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The impression I got, from attending a school with a lot of diplomat kids, is that a lot of countries have embassies as a sort of foreign holiday for their ruli

The impression I got, from attending a school with a lot of diplomat kids, is that a lot of countries have embassies as a sort of foreign holiday for their ruling classes. Now NK being a bit antagonistic and paranoid might be an exception, but I distinctly got the impression that there were a lot of countries that didn't really do a lot of diplomatic work with the host countries, but the embassy meant they could send some families to go live in the west and have their school paid for by the state. Those kinds of embassies don't need to be in the fancy embassy district.

Dah00n 2y ago
Also most of the work is done by the CIA and NSA.
- rurban 2y ago
  The NSA stays at home. There are some diplomatic normal folks to do the consularic work (visa, lost passports), the rest is secret service (recruiting agents, influencing the press, police, "diplomatic" ie secret communication, contacts to other embassies and the host).
  - jazzyjackson 2y ago
    And if it's a cross border offensive it's more likely to be Air Force Space Command (since, you know, cyberspace is right above regular space which is just a little higher than airspace :p) (its just that electronic warfare is a natural extension of long range, lets call it, interference) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Operations_Command&diffonly=true https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Operation...
jazzyjackson 2y ago
The embassies are not my ballgame but I get the impression they are not there because a lot of diplomacy needs to be done all the time - but to already exist when the need for diplomacy arises. Open channels of communication and all that. An alternate explanation to your point is that countries would like to have the appearance of being as shadowy and influential as what the CIA has going on. I'll quote (AFKA) mos def [0] and also link to the 99% invisible episode in number stations [1]. Some countries broadcast codes nonstop A in case they ever need to, no one can tell they just started and B to have the appearance they have covert agents behind enemy lines, just to be spooky. Mentioned that he worked for the embassy People seem to find that interesting High status, intrigue and mystery Special code name on the hotel registry I love it when they say "Enjoy your stay" They say it how they mean it 'Cause that's the way they been trained Show you to your room A suite with a view When, if anything at all Do not hesitate to call ... Salutations, congratulations Reservations, exclusive arrangements Dinner with the patrons, the scenery is amazing It's so outrageous, they whisper when they say it When it's really real it's even realer than "The Matrix" Classic, modern, ancient, flagrant Get a special thrill every time they get to say it Peace! I work with the embassy On behalf of imagination industry I come visit, you come visit Such a pleasure, official business La, la, la, la... (Boogey, boogey, man, man) [0] https://genius.com/Yasiin-bey-the-embassy-lyrics https://genius.com/Yasiin-bey-the-embassy-lyrics [1] https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/numbers-stations/ https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/numbers-stations/
Xeyz0r 2y ago
The social and cultural dynamics you mention are indeed present in some cases.

Dah00n 2y ago

Also most of the work is done by the CIA and NSA.

rurban 2y ago
The NSA stays at home. There are some diplomatic normal folks to do the consularic work (visa, lost passports), the rest is secret service (recruiting agents, influencing the press, police, "diplomatic" ie secret communication, contacts to other embassies and the host).
- jazzyjackson 2y ago
  And if it's a cross border offensive it's more likely to be Air Force Space Command (since, you know, cyberspace is right above regular space which is just a little higher than airspace :p) (its just that electronic warfare is a natural extension of long range, lets call it, interference) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Operations_Command&diffonly=true https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Operation...

jazzyjackson 2y ago

The embassies are not my ballgame but I get the impression they are not there because a lot of diplomacy needs to be done all the time - but to already exist when the need for diplomacy arises. Open channels of communication and all that. An alternate explanation to your point is that countries would like to have the appearance of being as shadowy and influential as what the CIA has going on. I'll quote (AFKA) mos def [0] and also link to the 99% invisible episode in number stations [1]. Some countries broadcast codes nonstop A in case they ever need to, no one can tell they just started and B to have the appearance they have covert agents behind enemy lines, just to be spooky. Mentioned that he worked for the embassy People seem to find that interesting High status, intrigue and mystery Special code name on the hotel registry I love it when they say "Enjoy your stay" They say it how they mean it 'Cause that's the way they been trained Show you to your room A suite with a view When, if anything at all Do not hesitate to call ... Salutations, congratulations Reservations, exclusive arrangements Dinner with the patrons, the scenery is amazing It's so outrageous, they whisper when they say it When it's really real it's even realer than "The Matrix" Classic, modern, ancient, flagrant Get a special thrill every time they get to say it Peace! I work with the embassy On behalf of imagination industry I come visit, you come visit Such a pleasure, official business La, la, la, la... (Boogey, boogey, man, man) [0] https://genius.com/Yasiin-bey-the-embassy-lyrics https://genius.com/Yasiin-bey-the-embassy-lyrics [1] https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/numbers-stations/ https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/numbers-stations/

Xeyz0r 2y ago

The social and cultural dynamics you mention are indeed present in some cases.