(Political) friendship that is no friendship during peace that is no peace

This thesis analyses the diplomatic approach of Eleanor Roosevelt to Yugoslavia, through the political friendship between Roosevelt and Marshal Josip Broz Tito. It uncovers the effect of Roosevelt’s diplomacy with Tito on the international relations between the United States of America and Yugoslavia during the Cold War in the 1960s. This is done by using Van Hoef’s theoretical concept of political friendship to interpret the relationship between Roosevelt and Tito. It shows that there is no indication of a strong political friendship but more of a fellowship that fostered ground for positive peace. This research adds onto existing research on the economic and political implications of the cooperation between the US and Yugoslavia, especially during the Cold War period, where Yugoslavia was used by the Eisenhower administration in their ‘wedge strategy’. By analyzing personal notes and letters of Roosevelt in the 1960s, as well as examining official government documents, it becomes clear how the personal diplomacy of Roosevelt influenced Tito and created a fellowship, which fostered ground for positive peace between the US and Yugoslavia in the 1960s.