New forms of communication and new actors are changing international relations. In contrast, diplomacy maintains tradition like few other professions. How does it cope with the new challenges? This handbook provides a definitive answer. The author has many years of experience as a diplomat, as well as close ties to the academic world. For the first time in fifty years, the practice of diplomacy is comprehensively presented in the German-speaking world. The book includes chapters on the history of diplomacy, diplomatic law, public diplomacy and e-diplomacy, the structure of foreign ministries and treaty networks, the professional and personal requirements for diplomats, language as a tool of diplomacy, the peculiarities of multilateral diplomacy, and serious and less serious aspects of so-called peace diplomacy.