Data-Driven
Diplomacy

Welcome to Bilateral Navigator, your gateway to understanding the intricate relationships between nations, one pair at a time. Our unique collection of bilateral reports offers in-depth insights into the dynamic interactions between countries, showcasing not just political and economic ties, but also cultural, historical, and social connections. Inspired by our first three publications, "Croatia & Sweden", "Croatia & Latvia", and "Sweden and USA", we embark on a monumental journey to cover all 193 UN member states, revealing the untold stories of international relations.

Join us in this groundbreaking endeavor to unravel the complexities of global diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange. Whether you're a scholar, a policy enthusiast, or simply curious about the world, Bilateral Navigator is your compass to navigate the diverse landscape of international affairs.

The Journey of Bilateral Navigator: Unveiling Global Understanding

At Bilateral Navigator, we believe in the power of knowledge to bridge divides and foster mutual understanding among nations. Our mission is to illuminate the commonalities between countries, often overshadowed by their differences. Through our extensive collection of bilateral reports, we provide a data-driven platform that equips diplomats, business leaders, and global citizens with insights to appreciate bilateral similarities, thus enhancing cooperation and pursuing shared goals.

Bilateral Navigator aspires to be the foremost source of comprehensive, unbiased, and data-driven insights into international relations. We aim to foster a global community that values understanding and cooperation above all, contributing to a more harmonious world.

The journey began with a simple yet profound realization: the world could greatly benefit from a deeper understanding between nations. While it's easy to spot differences, uncovering similarities requires a wealth of data and insight. Bilateral Navigator was born out of this need to highlight the shared paths and mutual interests of countries, bringing to light the untold stories of international relations.

Timeline

2019-2021: Opportunity Recognized

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Grgić's observations about the reliance on perceptions over data in diplomacy sparked the idea for a comprehensive bilateral report series.

2022: Technology Advanced

The integration of Large Language Models with Big Data, coupled with Dr. Grgić's expertise, paved the way for creating extensive and insightful content.

2023: Proof of Concept

The launch of "Croatia & Sweden" and "Croatia & Latvia" marked the successful initiation of the Bilateral Book Series, gaining acclaim in Stockholm (October 2023), Zagreb (November 2023), and Riga (December 2023).

2024: Potential Recognized

With the successful release of the initial reports, our team is expanding both internally and externally, building a network of skilled individuals and chief contributors globally.

Team

Author - Dr. Siniša Grgić

Serving as the Croatian Ambassador to Sweden and Latvia, Dr. Grgić blends his expertise from an enriched career as a diplomat, entrepreneur, and author. An engineer with a Ph.D. in Social Network Analysis (SNA) from the University of Zagreb and a Harvard Business School alumnus, he has notably founded Croatia's first credit reporting agency and initiated impactful organizations like Croatian Exporters and Competitiveness Council. His writing, including titles like "World of Skills" and "European Funds for Croatia," reflects his deep-rooted understanding of international relations fostered by extensive big-data analysis. Bilateral Navigator manifests his profound insights into global development trends, underscoring his enduring commitment to fostering bilateral understanding and global dialogue.

Chief Contributor for Latvia - Dr. Ieva Birka

A leading researcher in diplomacy and political science at the University of Latvia's Advanced Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI), Dr. Birka brings a wealth of academic rigor and insight to her field. Having received her Ph.D. from the University of Latvia, she further augmented her expertise with post‐doctoral fellowships at prestigious institutions like Yale and the University of Lucerne. Her scholarly contributions have been featured in esteemed academic journals, including Space and Polity, the Hague Journal of Diplomacy, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Journal of Baltic Studies, and Diaspora Studies. In addition to her academic endeavors, Dr. Birka heads the SSE Riga “Future Leaders Academy”, mentoring the next generation of young leaders, thereby solidifying her commitment to education and political discourse. Bilateral Navigator showcases her deep-rooted expertise, illuminating nuanced perspectives on contemporary global politics and societal interplay.

Chief Contributor for the USA - Kevin X. Murphy

As the President and CEO of J.E. Austin Associates since 1986, Kevin X. Murphy has established himself as a preeminent strategist in global competitiveness and economic development. A Harvard Business School and Kennedy School of Government alumnus, with an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, Murphy combines top-tier education with extensive practical experience. His career spans advising national competitiveness initiatives in over 15 countries, engaging with heads of state, and supervising successful projects across 125 countries. Notably, he co-authored the World Bank's 'Clusters for Competitiveness' and has been a driving force in shaping competitiveness strategies across various industries. As a keynote speaker and contributor to major international forums, including the World Economic Forum and OECD policy summits, Murphy's insights are sought after worldwide. Bilateral Navigator benefits from his profound understanding of global economic dynamics and strategic development.

Chief Contributor for Sweden - Professor Per Ödling

Professor Per Ödling, born in northern Sweden, has dedicated his career to researching and developing the Internet. He has extensive experience in both fixed and mobile broadband technologies, spanning from 2G to 6G. He holds a Ph.D. in Signal Processing from Luleå University, and is currently a Professor of Telecommunications at Lund University. With a diverse background, having a Swedish father, Finnish mother, and Spanish wife, Professor Ödling brings a multicultural perspective to his work. He formerly served as the secretary to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and was a board member of the Swedish National Council for Adult Education. Now, Professor Ödling is shifting his focus toward exploring how technology can contribute to environmental sustainability, the preservation of civilization, and the support of democracy. The bilateral reports serves as an example of his interest in the latter.