Commentary
But their "principal to principal" model will only be as effective as the political strength of each leader back home.
Damien Ma
Research
Diplomacy in Crisis, Subnational Diplomacy Evolves
For practitioners of subnational diplomacy, 2025 has required quick adaptation and evolution to tectonic shifts.
Published on Dec 15, 2025
About the Authors
Marissa Jordan
Program Manager, Carnegie California
Marissa Jordan is the program manager of Carnegie California at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She has a master’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Her previous research has focused on how anti–human trafficking service providers understand climate change’s role in driving human trafficking in their particular regions.
Ian Klaus
Founding Director, Carnegie California
Ian Klaus is the founding director of Carnegie California. He is a leading scholar on the nexus of urbanization, geopolitics, and global challenges, with extensive experience as a practitioner of subnational diplomacy.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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