Poker, not Chess: Benjamin Haddad on Diplomacy Today | The Art of Diplomacy

In this third episode of "The Art of Diplomacy," co-host Florence Gaub travels to Paris to talk to Benjamin Haddad, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs. Haddad is one of the key figures shaping France’s role in Europe at a moment of geopolitical upheaval. He describes a role that sits at the intersection of European politics, security, and economic strategy, where building coalitions and moving quickly are often more important than perfect processes. Drawing on his path from think tank analyst to government diplomat, he reflects on the shift from observing decisions to taking responsibility for them. At the heart of their conversation stands the craft and art of negotiations. Beyond negotiation tactics, the episode looks at the changing nature of diplomacy itself. In a more interconnected and fast-moving world, influence no longer flows only through formal channels. Diplomacy has become more networked, more public, and more dependent on trust—both between states and between individuals. Haddad finally challenges the common idea of diplomacy as a game of chess. Instead, he sees it closer to poker – defined by incomplete information, risk, and the ability to read situations in real time. For the introduction of this episode, Florence Gaub is joined by her co-host, Joshua Yaffa, staff writer for The New Yorker.