Diplometrics began as a data building and analysis project in 2011, focusing initially on developing and forecasting the first iteration of the Global Power Index and measures of diplomatic representation, membership in international organizations, and signing and ratification of multilateral treaties. The Global Power Index is a measure of national power featured in the National Intelligence Council’s Global Trends 2030 report.

Since 2011, the Diplometrics Program has expanded significantly to include data on military capabilities, non-state actors, foreign travel by heads of government and state, diplomatic capacity, cultural affinity, power projection, and other data initiatives. With the completion of the Global Indicators of Dyadic Engagement dataset in 2020, the Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures has begun to use the combined data to analyze and forecast bilateral and networked influence across the international system. Additionally, the Institute has utilized its Formal Bilateral Influence Capacity Index, which is built in part from core Diplometrics data series, to launch a report in association with the Atlantic Council focusing on China-U.S. competition in Southeast Asia and implications for U.S. foreign policy.

As the portfolio expanded, the team placed more emphasis on sharing datasets, documentation, and analysis with researchers, analysts, policymakers, students, and the public. Through academic publications, commentaries, media interviews, and other public engagements, we seek to share our data and analysis with the world.