
With Stanley Krippner and Francis Macy

Scholar–practitioner, author, educator, and former ambassador

Excited to share a video I created highlighting the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University during my Spring 2025 semester there as the Tom and Ruth Distinguished Visiting Scholar.
The video captures the vibrant academic environment, distinguished faculty, and diverse student community that make this School stand out in international affairs education. I hope it provides insight into the exceptional work being done at Seton Hall in preparing the next generation of diplomatic leaders.
As my tenure as the Tom and Ruth Sharkey Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations in New Jersey draws to a close, I reflect on this enriching experience. This photo was taken during the graduation ceremony.

Truth is never alone, but it is always lonely.
We often excel at what we like, but even more frequently, we grow fond of what we excel at. In essence, our skills shape our interests to a greater extent than our interests determine the development of our skills.
Sometimes you experience pleasure from not writing. At times, you enjoy not talking. Occasionally, you feel delight in not eating, or not drinking, or not breathing. Sometimes, there even flashes a thought about the bliss of complete, final, and irreversible inaction.
But then everything returns to its usual course: you write in haste, talk incoherently, eat indiscriminately, drink hurriedly, breathe mindlessly, and chaotically try not to think about the impending absolutely complete, utterly final, and entirely irreversible inaction.
Professor Dani Belo of Webster University (U.S.) has deep ties to the United States and Canada. In our YouTube conversation, he shares his thoughts on the current state of relations between these neighboring countries.
I recently had the privilege of hosting Dr. Paul Sharp on my YouTube channel, Diplomatic Nexus. Dr. Sharp is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and an Honorary Editor of the Hague Journal of Diplomacy, and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent contemporary scholars in diplomatic studies.
In our wide-ranging discussion, we explored numerous aspects of modern diplomacy, including its human dimensions and understanding diplomacy as a social practice. Dr. Sharp shared insights from his extensive research, including his influential book “Diplomatic Theory of International Relations” (Cambridge University Press, 2009).
Our conversation highlighted how diplomatic interactions extend beyond formal state relationships to encompass complex social and personal dynamics that shape international relations.
For those interested in diplomatic theory and practice, I encourage you to watch our full discussion on my Diplomatic Nexus channel.
The art of #communication is important. Especially if a person has something to say, or has nothing to say