Creativity in foreign policy analysis

Creative practices don’t just enhance analytical capabilities—they open up new pathways.

Foreign policy analysis (FPA) has often been regarded as the domain of hard-nosed realists, relying on historical precedent and strategic interests to shape the world’s most consequential decisions. Yet, creativity has always been an essential ingredient for effective foreign policy analysis. Creative thinking allows analysts to challenge the status quo, envision new possibilities, and develop innovative strategies for addressing global challenges like climate change, cyber threats, and humanitarian crises.

Creativity doesn’t just help us understand the world as it is; it helps us imagine how the world could be. For foreign policy, that imaginative leap is invaluable.

Rigid thinking based solely on data and precedent limits our ability to respond to rapid shifts in the international arena. Unfortunately, education in international relations is often structured around data and precedent. The changing nature of global issues demands a fresh approach. Foreign policy challenges today require more than just calculated responses—they demand creative foresight.

When analysts employ creativity, they can consider perspectives that go beyond the conventional frameworks of diplomacy and security. Whether it’s envisioning new forms of multilateral cooperation, leveraging art and culture for diplomacy, or rethinking approaches to global governance, creative foreign policy analysis encourages solutions that look forward, not just back.

So, how can we increase creativity in our analysis? Here are five practices that are known to work:

1. Read fiction
   Reading fiction may seem far removed from the world of international diplomacy, but it’s a powerful tool for developing empathy, understanding different perspectives, and imagining alternative futures. Fiction transports us into the minds of others, often from different cultures or worlds, helping analysts think outside their own experience. Novels and stories can also serve as indirect case studies in power, conflict, and negotiation. From speculative fiction that imagines future societies to historical fiction that delves into human behavior, reading widely and creatively can inspire foreign policy analysts to approach challenges with fresh, nuanced insights.

2. Write creatively to explore
   Analytical writing is essential in foreign policy, but creative writing can unlock new ways of thinking about international relations. By experimenting with narrative, metaphors, or speculative fiction, analysts can play with “what if” scenarios in ways that more formal methods might stifle. Writing a short story about a diplomatic breakdown or imagining the world 50 years from now under different political conditions can spark unconventional ideas. Creative writing also encourages an emotional and human connection to global issues, which is often missing from more detached, data-driven approaches.

3. Cross-pollinate
   The arts—whether painting, music, or theater—offer rich insights into human nature, society, and power dynamics. By studying or engaging with artistic forms, foreign policy analysts can draw parallels and extract lessons that might not be apparent from purely political or economic analysis. For instance, diplomacy can sometimes be compared to an intricate dance or a carefully choreographed play, where timing, symbolism, and emotional resonance are critical.

   Creative disciplines also provide new ways to communicate ideas visually or symbolically, helping analysts see connections and solutions that words alone might miss. One of my favorite artworks which exemplifies thinking in international relations is Picasso’s Massacre in Korea (see image above). The artwork brings out the reality of insecurity and conflict and its role on families, mothers and children. Staring at it inevitably makes you think deeply about the data you read in support of foreign policy decisions.

4. Embrace Improvisation and Divergent Thinking
   Improvisation, a practice often found in music and theater, can sharpen the ability to think on one’s feet and adapt to unexpected developments. In foreign policy, where crises can emerge suddenly and disrupt traditional plans, improvisational thinking becomes essential.

   Practicing improvisation encourages analysts to explore divergent solutions rapidly and flexibly. One exercise could be to imagine a scenario where all existing alliances dissolve—how might new ones form, and how could unexpected players emerge? Improvisation pushes the analyst to let go of rigid structures and trust intuition, fostering creativity in real-time decision-making.

5. Host “Creative Conflict” Workshops
   Traditional conflict resolution often follows established diplomatic protocols. While these methods are effective, introducing creativity into the process can lead to more innovative solutions.

   “Creative conflict” workshops could involve role-playing games, where participants take on the roles of countries, organizations, or even fictional entities to negotiate, resolve crises, or form alliances. These playful, experimental sessions create a low-stakes environment where analysts can test unconventional ideas, fail without consequence, and refine approaches that could work in real-world settings. The goal is to tap into the creative potential of all participants, allowing for out-of-the-box solutions to emerge.

Incorporating creativity into foreign policy analysis can transform how we approach global challenges. By reading fiction, engaging in creative writing, learning from the arts, embracing improvisation, and experimenting with conflict resolution, foreign policy analysts can break free from traditional patterns of thinking and discover new possibilities.

Creative practices don’t just enhance analytical capabilities—they open up new pathways for innovative, empathetic, and forward-thinking strategies in international relations. As the world continues to change at a rapid pace, creative thinking in foreign policy is no longer just an advantage—it’s a necessity.

Image: Pablo Picasso, “Massacre in Korea”, Musée national Picasso-Paris.