Since September 11, the world has seen some dramatic and surprising developments in the diplomatic landscape.
At their heart is President Bush, the USA and that country's exceptional influence in global affairs.

Edward Stourton speaks to the world leaders and decision makers, getting their personal insights and unique access to the story of a world-changing year.

He talks to the major players as well as the fixers and negotiators who worked to bring about a major realignment in global diplomatic relations.

Listen to Part One - Friends and Enemies

The story of how the world recovered from shock and the Americans prepared for action.

Insiders tell of the ultimatum the US delivered to Pakistan and President Musharraf describes his reaction. George Robertson reveals what went on at Nato headquarters and Kofi Annan talks about the reaction at the UN.

Listen to Part Two: Gathering Force.

Washington and London join forces as the coalition is built.

The doubts and fears of the Muslim world are addressed while attention focuses on the Middle East. British envoy Charles Powell's described his mission to Syria.

Meanwhile, insiders tell of the deals which were done to open up the air bases bordering Afghanistan.


Listen to Part Three: Business as Usual

Once troops moved into Kabul a newly confident America turned its attention to Iraq, but suddenly the unity that had promised so much started to fray at the edges.

The Middle East blew up and the violence there effectively put world diplomacy on hold.

Meanwhile, insiders tell of the deals which were done to open up the air bases bordering Afghanistan.


Listen to Part Four: A New Order?

This programme - less chronological and more analytical - will ask what has changed since September 11th?

Are international relations any different? Has any progress been made towards global co-operation? How is the global alliance against terrorism shaping up.

Are the world's leaders any nearer to a greater understanding of each other's difficulties?

Read the transcripts

The Diplomatic Jigsaw was first broadcast in September 2002 on BBC World Service