The politics of vague: Leveraging ambiguity in foreign relations

Moscow

AMBIGUOUS behaviour, doctrines and statements have gained popularity as foreign policy instruments among great and smaller powers alike over the last decade. Ambiguity - intentional lack of clarity about one's goals and plans - has contributed to the rise of unpredictability and associated risks in global affairs.

And yet, ambiguity can be "constructive", bringing clear benefits in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution. Foreign relations of Russia, a major power aspiring to increase its regional and global imprint, and some of its international counterparts since the end of the Cold War offer insights into the costs and benefits of ambiguity.