Silence as a political strategy in international diplomacy

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Silence as a political strategy in international diplomacy

Arzygul Dzhorobekova, Zhenishbek Dzhorobekov , Gulbarchyn Abdikerim kyzy, Alexey Shevchenko, Aiperi Pirmatova

Received 22.01.2026, Revised 08.05.2026, Accepted 19.06.2026

https://doi.org/10.67524/verus1/1.2026.1

Retrieved from Vol. 2, No. 1, 2026

Pages 4-16

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the functional purpose, mechanisms, and consequences of diplomatic silence in international crises. The work employed typologisation to classify the functions of silence, case study analysis to examine diplomatic cases, comparative analysis to compare models of silence, as well as discursive and political-communicative analysis to interpret political consequences. The analysis allowed for the consideration of diplomatic silence as an independent form of political communication. A classification of the main functions was formulated, which included deterrence, signalling, crisis management, protection of the negotiation process, demonstration of position, and creation of strategic uncertainty. The comparison of relations between China and the United States of America and between China and Taiwan revealed a distinction between the crisis-regulatory and status-symbolic models of the use of silence. The study of Russia’s war with Ukraine showed that the restriction of public information was used to enhance operational security and preserve uncertainty regarding the intentions and capabilities of the parties. The analysis of sanction conflicts around Russia and Iran demonstrated the use of silence as an instrument of strategic insurance aimed at minimizing political risks. The examination of India’s diplomatic behaviour demonstrated the use of silence for balancing between competing centres of power without losing foreign policy flexibility. The advantages of silence are manifested through reducing the risk of escalation, maintaining negotiation channels, and protecting sensitive information, while the main threats remain the misinterpretation of intentions, the growth of distrust, and the accumulation of informational uncertainty. The results can be used by diplomatic agencies and specialists in international relations to assess the feasibility of using silence in crisis communications, negotiation processes, and the development of foreign policy strategies

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Suggested citation
Dzhorobekova, A., Dzhorobekov , Zh., Abdikerim kyzy, G., Shevchenko, A., & Pirmatova, A. (2026). Silence as a political strategy in international diplomacy. Journal of Global Political Transformations, 2(1), 4-16. https://doi.org/10.67524/verus1/1.2026.1