DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MODELS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Digital diplomacy provides a platform both for establishing direct relations between states and for enabling non-state actors to play an active role in diplomacy. It facilitates the conduct of diplomatic relations not only through formal and official channels but also via social media, web platforms, applications, and artificial intelligence-based technologies. The new environment shaped by digitalization allows states to move beyond traditional diplomatic methods to communicate with a broader audience and to promote their national interests in a more strategic manner. In such a context, a thorough analysis of the theoretical foundations of digital development models and their practical manifestations affecting interstate relations is essential. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the impact of digitalization and emerging technologies on international relations and diplomacy in the contemporary era, to evaluate how digital diplomacy introduces new forms into interstate relations, and to assess the ways in which it transforms the international relations environment. The novelty and significance of digital diplomacy stem from the new dynamics it creates within interstate relations. This research comprehensively examines the theoretical models and practical application areas of digital diplomacy, analyzing new manifestations of digital development on the global stage. In this article, analytical and comparative scientific methods are employed to identify the theoretical foundations of digital diplomacy and to evaluate its practical impact on international relations. The analytical method is used to examine the effects of digitalization on interstate relations, while the comparative approach is applied to analyze digital diplomacy practices across different countries.