Military diplomacy serves as an important complement to traditional diplomacy, particularly in times of crisis and conflict. Brigadier Nikolaus Rottenberger, Head of the Military Diplomacy Department at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence, spoke to us about what military diplomacy can achieve, Austria’s role in international military diplomacy, and the importance of military protocol, particularly during high-level visits.
How have the expectations and demands placed on military diplomacy changed in recent years?
Military diplomacy has changed dramatically, with its responsibilities and tasks expanding considerably over the past three decades. Unlike during the Cold War, military diplomacy has evolved into a versatile instrument of a broader defence policy. Today, it encompasses not only bilateral relations, but also regional and often multilateral formats, and it must also be able to serve a purpose in times of crisis and active conflict.
What can military diplomacy achieve? At first glance, the two “concepts” of the military and diplomacy may seem rather contradictory.
Military diplomacy serves as the eyes and ears of national defence policy around the world, but it is also a voice and a channel of communication. Military diplomats are officers with specialised training, which makes them resilient in crisis situations and capable of operating across a broad range of environments. The military profession creates connections across cultures and borders, enabling military diplomacy to open doors that traditional diplomacy may not always be able to access. Ultimately, military diplomacy complements traditional diplomacy with specialised knowledge and capabilities.
What would you identify as the most significant differences between “traditional” diplomacy and military diplomacy?
The differences lie less in the means than in the channels. In many countries, internal and external security and defence are institutionally separate from foreign policy and, consequently, from traditional diplomacy. The access and networks provided by military diplomats complement these structures, facilitate better exchanges and promote mutual understanding. This can be particularly helpful in building trust and avoiding misunderstandings.
How would you describe Austria’s role in international military diplomacy? As a neutral country, Austria has also frequently served as a venue for negotiations and as a diplomatic platform.
Austria’s military diplomacy operates globally and often in cooperation with partners, particularly within the framework of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. In this context, we help build a bridge between neutrality and solidarity.
Vienna, as a neutral venue for negotiations, will continue to play an important role, as demonstrated most recently by the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme in 2014/2015. Vienna is also home to a number of specialised UN organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, making the city particularly well suited to hosting international negotiations.
Military attachés at embassies are among the key representatives of military diplomacy. What does such a position involve? What falls within the responsibilities of a military attaché, and how does one become one? What qualities are particularly important?
Military attachés are representatives of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and, consequently, representatives of the Federal Minister in their respective countries. At the same time, they serve as specialist advisers to Austria’s ambassadors on security and defence policy. In this capacity, they provide expert advice and support.
However, the core of their work is maintaining and deepening bilateral relations between the respective defence ministries. Defence attachés also perform a wide range of additional tasks, from providing administrative support for troop visits and international exercises to preparing high-level visits by representatives of the ministry.
The selection of defence attachés is carried out by the General Staff and requires a broad range of training and professional experience. In addition to these measurable selection criteria, personal qualities are naturally also an essential factor in successfully carrying out the responsibilities of a defence attaché. In brief, these include strong communication and interpersonal skills, a confident personal presence and a good understanding of etiquette, courtesy, and the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in foreign languages.
How important is “military protocol”, which is also one of the responsibilities of your department?
Military protocol plays a central role, particularly during high-level visits to Austria. However, this is not unique to Austria. It is practised around the world, with regional and cultural variations, and has a long historical tradition.
In addition to demonstrating the appropriate respect and honours due to a visiting dignitary, protocol also serves as a practical guide for organising and conducting such visits. It helps both host and guest: the host in planning the visit and the guest in understanding what to expect during the programme.
It is therefore a universal tool with global relevance that defines the framework for official bilateral as well as multilateral contacts.
To what extent has artificial intelligence already changed your work? What is your department’s attitude towards it?
Naturally, as the Military Diplomacy Department, we are not closed to new technologies. At present, however, the use of AI remains limited. Where appropriate, we use it in the context of gathering basic data from open sources.
The subsequent stages of security and defence policy assessment and analysis, however, continue to rely on the experience, expertise and knowledge of my staff. Knowing our counterparts personally is often an important factor when choosing the appropriate wording, as well as when processing information and implementing measures.
Since the human factor continues to play a major role in diplomacy, including military diplomacy, AI can currently only be used to a limited extent in a meaningful and effective way.
What have been the most challenging situations you have personally faced so far as Head of Military Diplomacy?
In addition to my responsibilities in the field of military diplomacy, I am also responsible for my colleagues working in our defence attaché offices. Situations become particularly challenging for me personally whenever the safety and security of my “people on the ground” are at stake. Unfortunately, this is all too often the case at present.
In this regard, I would point to the crises and wars in Ukraine, Lebanon and Iran. They place considerable demands on all of us, both in terms of time and mentally, and these are therefore the situations I would describe as the most challenging.