It hasn't always been this way, and I'm sure the State Department and the Office of the President rely on SIGINT far more than direct diplomacy -- even to the p

It hasn't always been this way, and I'm sure the State Department and the Office of the President rely on SIGINT far more than direct diplomacy -- even to the point where diplomatic efforts are, universally, a cold formality. They like to toss words like "Terrorism" around like frisbees hoping someone will catch it and toss it to someone else, however I personally think we can assume that direct diplomacy is dead. SIGINT is more consistent and dependable than engaging another nation's diplomatic apparatus, and all nations are clamoring for their own monitoring solution. It's a new baseline measurement of international political power -- the cost is so low that it's foolish not to get it.