (2021): “Enterprise Data Strategy: Empowering Data Informed Diplomacy”, September 2021, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Reference-EDS-Accessible.pdf, Accessed: 27. 09. 2022.

U.S. Department of State (2022): “Implementation of Enterprise Data Strategy Takes a Mission-Driven Approach”, July 13, 2022, https://www.state.gov/implementation-of-enterprise-data-strategy-takes-a-mission-driven-approach/, Accessed: 27. 09. 2022.