One of the hardest things about being a diplomat abroad is the need for constant knowledge. Ordinary citizens often seem to think that by virtue of being in the foreign service, you would have access to many insider’s views and insights. The US ambassador in Senegal, for example, tells me that he is constantly asked about visa applications – when their applications will approved, how long will it take, and how do they go about it. In the US foreign service, the consular office (which handles visas) is separate from the political arm of the State Department (from where they choose their ambassadors). As such, he has no idea what applications have come in, and why it is taking so long.

Then there are friends and acquaintances who will ask you international relations-type questions: why did Russia invade Ukraine; why was there a coup in Sudan; what does Saudi Arabia hope to gain by the mass execution of convicted felons? They mean well, but unless you are Professor Google, it is unlikely that you have all the answers.

And yet, not knowing is not an excuse, especially when you are abroad. This is why the diplomat’s life is a never-ending search for information, analysis, and more information. During the pandemic, when borders started closing and countries imposed different restrictions on travel, the diplomat at post had to become the go-to person whenever something needed to be verified or further questions needed to be answered. In cases such as the pandemic, communication between headquarters and post are key in ensuring that the right information is disseminated.

It used to be that books, journals, newspapers, periodicals and the news channels were the best places to obtain the information needed. Now it’s the social media, the internet, and the chat groups. One reliable source remains constant through the years, however : your contacts. But even in this, the diplomat will still need to know at least something before they broach the subject with their contacts.