74. Tom Fletcher on the Israeli crisis, avoiding assassination and the art of diplomacy

Our guest this week is Tom Fletcher, former Ambassador to Lebanon, Downing Street Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs to three successive Prime Ministers and author. Given Tom’s experience at the sharp end of geopolitics, the timing of our conversation could not have been more useful.Tom, who is now Principal of Oxford University’s Hertford College, has first-hand, visceral experience of managing conflict in a region now beset with tragedy and terror. Experience that included facing the regular threat of assassination as well as the complex management of an Embassy at a time of extreme challenge.As a diplomat, Tom has a tried and tested operational formula when it comes to crisis. But he is also a man with strong and useful views across the range of other risks and threats we face across politics, education and other areas. A former diplomat (or recovering Ambassador as he puts it) who is not afraid to have opinions.Tom is also someone who believes in the strategic power of a sense of humour, even when you’re in a room full of world leaders. Stand by for a cracking anecdote about Silvio Berlusconi and his budgie smugglers. Hope you enjoy this episode and find it as useful as I did. My thanks to Tom. Tom's crisis comforts: 1. A small piece of land – to put my hands in the soil and sit under my fig tree with a Negroni.2. A good Spotify playlist – Music is always a good place to put my head. 3. The basics – air, water and sleep – simply remembering to breathe, stay hydrated and always get your seven hours sleep. Links: Stream/Buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bmSome Velvet Morning Website: https://www.somevelvetmorning.co.ukYour Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Books by Tom: The Naked Diplomat -https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008127581/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i0 The Ambassador - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1800328974/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i2 Ten Survival Skills For a World in Flux - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008447802/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i0 The Assassin - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1800328990/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i1 Naked Diplomacy - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0008127565/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i3Host: Andy CoulsonCWC production team: Louise Difford and Jane SankeyWith special thanks to Global.