17 August 2019
Diplomatic security is an important but neglected subject. Sometimes called ‘diplomatic protection’, it concerns the steps taken by states to safeguard the fabric of their diplomatic and consular missions, the lives of their diplomatic and consular officers, and the integrity of their communications. A book on the topic did appear this year and I have reviewed it for H-Diplo (read the full review here). However, its chapter dealing with British practice leaves some questions unanswered and some potentially valuable documentary sources overlooked, so it occurred to me that a student looking for a thesis topic, and with ready access to the National Archives in London, might look at them for inspiration. I make some suggestions at the top of the ‘Need a thesis topic?’ page here.