Storella Discusses War, Technology, and the Future of Diplomacy
On March 31st, a full house of 80 attendees gathered at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies for a timely and wide-ranging discussion titled War and Peace: The Results of Four Years of War, hosted by the Center for the Study of Europe (CSE). Students, faculty, and guests convened to hear retired General David McKiernan and Mark Storella, Pardee Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy, examine how the war in Ukraine is reshaping modern conflict and global security dynamics. Moderated by Professor Sanne Verschuren, the conversation fostered thoughtful engagement on the evolving nature of warfare and the future of international diplomacy.
Drawing on his recent visit to Ukraine, General McKiernan offered firsthand insights into how emerging technologies are transforming the modern battlefield. He challenged prevailing narratives about the conflict, emphasizing that Russia is not winning the war and that Ukraine is far from collapse. His remarks underscored the importance of understanding contemporary warfare not only through troop movements and territory, but also through innovation, adaptability, and strategic resilience.
Ambassador Storella expanded the discussion to the diplomatic and geopolitical implications of the conflict. He noted that China has emerged as a consequential player in European security and argued that recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy have strained allied trust. In this evolving landscape, he suggested that middle powers, particularly the European Union, will attempt, though likely struggle, to fill leadership gaps, while Germany may need to reassess its long-term role in European security absent reliable U.S. support.
Despite the challenges outlined, both speakers agreed on a crucial point: diplomacy is not dead. While the war has intensified geopolitical divisions, its resolution will ultimately require negotiation. Special thanks were extended to Vesko Garčević, Pardee Professor of the Practice of International Relations; Alexa Arena, Assistant Director of both the CSE and the Center for Latin American Studies; and Robert Trottier, IR Graduate Student and Research Assistant; for organizing the event and making the conversation possible.
Mark C. Storella is the professor of the practice of diplomacy at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies. He served as a United States Foreign Service Officer for more than three decades. Besides being an ambassador to Zambia, he was a deputy assistant secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration and dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute. Storella has several honors and awards to his name, including the Presidential Rank Award and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award. To learn more about his work and accomplishments, visit his faculty profile.