back channels
Unofficial diplomatic pathways
Back channels are unofficial or informal routes of communication, typically used alongside formal diplomatic or organizational processes.
Governments maintain back channels to negotiate sensitive matters away from public scrutiny: The treaty was largely worked out through back channels before the official talks began.
In any hierarchical organization, back channels let people bypass official procedures to get things done or share information discreetly.
Formal discussion seeking agreement
- unofficialNot formally recognized
- intermediariesAgents linking separate parties
- envoysOfficial diplomatic representatives
- mediatorsConflict resolution facilitators
liaison · dialogue · proxies · emissaries · go-betweens · shuttle diplomacy · quiet diplomacy · side conversations
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- hiddenKept out of sight
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
whisper networks · leaks · insider · subterfuge · shadowy · under-the-table · unacknowledged · deniable
Conveyed indications
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- noddingMoving head affirmatively
- uh-huhInformal vocal agreement
- mm-hmmVocal nod
yeah · nonverbal · paralinguistic · turn-taking · active listening · phatic · conversational · encouragers
negotiations
Formal discussion seeking agreement
- unofficialNot formally recognized
- intermediariesAgents linking separate parties
- envoysOfficial diplomatic representatives
mediators · liaison · dialogue · proxies · emissaries · go-betweens · shuttle diplomacy · quiet diplomacy · side conversations · off-the-record
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- hiddenKept out of sight
discreet · whisper networks · leaks · insider · subterfuge · shadowy · under-the-table · unacknowledged · deniable · off-book
signals
Conveyed indications
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- noddingMoving head affirmatively
- uh-huhInformal vocal agreement
mm-hmm · yeah · nonverbal · paralinguistic · turn-taking · active listening · phatic · conversational · encouragers · interactional
- Cold War Diplomacydétente, detente, arms control, summits, SALT talks
- elite networksold boys network, old boys club, inner circle, inner circles, cronyism
- Mideast DiplomacyOslo Accords, Camp David, peace agreement, two-state solution, normalization
- shadow powerpuppet master, puppeteer, string puller, string pulling, string-pulling
- US-Irannuclear deal, hostage crisis, Iran-Contra, diplomatic ties, Tehran
- lobbyinglobbying, lobby, lobbyist, lobbyists, lobbying firms
back channelspublic discourse
Open societal conversation
open channels · press conferences · public forums · town halls · open hearings
back channelsofficial channels
Authorized pathways for requests
summit meetings · treaty negotiations · official correspondence
back, channel, backs, backed, backing, backside, backyard, backbone, background