Washington Diplomacy: Profiles of People of World Influence

Washington Diplomacy by John Shaw offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how global power is actually exercised. Through in-depth conversations with 66 figures—from Kofi Annan, Alan Greenspan, and Nelson Mandela to Susan Rice, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Tony Blair, Joseph Biden, and George Mitchell—the book captures the hopes, doubts, and calculations that shape world affairs.

Shaw moves beyond headlines and soundbites, asking these leaders how they think, what they fear, and which lessons from past crises still guide them. Readers encounter Pierre-Richard Prosper reflecting on the legal meaning of genocide after Rwanda, Anthony Lake outlining emerging security “nightmares,” George McGovern arguing that hunger is a political choice, and Richard Holbrooke recounting the hard realities of high-stakes negotiation. Voices from international finance and economics, such as Michel Camdessus and Moisés Naím, explain how markets and institutions like the IMF influence national destinies. Historians like Niall Ferguson examine how different decisions might have reshaped the 20th century.

Framed by a thoughtful introduction from Senator Chuck Hagel, the book shows foreign policy not as abstract theory but as the work of real people operating under pressure, constraints, and conflicting priorities. It highlights the central role of diplomacy in preventing conflict, building alliances, and addressing global challenges from terrorism and financial crises to development and governance.

Washington Diplomacywill appeal to students and teachers of international relations, history, political science, and public policy; practitioners in diplomacy, defense, development, and international organizations; journalists and policy analysts; and general readers who want more substance than a news cycle can provide. It is especially suited for classroom use and for readers seeking candid, human insight into the decisions that shape the modern world.