The age of blunt diplomacy? Twitter can be used to escalate global conflict, study says

Trump isn't the only one to fire off shots at other world leaders; Twitter can amplify misunderstandings and spread disinformation

Just because Twitter is predominantly filled with quips and kvetching doesn't mean what's said on the platform can't have far-reaching consequences, according to a new study from the Centre for Science and Security Studies at King's College London on how government officials and agencies use Twitter during global crises.

In Escalation by Tweet: Managing the New Nuclear Diplomacy, authors Dr Heather Williams and Dr Alexi Drew report that while tweets from government officials may help shape the American public narrative and provide greater insights into US decision-making", they can also create confusion, upend diplomatic communications and escalate global tensions.